Wednesday News

There's finally a trailer available for the recently released documentary Junior, about the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Although screenings are currently available only in Quebec, with any luck I'll have a copy of the movie shortly and will be able to give it a proper review... Brodsky: "I can't stand to listen to the games, and I can't stand to watch them" - Prince George Cougars owner says in candid video interview... WHL Board of Governors conclude mid-season meetings... Kamloops Blazers head coach Greg Hawgood backtracks on earlier comments that the NCAA is a better track than Major Junior... Penner is back to where he wants to be, in Prince Albert... Portland goaltender vents his frustration... Blades' Molleken draws two-game suspension... Burnaby Express players back on same page... Bruins' Brandon Campos a gifted sniper... A dilemma for Minnesota Ice Hawks: Stay or play elsewhere... Orillia Terriers all but assured of fifth-place finish; Team likely to start playoffs on the road...

Saturday News

Last night's Texas Tornado game drew an announced crowd of just 950. Would someone please explain the benefit to the USHL for adding a team outside their footprint that draws as much as the Chicago Steel when they're playing poorly? CSHL checks ThunderBirds with hard penalties... Blizzard host fundraiser... Knights trade Cesar, add veteran netminder to roster... Berard adds veteran savvy to young Colts roster... Di Salvo ready for the Colts goaltending challenge... Falcons add Niagara IceDogs goalie to roster at trade deadline... Foreman hopes for stronger rest of season for IceDogs... Top Gun in goal; Mavric Parks says Frontenacs a good fit for him... Blue Jackets send Steve Mason back to OHL... Bruins deal veterans for youth... It's wait until next year for London Knights... Otters acquire winger from Kitchener... Hitmen trade d-man Frere to Ice... Robin not leaving the Oil Kings nest... Warriors' Ellerby predicted Wishart deal... Massive changes also address discipline issue for Cougars... The birth and death of a player rumor... 'Greasy' ex-Rebel gives Kings some grit... Deadline passes, trade winds fade... Winter Hawks keep eyes on the future... MJHL teams stock up for stretch run... MJHL trade deadline summary... Good grief... 'Brad Marchand Day' in Halifax... Cougars not out of race with Blazers just yet... Late trades in the SJHL... Optimism in Halifax now high on 2009 Cup bid... Mariners get Chavira at MJAHL trade deadline... Spitfires rethink goals...

Thursday News

Lots of trades and the CHL deadlines are this week. But first, the Central Scouting Bureau Mid-Terms are out. Memo to NHL: Why hide the rankings behind a password if a dozen media outlets are just going to plaster the complete list when you release it? This isn't consistent with your YouTube-ish strategy of offering up as much exposure as humanly possible. 24 USHLers listed in NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings... 14 NAHLers recognized by NHL Central Scouting... Stamkos and Doughty 1-2 in NHL Central Scouting mid-season draft rankings... Kempe has found the silver lining with Fog Devils... Mason won't join Rangers until tomorrow at earliest... Rangers wait on Mason arrival... Orangeville Crushers looking strong... Underachieving Eagles struggle to find game... Canmore Eagles go for new look between pipes... Farewell to a Knight: Steve Mason made his mark in London... PEI Rocket send Morrison to Huskies... Morrison and Gervais moved to cap off trading frenzy by P.E.I. Rocket... Moose quiet on Q trade front... Maylan glad to leave Moose Jaw... Moose upped pressure on themselves... Mooseheads' GM can't strike deal for blueliner... Former Moosehead gets nine years in prison... Wolves send Baker marching to Generals... Oshawa adds Neuvirth, Baker to already strong roster... Deadline decisions loom for Spruce Kings... Shawn O'Donnell is leaving the Halifax Mooseheads... Blizzard storm into second half of NAHL hockey season... Hunt suspension doesn't mesh with Crowley's innocence... Eagles make moves on final day... Morrison move highlights last day of trades... Wishart leaves Cougars, his legacy a conflicted character... Moose Jaw gets a Wish... Warriors get their Wish-art... Future becomes present for Cougars... Phantoms trade for Ice Diggers’ Nielsen... Saskatoon Blades trade McCrae to Spokane... Knights deal team captain Perry to Bulls... Spits swap goaltenders with Oshawa... Generals trade Howard for Baker... Sutter's taking a patient approach with young, rebuilding Rebels... Kisio plans to stand pat with Hitmen... Bartley anxious to come (to Regina)... Hunt handed the tools to make Pats a winner... Giants deal Nolan Toigo's right to Tri-City... Fascinating hockey documentary Junior opens in Quebec starting January 25, 2008... Should Oil Kings trade or stay the same? Saskatoon committee hopes to host 2010 or 2012 world junior championship... *WHEW*

Friday News

Slow news day as teams/leagues wind down for the holidays... NOJHL expansion 'No. 1 priority'; Commish looking at two-fight rule, SAT sponsor. The article mentions a return to Sault Ste. Marie, MI, plus potentially new teams in Escanaba, MI., near Traverse City, MI. (could be somewhere like Peotosky or Kalkaska), as well as Ville-Marie and Rouyn, Quebec... The week before Christmas in the NOJHL... Home ice - Dubuque to host CSHL tournament in March (and why not, they've averaging more fans a game than most NAHL teams)... Former Pats coach/GM Lorne Davis dies at age 77 (second story, penned by Davis' son)... Silvertips have looked both good and inept in the first half of the season... WHL teams are not able to ignore goalie Joey Rewucki any longer... Durham Fury are fighting the injury bug...

Friday News

Frawley a victim of league politics - NOJHL commissioner Mark Seidel says dispute not healthy for league... This is sorta nifty - The Prince George Citizen now has video highlights of Cougars games. This begs the question - with the season the Cats have had, will there be any highlights? Pool tries to keep Bobcats together... CSHL Showcase a bridge to next level... Landing an impact player never comes cheap... Experiments pay off as Otters find right line combinations... Fort Erie Meteors celebrate 50 years... Chris Breen carving out a niche in Saginaw... Jean-Christophe Blanchard traded to Rimouski for Louis-Étienne Leblanc and a draft pick... Prince George Cats fighting for their playoff lives already... Brett Olson back on track with Black Hawks... Sam Finn hoping for injury-free second half of season... Tregunna looking for 'ugly' goal to break ice as a Ranger... Bowmanville Eagles forward has eye on Oshawa Generals... Ben Cruse endured rehab with idea of return to ice... T-Birds hope to enter holiday break on roll... And finally, for those following the sale of the Tampa Bay Lighting to Helena Bighorns owner Oren Koules, a major roadblock was removed this week...

Tuesday News

Here's the Fargo Forum's article on "the letter." They also include an Adobe PDF copy of the original document. A few clarifications to the attendance data in the Forum article; the Jets averaged 971 fans a night in Fargo. I know Pointstreak says 986, but that includes the Showcase games in Blaine. Also the Jets through 13 games last season averaged 888 fans, so their average is down about 24% from last year. The letter was timed to coincide with vote from the Park Board, but it didn't work as they still voted to accept the arena. I've got some additional commentary on the letter from last night, you can read it here. In other news... St. Mike's Kyle Neuber gets ten games for elbowing... Portland's Mucha gets a chance to be great (decent goalies on bad teams often do)... Green Bay's Taylor Johnson to head to St. Cloud State in 2009... Bruins GM Darrell May in mild denial as Drew Shore commits to Denver... Gatineau's Ryan Mior nears QMJHL all-time shutout record... Prince George Cougars launch Community Christmas Campaign, and so does their sister club, the Wichita Falls Wildcats... Unfortunately, Cougars' first half still ends on disappointing note...

Gobblin' News

I'm using the holiday to make a few minor changes around here. First off, I've expanded the blog links. There are a lot more junior hockey bloggers out there (especially among members of the WHL media), so they're all linked now. If I missed anyone, please drop me an email. The second change is the snowflakes. I did this last year for the holidays and folks seemed to like it. We might actually see some real flakes tonight here in Cowtown, so now is a good a time as any to add them. I'll remove them after New Year's. Final change - I've once again removed the ability to comment to posts. This is not due to any misbehavior, and is only temporary. I'm in the process of adding a forum to supplement the blog. I think a forum will result in improved discourse, for example, by allowing posters to quote previous comments. The link will be in the upper right, under my email link. I'm currently configuring the forum and hope to have it ready in a day or two. When I do I'll make another announcement and turn on the link. For those thinking to themselves "yeesh, not another forum!" the blog forum is not intended to replace the existing ones out there. It's simply replacing the limited comments feature. Like other forums, you'll still need to register, but you'll still be able to retain your anonymity. This is an experiment more than anything. If folks don't use it, I'll go back to the old system. Fans in Kitchener Memorial Auditorium are dang near turning into frozen meatsicles... Kingston politicos say no new taxes for arena... Fargo Park Board calls special meeting Monday to discuss Urban Plains Center gift... A review of Kitchener Rangers winger Matt Halischuk bloody introduction to the OHL... Otters ship Peluso to Hounds... Otters making deals on Thanksgiving Eve... Saskatoon product Leclerc on fire for Blazers... Merger boosts Junior B hockey in Saskatchewan... Nice "where are they now" bio piece on former Fairbanks Ice Dogs assistant John Haddad... Prince Albert Raiders seeking positive trends... London Knights ponder Mason trade... Giants stars Machacek, Blum drop gloves at practice... Des Moines Buccaneers swap players with Indiana, pick up another from Philly Junior Flyers... Michigan Wolverines sign two from NTDP, one from USHL... Whoopsie!!! Impaired charge for Oshawa Generals’ Shea Kewin... Wolves promote local goalie Valiquette, put Swick on waivers... Whalers trade Neuvirth and Kane to Windsor... Manning ready to hit the road for Giants... Skjodt family making mark in Indiana... Northern Lights heating up in MnJHL... Season's second month brings scouting surprises... Restoule honoured by Skyhawks; Jr. Wolves player feted during Aboriginal Family Night... Chris Terry's tenacity gives Plymouth offensive spark...

Wednesday News

Here's to wishing a fun, safe holiday weekend for everyone... For all you Texas Tornado fans... if it's that bad this season (they're 6-13-2), perhaps you can take a page out of the playbook used by Jet fans and entertain yourselves tonight at intermission vs. Fairbanks. Or perhaps not... :) Hey Georgey, that ice is slippery! San Angelo inching closer to NAHL team... Unhappy with the quality of that $6 NAHL or USHL game you tried to watch on B2? Now you can pay $15 to watch any archived game on demand... Fournier wants to light fire under Ajax Attack... Smith's a Rebel with a cause after crash gave him a different outlook on life... Spruce Kings trade goalie... Otters’ Peluso heads home, awaits trade... Seven new players heat up the ice for Winter Hawks... Hawks hire NHL vet Mark Janssens as hockey consultant... Trade winds start to blow in QMJHL... London Knights trade Crawford to Kingston... Graf reassigned by Bruins; lineup changes likely for Spokane... BCHL rivalry has been fight-filled and fun... Jamie Haines making his mark with Soo Greyhounds... Eagles, Titan swap forwards... Waterloo's P.K. O'Handley to coach U.S. Junior Select Team... Here's everything you probably never wanted to know about Indiana Ice Jake Skjodt... Regina Pats call up prospects... Former Silvertip Campos playing well in Chilliwack...

Friday News

Reports indicate head coach Ken Law has resigned from the WHA's Oliver Jets for, among other things, not getting paid. The same report includes a letter to the editor in the Osoyoos Times from a bus company with a default judgment against the league for lack of payment. It would appear the wheels are flying off the WHA... While there appears to be some pages left unwritten on Eric Lindros' impact in hockey, I'm still going to remember him as the spoiled child who was too good to play for the Soo Greyhounds. Sure the Soo is a remote outpost in the OHL, but it was also good enough for Wayne Gretzky. In the end, Lindros was no Gretzky. The other lesson to be learned is that while parents being active in a player's career can be a good thing, don't overdue it. USA Hockey has their nice little sportsmanship campaign that's directed at the parents. They should add another slogan to it - "Don't be a Carl." Kamloops Blazers name Hawgood interim head coach, leave GM slot unfilled until end of season, and haven't called Toigo about Craig Bonner... Noticeable rises in attendance in eight QMJHL markets... 3-15-0 Portland Winter Hawks trading like it's going out of style. (second article)... Moose Jaw make a pair of trades... Silvertips reluctantly waive Reekie... Some in OPJHL worried about possible launch of Super Midget League... Prince George Cougars have a new scoring threat... IceDogs to host OHL executives... Former Sioux goalie Grieco wins OHL debut... Spitfires goalie Engelage on hot seat... Shane Taylor still out of line up after mugging in Erie... Josh Moes claimed off OHL Waivers by Soo Greyhounds... Fairbanks' Alex McRae signs with West Point... Rangers trade Zamec or 67's... Nanaimo Clippers get a mid-season gift with the return of AJ Gale from St. Cloud State...

Tuesday News

AJHL Showcase a hype pipeline to scouts... Hound Bryan Hull traded to Terriers... Kings return goalie Jonathan Bernier to Lewiston... Two injuries while in London lands centreman Chad Beal back with Pickering Panthers... Giants add to defence depth with former Raider Palazzo... Kelowna Rockets find early stride... Rebel J.D. Watt suspended indefinitely for high hit on Blades' Zahn... Penguins' Recchi tries hand at ownership... WHL completes 20-year-old cut-down draft... Improved play of vets rescuing Cougars...

Friday News

First off, I've reopened the blog comments. They used to be unrestricted, but later I had some folks misbehaving so I changed it so people had to first register before commenting. I think the incidents that resulted in the ockdown have long since passed, and so I'm opening things back up. Ethan Werek, who was an OHL first rounder (Kingston) and a USHL Futures first rounder this week (Indiana), has reiterated that he is staying at home with the OPJHL Stouffville Spirit. Although he had gone to the Frontenac's camp last month for a look-see, he didn't cross the line and is still NCAA eligible. Fargo's USHL team taking shape... Former Pierre standout Matt Farris makes South Dakota history by cracking Stampede roster... Omaha Lancers are loaded this season... Sioux City Musketeers hope to thrive on experience... Marquette and Traverse City now have a challenge cup to play for during their regular season series. Too bad Alpena couldn't get in on the action and make it a Mackinac Cup... QMJHL suspends Cape Breton Screaming Eagles head coach Pascal Vincent two games for jumping onto the ice... Kingston and Oshawa switch goalies... Mueller on Coyotes roster, likely won't return to Everett... Blades work on sharp shooting skills... Mooseheads to get big boost on Friday... Regina rallies around literacy fundraiser... Shock has worn off for new Giant Schira... Quesnel Millionaires send Jordan White’s rights to the Island... Time for big guns to step up for Victoria Grizzlies... Blades add Czech player, looking for better finish...

Saturday Night News

Congrats to the Omaha Lancers, who stomped Rimouski 6-0 today. Quebec did manage to seal a 5-3 regulation win against Indiana, but the USHL takes the series with a 2-1-1 record against the QMJHL. I'm sure the CHL apologists will be out in force, but a win is a win... BCHL Coastal Conference preview... OPJHL preview... Kyle Mulder surprise youngster in mix in Regina... Victoria goaltender Matt Wong ready to battle for respect... Bradley Dyke cracks the roster in Drummondville... Doug Clarkson is eager to emulate brother in Kitchener...

Weekend News

I'm going to try something new for awhile. I'm going to start including player stories in my links. I haven't usually done this, except for special occasions, but I'll give it a whirl for a bit and if the benefits outweigh the effort I'll continue the practice. Business-related articles will still come first. Cornwall Colts agree on ice costs with city... P.E.I. Rocket take blame for attendance drop, but might they move to Summerside? (second and third items) Hope Icebreakers look to put fans in the stands... Jim Ingram officially signed as Trail's new head coach... Everett and Portland name their broadcasters... Top draft pick Regier commits to Wheat Kings... Guelph Storm goalie Thomas McCollum prepares for "The Big Year"... Halifax Mooseheads look to end title drought... The dirt on mouthguards (yuck!)... USA U-18 roster and schedule set... Port Huron players to vie for spots with Alpena IceDiggers... Yarmouth Mariners sticking to plan that works... Hudson Crusade: get players ready for college hockey... Lewiston Maineiacs facing adjustments for this season... NAHL Showcase set to return to Blaine's Super Rink... Wellington Dukes begin building another Tier II championship team... Former Petoskey hockey standout earns spot on Bismarck Bobcats...

Monday News

The Joseph Goebbels Award for biggest line of B.S. spewed this summer is going to Ian Ellis, the OHL's Director of Marketing and Special Events, who now claims that while the USHL sits atop U.S. Junior hockey, most consider it equivalent to Junior B in Canada. Really? How many of those Canadian B leagues guided kids directly into an NCAA D1 slot or NHL draft selection? In his next life Ellis is slated to be a farmer, because he's certainly proven proficient at spreading manure. The Bismarck Bobcats have hired former Quad City Express (CSHL) head coach/GM Byron Pool as their new assistant coach. Speaking of the Bobcats, someone might want to let them know they are celebrating their Tenth Anniversary in their eleventh season. Whoops, better late than never! Windsor recreation complex features 6,500 seat arena for the Spitfires... Former Saginaw Spirit GM Bob Mancini returns to the Edmonton Oilers as development coach... The battle over who will own the Kamloops Blazers is starting to get messy... Al Murray dives into job as Hockey Canada's head scout with under-18 team... London Knights keep ticket prices competitive, but bump rates 50 cents across the board... Ajax Attack has hired Trevor Nkiwane as assistant coach... Alan Kerr takes over as Alberni Valley Bulldogs head coach and GM... Portland Winter Hawks voice Dean Vrooman steps down after 25 years...

Monday News

Sorry for the lack of posts... I've been out of town a few days - a pilgrim in an unholy land. We know there have been FERPA issues before, but let's hope this story doesn't give the Junior Council any ideas... The Tier III ruling is filtering into the media. Here's a story out of Billings... And here's another one, this time out of Rochester (I guess Jack Benny was unavailable for comment)... And Puget Sound, who also hired Chadd Olson as head coach... Vernon Vipers bag Red Wings GM Ken Holland, for a weekend at least... Swift Current Broncos name Tim Kehler assistant coach... Niagara Ice Dogs name Mike McCourt assistant coach... Owen Sound Attack still looking for a head coach... Lewiston Maineiacs fill out coaching staff... Pickering Panthers name Mark Joslin head coach... EJHL head coach Brad Holt moves up to the University of New England... Nanaimo Clippers voice Pat Siedlecki will call for Lethbridge Hurricanes...

Thursday News

St. Cloud assistant Fred Harbinson named head coach of Penticton Vees... MJHL's dormant Southeast Blades franchise moving to Beausejour... OPJHL Pickering Panthers' Pat Curcio named assistant coach of London Knights... Cory Clouston resigns from Kootenay Ice to become head coach of the AHL’s Binghamton Senators... Portland Winter Hawks are not renewing the contract of head coach Mike Williamson... And finally, Reason #384 why is good to not be a Colorado Avalanche fan...

Tuesday News

A few days after one Halifax columnist complains about the Q's draft system, another columnist makes a few suggests... After failing to win the Memorial Cup, Lewiston MAINEiacs head coach/GM Clem Jodoin resigns... Welland GM Marc Tardiff resigns as well...

Tuesday News

Waterloo staff quickly turns pages to draft. I guess my question is: why isn't the draft on Saturday? With all the effort to provide live draft results, would there be more interest if the draft were held when people aren't stuck at work or players are in school? This is an opportunity to generate interest, yet the league (and the NAHL as well) buries it in the middle of the week... So far, Siciliano still coach in Sioux City... The 2010 World Juniors are up for bids, but London may not be able to afford it... Oswego Admirals sold and relocated...

Monday News

I'm still trying to figure out how I rubbed people the wrong way with my comments on the Pioneers' behavior at the Select Camp this weekend. Let me try to put it another way. What lesson did Brian Cheek give us? My goodness, folks, he's screaming that cheating is okay. He's rubbing our little puppy noses in it, folks... showing off the spoils of last season's deeds with a trophy that cost a few lifetime bans and a not-so-insignificant amount of money (especially for Jr. B). Great lesson for the kids. Speaking of which, who own'da Pioneers? For that matter, what league are they in next season? How does one recruit when both of these enormous question marks are still on the table. Look, if Brian Cheek wants to show up at the camp, fine. If he wants to recruit for a team with an uncertain status, fine. But to flaunt the ill-gotten gains of the franchise... that's just not right. Richmond Sockeyes name Judd Lambert (call him J.D.) head coach... Scott Neild is the new coach and general manager of the Brockville Tikis... Canada drops $2M on hosting 2009 World Juniors...

Thursday News

At this point, I'm not expecting USA Hockey to take any further action against Fort Vancouver, and anticipate the Pioneers will be allowed to play in Silver Cup. USHL concerned about Fargo arena financing... (remember to use bugmenot.com to get around site registrations) The newly-relocated St. Albert team stumbles out of the gate as the co-owner faces sex-charge... Golden wants proof of support before agreeing to keep Junior Bs... OPJHL Huntsville Muskoka Otters are for sale...