What a weekend!
I am proud to say that I was one of the 29,000 plus in attendance at Mosaic Stadium last night, and while the Riders certainly made the evening interesting, it was great to see them come out on top and get the victory. I get asked a lot by folks whether I am a Rider's fan or a Lion's fan. My answer: "When I lived in B.C. I cheered for the Seattle Seahawks!" It wasn't until I moved to North Battleford where I became a true fan of the CFL and the Riders.
Earlier in the weekend I went to Paradise Hill (Saturday) to call my first North Saskatchewan River Hockey League game of the season. The Turtleford Tigers beat Paradise Hill 8-1. The game itself was forgettable, but the journey there certainly was not. I hit a deer on the highway just outside of Edam. I was un-injured. I'm not sure about the deer. Thankfully I was driving the station vehicle, which is a lot larger and more sturdy than my Pontiac G 5. There was some damage to the side mirror, and the head-light cover, but not a whole lot else.
Friday night I was not at the North Star's game, because I was in Melfort calling a game for Access 7. I called the Mustang's 3-1 victory over the Nipawin Hawks. The folks at Access 7 have been very good to me over the course of my stay in Saskatchewan, and when they needed some help I couldn't say no! This weekend I'll be helping them again on Friday night in Humboldt.
As for the Stars. I'll be on the road calling their game Wednesday in Melfort. I won't be at the Civic Center Saturday for the Weyburn game because I will be in Maidstone calling the NSRHL, but I assure you that I will be there Sunday for the Bombers/Stars game. I plan on taping the Riders/Stamps West Final. I love the Riders, but in all honesty, my priority Sunday will be with the North Stars and they're first game of the year against Mike Regan's Flin Flon Bombers.
---------
To those asking about the whereabouts of Nathan Tomac, here is your answer:
Nathan Tomac has left the Battlefords North Stars to play Junior B hockey. Ken Pearson told me this afternoon that Tomac's heart isn't into playing Junior A at this time.
--------
Tonight's edition of the Co-Op Leisure Time Sports Fix will have a football and hockey feel to it. I'm going to start with some audio from Regina. Our Rawlco Radio affiliate in Regina grabbed a ton of great post-game audio from the locker-room of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions, and tonight we'll here the post-game audio from Darian Durant, Jason Clermont and Travis Lulay.
Guest one will be the Head-Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Melfort Mustangs, Darrell Mann. Mann's Mustangs are one point back of first-place Humboldt in the Bauer Conference and are clicking on all cylinders right now. The 'Stangs and Stars go head-to-head on Wednesday night in Melfort. The Stars are 1-2-0-1 against Melfort this year.
Guest two is the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs, Robb Hunter. Hunter has ties to the Battlefords, and is one of the great guys I know in this business. I met Robb by chance three years ago in Bonnyville while visiting a friend, and we've been pals ever since. Hunter hosts an Alberta Junior Hockey League radio show called the AJ This Week, and has a ton of great insight into our Western neighbors in the AJHL.
You can catch the show tonight at 8:00 on CJNB/CJNS or on www.cjnb.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
Do you know the status of Brett Miller? I hope hes not injured again/
Hey Dan, I think a really great blog topic would be why so many SJHL players have been quitting lately. There was the situation in Kindersley, a player recently in Melfort, Tomac, and those are just the ones I know about. The coaches are always diplomatic in saying the player's "heart wasn't in it anymore" but I think we all know there has to be an underlying issue. I'd love to hear your take on this subject.
Wheres Miller? Injured again?
I agree with Anonymous poster #2. Is there something going on here in Sask Junior A? I think 7 teams have experienced the "I quit" bug in their lockerooms.
Unofficially here's what I know about Brett Miller:
Miller is out for the forseeable future after opting for surgery on his injured knee. Statistically speaking, Miller was still contributing, but admittedly he did so while enduring lots of pain and discomfort. Anyone who watched Miller last season compared to this year surely saw that there was some notable discomfort and difference in his play. As for a return-date, I have no clue.
Regarding Anonymous #2 and 4.
I will post my take on the subject later today. I'll need to choose my take carefully but I definitely want to share my opinions on the matter. Good suggestion!
I think that some kids now don't have the drive that they once had back in the day. Now before you jump all over me, notice I said SOME. There are some that still do have the passion to play and will do what it takes. But kids have it too easy now with the list of demands they think they deserve. Like the old I want a trade but I will only go here or here trick. That really is not up to the player; that is the GM's decision. That's what hockey is all about; you know that going in. Or the old I will come and play for you but I want this for equipment or I want this amount of dollars to do so. Now I am not saying that Tomac did this because I do not know; and I actually don't believe this was the case. I'm just talking in general about what I've seen and heard over the last few years. I've heard that Tomac wasn't happy with the amount of ice he was seeing, which makes sense because I believe he went home after a game that he was a healthy scratch; but again...just my opinion from a rumour...not fact. I also heard that Miller is awaiting surgery and is done for the year. But I agree with Dan's comment that you could tell he was not playing like he can. I should really change my name to gossip girl.
With regards to the SJHL its no different than any other league. If you look at the Alberta League, Ontario Leagues, Manitoba they are all the say. Every team has some players whom probably go home during the year. The SJ I wouldn't think have any more than the other leagues.
The truth is that Junior hockey organizations and coaches treat their players like meat. They are not concerned about school or the personal lives of their players even though everyone will tell you they are. They keep too many players on the teams to play everybody and never let the players know where they stand. They truly believe that the players are their property to do with as they please, even if they could be getting an opportunity somewhere else, coaches would rather have them sitting around in case they are needed, or worse yet as a threat for other players to work hard or they will be out of the lineup. Coaches need to be upfront with the players and communicate with them so if they are sitting out they know why and what their situation is. Players are quitting because they are not in the lineup and/or not getting regular ice time. Four lines is often too many players, let alone having 4 or 5 players sitting in the stands. The SJHL and its coaches should stop playing games with these kids, because you are playing with their lives and suck it up doesn't cut it anymore in a modern advanced civilization. These kids are people and not meat!
I agree with "Miss". Many players lack the passion to give 110% and expect too much. They rely on their "talent", but fail to see that they need to be in top physical shape in strength and cardio. When "talent" is not enough and they won't work towards being a better player, they give up. Sometimes a trade to a new team is a good thing--different coaching, work ethic, teammates, etc
I agree that coaches leave kids hanging for too long. If the kid is good enough keep him if he isn't let him go. The coaches are not doing the players any good. The players confidence is shot. Coaches are always an inch from lieing to the player, so players watch out and this comes from a ex-coach.
It is annoying when coaches lie to players to get them on board and once they get them, things change. You can't trust anyone.
Roster Moves?? Curious as to why the trade between the Stars and the Hounds was removed or edited out of this original post??
Post a Comment