August 25th, 2009 -- New Site

Hi all,

For those of you who have seen me around the rink all training camp with an audio recorder and you've stopped to ask what I'm doing with the blog well.... There's a new site I'm contributing to that just launched this afternoon. The guys who are running it are pretty cool.

It's www.ajhlfan.com Go check it out and let me know what you think.

Thanks to everyone who followed TheRobbHunter.com over the past year.

July 29th

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. I've been working on a new project which will expand on this site. Look for something come Mid August.

I hope you're all having a good summer. Less than a month to training camp!

JULY 15TH

Happy Birthday Kirk Belyk (20) AND Marc Antoine Juneau (19). If you ask Belyk's billet here in Bonnyville he will be happy to tell you 'Bely' is going to lead the league in scoring this year. Then he adds a "if he can stay healthy" disclaimer.

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Sporting events I would not care to attend:

The NHL All-Star game
The NHL Skills competition
The MLB homerun derby
The Senior Bowl
The NFL Pro Bowl (if they move it out of Hawaii, otherwise I'm there)
The World Series of Poker
Any Golf or Tennis event that isn't a major. Actually I would sit at the 16th at the FBR Open.
Professional Bowling.

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Thinking about ya AG. Hope you're doing alright.

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A whole series of articles on some shannaigans at the 2009 RBC Cup costing Summerside the chance to host the 2011 RBC Cup.

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Keep your eyes on the AJHL.ca transaction page. There's a few more futures deals coming down.

JULY 10

I hear Kent Fox of the Calgary Royals has been traded to Brooks for Future Considerations.

Kent turns 19 ... today. Happy Birthday.

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My In-Laws are great. They treat me really well and I'm thankful for that because everyone has heard In-Law horror stories.

Anyways, regardless of how nice the In-Laws are I just don't see myself becoming a hard core camper. I'm sorry. I'm trying here. The one good thing is that I know the wife's parents don't read the blog.

So to the person who does read my blog and decided on Wednesday to tell my mother-in-law that I don't like camping with her ... you are a moron. I mean are you just that dumb?

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From: Deb Thomas CLMH VP Business

Cold Lake Minor Hockey would like to remind all returning hockey players that the registration deadline for the 2009- 2010 hockey season is July 15th. Please call the Cold Lake Minor Hockey office for more information at 594-5050 or visit our website at www.clmh.com. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 4:30-8:00pm. See you - on the ice!

JULY 9TH

Dear Joe,

I am saddened to hear you won't be able to make it to Vancouver this coming February. I was hoping to see you there but I understand if you don't feel you can make it. The traffic issues would probably be a pain anyways. If you are planning on now catching the games on TV, and I assume you are, then I would like to point out that you don't need to be in Burnaby to enjoy a big screen TV, surround sound, a comfy couch and a cold barely based beverage. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you out to Bonnyville for the week of February 21st - 28th.

It will likely be pretty cold in Bonnyville in February but we should have our first Tim Hortons open by then and we could probably get you set up with a week's worth of hot chocolate. I should also add I don't have surround sound and my TV isn't that big but I do have a very comfortable couch and if you have room after the hot chocolate the barely based beverages will be plentiful.

If you are doing some consulting work for Steve during that week, don't worry, the cell coverage on the acreage is just fine. We don't have an internet connection but it's only a 15 minute drive into town where I have a key to the Kool 101.3 offices and we can let you check your facebook, or whatever it is that you need to do.

Finally, while it could be snowy we don't own a snow blower and we wouldn't make you do that even if we did. If the driveway is snowed in we have some very nice neighbours who come by to plow us out. Perhaps you could meet them while you are in town.

Anyways, I hope you are doing well and if you can make it that would be great. If not that's okay too.

Cheers and hope to see you soon,
Robb.

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How bad must Andrew Raycroft feel? The former Rookie of the year signed a 1 year $500,000 dollar contract with the Vancouver Canucks. The next day the Canucks signed Aaron Rome to a 1-year, $545,000 contract. The 25-year old Rome played eight games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, picking up one assist. He also added seven goals, 21 points and 153 PIM in 48 games with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch last season.

Rome will likely do his best to get the Moose back to the Calder Cup making $45,000 more dollars than Raycroft who will spend his time backing up Roberto Luongo.

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Anyone spend the time, or the money, watching games over the internet from either the WHL or the BCHL last year? You might want to look into it because there might be an opportunity to watch some AJHL (more than just the Canucks) games next year.

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Two days after my Radulov comment I get to see how it feels as guess who has Jiri Hudler. Had been contemplating a trade for close to a month. I guess that one is off the table for me. Darn.

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Big congratulations to former Bonnyville Pontiacs spark plug Chris Jung. Jung accepted a scholorship offer from Fredonia College. The Sandy, Utah native put up 23 points in 71 games while adding 55 penalty minutes for the Pontiacs over two season before being traded to North Battleford of the SJHL last year in exchange for Rick Cey. Fredonia gets one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet off the ice and a pretty good player on the ice to boot.

JULY 6TH

How about Don Phelps ripping Dany Heatley in the Calgary Sun this morning? For the sake of my fantasy keeper league he can whine all he wants but he better not end up in Europe as the guy who had Radulov found out KHL points don't count.

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Speaking of my keeper league the guys on the 'Baber Red Eyes' better watch out as he had both Alexei Cherapanov and Luc Bourdon. Keep your head up Mike Cammalleri.

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Went camping on the weekend so I let the mind wonder a little bit and I decided camping, to me, is like the Ottawa Senators.

You have Dany Heatley who is like sitting around a camp fire. It's great, he scores 50 goals and what's better than sitting there watching a fire it's sort of the best part of camping.

You don't really get cell phone coverage which is kind of like Jason Spezza. It's wonderful not to have to worry about work calling you but sometimes you'd like to check in on the world as much as the home teams goaltender would like to see Jason wonder on back into his own defensive zone every now and again.

You can go fishing. Fishing is fun. Daniel Alfredson is fun. No one argues he's a good player but he's the captain of a team who's locker room is obviously a mess. Same kind of mess as having to clean the boat, clean the fish and wash that fish smell off your hands.

The weather is pretty much any Sens goalie over the years. Sometimes terrific and sometimes just downright horrible. What are you going to do?

Wade Redden is definitely water skiing. It used to be good but now it's all about Wake boarding.

I had a really good one for Chris Phillips but can't remember it for the life of me. Either way it ended up with me posting a link to him scoring on himself. Feel free to fast forward to 1:47.

Individually all of these things are pretty good but put them together and they don't make the playoffs. I don't like camping. I don't really get it. I don't find it relaxing but the wife does so camping we go.

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67 more days until opening faceoff.

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Do the Pontiacs really have to play at 8:30 on Friday night of the Showcase and then 1:30 on Saturday afternoon? Ouch.

July 3rd

Good Luck to Pontiacs assistant coach Ryan Pollock who gets married tomorrow in Regina. Enjoy the Rider game tonight. Here's hoping for a sunny day for you and Amy.

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A get well soon to Pontiacs trainer Kim Sydora who has been under the weather lately.

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If you are an Oiler fan do you still want Dany Heatley? If you are an Oiler fan is Dany Heatley still on your Team Canada 2010 roster? To the fan of any NHL team would you trade a Stanley Cup victory by your favorite team next year for a 2010 Canadian gold medal?

JUNE 29th

It was a big weekend off the ice for the Alberta Junior Hockey League as 6 AJHL players were selected in the NHL Entry Draft.

The highlight was Camrose Kodiaks Defenceman Dylan Olsen being chosen in the first round, 28th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks.

A pair of former Spruce Grove Saints were drafted with defenceman Kevin Connauton becoming a Canuck 83rd overall and goalie Kieren Millan going to Colorado with the 124th selection.

Connauton is currently a member of the University of Western Michigan and was a teammate of Lucas Isley's before Isley's return to Bonnyville in January.

Kris Foucault (foo-co) left the Canmore Eagles at the trade deadline to join the WHL's Calgary Hitmen and will now head to Minnesota's rookie camp as the Wild used thier 103rd overall pick on him.

And two current Okotoks Oilers went in the 5th round. Corban Knight 135th to Florida and Derek Rodwell 144th to New Jersey.

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So Olsen doesn't go to the Flames but there's nothing wrong with the Blackhawks and how about getting Scotty Bowman to call your name at the NHL draft. I wouldn't care that he needed a yellow sticky note to remember what name to say. Scotty freakin' Bowman stepped up to the podium and asked you to join his team... Yes Sir.

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Millan was spectacular in games 1 and 2 against Bonnyville in the first round of the 2006-07 playoffs. The Saints went up 2-0 in the best of 5 and while packing up the broadcast equipment I told the boys in the booth at the Grant Fuhr arena I would be seeing them again on Friday (would be game 5). That turned out to be one of my few accurate predictions and nothing felt better than walking back into the booth at the GFA. Too bad the Pontiacs couldn't pull it out in the end.

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In that Spruce Grove series Justin Fontaine was held off the scoresheet in games 1 and 2 before adding 8 points in the next three games. Fontaine is back in Bonnyville for the summer, after another successful season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and is playing shortstop for the Dirty Mitts in the mixed modified slowpitch league. Also on the Dirty Mitts is Philadelphia Flyer forward Jon Kalinski. They aren't in first place in slowpitch but they would make one heck of a hockey team.

Kalinski is actually going to miss the year end slowpitch tournament because of a camp with the Flyers. I would like to see him call up Paul Holmgren and try and tell him he can't make it because he has ball commitments.

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Sitemeter tells me there are a regular number of readers from Lethbridge. I want to know who you are because I know you aren't any of my friends who live there and my parents are in Germany right now so ... who are you? Cam Creighton's family?

Anyways I do have some friends living in Lethbridge and one of them just opened the Marble Slab Creamery on University Drive. I would appreciate it if you went to check it out as I know I will be next time I can make it back down South.

JUNE 26TH

It's draft night tonight and friend of the Blog Dustin Nielson is in Montreal.

I caught up with him this afternoon. If he survives the night I will try and get a hold of him tomorrow once we know where Olsen and Knight are going and if anyone else from our league will have their name called.

JUNE 25TH

From GM/Head Coach of the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs Chad Mercier:

The RJ Lalonde Arena, a building we all have spent countless hours enjoying, is in need of new boards and upgrades. The Centennial Centre has a grant available however more funds are needed to complete this project. As a former Bonnyville Minor Hockey Player I am calling out to all former Bonnyville Minor Hockey, Jr. B, Jr. A and Senior players to come together with individual donations for this cause. The Bonnyville Jr. A's have agreed to provide all administration costs and game night recognition costs for this fund raising effort. The real winners will be all the Future Minor Hockey players and youth that will use this facility for years to come. This will improve the condition and safety of all players involved. All funds raised will e going towards these upgrades. All contributing Alumni will receive their name on a plaque that will be located in the RJ Lalonde Arena and will also be honored at a Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiac game as guests of the Pontiacs this winter. Here is our chance as former players that have been through the Bonnyville Hockey system, a system that has given us so much, to give back a little.

-Chad Mercier "Bonnyville Minor Hokcey 1981-1991"

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Chad came on the morning show this week to talk about the fund raising and I also asked him how the team was looking heading into next year.

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Kudos to old friend Dave Tymo for keeping tabs on Dylan Olsen while hosting the morning show in Camrose on Cam FM. Tymo spoke with Kodiaks coach Boris Rybalka this week and Rybalka passed along the news that Olsen had spoken with 29 of the 30 NHL teams with San Jose being the only team he hasn't spoken with.

Good luck tomorrow night Dylan. Have fun with it.

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Had a chance to listen to a pair of American sports talk show hosts discuss the Hall of Fame Class of '09. Good on them for talking hockey but they described Brian Leetch as a great defenceman (true), pretty much the reason the Rangers were able to break their Cup drought (he had some help but sure, true), possibly the best American born defenceman of all time (possibly), and maybe the best defenceman ever to play the game (not even close).

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Also had a chance to catch an interview with one of my favorites, Cassie Campbell. Campbell was actually my first "big" interview when she joined me between periods on a St. F.X. broadcast during the CIS finals in Regina. I was so nervous I forgot her name when throwing to commercial break before the interview. Thankfully she didn't have the headset on yet and I was able to remember it during the break and wrote it down so I wouldn't mess it up during the interview. I now write down everyones name when they come up to the booth for an intermission interview regardless of who they are.

In her interview this week Campbell was asked about her current job with Hockey Night in Canada. She says she's getting more comfortable with it and is even doing some of her interviews live now. She says her first "big" interview was with Craig MacTavish and while recording it she went blank and couldn't remember his name. I know how she feels.

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Cold Lake Minor Hockey is looking for coaches for next year. Check out clmh.com for more info as their deadlines are coming up fast.

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With the creation of the 2009/10 season stats on whatever stats software package it is that the league uses the Bonnyville Pontiacs are back atop the North Division standings!!!

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Randy Johnson has the greatest nickname in all of sports "The Big Unit" but young Oakland Athletics pitcher Josh Outman has the best actual name. He's a pitcher named Outman... how great is that?

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Howard Cosell had some great thoughts on 'Jockocracy'.

June 17th

It’s just over 2 months until veterans report for training camp… oh fitness testing, what a great day that is!

While the NHL season wrapped up less than a week ago there is already a question on HockeyTalk about when the AJHL schedule comes out. Despite the fact the CFL exhibition season kicks off tonight with the Riders in Edmonton there are still those of us who can’t wait for hockey training camps to start.

Camp brings a sense of hope and anticipation to every team as well as a number of story lines that play themselves out as the season approaches. I will be curious to see which veterans worked hardest in the summer, can someone show a Matthew Register esq. year over year improvement and become a dominating force? For that matter how much better can Matthew Register get? How will Marc-Antoine Juneau look after off season knee surgery? Who will end up with a letter on their jersey?

While it’s good to catch up with the vets camp is even better because of the rookie battles. Some come in with a little experience after having a cup of coffee in Bonnyville because of the injury problems with the Pontiacs last season. Kevin Carthy was named Best defensive forward in the AMHL last year playing for the Knights of Columbus out of Edmonton and I’d be interested in having Carthy line up on one goal line and Devon Kalinski line up on the other and then watch them collide at centre. Carthy will join fellow KofC teammates Blake Leask, Dante Burrelli and possibly Derek Hutton at Camp. Leask is a slick, puck moving defenseman who got into 4 games last year with the Pontiacs while Hutton was scoreless in one appearance. Burrelli did not play in Bonnyville last year but had 11 goals (7 on the Powerplay) and 7 assists with KofC. Also repping Edmonton and showing up at camp will be goaltender Zach Weissbach.

Speaking of players who spent some time in Bonnyville last year Steven Jean, who played with Lloydminster (not that we hold that agaisnt him) in the AMHL and dressed for seven Pontiacs games, will be up here for camp come August.

As always there will be a contingent from Saskatchewan showing up at camp which includes a couple-three players I will be interested in checking out. ’91 forward Jake Towriss is listed at 5’9 and 160 lbs and had 38 points in 42 games with the Saskatoon Contacts. Towriss added 3 goals and 5 assissts in 10 playoff games and football fans will recognize the name as his father Brian Towriss is the head coach of the CISpowerhouse University of Saskatchewan Huskies. His battles in the SMAAAHL will continue in camp as he faces off against Saskatoon cross-town rival Eric Peterson who had 32 points in 34 games with the Blazers and the word is Peterson can “outright fly”. I’m also interested in seeing Dillon Curry of the Swift Current Legionaires. Curry put up 32 points in 43 games with a S.C. team that didn’t make the playoffs last year.

This is just a sampling of what I'll be looking for once camp commences during the second half of August but maybe the best part of camp will be seeing the players I don’t know anything about. What kind of local flavour will last years RAMHL champion Northeast Panthers be able to provide? What other surprises do Chad and Ryan have up their sleeves in regards to recruits? How much of Tyler Henry’s hair will have grown back?

June 16th -- nice work Cutter

Former Pontiacs Captain Craig Cuthbert committs to Regina. Release available at ajhl.ca and bonnyvillepontiacs.com

June 15th -- handshakes

Like most people on Friday night I was glued to the T.V. watching game 7. I say most people because I was at a birthday party for this girl on our softball team. Kind of figured the game would be on in the background and that most if not everyone would be watching it. Turns out the game was on but I found myself to be all alone on the couch watching the game while everyone sat outside on the deck. Sure it was a nice night but what is wrong with people? The wife was a little irritated that I was being anti-social but understood it was game 7 and she was fighting a losing battle. Next year I'm faking food poisoning and staying home.

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So by the end of the game I was cheering for Detroit. Not so much rooting for the Wings as I was pulling for overtime. I just didn't want this series to end. I'm not a Red Wings fan and I'm not a Penguins fan. I think Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, Nick Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg are four of the best players in the world but don't feel any particular need to cheer for anyone of them. I felt relatively impartial about the whole thing.

While impartial on the series I do take the handshakes pretty seriously as I do believe they are something that makes our sport so great. Whether it's the Pontiacs, the Panthers, the Mintos or the X-Men I've always described the post series handshakes as one of the best moments in all of sports.

By now most of you probably think I'm going to pile on Sidney here but I wanted to look something up first.

The 2008 Stanley Cup Celebrations the Red Wings celebrated for 2 minutes and 11 seconds before the handshakes began.

Now we get to the 2009 Stanley Cup Celebrations and Kris Draper says "Nick was waiting and waiting and Crosby never came over to shake his hand". Well with the help of YouTube we see that Nick's "waiting and waiting" was 2 minutes and 15 seconds before the handshakes began. A whopping 4 seconds longer. That's a pretty long time there Kris. If only Nick knew Tai Chai he could have put Crosby in some sort of head lock during those four seconds.

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Sorry about the lack of blogging lately. It's been pretty quiet around Pontiacs camp and I've been spending my prime blogging time in the morning reading the fantastic NHL entry draft team by team reports the guys over at the Pipeline show are doing. Check them out over on the right. Those guys do great work.

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Stanley Cup and Star Wars. It doesn't get better than this.

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I've got a meeting with Chad Mercier this morning so I'll get some sort of report as to what the team has been up to and pass it along.

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Happy Birthday former Pontiacs forward Adam Wright.

June 2nd -- 60 games

Blame the Olympics for all of it!!

The AJHL has reduced their number of regular season games from 62 to 60 for a number of reasons, one of which is the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

There have been rumblings at the board level for a couple of years there are too many games being played in the AJHL with a number of prime weekend dates being taken up with Showcase weekend, All Star game, World Jr. A Challenge, CJHL prospects game and now with the league trying to avoid conflicts of their games with the Team Canada games at the 2010 Olympics it seemed like the right time to reduce the overall number of games being played.

Teams will gain from the reduced costs on the hockey operation side of things and the games that will be taken away will, for most teams, be low revenue generating weekday contests.

The two games from the schedule which will be lost are the extra home and away game which was played against a traditional divisional rival. For instance, the Bonnyville Pontiacs will now only play Lloydminster 6 times a year instead of 8 making the early season contests for the Challenge Cut all that more interesting, not that the coaching staff of either team cares about the trophy as much as the two points on the line.

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There had also been talk of a midseason game played against the BCHL which would take the place of each leagues all star game. While there was discussion there was disagreement as to whether this should be played with all star teams or with top prospect teams. The game would also have taken place very close to the start of the Olympics and there is worry having any event in BC close to the Olympics will make it tough to find sponsorship as attention will be elsewhere. Expect talk of this type of matchup to continue and I would be shocked if something wasn't in place for the 2010-11 season. In the mean time Fort Mac gets the all star game.

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In case I don't get to the blogging tomorrow for some reason happy birthday voice of the Storm Jeff Hensen. Jeff also gets congrats on another child. Way to go bud.

June 1st -- Post Summer Meetings

Pontiacs Coach and GM Chad Mercier was at the AJHL Summer Meetings over the weekend and had this to say.

His talk of training camp actually made my day better this morning.

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Why isn't there a TV network out there showing the AHL finals? Or are they and I'm just completely missing it?

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A pair of AJHLer's have been added to Hockey Canada's 2010 WJHC summer evaluation camp roster.

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Voice of the Bobcats John Spigott had a great piece in the Meridian Booster last week about the summer happenings in Lloyd.

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The judged name Marry (or something) on 'So you think you can dance' is by far the most annoying judge on ANY of the reality shows. It's bad but I find myself wishing physical harm upon her.

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Fred Rinne's take on the Fran Gow highering in Drayton can be found here.

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Lucas Isley's cousin Ty Carey won a RAMHL championship last year with the NE Panthers and here's to hoping his hockey season next year goes better than his performance on the ball diamond last night. ;)

May 28th -- Summer Meetings

16 AJHL coaches in a room for a day. Should be interesting.

The AJHL coaches meetings run today in Red Deer before the governors get together for the AGM on Saturday.

I caught up with AJHL President Craig Cripps to get his thoughts heading into the meetings.

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After making a major purchase at Duty Free in Heathrow Airport in London I am curious if anyone in Bonnyville is up for a Scotch tasting. Just a note but if you are ever in Lethbridge and into your scotch give the Andrew Hilton for their scotch tasting calender. They tend to run September through December and offer some high quality samples.

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More pub for the Old Man's Book... Check it out... if you want your copy signed then drop by the Andrew Hilton in Lethbridge weekly from September through December.

MAY 26 -- Back to work.

FROM AJHL.CA

BONNYVILLE, AB – The Bonnyville Pontiacs and NewCap Radio’s KOOL 101.3FM announced today that they have agreed to terms to continue broadcasting games for the 2009-10 season. For a third consecutive season, KOOL 101.3FM will continue to be the flagship radio station for all 60 Bonnyville Pontiacs regular season hockey games as well as the AJHL playoffs. Play-by-play man, Robb Hunter, has also signed on for a third season.

The Bonnyville Pontiacs are one of the only AJHL teams committed to broadcasting all regular season and playoff games via radio, keeping fans up to date on the road and at home. Game broadcasts will be available locally on 101.3FM as well as www.1013koolfm.com.

NewCap Radio’s KOOL 101.3 is a family friendly format that plays new adult hits along with songs their audience grew up with. They play a variety of hit songs from the 80’s, the 90’s and Now!

It has been a pleasure working with the Pontiacs organization and with the AJHL, while it will be our third season covering every single Pontiacs game it will actually be my 4th year calling games for the club as Kool's "Pontiac experiment" started with a feature "game of the week" what seems like way back when.

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They play a variety of hit songs from the 80’s, the 90’s and Now!

Or as Assistant Coach Ryan Pollock tells me on a regular basis "you guys have the most messed up play list I have ever heard. You're the only station in world that will randomly throw on Britney Spears right after Nirvana and I think I heard you guys play Guns and Roses once."

I don't pick the music although I do enjoy the variety.

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Memorial Day is great for afternoon sports coming out of the States but that left nothing on last night. Had to watch the season finale of Survivor which the wife had PVR'd before our trip to Germany. The reunion show didn't get taped and we ended up missing the final vote to see who had won. I had to call my old buddy Dave Tymo to find out what happened. Dave used to be morning man at Kool before taking a job in Camrose. He is doing well and is looking forward to hockey season starting again to try and get me back for losing a bet when the Pontiacs beat the Kodiaks early in the year last season and he had to travel up to Bonnyville and sing the national anthem before the rematch.

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The Windsor Spitfires lifted the Memorial Cup on Sunday which allows me the opportunity to once again post one of my favorite YouTube videos.

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Trip was good. Spent most of the time in Munich, Germany with a quick side trip to Salzburg, Austria. Interesting pictures to follow.

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Luca Toni is a bum.

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Too bad about Canada's Sledge Hockey team dropping the semi to the USA while I was away. Like I told Matt Cook though, better to let them have the World Championships this year then lose in the Olympics next year. Matt is currently back packing through Europe.

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Congrats go out to the Voice of the Oil Barons Dustin Nielson on his recent engagement.

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My favorite vacations are the ones I take oversees. I've been to Europe 4 times, lived in Asia for 4 years when I was younger and am looking forward to where ever I can get to next but always, EVERY single time I travel, I realize just how much I love this country.

See you in a fortnight

THURSDAY -- more audio

Hey folks,

Some more audio from Banquet night:

Ross Herzog

Tyler Henry

Tyler Pugh

Julien Laplante

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Who did CBC get working the camera for Game 3 of the Canucks/Hawks series? I almost got sea sick trying to follow the play. Hopefully they figure it out tonight.

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I see from Rod Pedersen's blog that the Pats have a shortlist of two. Check it out.

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Canada's National Sledge Hockey Team takes to the ice this weekend for the start of the 2009 National Championships being played in Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

Interesting Times

With the Regina Pats letting go of their coaching staff earlier this week I see Pontiacs head coach Chad Mercier's name popping up as a possible replacement.

This from The Pipeline Show official website at http://www.thepipelineshow.blogspot.com/. Their link is in the blogroll to the right:

5. Chad Mercier-Bonnyville Pontiacs-AJHL

Chad was an assistant coach in Regina for 5 seasons, serving under Lorne Molleken and Bob Lowes. He was passed over for the job when Curtis Hunt was hired, and Mercier headed north to Saskatoon to rejoin Molleken. Mercier is a former Pats goaltender and has strong ties to the club. For the past 3 seasons he's been the bench boss in Bonnyville and led the Pontiacs to a 35 win season and a 4th place finish this year. Mercier reportedly received an interview last year and could be on Brent Parker's radar again this season.

4. Marc Habscheid-Nowhere

Habscheid's name has come up for nearly every vacant WHL job in the last couple of years. But what also usually follows is word that he wants to much money and to much control. He was fired after one season in Boston when Dave Lewis got the axe, and is still getting paid by the Bruins, so he's pretty picky about what job he'll take. He was interviewed last year as well, and was in the running for the job in Prince George from what I heard, but his terms were to high for both teams. He does bring plenty of WHL experience as he coached for 7 years in Kelowna and Kamloops winning the Memorial Cup with the Rockets in 2004. He also coached Canada at the World Junior Championship in 2003.

3. Boris Rybalka-Camrose Kodiaks-AJHL

He's the biggest long shot on the list and some of the polish has come off his reputation after a down year in Camrose this year, but he's won plenty in the past. Up until this year the Kodiaks were perennial RBC favorites and have produced plenty of great players. Mason Raymond, Joe Colborne, Mike Connolly. The question is would Rybalka leave a very cushy gig in Camrose for a possible rebuilding club in Regina?

2. Curtis Hunt-Binghamton Senators-AHL

Did Brent Parker make the move on gassing his head coach today because Curtis Hunt suddenly became available again? I have a hard time believing Hunt would leave the AHL to return to the WHL, but if he was going to be let go by Ottawa for the second time it could happen. Hunt was fired along with Craig Hartsburgh but was given the head coaching job for the Sens farm team in Binghamton. He led the baby Sens to 15 wins in their last 32 games but came up 2 points shy of a post season berth. His name came up several times today in conversations I had about who replaces Derkatch.

1. Dean Brockman-Humboldt Broncos-SJHL

Many people don't know this but I've been told Brockman very quietly received an interview last year before the Pats settled on Dale Derkatch. Did they go for sizzle instead of steak? Some people think so. Brockman is the SJHL's version of Boris Rybalka with more bling. He's coached the Broncos for 11 years and has won 40 plus games the last 3 seasons, including 48 a year ago when Humboldt won a National title beating Rybalka's Kodiaks. The Broncs have won the SJHL title the last 3 years including 08-09 and are back at the RBC looking to defend their title.

Like the Boys said, Mercier would be more likely than Rybalka because of his ties to Regina although both seem to be in pretty good situations right now I'm sure both would at some point in the future want to move up. Is the future for Mercier right now?

With a new contract signed last summer security isn't an issue and I would imagine money isn't either, he has family in town and with a young daughter and newborn son I would think he appreciates the support system. There is also a feeling of unfinished business in Bonnyville. Mercier has been here three years now and has put together solid teams in the last two seasons and with his comments at last Saturday's awards banquet, "it's time to break down that door", it just doesn't seem like the timing is right.

However, these jobs don't come available very often and there has got to be a pull to want to go back to a team you grew up playing on and that gave you your start to your coaching career.

Mind you this is all mere speculation from a bunch of junior hockey bloggers that don't have much else to do but speculate. I have not spoken to Chad about his feelings and I certainly have not talked to the GM of the Pats Brent Parker about who his short list candidates might be.

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Flaming and Milllard are great. I had a chance to work with Flaming when I covered the Edmonton Oilers for Sportsticker. They both really know their stuff.

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Want more Mercier speculation check out Rod Pedersen's blog. Pedersen hasn't offered his short list yet but many of his readers have and if you can't trust a person who posts annonymous comments on a blog then who can you trust.

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Speaking of the Awards Banquet, I did catch up to Chad Mercier after his speach.

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This audio from the players was supposed to be up yesterday if some lady hadn't slammed into my car when it was parked at the Muller Plaza. My poor car was just minding it's own business when Whammy .... oh well. Instead of getting on the blog I spent the day getting estimates.

Denis Fontaine

Michael Westfall

Marc-Antoine Juneau

Jeremy Gerhardt

Ashton Hewson

Steven Seigo

Craig Cuthbert

FRIDAY

The Edmonton Oil Kings took a late round flier on AJHL tough guy Darren Kramer of the Grande Prairie Storm in the WHL's bantam draft. Yes it's a draft of guys born in '94 but the Oil Kings used their last pick of the draft on the '91 born Peace River native with an eye towards next year instead of adding just another prospect.

Oil Kings General Manager Bob Green had a chance to watch Kramer in game 2 of the Doyle Cup in Vernon and liked what he saw from the Storm's penalty minute leader.

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Mark Letestu and the rest of his WBS Penguins kick off their second round AHL playoff series in Hersey tomorrow night.

Letestu had 4 assists in 5 games in the first round.

Jon Kalinski had a goal and two assists in four games but is wasn't enough as his Phantoms were swept out of the first round. Good to see Kalinski doing so well after such a devastating leg injury earlier in the year knocked him out of the Flyers lineup.

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I've been told we aren't allowed to call it Swine Flu anymore because it is upsetting the pig farmers in Canada. My news director hasn't said anything about not calling it 'choking' anymore because it might upset Sharks fans.

WEDNESDAY -- A couple things I was asked to pass along.

I was asked by a good friend in Brooks to post this again.

The Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) are looking to fill the position of Trainer / Athletic Therapist. The successful applicant should have experience in working with a hockey team, equipment management and repair, and extensive experience in skate sharpening. Added experience or background in Athletic Therapy would be considered an asset.

All interested applicants may forward a cover letter and resume to the Brooks Bandits Hockey Club, attention Brian Curran, by email to bbhockey@telusplanet.net or by fax to 403-501-0162.

For more information, contact:
Brian Curran, GM / Head Coach
Brooks Bandits Junior “A” Hockey Club
403-501-0122 (W)
403-501-1065 (C)

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I've got a pair of tickets to the Cinco De Mayo Bash with BUCKCHERRY & GUESTS at the Shaw Conference Centre. They were donated but if sold the money will go to the Alberta Beef Producers and maybe the Barley Farmers. Get a hold of me if you are interested.

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Cold Lake Minor Ball is holding registration at Nelson Heights School this evening from 7 til 8..
After today late registration fees apply

They are also looking for executives to join the team

for more info you can call Clint Cook 639-2522

TUESDAY -- worst drivers ever

After driving to Edmonton yesterday to take in The Killers concert and then driving back after the show I have to vent about the worst drivers in the world. The people pushing/"driving" their shopping carts around Costco. What is wrong with you people??? Yes there are pallets that go all the way to the roof, it doesn't mean you have to drive around looking up there running into people. Crazy stuff.

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Speaking of the concert I don't claim to know much of anything about music. I know the stuff I like but I don't understand how difficult it is to play or how hard it is to be good. I imagine this is the same for some people when they watch hockey without an understanding of the intricacies of the game. I was thinking that I was just glad that hockey games don't have an opening act. You don't have to sit though some midget B before you get to watch your Junior A game but then I suppose those opening acts are kind of like the Tim Bits that play during intermissions. They try hard but aren't that good yet.

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My Picks:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Steven Seigo (gave this pick away yesterday. Oops)

PLAYOFF MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Craig Cuthbert (an argument could be made for Greg Hennessey)

LLP PRESIDENTS AWARD – Craig Cuthbert

ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR – Tyler Henry

TOP DEFENCEMAN – Steven Seigo

DEFENSIVE FORWARD – Rick Cey

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – Michael Westfall

MOST GENTLEMANLY PLAYER – Denis Cadrin (stop winning this award Caddy)

MATT COOK UNSUNG HERO – Ross Herzog (could a letter be in his future?)

Dennis Fontaine's picks:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Craig Cuthbert

PLAYOFF MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Craig Cuthbert

LLP PRESIDENTS AWARD – Ashton Hewson (I almost changed my pick after seeing Dennis' but that would be copying.)

ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR – Tyler Henry

TOP DEFENCEMAN - Steven Seigo

TOP DEFENSIVE FORWARD – Rick Cey

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – Michael Westfall

MOST GENTLEMANLY PLAYER – Denis Cadrin

MATT COOK UNSUNG HERO – Matthew Register

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Former Canmore Eagle Kris Foucault is having quite the playoff run with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. I caught up with Hitmen play by play voice (and one of the best in the business) Brad Curle to talk about the play of Foucault.

Foucault had 18 goals, 23 assists, 41 points in 32 games with the Eagles before moving up to the Hitmen at the 2009 trade deadline. One of those goals came in his only game against the Bonnyville Pontiacs in a 4-2 Eagles loss on October 25th at the RJ.

MONDAY -- road trip

I drove down to Lethbridge on Thursday to visit some friends from high school for the weekend. I took kind of an out of the way route because I had some other stops and ended up going through Strathmore. That place sure has grown. All sorts of industry and possible corporate support. What's the word on a rink there? Do they have one that would hold an AJHL team?

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With the Bonnyville Pontiacs awards banquet coming up on Saturday here's a look back at last years winners:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Jamie Easton
Sponsored by Smith & Associates General Insurance Adjusters Ltd.

PLAYOFF MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Lucas Isley
Sponsored by Ross, Topylki & Sylvestre

LLP PRESIDENTS AWARD – Craig Cuthbert
Sponsored by Dennis Germain

ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR – Shawn Bates
Sponsored by Northern Truck & Industrial Supplies

TOP DEFENCEMAN – Steven Seigo
Sponsored by Sign Solutions TOP

DEFENSIVE FORWARD – Kyle Kvisle
Sponsored by Telephone Connections

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER – Matthew Register
Sponsored by A&W

MOST GENTLEMANLY PLAYER – Denis Cadrin
Sponsored by Norglass Ltd.

MATT COOK UNSUNG HERO – Tyler Ferbey
Sponsored by Kal Tire

TOP SCORER – Jamie Easton
Sponsored by Big George Appliances

NEIL CRAWLEY TOP PLUS/MINUS – Jamie Easton
Sponsored by Vic Rocque

THREE STAR AWARD – Jamie Easton
Sponsored by Brand International

Ma HEBERT VOLUNTEER AWARD – Twila Campeau
Sponsored by Canartic

I will have my picks for this years awards tomorrow.

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The Bonnyville Pontiacs organization was founded in 1952 as the host organization for the Bonnyville Senior Hockey Club. The club had previously been known as the Bonnyville Bruins, but in return for a new set of jerseys purchased by the local Pontiac car dealership, the team was renamed the Pontiacs. The team played its' first game on December 16, 1952.

Thought I would post that after reading the news this morning:

General Motor's announcement of more jobs cuts and elimination of its Pontiac brand is also hitting North American markets.

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While in Lethbridge on the weekend I ran into an old friend of mine who I had not seen since highschool and had not kept in touch with. Odd considering I was down in Lethbridge to see friends I had stayed in contact with. Regardless, it felt strange running into him at the bar we used to sneek into when we were underage. It was even more strange that he is now a bouncer at that bar. It would have been the trifecta of strange if he had to kick me out of that bar for causing a ruckus. Good thing that didn't happen.

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Borrowed a car that had XM radio in it on Saturday. I spent so much time changing the channels I almost killed somebody. I hear the satalite radio "reception" isn't that good around Bonnyville and the signal always comes and goes. Can anyone speak to this?

WEDNESDAY -- eastern conference finals with ajhlers

I spoke this morning with the play by play voice of the Brandon Wheat Kings Bruce Luebke with regards to the play of former Pontiacs goaltender Andrew Hayes. I also asked about former Canmore Eagle Kris Foucault

After losing in OT last night the Wheaties trail the best of seven eastern conference finals 3-0.

Only the 1996 Spokane Cheifs have ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series in the WHL when they accomplished the feat beating Portland.

TUESDAY

It's on the BCHL board so I may as well put it up here. An "altercation" at the end of game 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n4YZL7nOuU

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I talked to Chad Mercier about his thoughts now that Spring Camp is over.

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The wife is at a conference in Vancouver this week. If G.P. wasn't close to seven hours away I'd be on the road right now.

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They might just be kids and sometimes effort is nice but if you are playing for Team Canada's Under 18 hockey team in Fargo, North Dakota and you lose the bronze medal game to Finland and I'm your customs agent you will probably be delayed at the border. You might miss your connecting flights.

SUNDAY -- at the rink

A beautiful day in Bonnyville and it's always a great day to be at the rink. It has been a good couple days running into and talking with most of the veterans who have come back to town for this spring camp and to a man they are impressed with the young talent they see on the ice.

Soemtimes when you do these types of interviews and you ask about the guys they are playing with at camp you get the canned answer of "yeah, they are great and have a lot of talent" but the look in their eyes when they are talking about who they are teaming up with they are truely excited about the upcoming Pontiacs season.

It's the look in their eyes ... and what they tell you when the microphone isn't on.

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Interviews

Tyler Henry

Lucas Isley

Blake Leask

more spring camp

ahhhh. spring camp. Where no one ever passes on a 2-on-1.

The intensity picked up this afternoon as the skating legs started to return for the guys who hadn't be on the ice for a while.

If you haven't been hit by Kevin Carthy then it's only because you haven't played Team White yet.

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More audio

Assistant coach Ryan Pollock

Shawn Bates

Matthew Register

SATURDAY -- first day of camp.

A little bit of a sluggish start to spring camp but it was very early on a Saturday to be strapping on the skates and you could see the action starting to pick up as the morning rolled along and things should start moving this afternoon and into tomorrow.

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Interviews

Krank

Kirk Belyk

Chad Mercier

Dru Cotterill Part One

Dru Part Two.

FRIDAY -- oh Roger

Gotta feel bad for Roger Millions of Sportsnet this morning. If you don't know what I'm talking about then youtube it. Tough part is that he messed up on the recording and would have done a better take but the editor played the wrong clip.

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While you are on youtube killing some time at work on this friday do a search for "Hey there Iginla"... I'm not a Flames fan but it's still a great tune.

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Registration for camp goes tonight at the RJ. I've spoken with a number of vets that are coming back to skate and they are looking forward to it so those youngsters out there better bring their 'A' games. It'll be good to get back to the rink. I'll be blogging from the press box most of the weekend.

THURSDAY -- audio day

A pair of conversations with the coach.

Merc on camp.

Merc on Tetz hiring.

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Coach of the Vernon Vipers Mark Ferner on what he expects in the Doyle Cup.

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Here's the final list for NHL central scouting.

Olsen to 27, Knight to 64 (From 0-64 in half a year of hockey ... not bad).

WEDNESDAY -- Pontiacs add to front office

Press Release:

The Bonnyville Pontiacs are pleased to announce that they have added Edmonton, Alberta native Jeff Tetz to their Hockey Operations staff as Director of Player Personnel. Jeff’s immediate focus will be on the identification, evaluation, and recruitment of players for the Bonnyville Pontiacs organization. Adding Jeff to the staff furthers the organizations commitment to providing the best product possible to the fans of Bonnyville.

Jeff brings a wealth of experience with him, having spent time in the AJHL as an assistant coach with the Okotoks Oilers and Fort Saskatchewan Traders, as well as numerous years coaching in the Alberta Midget Hockey League and at the Junior B level. Less than a year after completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta, Jeff began working with Edmonton Oilers business department. Over his three years there, he had the opportunity to witness the coaching environment at the National Hockey League level.

MONDAY -- Flipping my pencil in the air

I had my very own Dave Hodge moment yesterday while driving home from spending Easter with the in-laws in North Battleford Saskatchewan.

After much aggression directed towards my car stereo and a good couple of minutes of road rage I had to explain to my wife why Dave Hodge was fired by CBC.

On March 14, 1987, Hodge was the in-studio host as the CBC carried a game between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs, which ended early. The network then switched over to a regional game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens for the end of the third period. It ended in a tie just before 11:00 PM Eastern Time, meaning it would require overtime. CBC executives, however, decided that only viewers in Quebec, who had seen the game from the start, would get to continue watching after 11:00, while the rest of the network would cut away. "That's the way things go these days in sports and at this network," Hodge said in disgust, flipping his pencil in the air. "We'll leave you in suspense. Good night from Hockey Night in Canada." Hodge was replaced the following week by western correspondent Ron MacLean and eventually fired from the network.

So why am I relating this story to you and what does it have to do with road rage?

Well it's about a three hour drive from the Battlefords to Bonnyville and we didn't want to get home too late so we ended up starting to drive just as Tiger and Phil were on 13. It took us half an hour to get far enough west to be able to pick up The Fan 960 out of Calgary. It was slightly overcast, for Easter Sunday there was relatively little traffic on the road and with Fox sports radio basically doing play by play of the Masters off there television monitors it was shaping up to be a very pleasant ride home.

A quick stop in Lloydminster for car and human fuel and we were back on the road with the kilometres falling behind and my only thoughts were that ESPN radio probably would have been doing a little better job than Fox radio but I've already complained about The Fan switching so I wasn't going to worry about it too much at least I knew it was going to a three way playoff.

After in-depth analysis of the three tee shots the Fox sports guys had to fit in a commercial break before 5:00, alright no big deal, they gotta pay the bills. After the break though do you think we went back to the Masters coverage? Nope. We had to go to "Blue Jays this Week" or whatever it was called. While I might normally be interested into what Travis Snider is expecting in his first full year with the team this was not something I was interested in hearing at that particular moment.

Now I don't know if Blue Jays this Week is only a 15 minute long program or what but at 5:15 on comes the Sunday Night Baseball pre game show.

I was home before I found out what happened.

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Quick before there is a copyright claim made here's the final three minutes of regulation of the NCAA championship.

And the rest.

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It's Vernon vs. Grande Prairie for the Doyle Cup. The Vipers were 2-1 winners last night on home ice clinching the BCHL crown.

FRIDAY -- Pair heading to Combine.

Two AJHL stars have been invited to the 2009 NHL Combine. The list is here.

Here's hoping the NHL network provides the same kind of coverage of the combine the NFL network gives their combine. I don't even have a favorite NFL team but I'll sit and watch four hours worth of combine coverage and marvel at how the commentators come up with stuff to talk about. Great prep.

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I hate weighing in on the major junior vs. junior A debate because I truly believe the best choice is different for every single junior aged player but it's nice to see some guys who might develop a little later getting a shot out of the NCAA.

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Good luck tomorrow night to former Spruce Grove Saints goaltender Kieran Millan as his BU Terriers take on Miami of Ohio in the NCAA frozen four championship game.

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I imagine that most non Canadian visitors to Yahoo Sports today who wanted to check what was going on in the Masters or maybe some afternoon baseball were a little surprised to see the headline: Satan clears waivers, called up by Penguins.

THRUSDAY -- more audio

My brief conversation with Craig Cripps the President of the AJHL about his thoughts on the playoffs.

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Coach of the Grande Prairie Storm Mike Vandekamp on his team's preparations going forward.

EDIT: Link corrected.

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I guess if Vernon can close out the BCHL final, which they currently lead 3 games to 1, they will have to play the Doyle cup in their old rink because they booked a trade show into their regular arena. Didn't think your team would make it that far?

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Gotta give some props to another old Minto buddy of mine Carsen Chubak who faced 70 shots last night in net for Powell River during that triple overtime game. Too bad it wasn't enough as Vernon won 3-2.

TUESDAY -- some pub for the blog

It's link and audio day.

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Jeff Hensen the Voice of the Storm and his thoughts on the Enerflex Cup final.

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Nice story out of HS Basketball about missing free throws on purpose.

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Some pub for the blog. Obama, Microsoft and Me. Sounds like a great title for a book.

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Randy Moller Goal Calls.

MONDAY -- G.P. Takes it in 4

Well I owe one Pontiacs fan a lunch for my shameful pick of Spruce Grove before the final round started. Although I would like to remind those that watched the All Star game broadcast from Calgary that during the second intermission I picked Grande Prairie to win the whole thing. That's what I get for flip flopping.

My pick of Michigan State for the Final Four is still going strong and while I don't really see how they are going to beat a powerhouse North Carolina team tonight I'm not going to switch. Go Green.

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Vernon is up 2-0 in their series over Power River and like G.P. they won the first two games on the road. They have outscored the Kings 7-0 so far in the final with Andrew Hammond not allowing a goal in his last 135:51 of action.

Looks like it might be a very low scoring Doyle Cup this year.

THURSDAY -- G.P. up 1-0

One team came ready to play last night and it was the Grande Prairie Storm.

Coach Hamilton of the Spruce Grove Saints told Jeff Henson of Free FM in GP before the game that his team needed a good start to game one after their long layoff between rounds 3 and 4 especially since they didn't get off to great starts in either game one player earlier in the playoffs. This didn't happen with captain Connor Hardawa taking a penalty less than a minute into the game after he had to get up and get back into the play recovering from blowing a tire in the neutral zone when he hit a bad patch of ice where the red carpet had been for the pre game ceremonies. Not the home ice advantage you were looking for. The Storm didn't score on the powerplay but they had the early momentum and looked like the team that had just won two straight against Brooks to book their ticket to the final while the Saints looked like they hadn't been on the ice for a week.

You have to expect Spruce Grove to put in a better effort tonight for game 2 but if they can't figure out how to crack a smothering G.P. defensive system this series could be over earlier than a lot of people thought.

Chad Carder was not spectacular in picking up the shutout but did enough to get the job done while Travis Rolheiser would like to have at least 2 of the 3 goals back.

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A deadline deal working a year later than planned. The Spruce Grove Saints picked up Curt Morrison, Chad Blanliel and Future Considerations from Quesnel at last years deadline in exchange for Bonnyville product and former Northeast Panther Josh Fersovitch. Morrison and Blanliel, both 20, are now important cogs in the Saints lineup. While the BCHL webpage has Fersovitch's hometown as Bonneyville and not Bonnyville he does still have another year of junior in front of him after his Millionaires failed to qualify for the playoffs this seas.

WEDNESDAY -- No Fool in Camrose

Got an interview with the coach of the Pontiacs Chad Mercier in this week where we talked Spring Camps and NE Panthers. Here's the transcript:

TRH: Hey Chad, haven't talked to you in a little while so it's nice to hear from you. Pontiacs Spring Camp ... I was getting all pumped up for this weekend but I hear there have been some changes.

CM: Yeah we made a decision last week, Robb, to combine the Calmar and the Bonnyville camps. I think we were working towards that over the years but this year we gave everyone the choice of which camp they wanted to come to and a high number, especially of the Edmonton area kids that are coming to our camp registered for the Bonnyville camp so it just left the numbers of the Calmar camp with kind of two and a half teams so from all end, the arena side of it, from our side of it we didn't feel it was worth doing it and it was nice to bring everyone into Bonnyville and it's nice to see the interest in people coming to Bonnyville.

TRH: Overall a pretty good response with people wanting to come to Pontiacs camp?

CM: Yeah. We are happy with the response. We like to keep our numbers to that 75-90 to keep it manageable so we get proper evaluation. Like I said, it's a bit of a pain for people in regards to us coming to Calmar and then for us to juggle it but at the end of the day to see the response to the kids that wanted to come to Bonnyville and we are looking forward to the camp.

TRH: Have you added some extra ice times or evaluators to the Bonnyville Camp?

CM: No, we are going to keep it at that 75-90 number and we were prepared for that kinda schedule and we prepare our evaluators accordingly . What's happened in the past, Robb, is that the Calmar camp and been the better attended camp and then the Bonnyville camp has been the lower attended camp just because of numbers coming out of this area so from an expense standpoint that's worked out very well. This year with the numbers being higher in Bonnyville than in Calmar there's a lot more expense in regards to holding a camp in Calmar and so it only made sense to combine the two from that side of it, plus we are going to make sure we are going to get any potential Bonnyville Pontiacs in to see our facility, to see our town and at the end of the day our decision moving forward is that if they don't want to come to Bonnyville to camp there's probably not a real good chance they are going to want to come and play here.

TRH: Let's talk about hockey that happened this past weekend. The NE Panthers went on quite the run and captured the RAMHL championship. I know there have been a number of Panthers that have graduated to play for your team over the years. What does it mean for this group of guys to be able to put this line on their resume that they have won something.

CM: That's really something that those guys will have for the rest of their lives and the rest of their hockey career that nobody's going to be able to take away from them. It's really a credit to the people, the coaching staff and the kids themselves to be able to come back after getting down 2-1 and to find a way to win the last 2 games in front of the home crowd. I think there are a lot of people behind the scenes with the board that's been created over the last year and like I said the guys in the trenches, the coaching but a a real credit goes to the kids and it's good to see and I'm sure they are proud of it and they should be proud of it and it's nice to see them have that success.

TRH: Having that success and learning how to win at this age help in the future?

CM: Yeah I think those are all great parts of the experience and especially the way they did it. I think they fought adversity and persevered and did it in fine fashion and really grabbed control of it. Those are great things and the town I'm sure is very proud and they should be proud of their efforts.

TRH: Thanks Chad

CM: Great, thanks Robb.
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What a great decision by Jeremy Biernes of the Camrose Kodiaks. From AJHL.ca:

The Camrose Kodiaks organization would like to congratulate Jeremy Beirnes for agreeing to terms to move to Australia and play professional hockey there. Jeremy leaves Canada on April 15th and he is excited about the opportunity ahead of him.

I think this is a great move. Different people have different priorities in life and Jeremy now gets to travel the world and play hockey. Good for him.

To Jeremy: I'm loving where I'm living right now but if you happen to hear of any play by play gigs along the Gold Coast be sure to let me know.

As for Hockey in Australia you will have to at some point play against New Zealand so watch out for this. Great video.

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I'm hitting the highway this afternoon to get to Game 1 tonight. I still have to work tomorrow morning but it's worth the lack of sleep.

MONDAY -- RAMHL CHAMPS

Way to go NE Panthers. We will have interviews with Coaches, Players and some local reaction all week on the blog so stay tuned.

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Don't know if I'm going to make a bulletin board somewhere for this but I accepted a bet on the AJHL final over the weekend. I took Spruce Grove.

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Justin Fontaine's UMD Bulldogs final saw their amazing run come to an end. Here's the recap.

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Talk about the two ref system:

Almost forgot to mention a tidbit about the BCHL game I saw over the weekend.

About halfway through the first period one of the two linesmen caught a puck in the face and he started leaking pretty good. He was taken to the Victoria dressing room for some repairs but the game resumed without delay with one ref and one linesman. Play continued that way until the end of the first period with the injured official able to return for the rest of the game. The two officials left to handle the game did a pretty good job as I didn't really notice they were a linesman short until I saw the injured guy come back for the second.

Justin Fontaine's Bulldogs

Check out what happened with UMD last night.

SATURDAY -- Wade Epp

I thought the third round series between Victoria and Powell River was over 14 seconds into the game 5 last night. The Grizzlys, who already have a spot lined up in the RBC Cup finals in early May, did not look ready to play and found themselves down 1-0 before the first shift was over.

They did a good job of regrouping and by the end of the first period seemed ready to compete and played very well through periods 2 and 3.

Call it a press, a lock or even a trap Victoria was able to shutdown the offence of Powell River and capitalize their on their chances on route to a 4-1 victory and a chance to extend the series to 7 with game 6 tonight in Powell River.

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Game 5 was played at the brand new Memorial Centre in Victoria because the Grizzlys regular home rink at Bear Mountain was booked for a curling bonspiel. The MC is home to the ECHL's Salmon Kings and the big team did a good job of some cross marketing and promotion handing out Salmon Kings info and some souvenirs. I still think the ECHL team ownership group should have gone with the name Victoria Active Passers instead of the Salmon Kings.

While I used to get to a number of Victoria Shamrock games back in the old rink near downtown I had not yet been in the new building and I was fairly impressed with the facility although the sound system was awful, the rink burgers were luke warm and $10 for parking is just wrong.

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It was nice to be able to relax and have a couple barley based beverages and not have to work while watching a Jr. A game for the first time this season. While the Victoria fans I was sitting with seemed to expect a lot from their team and their cheering was mainly directed at their frustration with their own team, despite the fact they were winning, they did have nothing but good things to say about former Drumheller Dragon Wade Epp.

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Overall I wasn't very impressed with the level of play of either squad and I'd be happy to take either G.P. or Spruce Grove in the Doyle Cup this year. Yes, I'd even take Brooks if they can find a way to win at Canada Games Arena.

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Go Northeast Panthers Go. Game 4 of thier best of 5 with Peace River is tonight at the RJ. Wish I could be there for that one.

WEDNESDAY -- advanced scouting

I'm off to Edmonton International this afternoon to catch a flight to Victoria. While it's mainly a trip to see my brother and sister-in-law I will be attending game 5 between Victoria and Powell River ... so if Revenue Canada asks any of you it's a scouting trip that I needed to claim.

Anyone want game film??? I'm looking at you Mr. Hamilton/Curran/Vandekamp. Give me a call. Don't bother with the e-mail. I won't be checking it until I'm back.

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For those of us in the Northeast portion of the province wanting to drive to at least one game in the AJHL final we now don't have as far to go with the Saints sweep of Olds. I thought Spruce Grove would get through the Grizz but I'm a little surprised they won both games at the Sports Complex.

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Why did the Fan 960 switch their generic American filler coverage to Fox Sports radio? Maybe it will just take a little while to get used to but I much preferred ESPN radio.

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TheRobbHunter.com Cup video is coming. I promise.

TUESDAY -- I'm back

Interesting trip to Peace River this weekend. No internet in the hotel and txt messaging on my phone stopped working. It's amazing how quickly you can feel out of touch with the world.

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Pretty decent rink in Peace River and two really good hockey games played by two really good hockey teams. The third game, as evidenced by the 10-1 final wasn't a good game.

Pontiacs AP Niko Bourget and regular season all star Matthew Laboucane were a little quieter than I thought they would be but Ryan Kearns and Chad Brears were strong.

Grande Prairie Storm carded players Bond and Brendan Hawryluk lived up to the hype although I thought Bond played better than his twin brother. Joel Pelletier was a physical force while Pontiacs netminding hopeful Jordan Panasiuk was very good in a losing effort in game one and was replaced by Cole Robert for games two and three.

Game four goes Saturday night in Bonnyville and is free to attend.

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I understand that I never played major junior hockey and I never made it to the NHL so if that is what television networks are looking for when it comes to their analysts resumes then I understand I'm out of luck but there is some really annoying about watching Nick Kypreos whine about goal celebrations. You're freakin' Nick Kypreos.

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Congrats to WCHA winners the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs who are off to the NCAA round of 16 after beating Denver in the final of their conference tournament. I'm proudly wearing my UMD hoody Justin Fontaine brought home for me at Christmas this year.

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Didn't I win a bet earlier this year with a yappy radio announcer in Olds with a Bemidji State hoody on the line?

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Playoff Power Rankings

1. Spruce Grove Saints
2. Grande Praire Storm
3. Brooks Bandits
4. Olds Grizzlys

THURSDAY

Kool 101.3 is excited to have the opportunity to broadcast the first three games of the Rural Alberta Midget Hockey League finals Live from Peace River.

I will be heading up tomorrow morning and we will be on air Live from Royal Country with Game 1 at 8:30 tomorrow night. Game 2 is Saturday at 8:30 and Game 3 starts at 12:30 on Sunday.

It's a best of 5 series between the Northeast Panthers and Peace River Royals with the Royals holding home ice advantage. Games 4 and 5, if necessary, will be played in Bonnyville March 28th and 29th.

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There's a quick reference to a '92 Camrose D-man in the Globe and Mail this week. Check it out here to find out who.

Plus it's an interesting story.

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The newest edition of the Edmonton Oil Kings franchise will play their first ever playoff game this weekend when they travel to Calgary to take on the Hitmen. The Oil King blueline features former Bonnyville Pontiacs D-man Drew Nichol.

The Oil Kings clinched the 8th playoff spot with a one game playoff win against the Prince Albert Raiders after both teams finished tied in the regular season standings. No one expects Edmonton to even make it close in the first round against the High flying Hitmen.

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Today is the last day for baseball registration in Bonnyville. 6-8 tonight at the C2.

TUESDAY -- Team Canada

Not really a surprise but still nice to see the confirmation.

Team Canada released the roster for the Women's World Championships this morning and yes Shannon is on the team. Here's the story.

I would like to see some more Alberta kids on the team. Only three there right now.

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In Camrose

In Olds

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I'm told the video of the TheRobbHunter.com cup has finished the editing phase and I hope to have it up on the site sometime this week. As a reminder ... Pontiacs forward Shawn Bates faced off against Kool 101.3 morning man Dean Lee in a challenge of NHL 09. It was a classic best of three matchup with a thrilling conclusion.

MONDAY -- Congrats Chad Mercier

I got this text message from the Pontiacs head coach at 4:08am this morning:

It's a Boy sunday the 15th 8 lbs 3 oz Mason George Mercier.
Everyone is doing real good.

Congratulations Chad and wife Kim.

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The recruiting class for the 2026 Bonnyville Pontiacs will be a strong one as Kool 101.3 morning man Dean Lee also became a dad, having a son, on Thursday.

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Craig Orfino who had a cup of coffee in Bonnyville with the Pontiacs a couple years ago won the Joan Kobal Memorial for Perseverance, Dedication and Sportsmanship Award as a member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes this year. He was also named the most popular player as voted on by his teammates.

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A shocking upset on Saturday as the University of Wisconsin Superior lost 2-0 to Gustavus Adolphus and were knocked out of the NCAA Div III playdowns. UWS features former Pontiacs Logan Isley and Brayden Kolisniak.

More on the game here.

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Playoff Power Rankings

1. Spruce Grove Saints
2. Grande Prairie Storm
3. Olds Grizzlys
4. Brooks Bandits
5. Camrose Kodiaks
6. Okotoks Oilers

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Play In games are great and should be used in all sports.

Tuesday night in the WHL the Prince Albert Raiders will host the Edmonton Oil Kings in a special tie breaker game with the loser starting their summer early and the winner getting the eighth playoff spot and the right to lose to Calgary in the first round.

And

Tuesday night in Dayton Ohio the NCAA play in game will take place featuring the previously mentioned Morehead State taking on Alabama State for the right to lose to Louisville. For obvious reasons I was going to be cheering for Morehead State until I found out that Alabama State features 7'1 centre Chief Kickingstallionsims. I'm not making that name up. Now I don't know who I want to advance.

Drayton Valley and the Royals should have been given the opportunity for a play in game with the winner getting to play Spruce Grove in a first round of sorts.

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Congratulations Innisfail for your win in the Bantam B female provincials held in Bonnyville over the weekend. It looked like Lethbridge was going to hold on in the final period for the win but a pair of late goals meant a come from behind victory.

Former Pontiacs goalie Shannon Szabados spoke at the tournament's opening ceremonies about the opportunities that are out there in women's hockey now. Tomorrow will likely be another big day for Shannon as Hockey Canada will hold a press conference in Calgary to announce the roster for the 2009 World Championships along with, and maybe more importantly, the players who will be centralized for the 2009-10 season in preparation for the Olympics.

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For those of you who think there are too many injuries in hockey and are obsessed with talking about changes to fighting and body checking there are things that could be worse...

Like the soccer fan in Iraq who went all 'The Last Boyscout' and shot a player who was about to score the game tying goal. "The striker from a local amateur team had only the goalie to beat when a supporter of the rival club shot him in the head."

FRIDAY -- Mayors and hockey

One rookie has made Canada's National Sledge Hockey team that will be heading to the World Championships in early may. Guess who it was.

From Hockey Canada:

Hockey Canada has named its National Sledge Team roster for the 2009 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship, scheduled for May 9-16 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Canada is the defending world champion, having won gold in 2008 in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

The 15-player roster includes 14 players who helped Canada win gold at the 2008 IPC Sledge Hockey World Championship, and 13 who were part of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy. The roster includes one rookie, forward Matt Cook.

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Assistant Coach Ryan Pollock joined us on Behind the Bench this morning.

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From Gregg Drinnan's WHL Blog:

There will be a celebration in Portland on Friday as the Winter Hawks and the City honour the Portland Buckaroos of the old professional Western Hockey League. Mayor Sam Adams has signed a proclamation declaring the day as Buckaroo Day.

The Mayor of Portland is named Sam Adams??? That's awesome.

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Carlton Ravens vs. St. F.X. tonight in the CIS men's basketball quarter finals. Go X-Men. An X-men win would be considered a pretty big upset.

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In Camrose

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Happy Birthday Tyler Pugh.

THURSDAY -- Provincials and Panthers

The Lakeland Jaguars first game at the Bantam B female provincials is tomorrow morning at 10:00 at the Encana Rink.

We chatted with Coach of the Jaguars Mitch Sylvestre at the same time as we caught up with assistant coach of the Northeast Panters Randy Repchuk.

Here's the audio.

The Camrose Kodiaks cheating comment is an inside joke for Kool 101.3 listeners who know that according to the morning show every team that plays against a Bonnyville squad cheats.

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Around the AJHL as they come in:

In Camrose

In Olds

In Sherwood Park

In Fort McMurray

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In a where are they now segment former Bonnyville Pontiacs sniper Rob Sirianni has spent the year with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL.

Sirianni has 11 points in 32 games so far this year after spending the first 18 games in the ECHL. The former Pontiac spent four years at Bemidji State before getting a tour of the pro leagues with stops in Syracuse, Youngstown, Utah, Wheeling and Binghamton before finding a home with the Phantoms. In his last year with the Pontiacs in 2002-03 Sirianni had 48 goals 42 assists and 110 Pims in 62 games.

Another former Pontiac, Jon Kalinski spent time with the Phantoms this year before being called up to the Flyers. Kalinski is still out of the Flyer lineup with a leg injury suffered in early January.

WEDNESDAY

The Bonnyville Atom Tier 1 hockey team is traveling to Taber Alberta for Provincials this weekend.

The team leaves tomorrow morning so best of luck boys... watch out though... you've got to keep your heads up around those Taber teams.

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Dates for the RAMHL finals have been set. Games 1, 2 and 3 will be in Peace River on March 20, 21, 22 with games 4 and 5 being held in Bonnyville the following weekend. It's a best of five series.

TUESDAY -- Andrew Hayes

From WHL.ca ... Hayes is a former member of the Bonnyville Pontiacs.

The WHL has also nominated Andrew Hayes of the Brandon Wheat Kings for the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Hayes posted a 3-0-0-1 record this past week, stopping 99 of 104 shots faced for a 1.370 goals-against average and .952 save percentage.

Hayes, from Sherwood Park, Alberta, is playing his 18-year-old season with the Wheat Kings, his second in the WHL. He currently sits 10th among all WHL Goaltenders with a 2.88 GAA and has posted a 29-10-2-1 record thus far this season.

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Around the league. Updated as they come in.

In Okotoks

In Brooks

MONDAY -- back at it

Yeah yeah yeah... I took a weekend off. Stop e-mailing me.

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7-2 and 8-2 ... take that Camrose. Your Jr. A team might still be in the playoffs but your Rural Alberta Midgets just got their clocks cleaned.

How about those Panthers? They looked great on Saturday night when I took in game one of that best of three series and now get the matchup everyone expected when the RAMHL playoffs started facing Peace River in the final. No dates set for the games but I'll pass them along when I find out.

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AJHL playoffs are continuing but my weekend off might have discouraged the guys who leave the voicers.

In Okotoks

In Brooks

In Spruce Grove

In Grande Prairie

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Power Rankings

1. Brooks Bandits
2. Spruce Grove Saints
3. Olds Grizzlys
4. Sherwood Park Crusaders
5. Fort McMurray Oil Barons
6. Grande Prairie Storm
7. Okotoks Oilers
8. Camrose Kodiaks

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Big game this Saturday at the University of Wisconsin Superior as the Yellowjackets host Gustavus Adolphus for the right to move on to the NCAA Div III Final Four in Lake Placid New York.

The Yellowjacket squad features former Pontiacs Logan Isley and Brayden Kolisniak.

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The upset wasn't meant to be for the Battleford Stars of the SJHL who forced the top ranked Humboldt Broncos to 6 games in the second round but couldn't pull it out in the end.

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For us college basketball fans out there the Morehead State Eagles captured the Ohio Valley Conference and earned a birth into March Madness with the win. The Eagles athletics program isn't exactly a basketball powerhouse but they do have a track team and a rifle team and when you visit their homepage they randomly load pictures of all their teams and if you get it right it loads a pair of great photos where one of their track guys appears to be running away from a man with a gun. Great photos.

If anyone wants in on a Morehead State merchandise order let me know in the next couple days and maybe we can save on shipping.

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When it came to my thank yous on Friday I know I would leave someone out so here it is. A big thanks to the 32,500 people who have read this blog since the season started.

FRIDAY -- thank you to our sponsors

I want to take the time to say thank you to a few people.

All of our Sponsors on B and R Eckles Pontiacs hockey throughout the year have been tremendous and we couldn't get the games on air without you. A special thank you goes to B and R Eckles who have held the naming rights for the last couple of seasons and Telephone Connections who jumped on board with the pregame show this year as well as their sponsorship of the playoff preview show. Everyone else who spent money on commercials you have at least one new customer in this play by play guy.

A big thanks to colour commentator Denis Fontaine who volunteers his time to add his unique perspective and passion to our home broadcasts and as many road games as possible. In my opinion he's the best in the league.

Our games don't get on the air without the work of Bobby May who sits in the studio and presses the right (most of the time) buttons while listening to each and every broadcast.

A thank you to Ryan Bailey and Dean Lee who helped down the stretch collecting locker room interviews during intermissions and a thanks to the Pontiacs organization for granting us the kind of access not usually seen at this level.

And to the AJHL. The best junior A league in Canada.

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Bell Television has the worst music I've ever had to listen to while waiting on hold.

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The NE Panters begin round 2 tomorrow night when the host the Camrose Kodiaks. The Panthers finished 2nd in the RAMHL this year while the baby Kods have the number 3 seed. Puck drop is 6:00 at the RJ with game two in Camrose on Sunday.

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Former Pontiac Chris Jung has 4 points in seven games as the Battleford North Stars have tied their second round series at 2 with the number one team in Saskatchewan the Humboldt Broncos. Many didn't expect the North Stars to make it out of round 1 as they had just 15 wins on the season.

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I'm told Marc Antoine Juneau has his surgery scheduled for today. Good luck Marc.

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If you are in Olds I don't really see why you wouldn't be at the Sports Complex tonight. I'll probably be dropping by work tonight to try and listen to some of the game online.

recaps

I'm told the Grizzlys had a tough time making it home after game 4 in drum. This weather is crazy.

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Here's Tim Ellis in Camrose

THURSDAY -- feels like a friday.

I ran into a few guys from the team last night. They are still in disbelief that they didn't win game 4. The fact is that the better team lost game 4 but if they had been the better team all series they wouldn't have been in the position to be eliminated.

Most of the team is sticking around town this weekend before heading home early next week.

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I had somebody ask me why I refer to the Oil Barons as the MOB. After explaining how you can shorten McMurray Oil Barons to MOB they asked if I could add in the Fort and start referring to them as the F'n MOB.

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Anyone have any suggestions on how I can get out of work and make it to Olds to take in a game 5? Maybe more importantly anyone have any ideas on how I can explain that one to the wife?

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When Greg Brown scored to get Bonnyville to within one I really thought the hockey gods wanted the Pontiacs to win. Two goals all year. Both in Fort McMurray and the first one sparked a come from behind overtime win.

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We will look to continue the Around the league voicers as the playoffs move along if I can find guys (or gals) who are working the round 2 series.

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Ted was our next door neighbour growing up in Regina. He had a longer driveway with less cracks in it so we would play shinny in his yard. He never seemed to mind the tennis ball marks on his fence.

Edward (Ted) Ralph Madill August 7, 1928 January 28, 2009 Edward Ralph (Ted) Madill passed away on January 28, 2009 at Regina, SK. Ted was born August 7, 1928 on the family farm near Alton, ON and was predeceased by his father and mother, Fred and May (Coleman) Madill; brothers, Raymond and Bill; and sisters-inlaw, Merle Madill, Marie Madill and Leona Williamson. Ted is survived by his beloved wife, Lorraine (Lori); brother, John; brotherin-law Claire Williamson; sister-in-law, Marion Madill; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. After finishing Grade 12 at Alton, Ted joined the RCMP in 1948 and trained at Regina, SK and Rockcliffe, ON. He served for eleven years at several detachments in New Brunswick followed by three years at Queens' University at Kingston, ON where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was then posted to Ottawa, Toronto and Regina where he retired from the Force in 1983 as a Superintendent with 35 years service. He then began a new career as the Rentalsman of Saskatchewan and Chairman of the Provincial Mediation Board, serving Saskatchewan for nine years, finally retiring in 1993. Ted was an active member of the RCMP Veterans' Association, a Director of the Friends of the Mounted Police Museum, a Past Master of NWMP #11 Masonic Lodge, a member of the Scottish Rite and the Wa Wa Shrine. Most of all, Ted was a man of unshakeable honesty and integrity. These principles guided his life.