Poll Results, Eli Litchenwald is the SJHL Rookie of the Year.... In my Books

A not as cold good afternoon to all,

Once again I'm back on the bloggerverse and the twitterverse doing random tweets and hockey posts just got back from the gym but the crazy ripped old guy who became a part time coach for me last saturday wasn't there I was a little choked he wasn't there to tell me "Come on you son of a $#@%^ almost done" Well maybe next time good sir... I still don't know his name and asked the gym owner and he doesn't know maybe he's a ghost either way interesting start to the day.

It was a good start to the SJHL Survivor Series with Battleford scoring 4 in the third to take game 1 6-2 over the bombers and the Estevan Bruins looked to have game one sealed in the first with 4 goals but the Melville Millionaires stormed back to tie it but in OT the Bruins got game one I wonder how the game two's will be should be interesting.

Let's go to the latest poll I did...

Who is the Rookie of the Year of the SJHL?

The Choices were and the votes with them...

Eli Litchenwald NIP  3 Votes

Coltyn Sanderson WEY 1 Vote

Kyle Hall  BATT 2 Votes

Roger Tagoona MELV  2 Votes

Zac Majowski YRK 1 Vote

Jesse Mychan FF    2 Votes

Winner Eli Litchenwald, He did a lot for the Nipawin Hawks organization this season when things got tough and had a really good started working with Matt Spafford, Jonathan Ceci and his line mate and Captain Tanner Duysk. 21 Goals, 24 Assists to lead the team in scoring on a Hawk team that is rebuilding for a better future and he did more then he was asked to do this season as Head Coach and GM Doug Johnson said at the Hawk's year end awards banquet last night.

 I thought he could have been MVP too but Tanner Duysk is no pushover in his limited time this past season. As you see on the Broadcasters poll they agree that he is the front runner to be the rookie of the year in the league and I believe he should be. Is it one of the team's we broadcast? Yes but the gentle giant from Saskatoon is only going to get better with time I hope its not a sophomore slump next year for a Hawk team that could have some weapons and be a dark horse next year in the SJHL and he will play a huge roll in that.

If he gets stronger, faster  and add a little bit of grit to his game he could get a points in the black and gold next season. But we'll wait till next season to find out.

Doug Johnson won't be wasting time as Spring Camp will start up mid april for the Hawks and there's a lot on the line and a chance for Doug to look at what he has come training camp in September.

That's it for now, stay tuned new question coming ASAP send me an e-mail anytime gino.depaoli@cjvr.com or Tweet me @gdp74 I've got it on the Blackberry now it should be fun. I'll have a blog out recapping the NHL Tradeline on Monday there's been plenty of deals... what left on the table besides Brad Richards in Dallas, will he go or will he stay?

I'm Out!!

GDP

SJHL Media Poll

Well everyone else is putting this up I enjoy seeing Mike Stackhouse putting his choices out there so I'm gonna join him.

First Craig Stein of GX94 is the warrior of these play-offs he has 2 SJHL Teams and 2 MJHL teams, ALL IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!! I thought 5 games in three games at the showcase was tough props to Craig for the results overall. Check out his blog here

 Craig Stein's Blog

Here are my picks... open to discussion on all of them its tough to go through some teams I didn't see much like Battleford for example and Kindersley really.

Here we go

WHO'S THE BEST?

Forward 

1) Marc Andre Carre LA
2) Brayden Metz MELF
3) Johnny Calkins KK

2-Way Forward

1) Brayden Metz MELF
2) Nolan Souchotte LA
3) Clarke Breitkreuz YRK

Best Shot

1) Travis Eggum    LA
2) Brody Haygarth MELF
3) Doug Lindensmith LA

Playmaker

1) Marc Andre Carre LA
2) Johnny Calkins KK
3) Sean Aschim   MELF

Offensive Defenseman

1) Blaine Tendler YRK
2) Josh Roach HMBT
3) Dayton Fossum LA

Stay-at-Home Defenseman

1) Lee Christensen MELF
2) James Howden   ND
3) Dylan Coupal WEY

Goalie

1) Charles Corsi MELF

2) Russell Abbott ND
3) Sean Cahill KK

Rookie

1) Eli Litchenwald  NIP
2) Coltyn Sanderson WEY

3) Roger Tagoona MELV

Same as Mike... Crazy

If You Could Take Any 3 Players in a Shootout

1) Drew George WEY
2) Clarke Breitkreuz YRK
3) Ryan Fox FF

Best Scrapper

1) Brett Pisio HMBT
2) Zach Johnson MELF
3) Tony Oak BATT

Agitator/Toughest to Play Against

1) Bo Lenard MELF
2) Clarke Breitkreuz YRK
3) Troy Hunter EST

Most Underrated Player

1) Taylor Duzan KK
2) Owen Roschuk MELF
3) Justin Waskewitch EST

Coach of the Year

1) Bob Beatty
2) Dean Brockman
3) Darrell Mann

FAVOURITES

Easiest Coach To Interview

1) Jamie Fiesel
2) Trent Cassan
3) Dwight McMillan

Most Quotable Coach

1) Darrell Mann
2) Jamie Fiesel
3) Bob Beatty

Favourite Rink To Broadcast From

1) Weyburn
2) Melfort
3) Flin Flon

Least Favourite Rink To Broadcast From

1) La Ronge
2) Estevan
3) Nipawin

Loudest Rink

1) Whitney Forum
2) Mel Hegland Arena
3) The Cage

Best Rink Food/Coffee

1) Weyburn at the Showcase
2) Flin Flon
3) Yorkton

Favourite Out-of-Town City to Visit

1) Weyburn

2) Flin Flon
3) Melville

Favourite Hotel to Stay at

1) Canalta Hotel Weyburn
2) Best Western Estevan
3) Ramada Weyburn

Favourite Restaurant For Pre or Post Game Meals

1) That Roast Beef place in Flin Flon
2) Carves in Weyburn
3) Any pizza place.... Our teams had a lot of pizza.

AND FINALLY...

Who represents each Conference in the Credit Union Cup Final
Bauer: Melfort

Sherwood: Yorkton

Sticking to my showcase guns on this one


I'm Out!


tweet me @gdp74

Nearing 1000 Hits

Started this blog at the SJHL Trade Deadline and we're nearing 1000 hits to it I appreciate all the hits by all lets keep the trends doing.

The SJHL Presidents Tour is at Diamond North Credit Union the announcements will start at 11 AM so hopefully I'll have a voicer on the Noon Sports on CK750 and CJVR and then on the blog stay tuned also webcasting the the La Ronge/ Melfort game curious to see how both teams go at this one as they won't see each other till at least the Bauer Conference Finals if they both make it.

 I'll be on MBC Radio with Daniel Fink too during the second intermission.

Same Drill Wednesday with the SJHL Prez Tour in Melfort its at the Advantage Credit Union 11 AM will have a voicer as soon as possible we will also have Laury Ryan on our webcast in the first intermission also Communication Director Mitchell Blair will be in town who knows what kind of fun we'll get into we haven't had an encounter since the showcase where he called me the new "Gino" for hockey I just need a mustache and coffee mugs to make him proud.

Go Flames Go 5-0 in the first YEA BABY!!!!

Celebrate like these guys on the hits

While listening to this?

Relax the Playoffs are right around the Corner!!!! Are You Ready???

Nipawin/Melville Hangover

It was a long day for the Nipawin Hawks and an unfortunate end to hopes of the Hawks making the playoffs this season.













The Hawks went into the historic Melville Stadium, which will actually be around a little longer with the delays at the new rink due to the pouring of concrete everything had to be jackhammered and start again. Talking to Jamie Fiesel last night and he wants to be in there ASAP, the Stadium has seen better days it won't be like Estevan where they're waiting till the next season.

On to the game itself, it started out very defensive shots were coming from the outside and the first Mils goal came Andre Parker on just goal thats burnt the Hawks all season as it was right in the slot and no chance for Stephen Klein. The Hawks would get it right back under two minutes later a point shot from Steven Jean lead to a funny bounce and the puck literally sat in the crease for I want to say 5 seconds before Brady Zerr notched his fifth of the season but it just has been a case of bad luck for the Hawks since Jan 10 where there's some big starts and able to come back but there's either a bounce, penalty or just a misfortune as Michael Rogoschewsky scores with 9 seconds left in the frame buries it and its 2-1.

2nd Period, It was run and gun for both teams, chances everywhere, the Hawks had three breakaways in the game couldn't score and for the Millionaires did. The game seemed to be iced when Michael Desjarlais made a nice goal from the corner and toe dragged two Hawks to out wait Klein and put Melville up 3-1 after two.

3rd Period, Derek Wasylyshen scored just 1:32 into the third that put the game away for the Millionaires, Conner Lowe-Wylde would score a shorthanded marker and Hawks only mustered 7 shots in the third and with the loss were eliminated from the survivor series.

Overview: The Hawks youth wasn't enough to claw their way after the first and no one really took over for them in the 2nd or build momentum when down 2 going into the third. Two Hawks stood out for me in the game one being Jamie Johnson, he had the opportunities in those odd man rushes had a break-away just couldn't finish, he could have a huge year next season and not have the Sophomore slump.

 I've also enjoyed the play of Jeff Datoff he moves the puck well for an 18 year old and he showed that he could be physical he was throwing checks, they might not be bone crushing hits but they could become those if he gets meat on he bones probably the best d-man on the Hawks at least in my mind... open to discussion there.

The Black and Gold will be playing a spoiler role for the last 7 games 2 of them against Flin Flon can change the Bombers from maybe having home ice for the Survivor Series. They'll have 4 home games in the next 5 nights starting Tuesday against those same Bombers, then it's the Ice Wolves Wednesday and Battleford Thursday, They'll have a day break then do a home at home with Melfort on Friday at the Cage then Saturday at the Palace.

Nipawin will host the SJHL President's Tour Tuesday where Doug Johnson will name his nominees for MVP, Top Defenseman and Rookie nominees for the league awards if I was to guess, It would be Eli Litchenwald for Rookie of the Year, Tanner Dusyk for MVP and your best defenseman I'm not psychic I have no idea who;d it be with the departures of Remenda and Brkich, If its me I give a mention to Jeff Datoff but that will be toss up on to who Doug would pick for that honor. I will be there and get the nominees out first on CK750 and this blog.

It will be an interesting stretch for the Hawks as we'll see who makes this team next year because looking at the Hawks Depth Chart this could be a different roster come next season but they've got seven games hopefully the continue to work and try and improve their not just for points sake but for themselves.

I'll check back after SJHL President's Tour Tuesday for the Hawks and also Wednesday for the Mustangs.

GDP

SJHL Home Stretch

Finally I've got some time to blog,

I don't get a chance to blog at work because we are a busy radio station and if I go on this I'd never get anything done i'd probably forget to go in the booth to voice the noon and afternoon sports along with our news casts. So I've got a day off today, went to the gym got my ass kicked but it felt good the gym said to me in hindsight $%$# You but have a nice day. Ahh the growing pains of a guy trying to be a gym rat.

A lot has happened since our last encounter Green Bay wins the Super Bowl very nice even though I picked the Steelers in the office pool because I thought of the Arizona/Pittsburgh game and it had that feeling for a while but congrats to Aaron Rodgers you are better then Brett Farve.... Yes I said it and I'll say it again Rodgers is the man and has as many Super Bowl rings as Brett, this is the Brett I never want to see back in the spotlight not the other Bret... God Bless you Excellence of Execution!!!! Anyone excited for Wrestlemania???

Now on the SJHL things seem to be coming around and playoff match-ups are getting into that finalization stage. Apparently La Ronge clinched with their win last night over Flin Flon they just didn't lose after Christmas and Melfort did, the Mustangs didn't help themselves out with some penalty troubles and injuries its not they're concern for first now obviously the key will be to get their team healthy.

 Brayden Metz has missed action, Mitch Berg has been hurt and the most important component for Mustang success this post season is getting Charles Corsi well rested wouldn't be surprised to see Jesse Ehnisz start both games this weekend against Melville and Notre Dame, he has been a solid back-up may be the top back-up and the future is bright for the Unity SK native. A healthy Metz and D-core will get the Mustangs far in the post season pending a Meltdown.

The Nipawin Hawks are the team that are literally scratching and clawing they're way to stay alive in the hunt for the survivor series spot. It's a long climb it's simple they have to get 1-2 points each game, Flin Flon is struggling they play Battleford 3 more times and Nipawin twice, Nipawin needs to put pressure and win in Humboldt and Melville this weekend if they have any hope of seeing the survivor series. A quick Flin Flon note, did the broadcast for the Bombers Tuesday in Nipawin for Rob Hart who's Grandmother passed away Rob thoughts are with you.

It was a great game almost looked like the Flon/Melfort Game where the Bombers were up 3-1 into the 3rd and Nipawin tied it up but Andrew Johnson sealed it in the shootout scoring the only goal and Flin Flon got some breathing room. Bomber fans I appreciate you listening to CFAR 590 and Flin Flon in the absence of Hart of Flin Flon. Back to the Hawks, if any team deserves a break after the team's injury, questionable suspensions and rink issues it's Doug Johnson and the Hawks they will get Jamie Johnson back this week and Jeremy Peeke could return from a concussion. The Hawks might have four lines by the weekend they've been playing with 3 forward lines and a full set of D for the last few games not an easy task.

The Humboldt Broncos are starting to play their young hearts out of late as they've won 7 of their last 10 games and the youth are buying into Dean Brockman's system... why wouldn't you he's a 3 time SJHL Coach of the Year. Andrew Bodnarchuk and Taylor Johnson are leading the way and the defense core are fighting for jobs, the last two weeks a Bronco has taken top defenseman awards in Josh Roach and Logan Sproule got it this week.

 The start Humboldt got saved a drop in standings and a strong effort in the last two weeks has kept them away from the survivor series with their win over the North Stars on the road last night, Battleford could catch them but it will be tough. Humboldt plays Nipawin tomorrow and Yorkton Sunday it will be the return of Justin Buzzeo and Jeremy Boyer to the Elgar Peterson Arena should be a good one.

Play-off series I'll be wrong on half of these probably but here we got my predictions for the first round when everything is set I'll make a full prediction when things are set.

Sherwood

Survivor Series

Estevan Vs Melville

Notre Dame might make it but the games remaining might kill them and Jamie Fiesel's crew with good goaltending could hang onto the 5 spot. I think Dwight McMillian's crew will get hot goaltending from Mitch Kilgore and over take Estevan.


1 Vs. 4

Yorkton Vs Estevan

2 Vs. 3

Kindersley Vs Weyburn


Bauer Conference

Survivor Series

Battleford Vs Flin Flon****

4 Asterisks for the Bombers if the Hawks get four points this weekend the Bombers may fold and the Hawks could sneak in on the last day of the season should be a great end of the season


1 Vs 4

La Ronge Vs Battleford

2 Vs 3

Melfort Vs Humboldt


There ya have it, My predictions for now these could change at the drop of a hat but we'll see. I'm back on the radio Saturday and will hopefully see the Hawks get within a few points of the Bombers when they head to Melville game time is 7:15 with the pre-game show and 7:30 puck drop on CK750 and www.ck750.com click on the links on the blog here or the website. Before I go... How About them Calgary Flames??? I love it hopefully Jay Feaster doesn't trade our first rounder we need it so badly!!!

I'm hoping with all these broadcasts for various SJHL Teams will lead to more teams asking for us to do the game if they're not able to, they are great and it gives me something to work on to improve Broadcasting and give a better knowledge of the team.

I have a minor challenge for myself next year I'd like to be the voice for each team in the SJHL team just for one night and maybe hey we can turn it into a charity event or something along that line, Dan O'Conner, Craig Stein, Rob Hart, Daniel Fink, Blaine Weyland, Brenden Ullrich, Kevin Smith what do ya say? One game ? Naw couldn't ask you for that,  It's a long shot I know just throwing it out there.

That's gonna do it today Bowling for Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Humboldt tonight I hope I can get my bowling form I had on my road trip with the Broncos earlier in the season Tim Klimossco your all the inspiration I need. E-mail me gino.depaoli@cjvr.com or Tweet me @gdp74 I answer all messages.

New Poll question coming ASAP just need to think of one.

I'm Out!!!

GDP