People Do Read My Tweets

Good Day All,

Hockey is pretty much here, all the WHL camps are well underway and Junior A, Camp for the Whitecourt Wolverines goes this weekend at the Twin Arenas in the Scott Safety Centre.

 The 3 time NWJHL Champs will be on the ice on Friday from 5 PM till 10, Saturday 8:30 to 5 and Sunday a morning session along with the Black and Gold game, followed by the Spruce Grove Saints taking on the St.Albert Steel at 2PM for an AJHL Exhibition game.

Just curious if maybe one of those teams find a home at the Scott Safety Centre next season.

Now on to something that's NHL related, Yes I am a Flames fan so the Langkow trade wasn't surprising to lower cap space, I'm just curious on what or who will be signed/traded to the Flames as the cap space keeps getting greater and greater inbetween. I really don't care for Lee Stempniak at all, any Maple Leaf garbage can go away... that includes Stajan and Hagman.

I don't think Stempniak will have the numbers like he did with the Yotes a couple of years ago. I liked Langkow, he actually is the best centre Iginla has played with and that's kind of sad when you think about it.

But... I took who I'd want to wear the Flaming C instead of Lee and that's Paul Bissonnette yes Biz Nasty, could you imagine if he was in a Canadian market he'd be more of a sensation. He might have the most jersey sales in Calgary if he came the other way.

Here's the tweet I wrote and the next day it made a section of the Calgary Sun, I want to thank Darrell Romuld of CTV Lethbridge/Calgary for taking a picture of this it's awesome.

http://yfrog.com/j2rbcnj


That's all for now

I'm Out!!!

I'm Back!!!!!

Who were you expecting? Someone else?

To put a long story short I'm now in Whitecourt Alberta.... Gino is home Baby!!!! Well closer to home, I do live in Oil Country but hey I leave Saskatchewan and the Riders are 1-7.  Mission Accomplished?

I made the transfer within my company to Whitecourt in the summer to work with the Whitecourt Wolverines of the NWJHL, Yes it's junior b and you're probably wondering why would I turn down a SJHL gig? To answer many questions yes I did turn down the North Battleford job. To put those comments to rest.

I made the move to be closer to home and to develop my skills with a few more games to get to the next level of hockey calling and I'm doing it with the guidance of Neil Shewchuk who's groomed some pretty good guys in the past including Darren Millard and Roger Millions and has worked with Peter Loubardias and R.J Broadhead, so I'm ready for the challenge and ready to work a full hockey season and get involved with a team that has been one of the best in Junior B in the country.

3 Straight League titles and just waiting to get to the Keystone Cup in Saskatoon this year with this reputation the Wolverines have had I cannot expect anything else and there's always talks of the AJHL coming to Whitecourt everyday rumors keep coming I'll believe it when I see it.

I want to say thanks to the Melfort Mustangs, Nipawin Hawks and Humboldt Broncos with putting up with me this past season I wish the franchises the best of luck and I will be keeping an eye on the league still.

There's some great guys in this league for play by play Dan O'Connor (Now Voice of the Prince George Cougars and Congrats Dan-O it couldn't happen to a better guy best of luck to the Cougars except when they play the Hitmen!)

Craig Stein, this guy does 4, Count em 4 teams and so many games he might be the most dedicated broadcaster in Saskatchewan by a long shot and a class act, Thanks Steiner for allowing me to be the voice of the Melville Millionaires for one game against Melfort it was fun and weird at the same time.

Rob Hart, Voice of the Bombers and great guy you could sit down and talk to about anything advice or hockey, Rob I love your dedication and we will cross paths again my friend thank-you for that epic weekend at the Showcase in Weyburn.

Brenden Ullrich, You're a beauty enough said keep doing what you're doing I wish we could have worked together more but it never worked out in our skeds.

Daniel Fink, Enjoy your time in LA calling a championship your first season, Keep it up big guy and Go Stamps Go.

Mitchell Blair, A beauty and a guy you can call anytime for advice, a laugh, a beak about the Stampeders sucking or clever tweets, Scruffy I'm gonna miss you the most we will cross paths again no matter what happens in our paths!

Of course I want to thank the CK750/CJVR Newsroom for all their contributions and guidance Darryl Skender keep calling those Huskies to get your Vanier Cup Game! Have fun at the RBC Cup (his third BTW) Cam Lee, News Director thanks for everything!

I want to also thank Al Montgomery at the MBC (Mustang Broadcasting Network) he is the best webcaster in the biz and he always made coming to the games at the Palace a pleasure and of course always having a great BS session I won't forget those ever Al you're one of a kind and a great volunteer for the Mustangs!!

And the Coaches for the Mustangs, Hawks and Broncos.

Dean Brockman and the crew, A tough challenge awaits you this season you will be a force with your dedication to hockey, I enjoyed our one roady we got this season the laughs and the respect you showed for me I'm forever grateful best of luck to you Dean, Murray and Tim get it done!

Doug Johnson, We both did our first SJHL games at the same night in La Ronge in the crappiest broadcast booth ever ( Sorry Dan) I ripped my pants, the Hawks fell to the Ice Wolves that day but you are a great young coach that is taking the Hawks in the right direction and you will make noise this season don't let anyone else say otherwise. Thank-you for those extended visits in the office after games to vent and talk about everything. All the best to you Doug and new assistant Chad McLeod.

Cory Unser, I miss you buddy thanks for everything you've done and allowed me to be part of your crew in Melfort, Enjoy your Wedding in October I believe to Nicole miss ya Cory hopefully we'll meet up again!

And last but not least Darrell Mann for all the great times on the ice and off I want to thank-you for everything from giving me hell on a play by play call or getting me involved with the community your family opened your home to me on a few occasions I wish all the best for you,  Kim, Kacie and Morgan. You are a great coach and we will hear your name again Manner thanks for everything!

All the players that have facebooked, tweeted and texted me you guys are what we say on the ice... BEAUTYS you guys made it possible.

So I say here we go I'm here in Whitecourt committed and ready to go... DROP THE PUCK

Stamps 5-2 Baby Enjoy! The Debacle Returns with a bang

Take Er Easy

GDP

Meet Chad MacLeod

Ok, Maybe not the best picture I could find of Hawks new Assistant Coach Chad MacLeod but I do have the full interview just welcoming him to the Hawks and the League and the comments from him I guarantee you'll enjoy especially Leafs fans.

 Chad MacLeod by gdp74 

Happy Saturday!!!

I'm Out

GDP

Mustangs Swing Deal With Nipawin

Gavin Holcomb has made his first moves as a General Manager for the Melfort Mustangs.

I spoke with Gavin early this afternoon and talked about how things have been going since he was first hired 6 weeks ago.

 GAVIN HOLCOMB by gdp74

Here's some stats on the 20 year old from Prince Albert

Tash had 9 Goals and 7 Assists for the Black and Gold along with 57 PIM in 57 games and 9 Goals and 9 Assists in 56 games in the 2009-10 Season and played Triple A for the Prince Albert Mintos he'll join Brant Henry-Norton of Prince Albert also a former Minto teammate.

As for Ty Morgan for the Mustangs he had been playing Triple A for the Calgary Buffaloes and it's a great program so definitely some talent coming over for the Mustangs.

I'll have the full Welcome to the SJHL Interview with new Assistant Coach Chad MacLeod tomorrow.

Time for a Drink and some Golf!

I'm Out

GDP

Spencer Mault Back To The AJHL

The Melfort Mustangs have started their offseason with a trade to Grande Prairie sending Corman Park's Spencer Mault to the Storm for what I assume is future considerations or straight cash.

There has been no sign of the trade to GP on the AJHL website or SJHL so not sure if this is in stone or something needs to be settled but there's a story on the Storm website that you can see here.

Mault had 6 goals and 9 assists in 27 games for the Mustangs this past season and had a goal and an assist in 8 playoff games.

If this is true losing a good 19 year old kid with a great attitude and a great person in the locker room, Good  Luck with the Storm Spencer!!!

I had heard this rumor all day and tried to confirm it with Gavin Holcomb today, he has been busy and tough to get a hold of hopefully we'll get something tomorrow.

I'm Out

GDP

Nipawin Hawks Making Changes

The Nipawin Hawks have almost been as busy as the Humboldt Broncos this off-season trying to rebuild/reload the franchise.

A new assistant coach will beside him this coming season as well as a new captain will lead the Black and Gold. I spoke with Doug yesterday afternoon and here's the full interview.

 DOUG JOHNSON by gdp74

Just a few stats on Williamson and Peterson.

SEASON	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	P/G	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	PIM
2010-2011	Bonnyville Pontiacs	55	11	24	35	0.6	0	3	0	2	0	38
2009-2010	Bonnyville Pontiacs	30	2	6	8	0.3	0	1	0	0	0	24
CAREER TOTALS		85	13	30	43	0.5	0	4	0	2	0	62

No Picture for Williamson But here's his stats from the past AJHL Season

SEASON	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS	P/G	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	PIM
2010-2011	Bonnyville Pontiacs	39	1	5	6	0.2	0	1	0	0	0	31
CAREER TOTALS		39	1	5	6	0.2	0	1	0	0	0	31

Both Williamson and Peterson played their Triple A for the Prince Albert Mintos this looks like a good deal for the Hawks in a two for one deal.

I wish Tanner all the best of luck in Bonnyville as he goes into a tough division in the AJ but he will excel there Tanner probably could have more points this season had he not ran into his injuries at Christmas but really came on strong after the trade deadline, Good Luck Tanner!

Meet Coach McLeod, This is the only picture of him I could find hopefully it's him!

I saw where this picture came from on a Tulsa Rampage Forum and it showed of what I thought was a camp or maybe a vigorous practice and the goalies were puking so The Black and Gold will probably have an intense workout ahead of them this year.

 If he's good with goalies watch Brody Hoffman and Stephen Klein to prosper this season.

That's it for now for the Hawks as Doug said in the interview there is a couple of trades in the works as always we'll have you covered. 

Well it's time to hit the Golf Course,

I'm Out!

GDP

Finally!!!!! Hockey has come back to WINN-IPEG!!!!

A great announcement from Manitoba as NHL Hockey in Winnipeg is back!!!!

The official announcement came down this morning and if you're Canadian Hockey fan I hope you watched it.

It's funny the ever resilient NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was late for the conference he said he was in a teleconference but I think he was crying with a powder blue Atlanta Thrashers Ilya Kovalchuk jersey admitting defeat finally the good people of Winnipeg and Canada for that matter have knocked him down a "PEG",

Now if we can get Phoenix to Quebec City we'd be in business. I wonder if Gary shows up for the season opener in the MTS Centre and doesn't get tarred and feathered it would be a sight.

Now my involvement with this I am planning unless under usual circumstances will be riding shotgun with Branden Crowe down the Trans Canada Highway to the MTS Centre for the NHL Season Opener in Winnipeg, Branden a Manitoban himself has been gitty as a school girl all day and actually woke me up this morning when he was making breakfast full of excitement got love the moxie on this kid.

All I have to say is thank-you True North Sports Entertainment for bringing a team back where it belongs and to Gary Bettman.... well you probably know I'll let the the Winnipeg faith answer this one. "Who's Your Daddy??

Will the Winnipeg franchise be the Jets? or something new we'll find out soon enough. Either way it's a great day for hockey!!!