Check You Head

For the hockey community and proponents of physical hockey, the 2009-2010 season has been a tough one. First we start with the Liambias hit on Ben Fanelli, a hit which everyone agrees was dangerous, however, some argue that the year long (OHL career ending) suspension handed down to Liambas was too much, others thought it was just right .

 Then fast forward to Jan 14,2010 Zack Kassian‘s debute for the Windsor Spirfires following being traded from the Peteobrough Petes on Jan 10,2010. Zack Zassian a Buffalo Sabres prospect, selected 1st round, 13th overall, layed a rather ‘dirty’ hit on Matt Kennedy, where he clearly left his feet to lay the hit on the unsuspecting Matt Kennedy skating up-ice. Matt Kennedy is a Carolina Hurricanes prospect selected in the 5th round (131st overall). Currently Zack Kassian sits suspended indefinitely pending an investigation by the Ontario Hockey League’s commissioner David E. Branch.

On January 17,2010, Patrice Cormier who was Team Canada’s Captain in the recent World Juniors Tournament during the Christmas break, layed a dirty hit on Mikael Tam. Currently, Cormier sits suspended indefintly pending a review by the commissioner, as well the Quebec provincial police are investigate to determine whether charges will be layed. This is not the first elbow Cormier has delivered of this sort, at the World Juniors he layed one against Anton Rodin of Sweden in a  6-2 victory by Team Canada. Cormier is a prospect of the New Jersey Devils selected in the 2nd round, 54th overall in 2008.

These three incidents are leaving a lot of people wondering, when the leagues are going to ‘step up’. The WHL, OHL, and QMJHL all have penalties for checking to the head. The question is, are these penalties working? Based on these incidents many say, NO. Others are calling for the NHL to step up and introduce a checking to the head rule to protect the players. Whatever happens, these incidents leave a scar on the sport.

Hockey Canada going to say NO to outlaws!

Hockey Canada has passed what many will say is the most aggressive policy in years. This policy is aimed at non-aligned “outlaw” hockey league. In the Action Bulletin released on July 5,2008 this bulletin send some jabs at these outlaw league. Canadian Hockey News believe that the three leagues in question are the CYO Polar Bears ( a member of the Canadian Parents Hockey Association), the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League ( a member of the National Junior Hockey Alliance), and WHA Junior Hockey League (also a member of the National Junior Hockey Alliance).

Hockey Canada points out that these leagues:

They profess to have a better program yet often operate without a constitution, by-laws, create their own rule book and do not provide adequate insurance for their participants. Further, they offer the lure of “Rep” or “Junior” level competition when this is clearly not the case.

In addition Hockey Canada provide clear and distinct guidelines for suspension, and ineligibility of people participating in these organization. Hockey Canada went even further to not allow municipalities/arenas who endorse/support these leagues to host National, Regional, or affiliated leagues’ championships, which includes the Canadian Hockey League (major junior).  Additionally, they will no longer sanction tournaments being held in arena/municipalities that support these organizations.For example, in the Greater Toronto Hockey League no teams will be permitted to use, or hold tournaments in Thornhill Community Center because the Toronto Canada Moose of the GMHL operates out of there.

It is clear that Hockey Canada wants nothing to do with these leagues, and dispises of their existence. Some question if these tactics are legal, others question based on who exactly is affected. Some also think that this will just go to drive more houseleagues to these outlaw leagues due to the lack of governance, what many at the houseleague level have called for.

For more information regarding this policy click here.

URL Link:http://www.ohf.on.ca/web_pages/headlines_news.php?ID=181

Making it!

Do you plan on making the NHL? It is good to see that you have aspirations in hockey, don’t let anybody deture you from your dreams. However, making the NHL is no easy task. In fact, it is proably one of the most gruelling and painful endevors an athelet can make. If you were to think about making the NHL as a triathalon, your minor hockey career would probaly account for about the part where you wade into the lake to begin your swimming. Players who were selected high in the OHL Priority Seleciton are off to a bit of a better start however, they are still within reach. If you have any hope of catching you will have to start training immediatly! Check yourself into the nearest gym and contact a professional to start a training regiment. Now, you are going to have to play your heart out. Play hard, shift in shift out. Finally and most imporantly make sure you have a good attitude. Some of those that were selected higher and are off at the beginnging of the pac could drop beacuse of a bad attitude.  For those of you at the front of the pac keep going, people are behind you trying to catch up, and believe me they will. Your attitude will hinder you in your progression to the next level.

If you fail to make the NHL remember you will have the satisfaction of knowing you did your best and couldn’t cut it. You will have no regrets.

Canada loses one of its Hockey’s Sons, Luc Bourdon passed away on May 29,2008

The Hockey community has been struck with tragedy again. Luc Bourdon a defenseman with the Manitoba Moose, and top draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks was sadly killed in a motorcycle accident. A truely unfortunate event. Luc represented Canada in the world juniors, winning 2 goad medals for Canada. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Luc.

A moment of silence will be observed at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Don’t forget to enter!

Back by popular demand, the Pepsi®, Lay’s® and Gatorade® brands are giving Canadian hockey fans the opportunity for a chance to win the ultimate prize – the Stanley Cup™ delivered to their home for a NHL playoff party by six-time Stanley Cup champion, Mark Messier!

To enter the Bring Home the Stanley Cup contest, fans must submit a video that shows their NHL Playoff viewing rituals. One passionate Canadian hockey fan will win:

• The Ultimate Hockey Playoff Party for him/her and 19 of his/her closest friends/family with Pepsi and Gatorade refreshments and Lay’s snacks.
• A special visit from six-time Stanley Cup champion, Mark Messier – who will personally deliver the official Stanley Cup to the winner’s home!
• Selected captions of the party will be broadcast during this years Stanley Cup Playoffs on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada during the week of June 8.

To enter the Bring Home the Stanley Cup contest, Canadian hockey fans can go to www.cbcsports.ca/bringhomethecup from March 23 to April 30, 2008, where they must submit a video of their NHL Playoff viewing rituals and complete the online entry form.

Hockey Canada Announces U18 Team Coaches

Hockey Canada announced that Pat Quinn will be coaching Team Canada at the U18 World Championships in Kazan Russia on April 13-23 . He will be joined by Jesse Wallin who was recently appointed as head coach of the Red Deer Rebels, and is a former defenseman of the Red Deer Rebels. As well as the Equiptment Manager of the Red Deer Rebel, Radar Horning. These men will be joined by Guy Boucher of the Drummonville Voyagers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Pat Quinn is member of an ownership group that owns the Vancouver Giant, who were memorial cup winners in 2007.

OHL Cup Schedule Announced!

2008 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament Schedule

Wednesday March 19
Rink 1
1:45 pm Toronto Jr. Canadiens vs. Halton Hurricanes
3:30 pm HNO Kings vs. Toronto Nationals
5:15 pm Toronto Marlboros vs. Peterborough Petes
7:15 pm Toronto Red Wings vs. North Central Predators
9:00 pm Elgin Middlesex Chiefs vs. Mississauga Senators

Rink 2
1:15 pm York Simcoe Express vs. Toronto Red Wings
3:00 pm Mississauga Senators vs. Ottawa Senators
4:45 pm Greater Kingston Jr. Frontenacs vs. Markham Majors
6:30 pm Brantford 99’ers vs. Rochester Americans
8:30 pm NOHA All-Stars vs. Toronto Jr. Canadiens

Thursday March 20
Rink 1
9:00 am TPH Thunder vs. Toronto Marlboros
10:45 am NOHA All-Stars vs. Halton Hurricanes
12:30 pm Greater Kingston Jr. Frontenacs vs. Elgin Middlesex Chiefs
2:15 pm Rochester Americans vs. North Central Predators
4:00 pm Toronto Jr. Canadiens vs. Detroit Belle Tire
5:45 pm Markham Majors vs. Mississauga Senators
7:30 pm Elgin Middlesex Chiefs vs. Ottawa Senators
9:15 pm Rochester Americans vs. Toronto Red Wings

Rink 2
8:30 am Detroit Belle Tire vs. Ottawa Jr. 67’s
10:15 am Ottawa Senators vs. Markham Majors
12:00 pm Toronto Nationals vs. Peterborough Petes
1:45 pm Brantford 99’ers vs. York Simcoe Express
3:30 pm TPH Thunder vs. HNO Kings
5:15 pm Halton Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Jr. 67’s
7:00 pm Toronto Marlboros vs. Toronto Nationals
8:45 pm North Central Predators vs. Brantford 99’ers

Friday March 21
Rink 1
9:00 am Detroit Belle Tire vs. NOHA All-Stars
10:45 am Peterborough Petes vs. TPH Thunder
12:30 pm Ottawa Senators vs. Greater Kingston Jr. Frontenacs
2:15 pm Toronto Red Wings vs. Brantford 99’ers

Rink 2
9:30 am HNO Kings vs. Toronto Marlboros
11:15 am Ottawa Jr. 67’s vs. Toronto Jr. Canadiens
1:00 pm York Simcoe Express vs. Rochester Americans
2:45 pm Markham Majors vs. Elgin Middlesex Chiefs

Saturday March 22
Rink 1
10:00 am Peterborough Petes vs. HNO Kings
11:45 am North Central Predators vs. York Simcoe Express
1:30 pm Ottawa Jr. 67’s vs. NOHA All-Stars
5:30 pm Quarter Final 2 – 1ST PLACE DIV vs. 2ND PLACE DIV 3
7:30 pm Quarter Final 4 – 1ST PLACE DIV 1 vs. 2ND PLACE DIV 4

Rink 2
9:30 am Toronto Nationals vs. TPH Thunder
11:15 am Mississauga Senators vs. Greater Kingston Jr. Frontenacs
1:00 pm Halton Hurricanes vs. Detroit Belle Tire
5:00 pm Quarter Final 1 – 1ST PLACE DIV 3 vs. 2ND PLACE DIV 2
7:00 pm Quarter Final 3 – 1ST PLACE DIV 4 vs. 2ND PLACE DIV 1

Sunday March 23
Rink 1
9:00 am Winner Quarter Final 1 vs. Winner Quarter Final 2
5:00 pm Championship Game

Rink 2
9:30 am Winner Quarter Final 3 vs. Winner Quarter Final 4

Oh the lies!

Unless you completely detached yourself from society today, you probably heard the Roger Clemens (7 time Cy Young award winner, 1986 League MVP,  and 11 time all-star player among other accolades) was brought before the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.  Although Clemens continued to deny his use of steroids, it became more apparent as the hearing continued that he was trying to hide something. There were  times where the sequence of events was illogical. Even a person whom Clemens trusted,Andy Pettitte states that Clemens had used steroids.At the end of the hearing Chairman, Henry Waxman (Republican) stated that he fact of the hearing are the Clemens has offered no physical  and no substantial evidence to dispute McNamee’s allegations. Roger Clemens’ defense seems to have been to drag McNamee’s name through the mud, and ruin his reputation.   Here are some highlights:

 

 

 

 

 You can make your own decisions as to Clemen’s guilt, however one thing remains important, the use of steroids and performance enhancing substances is detrimental. Young children and athletes of all ages should NEVER use steroids. Primarily because they not only pose a serious medical risk to yourself. They also are immoral, why should you get an edge that nobody else is getting? It also brings down the reputation of the league and the sports. 

   

NCAA Developments

The NCAA has approved the ability of Canadian schools to apply for membership within the NCAA Division II. It is unclear what this means for University Sports in Canada, specifically hockey because of the different eligibility rules.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — NCAA Division II delegates approved a program Monday allowing Canadian schools to apply for membership as soon as June 1, which could lead to Canadians competing in some Division I sports.

The program was approved by a vote of 258-9 on the final day of the NCAA convention and takes effect immediately.

Details still must be worked out, but the concept is designed to allow Canadian schools to enter into the pilot program and explore membership. Schools that meet the June 1 application deadline could start the process of joining Division II as soon as the 2008-2009 academic year.

The program allows the NCAA to study any logistical challenges from competing outside the United States.

The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University are among six Canadian schools that have discussed NCAA membership. Simon Fraser belonged to the NAIA for more than 30 years before its American competitors moved to NCAA’s Division II.

Some Canadian schools want to be able to award full athletic scholarships, which aren’t allowed at Canadian universities.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

Canadian Hockey News wants to know what you think abou the Canadian Development Model

Canadian Hockey News is inquiring about what you think of the Canadian Development Model. This year the program (or model) comes up for review. We want to know what you think!  Follow the link below:

I’ll tell you what I think!