First off, I realize the frequency of my postings has declined in the past few weeks…I have just hit the summer doldrums, so to speak.  Once we get closer to training camp, the frequency will pick up.

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The Team Alberta provincial camp took place last weekend and from the reports that I’ve received, all of the Hawks prospects that attended had a good camp.  Team Alberta will now pick a short list of players that they will monitor through much of the first half of next season before selecting the 11 players that will represent the province at the U17 games.

The two BC players - Keith Hamilton & Taylor Peters - will attend a similar camp in BC next week.

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Congratulations to former Hawk Cody McLeod on signing a new one year deal with the Colorado Avalanche.  It should make for some interesting practices with McLeod and former Kamloops Blazers instigator Darcy Tucker running around. 

Guaranteed they won’t be much fun to play against…

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Another former Hawk, Josh Olson, will move from one Italian city to another as he has changed teams in Italy - going from AS Renon to HC Bolzano.

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I got a report that Riley Boychuk, who appeared in only 5 games as a 16 year old before needing hip surgery last year, is recovering nicely from his surgery and is skating pain-free and will be ready to go once training camp opens in just over a month.

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The WHL schedule should be out the first week of August, and I haven’t heard anything about where or when the Hawks will open the 2007-08 season.  Traditionally, the Hawks open on the road, but last year, they opened at home on September 21st.

The only confirmed dates that I have are for the Eastern Swing:

Friday - Oct. 17 @ Brandon

Saturday - Oct. 18 @ Moose Jaw

Tuesday - Oct. 21 @ Prince Albert

Wednesday - Oct. 22 @ Saskatoon

Friday - Oct. 24 @ Regina

Saturday - Oct. 25 @ Swift Current

I can almost feel the bus seat already…

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Thats it for now…

At least on the Winter Hawks front…

Meanwhile, in the WHL, the Regina Pats are looking for a new Head Coach after Curtis Hunt has decided to leave to become an Assistant to Craig Hartsburg with the Ottawa Senators.  Hunt had been an Assistant to Hartsburg while with Team Canada at the World Junior tournament, so they know each other pretty well.

Will former Winter Hawk, and current Regina Assistant, Terry Perkins get a shot to take the realm of the Pats?  Time will tell, but I would think that he would be a candidate.  Perkins played in 131 games in a Hawk sweater between 1983-85, compiling 68-68-136 in those games.

Other names bantered about includes Dale Derkatch who led the Pats to the WHL Final in 1980-81, only to fall to the Winter Hawks.

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In other former Hawks news, one player leaves the NHL while another returns:

Marcel Hossa has left the Phoenix Coyotes and has signed to play in Latvia in 2008-09 for the Dinamo Riga club.  Hossa joined the Coyotes in a trade last season with the Rangers.

Josh Green played last season in Austria for the Red Bulls Salzburg club and has agreed to return to North America after signing a free agent deal with the Anaheim Ducks.  Green was a goal scoring machine in his brief time with the Hawks in 97-98, scoring 26 goals in 26 games, but has never really put up numbers in the NHL, but did get a lot of PK time in Vancouver before heading to Europe.

Also, Garrett Festerling has moved from EV Fussen in Germany to the Hannover Scorprions in the German Elite League.  Festerling was the leading scorer (120 points in 45 games) and MVP of the Oberliga, a lower tier pro league in Germany, last season.

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I also wanted to pass along my condolescenses to Regan Bartel, my radio counterpart in Kelowna, after the death of his Mother this past weekend.

The Portland Winter Hawks have posted information on their main training camp on their website at:

http://www.winterhawks.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1172&Itemid=311

It opens on August 24th and will be split between Moutain View Ice Arena  in Vancouver, WA, and Memorial Coliseum.

As our great country celebrates another birthday, I just wanted to pass along the best wishes to all my US based readers on this Independence Day.

Hopefully, my neighborhood won’t turn into a war zone with illegal fireworks like years past, but that may be too much to ask.  

Be safe, one and all.

For those that have read this space in the past month or so have probably figured out that I hate the Detroit Red Wings.  So, what do they do?  They sign Marian Hossa to a 1 year, $7.4 million dollar contract.  The Wings just became harder to hate.

I’m sure that Mike Babcock, the Head Coach of the Wings, remembers vividly watching Hossa and the Hawks knock his Spokane Chief team out of the 1998 playoffs and then win the Memorial Cup at the Spokane Arena.  Now Hossa can be a key part in what looks like a sure bet to challenge for a second straight Stanley Cup.

Hossa joins Henrik Zetterburg, Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, Johan Franzen as well as a host of other Europeans that will give the NHL fits in 2008-09. 

On a side note, can someone let the person who wrote the article for the Detroit Red Wings Report know that Czechoslovakia no longer exists?  It is either the Czech Republic or Slovakia and I’m sure that Hossa wants to be known as a Slovak, not a Czech.

End rant…

It has been a crazy few days with the NHL signings and it makes you wonder if the NHL learned anything from their last lockout.  There is a lot of money being thrown at role players and non top-4 d-men.

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I want to send a belated congratulations to former Hawk Keith Voytechek for being enrolled to attend and play hockey for the University of British Columbia. 

Also, I have it on good authority that Kevin Undershute has enrolled and will play college hockey for the St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.  There was only one other former dub grad on the X-men roster last year, Undershute’s teammate in Medicine Hat, Brett Robertson.

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That’s it for now….

To all of my readers north of the border in the Great White North, a very Happy Canada Day as they celebrate the 141st birthday of their great nation.

You have to love a country that has given us hockey, Rush, Timbits, Molson, Don Cherry, Mounties, Pamela Anderson, Jim Carrey, Wayne Gretzky, Stompin Tom Connors and so much more.

Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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In other happenings, it was great to get together on Saturday evening with the old radio crew for a nice dinner.  Dean Vrooman, John Kirby, Larry Lester and I (along with our spouses) had a great meal and, as always, more than a few laughs.

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With my daughter now being involved in swimming at a competitive level, I have had more of an interest in watching the Olympic Swimming Trials the past couple of days.

I find myself analyzing the stroke form and enjoying watching the elite athletes compete. 

I don’t have any grand visions of my daughter reaching that level (as only the very elite do, but who knows, she is only 7), but as a parent, I can only hope that she will emulate the hard work and dedication that swimmers like Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Natalie Coghlan and the rest of the swimmers competing have had to reach this stage.  She could idolize a lot worse.

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If you get a chance, go to www.winterhawks.com and read the article on former Hawk defenseman Dustin Bauer.  He is another example of incredible dedication and hard work. 

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Lastly, congratulations to Paul Gaustad on signing a new four year, $9.2 Million contract with the Buffalo Sabres.  Again, hard work and dedication.

I’m sensing a theme…

I’ve received a few e-mails asking me my opinion on what Dwight Jaynes wrote in the Portland Tribune today regarding the group led by Brent Peterson and the possible purchase of the Winter Hawks.

My response has been the same to each - it is hard to comment on it as there really isn’t anything to comment on.

Sure, there is a group that is interested in possibly purchasing the team.  The group includes some big-time names from the Winter Hawks past and also local golf professional Peter Jacobsen.  It is an impressive list of names.

But, as of right now, from reading the article, they have yet to approach the current Hawks management team about purchasing the franchise.  Until they do, it is nothing more than a speculative venture that will cause a bunch of fans to sit and dream about the “glory days” of the franchise.

That’s all well and good, nothing wrong with speculation, especially when it is done in an official publication with the quotes from Peterson.  But until a “dream and a hope” becomes an offer that is being considered by the current ownership group, there isn’t really anything to get overly excited about.

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The other article in the Tribune today had to do with the fate of the Rose Quarter and the plans that the Blazers have for the space.  It talked about possibly replacing the Memorial Coliseum with a smaller arena that could house sports and concerts.

To make this work, it only makes sense to keep the Winter Hawks as part of the master plan for the Rose Quarter.  A team that could anchor 25-30 dates a year in the MC or the new arena while also splitting bigger games with the soon to be corporately named Rose Garden.

Time will tell, where the Blazers get with this plan…but to me, I read the article as a reason to be optimistic.

With the third overall pick in the 2008 CHL Import Draft, the Portland Winter Hawks have selected from Severstal Cherepovets, 1990 born Right Wing Maxim Trunev.

Trunev is 5′11, 174 lbs. and was the 5th round selection, #138 overall, of the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL Entry Draft last weekend.

Trunev is described as an incredibly fast skater with good hands.  He has been over to North America to play in the Macs Tournament in Calgary and according to to the Winter Hawks site, he has taken part in the Okanagan Hockey School the past two summers, working with Hawks Coach Rich Kromm.

From reading some comments online from Montreal, they fully expect Trunev to play in North America this season. 

On the Hockey’s Future board, you can read some comments from Canadien fans regarding Trunev.

It has been an interesting start to the Import Draft with six of the first seven players taken being from Russia or have ties to Russia - only the Red Deer Rebels have gone away from the trend by selecting a Finnish defenseman.

That’s it for now…

The 2008 CHL Import Draft goes tomorrow morning (early on the West Coast - starting at 6:00 AM local time).  This is a chance for teams to add European players to their protected lists.  Some teams will be looking to add two players, some one and some will most likely pass on their picks.

Here is a breakdown by team in the WHL on where they stand entering the draft:

Brandon - The Wheat Kings will most likely choose two players on Thursday.  They finished the season last year with Daniel Bartek on their active roster, but Bartek would be an overage this season.  They own the 33rd pick (acquired from Moose Jaw) and the 39th pick in the first round.

Calgary - The Hitmen will be most likely looking to add one player on Thursday.  They have 89 born Bostjan Golicic eligible to return after a decent 2007-08 (12-18-30 in 57 games).  The other import on their list is Martin Stepan, who was sent home after only 18 games last season.  Look for Calgary to drop Stepan and pick up another player at #56.

Chilliwack - The Bruins will look to add one player on Thursday.  They still have Oscar Moller, who may be a possibility to stick with the LA Kings, as a 1989 born player on their list.  They have one opening after dropping David Hoda after 26 games last season.  They have the 21st pick.

Edmonton - The Oil Kings will add one player on Thursday.  They have Tomas Vincour (#1 overall in 2007) as a 90 born player and they are losing 88 born Robin Figren who won’t be back after signing a pro contract.  They own the 12th pick.

Everett - The Silvertips most likely won’t make any selections on Thursday as they currently have two 89 born players - Lukas Vartovnik and Vitali Karamnov - on their roster.  Everett has traded their #27 pick to Regina earlier.  They stand pat.

Kamloops - The Blazers can select two players on Thursday as both of their possible returning imports are 88 born overage players - Juuso Puustinen and Ivan Rohac.  I don’t expect either of those players to be back in Kamloops this year.  The Blazers own the #18 pick (their own) and the #30 pick (acquired from Kelowna).

Kelowna - What will the Rockets do?  They already traded their pick to Kamloops meaning they may stand pat with returning 89 Milan Kytnar and hope that 89 Mikael Backlund is sent to them from the Calgary Flames. 

Kootenay - The Ice may select either one or two players depending on what they want to do with 90 born Jiri Ryzuk.  He had no points in 45 games as a rookie in 2007-08.  The other possible returnee is overage 88 Arnaud Jacquemet, who I would think that the Ice wouldn’t mind getting back after 53 points in 65 games.  Kootenay has the 45th pick.

Lethbridge - I think the Hurricanes stand pat with returning players Juha Metsola, the 89 born goaltender, and 90 born Luca Sbisa (who just went in the 1st round of the NHL Draft).   The Canes own the 54th pick if they to use the choice.

Medicine Hat - Look for Medicine Hat to take two players on Thursday.  They have possible returning 88 overage Mikael A’hlen, who didn’t get much of a look early last year, but was decent down the stretch.  In a surprise to me, the Tigers already have dropped 89 goaltender Tomas Vosvrda.  The Tigers pick 48th.

Moose Jaw - With the Warriors trading their first round pick to Brandon, I would expect them to stand pat with the 89 born Martin Filo and Tomas Karpov this season.  I don’t expect them to make any picks.

Portland - The Hawks have the #3 pick and will use that to hopefully garner an impact player.  Expect 89 Radim Valchar to return for his second season in Portland.

Prince Albert - The Raiders will most likely make one selection on Thursday.  They have 90 born Tomas Voracek returning while their other import returnee would be 88 born overage Max Brandl.   PA picks 15th.

Prince George - I expect the Cougars to select two players as they have already dropped Jan Kupec and the other returnee would be 88 born overage Patrik Magnussen.  The Cougars have the 9th pick and 69th pick in the second round.

Red Deer - The Rebels have two possible returning players in 89 born Juraj Valach (who has made stops in Tri City, Vancouver, Regina and Red Deer) and 90 born Tomas Polak.   Red Deer has the 6th pick overall…do they maybe look to swap that pick or will both Valach and Polak be back.  This could be interesting between now and tomorrow morning.

Regina - The Pats will look to pick one player tomorrow as they have 89 born Rudolf Cerveny eligible to return.  Regina picked up the #30 pick from Everett in a deal and then dealt their own pick #51 to Vancouver.

Saskatoon - The Blades will also look to select one player as they have 90 born Jyri Niemi slated to be back after a solid first year in the WHL.  Saskatoon has the #24 pick.

Seattle - The Thunderbirds will be looking at taking one pick as it is almost certain that 88 born overage goaltender Riku Helenius won’t be back.  They do have 89 born Jan Eberle slated to return.  Seattle owns pick #42.

Spokane - I think the Chiefs stand pat with 89 born Ondrej Roman and 90 born Stefan Ulmer.  The Chiefs have the 59th pick, but I don’t think they’ll use it.

Swift Current - The Broncos will most likely take one player on Thursday.  They have 90 born Jan Dalecky set to come back while their other import 88 born overage David Stieler is eligible to return as well.  SC has the 36th pick.

Tri City - The Americans will also most likely take one player on Thursday.  They have 89 born Petr Stoklasa eligible to return as well as 88 born overage Radek Meidl.  I think the Ams make a selection and I think they may be a team going after the Red Deer pick….just a hunch.  They own the final pick, #60, in the first round.

Vancouver - Gone is overage Mario Bliznak and the other possible returnee would be 88 born overage Michal Repik.  Look for Vancouver to make two picks as they acquired Regina’s at #51 and they have their own at #58.

We’ll see how it plays out tomorrow…

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The WHl has put out their pre-season schedule and it shows that the Winter Hawks will play eight pre-season games heading into the 2008-09 season:

8/29 - Portland vs. Tri City - 3:00 - Everett

8/30 - Spokane vs. Portland - 3:00 - Everett

8/31 - Portland vs. Seattle - 3:00 - Everett

9/5 - Everett vs. Portland - 2:00 - Tri City

9/6 - Portland vs. Seattle - 2:00 - Tri City

9/7 - Portland vs. Tri City - 2:00 - Tri City

9/12 - Seattle vs. Portland - 7:30 - Portland

9/13 - Portland vs. Seattle - 7:05 - Kent

No details yet on the game to be held in Portland on Friday, September 12th.

There are very few TV series that I follow with any regularity, but one that I did follow from Day 1 until it went off the air after seven seasons was “The West Wing”.  While I am not much into politics, it was an extremely well written show that had intelligent story lines, humor and a tremendous ensemble cast.

I have all seven seasons on DVD and with the lack of decent TV now that the Stanley Cup Finals are over, I have been revisiting the seasons over the past few weeks.

President Bartlet’s character (played by Martin Sheen) has a reoccurring line when he is ready to move on to a new subject - “What’s next?”.

To me, that is basically what I think the front office and management of the Portland Winter Hawks are quietly saying to themselves after the official comment from the WHL after the review of the Winter  Hawks situation.  It is time to move on as an organization.  Move on to what needs to happen to get the team back to a successful situation, both on and off the ice.

This week, one of the “what’s next?” questions will be answered when the Winter Hawks select third overall in CHL Import Draft on Thursday.  I haven’t heard any rumblings about who they will pick as the Import Draft isn’t necessarily an exact science.  A lot of times it has to do with who you know and that usually means dealing with the agents of the players looking to come over.

The name bantered about most is Nikita Filatov who went 6th overall in the NHL Draft on Friday evening to the Columbus Blue Jackets.  He has stated that he will move to North America this season and the Sudbury Wolves, who own the #1 overall pick in the CHL Import Draft have stated publicly that they will take Filatov at that position.  It is a risk as Filatov could make the Blue Jackets roster as an 18 year old, but its a calculated risk.

The other first rounders from the NHL Draft are longer shots - Erik Karlsson (#15 overall to Ottawa) from Sweden is already committed to playing for Frolunda in Sweden this season, Anton Gustafson (#21 overall to Washington) and Mattias Tedenby (#24 overall to New Jersey) are also Swedish born players that would most likely remain in Sweden.  The only other import from the first round is not so much an import as he grew up mainly in California - Viktor Tikhonov (#28 overall to Phoenix).  The grandson of the famous Russian Head Coach during the Red Army days, is a late bloomer (1988 born, making him an overage this season).

There were only four import players taken in the second round as this seemed to be a down year of import picks in the NHL Draft - which counteracts all of the talk I heard last year about last year being a down year for CHL Imports while 2008 would be a good year for CHL Imports.  As like most things, only time will tell.

I do expect that Radim Valchar will be back for the 2008-09 season, meaning the Hawks wouldn’t use their second round selection this year.

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As you probably know by now, no current Winter Hawks were selected in the NHL Draft, marking just the second time in team history that they had no players selected.

Patrick Wiercioch, who is on the Hawks college list, was selected #42 overall in the second round by the Ottawa Senators.  Wiercioch has committed to play for the University of Wisconsin.

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It was a good first round for OHL and WHL prospects, but you had to feel a bit for the QMJHL who didn’t have a player selected until #34 overall.  By that time, the AJHL, USHL and GHL each had a player selected.

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Did you know that Oren Koules - one of the new owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning - once played for Portland?  He appeared in two games in 1979-80 and my Mother still has a team photo from that year with Koules in it.

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I’m out for now…