It was a wild day a few weeks ago when the 18 month old conversation culminated in a Union for CHL players. What? Yes a Union with reps mandating that the players get better treatment. So when did the high school team go on strike to go to college?
I know that the prospects of getting into the NHL are a key driver to the boys down in the juniors. The notches to the keys for each one of these players is socialization in the hockey world. They need to acquire that key knowledge of where their chemistry strengths and weaknesses are on the ice and in the locker room. The need to know when a fore-check is powerful enough to change the game and that a pay check will come with practice. They need to learn that the net is only 1 percent of the ice surface. These skills are what will get them the time into the NHL. But what Can the CHL offer them?
The CHL has the players in mind when signing a standard players contract.
First to know what the CHL Players Union is looking for we must know what the most similar contract is offering. So far they are offering nothing that the Dub does not already give out.
What first made me pause at the news of this was one, the demographic that the Union was to represent, and what dues players (a majority of which who don't get paid) must pay to join this ill conceived idea with no benefits to it. I still near a month later can't get a full grasp of why the CHL needs a Union.
To answer my first question. Nothing he brings nothing to the table.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Whats with the 20's?
This past week both Portland and Everett picked up 20 year old goalies. I say why?
For PDX, Brendan Burke was a good pick for their general game play style, he is a goalie who could endure the 64 games on the ice without blink of the eye. Like Mac Carruth before him Brendan a sixteen year old proved to Mike Johnston that he could step out of the shadow of the goalie who took the most shots in the WHL last season. He proved that he could face high Shots On Goal games with out getting to frazzled which lead this fan to believe he could manage the pipes this season. As for Everett Austin Lotz was the next inline, but a bit too eager while standing the blue paint. Yet the eagerness is being calmed as we speak turning Lotz into a solid back door defender.
But why bring in guys who will be shipping off at the end of the sesason? I think for a managed exposure bringing the 2013-2014 season into a new style of play for each team.
For PDX, Brendan Burke was a good pick for their general game play style, he is a goalie who could endure the 64 games on the ice without blink of the eye. Like Mac Carruth before him Brendan a sixteen year old proved to Mike Johnston that he could step out of the shadow of the goalie who took the most shots in the WHL last season. He proved that he could face high Shots On Goal games with out getting to frazzled which lead this fan to believe he could manage the pipes this season. As for Everett Austin Lotz was the next inline, but a bit too eager while standing the blue paint. Yet the eagerness is being calmed as we speak turning Lotz into a solid back door defender.
But why bring in guys who will be shipping off at the end of the sesason? I think for a managed exposure bringing the 2013-2014 season into a new style of play for each team.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
CHL's prize: It's all ruined, sort of.
In 2008 the US division's own Spokane Chiefs won the CHL's Memorial Cup, and promptly dropped it on the ice in this viral video moment. Well we are not the only ones to destroy the Mem Cup. Apparently the 2012's finest have done just as much damage to the cup while touring homes of the players. Shawinigan Cataractes now live in the hall of fame and shame by not returning the pristine cup in the condition they received it. Apparently one of the players was suffering from a balance problem and dropped the cup cracking the wooden base and denting the metal cup.
The Silver lining is that the cup is already a replica, sigh of relief, the real cup is the Hockey Hall of fame in Toronto.
The Silver lining is that the cup is already a replica, sigh of relief, the real cup is the Hockey Hall of fame in Toronto.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Summer Video
This summer we saw a titan of the ice retire his skates to the NHL hall of fame. I hope you enjoy the day in the life of Nicholas Lindstrom.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Tips get a Tip of the hat.
Everett Silvertips have made and gave some big moves in the off season. With Ryan Murray going second the NHL draft, the larger league has taken notice and the ownership feels the pressure of the Scouts. Everett found a gold pot at the end of the rainbow in the the 4 boys (Reece Wilcox, Ben Betker, Tyler Sandhu, and Mitch Skapski) trade for Seth Jones. The pressure by the scouts has only fueled the team to make some other oustanding moves, most recently moving into PDX scouting territory bringing Micro Muller into the mix with Luke Gordon and capping of what has been a solid off season of plugging the holes that plagued them at the beginning of last season.
It will be nice to see what the ice will do for the Silvertips this season.
It will be nice to see what the ice will do for the Silvertips this season.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Summer Video: Neal
Quick update: The WHL is starting to gear up for camps seeing who has improved their conditioning over the past few months and who will shot up to camp looking for a standard WHL contract.
This video, with 2 games a new contract this boy mean business and surprisingly funny business. Watch all the antics above.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Players future in jeopardy
The 2012 NHL season was a coming of age season tale, greater viewership at all levels and the anticipation for the upcoming season 2013 season being the season that viewership could take a bigger leap. But and this is a big but, there is an imbalance in the Big League of pushing pucks. A major publication the New York Times recently published an piece on the negotiations between the two entities within the organization Players vs Owners.
As some publications do, they choose sides; So I'm going to go over some facts. There have been 5 major bankruptcies and NHL interventions since the expansion era. The teams are
1975 Pittsburgh Penguins, 1995 Los Angeles Kings, 1998 Pittsburgh Penguins, 2003 Ottawa Senators, and 2003 Buffalo Sabers. In recent history we have the 2009 Phoenix Coyotes and the 2011 Dallas Stars who have filed for bankruptcy in accordance with the NHL constitution. Beyond that, there are 3 current teams in the NHL who's Net Assets do not meet the valuation of the team. Meaning if the team sold the owner would still have to file for bankruptcy because their investment is not paying off.
All of this makes the NHL look like losing bet and not popular to have outside investment come. What is the NHL going to do about making it's position to investors more enticing, instead of changing the NHL Constitution, it is going to seek profits from the teams themselves so if another team declares bankruptcy the NHL can remain solvent to till the team returns to profits. So for the good of the league the profits must be redistributed so that owners have a chance to bet on a winning game.
That is what the league is doing, but the teams the teams are self correcting their payrolls to reflect the demand (or what the teams view as the lack of demand) for the grinders, the grunt workers, and men down in the AHL. The teams are doing so that the net payroll for the players will save them enough cash to not end up being in the red. All teams are emulating the near bankrupt teams hoping that the 3 teams can bring back their profit margins and grow the sport. The most evident eviedence of this is the median contract holders. these middle of the road contract players are falling by the way side. The boys who used to make 1.3 million to 2.4 million have been reduced by 20 percent this summer contract cycle. This is growing the bottom line for the Stars of the league leaving the 20 players on the bench with less coin.
The players of the WHL are watching, The NHL's biggest talent pool is watching both the League and the Owners shrink their exposure to the teams who make the cup a reality.
As some publications do, they choose sides; So I'm going to go over some facts. There have been 5 major bankruptcies and NHL interventions since the expansion era. The teams are
1975 Pittsburgh Penguins, 1995 Los Angeles Kings, 1998 Pittsburgh Penguins, 2003 Ottawa Senators, and 2003 Buffalo Sabers. In recent history we have the 2009 Phoenix Coyotes and the 2011 Dallas Stars who have filed for bankruptcy in accordance with the NHL constitution. Beyond that, there are 3 current teams in the NHL who's Net Assets do not meet the valuation of the team. Meaning if the team sold the owner would still have to file for bankruptcy because their investment is not paying off.
All of this makes the NHL look like losing bet and not popular to have outside investment come. What is the NHL going to do about making it's position to investors more enticing, instead of changing the NHL Constitution, it is going to seek profits from the teams themselves so if another team declares bankruptcy the NHL can remain solvent to till the team returns to profits. So for the good of the league the profits must be redistributed so that owners have a chance to bet on a winning game.
That is what the league is doing, but the teams the teams are self correcting their payrolls to reflect the demand (or what the teams view as the lack of demand) for the grinders, the grunt workers, and men down in the AHL. The teams are doing so that the net payroll for the players will save them enough cash to not end up being in the red. All teams are emulating the near bankrupt teams hoping that the 3 teams can bring back their profit margins and grow the sport. The most evident eviedence of this is the median contract holders. these middle of the road contract players are falling by the way side. The boys who used to make 1.3 million to 2.4 million have been reduced by 20 percent this summer contract cycle. This is growing the bottom line for the Stars of the league leaving the 20 players on the bench with less coin.
The players of the WHL are watching, The NHL's biggest talent pool is watching both the League and the Owners shrink their exposure to the teams who make the cup a reality.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
WHL Schedule release
The New Western Hockey League season is going to start in just two months, and this time we all are going to be ready. I know that the schedule was actually released about 2 weeks ago, I have scoured the schedule and and found some nuggets. This next season I am going to keep a running tally of games to look out for, games that are pivotal to the new season's US Division champs.
On September 22nd I foresee the first 395 rivalry setting the tone to who will control the middle of the division. If Tri-City and Spokane will face off with ferocity meanwhile Portland and Seattle will once again spell out who is going to dominate their competition this season. I have a list a games for the month of September below.
Month of September
September 22nd Tri-City vs Spokane and Portland vs Seattle
September 26th Everett vs Tri-City
September 28th Everett vs Vancouver
September 29th Portland vs Kelowna
Summer Videos
Since we cant get out to watch a game in the middle of the heat. How about some recaps why we love the game. Once a week I will be posting a video of to keep us upbeat for the 2012-2013 season. Starting today
Monday, July 9, 2012
Who from the US Div will play all 82 in NHL sweaters?
Last season we saw a great consolidation of young talent trickle into the dub. South of the boarder we also had a great showing at the 2012 draft with 2 of the top 8 draftees from the US division. So Whats next?
Prospect Camps. Camps are an unofficial invite to a team interested in highly skilled player who was over looked during the frantic excitement of the draft or scouting reports. The players have a chance to prove themselves amongst what soon could be their peers. They might also walk away with a contract in hand too?
In my finite wisdom I am going to list off who is at camp and who is going to make it out of camp into a NHL contract.
Toronto: Brad Ross, Adam Hughesman
Nashville: Cam Reid
Pittsburgh: Joe Morrow, Dominic Uher, Derrick Pouliot
Winnipeg: Zach Yuen
Calgary: Sven Bartschi, Tyler Wotherspoon
San Jose Taylor Peters
Vancouver Jesse Mychan, Corbin Baldwin
Dallas: Branden Troock
Ottawa: Darren Kramer
Columbus: Ryan Murray
Montreal: Patrick Holland
Minnesota: Josh Caron
Florida: Josh Birkholz
Buffalo: Matt Mackinzie
Chicago: Mac Carruth
ST Louis: Ty Rattie (already signed) Nick Walters
Philadelphia: Mitch Elliot, Taylor Leier
Prospect Camps. Camps are an unofficial invite to a team interested in highly skilled player who was over looked during the frantic excitement of the draft or scouting reports. The players have a chance to prove themselves amongst what soon could be their peers. They might also walk away with a contract in hand too?
In my finite wisdom I am going to list off who is at camp and who is going to make it out of camp into a NHL contract.
Toronto: Brad Ross, Adam Hughesman
Nashville: Cam Reid
Pittsburgh: Joe Morrow, Dominic Uher, Derrick Pouliot
Winnipeg: Zach Yuen
Calgary: Sven Bartschi, Tyler Wotherspoon
San Jose Taylor Peters
Vancouver Jesse Mychan, Corbin Baldwin
Dallas: Branden Troock
Ottawa: Darren Kramer
Columbus: Ryan Murray
Montreal: Patrick Holland
Minnesota: Josh Caron
Florida: Josh Birkholz
Buffalo: Matt Mackinzie
Chicago: Mac Carruth
ST Louis: Ty Rattie (already signed) Nick Walters
Philadelphia: Mitch Elliot, Taylor Leier
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
US Div Seasons on the Rise
The US division of WHL has quite a following and I have proof. I was going over the attendance averages for the past season and the average attendance seems to be another good season for the teams south of the border. The chart below has the seasons average for the past 5 years.
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Everett 6425 6030 5701 5807 5278
Spokane 6557 6656 6453 6439 6643
Seattle 4082 4181 3853 4096 4206
Tri City 4245 4424 4480 4702 4653
Portland 4460 3648 4437 5594 6075
The most interesting part of the data is that the worst attendance season for the division was 2010 with an overall average for all 5 teams being 4,984.8. The 2012 season was best attendance season for the division for the past 9 years with an average of 5,371 people attending the games.
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Everett 6425 6030 5701 5807 5278
Spokane 6557 6656 6453 6439 6643
Seattle 4082 4181 3853 4096 4206
Tri City 4245 4424 4480 4702 4653
Portland 4460 3648 4437 5594 6075
The most interesting part of the data is that the worst attendance season for the division was 2010 with an overall average for all 5 teams being 4,984.8. The 2012 season was best attendance season for the division for the past 9 years with an average of 5,371 people attending the games.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Trade time Shake out
Yesterday the WHL went screaming through the trade deadline with some amazing bargaining chips laid on the table. Some of the Chip were surprising, One chip being a player who is currently playing in the NHL, but if he gets sent back Tri-City can add Brett Connolly to the roster. Second being, Cam Reid getting only a 8th round draft pick for a trade to Portland. Third, being Marcel Noebels leaving Seattle to add another scoring component for division rivals down I-5, the Portland Winterhawks.
The total sum of transactions for the US div is below.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Trade Time, Who will move?
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| Photo Courtesy foodcourtlunch.com |
The Team I think that has the most to offer and the highest gamble is Spokane. The Chiefs sitting in the middle of the fight for a playoff spot, they will have to maneuver around the other GM's with utmost grace to bring home another franchise man. Everett Silvertips task for finding second half talent will should focus less on individuals more on whole roster mentality. The boys in the north of the US division should worry less about acquisitions more on identity.
As for the answer to the title, nobody knows, but the second half of the US division is going to force some serious change for the teams with 3,4, and 5 in front of their names on the rankings score sheets.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Son Of a Goal
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| Courtesy WHL.ca |
Night in and Night out Calvin faces more than 30 shots per game. He has shown his face in 32 games, and taken 1163 shots so far. Now lets compare, Tyler Bunz of the Medicine Hat Tigers has played 35 games and faced 37 fewer shots, or Luke Seimens of the Moose Jaw Warriors who has played 32 games and faced 280 fewer shots. Tyler and Lukes' stats are a close sampling of the level of play Calvin has been tasked to face when he steps out on the ice. What dose this suggest? Defense
Seattles Defense is iffy at best, the boys rarely go down to defend a shot for their goalie. T-birds D-men's sticks are always in both hands while behind the blue line, nor are using they busy stick technique to defend their zone, nor to do they dig in while occupying the natural zone. The D-men are willing to place the W on Calvin's Shoulders who routinely takes home one of the 3 stars of the game.
The Defensive end must increase their intensity to seek the puck. They are the first string net minders, and winning those one-one battles are what keeps the puck out of the blue ice.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
USA out of International Hockey?
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| Photo Care of Hockeysence.ca |
Well Well Well, On December 30th United States National Hockey team failed to qualify for a medal round in the International Ice Hockey Fedreation U20 Tournee with a loss to the Czech Republic. It was a sad day south of the boarder. Hopes were high on Charlie Coyle and Brandon Saad offensive talent but the abysmally overextended goal tending by Jack Campbell lead to the 2 big losses. The Silver lining is the Canadian Hockey League's BMO rankings.
I would speculate that the WWE would like to sign some contracts with a few London Knights players after the December 26th brawlers bash, which lead the Knights loss and poor showing. The Spectacle should lead to a demotion in BMO rankings enough to put an American Team on top of the CHL's top spot.
The Kennewick Washington based Tri City Americans brought home a New Years Eve game Victory over the Spokane Chiefs and a big W column tally vs the Kelowna Rockets on the 29th. Which should be enough to propel the Americans to the Top of the BMO and put the target on their backs for the top cup contention for either the Ed Chenoweth cup and the Memorial Cup.
Are the Americans Out of International Hockey? NO the USA is just aided by a bunch of Northern boys trying their best. Good on ya Ams!
Update: 1/05/12 As previously stated, The Bank Of Montreals Canadian Hockey Leagues Rankings came out yesterday and Americans are on top.
Rank
|
Team (Record)
|
Last Week
|
# of Weeks
|
1
|
Tri-City Americans (29-7-0-0)
|
2
|
12
|
2
|
London Knights (27-8-0-1)
|
1
|
14
|
3
|
Quebec Remparts (28-7-2-2)
|
3
|
12
|
4
|
Plymouth Whalers (25-9-2-1)
|
6
|
8
|
5
|
Saint John Sea Dogs (29-12-0-2)
|
4
|
15
|
6
|
Shawinigan Cataractes (26-10-2-2)
|
5
|
13
|
7
|
Edmonton Oil Kings (25-10-1-3)
|
8
|
3
|
8
|
Kitchener Rangers (25-10-1-0)
|
9
|
4
|
9
|
Kamloops Blazers (26-10-1-2)
|
7
|
6
|
10
|
Moose Jaw Warriors (24-10-4-1)
|
10
|
2
|
Honourable Mention:
| |||
Brampton Battalion (22-10-1-4)
|
-
|
0
| |
Halifax Mooseheads (24-11-1-3)
|
-
|
1
| |
Portland Winterhawks (25-11-2-1)
|
-
|
2
|
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