Although Regina holds the history in Saskatchewan of being the oldest Major Junior Hockey franchise in the world (The Regina Pats founded in 1917), the city just a few hours North of the Queen City is often overlooked in the hockey community, and it really shouldn't be.
Benjamin and Toppings may be a tad bit biased to Regina, as they currently live in the Queen City and are huge supporters of the Regina Pats, particularly Canadian World Junior Gold Medalists Jordan Eberle and Colton Tuebert, but Saskatoon is still an important city to the PrairiePuck, and to the rest of Saskatchewan.
Recently, Saskatoon has been recognized on many levels in both Junior and Major hockey on both the Professional and International levels. Last year, PrairiePuck writers Toppings and Benji travelled up to Saskatoon in September, to take in the action of the Summit Series remake between Team Canada and Team Russia for the 2007 Canada/Russia Super Series. Canada won a thrilling game 4-1, which featured current NHL youngstars Sam Gagner, Kyle Turris, Saskatoon-native Luke Schenn, Drew Doughty, Brandon Sutter, Milan Lucic, and a stellar performance in net by Columbus BlueJackets netminder Steve Mason.
Perhaps the result of Saskatoon hosting just one of the 4 Super Series games in Canada gave Bob Nicholson and the rest of Hockey Canada an idea of the loyal, hockey-crazed, and completely insane hockey fans of Saskatchewan, and maybe this game foreshadowed what would come in a few short years:
On December 26, 2009, Saskatoon and Regina will host the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, in which Canada will attempt to break the all-time consecutive Gold Medal winning streak with their 6th in a row. Not only are they in prime shape to do so, we may just see a hometown Regina boy Jordan Eberle wear the Captain's "C", and another hometown Saskatoon boy Brayden Schenn suit up for his country. If you have the opportunity to get your hands on any tickets, don't think about buying them. JUST BUY THEM! The experience alone of being in that type of atmosphere would be unreal, and if the Superseries game was any indication of how crazy the atmosphere can get, take it from us, it will be a hell of a time, and a great opportunity to show your Canadian colours and support the team.
On the professional level, we can not talk about Saskatoon without mentioning the name William Dickenson Hunter. Hunter was born in 1920 in Saskatoon, and spent the duration of his education at Notre Dame College in Wilcox, SK. He was one of the greatest sports promoters in Canadian history, and among a small group of Team owners, he had a huge part in forming the Western Hockey League, which now develops some of the best NHL prospects each year. Hunter attempted to purchase an NHL franchise twice in his career, the first being the Pittsburgh Penuins, which failed. After the bid's failure, Hunter teamed with two American hockey promoters to form the WHA (World Hockey Association)
One particular teamin the WHA, owned by Hunter, was the Alberta Oilers, who would eventually merge into the NHL and are known to most of us as the Edmonton Oilers. Yes the same "City of Champions" Edmonton Oilers that brought so many fantastic seasons, huge superstars, and so many championships in the 80s, and who are currently celebrating their 30th anniversary.
The second and final bid for an NHL franchise could have seen the green and gold fields of Saskatchewan rubbing elbows with elite Original 6 teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and The New York Rangers. I know what you're thinking.. "Why"??.....You wanna know why? Cause Fuck the Leafs....That's why. The bid, by Hunter and a group of promoters was to move the struggling St. Louis Blues franchise from Missouri to Hunter's old stomping grounds of Saskatoon. It was almost a done deal too, except the League did not see it to be a good idea to move the franchise to a smaller hockey market like Saskatoon. Needless to say, the bid failed, and this was the closest that Saskatchewan has come to an NHL team. Do we need one though? Not exactly at the moment. We are still content with harbouring some of the greatest players in the world in our province.
The city of Saskatoon is not completely out of the woods in the professional hockey sense. Prior to the next NHL Season, Saskatoon will play host to the New York Islanders' annual training camp, and 2 Exhibition games between the Calgary Flames and Islanders, and the Edmonton Oilers and Islanders. Unfortunately, for you Islanders, Flames, or Oilers fanatics, these two games are in fact sold out. Although the Islanders are absolutely brutal this season, the city of Saskatoon will get the opportunity to see some of the future superstars of the game in training camp, including Kyle Okposo, and possibly even the great Jon Tavares. Don't miss the chance to see some good players on a brutal team in action prior to next season.
It is pretty clear to see that Saskatoon, and the rest of Saskatchewan for that matter has the ability to host, and potentially could have been home to, and in the future will be home to some of the greatest games ever played.
PP
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sask Flavour at the Trade Deadline
If you want a "winners and losers" segment then go check out TSN. They're great for that. We know if you are reading this, you've likely seen that already, and have your mind made up about what you think. We all know Jokinen (who I think is the most underrated player in the league) is going to kick ass in Calgary, and although they lose Lombardi it was definitely an upgrade that will help them battle Detroit and Patrick Marleau's SJ Sharks. What you may not know, because there is no SportsNet Saskatchewan, is that three solid hometown boys got moved around as well.
We at the Prairie Puck, would like to apologize for not looking further past the shadow of Ryan Getzlaf. The big forward has become a huge star in the NHL, and as a previous Wendel Clark Award winner, he has received the glory. The two other SK born Duck players, Travis Moen and Chris Kunitz, have gone relatively unmentioned. Sometimes it takes a change to get attention, and both players have been traded. Now, apologetically, we give them the attention they deserve. Here they are, the Saskatchewan flavour on the move at the trade deadline.
Chris Kunitz
He was born in Regina, SK, and this week was traded from the Anaheim Ducks (where he played with Moen and Getzlaf) to the Pittsburg Penguins (where he'll get to play with Crosby and that awkward looking fellow).
Kunitz took an althernate route to the NHL, playing for the Melville Millionaire's of the SJHL before moving to the NCAA ranks. He had 60 points in his only Stanley Cup winning season. We know Chris will flourish on a young, underachieving-this-year team with a bright future.
Olaf Kolzig
Few people know this, but Olaf Kolzig grew up right here in Saskatchewan, around Regina as far as I know. He was born in Germany, and that is why he's played for the German National Team instead of Canada's. Kolzig is long past his year
s, but the years he's past were great. He somehow brought the lowly Washington Capitals all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately they met the mighty Detroit Red Wings, who never gave them a chance. Still, Kolzig's performance in those playoffs was as great as John Vanbeesbruck's when he took Florida up against Colorado in the finals. Kolzig won the Vezina trophy in 2000 as the league's best goaltender as well.
He has been injured for much of the season (right now out with a shoulder injury), and so he was merely trade bait sent to Toronto from Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, I must say I don't really care about this trade, because Toronto gets basically nothing but a 4th round draft pick out of the deal. With their terrible scouting, and Brian Burke's poor performance in the draft, let's just be happy the Olaf Kolzig is taking some of their money. We're happy for ya Olli. Keep it up.
Travis Moen
This strapping 26 year old hails from Swift Current. He played his junior hockey in the city "where life makes sense" and was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2000. He played with the Anaheim Ducks, helping them win the Stanley Cup. He brought the Cup home to Saskatchewan, which you'll see in the upcoming story. You might be interested to hear that I saw Travis Moen playing shinny in EASTEND FREAKING SASKATCHEWAN over the summer. He's obviously awesome because of this alone. This year, in a close-to-the-deadline move, he was traded to the 2nd place San Jose Sharks. With Anaheim battling for a playoff spot, we hope that Travis will love his new home in SJ.
An interesting tale about Travis Moen. When it was his turn to have the Stanley Cup, he did what any great guy would do. He brought it home, to Swift Current Saskatchewan. After a night of partying with Lord Stanley at a bar and at home, Moen woke up early. He grabbed some dish soap, went into his back yard, turned on the hose, and started scrubbing. Eventually the man in the white gloves (the Stanley Cup holder guy) came out and said, "what do you think you're doing?" Travis admitted he was cleaning it, and the Cup Keeper said,
"There are only two other players I've ever seen who cleaned it after a night with it: Scott Stevens and Steve Yzerman."
That's right folks, two of the greatest captains the NHL has seen, and there's Travis Moen in select company.
So, as uneventful as the Trade Deadline may have been, we're happy for these three players. They have all moved on to situations at least as good as the ones they were in before. We'll keep an eye on them, to see if the trades can spark that something that often turns good players into great ones, at least for a season or two. Stay tuned, where you'll get view a hilarious discussion between Toppings and me about the many ways Toronto screwed up leading to the deadline. You stay classy Saskatchewan.
We at the Prairie Puck, would like to apologize for not looking further past the shadow of Ryan Getzlaf. The big forward has become a huge star in the NHL, and as a previous Wendel Clark Award winner, he has received the glory. The two other SK born Duck players, Travis Moen and Chris Kunitz, have gone relatively unmentioned. Sometimes it takes a change to get attention, and both players have been traded. Now, apologetically, we give them the attention they deserve. Here they are, the Saskatchewan flavour on the move at the trade deadline.
Chris Kunitz
He was born in Regina, SK, and this week was traded from the Anaheim Ducks (where he played with Moen and Getzlaf) to the Pittsburg Penguins (where he'll get to play with Crosby and that awkward looking fellow).
Kunitz took an althernate route to the NHL, playing for the Melville Millionaire's of the SJHL before moving to the NCAA ranks. He had 60 points in his only Stanley Cup winning season. We know Chris will flourish on a young, underachieving-this-year team with a bright future.
Olaf Kolzig
Few people know this, but Olaf Kolzig grew up right here in Saskatchewan, around Regina as far as I know. He was born in Germany, and that is why he's played for the German National Team instead of Canada's. Kolzig is long past his year
s, but the years he's past were great. He somehow brought the lowly Washington Capitals all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately they met the mighty Detroit Red Wings, who never gave them a chance. Still, Kolzig's performance in those playoffs was as great as John Vanbeesbruck's when he took Florida up against Colorado in the finals. Kolzig won the Vezina trophy in 2000 as the league's best goaltender as well.He has been injured for much of the season (right now out with a shoulder injury), and so he was merely trade bait sent to Toronto from Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, I must say I don't really care about this trade, because Toronto gets basically nothing but a 4th round draft pick out of the deal. With their terrible scouting, and Brian Burke's poor performance in the draft, let's just be happy the Olaf Kolzig is taking some of their money. We're happy for ya Olli. Keep it up.
Travis Moen
This strapping 26 year old hails from Swift Current. He played his junior hockey in the city "where life makes sense" and was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2000. He played with the Anaheim Ducks, helping them win the Stanley Cup. He brought the Cup home to Saskatchewan, which you'll see in the upcoming story. You might be interested to hear that I saw Travis Moen playing shinny in EASTEND FREAKING SASKATCHEWAN over the summer. He's obviously awesome because of this alone. This year, in a close-to-the-deadline move, he was traded to the 2nd place San Jose Sharks. With Anaheim battling for a playoff spot, we hope that Travis will love his new home in SJ.
An interesting tale about Travis Moen. When it was his turn to have the Stanley Cup, he did what any great guy would do. He brought it home, to Swift Current Saskatchewan. After a night of partying with Lord Stanley at a bar and at home, Moen woke up early. He grabbed some dish soap, went into his back yard, turned on the hose, and started scrubbing. Eventually the man in the white gloves (the Stanley Cup holder guy) came out and said, "what do you think you're doing?" Travis admitted he was cleaning it, and the Cup Keeper said,
"There are only two other players I've ever seen who cleaned it after a night with it: Scott Stevens and Steve Yzerman."
That's right folks, two of the greatest captains the NHL has seen, and there's Travis Moen in select company.
So, as uneventful as the Trade Deadline may have been, we're happy for these three players. They have all moved on to situations at least as good as the ones they were in before. We'll keep an eye on them, to see if the trades can spark that something that often turns good players into great ones, at least for a season or two. Stay tuned, where you'll get view a hilarious discussion between Toppings and me about the many ways Toronto screwed up leading to the deadline. You stay classy Saskatchewan.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
P.O.M Awards for January/February
Due to our tardiness, we need to apologize that there was not any selections for Players of the Month for January, so as promised, the January and February months will be comined for this edition. And the winners of the Players of the Month for both January and February are....
TOP FORWARD
Zach Parise - New Jersey Devils / Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitals
-For the first time in the
short history of the PrairiePuck's Players of the Month awards, we have a tie for the Top Forward Award. Zach Parise has become the young gun and new face of the Devils' franchise, and is leading his team in strong fashion into a playoff run, with the newly returning Marty Brodeur playing strong as ever. In January and February, Parise notched 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points, making him the top all-around player for these two months. Currently sitting at 4th in the league in points with 77 and 2nd in goals with 38, there's no telling how far the Devils could make it this season.
It seems to be a different verse of the same song to mention Alex Ovechkin in a performance award category, and his numbers have proved it throughout the season. His latest accomplishments have been the 21 goals and 12 assists that he has tallied in the last 2 months, propelling him to 2nd in the league with 82 points, and 1st in the league with 46 goals.
A notable runner up for this extremely competitive category is Calgary's Michael Cammalerri, who consistently notched 19 goals and 10 assists for 29 points in January and February.
TOP DEFENSEMAN
Mike Green - Washington Capitals
-The top defenseman category for January and February looks a little more like an offensive category than defensive. Mike Green, a native of Calgary, Alberta has made a serious campaign for himself for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic team, by not only setting a new record for most consecutive games scoring a goal by a defenseman (8 games), but he tallied 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in the last 2 months, matching his offensive phenom teammate Alex Ovechkin. Could the Capitals be serious contenders this season with the depth they have in offensive talent?
TOP GOALTENDER
Miikka Kiprusoff - Calgary Flames
-Although last night maybe wasn't the greatest indication of how the past 2 months have gone for Kipper, he has been the solid backbone of the Flames franchise so far in 2009, posting a
15-5-2 record over the two months, and looks to be in prime form to reach Martin Brodeur's single season win record of 48 (He currently sits at 37, with a whole lot more hockey left to play in the season)
TOP ROOKIE
Bobby Ryan - Anaheim Ducks
-If there is one player in the league that we feel sorry for, it has to be Bobby Ryan. The kid is an excellent player, but how would you feel if you were drafted 2nd overall directly after Sidney Crosby? It would be excellent company to be associated with, but the expectation is huge. Fortunately, Bobby Ryan has come into his own this season, and has made a name for himself so far in 2009 with 15 goals and 7 assists for 23 points.
WENDEL CLARK ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SK BORN PLAYER
Patrick Marleau - San Jose Sharks
-What a season the Aneroid, SK. native is having. notching 16 goals and 9 assists so far in January allows Marleau to nab his 2nd Wendel Clark Award this season, 1 ahead of Ryan Getzlaf and Scotty Hartnell with one a piece. Marleau is on pace for a career season, and is currently sitting at 5th in the league in goals with 35, and 13th in the league in points with 63. He is clicking at the right time and is leading his team strong into the playoffs, where HE WILL HOIST THE STANLEY CUP!!
AND THE MVP FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY AS CHOSEN BY THE PRAIRIE PUCK IS:
Brought to you by:
PP
TOP FORWARD
Zach Parise - New Jersey Devils / Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitals
-For the first time in the
short history of the PrairiePuck's Players of the Month awards, we have a tie for the Top Forward Award. Zach Parise has become the young gun and new face of the Devils' franchise, and is leading his team in strong fashion into a playoff run, with the newly returning Marty Brodeur playing strong as ever. In January and February, Parise notched 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points, making him the top all-around player for these two months. Currently sitting at 4th in the league in points with 77 and 2nd in goals with 38, there's no telling how far the Devils could make it this season.
It seems to be a different verse of the same song to mention Alex Ovechkin in a performance award category, and his numbers have proved it throughout the season. His latest accomplishments have been the 21 goals and 12 assists that he has tallied in the last 2 months, propelling him to 2nd in the league with 82 points, and 1st in the league with 46 goals.
A notable runner up for this extremely competitive category is Calgary's Michael Cammalerri, who consistently notched 19 goals and 10 assists for 29 points in January and February.
TOP DEFENSEMAN
Mike Green - Washington Capitals
-The top defenseman category for January and February looks a little more like an offensive category than defensive. Mike Green, a native of Calgary, Alberta has made a serious campaign for himself for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic team, by not only setting a new record for most consecutive games scoring a goal by a defenseman (8 games), but he tallied 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in the last 2 months, matching his offensive phenom teammate Alex Ovechkin. Could the Capitals be serious contenders this season with the depth they have in offensive talent?
TOP GOALTENDER
Miikka Kiprusoff - Calgary Flames
-Although last night maybe wasn't the greatest indication of how the past 2 months have gone for Kipper, he has been the solid backbone of the Flames franchise so far in 2009, posting a
15-5-2 record over the two months, and looks to be in prime form to reach Martin Brodeur's single season win record of 48 (He currently sits at 37, with a whole lot more hockey left to play in the season)
TOP ROOKIE
Bobby Ryan - Anaheim Ducks
-If there is one player in the league that we feel sorry for, it has to be Bobby Ryan. The kid is an excellent player, but how would you feel if you were drafted 2nd overall directly after Sidney Crosby? It would be excellent company to be associated with, but the expectation is huge. Fortunately, Bobby Ryan has come into his own this season, and has made a name for himself so far in 2009 with 15 goals and 7 assists for 23 points.
WENDEL CLARK ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SK BORN PLAYER
Patrick Marleau - San Jose Sharks
-What a season the Aneroid, SK. native is having. notching 16 goals and 9 assists so far in January allows Marleau to nab his 2nd Wendel Clark Award this season, 1 ahead of Ryan Getzlaf and Scotty Hartnell with one a piece. Marleau is on pace for a career season, and is currently sitting at 5th in the league in goals with 35, and 13th in the league in points with 63. He is clicking at the right time and is leading his team strong into the playoffs, where HE WILL HOIST THE STANLEY CUP!!AND THE MVP FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY AS CHOSEN BY THE PRAIRIE PUCK IS:
D MIKE GREEN - WASHINGTON CAPITALS
It goes without saying that the Capitals are a force to be reckoned with this season, and hockey is back in DC. They seem to be piling up the PrairiePuck awards, with MVP honours already going to Alexander Semin in October and Alex Ovechkin in November. Defenseman Mike Green of Washington now joins the list, and Washington looks in good shape to rival San Jose for the most PrairiePuck POM awards this season.
Brought to you by:
PP
Monday, February 23, 2009
If The PrairiePuck was the Leafs' GM for a day....
Oh, what hilarity would ensue if we were Co-General Managers of the Leafs for just a day. Not only would we mix things up, we would create a team that would be entertaining to watch, and would have a much better shot at the playoffs than the wash-ups they are working with now. If we could choose the day that this power would become bestowed upon us, we would go with the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline on March 4, 2009.
First order of business:
1. TRADE
Goaltender: Vesa Toskala
traded to SPORTCHEK
Terms of deal: The Leafs receive a bucket full of the 158 pucks Toskala has let in
this season
In return, Toskala must compensate Sportcheck for their loss in
puck sales, as well as work evenings and weekends at the location of
his choice.
2. RELOCATION
As our 2nd order of business, the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the most storied franchises in sports history, has been relocated to Elbow, Saskatchewan.
Why, you ask?
Simple - 1. Because nobody knows where Elbow, Saskatchewan is, and
2. Because it would be cool as shit
3. TRADE
Goaltender: Curtis Joseph
Traded to: Florida
For Defenseman: Bryan McCabe
Confused by our tactics?............................
4. RELEASED
Defenseman: Bryan McCabe
5. TRADE
Forward : NIK ANTROPOV
Forward: ALEXEI PONIKAROVSKY
2nd Rnd Draft Pick
to Minnesota for:
Goaltender: NIKLAS BACKSTROM
6. JEREMY WILLIAMS NAMED CAPTAIN OF THE ELBOW CANOLA FIELDS (Formerly the Toronto Maple Leafs)
7. LUKE SCHENN NAMED ASSISTANT CAPTAIN
In all seriousness, the Trade Deadline is approaching fast, and the Maple Leafs seem to be big-time buyers in the next week, with just under $10 million in salary-cap room for Brian Burke to maneuvre. Their best move is to go after goaltender Niklas Backstrom from Minnesota. The problem with any trade that Toronto proposes is that it is like offering Monopoly money in a restaurant for food. Nobody is dumb enough to accept the offer. This deal could benefit a good SK kid though, as it may see back-up Minnesota netminder, and Regina native Josh Harding take the reigns for the Wild.
So in our little excercise about becoming the Leafs GM for a day, I'm pretty sure we just committed blasphemy in the eyes of all Leafs' fans, but we don't really give a shit.
PP
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