CHL teams wheelin’ and dealin’
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Seems like every day there is something new to report on the transactions wire. So let’s get to it.
- Start with a former Blazer as Gordon Bell has re-signed with Amarillo. Bell played two seasons in Oklahoma City and was with the Gorillas last season. He had nine goals and 21 assists in 53 games last season.
- Mississippi is bringing back some key parts as head coach Kevin Kaminski, defenseman Derek Landmesser and forward Louis Dumont will be back. Named Coach of the Year, Kaminski was given a three-year deal. Landmesser, the team’s captain, sets the tone for the team while Dumont had 65 points in 64 games.
- A staple in professional hockey, Brent Cullaton will call it a career after 12 years. He returned to Laredo in February via trade from Rocky Mountain and was a three-time All-Star. Now he’ll be behind the bench as Cullaton will be the head coach for the Boulder Jr. Bisons of the Western States Hockey League.
- Rapid City has inked deals with Rich Hansen, Derek LeBlanc and goaltender Miguel Beaudry. Beaudry said the team went through some growing pains but is excited about next season.
- Odessa finalized a couple of trades with “future considerations” being goaltender Scott Reid (formerly of Rocky Mountain) and defenseman J.R. Bria (formerly of Bossier-Shreveport).
- Odessa also announced the league’s MVP will return as Sebastien Thinel will return to the Jackalopes squad. He’s been signed through 2011.
- Rio Grande Valley was quick to snatch up its star, Jesse Bennefield. He set a team-record with 71 points last season.
- And finally, the champs are at work as Texas has signed playoff MVP Jason Deitsch for the upcoming season. It was the first move by the Brahmas this offseason.
Tentative plan will be to do a weekly round-up Fridays with the latest comings and goings in the CHL. Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals is Saturday night with Detroit vs. Pittsburgh. Do you really need to guess who I’m rooting for? Think with my heart, Penguins in six.
Deja vu in Cup finals…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It only went five games, but it was close and I enjoyed it. The Detroit Red Wings finished off my beloved Chicago Blackhawks with a 2-1 win in overtime Wednesday night.
Once Nikolai Khabibulin went out with his lower body injury in Game 3, had to know the writing was on the wall. Backup G Cristobal Huet played great in Game 5 with 44 saves (and a ridiculous pad save in the final seconds of regulation).
For as good as Huet was, never felt Da Blackhawks could penetrate Detroit’s Chris Osgood. Personal bias aside, Osgood brings the goods in the postseason. Well, in the regular season, too.
Feel Chicago is a year away, but this was a nice fun ride to go on the last two months.
It sets up a Stanley Cup rematch between Detroit and the Pittsburgh Penguins, starting Saturday night.
Interesting that this is the first time in 25 years that there will be a rematch in the Cup finals.
Detroit won in six games last season, but Evgeni Malkin wasn’t so great in that series. And nobody is playing better (or leading a team better) than Sidney Crosby. It’s a thing of beauty to watch him skate and play the game.
Here’s to hoping Detroit gets healthy as no finals should be decided with so many injuries.
Detroit elected to not touch the Western Conference trophy while the Penguins did embrace the Eastern Conference championship. Logic being Pittsburgh didn’t touch it last year, and we all know how that turned out.
Be back Friday with a transactions update in the CHL. Players are signing daily, so hopefully it can provide some help and help catch readers up with what’s going on.
Edmonton finds its man…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
A familiar name in a new spot as the Edmonton Oilers have named Pat Quinn their head coach.
Quinn started his coaching career 1977 as an assistant with the Philadelphia Flyers and had his first head coaching spot with the Flyers in 1978.
Along the way, he’s had stops in Los Angeles, Vancouver and Toronto. He hasn’t coached since being with the Maple Leafs in 2005-06.
Quinn most recently led the Canadian junior team to a world championship earlier this year.
Here are some quotes on the move from the AP story:
“If I think of leadership, I think of Pat,” Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said during a news conference. “If I think of the way you want to be treated as a player, I think of someone like Pat Quinn. If I think of someone who sets and example morally for an organization of how to go forward, I think of a man like Pat Quinn.”
“I’m very happy for this opportunity,” Quinn said. “Hockey has been my life and I can’t think of a better place to continue to work in what I consider to be the greatest job that a man can have.”
Quinn has been around the hockey scene for more than 50 years. I remember him when I was growing up in Chicago. He’s a name that non-hockey fans probably know just because he’s been around so much.
And also on the Edmonton coaching front, the Oilers named former New York Rangers coach Tom Renney as the associate coach.
With speculation about the possibility of Oklahoma City becoming the new home for Edmonton’s AHL franchise, I will follow Edmonton’s moves the next season.
The move may not happen, but if it does, it’ll be good to have some background on the team.
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Hopefully with the summer conference coming up, things around the league will start to clear up and speculation can end on some fronts, especially with the fate of some of the franchises.
Also hoping to get a chance to meet with Express Sports president Bob Funk Jr. in the next week or two to see how things are progressing with the Blazers.
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Congrats to the Pittsburgh Penguins for reaching the Stanley Cup finals. Game 5 of the Detroit-Chicago series is tonight with the Red Wings leading 3-1. Deep down, I have to believe the Blackhawks can do it, right?
Tulsa tabs Ramsay as head coach…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The Tulsa Oilers have named Bruce Ramsay as their new head coach, replacing Tony Martino.
Martino elected to not come back after coaching the team during the second half of last season.
Ramsay has been the head coach the last three seasons for the Muskegon franchise of the IHL and was known as an enforcer during his playing days.
His Muskegon squad lost to Fort Wayne recently in the IHL championship and he had a winning percentage of nearly .600 as a head coach.
He becomes the ninth head coach in Tulsa franchise history. The Oilers have not made the playoffs since 2005 and have won a postseason series since 1994.
Ramsay signed a two-year deal, but Tulsa owner Jeff Lund did not disclose how much it was worth.
He played one season with the Wichita Thunder, so he’s been around the CHL before and had a 14-year career as a player.
Here’s what Ramsay had to say in the press release:
“It (the BOK Center) is unbelievable. But there are a lot of things that got me excited,” Ramsay said. “The opportunity to try something new, the rink is a huge attraction, and the opportunity to build a team from the ground up.”
He’s looking forward to becoming part of the Tulsa hockey scene. “I’ve heard great things about the city, and the hockey people in the city are very supportive of the Oilers,” Ramsay said.
The BOK Center is a beautiful place. And if Tulsa can put together a winning team, that will become one of the toughest places to play (if it’s not already) with that type of environment.
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How did Da Blackhawks allow a 3-on-1 in overtime? Oy. Detroit G Chris Osgood was money in that first period as there were a couple of times I started to prematurely celebrate a goal.
So the task just got harder (winning four out of five). But that will make it that much sweeter, right?
No games tonight. Pittsburgh/Carolina Game 2 on Thursday with Chicago/Detroit Game 3 on Friday.
Blazers acquire rights to two players
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Yep, the fun officially begins. The Blazers completed two preseason trades from last season by acquiring the rights to former Tulsa goaltender Kevin St. Pierre and former Laredo forward Matt Miller.
The Miller acquisition stems from the Jaye Judd deal while St. Pierre completes the Bobby Reed trade.
Acquiring the rights does not mean they will suit up. In fact, St. Pierre has already signed with a team in England, and the Blazers don’t expect to see him in camp. But if he decides to come back, the Blazers will have his CHL rights.
Basically, the teams release a list of the unprotected players and head coach Doug Sauter chose the best player available from both clubs.
Reed was the only player to play in all 64 games for Tulsa and had 10 goals and 12 assists while Blazer fans know how good St. Pierre is (at least vs. OKC).
Miller is 6-0 and 190 pounds and scored 25 points (14 G, 11 A) in his time with Rapid City and Laredo last season.
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Conference finals are set in the NHL with Detroit vs. Da Blackhawks and Pittsburgh vs. Carolina.
Red Wings lead 1-0 (boo) and Pens lead 1-0.
Wish I would have had more time to write about the Pittsburgh/Washington series, but that was a definite step in the right direction for hockey.
Like I said, a lot of casual sports fans were pulled into that series and that’s how it starts. They like the product and keep coming back for more.
It’ll be interesting to see if the ratings reflect a slight spike the rest of the way because of how competitive/entertaining the first couple of rounds of the playoffs have been.
Brahmas take President’s Cup
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
So in the last two CHL championship series, Colorado has gone 1-8. Wow. Our buddy, Rajan, polled more than 30 “experts” and none of us said Texas in 5. Nobody said Arizona in 4 last year, either, said Rajan.
Popular notion was either team in 6. It just feels right to say that when you have two teams you think are evenly matched to say “eh, they’ll do it in 6.”
Texas throttled Colorado 6-2 to win the series 4-1. Jason Deitsch completed his fantastic playoffs with a three-goal, one-assist game and was named the CHL Playoff MVP. He posted 11 goals and 15 assists for the Brahmas.
Don’t know what happened to Colorado G Andrew Penner. He gave up five goals in 20 shots. The game was tied 1-1 after the first, and then Texas scored twice in the first 67 seconds of the second period, and the writing was on the wall.
Texas G Brett Jaeger had another solid outing, stopping 38 shots. Blazers goaltender Doug Groenestege told me earlier this season how much he respects Jaeger. Talent can recognize talent, eh?
Congrats to head coach Dan Wildfong, assistant coach Ron Vogel and the entire Brahmas organization. Gone from the Boneman’s Darlings to the CHL champions.
So let the insanity begin. Who will end up where? Where will some of the veterans be heading? What teams (if any) will be suspending operations? Recruiting/predictions can officially begin for the 09-10 season.
For Oklahoma City, three things to watch for:
1) Where will the team be playing?
2) The divorce proceedings of Bob Funk Sr. (Blazers owner) and Nedra Funk. The pretrial conference is July 23 with the trial scheduled for Aug. 3.
3) And another court case, this one between Horn Chen and Funk, dating back to the team being sold to Funk. Chen says he is owed monies while Funk says no because Chen misrepresented the situation. That pretrial conference is set for July 15.
And of course, all the on-ice issues. Who’s coming? Who’s going? All that good stuff.
If nothing happens regarding the team in the near future, expect me to stay a little low for the next couple of weeks when it comes to CHL stuff.
Still give my random NHL thoughts but with HS sports in full throttle next couple of weeks, won’t have the time to post as much.
Appreciate ya stickin’ with me through this first year. I learned a lot and am certainly looking forward to Year No. 2.
Crosby/Ovechkin at their best…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I’m not taking any credit for writing a post about how good the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins series can be for the NHL and then watching Alexander Ovechkin (WSH) and Sidney Crosby (Pitt) both notch hat tricks in Washington’s Game 2 win.
It was one of the most easiest sure-bets I’ve made in a while. That might be the best feeling, knowing you can safely tell any non-hockey follower how good this will be, and nobody will be disappointed.
Game 3 is tonight in Pittsburgh on VS. The Caps are leading 2-0. You want the most obvious statement out there: Crosby needs Evgeni Malkin to show up now.
Anyway, in trying to still spread the word on this series, here are Ovechkin and Crosby’s Top 10 goals. These were from last year, so you know at least Ovechkin would have some new ones if it was created now.
Anaheim bested Detroit to take a 2-1 series while Vancouver took a 2-1 series lead vs. Chicago 
And here’s more on the Phoenix Coyotes situation. It’s not just minor league teams going through the pains.
Enjoy the two best showcasing what they do best.
The Brahmas can clinch…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Colorado is beating itself with penalties, and Texas is taking full advantage of it and is now one game away from the CHL championship.
Paced by Kevin McLeod, Jason Deitsch, Scott Sheppard, aw screw it, the entire TEAM, Texas notched six goals once again in besting the Eagles 6-3 to take a 3-1 series lead.
It’s been discipline issues for Colorado. I haven’t had a chance to watch any of the games with all the other stuff going on, but Colorado gave the Brahmas 11 PP opportunities.
From the numbers, looks like Texas smelled blood. After an 11-10 advantage in shots through the first, Texas ended up with a 43-25 edge in shots.
G Brett Jaeger hasn’t played lights out for Texas, but he’s gotten the job done. And after a great first couple of rounds, Colorado G Andrew Penner has had his troubles in this one. So much so that Morgan Cey came in for the third period.
Game 5 is tonight in Texas. If the Brahmas win, it’s over and my prediction of Texas in 6 goes out the window, too.
Colorado will need someone else to step up besides Ed McGrane. He has five goals in the four games and four of the five total goals for the Eagles in Texas.
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A lot more on the saga of Bossier-Shreveport has been reported by The Shreveport Times. It’s interesting and providing some great insight from players and coaches.
First, there is this piece from Kelly Morris, talking about how Bossier is in the same spot Corpus Christi was in at this time last season and the challenges the team faces. CC was saved at the last minute.
Then, there is this piece from Roy Lang, getting feedback from the players and coaches about the situation.
It’s all just a waiting game now.
The Allen Americans have arrived…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
As announced today by the CHL:
The Central Hockey League’s (CHL) newest franchise announced today their team name and introduced their team logo and colors. They will now be known as the Allen Americans and their team colors will be red, blue and white.
The addition of the team and the introduction of their ownership group was announced on April 15th, 2009. The principal owners and operators of the Americans are Douglas H. Miller and former NHL star Steve Duchesne (Top Shelf, LLC). The team will begin play this October and will call the Allen Event Center (capacity – 6,275) home with the opening of the building scheduled for early November.
“The logo and name represent our ties with the City of Allen and Collin County who incorporate the same theme and colors in their identity, and ties in with the Lone Star State,” said Steve Duchesne, Allen Americans president. “And not to be overlooked, the star also represents our relationship as the CHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars.”
The logo features the letter ‘A’ entrenched in a silver and white star, all featured in front of a red and blue shield with the name Allen Americans located at the top of the shield.
“We are very impressed with the choice of the name and logo of the Americans,” said Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner. “It fits very well with the patriotism of this area, and the logo and colors are representative of this pride and of the state of Texas.”
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I’m not smart enough to get the logo, but if you go here, you can see it.
Feedback requested…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Columnist and fellow chum Berry Tramel wrote a piece today about Oklahoma City being lucky it didn’t receive an NHL team 14 years ago.
It’s an interesting piece that has drawn the ire of some on the NewsOK site. Here on the blog, we’re all about “intelligent” comments, right?
Anyway, read it and let me know what you think.
I can’t say too much one way or the other because in 1995, I was only 11 years old and had just moved from Chicago to Kansas. Oklahoma City wasn’t even close to being on my radar.
I can disagree about the state of today’s hockey. It’s not irrelevant because of the quality of play. It’s just not.
Anybody watch last night? Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby each posted a hat trick. And the game was littered with one great chance after another.
Once people get over the stigma of “oh, it’s just hockey” and embrace the game again, tellin’ ya, it’ll take off.
But until ESPN covers the game again, it won’t be treated with the same respect. Sadly, we all know that’s just the way it is.
