The day that was…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Hope you got a chance to check out the coverage of the Blazers departing in today’s paper. For the main story, go here. And then for the big sports section package, go here and follow all the related stories.
Like I posted late Wednesday, knew Thursday was going to be an announcement of some sort. The time was ticking and the CHL had to move forward.
And like most of you (and the players), I realized “going dark” was a possibility but not something thought would happen.
Until Thursday morning.
First, my meeting with Blazers brass kept getting delayed. Then I received an e-mail (but not exactly from a reliable source) about the Blazers having to clear their stuff from the Blazers Ice Centre.
Then, during my meeting with assistant GM Josh Evans, found out about the memorandum to start discussions for an AHL team.
Now I’m not the brightest (as you know), but I started to put 2 & 2 together at that point.
The rest of the day was just a blur, filled with phone calls to people who had a variety of emotions about the announcements.
It was tough to find that balance about announcing the Blazers shutting down without trying to rub it in to the die-hard fans that it’s basically a decision to encourage an AHL team here in 2010.
Defenseman Stacey Bauman was the first player I got in touch with (you can read his response on the quote board). He said he still feels like he has some years in him, so wish him luck on that.
Was able to get in contact with Bill Vandermeer. And about 30 minutes before I called, he was already getting flooded with offers. Yeah, you figure the Vandermeer boys won’t have too much trouble finding a new home.
Left more messages with some of the players. And if they call back today or something, I’ll post their thoughts. Definitely plan on talking to Andy Franck and Tyler Fleck coming up at Fleck’s camp this next week at the Blazers Ice Centre.
You can expect a lot in the upcoming days on the Blazers and of course if any new AHL developments happen, it’ll be here. And when former Blazers sign, I’ll post that, too.
But as promised, it’s time for the reader feedback (might be two or three posts because of the length).
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