FARTHING REJOINS RIDERS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce that they have formalized its relationship with Dan Farthing who has been named the team's Strength and Conditioning Coordinator.

 
"We are excited to have Dan officially back with the Riders," stated Assistant General Manager Jeremy O'Day. "Dan will be a huge asset in this increased role with the team and we believe his contributions will be reflected through on-field success."
 
Farthing, who is currently the Director of Sport Performance Training at Level 10 Fitness, has worked with the Rider players over the past numerous seasons through training sessions. This new partnership will ensure Rider players now have access to better designed facilities, consultative services in both training and nutrition as well as regularly scheduled supervised workouts.
 
"I am very excited about this new initiative, mostly for the players," said Farthing. "Had this level of support been available during my career, I know that I would have placed a huge value on it and seen it as a tremendous benefit that would give me the best opportunity to be the best player I could possibly be."
 
As a former player with the Riders, Farthing currently sits 3rd in all-time receptions and 9th in all-time receiving yardage and is a recent inductee into the Saskatchewan Roughrider Plaza of Honor. In addition to his experience as a professional player, Farthing brings his academic expertise as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified Exercise Physiologist with The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, a Consultant for the Canadian Sport Centre and the Sport Medicine and Science Council of Saskatchewan, a Master of Kinesiology (U of R '96) and the University of Saskatchewan's Most Distinguished Graduate (1992). Farthing and his team of Sport Performance Training Specialists, Sport Nutritionists and Yoga Instructors from Level 10 Fitness are very excited to be part of the Roughrider Team.

LOTS OF GOOD BOMBER NEWS

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are pleased to announce that quarterback Buck Pierce has re-signed with the team after leading the Blue Bombers to an East Division Championship last season.  As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.  Pierce was scheduled to become a free agent on February 16th.
 
The 2011 season saw Pierce record career-high numbers in many different categories including starts (16), completions (261), attempts (411), passing yards (3,348) and rushing yards (324). 
 
"We are thrilled that we were able to get a deal done with Buck who is a tremendous competitor on the field and a great ambassador for this organization in the community," said Blue Bomber Vice-President and General Manager Joe Mack.  "His experience and leadership is invaluable in our locker room and we look forward to having him return in 2012 and help our team compete for a Grey Cup championship."
 
Pierce has thrown for 13,162 yards and 68 touchdowns in his seven-year career which started in 2005 with the BC Lions.  He originally signed with Winnipeg in April of 2010.

***

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Football Club is pleased to announce today that they have extended the contract of Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Joe Mack through the 2014 season.
 
Mack began his tenure in 2010 and has truly put his stamp on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' roster by bringing in an extensive amount of young talent who have been key contributors to the team's success over the past two years. 
 
"I am very grateful for the amount of support I have received from the Board as well as from the entire organization through my two years in this position," said Mack.  "I really believe in everything we are doing in Winnipeg and look forward to what the future holds for the Blue Bombers."
 
"Joe is an impeccable leader, a very smart football man and is driven by success. He has done great things with our roster and our football operations in his first two seasons with us. We are very pleased to get this deal done and continue to have Joe head-up our football operations for many years to come," said President and Chief Executive Officer Garth Buchko.
 
Mack originally held the role of Director of Player Personnel from 1984-1987 with the Blue Bombers, helping them win a Grey Cup in his first year.  He left for the NFL where he had great success with the Washington Redskins, winning a Super Bowl in 1991 as Director of Pro Personnel as well as in stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns.  Mack was also named Director of Football Operations with the New York Hitmen of the XFL and spent time as an Independent Sports Consultant before accepting the GM job in Winnipeg.

MAN IN MOTION IN THE SPORTS CAGE TODAY!

Canadian hero Rick Hansen will be in the Sports Cage today at 6:10 pm on 620 CKRM!  Rick and 7,000 difference-makers have been retracing the original Man In Motion World Tour (Canadian portion) beginning in August and come Saturday, they'll arrive in Regina for Rick Hansen Day at the downtown plaza.  For a complete schedule of weekend festivities, check my Twitter feed to the left of the page.   And please tune in today!  Dare I say this is the biggest interview the Sports Cage has ever had.
RP

RAIDERS 4 PATS 2

Shane Danyluk's goal at 5:23 of the second period was the game-winner as the Raiders knocked off the Pats 4-2 Wednesday night in Prince Albert, sending Regina to its third straight loss.

The Raiders built up a 2-0 lead after the first period and Danyluk's goal made it 3-0 in the second, spelling the end of the night for Pats starting goalie Matt Hewitt (11/14). The Raiders led 4-2 after two periods as Regina got tallies from Brandon Davidson and Morgan Klimchuk.

The teams kept it clean in the third period as the Raiders came away with a much-needed win. Adam Beukeboom finished the night in goal for Regina, stopping 17 of 18 shots. The Pats outshot the Raiders 42-32. Regina was 0/4 on the powerplay and 3/3 killing penalties.

Regina (26-20-5-1) visits Swift Current Friday night at 7:00 on 620 CKRM (Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 6:35 pm).

(Photo courtesy raiderhockey.com)

LOVE THESE GUYS

HOPSON ADDRESSES SASKATOON STORY

Rider President Jim Hopson felt obligated to address today's Saskatoon Star Phoenix story about the CFL expanding to Saskatoon. It's so absurd I don't even know what to say about it but here's a tweet from Rider PR guy Reid Lambden from the media scrum at Mosaic Stadium:

- Hopson: "At this point in time so many things need to happen, a lot more needs to be done for us to have concern one way or the other."

I was at the media event too, but don't even know what to report. It was much ado about nothing. I mean, this topic comes up once per year and then never goes anywhere. This whole fiasco with the CUC guys being fired for their Phoenix trip is between them and their employers. That's about it.  Thoughts?

Here's the audio of what Jim Hopson had to say:

WEDNESDAY PODCAST

On Wednesday's Sports Cage we discussed the CFL-to-Saskatoon story, visited with Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco on his weekly radio appearance and Sportsnet's Arash Madani joined us live from Super Bowl XLVI.  You can listen here:

ESKS CUT DUVAL

(Edmonton)    The Edmonton Eskimos have parted ways with veteran import kicker Damon Duval, the club announced today.

Duval appeared in 18 regular season games and both playoff games last year, his first season with the Esks.  He signed as a free agent with Edmonton on June 6, 2011 after his release from Montreal, where he played six seasons (2005-2010).
 
2011 Damon Duval  Stats:
• Kickoffs: 80  for 4877 yards (61.0 avg, 85 lg) and 2 single
• Punts: 137  for 6434 yards (47.0 avg, 77 lg)
• Field Goals : 23 of 34 attempts (48 lg) and 7 singles
• Named a CFLPA All-Star (punter)

ESKS SIGN KICKER/PUNTER

(Edmonton)   The Edmonton Eskimos have signed free agent punter/kicker Eric Wilbur, the club announced today.
 
In 2010, Wilbur played in 13 games for Hamilton where he handled punting and kickoff duties. With the Tiger-Cats, the former University of Florida star registered 85 punts for 3651 yards (43 yd avg; longest: 69 yds) .Wilbur was released prior to the start of the 2011 season.
 
Eskimo General Manager Eric Tillman says " We're very pleased to have Eric sign with us.  He's a very good punter and kickoff specialist and will bring strong competition to those two critical areas of special teams."
 
Wilbur has also had brief NFL stints with Houston, Jacksonville and the NY Jets.  He spent the 2011 season with UFL's Omaha Nighthawks.

CHL WEEK 19 TOP 10

1 London Knights (37-10-0-1)
2 Kamloops Blazers (35-11-1-3)
3 Shawinigan Cataractes (34-11-2-3)
4 Saint John Sea Dogs (36-13-0-2)
5 Tri-City Americans (35-12-1-1)
6 Plymouth Whalers (34-12-2-1)
7 Edmonton Oil Kings (33-12-2-4)
8 Kitchener Rangers (33-13-1-0)
9 Quebec Remparts (32-12-4-2)
10 Ottawa 67's (31-12-4-1)

Honourable Mention:
Portland Winterhawks (33-14-2-1)
Victoriaville Tigres (33-16-0-2)
12 Niagara IceDogs (30-15-0-3)

LIONS CUT JACKSON

(Vancouver) The BC Lions Football Club announced this morning that quarterback Jarious Jackson has been released by the team
 
"Jarious' leadership was a significant part of our success over the past seven seasons and we owe him a great deal of thanks for his contributions to our organization," said VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. "He was a pleasure to coach and we wish him the very best in any future endeavors."
 
Jackson was a free agent signing of the Lions in advance of the 2005 season and dressed for 108 CFL games over a seven year career, starting 22 times for the club. The Notre Dame graduate recorded 7,032 passing yards and 51 touchdowns on 499 career completions.

TICATS RELEASE THREE

Hamilton, Ontario - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced today that the team has released import running back Avon Cobourne, non-import defensive lineman Luc Mullinder and non-import offensive lineman Simeon Rottier.

Vice president of football operations Bob O'Billovich made the following statement concerning the release of Simeon Rottier, who was slated to become a free agent on February 16:

"Over the last few months, we've presented multiple contract offers to Simeon and his representatives, including our most recent offer that would have made him one of the league's highest paid linemen.  After our latest offer was rejected, it was clear Simeon would not return to Hamilton in 2012.  It's time for us to focus on the players that want to be here.  The Ticats appreciate everything that Simeon gave to the team during his three years with us."

Regarding the release of Avon Cobourne, O'Billovich said:

"We spoke with Avon following the addition of Martell Mallett to our roster to determine what course of action he would prefer.  After speaking with him again today, we are granting Avon's request to be released.  We would like to thank Avon for his outstanding contributions to our team last season and wish him all the best in the future."

Regarding Luc Mullinder's release, O'Billovich commented:

"When we signed Luc last August, we agreed that we would grant his release if we weren't willing to sign him to a new deal early in the new year.  We thank Luc for his hard work last season and wish him continued success."

LIONS NAME STAFF

(Vancouver) Three weeks after naming Jacques Chapdelaine as offensive coordinator, Rich Stubler as defensive coordinator and Chuck McMann as special teams coordinator, BC Lions head coach Mike Benevides announced his entire 2012 coaching staff at a team luncheon today.
 
"These are the men I wanted to go into battle this season and I couldn't be more pleased that it has come together in this way," said Benevides. "Much like our players, I believe we have a great mix of both experience and young talent on the staff which makes for a dynamic approach."  
 
On offence, coordinator Jacques Chapdelaine will welcome back longtime offensive line coach Dan Dorazio and receivers coach Travis Moore.  For Dorazio, the 2012 campaign will mark his 40th season of coaching and 15th with the Leos while Moore enters his third campaign with the club. Kelly Bates, who split his time between the coaching ranks and a mid-season return to the field, will enter his second year on the staff and has added running backs and title of CFL Draft Coordinator to his portfolio.
 
On defence, coordinator Rich Stubler takes over the post previously held by Benevides and inherits Mark Washington who enters his fifth season as defensive backs coach. Randy Melvin also returns to the Grey Cup Champions for his second year as the club's defensive line coach.

BOMBERS RE-SIGN ELLIOTT

WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are pleased to announce that import quarterback Joey Elliott (6-3, 216, Purdue, DOB: August 2, 1986 in Franklin, Indiana) has re-signed with the team.  He was scheduled to become a free agent on February 16th.
 
"Joey is an athletic quarterback with great potential in this league," said Vice-President and General Manager Joe Mack.  "He is a young, enthusiastic player, who is a great team guy and has the leadership qualities you look for in a quarterback."
 
Elliott began last season as the second-string quarterback on the depth chart but suffered a torn ACL in his only appearance in week three against the Calgary Stampeders and missed the remainder of the season.  He has played in four games over two seasons with the Blue Bombers – including two starts in 2010 – and has completed 45 of 91 passes for 522 yards and two touchdowns.
 
At Purdue, Elliott became the starter in his senior season and completed 267 of 433 passes that year for 3,026 yards and 22 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.  He also threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns in Purdue's amazing upset victory over the seventh ranked Ohio State in 2009.

CHL SKILLS RESULTS

Kelowna, B.C. – Team Orr pulled off a 15-9 win over Team Cherry in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects skills Competition on Tuesday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, B.C.

Team Cherry will look for revenge versus Team Orr in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game on Wednesday night at Prospera Place (7:00pm PT; Sportsnet).

Follow all the action at the 2012 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects game at www.homehardwaretopprospectsgame.com
2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Skills

Competition Results:
Skill 1 – Fastest Skater
Team Orr:
Lukas Sutter (Saskatoon Blades) – 15.032
Branden Troock (Seattle Thunderbirds) – 14.256
Francis Beauvillier (Rimouski Oceanic) – 14.132 (One Goal)
Tomas Hyka (Gatineau Olympiques) – 14.674
Team Orr Average Time 14.524 (One Goal)

Team Cherry:
Brett Kulak (Vancouver Giants) – 14.785
Damon Severson (Kelowna Rockets) – 14.542
Mike Winther (Prince Albert Raiders) – 19.518
Gemel Smith (Owen Sound Attack) – 14.907
Team Cherry Average Time 15.938
 
Skill 2 – Hardest Shot
Team Orr:
Matthew Finn (Guelph Storm) – 90.1mph
Chandler Stephenson (Regina Pats) – 94.1mph
Adam Pelech (Erie Otters) – 91.0mph
Dalton Thrower (Saskatoon Blades) – 92.4mph
Team Orr Average: 91.9mph (One Goal)
 
Team Cherry:
Ryan Murray (Everett Silvertips) – 94.3mph
Nick Ebert (Windsor Spitfires) – 94.7mph (One Goal)
Coda Gordon (Swift Current Broncos) – 84.2mph
Mathew Dumba (Red Deer Rebels) – 91.8mph
Team Cherry Average: 91.3mph
 
Skill 3 – Shooting Accuracy
Team Orr:
Mikhail Grigorenko (Quebec Remparts) – 3 / 8
Derrick Pouliot (Portland Winterhawks) – 2 / 8
Gianluca Curcuruto (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) – 4 / 5; Playoff 1 / 1 (One Goal)
Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 4 / 7
Team Orr Total Targets 13 / 28 (Tie: One Goal)
 
Team Cherry:
Dillon Fournier (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) – 4 / 8
Tom Wilson (Plymouth Whalers) – 4 / 6
Scott Laughton (Oshawa Generals) – 4 / 5; Playoff 0 / 1
Andrew Ryan (Halifax Mooseheads) – 1 / 8
Team Cherry Total Target 13 / 28 (Tie: One Goal)
 
Skill 4 – Show-Down Breakaway Contest
Team Orr:
Scott Kosmachuk (Guelph Storm) - 20
Tanner Pearson (Barrie Colts) - 26
Andreas Athanasiou (London Knights) - 15
Radek Faksa (Kitchener Rangers) – 25; Final Round Tiebreaker 26 (One Goal)
Colton Sissons (Kelowna Rockets) - 24
Raphael Bussieres (Baie-Comeau Drakkar) – 24
Team Orr Average Score 22.3 (One Goal)
 
Team Cherry:
Tim Bozon (Kamloops Blazers) – 27; Final Round Tie-breaker 21
Martin Frk (Halifax Mooseheads) - 19
Daniil Zharkov (Belleville Bulls) - 21
Brendan Gaunce (Belleville Bulls) - 16
Dane Fox (Erie Otters) - 19
Dominik Volek (Regina Pats) – 21
Team Cherry Average Score 20.9

(Courtesy Jesse Watts, WHL.ca)