FORSBERG TO MAKE WHL DEBUT

PRINCE GEORGE, BC - The Prince George Cougars are pleased to announce Alex Forsberg, the Cougars first overall pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam, will play his first Western Hockey League game on Sunday, January 2, 2011, against the Moose Jaw Warriors at CN Centre.

Forsberg, a 15-year old from Waldheim, Saskatchewan and the younger brother of Cougars defenceman Jesse Forsberg, is in his second season with the Beardy’s Blackhawks of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League, with eight goals and 15 points in 12 games this year. At the Mac’s Midget AAA Tournament in Calgary, Forsberg earned three goals and four assists for seven points in four games for the Blackhawks. Forsberg, who stands 5’9” and weighs 170 pounds, has been named to Team Saskatchewan for the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in February.

THE NINE MOST ANNOYING RADIO TALK SHOW CALLERS

For all of us who enjoy sports radio but wish that the smart people who we assume are listening would call in and save us from the crazies, here is our list of the nine most annoying types of sports radio callers. — Houston Press

9. Interrupting Guy
Sports radio hosts can be boisterous, obnoxious and even downright stupid, but understanding the ebb and flow of how they handle calls saves all of us a lot of awkward wincing when the caller keeps trying to break into the host’s response. The result is either a cacophony of random voices yelling wildly or a bunch of broken phrases like “and I…” “but…” and “uh, well…” in between every syllable of the host’s chatter. Every caller gets a chance to rant at the beginning of the call. Seize the moment, then let the host do his job.

8. Remember Me Guy
We aren’t talking about the guy who calls in to gloat (more on that below). This is the guy that either met one of the hosts at an event three years ago or called in six months ago to talk about NBA trade scenarios and thinks that because of those two-minute interactions the host should be all, “Hey, Bob! Man, I haven’t seen you in ages. How’s the family?” Hundreds of callers make their way onto the airwaves every week. More show up at events. The chances a host will remember you are slim, so just say your peace and save yourself the embarrassment.

7. I Told You So Guy
This is the worst of the “remember me” variety. This is the guy who calls in the day after his prediction, obnoxiously uttered on air the week before, comes true. He’s a gloater. He’s an asshole. What’s worse, he’s almost always a hypocrite because he would never call in and say, “Well, I guess I was wrong. I’m an idiot,” when his prognostications turned out to be just the rantings of a moron. There are very rare instances when guys call in to eat crow and we commend them for that, particularly if they were really smug on their previous call. But, normally, this is a jerk whose biggest moment in the last year came when he got the equivalent of one question right during the first round of Jeopardy. Congratulations, Nostradamus.

6. Conspiracy Guy
Teams lose. Most of the time they lose because the other team was better. They also lose because they don’t execute or have things not go their way. We’re confident that the officials don’t set the outcome of most games, even in the NBA. And despite the rampant east coast bias in the sports media and big market bias among television networks, there is no legitimate proof any league wants a specific franchise to win so badly, they will tilt the scales in their favor. If that were the case, the Knicks wouldn’t be the shittiest team in the NBA and the Cowboys would have won more than one playoff game in the last decade.

5. Old Guy
Sometimes, it’s just funny when grandpa dials the phone and starts talking about how things were in his day. Other times, it’s just uncomfortable. Whatever the case, there is nothing like an old timer getting a moment on the radio and ranting about thugs, tattoos, showboating, sissies and reverse discrimination. Back in his day, kids didn’t need no fancy plastic hats to protect their heads. They used meat helmets, and, damnit, they were glad to have them!

4. Blind Supporter Guy
Blind fans are usually nothing more than minor annoyances, but they manage to put the needle in the red on our stupid-caller-o-meter when they give themselves nicknames like “Texan Mike” or “Yankee Joe.” The same needle nearly flies off the scale when “Longhorn Bubba” calls out “Aggie Fan” on the air. Hair Balls would like to lend you some advice. It’s great that you paint your face on game day and own every piece of memorabilia you can find. It’s sweet that your wife accepts the fact that she can’t have a normal conversation with you during football season. But leave the fandom off the airways. It makes you sound like an idiot and even more than usual.

3. Insider Guy
It’s hard to understand if the guy who calls and tells the host, “My brother’s buddy is the cousin of Andre Johnson’s trainer’s nephew and he told me that Andre hates Matt Schaub,” actually does this to help fans or just because he wants someone to think he has a clue. We’re guessing it’s the latter. It’s amusing to hear his voice strain with incredulity when the host says he hasn’t heard anything about that. We’d like to believe he gets so angry that his head explodes like that scene from Scanners, but our hope fades when we hear him on another station an hour later saying the same thing.

2. Business Guy
When a caller says his profession on the air as a means of demonstrating his credibility, it is almost always a sign this is going to be a bad call. The best example is the guy who calls in and says things like, “I’m the CEO of a financial planning company and I have some advice for Gary Kubiak because the coach is really the CEO of the team.” Listen up, Zig Ziglar. Just because you push paper for a living and have a fancy title doesn’t mean you know dick about football. Making yourself the metaphorical peer of a coach or general manager is not the Jedi mind trick you think it is. It only makes us think you are a douchebag.

1. Doesn’t Understand the Seven-Second Delay Guy
What this means for you, dear sports radio caller, is that you cannot listen to your radio while you wait on hold because what you hear on your radio is as much as seven seconds delayed from real time. If you are a nerd, think of it as a rift in the space time continuum that lasts seven seconds. If you choose to put your phone down and listen to the radio while on hold, you are either really dumb or you don’t care. In either case, we recommend you never use a telephone again, especially not to call in to a talk show.

http://benmaller.com/2010/12/nine-most-annoying-types-of-sports-radio-callers/

FRIDAY RODSERVATIONS

Happy New Year!  I'm ready to get 2010 over with, how about you?  So here are some year-end thoughts as we get set to turn the page...

- Whatddya want first; the good news or the bad news?  The good news?  Okay.  It appears the Saskatchewan Roughriders have hired Greg Marshall  as their new head coach.  There's a post on it below and several fans have already weighed in on the idea.  Apparently an official announcement is planned for next week.

- This could be good news for the Riders in another way.  Greg Marshall and my friendship stretches back to 1999 when he was the Riders' defensive coordinator.   Ever since, during his stops in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Hamilton, I would occasionally interview him for CKRM's Rider pregame show if his head coach wasn't available.  EVERY TIME I interviewed him his team would beat the Riders however if ever I didn't, the Riders would win.  It got to the point where Greg would be seeking me out before games to do the interview!  I never really believed in the superstition for a long time but the LAST time I did a pregame visit with Marsh was in 2009 when the Riders lost in Hamilton on Hallowe'en.  For me, that was it.  I never interviewed Greg at all in 2010 and the Riders beat the Ticats twice.  Soooooooo, the Riders should go 18-0 in 2011 based on this fact.

- Okay, the bad news.  An official at CJAD radio in Montreal has confirmed the passing of CFL legend Tony Proudfoot.  The Canadian Press reports Tony passed away on Wednesday from Lou Gehrig's Disease.  What a courageous fight Tony put up.  Our best to the Proudfoot family.

- Going out tonight for New Year's Eve festivities?   HAVE A PLAN.   It's next-to-impossible to get a cab in this town after midnight so take a designated driver or simply don't over-indulge.  Let's make New Year's in Regina a safe one.

- Glad to hear the Riders' head coach search is over.  Fans told me they were getting tired of the speculation and so was I.

- Fans are wondering how the Leader Post, TSN and Sportsnet are breaking stories on the Riders, but not the Voice of the Riders.   Simple; I'm not allowed.

- We close 2010 as the most-read sports blog in the nation.  See for yourself at http://www.topblogs.ca/.  Thank you for your continued patronage!

- Leave it to Bob Hughes to break the news about Willy Cole's retirement at the end of January.  Personally, I'd be surprised if he hangs it up so soon.  One of Willy's many roles was working as a sideline reporter on CKRM's Roughrider broadcasts and, trust me, that's one of the hardest jobs in sports.  I've got to get Willy on the Sports Cage one day to tell some of those stories.

- By the way there's no Sports Cage on 620 CKRM today however I'll be back from two weeks' vacation on Monday.

- The two weeks were magnificent.  It took four or five days to mentally take a holiday, still thinking about the show and the job and listening into my replacement Mitchell Blair.  By this past week, radio was the furthest thing from my mind and I never listened to the show.  However I got in the dangerous habit of afternoon naps, which will have to change.  But the recharge was great, and you've probably noticed increased blogging over the past week as I've recovered from the burnout of the 2010 season.

- "Fat Month" also ends today.  That's something I came up with a few years ago and Cindy has enjoyed joining me in.  December is Fat Month where I take a break from the gym and eat whatever I want over Christmas holidays without guilt.  It's been GREAT, but tomorrow's going to be painful getting back to Gold's.  Cripes, I got winded running up the stairs yesterday.  It's time.

- Tidbits: According to the Brandon Sun, Hamilton Ticats receiver Chris Bauman plans to test the CFL free agent market come February.  The Brandon product also got engaged over Christmas, I assume, to a western gal.  Again, why is everyone fleeing Hamilton?

- Former Pats captain Matt Delahey is coming to an arena near you.  He took a run at the ECHL with Ontario in southern California but decided pro hockey is not for him.  He's joining the U of S Huskies to take advantage of the WHL scholarship program.

- Has anyone noticed the irony with Brett Favre and that one year ago he was leading the Vikings in a locker room chant entitled "Pants On The Ground"?

- I don't know what took so long but I bought "BOYS WILL BE BOYS: The Glory Days And Party Nights of the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty" by Jeff Pearlman.  It's amazing!  I knew that Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones played college footall at Arkansas but DIDN'T know he was a starting offensive guard on the 1964 national championship team.  At Arkansas, Jones and Jimmy Johnson were teammates.

- Readers also learn that Jimmy Johnson is every bit as quirky and crazy as Jerry Jones, and that he treats his children from his many marriages like 3rd cousins.  There is nothing in his life besides football.  So sad.

- And of course one of the most interesting things was where the moniker "America's Team" came from, because we call the Saskatchewan Roughriders "Canada's Team".   It was in 1979 that Bob Ryan of NFL Films tabbed the franchise "America's Team".  Said Cowboys linebacker Thomas 'Hollywood' Henderson, "The America's Team concept had swept the country.  It was mostly because of Tom Landry and his Christianity that the masses identified with the organization.  That was the catalyst.  But then came Tex Shramm's genius of promoting America's Team so that every patriot from places like Butte, Montana, stationed around the world, would say 'that's my team'".   Landry and Co. were innovators, leaders in the fields of marketing and self-promotion.

- I suggested the concept of Canada's Team to Rider marketing guru Trent Fraser back in 2000 because the team sucked and it was a chance to market something other than football.  Before long it was on the team's pocket schedules, fact books, all marketing materials and in your conscience.

- If you're devastated your teenage son is dating a 30, 40 or 50 year-old, call the Maury Show.  It's on right now as I type this.

- The Regina Pats ring in the New Year tomorrow night at 7:00 when they host the P.A. Raiders on 620 CKRM.  Happy Birthday, by the way, to the voice of the Pats Dan Plaster today.

- You can listen to the 2011 World Juniors (Canada's games) on Country 100.7 FM in Moose Jaw, the home of the Warriors.

- Hockey star Sidney Crosby has won the Lional Conacher Award as Canadian Press Male Athlete of the Year for 2010.

- Hockey star Jordan Eberle won the first-ever Sports Cage Regina Athlete of the Year for 2010.  I spoke to him yesterday.  Thanks to you, the blog readers, for voting.

- Watching that Sportsnet promo where Nick Kypreos is trying to speak while being hassled by fans reminds me a lot of being hassled by Swift Current Broncos fans while on air.   Don't miss those people.

- I've also had plenty of time to watch movies over the holidays so here are a couple of quick reviews.  How Do You Know (funny, I'd recommend it), HUNGER (absolutely disgusting, don't rent it), Did You Hear About The Morgans (two hours I'll never get back, don't waste your money).

- The third installment of 24/7 The Road To The Winter Classic was the weakest of the three so far, but still worth watching on HBO.  It's impressive that we were watching a documentary which included a game from just three days prior, but it seemed rushed.  Still, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's Winter Classic and to the finale of the series on January 5.

- There's no Press Box Sports Bar Friday buffet today however there are specials on the bacon cheeseburger, foot-long hot dog and nachos.  Check it out!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
RP

YOUR NEXT COACH?

If it's true, I couldn't be happier. Here's the news from the Twitter page of TSN CFL Insider Dave Naylor:

"From: @TSNDaveNaylor
As expected, Marshall is the Riders guy. Will be announced next week."

From the Ticats website:

• Greg Marshall brings over a decade of experience as defensive coordinator and a reputation for stout defences to Hamilton as the Tiger-Cats defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and assistant head coach.  

In 2009, his first season with the Ticats, the team surrendered just 428 points – the second fewest in the CFL and a 199-point improvement from the previous season.  Linebackers Jamall Johnson and Markeith Knowlton finished first and second among all CFL defenders in defensive tackles and earned spots on the East Division and CFL All-Star teams.   

He spent 2006-08 as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where his stingy defence helped the Bombers reach the Grey Cup in 2007.  In each of his three seasons in Winnipeg, Marshall's defence ranked among the top three CFL teams in quarterback sacks.

In 2006, Marshall's first year with the Bombers, he inherited a defence that was coming off one of the worst statistical performances in CFL history.  One year later, after a season which saw the defence surrender a league-record 8,249 yards and 513 points, Marshall's defensive unit improved vastly to allow the third-fewest yards (5,500), just 396 points, and ranked in the top three of 14 defensive categories that season.

Prior to his stint in Winnipeg, he spent 2005 with the Ottawa Renegades as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.  Ottawa's opportunistic defence recorded 57 takeaways and finished second in the league with 25 interceptions.  

Before his time in the nation's capital, Marshall served five seasons (2000-04) as the Edmonton Eskimos defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.  In 2003, Marshall's defence played an integral role in the Eskimos Grey Cup championship, leading the CFL in fewest points allowed (367), fewest points per game allowed (20.4 and fewest touchdowns allowed (37).

He began his CFL coaching career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1994 as defensive line coach.  After two seasons as defensive line coach, Marshall added the title of defensive coordinator, a position he would hold for four seasons until 1999.  While in Saskatchewan, he also serves as the team's coordinator for the CFL Canadian Draft.

Marshall served as a guest coach at the Toronto Argonauts training camp in 1991 and at the Ottawa Rough Riders training camp in 1992 and 1993.  

Prior to joining the CFL, Marshall enjoyed three seasons with the CJFL's Ottawa Sooners, where he earned CJFL coach of the year honours after leading his squad to an undefeated season and national junior championship in 1992.

His first coaching stint came with the American Football Alliance's Ottawa Bootleggers.  He was head coach of the Bootleggers for two seasons, including their undefeated campaign in 1990.

As a player, Marshall was one of the CFL's most feared defensive lineman during his nine-year career.  He was a four-time Eastern All-Star, two-time CFL All-Star and was named the CFL's defensive lineman of the year in 1983.  Marshall was originally drafted by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft and had brief stints with the Eagles and Baltimore Colts.  

Marshall and his wife, Cindy, have four children – Christine, Bryan, Caitlin and Kelsey.

PLEASE READ

Leader Post sports editor and columnist Rob Vanstone has done it again. Please read his latest effort regarding the Alan Ford family and help out if you can.

http://www.leaderpost.com/mobile/iphone/story.html?id=4041987

ANOTHER GIANTS TRADE

The Vancouver Giants have acquired defenceman Joel Rogers from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for defenceman Dalton Reum. Rogers, a native of Abbotsford, B.C., has played his entire 4 year career in the WHL with Swift Current.

Originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2006 WHL bantam draft by the Broncos, the 19 year old is considered a solid stay at home blueliner. In 28 games this season he has 3 assists and 40 penalty minutes.

Rogers will arrive in Vancouver later tonight and be available to play tomorrow when the Giants take on the Everett Silvertips.

2.94-MILLION WATCH CAN-RUS AT WJHC

Toronto, ON (December 30, 2010) – Canada's World Juniors holiday tradition continues! According to data from BBM Canada, TSN's coverage of the highly-anticipated Canada-Russia game on Boxing Day attracted an average audience of 2.94 million viewers making it the most-watched program of the day on Canadian television in all key demographics.
 
The audience for the Canada-Russia game was 23% higher than last year's IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP Boxing Day game and ranks as the second most-watched preliminary round game ever.
 
Overall, more than 7 million Canadians tuned in to watch some, or all, of TSN's World Juniors Boxing Day game.
 
TSN's 2011 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP coverage continues on New Year's Eve Friday, Dec. 31, at 3:30 p.m. ET as Team Canada takes on Sweden with first place in Group B and a semifinal bye on the line.

SCHWARTZ OUT FOR CANADA

BUFFALO, N.Y. (USA) – Hockey Canada announced a roster change to Canada's National Junior Team on Thursday.
 
Forward Jaden Schwartz (Wilcox, Sask./Colorado College, WCHA) will not be able to play for the duration of the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship, after suffering an ankle injury in Canada's game against Czech Republic on December 28, 2010.
 
Canada's final game of the preliminary round is on December 31 against Sweden. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

To our long-time friend Ken Stromberg, penalty box custodian for the Regina Pats!

FREEMAN WORKS OUT FOR TEXANS

The Houston Texans have placed LB Darryl Sharpton (shoulder) on injured reserve. To replace him on the 53-man roster, the Texans signed undrafted rookie LB Isaiah Greenhouse off the practice squad.

In other team news, a source confirmed the Texans worked out DT Adrian Grady, DE/OLB Phillip Hunt, DE Nick Reed and LB Jerrell Freeman.

Hunt, who also has worked out for the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, put up 19 sacks over the last two seasons in the CFL.

(Courtesy Adam Caplan for NFL Buzz)

http://nflbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/nflbuzz/texans_lose_promising_linebacker_team_works_out_four_players/3873330

WHL EAST CONFERENCE REVIEW

Calgary, AB -- The 2010-11 Western Hockey League season is at the midway point with teams having played roughly half of their regular season schedules, and it's time to take a look at how the season has shaped up so far.

In the Western Conference, the competition has been fierce, with all 10 teams still very much in playoff contention.

Will the Portland Winterhawks fend off all challengers to capture their first U.S. Division title since 2001-02? Can the Spokane Chiefs continue their charge up the Conference standings? Can the Vancouver Giants capture an unprecedented sixth straight B.C. Division title in what has been the tightest division in the League? Will the Prince George Cougars continue their terrific turnaround season?

In the WHL Eastern Conference, the top teams have started to separate themselves from the pack while a number of Clubs remain in the thick of the race for playoff spots.

Can the Saskatoon Blades continue their run at the top of the East Division and Eastern Conference standings? Who will emerge from the Central Division battle between the Rebels, Ice and Tigers? Can the Moose Jaw Warriors continue their surge up the standings?

These questions will be answered through the second half of the 2010-11 WHL season.

Here’s a look at the WHL’s Eastern Conference teams through the 2010-11 season’s first half:
East Division

Brandon Wheat Kings
2010-11 record: 38gp 13-20-1-4, 31pts (5th in Div., 10th in Conf.) GF: 119 GA: 138
Top Scorers:
Mark Stone 37gp-18g-27a-45pts
Scott Glennie 36gp-14g-28a-42pts
Shayne Wiebe 38gp-17g-10a-27pts
Although the Wheat Kings came out of the gate strong with four straight wins to start the season, a pair of lengthy losing skids – one nine-game and one 11-game losing streak – has put the defending East Division champs behind in the race for a playoff spot. Mark Stone has emerged as an offensive leader for the Wheat Kings, pacing the team in goals and points, while sophomores Michael Ferland and Brenden Walker have taken on bigger roles with the club, as well. The Wheat Kings have given up the third-most goals in the Eastern Conference. Tightening up their 20th-ranked penalty killing unit will be a key in helping the team improve defensively as they look to make a push up the East Division standings in the second half of the season.

Moose Jaw Warriors
2010-11 record: 36gp 21-13-0-2, 44pts (2nd in Div., 5th in Conf.) GF: 131 GA: 120
Top Scorers:
Dylan Hood 35pg-17g-26a-43pts
Quinton Howden 29gp-22g-18a-40pts
Spencer Edwards 35gp-14g-20a-34pts

The Warriors started the slow this season, going 4-8-0-1 through their first 13 contests. Yet, the team has managed to turn their fortunes around and become one of the top teams over the last two months, posting a solid 17-5-0-1 record since October 27th. Led by Florida Panthers prospect Quinton Howden, the Warriors boast the third-best offense in the Eastern Conference and the 6th-ranked power play in the League. Currently, the Warriors have five players with 30 or more points, indicative of the team’s solid offensive depth. On the back end, 16-year-old defenseman Morgan Rielly has been a revelation in his first season, adding an offensive spark from the blue line. The Warriors have a tough second-half schedule with 23 of their remaining 37 games on the road.

Prince Albert Raiders
2010-11 record: 37gp 14-19-2-2, 32pts (4th in Div., 8th in Conf.) GF: 119 GA: 147
Top Scorers:
Jonathan Parker 37gp-22g-21a-43pts
Mark McNeill 37gp-17g-23a-40pts
Brandon Herrod 36gp-15g-17a-32pts

The Raiders’ first half has seen ups and downs, but ended with them holding down the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Offensively, the Raiders have been led by veterans Jonathan Parker and Brandon Herrod, and sophomore star Mark McNeill. Parker scored just two goals in 29 games for the Raiders last year, but has already racked up 22 tallied this season. McNeill is solidifying his case as one of the WHL’s top NHL draft-eligible prospects. Losing veteran Igor Revenko to a knee injury has hurt the Raiders’ attack. Defensively, the Raiders have surrendered the second-most goals in the WHL. Ryan Button and Co. will need to shore up their defensive play and improve upon their 17th-ranked penalty killing unit if they are to stay among the top eight in the Conference. Rookie goaltender Eric Williams has performed admirably, establishing himself as one of the top young netminders in the League.

Regina Pats
2010-11 record: 37gp 11-20-5-1, 28pts (6th in Div., 11th in Conf.) GF: 122 GA: 167
Top Scorers:
Jordan Weal 37gp-18g-30a-49pts
Brandon Davidson 37gp-5g-24a-29pts
Colin Reddin 37gp-7g-18a-25pts

The Pats have endured a difficult first half of the season, and currently find themselves out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. Offensively, Jordan Weal has carried the bulk of the scoring and is averaging better than a point-per-game. Aside from Weal, only defenseman Myles Bell and team captain Garrett Mitchell have reached the 10-goal mark. Having traded veteran point producers Carter Ashton and Thomas Frazee indicates the Pats have an eye on getting younger and building for the future. Defensively, the Pats have surrendered the most goals of any WHL team, and own the WHL’s 21st-ranked penalty killing unit. Bell has established himself as a top prospect for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft with his strong two-way play while fellow sophomore Brandon Davidson has also been strong at both ends of the rink.

Saskatoon Blades
2010-11 record: 35gp 26-8-0-1, 53pts (1st in Div., 1st in Conf.) GF: 128 GA: 106
Top Scorers:
Josh Nicholls 34gp-16g-27a-43pts
Curtis Hamilton 31gp-15g-27a-42pts
Marek Viedensky 29gp-14g-22a-36pts

The Blades have enjoyed a terrific first half of the 2010-11 WHL season, entering the holiday break tied for first place in the overall WHL standings while boasting a comfortable 11-point lead for first place in the East Division. Led by Edmonton Oilers prospect Curtis Hamilton, the Blades boast five players with 14 or more goals and eight players with 20 or more points. Sophomore Duncan Siemens has shown star potential while Chris Collins and Jake Trask have added good offensive depth since coming to the Blades in early-season trades. Improving their 18th-ranked power play would make them even more of a formidable opponent. Defensively, the Blades have been very solid, having surrendered the fourth-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference. Stefan Elliott and Duncan Siemens head up a defense corps that is a combined +68 this season. Elliott leads all WHL rearguards with 14 goals. Goaltenders Adam Morrison and Steven Stanford form perhaps the best netminding tandem in the WHL, with Stanford boasting an outstanding 17-2 record this season. If the Blades keep on their current path, they should be right in the mix for the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the League’s best regular-season team at season’s end.

Swift Current Broncos
2010-11 record: 40gp 19-20-0-1, 39pts (3rd in Div., 6th in Conf.) GF: 104 GA: 122
Top Scorers:
Justin Dowling 40gp-12g-31a-43pts
Cody Eakin 30gp-18g-21a-39pts
Brad Hoban 39gp-13g-15a-28pts

The Broncos have endured their ups and downs through the 2010-11 WHL season’s first half, but currently find themselves in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Up front, the usual suspects – Justin Dowling and Cody Eakin – have led the Broncos’ offense, with the pair combining for 30 goals and 82 points. While Brad Hoban, Stepan Novotny and Killian Hutt have all topped the 10-goal mark, the secondary production drops off after that. Defensively, the Broncos boast the second-best goals-against per game in the East Division and own the League’s second-ranked penalty killing unit. Getting a bit more offensive production from the blue line that has generated just seven goals this season would greatly help the team’s attack. Mark Friesen has been a workhorse in the Broncos’ net, appearing in 36 of 39 games while posting solid numbers.

Central Division

Calgary Hitmen
2010-11 record: 36gp 10-24-2-0, 22pts (6th in Div., 12th in Conf.) GF: 90 GA: 135
Top Scorers:
Justin Kirsch 34gp-16g-8a-24pts
Kris Foucault 30gp-12g-11a-23pts
Misha Fisenko 33gp-4g-18a-22pts

The 2010 WHL Champions have endured a trying first half to the 2010-11 season, and currently find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. A big reason the Hitmen have struggled is their difficulty generating offense. One of the highest scoring teams over the last two seasons, the Hitmen have managed a WHL-low 89 goals this season, despite a power play that ranks 11th in the League. Sophomore Justin Kirsch has shown an offensive flair, scoring a team-best 15 goals, while Kris Foucault has picked up his offensive play recently. Those two, however, are among just five Hitmen skaters with more than five goals this season. Defensively, the Hitmen have been better, but still rank among the bottom five teams in goals-against. Improving their 19th-ranked penalty killing unit would help the team tighten up their goals-against. Goaltenders Michael Snider, Brandon Glover and Juraj Holly have all been given the opportunity to take on the starting job. However, consistency has eluded all three thus far.

Edmonton Oil Kings
2010-11 record: 35gp 17-16-0-2, 36pts (4th in Div., 7th in Conf.) GF: 113 GA: 115
Top Scorers:
Michael St. Croix 35gp-19g-26a-45pts
Jordan Hickmott 35gp-18g-18a-36pts
Dylan Wruck 34gp-15g-16a-34pts

The first half of the 2010-11 WHL season has seen the Oil Kings win and lose in bunches, with the team enjoying a couple of five-game win streaks while also enduring a lengthy nine-game slide in mid-October. Dynamic sophomore Michael St. Croix has led a much-improved offense. He, along with fellow 17-year-old Dylan Wruck and veteran Jordan Hickmott, has become a go-to guy for scoring. However, the team also has good offensive depth with 12 players boasting more than 10 points. Defensively, the Oil Kings are among the better Eastern Conference teams, despite a penalty killing unit that ranks 18th in the WHL. 16-year-old rookie Griffin Reinhart has shown plenty of star potential in his first season on the blue line for the Oil Kings. Goaltender Jon Groenheyde has been very strong since coming over to the team from Kamloops in November. If the Oil Kings can maintain the level of play they have been at since mid-November, they have a good chance at earning their second post-season berth.

Kootenay Ice
2010-11 record: 37gp 24-10-1-2, 51pts (1st in Div., 2nd in Conf.) GF: 131 GA: 99
Top Scorers:
Kevin King 33gp-15g-24a-39pts
Max Reinhart 37gp-18g-16a-34pts
Matt Fraser 36gp-14g-19a-33pts

The Ice have enjoyed a strong first half, and closed out the pre-holiday portion of the schedule as the Central Division leader. Sporting the Eastern Conference’s fourth-best offense and the third-best defense, the Ice have been good at both ends of the rink, so far. 18-year-old Max Reinhart started to heat up recently, scoring nine goals and 16 points in 10 games leading up to the break. Kootenay has demonstrated good offensive depth with eight players having 20 or more points. Defensively, only the Red Deer Rebels have been tighter than Kootenay. The Ice have given up just 96 goals, and own the League’s seventh-ranked penalty killing unit. Led by veteran Brayden McNabb, Kootenay’s defense corps is a combined +55. McNabb has also put up 27 points in just 24 games, putting him among the WHL’s leaders in scoring by defensemen. Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen has been among the League’s top netminders this season, notching 16 wins and a 2.26 GAA.

Lethbridge Hurricanes
2010-11 record: 35gp 12-16-2-5, 31pts (5th in Div., 9th in Conf.) GF: 101 GA: 132
Top Scorers:
Cam Braes 34gp-14g-12a-26pts
Mitch Maxwell 35gp-10g-16a-26pts
Austin Fyten 19gp-12g-10a-22pts

The ‘Canes have seen some improvement from this time last season, and currently find themselves just one point out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Up front, the ‘Canes have had difficulties generating offense. 17-year-old Russian rookie Alex Kuvaev has shown some good offensive flair. Austin Fyten has averaged better than a point per game, but has spent time on the injured list. Improving their 22nd-ranked power play will be important if the ‘Canes want to make a playoff push. Defensively, the Hurricanes have given up 31 more goals than they have scored this season, but own a penalty killing unit that ranks among the WHL’s top 10. The ‘Canes could use more offense from their defensemen, who have generated just seven goals this season. The Hurricanes have seen 12 of their games decided in overtime, with nine of those going to a shootout.

Medicine Hat Tigers
2010-11 record: 35gp 23-10-2-0, 48pts (3rd in Div., 4th in Conf.) GF: 131 GA: 98
Top Scorers:
Linden Vey 33gp-23g-32a-55pts
Wacey Hamilton 35gp-10g-30a-40pts
Emerson Etem 32gp-21g-14a-35pts

The Tigers find themselves among the top teams in the Eastern Conference at the 2010-11 WHL season’s halfway mark, and right in the mix for first place in the Central Division and Eastern Conference. Linden Vey leads a Tigers attack that currently averages the most goals per game among Eastern Conference teams and owns the WHL’s eighth-ranked power play. 16-year-old rookie Hunter Shinkaruk has produced offense in his first season in the WHL, adding depth to an already talented forward group. Defensively, the Tigers are also among the WHL’s best. The team sits tied for fifth in goals-against and boasts the sixth-ranked power play. The Tigers’ defense corps, led by veteran Jace Coyle, is a combined +60 while Tyler Bunz ranks among the WHL’s top netminders in GAA and save percentage.

Red Deer Rebels
2010-11 record: 37gp 23-10-1-3, 50pts (2nd in Div., 3rd in Conf.) GF: 123 GA: 85
Top Scorers:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 35gp-10g-37a-47pts
Andrej Kudrna 33gp-17g-22a-39pts
Byron Froese 37gp-15g-23a-38pts

The Rebels put forth a very strong first half to the 2010-11 WHL campaign, and find themselves battling for the top position in the Central Division and Eastern Conference standings. Offensively, the Rebels are in the middle of the pack and own the WHL’s 8th-ranked power play. Top NHL draft prospect Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is among the WHL’s top playmakers, leading the League in assists, while Chicago Blackhawks prospect Byron Froese has fit in nicely in his first season with the team. The Rebels’ bread and butter this season has been their defense and goaltending. The Rebels have allowed the fewest goals of any WHL team, and own the second-ranked penalty killing unit. 16-year-old Matt Dumba has made a big impact in his first season, scoring nine goals while proving to be one of the League’s more punishing hitters. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper is enjoying an outstanding season, leading all WHL netminders in almost every statistical category. Kuemper has surrendered three or more goals just eight times in 32 appearances this season.

(Courtesy WHL.ca)

WILLY WINDS IT DOWN? SAY IT AIN'T SO!

By Bob Hughes

Mornings are never going to be the same. Who is going to talk me to out of my sleepy state? Who will cavort on the air with the glib guy from the big auto dealership at the north tip of the city, even though he calls its location “In beautiful downtown Regina.”? Who will do those weekend remotes like nobody else has, or can?

When I got word through a top-secret email that Willy Cole was retiring as Regina’s longest running morning radio host, I blinked more than once. Willy Cole is not supposed to retire. Never. He’s more than a fixture in this joint. He IS this joint. He is everybody’s morning cup of coffee. He’s the province’s wakeup call. More people have awakened with Willy than models have with Hugh Hefner.

At the end of January, Willy will sign off on CKRM forever, and it isn’t fair. There should be a law against it. Somebody start a petition. Why, I told my aunt at her Hillsdale estate the other night that Willy was retiring and she huffed, “Oh damn! I like him. What am I going to do? I might have to change stations. Where is he going?”

Well, I don’t think he’s going anywhere. He won’t have to get up and drive to work in a blizzard at three in the morning anymore. “I’m not sure when the right time is to retire,” Willy told me. “I’ve been thinking about this for some time and I think now is the time to do it. I’ve had a great run.”

Willy always made you feel as if he was sitting on your bedside when you woke up, or sitting next to you in the car as you drove along. Sometimes, he even talked to you. One morning, I was driving to Nicky’s in the early morning and I drove by CKRM, and stopped at the corner of Rose and 12th for a red light. I had Willy on the radio. “There’s Bob Hughes,” he said, “I wonder where he’s going? Maybe, he’s going to get us a coffee.”

Willy was everybody’s friend during a radio career that spanned 42 years, most of it in Regina. He told you what the weather was going to be like. He told you what streets to avoid. He gave recipes. He talked you down if the Riders blew another game. He would even sell an old stove for you on the Flea Market, perhaps one of the funniest shows in radio anywhere. And, Willy would make such fun of some of the people who phoned in it was hilarious, but never in a hurting or insulting way. Everybody knew that Willy was their friend. You figured he never even killed a fly. He’d tell him a joke instead. Even though he was on radio, you could see him sitting there, with that smile, and the twinkle in his eyes.

Willy Cole spent his whole career making people feel good when they started their day out. He gave out more good moods than anybody in radio, just by being Willy Cole.

It seemed like Willy has always had partners on radio. For years, he and Fred King, the unofficial Mayor of Regina Beach, had the province rolling in the aisles with their morning banter. In more recent times, it’s been Jamie Lewis who has saddled up with Willy in the mornings. Same results.

But, you wouldn’t just find him on radio. If anybody was Mr. Community, it was Willy Cole. He was everywhere, all at once it seemed. You figured there had to be more than one of him. From the high-rise Plaza of Honour Dinner to a fund-raiser in some church basement hall, Willy Cole was at the microphone, keeping the show going. He was a sideline reporter during Rider broadcasts, and if the Riders were in the Grey Cup, so was Willy.

In many ways, he was larger than life. But, in most ways, he was just Willy. The guy had no ego. He was as at home chatting with the premier of the province as he was sitting in the back room at the Northgate Bakery and having a drink with his buddy Wav.

He led the league in dishing out kind words. He lapped the field in being a nice guy. He was the Poster Boy for Warmth and Sincerity. He was everybody’s best friend, every morning. He had a smile for everyone, and it was always genuine.

Willy Cole wasn’t born with a booming radio voice. He wasn’t one of those guys whose personality acted like a shield when he walked into a room. Willy Cole was as down to earth as they come, and that’s what came through the radio at you. You felt comfortable listening to him. You couldn’t get enough. And, now he is snatching it away from all of us who listened to him, just like that.

There shouldn’t be a sunset for guys like Willy Cole to ride off into. But, you know, he does deserve it. He has worked hard for it, even if it never seemed like work to those who listened to him. He was a natural.

They will never replace him. You know that. He was the original. You know what they say. There is only one original Mona Lisa. One Empire State Building. One Willy Cole.

Maybe, what they should do come February 1st, is put together a series of shows called, “The Best of Willy Cole.” It would last for 42 years, and everybody would be happy. I predict that on the morning of January 31st, CKRM’s morning ratings will go through the roof. Because it will be the end of an era, the last chance to listen to him. Yeah, Willy has had a great run, as he said. But, so have have we who eves-dropped.

Really, there is only one Willy Cole.

Bob Hughes column sponsored by Exit Realty Fusion http://www.exitrealtyfusion.com/.

CANADA 10 NORWAY 1

Canada is 3-0 at the world junior hockey championship in Buffalo after routing Norway 10-1. Canada will try to finish the preliminary round undefeated with it takes on Sweden Friday.

Did anyone find the past two Canada games even remotely entertaining?  Perhaps Canada should be forced to play with their sticks upside down.

The best part of the night was the pregame feature on Canada's Brayden Schenn!  You can view it for yourself at http://www.tsn.ca/ under the title WJC: A Fan First.

(With files from CP)

rodpedersen.com TOP 10 PHOTOS OF 2010

If you have an opinion on which pic should be #1 please vote in the Titan Auto poll on the left. Most of these photos were submitted by readers and some were taken by me. Here are my Top 10 beginning with the outfits the Rider coaches wore in Week 3 against Edmonton. You think after seeing them one more time, they would ever wear them again? They looked like pyjamas..

# 9 - Cowboy Andy Fantuz on stage at the Craven Country Jamboree in July...

#8 - Jon Bon Jovi shows his Rider Pride on stage during his summer concert at Mosaic Stadium...

#7 - Comin' Home. This photo says so much to me. The Riders' Omarr Morgan and his teammates board a charter home from the 2010 Grey Cup in Edmonton. Was that game 'it' for Omarr?

#6 - The voice of the Pats, Dan Plaster, sent me this one. It was taken during this year's Pats intrasquad game and is one of my favourite photos in my office. (Blue won the game!)

#5 - Taken the day after Canada's loss to the USA in the WJHC final, I presented Jordan Eberle with this jersey with his favourite Rider's name and number on it..

#4 - This gentleman in Vancouver raced onto the field at Empire Stadium during the Riders' Week 2 game against the Lions. Jeff Armstead sent in the photo. Thankfully the guy didn't 'streak'...

#3 - Week 4 in Calgary ... This Stampeders fan is removed from his own stadium for taunting Rider fans. Love it..

#2 - This one became a Facebook hit. Yours truly interviewing PETA protester Virginia Fort in downtown Regina in the summer time. It was above the call of duty here, crossing over to the news side to get to the bottom of the story....

#1 - And my favourite blog photo of 2010 ... Oxbow, SK's James Bartolf (left) and his buddy Nolan show their Rider Pride in a tiger cage in Thailand with a full-grown tiger. LOVE that photo, and Nolan's number.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

PATS 4 BRONCOS 3 SO

REGINA -- This time the Regina Pats completed the comeback.  Colin Reddin's shootout goal lifted the Pats to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Swift Current Broncos Tuesday night in Regina's first game back from the Christmas break.

In running their record to a perfect 5-0 against their division rivals from the Frontier City, the Pats fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 period deficits and a pair of late goals forced extra time and an eventual victory.  Pats captain Garrett Mitchell lit the lamp in the second period but a pair of late-game tallies with an extra attacker allowed the team a chance to win in extra time.   With the goalie pulled, Pats leading scorer Jordan Weal brought the team within a goal with 1:42 left to play.  And with 0:34 to go, Regina newcomer Lyndon Martell tied the game up at 3-3 with his first WHL goal in his Pats' debut.

Regina was 0/4 on the powerplay and 3/4 killing penalties.  The Pats outshot the Broncos 36-35 and goaltender Damien Ketlo made 32 saves to pick up the win.  The announced attendance was 4017.  With the win the Pats improve to 11-20-5-1 and are just three points back of 5th-place Brandon.  The Broncos drop to 19-20-0-1.

The Pats' next game is New Year's Day when they host the P.A. Raiders at 7:00 pm on 620 CKRM (Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 6:35 pm).

BIG DUB TRADE

The Portland Winterhawks have acquired center Craig Cunningham and a sixth round pick in the 2011 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for forwards Spencer Bennett, Teal Burns, a first round pick in the 2011 Bantam Draft and a second round pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft.

Cunningham, a 20-year-old center, was the Western Conference finalist for the WHL's Player of the Year Award last season when he amassed 37 goals and 60 assists for 97 points, sixth in the league. He then added 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 16 playoff games.

This season Cunningham has 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points in 36 games, tying him for sixth in the league.

"Craig is an elite player, as evidenced by being named the Western Conference finalist for the WHL's Player of the Year Award last season. We're very excited to have him join our team," said Portland Winterhawks General Manager & Head Coach Mike Johnston.

For his career, Cunningham has registered 86 goals and 136 assists for 222 points in 295 games. Cunningham was a fourth round pick, 97th overall, by the Boston Bruins in the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Going to Vancouver are Spencer Bennett, 20, and Teal Burns, 18. Bennett was in his second season with the Winterhawks, and in 108 games had totaled 31 goals and 30 assists for 61 points.

This season he has 21 points in 37 games. Bennett was a fifth round pick, 141st overall, by the Calgary Flames in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Burns was in his first WHL season, and had seven points in 37 games. He was Portland's eighth round pick, 156th overall, in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS STATEMENT

Hamilton, Ontario - Hamilton Tiger-Cats President Scott Mitchell has confirmed that the historic 141 year old football franchise is examining potential sites in Burlington.  Mitchell issued the following statement today:

"We have spent almost one year working with the City of Hamilton to find a suitable location for a 'legacy' stadium that would house Pan American soccer games and become the new home of the Tiger-Cats, with no success.

"The Tiger-Cats continued to work with the City of Hamilton, reviewing every site that would work as a location for a successful Stadium.  The Aldershot property is three kilometers from Hamilton and is convenient for transit and GO users as well as the 80% of fans who travel to our games by car.

"We believe the proposed Aldershot location, being on the municipal boundary of Hamilton and Burlington and accessible by both GO Trains and major highways, will satisfy HostCo's requirements for soccer in Western Ontario.  
"In the longer term, the stadium would become a multi-sport centre of excellence for soccer and other high-performance sports.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  The British Empire Games provided the same stimulus for the construction of what is now Ivor Wynne Stadium almost 80 years ago.  A similar opportunity exists today for a dynamic, public/private partnership stadium that could serve the needs of the Hamilton and Burlington community for decades.

"Our goal remains to keep the franchise in this community and we are working hard to do that."

SUTTER STEPS DOWN

TSN.ca ALERT: Calgary Flames' executive VP and general manager Darryl Sutter steps down. Jay Feaster appointed Flames acting GM.

ETEM SLAMS BUFFALO

BUFFALO, NY (WGRZ) -- Emerson Etem, a forward who's playing for Team USA in the IIHF Tournament that's being held in Buffalo, apparently doesn't think too much of the Queen City.

Late (Monday) afternoon, Etem posted this message on his Twitter page: "much needed day off, buffalo is a ghost town!! the worst city ever, it makes medicine hat look like paradise, never thought ide say that"

Medicine Hat is located in the southeastern part of the province of Alberta in Canada. Etem plays for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League. He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks.

(Courtesy: http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=101906&catid=37)

PATS WEEKLY

*Pats host the Swift Current Broncos tonight at 7:00 pm on 620 CKRM (Press Box Sports Bar Pregame Show at 6:35 pm on 620 CKRM with Dan Plaster)

Half Way Highlights:

-Damien Ketlo picks up his first WHL shutout in a 2-0 win over the Swift Current Broncos on October 22nd

-Jordan Weal is tops in goals, assists and points and has been held off the score sheet just 8 times this season, and currently has points in 9 of his past 10 games.

-Brandon Davidson is leading Pat defencemen in scoring and was at one point of the season -11 and has dropped that to a -4.

-Myles Bell leads defencemen in goals (tied for second overall) with 10 and is set to play in the CHL Top Prospects game in mid-January. He has already topped his career high in goals assists and points.

-Colin Reddin is on a torrid pace this past month with points in 9 of his last 10 games and is currently on a 5 game assist streak.

-8 members of the Regina Pats scored their first WHL goal in the first half of the season.

-3 members of the Regina Pats (Colin Reddin, Jordan Weal and Brandon Davidson) have played in all 36 games this season.

Schedule:
Tuesday, December 28th - Broncos @ Pats 7pm - Brandt Centre
Wednesday, December 29th - Practice 10-1pm - Brandt Centre
Thursday, December 30th - Practice 10-1pm -Brandt Centre
Friday, December 31st - Practice 10-1pm -Brandt Centre
Saturday, January 1st - Hitmen @ Pats 7pm - Brandt Centre
Sunday, January 2nd - Raiders @ Pats 6pm -Brandt Centre

In the Community:
Prairie Mobile Communications is proud to be back with “Goals for Kids.” For every goal the Pats score, Prairie Mobile Communications will donate $15 to the Ranch Ehrlo Outdoor Hockey League. The Pats have scored 115 goals so far this season raising $1,770.00.

The Pats will continue their community initiatives including Project 1st Goal Drug Program, Canadian Blood Services “Life Saving Hat Trick Challenge”, “Brady Brady” reading program and many other all volunteer initiatives. See the attached schedule for more details.

In the Locker Room:
-Jordan Weal has points in 9 of his last 10 games

-Colin Reddin has points in 9 of his last 10 games

-Tanner Olstad has points in 3 of his last 4 games

-Art Bidlevskii has points in his last two games and is a +1 as well as picking up his team leading 8th fighting major

Leaders:
Goals – Jordan Weal (17)
PIM – Shayne Neigum (88)
Assists – Jordan Weal (28)
Fighting Majors – Art Bidlevskii (8)
Points – Jordan Weal (43)
Wins – Damien Ketlo (5)
PPG – Jordan Weal (4)
GAA – Matt Hewitt (4.02)
SHG – Mikael Jung (2)
SV % - Matt Hewitt (.887)
Game Winning Goals – Jordan Weal (3)
Plus/Minus – Lane Sheidl (-1)

Prospect Watch:
The Mac’s Midget Tournament – The 33rd annual Mac’s Midget Tournament started on Boxing Day in Calgary and 12 players from the Pats 50 man protected list are participating in the prestigious tournament:

Calgary Buffaloes (AMHL): (F) Morgan Klimchuk
Winnipeg Wild (ManAAAHL): (G) Cory Nygaard
Moose Jaw Generals (SMAAAHL): (D) Tyler Mueller, (F) TJ Reeve, (D) Sean Whelan
Prince Albert Mintos (SMAAAHL): (F) Bryden Serafini
Tisdale Trojans (SMAAAHL): (F) Ty McLean
Cariboo Cougars (BCMML): (D) Brett Harris
Greater Vancouver Canadians (BCMML): (F) Demico Hannoun
South Island Thunderbirds (BCMML): (D) Nolan DeJong
Valley West Hawks (BCMML): (D) Kyle Burroughs
Vancouver NW Giants (BCMML): (F) Mitchell Fyffe

Canada Winter Games – The top 15 year old players from each province will be participating in the Canada Winter Games from February 11th to 27th. Men’s hockey will be played during the first week of the games. 5 players from the Pats 2010 WHL Bantam Draft will represent their province:

B.C. – (D) Kyle Burroughs (3rd/47th), (C) Brett Harris (5th/107th)
Alberta – (C) Morgan Klimchuk (1st/5th)
Saskatchewan – (D) Colby Williams (4th/67th), (LW) Ty McLean (5th/91st)

Into the Past:
Josh Holden - Holden played for the Pats from 1994-1998finishing with 352 total career points with the Pats as well as scoring 40+ goals in 3 straight seasons. He is currently playing with Zug in the Swiss-A league. He is also playing for Canada at the Spengler Cup, where he has a goal in Canada's 6-1 tournament opening win over Spartak Moscow.

(Courtesy Dan Plaster)

VANDENBERGHE NAMED WARRIORS ASSISTANT COACH

Moose Jaw, SK. ---The Moose Jaw Warriors Hockey Club announced today the hiring of Mike Vandenberghe as the hockey club's new Assistant Coach. Mike comes to the Warriors after spending the first part of the 2010-11 WHL season with the Brandon Wheat Kings as Interim Assistant Coach. 
 
Mike is a WHL alumnus playing 4 years as a defenseman with both the Wheat Kings and the Medicine Hat Tigers. Following his 4 year WHL career, Mike played 8 seasons of professional hockey in both the ECHL ('93-97) and the WPHL ('97-2000).  Mike also played 1 year of CIS hockey with the Brandon Bobcats ('92-93).
 
Mike began his coaching career with the UHL's Knoxville Speed as Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations in 2001. Other career coaching highlights include: Assistant Coach, Team West, World U-17 Challenge in 2007; Head Coach/General Manager, Notre Dame Jr. A Hounds, 2004-2009; Head Coach, Team  West, World U-17 Challenge in 2010; Assistant Coach, University of Regina Cougars (CIS), 2009-10.
 
"We are very pleased to add Mike to the Warriors coaching staff," commented Warriors Director of Hockey Operations Alan Millar. Mike brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program based on his time as a player, and coach in the WHL, CIS, SJHL, minor pro and Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence. I believe Mike will be a very good fit with our current staff and will be a key addition in a number of hockey areas including player development, "concluded Millar.     
 
The Warriors would like to extend Mike and his wife a warm welcome to the Warriors hockey club and the Friendly City.

THE MONDAY MORNING GOALIE

I lied.

Last Monday I said it was the last MMG column of 2010. However I put a lot of work into a year-end blog over the weekend and here it is. Please join me for a look back over the past 12 months on the things that impacted our lives around here in the world of sports. Our teams had good seasons, if not great seasons, and we experienced more than our share of ups and downs:

Jan. 5 - Rider GM Eric Tillman is granted an absolute discharge and leaves the courthouse with no criminal record. The Riders issue a news release stating Tillman will relinquish day-to-day control of football operations for the club.

Jan. 6 - USA beats Canada 6-5 in overtime of the gold medal game of the 2010 WJHC in Saskatoon.

Jan. 8 - Eric Tillman resigns as GM of the Rider football club. Also, DE John Chick signs with the Indianapolis Colts. Not a red letter day.

Jan. 12 - Colten Teubert is named captain of the Regina Pats.

Jan. 21 - Brendan Taman is named GM of the Roughriders.

Jan. 26 - Kent Austin leaves Ole Miss to become head football coach at Cornell.

Jan. 30 - The Regina Pats beat the Moose Jaw Warriors 7-4 in TransCanada Clash III.

Feb. 2 - Don Narcisse is named to the 2010 induction class for the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Feb. 4 - Paul Lapolice is named head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Feb. 9 - David Braley buys the Toronto Argonauts.

Feb. 28 - Canada beats the USA 3-2 in overtime to win Olympic gold in mens hockey in Vancouver.

Mar. 5 - Montreal's Marc Trestman is named CFL Coach of the Year.

Mar. 10 - QB Darian Durant signs an extension with the Riders will free agent RB Wes Cates re-signs with the club.

Mar. 15 - Jordan Eberle scores his 50th goal of the season in the Regina Pats' final game of the year in Brandon.

Mar. 18 - Bill Toffan rejoins the Wolf 104.9 FM after a 10-year absence.

May 5 - The Riders select Shomari Williams with the #1 overall pick in the CFL Draft.

May 7 - Brent Parker vacates Pats GM position to become team President.

May 17 - The Sports Cage debuts on 620 CKRM.

May 28 - Chad Lang is named GM of the Regina Pats.

June 9 - Chicago wins the Stanley Cup, beating Philadelphia in Game 6.

June 23 - Rider great Ron Atchison passes away.

July 5 - Bob Probert passes away at age 45.

July 22 - CKRM and the Regina Pats announce a 3-year extension and Dan Plaster is named voice of the Pats.

Aug. 2 - The SJHL hires Mitchell Blair as their Director of Communications.

Aug. 14 - The Swift Current Indians beat the Regina Red Sox to take the WMBL crown.

Aug. 24 - Garrett Mitchell is named captain of the Pats.

Sept. 14 - Eric Tillman is named GM of the Edmonton Eskimos.

Oct. 6 - Avonlea, SK is named "Riderville".

Oct. 31 - Saskatoon Hilltops beat the Regina Thunder 32-24 in the PFC final at Gordie Howe Bowl.

Nov. 12 - Edmonton Eskimos fire Richie Hall.

Nov. 6 - Calgary Dinos beat the Regina Rams 40-33 in a Canada West football semifinal.

Nov. 29 - Montreal beats Saskatchewan 21-18 in the 98th Grey Cup in Edmonton.

Dec. 2 - Ken Miller steps down as coach of the Riders.

What's next...?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
RP

SUNDAY SPORTS

All the talk is of a Canada-U.S. revenge match-up at the world junior hockey championship, but national team head coach Dave Cameron doesn't want to hear about the Americans just yet.

''Let's not get ahead of ourselves here and anoint a Canada-U.S. final,'' said the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors coach who served as an assistant on the 2009 gold medal team and last year's silver medallist squad. ''Let's slow it down.

''We've got a lot of good teams to play prior to that, so I'm not excited to talk about the U.S. and us and blah, blah, blah. We've got a lot of work to do before we get there.''

It starts with the Russia, which Canada plays on the opening day of competition at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y., on Sunday (TSN, 4 p.m. ET), where there no doubt will be a strong contingent of Canuck fans from just across the border.

The tournament officially known as the IIHF World Under-20 Championship has become a holiday season staple for Canadian hockey fans, and TSN drew a record 5.4 million viewers for last year's final.

Catch the game at Regina's Press Box Sports Bar where today they feature 35 cent wings and $5 pints!

---

Mark Messier earned his pilot's licence last year and as he prepares to lead Canada into the Spengler Cup, he's finding many similarities between flying a plane and coaching a hockey team.

The Hall of Famer will be drawing on some of his cockpit skills to help his game management behind the bench when the annual international tournament opens Boxing Day in Davos, Switzerland.

With just four games of elite-level coaching under his belt — all accumulated with Canadian teams that went a combined 2-2 at the Swiss Challenge and Deutschland Cup last month — Messier is still very much learning the craft.

The challenge of improving on last year's fourth-place finish at the Spengler Cup begins Monday, when Canada plays its opener against the loser of Sunday's contest between host team HC Davos and Russian club Spartak Moscow. The Canadians play the winner of that match Tuesday ahead of the quarter-finals Wednesday.

---

Catch today's NFL action on the big screens at the 4 Seasons Sports Palace!  Kick it off with their fabulous Sunday brunch featuring bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit and more..
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Jay Feely's 48-yard field goal barely cleared the crossbar with 5 seconds to go to thwart a big Dallas rally and give the Cardinals a 27-26 victory over the Cowboys on Saturday night.

Dallas (5-10) rallied from 18 points down to take a 26-24 lead when Stephen McGee, in his first NFL game, threw 45 yards to Miles Austin for a touchdown with 1:46 to play. But David Buehler's extra point went wide left and was no good.

Arizona (5-10) was in deep trouble after the kickoff, but rookie John Skelton, on fourth-and-15 from the Cardinals 19, threw 26 yards to fellow rookie Max Komar. Then the Cardinals slipped into Feely's range. Feely, who had a 49-yarder earlier, has missed three kicks all season, including a 49-yard attempt Saturday night.

---

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - LeBron James had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while hitting a season-high five three-pointers, and the Miami Heat thrived on the holiday stage in a 96-80 victory over Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

Chris Bosh had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Dwyane Wade added 18 points on a sore knee for the Heat, who won for the 14th time in 15 games while flustering the defending champions into a terrible offensive performance.

(The Canadian Press)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS-SERVATIONS

Merry Christmas! Let's take a break from the holiday season to discuss some observations from the local sports scene heading into the weekend...

- The Roughriders will head into the holiday season - it appears - without a head coach. And that's okay. Although many people are asking 'what the heck are they waiting for?', I'm sure there's a master plan in place. When you and yours are gathered around the Christmas tree and are talking Riders this weekend, just remember this football team is in GREAT shape. They've appeared in three of the past four Grey Cups and have had 10-or-more wins for the past four seasons which hasn't happened in 40 years. We've got a great franchise - let's not waste our time nitpicking it to death! Enjoy it!!

- Tuesday night was the annual Christmas party at the spacious residence of Regina Pats head scout Todd Ripplinger and it was there that I spent at least an hour chatting with first year Pats GM Chad Lang. It's the most I've ever spoken with the man and I have to say I came away extremely impressed with his plan, his conviction and his confidence. The Regina Pats are in good hands with Chad Lang.

- Credit where it's due: Marc Crawford and Joe Nieuwendyk have done a fabulous job with my Dallas Stars. And who ever thought Jamie Benn was THAT tough? Did you see him teach Jarome Iginla a lesson last night?

- Nothing against James Duthie because he's an outstanding person and award-winning broadcaster but having Dave Hodge host the NHL on TSN last night was a real treat. Duthie was busy doing his thing on TSN2 with the Canada-Finland game (a 5-2 Canada win) so Hodge pinch-hit on the Montreal-Carolina game. Perhaps it's just me, but I feel Dave Hodge is Canada's finest broadcaster.

- I guess while we're passing out Christmas bouquets, let's toss one to CTV Regina noon hour sportscaster Don Hewitt. He gave us a chuckle this week when he said on the noon sports "And for John Lynch, there is no Santa Claus as long as the Roughriders are without a coach". Hewitt's right of course, as John Frenzy is fit to be tied while the process drags on and on.

- Mitchell "Scruffy" Blair reports he saw Rider coaching candidate Greg Marshall in Regina on Thursday.

- It's definitely something I hate in the off-season ... us in the media chasing our tails regarding these coaching hirings. Seriously why is the interview process so public? Just call a news conference and we'll be there.

- Got a tip yesterday that Rider U.S. scout Joe Womack is for sure heading to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

- Parity in the CFL will be at an all-time high in 2011. The B.C. Lions showed they are on the right track with young QB Travis Lulay carrying the team on his back into the playoffs. The Calgary Stampeders are a team loaded with perennial all-stars who have significant motivation coming back after the Riders knocked them out of the playoffs the past two years. The Edmonton Eskimos WILL be better under their new coaching staff and the presence of Eric Tillman will rub off. We expect the Riders to continue their roll as well so there are exciting times ahead.

- Out East, Montreal's the top organization in the league so they'll be good in 2011. The Toronto Argonauts experienced a tremendous turnaround under Jim Barker and you can only expect them to continue. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers HAVE to be better in year 2 under Paul Lapolice, don't they? The only real concern is Hamilton where Marcel Bellefeuille's coordinators have, or are looking to, jump ship (Mike Gibson, Greg Marshall) and the team is in the middle of an ugly stadium debate. And it comes just when you thought the Tabbies had turned things around.

- For the first time ever we are hosting the annual Pedersen Christmas Eve get-together at our house tonight. It's going to be great! And the thing I'm most excited about is that I get to control the TV.

- What's the bigger video scandal the past few years in the NFL - Bill Belichik taping the Jets' signals or Rex Ryan taping his wife's feet?

- Related to that, I go back and forth on this one: is a public person's private life their business or the rest of the world's? I prefer to think what a coach, player or broadcaster does on their own time away from the stadium, park or arena should NOT be fodder for the public. However I was furious when Miley Cyrus was secretly videotaped smoking dope because of the influence she has on my 10-year old. However if I defend the athletes, then I can't really get mad at pothead Cyrus. Your thoughts?

- If you need a football fix throughout the winter, 2010 episodes of In The Huddle are available On Demand from Access. Check 'em out if you have a digital box.

- Patrick King of Rogers Sportsnet reports the Lethbridge Hurricanes have plenty of competition to host the 2012 Memorial Cup. King reports the other teams interested in bidding to host the CHL championship are Saskatoon, Prince George and Moose Jaw for sure and possibly Kelowna and Everett as well.

- The Canadian Press reports Senator Larry Smith may have fumbled out of the gate. The outgoing Montreal Alouettes President is being slammed for stating he is taking a "dramatic, catastrophic paycut" to serve the public. Smith made the comment on CBC Wednesday.

- Also from the Canadian Press: are you interested in a round of golf with Tiger Woods? One lucky amateur golfer will get to do just that at the pro am tournament which precedes the Dubai Desert Classic in February. You can enter at http://www.golfindubai.org/. But men must have a handicap of 18 or below and women 26 or below.

- How could anyone dislike Brett Favre? Sexting aside, the guy makes the NFL better and the Minnesota Vikings are unwatchable without the guy. You've got to know that #4 is going to hang it up after this season but sure wouldn't if he came back for one more shot in 2011 with the Dallas Cowboys.

- I hear that Viking mascot guy (bald on top with the long hair, beard and fur outfit) who rides his hog onto the field before games is actually from Winnipeg and drives down to Minnesota for each game. Can anyone confirm this?

- If you need supplies for a Christmas Day party, the 4 Seasons Sports Palace cold beer and wine store is open noon to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day.

- I have an addictive personality and during my vacation time I have become addicted to Keeping Up With The Kardashians on E!. Because of this, I am NOT such a Kim Kardashian fan anymore. And Bruce Jenner is such a chach!!

- Funniest moment of the week came from Olympic gold medal curler Ben Hebert who called to say he received a mass email going around asking him to vote for Jordan Eberle in the rodpedersen.com Regina Athlete of the Year contest. So he came to the blog and saw his OWN name on the list of athletes!! Ha ha, no word on who Ben voted for.

- Speaking of polls, congratulations to our good friend Pete Paczko for being named the Regina Minor Football Coach of the Year! That's no small feat. And also congrats to Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall for being named the Business News Network's Newsmaker of the Year. Colonel Russell Williams won that honour for the Canadian Press.

- There will be NO Press Box Sports Bar Friday lunch buffett as the joint is closed Christmas Eve and Day for the staff to enjoy with their families however the P.B. invites you down to watch Canada-Russia on Boxing Day at the World Juniors!!

- THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY. THANKS FOR READING AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!
RP

CANADA 5 FINLAND 2

KITCHENER, Ont. -- Mark Visentin or Olivier Roy?

That's the question going into Sunday's clash between Canada and Russia to open the world junior championship.

And if anyone on the Canadian team knows the answer of who will get the start in goal Boxing Day inBuffalo, N.Y., they weren't saying after Thursday's final exhibition game, a 5-2 win over Finland.

"We'll wait and see. I don't know yet," Visentin said after making 18 saves to pick up his secondexhibition victory as Canada finished its warmup schedule 3-0.

"We're just getting over the game right now. I'm sure we'll find out(soon)."

Roy sat on the bench for Thursday, and though he showed his worth in Tuesday's 4-1 win against Sweden,five days is long time between starts in a tournament where every game counts.

There was a lot of talk before the Finland game about who would start, or if the goalies would split thetime.

"Whether I played half, didn't play at all or played the full game, to me it was just to focus on the taskat hand," Visintin added. "The task given to me was the full game and I'm really happy we won."

Canada head coach Dave Cameron wasn't tipping his hand with the media afterwards.

"What's a conundrum' Somebody said I had a goalie conundrum. Is that bad'" Cameron mused.

"This has been an ongoing thing through the summer camp, through the regular season, through these threegames. It won't be my decision alone, like everything else it will be a coaching staff decision."

Besides deciding on their goaltender, the Canadian team will have to get its power play in order aftergoing 2-for-7 with the man advantage Thursday.

(Courtesy the Canadian Press)

TSN'S WJHC BREAKDOWN

Toronto, ON (December 23, 2010) – With less than a week to go until the start of the 2011 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP on TSN, the debates are heating up about this year's version of Team Canada and how the team will fare against the world's best in its quest to claim the gold medal they lost in heartbreaking fashion in the 2010 tournament.

TSN's World Juniors broadcast team of Gord Miller and Pierre McGuire, along with host James Duthie and Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie, will be on site in Buffalo from December 26 to January 5 to break down all the action and provide in-depth analysis throughout the tournament. But first, they weighed in on some of the most intriguing topics surrounding the tournament. Here is what they had to say:

Bob McKenzie, Hockey Insider:

· "Team Canada's strengths are balance and depth. The players who play on the fourth line have some pretty good offensive ability and the players who play on the first line are pretty good defensively. The two-way play of this team should be strong and there shouldn't be a big drop off between the so-called first line and the fourth line."

· "On paper, Canada's defence looks solid but Jared Cowen, who was No. 7 a year ago, has to prove he can play in the top four and Erik Gudbranson and Simon Despres, two NHL first-rounders, will have to be a lot better than they were at the evaluation camp. How the defence comes together is, in my opinion, Canada's No. 1 question mark going into the tournament."

· "The defending champion Americans, with eight returnees, are perceived as the favourites. But Canada doesn't face the Americans in the preliminary round, so the most immediate threats are Russia, the opponent on opening day on December 26, and Sweden, Canada's opponent on New Year's Eve. The Russians could have as many as nine returning players."

Pierre McGuire, Game Analyst:

· "Head coach Dave Cameron will have a strong impact on Team Canada because of his experience at the World Juniors. He won a gold medal working under Pat Quinn as an assistant coach in 2009 in Ottawa, and he took home a silver medal last year working under Willie Desjardins in Saskatoon. Cameron is a no-nonsense communicator and he understands that his team has to have balance to win."

· "The one to watch for Team Canada is Louis Leblanc, who plays for the Montreal Juniors. He is an excellent skating right winger with a fantastic shot, a pure nose for the net and great determination. He is a first-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens, and he is not intimidated by big moments."

· "Team Canada's weakness right now is that there isn't one pure star player that can take over a game offensively. However, this doesn't mean it can't be done by committee. I think this year's team is very similar to the one that won gold in Vancouver in 2006."

Gord Miller, Play-by-Play Announcer:

· "Team Canada's strengths are its goaltending and defence, with three returnees on the blue line and a defensive minded coach in Dave Cameron."

· "Jaden Schwartz of Colorado College in the NCAA could be a player to watch on Team Canada. He's a freshman who's one of the top scorers in college hockey."

· "I would look at Adam Larsson of Sweden as a potential breakout player in the tournament. He's a returning defenceman and it's his draft year; he's poised to make a big impact."

James Duthie, Host:

· "Team Canada's toughest opponent? Easy – the Americans. It's simple math. Cam Fowler is Team USA's only eligible player not available for the tournament. Team Canada doesn't have Duchesne, Kane, Hall, Skinner, etc. The Americans are also experienced, skilled, ridiculously fast, and are at home. They deserve to be the favourite."

· "I think the sleeper in this tournament, if you can call them that, is Sweden. They looked really good last year but crashed hard in the medal round. With everyone looking at the U.S. and Canada, they could be a surprise."

· "The burden of keeping the gold medal streak alive weighed heavily on the last few Canadian teams. This group doesn't have that, and is an underdog to the U.S. – little mental advantages like that matter in a short tournament."

HAVE A SAFE CHRISTMAS

Accident on Albert Street Thursday morning. Hopefully everyone's okay..

PATS' BELL NAMED TO TOP PROSPECTS ROSTER

The list of the top 40 draft-elligible CHL players which will compete in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game January 19 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto was released Wednesday afternoon. Included on the list is 17-year old Regina Pats defenceman Myles Bell.

TEAM DON CHERRY (Red)
Forwards (12):
Sean Couturier, Drummondville Voltigeurs
Phillip Danault, Victoriaville Tigres
Nicklas Jensen, Oshawa Generals
Tomas Jurco, Saint John Sea Dogs
Gabriel Landeskog, Kitchener Rangers
Mark McNeill, Prince Albert Raiders
Matthew Puempel, Peterborough Petes
Rickard Rakell, Plymouth Whalers
Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks
Tobias Rieder, Kitchener Rangers
Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts
Ryan Strome, Niagara IceDogs
 
Defencemen (6):
Myles Bell, Regina Pats
Scott Harrington, London Knights
Joe Morrow, Portland Winterhawks
Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers
Duncan Siemens, Saskatoon Blades
Tyler Wotherspoon, Portland Winterhawks
 
Goaltenders (2):
Christopher Gibson, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
David Honzik, Victoriaville Tigres
 
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach -Don Cherry
Assistant Coach - Brian Kilrea, Ottawa 67's
Assistant Coach - Bert O'Brien
  
TEAM BOBBY ORR (White) 
Forwards (12):
Sven Bartschi, Portland Winterhawks
Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs
Colin Jacobs, Seattle Thunderbirds
Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals
Lucas Lessio, Oshawa Generals
Shane McColgan, Kelowna Rockets
Vladislav Namestnikov, London Knights
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Red Deer Rebels
Zack Phillips, Saint John Sea Dogs
Brandon Saad, Saginaw Spirit
Vincent Trocheck, Saginaw Spirit
 
Defencemen (6):
Nathan Beaulieu, Saint John Sea Dogs
Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs
David Musil, Vancouver Giants
Xavier Ouellet, Montreal Juniors
Stuart Percy, Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
Reece Scarlett, Swift Current Broncos
 
Goaltenders (2):
Jordan Binnington, Owen Sound Attack
Liam Liston, Brandon Wheat Kings
 
Coaching Staff:
Head Coach - Doug Gilmour, Kingston Frontenacs
Assistant Coach - Stan Butler, Brampton Battalion

TAMAN QUOTES

Here's our weekly update from Rider GM Brendan Taman from Wednesday morning's media scrum at Mosaic Stadium:

Q. How important is it to have re-signed Mike McCullough?

TAMAN: Very. He's one of the most important Canadians we have on this team. He does a lot of things on and off the team that are huge to us. He would've been a guy we'd have a hard time replacing.

Q. Is he the most under-rated guy on the team or even in the CFL?

TAMAN: I'm a little biased but I'd probably agree with you. I think he is. He's very, very special in what he does and doesn't get a lot of recognition. Mike's smart and he's a great team guy. He understands the team concept and that's what makes this team so good. You've got guys like him that buy into that so those two attributes are pretty special.

Q. How's the search for a new head coach?

TAMAN: We're pretty much the first phase. Now we'll sit down and go to the next phase which is narrowing it down to two or three people and bring them back over the next period of time. The challenge right now is Christmas, which is a special time. We're right in line with where we thought we'd be. It's going to take a little bit yet. I don't want to put a date on it but likely (the New Year).

Q. How many did you interview?

TAMAN: I don't want to get into numbers. We interviewed a lot, obviously. We want to get it down to two or three and see where it goes. The shortlist will get done this afternoon.

Q. Do you have a favourite?

TAMAN: Kenny and I have two or three guys we really like. To narrow it down to 'the guy', that's the challenging part. We'll have to do another set of questions and see where it goes.

Q. Are George Cortez and/or Tom Higgins on the list?

TAMAN: Well George is employed in the NFL and there was a notion we were waiting for the NFL season but that isn't true. Tom has made his interest known and we'll see where it goes. Anybody who's inquired into the job is a person of interest. Whether they make it onto the shortlist, we'll see.

Q. Is Bob Wylie in the mix?

TAMAN: Bob has made his feelings known.

Q. What are the factors to get onto the shortlist?

TAMAN: There are a lot of things that go into that. We've done a pretty thorough job with that with the questions we've asked. The ability to lead a team and carry on what we have going here is the simplest way I can answer that. That's not easy to answer in one little form. A guy that's going to win and knows this organization are the keys.

Q. Has your list changed from when you started?

TAMAN: Yah a little bit. There were some guys we were interested in that we scratched off due to their lack of interest or it didn't work out for whatever reason. And there are guys who've surprised us who've gotten into the process more than we thought.

Q. Are you interested in Scott Milanovich?

TAMAN: I thought we offered him the job? Scott was here this week and we had a really good visit and whether he gets to the shortlist, we'll see.

Q. What about all the speculation on this hiring due to blogs and so forth?

TAMAN: I don't worry about that. If I did I'd go crazy. I just do my job with Kenny and we'll see where it goes. The innuendos and rumours, I don't get it into it.

Q. Is the list two or three?

TAMAN: We've got two and we might get it to three. We'll discuss that this afternoon.