The Spectacular 1st Annual PiTB Free Agency Day Meta-LiveBlog Spectacular!

It has officially come to this. Birthed from the twin brains of Skeeter and Harrison, two guys with a knack for the written word and an unhealthy obsession with the Vancouver Canucks, Pass it to Bulis! was born. But it wasn't simply enough to write about the Canucks. Essaying is so far removed from the pulse of drama-heavy days such as free agency. It has to be a live blog. It has to. Don't try to change our minds. We can't be tamed.

But what sets our LiveBlog apart from all the others you could read today? Well, first, nobody's reading this one. So there's that. But here's the real prize: this is a Meta-LiveBlog. What does that mean? Well, it means we're not actually LiveBlogging free agency. We're actually LiveBlogging ourselves, watching TSN's Free Agent Frenzy. Sure, we'll report the news, but you can find that anywhere. Don't worry, you won't miss any news (unless the Canucks Message Boards' Trades & Rumours subforum crashes for the afternoon, which it always does). What you'll get here are updates about when Pierre McGuire stands too close to Darren Dutchyshen; when Duthie cuts away to a panel that has nothing to say, and isn't aware they're on; when Darren Dreger tweets the news, live on television, from his blackberry, without telling us until he's done. You'll also hear our immediate reactions to Canucks moves and non-moves; when Skeeter and I are hungry; when our wives begin asking us to stop this nonsense.

Bookmark this page. Refresh it often. Join the conversation. Argue with us--we're dumb and stubborn. The newest updates will appear at the top. The LiveBlog begins at 8:45am.

Byfuglien Trade Has Glorious Karmic Factor

Short post, but I had to get something off my chest. I detest Dustin Byfuglien. As hockey players go, he's the scum of the earth. Is this a rivalry thing? Not really. Here's the thing: I believe it is beyond disrespectful to taunt the fans of your opponent when you score. And don't get me wrong. I'm no Don Cherry. Celebrate with your teammates--celebrate flamboyantly, even--but celebrate with your teammates. Don't celebrate as a show for the fans who, with that goal, you deflated and devastated. Don't revel in breaking their hearts. Revel in your success with the others that helped make it possible. I lost any respect I had for Dustin Byfuglien, even as the frustratingly talented nemesis of my team, when he taunted the fans of Vancouver. I was further incensed when he did the same to the fans in Buffalo. I wished all manner of harm upon him.

So it was, with unbridled glee, that I celebrated the news last week that he had been traded, in a massive deal, to the armpit of the hockey world, Atlanta. First of all, being traded apparently sucks, and I always sympathize for the players. But, in this case, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. where he will be expected to replace Ilya Kovalchuk and fail hilariously, be called out for having an albatross of a contract, forced to play with players that are not Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, and deal with terrible management. All of these things, in themselves, are wonderful.

But the most wonderful is the karmic factor. Look at these attendance numbers: nobody goes to games in Atlanta. They were third-worst in attendance last year. This year, without Kovalchuk, they are likely to drop a space or two. Byfuglien will be playing in an empty arena. What better justice for a player who systematically disrespects fans who pay to watch him play than to take those fans away. I am giddy.

College Hockey Computer Game!!!!

I just found this game made by "Inklings" on the USCHO forums. It was made in 2007/2008, so the rosters are from the 2006-07 season. So, you have the seniors who just graduated (Mario, Schreiber, etc.) and some of your favorite older players (Fox, Caffaro, Cook). The game is based on the NHL 93 game, so the graphics aren't good. But, the game is a lot of fun. Hey, are there any other games out there where you can play as Union College? Check out the post from "Inklings" here to learn how to download the game and play it (it's pretty simple). I have attached a video of the game from YouTube, but if you can't see it click here. This is the ECAC/CHA version, but there is also a Hockey East/WCHA version. Enjoy!

Here is What Will Happen Tomorrow

So tomorrow is free agency day in the NBA and the NHL, and we're about to witness two of the most disparate free agent frenzies in the history of the world.

First, the NHL free agent frenzy. Have you seen this bumper crop? I mean, Sheldon Brookbank! Wowie zowie! Yeah, that's sarcasm. The big names tomorrow are Anton Volchenkov and Dan Hamhuis, two defenseman who will probably make between four and five million dollars to be the headline guy on a second pairing. If you want to go big, there's also Ilya Kovalchuk, who has received 6 Hart trophy votes since the lockout, to Henrik Sedin's 894, and he's asking for about 7 million a season. Any team that signs him is foolish. Indications are that he will succeed in a vacuum wherein the rest of your team will not succeed for lack of discipline, cohesion, and cap space.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that, while there will be fireworks, they will be at your local park, because it's Canada Day. They will not be in the NHL.

The Canucks are supposed to be busy tomorrow. I hope so. Mike Gillis has promised that they are not done, and he'd better come through on that. The Canucks need at least one proven forward for their third line, be he a center or a winger. I suspect one of Cody Hodgson, Sergei Shirokov, or Jordan Schroeder are expected to make the team and have already been penciled in on the line. Maybe Oreskovich or Hansen could take another spot. Maybe. But there's no third line at all unless Gillis gets a guy that guarantees Tanner Glass spends 100% less of his time with the team playing there. I'd love to see a big-name forward with some size and grit join the team tomorrow. So would Mike Gillis. But, in two years with Gillis, we've seen that it's easier said than done. And Gillis has a tendency to scoop up guys in early July that nobody gives a rip about. Sometimes they pan out. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they almost do. Expect more Ryan Johnsons than Ilya Kovalchuks tomorrow.

Basically, what I'm saying is that if you're counting on NHL free agency to blow your mind, you're looking at the wrong league that utilizes a three-letter acronym beginning with N. The NBA is where it's at.

Tomorrow is going to be insane. Have you seen their list of free agents? Here's Ball Don't Lie's top 25. Basically, everybody is. Lebron James. Chris Bosh. This afternoon alone, all the guys with option years opted out. Dirk Nowitki. Paul Pierce. Amar'e Stoudemire. It's going to be like when you edit rosters in NHL 2001, and you just move guys around to wank about. More guys switching teams than a class of freshman theater majors.

I'll be following both. I'm expecting the NHL to fizzle. I'm expecting the NBA to sizzle. Combined together, it's going to be an awesome day.

Port Huron granted NAHL franchise

The North American Hockey League has announced that its Board of Governors has accepted the membership application for an expansion team in Port Huron.

The team will begin play this coming season and play its home games out of the 3,373-seat McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center in Port Huron.

“From both a geographical and historical perspective, Michigan is such an integral part of our league and we’re excited to welcome a market like Port Huron that champions such a long and storied hockey tradition,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. “And, with an ownership group committed to both its players’ and the community’s success, along with a first-rate facility, we’re looking forward to carrying on that proud tradition for years to come.”

Hat Trick Hockey, LLC, which is led by Maribeth Hayes, the organization’s chief executive officer, and Ernie Hicke, who will serve as the club head coach and general manager, owns the team.

“Maribeth and I are excited about the upcoming hockey season in the beautiful city of Port Huron and are fortunate to have established a great working relationship with (McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center general manager) Randy Fernandez and all the people of McMorran Place,” said Hicke.“We look forward to the challenge of initiating a new team in the NAHL and working with the people in the community. Our goal is to produce a competitive team and one that Port Huron will be proud to support.”

Hicke, a Regina, Saskatchewan native, has been involved in hockey for over 50 years as a player, coach, scout and owner. He enjoyed a 14-year professional playing career, most notably in the NHL with the Oakland Seals, Atlanta Flames, New York Islanders, Minnesota North Stars and Los Angeles Kings.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center is a three building complex consisting of an arena, pavilion and theatre. It annually hosts hundreds of successful conventions, trade shows, concerts, banquets, ice shows, corporate meetings and seminars, as well as hockey for all ages.

“We’re very fortunate and pleased to welcome the North American Hockey League to the Port Huron community and the McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center,” said Fernandez. “The NAHL offers an exciting brand of hockey and we couldn’t be happier to serve as home to a team that will boast some of the best up-and-coming players in the world.”

“The NAHL is lucky to showcase many of the top facilities in all of junior hockey and the McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center is no exception,” said Frankenfeld. “From its size to its aesthetics, it’s an ideal venue for our league backed by a first-class management team.”

Port Huron is the fourth NAHL team to call Michigan home, joining the first-year Michigan Warriors, Motor City Metal Jackets and Traverse City North Stars.

“The addition of Port Huron fortifies our Michigan partners and provides another great hockey community for the North Division,” said Bill McCoshen, the NAHL’s North Division executive committee member and president of the Janesville Jets.

“Not only does the addition of Port Huron strengthen our North Division footprint, it brings more opportunities for players in a region that year after year develops some of the brightest young collegiate and professional prospects,” said Frankenfeld.

For more information on the NAHL’s Port Huron team, visit PortHuronNAHL.com.

Arbitration May Be Good to Mason Raymond, Bad for Shane O'Brien

You might have already heard that the Canucks have qualified eight restricted free agents. Maybe you don't know exactly what that means. If so, you're not alone. But, as far as I understand, the qualifying offer is an 105% increase on what players made the previous year which, when tendered, retains their private negotiation rights. From there, the player and the team can bicker over what the actual contract will be.

And bicker they will. Few people care, I would imagine, what Tanner Glass will be paid. A lot more people care what Mason Raymond will make, because the arguments vary from between 2 million and 4 million. That is a massive disparity in dollars, especially considering that it's exactly the amount we just cleared off the books by jettisoning Steve Bernier. Wojtek Wolksi's recent signing, at 3.8 million per season, a possible comparable, does not bode well for the penny-pinchers among us like, say, Mike Gillis. So it's no surprise that this one's likely going to arbitration.

Arbitration is a scary word. Our friends on the radio often like to cite the Brendan Morrison arbitration hearing, in which he was compared to a mouse riding on the back of an elephant. Like a trip to the dentist, sensitive areas get poked all too often, and enemies for life can be made. In more recent history, however, Kyle Wellwood's arbitration hearing went pretty decently last year, so maybe it will be nice. I would imagine somebody will hit up Costco for a fruit platter, and everybody will, at the very least, get to share some fresh pineapple. Raymond will likely be told about his common tendency to overlook his linemates, or that his go-to move of squeaking past the defenseman along the boards, cycling the zone and giving it to the defenseman with nowhere to go is not impressive. But if he can handle those criticisms, he'll probably have a nice time.

It does not sound like a good time for Shane O'Brien, who, reports say, is much more hesitant to go to arbitration. In his own words:

“Hopefully I don’t have to go to arb and, from what I heard, it’s not a pleasant process [...] They’ve probably got a lot of material they can use against me so it probably wouldn’t work too well.”

Yes, they do. Notice here that Shane O'Brien is so scared of the word arbitration that he doesn't even say it. Arb could be anything from arboriculture to Arby's, both of which are intimidating, unpleasant institutions.

He's right to assume it will be unpleasant for him. Probably because he's better known for busting out the guns than toning and trimming fat from them. The case to be made against SOB in arbitration might be too true, too sobering. And sometimes SOB prefers not to be sober. That he's aware of this is a good thing, and he's likely to sign a favorable contract rather than be forced to confront the man in the mirror. If he can improve his play at all, he'll be a stellar sixth defenseman on a nice, low, short contract. I hope he does, because I like Shane O'Brien, and his intensity and emotion during playoff time will be missed if he goes elsewhere.

The Dreaded Two-Goal Lead, Vol. 1: NHL Awards Review

This feature is titled "The Dreaded Two-Goal Lead" because everybody knows that having a two-goal lead at any point in a hockey game is a guaranteed loss. Two-goal leads are impossibly easy to come back from. In this case, I haven't written much on PiTB since the Canucks were ousted from the playoffs, and there's a lot to catch up on. Much like an ice hockey team coming from two goals down, I'm going to catch up effortlessly, starting right now.

This feature is numbered Volume 1 because I imagine this won't be the last time I fall a bit behind in my coverage. I'm a writer who loves the Vancouver Canucks, and my urge to give away my writing for free wanes when my team isn't winning. But enough is enough. Things have been happening, and my opinion on these things must be known, even if I have to... self-motivate.


Henrik Sedin won the Hart


Did you hear about this? Yeah. It was pretty big news. Faced with some pretty stiff competition in Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, Henrik Sedin went all HenKik on them, dispatching the NHL's two best players like they were twin Blankas. The most interesting thing about his speech, I think, was when he thanked every player that had mentored he and Daniel over the years. It was neat hearing him name Trent Klatt alongside Trevor Linden, Matthias Ohlund, Markus Naslund, and it's a validation of media reports that these guys really went out of their way to acclimatize, educate and develop Daniel and Henrik. Hats off to the entire Canucks organization for this trophy win, as growing a player, over a decade, from the draft to the Hart is no easy feat and it's not done alone. Henrik's speech hinted at this beautifully and it was a great moment for Canucks fans everywhere. I'm still not convinced he deserved to win, but why gripe now that we have the league's most valuable player for 4 million less per year than Ilya Kovalchuk (allegedly) wants?

I'll gripe briefly. The Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart trophy rarely sync up. Is that not strange? Is the disparity between "league's best player" and "team's most valuable player" really that large? Apparently, yes. Let's be honest. The vague wording of the Hart trophy means that I could argue for anybody from Henrik Sedin to Miikka Kiprusoff as its winner. In relative terms, Kiprusoff could have more individual impact on the Flames than Henrik had on the Canucks. Obviously, the Canucks were the better team, and Henrik's impact is far more statisically measurable, but still, the wording for the award leaves this wide open. That the argument for Henrik rested primarily on this phrasing proves that the phrasing isn't the greatest, not that Henrik is. Semantics aside, I am over the moon for Hank. And speaking of wording, will somebody please tell Jacques Lemaire that Sedin doesn't rhyme with redden?

Ryan Kesler did not win the Selke

Let's be honest: in some sense, this was the best season of Ryan Kesler's career, but in another sense, 2010 has probably been the worst year of his life, what with all the heartbreaking losses he's suffered after coming so frigging close. The Selke, the playoffs, the Olympic gold medal game... this is a guy that hates to lose, and did nothing but losing, humiliatingly, all season long. And nobody wanted it more. As an avid Settlers of Catan player, I understand this all too well. It's like having no wheat, or having the thief on your only source of wheat, when all you need to win the game is one effing wheat. Could Keith Ballard be that wheat?

I might be more unhappy about the Selke voting than I am about the Hart. I don't know that Kesler deserved this award, but I do think that Pavel Datsyuk won this award on reputation. Granted, his takeaway numbers are the highest, but that's because he's a shifty bugger, not because he's the best defensive forward in the NHL. I'd give this more explanation, but why don't you read this post at Kukla's Korner instead.

Also, this Video Was Pretty Funny


Yes, yes it was. Ryan Getzlaf's deadpan delivery was hilarious. Bobby Ryan's petulance was also quite amusing. I think my favourite moment was when Getzlaf uses Ryan's medal as a coaster, and then says to him, "Sorry, I didn't' recognize it, it wasn't gold." Good on these two to agree to do this, as it was the highlight of an NHL awards show that should have been hosted by Aziz Ansari and not Jay Mohr. Just saying.

Here's hoping that this isn't the last awards show to prominently feature some Canucks. Next year, I'd like to see Luongo return to Vezina form, Hodgson or Schroeder get some Calder consideration, and Shane O'Brien tone up so much he gets a nod for the Masterton. And come on, if he's back wearing the Orca, it's about time that Welly got some love for the Lady Byng. He;s so soft, when he goes into the corners, he serves his opponents glasses of water fresh from a mountain stream, like in that Van Morrison song.

WAC expansion on hold for at least two years

With Boise State set to depart the Western Athletic Conference after next season, the league officially announced today it will not replace the Broncos with another team . . . at least for the time being.The WAC today announced it will not make a decision on expansion until July 1, 2012, at the earliest, leaving the conference with eight teams in the 2011-12 season.Since Idaho doesn't play

Canucks Acquire Keith Ballard, Confuse Fanbase

Ladies and gentlemen, Keith Ballard.

There is a definite possibility that you have not yet heard the news that Keith Ballard now plays for the Vancouver Canucks. It happened last Friday, just before the NHL entry draft, but I'm sure you don't care about when--you care about what went the other way. Well, let's fill you in: in exchange for the right to move Keith Ballard's couch to Yaletown as well as some dude named Victor Oreskovich, the Canucks parted ways with Michael Grabner, Steve Bernier, and their 1st round pick in the draft.

I know what you're feeling right now: confusion. You're confused. Like Fox Mulder, you want to believe. Mike Gillis has earned our love and respect these past few years by making some pretty decent moves. The Mikael Samuelsson signing? Great move. The Christian Ehrhoff trade? Stellar move. Even many of his recent draftees appear to be laden with promise. In many respects, Mike Gillis has been good to us. But there is a dark side to Mike Gillis. It was likely his inner Sith Lord that traded a third-round pick for Andrew Alberts. Heck, perhaps it was that same evil force that thought Steve Bernier would be a force to be reckoned with. And let's be frank: the debate over whether or not the Mats Sundin signing was a good thing or a hilarious fiasco is about as tight as the Florida Recount. When you really think about it, Mike Gillis's track record is not going to help you determine whether or not you like this trade. Reputation is out, so let's do it the old-fashioned way. Let's do it how Ross chose between Julie and Rachel. Let's make a list of pros and cons.

PRO
The Canucks get a top-four defenseman they desperately need.

CON
The Canucks gave up their first-round draft pick to get him, meaning they didn't have a pick for the first three rounds of the draft.

PRO
It was, by Mike Gillis's assertion, a weak draft, and the Canucks' prospect pool is strong enough that he's comfortable being the first GM in Canucks' history to wait to draft anybody until round four. He was so cool with it that he drafted Patrick McNally in the fourth-round, a high-school student who's planning to go to Harvard after his senior year next year.

CON
The Canucks gave up Michael Grabner, who showed flashes of brilliance during his time with the Canucks this year. Though he seemed destined to spend his time scoring 30 goals a season in the AHL, he finally cracked the big lineup in 2009, scoring 11 points in 20 games. At times looked dangerous, especially skating with Mason Raymond and Ryan Kesler on what fans called the speed line. He also managed a pretty impressive hat trick in only his seventeenth NHL game. Now he looks like he might be a 30-goal-scorer in the NHL.

PRO
Grabner was deemed superfluous when Anton Rodin and Jordan Schroeder headed to Manitoba. Schroeder especially showed that he might be ready to surpass Grabner on the depth chart, especially considering what he did in Manitoba at the end of last season. Furthermore, the top-six appears fairly set, with Burrows and Samuelsson as the interchangeable right wings to complement the Sedins, and the speedy, tight-checking Raymond and Kesler unit. Where was Grabner supposed to go? He showed, in the playoffs last year, that he didn't have the nose for the net or the grit necessary to be a third-line guy. He was going back to Manitoba, where he would swiftly find himself battling other prospects to be the first call-up. There was a likelihood he would lose, and if he suffered any sort of setback, he'd never be worth what he was on Friday. Not only was Michael Grabner expendable, but he may have peaked in value to the Vancouver Canucks. Such is their sudden, supposed prospect depth at forward. Grabner may very well turn into a consistent top-six guy in Florida, but it wasn't going to happen here.

CON
The Canucks gave up Steve Bernier! He had the potential to be the next great power forward. As the former rights-holders of a guy named Cam Neely, Vancouver should be extra careful when trading away players with this sort of potential.

PRO
The Canucks got rid of Steve Bernier! Let's be honest. Bernier was perhaps the biggest bust Mike Gillis has made thus far. He was terrible. He missed more tap-ins than anyone, ever, and he was being paid 2 million a year to do exactly what Victor Oreskovich will do for $575,000. Don't get lost by his draft position or former pedigree: Bernier was a failure being paid for potential he had proven he couldn't fulfill. Rather than wait for this inevitability to be plain to everyone, Gillis shipped him out for much-needed capspace without losing any of the positives he would have brought: grit, size, and what I will heretofore refer to as fourthlinerness.

CON
Speaking of capspace, have you seen Keith Ballard's cap hit? He's making 4.2 million a season until 2015. This is a very long time considering we nobody seems to know exactly what he's going to bring us. In the best case scenario, he turns out like another Christian Ehrhoff, surprising everyone and making the Canucks the out-and-out winners in a foolish trade, but in the worst case scenario, he turns out like another Jay Bouwmeester and fizzles out after leaving Florida, the city that apparently ruins hockey players (see also: Jokinen, Olli). In this scenario, he sucks it up and makes life Hell for the Canucks when Christian Ehrhoff argues, during contract talks, that he's clearly worth more than Keith "Lame Duck" Mallard.

PRO
If Ballard works out, he should bring more to the table than Christian Ehrhoff. He is said to possess similar offensive abilities to Ehrhoff, along with Ehrhoff's missing element: grit. He should help the Canucks D-corps by adding some toughness and increasing the point-getting ability of one of the highest-scoring bluelines in the NHL last season. Ballard, it's said, is mean, perhaps teetering on batcrap insane. Well, maybe he isn't, but this Youtube video sure is. The long and the short of it is this: if Ballard pans out the way Gillis thinks he will, he'll be about a two/three defenseman, he'll cap what Ehrhoff asks for in negotiations, he'll give us some of the grit we were missing against the Chicago Blackhawks, he'll improve one of our greatest strengths, and he'll make us harder to play against. That's a lot to ask for, but that package of goodness is why this trade might make sense after all.

CON
This was clearly a cap dump by GM Dale Tallon, and speaking of general managers with enough credibility to assume that they won deals just because of who they are, a team that this guy assembled recently won the Stanley Cup. I heard this argument recently on a Kurtenblog podcast and I agree. From where I'm sitting, Dale Tallon dumping salary is unlike Doug Wilson dumping salary.

PRO
Actually, Dale Tallon did, like, forget to qualify a bunch of restricted free agents this one time, costing him team millions. Remember that? That's got to count for something.

CON
The Canucks now have five defenseman on the roster making over three million.

PRO
It appears Kevin Bieksa, who does some very good things, is expendable. He'd fetch, at worst, a forward skilled enough to play alongside our third-line center, be it Cody Hodgson, Jordan Schroeder, or our beloved Kyle Wellwood, back for a third tour. I've been sticking up for Kevin Bieska for two seasons now, but even I can't explain what in the Hell he's doing on this play. Juice is great, but he has a tendency to be a bonehead. I heard somewhere that Ballard is a faster, more reliable, equally mean version of Kevin Bieksa. If that's true, I'd be happy to see Bieksa go.

CON
Keith Ballard once threw a puck into his own net (video at the top), and, you've likely already seen the video of the time he accidentally Canseocoed his Tomas Vokoun in the face. Ballard might not be done with the helmet fires.

PRO
I'm a huge Canucks fan and everything is sunny until we get eliminated from the playoffs.


Final analysis: No idea, and though the radio, the newspapers, and the Internet have been abuzz with people weighing in, the truth is that they have no idea either. I don't think anybody's ever watched this guy play. Playing in Florida is a little like farting outdoors, in that it goes largely unnoticed. Now, Ballard appears to have generated a lot of interest, before the Canucks emerged as the highest bidder, so he's clearly got something teams want. If Ballard can be all the things people say he could be, he's a great acquisition. But that's a big if. It's a risky if, and nobody can give any reliable insight into its probability. That's scary, but considering the bullish, overinformed nature of Vancouver hockey punditry, it's downright bewildering. It's also frustrating for Canucks fans, who have grown used to a media spoonfeeding them every tidbit they've ever wanted. This time around it's not happening.

Anyway. I can see why you're confused.

Whalers draft pair at CHL Import Draft

The Plymouth Whalers selected two players in today’s Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, held via the internet throughout the CHL.

With the 41st overall selection, the Whalers took 17-year-old right wing Rickard Rakell (top left), who played last season for AIK in Sweden. Skating for the J-18 and J-20 teams of AIK in 2009-10, Rakell scored 28 goals and 17 assists for 45 points over 38 games. Rakell also played in international competition for Sweden, scoring eight goals with three assists for 11 points in 19 games last year in three tournaments.

Rakell – (pronounced ree-CARD ra-KELL) at 6-feet and 185 pounds and from Stockholm – was born on May 5, 1993 and is eligible for the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

With the 50th pick, Plymouth selected 17-year-old defenseman Dario Trutmann (top right), who played last season for EV Zug in Switzerland. Trutmann scored eight goals with 15 assists for 23 points and 78 PIM’s in 28 regular season games while contributing a goal and an assist in 10 playoff games. Trutmann – 6-feet and 183 pounds – scored five assists in six games in international competition last year for Switzerland.

Trutmann is eligible for the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft due to his late birthday (September 17, 1992).

“We like both players,” Plymouth coach-GM Mike Vellucci said. “They should fit right in with our team. We look for both of them to be impact players right away.”

“I’m very excited to be coming to Plymouth,” Rakell said in a phone interview. “It’s going to be fun. I don’t copy any one player, but I would say I’m a physical player with a good shot. So many Swedish players play for the Red Wings, it’s an inspiration. They are very successful.”

Rakell was to the point when speaking about his attraction to the CHL.

“I think it’s the best junior league in the world,” he said. “And my goal is to reach the National Hockey League.”

Trutmann expressed the same sentiments about the CHL.

“It’s the best junior league in the world,” Trutmann said in a phone interview. “It’s a dream come true to play in it. I pattern myself after Mark Streit, a Swiss who plays for the New York Islanders.”

CHL teams are allowed to carry two imports of their roster. With veteran defenseman Michal Jordan signing with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, Rakell and Trutmann fill Plymouth’s import quota.

Rakell and Trutmann are expected to report to Plymouth’s training camp in late August.

Metal Jackets sign CSHL star Aldag

St. Louis Jr. Blues defenseman Eric Aldag has committed to play for the Motor City Metal Jackets of the NAHL.

Aldag just completed his third year with the CSHL's Jr. Blues, appearing in 118 games in that time.

According to former Jr. Blues head coach Jack Behan, "Eric is going to be an impact player at the next level. He has the tools and the mental approach to be successful."

Aldag committed after skating with the Metal Jackets earlier this month.

"The staff at Motor City called him in for a three-day skate with some of their returning veterans," said Behan. "They commented to me on his abilities which were impressive and his obvious character that stood out. For me personally, it has been a great three years coaching Eric, a coach's dream."

After three years, there are plenty of memories, but one stands out, according to Behan.

"I will remember much about his play here, but mostly how he was so good at nationals this year," Behan said. "Time and time again, he skated us out of trouble leaving those EJ players in his wake. Of course, the most memorable was his pass in the third period on the game-winning goal that set up a two-man breakaway in the national championship game.

"Motor City is getting a gem and we couldn't be happier for Eric."

Interview with Will Friedman: Union's #1 Fan

During ECAC Championship weekend I promised Union's #1 Hockey Fan Will Friedman that I would get him an interview on my blog. Well, about three months later I have remembered.

I will first introduce Will. Will is from Scarsdale, New York and just graduated from Union in June. Some would describe Will as insane, intense, and obsessive... I think he's dedicated. I just met Will this school year when I started the blog. He was the only guy who commented on any of my posts, and I was like who is this guy? I knew Will was a big Union Hockey fan and helped out with some Garnet Blades stuff like selling the 7th Player t-shirts. He also helped promote home games on Facebook. You could always spot Will at the top of the student section at Messa Rink yelling his heart out, looking like was going to have a heart attack.

I finally met Will in the middle of this past hockey season(probably at one of his DKE parties). We talked about Union hockey and the Mets among other stuff. Once the conversation was over I thought to myself "Is this guy nuts?" I've never met anybody as intense about his team in my entire life. I thought I was intense about my teams, but Will just took it to a whole new level. I remember he once missed the majority of one of his DKE formals to go to Messa Rink, and made a video to try to sway Lebron James to come play for his beloved Knicks, which you can check out here. He even went on the Price Is Right game show and proudly wore his Union "U Gotta Believe" shirt, which you can check out here. He is no doubt the most dedicated sports fan I've ever met.

Will was the heart and soul of the student section and will truly be missed. So, finally here is the long awaited interview with Will "UnionHockeyManiac" Friedman:

DG: Did you play hockey in high school?

WF: Nope. In high school I was on the basketball and tennis teams.

DG: How long have you been a hockey fan?

WF: September 5th, 2006 - My first day at Union. I actually wasn't a big hockey fan until I came to Union.

DG: What is your favorite Union Hockey moment?

WF: Too hard to pick between beating #7 in the country Clarkson in OT my freshman year, beating RPI this season at home and moving up to #7 in the PWR, Senior Night this season vs. Quinnipiac, coming back to win the next 2 games vs. Quinnipiac after losing the 5OT game - the longest in college hockey history - to go to the ECAC Final 4 in Albany for the first time ever, and beating St. Lawrence at the Albany Times Union center to advance to the ECAC Championship.

DG: Who is your favorite Union Hockey player?

WF: Tough to say, but I'll go with (assistant captain Mike) Schreiber since I have known him the longest. To quote the Canadians on the team, they are all "beauties" though.

DG: Where is your favorite place to take in a college hockey game?

WF: Easy question. Messa Rink. The atmosphere there can be awesome when it's packed.

DG: Which college hockey team do you hate the most?

WF: RPI, for obvious reasons.

DG: Which team do you hate the most besides RPI?

WF: Cornell. I have traveled to Cornell twice to see Union play and their fans, although loud and impressive, are complete a-holes. I also don't like Cornell because they stopped us from reaching the National Tournament in my senior year.

DG: How far will the Dutchmen go in the 2010-11 season?

WF: National Tournament. They were one game away last season so the goal should be to get over that hump.

DG: What is your favorite team to root for besides Union Hockey?

WF: New York Knicks and New York Mets. I've been a die-hard fan for my whole life and I'm still looking for that first championship in my lifetime. I just missed the Mets in 1986 and the Knicks haven't won since 1973. Hopefully this is the year where things start to turn around with the Mets (they have one of the best records in baseball) and the Knicks. Hopefully they can get a few free agents to turn the team around.

DG: What else did you do on campus besides being the #1 hockey fan?

WF: I was President of Speakers Forum. My job was to pick interesting speakers to come to campus. During my three years as president, we brought in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Mike Huckabee, Howard Dean, Maya Angelou, Bob Saget, Mayor Cory Booker, Kal Penn, Richie Roberts and Frank Lucas (real guys from "American Gangster" played by Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington, respectively), Manute Bol (who just recently passed away), and a few others. I also was President of Philanthropy of my fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon.

DG: Congrats on graduating by the way. What do you plan on doing now?

WF: Good question. I'm on the job hunt now, looking at possible positions with the New York Knicks, New York Mets, and some Speaking Agencies in New York City. For now though, just enjoying my free time, catching up with old friends, going to lots of Mets games, and following the NBA Free Agency very carefully.

DG: Will you come back to Schenectady to watch Union games often?

WF: Absolutely. I will try to make it up for as many home weekends as possible. Hopefully they'll still let me stand in the student section.

DG: What are you going to miss the most about Union?

WF: Everything. The people, the hockey games, the atmosphere, the parties, etc. It was the best four years of my life and I'm sad to be leaving.

DG: Will you be handing down your title of #1 fan to another Union student?

WF: Ha Ha, not in an official ceremony but I truly hope that the Union students realize how lucky we are to have one of the best college hockey teams in Division I at such a small school like Union. I hope that people took notice of how good the team was last year and that will hopefully increase the attendance for the upcoming season. The student section needs to be loud! LET'S GO UNION DA DA DADADA!!!

DG: Do you have any nicknames?

WF: Will the Thrill, One Dollah Bill, Bill, Billy, Liam, friedmaw@, and a few others I'd rather not share on here. Online, I'm known as UnionHockeyManiac, KnicksManiac, and MetsManiac. I prefer Will.

DG: Where will Lebron James be playing next season?

WF: My heart says the Knicks, but my head says the Bulls. If he doesn't come to the Knicks, I'd almost want him to stay in Cleveland rather than going anywhere else. Praying of LBJ in NYC though.

Biting the Bullet

Stumbled upon this strip while going through some old files the other day, which I created over a weekend for The Washington City Paper back in 2001. Written by Chris Flores, it details his attemps and experiences trying to register a gun in the District of Columbia. DC's laws have changed since then, as have Chicago's, which changed just yesterday. Figured it was a timely topic.

For my part, I hate guns, and would never own one. I find them to be, in most cases, a completely worthless accessory for paranoid types to own to feed into their persecution fantasies. Gun manufacturers further feed into this emotion, selling bigger and more horrible weapons to everyday citizens, framing their greed as a Constitutional rights issue, as if our sainted and infallible founding fathers could have conceived in their wildest dreams of a gun that could fire 500 rounds in ten seconds. If you ask me, real life just isn't that dangerous, and the possibility for unintended tragedy is far too high.

Saginaw swaps draft picks with Majors

The Saginaw Spirit conducted a trade with the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors Monday afternoon.

The Spirit sent the Majors the 17th overall pick in the 2010 CHL Import Draft, which was obtained by the Spirit via an earlier trade with the Niagara IceDogs, and in return, the Spirit received the Majors fourth round pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, the Kitchener Rangers' fifth round pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection and the Majors' third round pick in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.

The CHL Import Draft is the primary method for CHL teams to acquire players from outside of Canada and the United States. Each team is allowed to have a maximum of two non-North American players on their roster, with the Spirit currently having on its active roster forward Ivan Telegin (pictured) and goalie Tadeas Galansky.

Additional terms of the trade were not disclosed.

Telegin photo by Walt Dmoch

College Hockey Video of the Week (6/28/10): Dutchmen on the Hockey Treadmill

This is a new segment that I will be adding to the blog every week. I call it "College Hockey Video of the Week." I will be showing some great goals, hits, fights, etc. from college hockey that have been caught on film. Some of these videos will be Union Hockey videos, just like the one I am presenting this week.

This is a video of some of your favorite Union players working out in the awesome hockey training facility at Athletic Republic in Clifton Park. Here Dutchmen such as Luke Cain and Andrew Buote are training on the hockey treadmill, which might be one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I definitely need to get one for my house next season! I can't wait for the 2010-2011 season to begin, and I'm sure the players are working hard this summer.

If for some reason you cannot see (I can on my computer) the video click on this link here.

Warsofsky Part of Draft Day Trade

Today the Boston Bruins traded forward Vladimir Sabutka to the St. Louis Blue's. In exchange the Bruins picked up BU's own, David Warsofsky (photo). Warsofsky will be a junior in the Fall and is the Terriers most skilled defenseman.

Warsofsky, was the 95th overall pick by the Blues in the '08 draft.
Last season David took place in every game the Terriers had. In those games he put up 12 goals and 11 assists for a total of 23 points.

"He's a wrecking ball, a real competitive kid, peter Chiarelli said. - ESPN Boston

Here's the good news for BU fans, Chiarelli said he has no plans to take Warsofsky out of school, but really likes the way he plays - ESPN Boston

Soccer Fans

Will Mandino, 17, (with no shirt) of Colorado Springs reacts to the United State's goal in the second half of the World Cup match between the United States and Ghana Saturday, June 26, 2010 at McCabe's Tavern in Colorado Springs. Ghana went on to score in the third minute of extra time, eliminating the United States from the cup.

Michigan connections - Rounds 2-7

SECOND ROUND
32nd overall, Boston - Jared Knight, C, London Knights (Battle Creek)
37th overall, Carolina - Justin Faulk, D, U.S. NTDP
38th overall, New Jersey - Jon Merrill, D, U.S. NTDP (Brighton)
59th overall, Minnesota - Jason Zucker, LW, U.S. NTDP
60th overall, Chicago - Stephen Johns, D, U.S. NTDP

THIRD ROUND
80th overall, Pittsburgh - Bryan Rust, RW, U.S. NTDP (Bloomfield Hills)
84th overall, New Jersey - Scott Wedgewood, G, Plymouth Whalers
85th overall, Carolina - Austin Levi, D, Plymouth Whalers (Farmington Hills)

FOURTH ROUND
94th overall, Columbus - Brandon Archibald, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Port Huron)
101st overall, Atlanta - Ivan Telegin, LW, Saginaw Spirit
108th overall, Calgary - Bill Arnold, C, U.S. NTDP

FIFTH ROUND
135th overall, Boston - Justin Florek, LW, Northern Michigan (Marquette)
148th overall, Los Angeles - Kevin Gravel, D, Sioux City Musketeers (Kingsford)

SIXTH ROUND
None

SEVENTH ROUND
197th overall, Colorado - Luke Moffatt, C, U.S. NTDP
210th overall, Boston - Zach Trotman, D, Lake Superior State (Novi)

Knight photo by Walt Dmoch

First round it is for Coyle

Last night top recruit Charliel Coyle was taken 28th overall in the 2010 NHL draft by the San Jose Sharks. There he will join Nick Bonino and and John MaCarthy, who both play for the Sharks.

"(Charlie) has the potential to be a top-6 forward with size," said Sharks Director of Scouting Tim Burke. "He has good size, is very athletic, a well-rounded player. He does a lot of things well."- Terrier Hockey Fan Blog
Coyle took place in the U18 national Four Nation's Tournament and was the second highest scorer in the EJHL with 64 total points. In the Four Nation's tourny, Coyle potted the game winning goal in the championship game.

Coyle has made the "top 10". In other words he is the 10th player or recruit who has been drafted in the first round of the NHL entry draft.
In Other News
 
The 2010-11 schedule was releaed yesterday. It will be up on the side bar shortly.

Plymouth's Seguin goes No. 2 to B's

Players with Michigan connections will be drafted this weekend at the NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles.

The comprehensive list, by round, will be updated all weekend. The first round is tonight, while rounds 2-7 start tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.

FIRST ROUND
2nd overall, Boston - Tyler Seguin, C, Plymouth Whalers
11th overall, Dallas - Jack Campbell, G, U.S. NTDP (Port Huron)
12th overall, Anaheim - Cam Fowler, D, Windsor Spitfires (Farmington Hills)
15th overall, Los Angeles - Derek Forbort, D, U.S. NTDP
18th overall, Nashville - Austin Watson, F, Peterborough Petes (Ann Arbor)
22nd overall, Montreal - Jarred Tinordi, D, U.S. NTDP

Seguin photo by Walt Dmoch

Quotes Taken Out of Context: LeBrun Edition

"Doug Wilson and Mike Gillis went for a stroll together under the stands..."

- Pierre LeBrun, June 25, 2010

Adventure Training

Here's a frame from a story I did recently about about a group of high risk soldiers who have just returned from war. The program is designed to teach them healthy ways to get their adrenaline fix.

North Stars host tryout this weekend

The 2010-11 North American Hockey League schedule won’t be released until early next month, and the puck won’t drop on the regular season until September, but the Traverse City North Stars will celebrate the de facto opening of the new campaign this weekend at Centre ICE Arena.

And they’re looking for a few good men.

The North Stars enjoyed a veteran-laden roster last year, riding a wealth of experience to a North Division playoff championship and Robertson Cup tournament berth. This summer, however, head coach-GM Anthony Palumbo is seeking to fill a number of roster slots starting with this weekend’s open tryout camp, following the matriculation of better than half the roster to the college hockey ranks, USHL and aging out.

“It’s a bit of a different scenario, but every team goes through these kinds of cycles, especially in junior hockey,” Palumbo explained. “It’s not like we don’t have anyone coming back – there’s a lot of talent among the returning players – but we’ll be looking for some guys to be that next crop of talent, the next wave of North Stars.”

Among those eligible to return is captain and two-time all-star defenseman Travis White, along with fellow blueliners Travis Campbell and Curtis Heinz. Up front, Kelin Ainsworth, Ryan Amin, 2009-10 leading scorer Doug Clifford, Tim Opie, Eric Rivard and Alec Shields are in the mix. The club must replace its top two goalies – Chris Paliafito and Drew Strandberg – but picked up Tyler Marble in May’s NAHL Draft. Marble saw action with the club last year, but the Stars had to draft him to retain his rights.

“We’re going to be younger overall, that seems fairly certain,” Palumbo continued. “That will come with a different set of challenges. I’d liken it to our first year coaching here, when the staff didn’t know exactly what we had to work with going in. It requires a little more patience, because the hockey we might play at the beginning of the season probably won’t be as good as the hockey we’re playing in November and December.”

This weekend’s three-day camp will be among the most scrutinized in Palumbo’s tenure. With a hornblende of veterans, tenders, draft choices, and talented hopefuls battling it out for invitations to the team’s July training camp, the action should be especially crisp and intense.

“We need to add a lot to what we already have,” Palumbo surmised. “We’re looking for a crew of defensemen, a group of forwards, and we’re still building at goaltender, too. There are spots up for grabs. Last year, we were really looking for four or five or maybe six guys to add. This year, it’s far more of a wide-open affair.”

Air Force Intake

Shane Simonson, center, of Fort Collins stands with his fellow doolies after receiving their Airman Battle Uniforms during the intake process Thursday, June 24, 2010 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

NHL Draft - 7pm - VERSUS - Los Angeles

One Day Away, the NHL Draft

Tomorrow the 2010 NHL entry draft will take place in LA. BU will likely have a hand full of drafties. Starting with top Recruit Charlie Coyle who will likely go either late in the first round or early second. Another recruit that could be on the roster next season or the following one is Yasin Cisse. He was Ranked #107 by the scouting news. 

Those two will go in this years draft while Matt Neito and Adam Clendening will likely go very high in next years draft. 

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/almanac/draft-history.php has set up a trivia on the history of Terrier players in the draft.    

Spill Baby Spill

Two more Metal Jackets off to D-I ranks

Two Motor City Metal Jackets forwards have committed to Division I schools for next year as Patrick Sullivan is off to Canisius College (Atlantic Hockey) and Brice Geoffrion will play for independent Alabama-Huntsville.

Three players from last season's Motor City squad, goalie Jason Torf (Air Force/Atlantic Hockey) was the first, have now chosen their college hockey destinations for the future.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to be going to such a great institution, and especially one with such a great hockey tradition,” said Sullivan. “I’m also very fortunate that I will get to play my college career close to home in front of my friends and family."

Sullivan posted 22 points with 12 goals (seven on the power play) last season.

Geoffrion was a key component to the team's successful run to the playoffs and played an important role at both ends of the ice. He tallied three goals and eight points for the Metal Jackets.

World Cup Fever...CATCH IT!

As it was last winter during the Olympics, I felt a deep sense of patriotic pride watching Team USA pull off their dramatic win vs. Algeria yesterday in the World Cup. Now, I'm far less knowledgeable when it comes to soccer than I am with hockey, but I do know two things: People love girls in sports jerseys, and they really love free stuff!

So with that in mind, I had a few stickers of my Team USA World Cup girl printed up, and am offering them to the first 15 or so commenters on this post. I'm looking for actual comments, too...something more than just "Gimme!". Your experience watching the game yesterday, a funny anecdote about your pants falling down while playing youth soccer, I dunno...something!

Like I said, I've got 15 or so of these babies to give away, but I'm holding a few back for folks who order stuff in the store...so should you decide to order something, I'll make absolutely sure you get one!

Ex-Indians goalie named NHL's best

Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, who played in the North American Hockey League for the Soo Indians from 1997-99, won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender.

Miller won the award Wednesday at the NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vegas, beating out the New Jersey Devils’ Martin Brodeur and the Phoenix Coyotes’ Ilya Bryzgalov.

Miller was also the recipient of the NHL Foundation Player Award, given annually to the player who applies the core values of ice hockey - commitment, perseverance and teamwork - to enrich the lives of people in his community.

This past season, Miller led the Sabres to the Northeast Division title for the second time in the past four seasons. He set a franchise record and ranked fourth among NHL goaltenders with 41 wins, placed second in the league in goals-against average (2.22) and save percentage (.929) and tied a career high with five shutouts.

In February, Miller, from East Lansing, was named the Most Valuable Player of the men’s ice hockey tournament by both the tournament directorate and the media at the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver after backstopping the U.S. team to a silver medal.

Union Hockey notes: 6/24/10

Former Union forward T.J. Fox has signed a contract with the Hannover Indians (Germany). He will be joining Mike Schreiber who recently signed with the Indians after a stellar senior year in Schenectady. Fox was a star in his short stint in Schenectady, but left after signing a pro contract. Since then he has been pretty disappointing and is possibly regretting his decision to leave Union early. For more on Fox go to ECAC Hockey.com.

Also, Union goaltender Keith Kinkaid has been invited to the New York Rangers Prospect Camp. According to the Rangers website Keith is the only goaltender that was invited to attend the camp. For more on the camp click here. Kinkaid was also invited to the Vancouver Canucks Prospect Camp.

Spirit inks 2010 first-rounder Kea

The Saginaw Spirit have announced the signing of forward Justin Kea, the 13th overall pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection.

Kea is the first player from Saginaw’s 2010 draft class signed by the team.

Kea native tallied 22 goals and 22 assists in 51 games with the minor midget Central Ontario Wolves this past season. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound center hails from Woodville, Ont., and will be wearing No. 9 for the Spirit.

“Justin is a big, strong, skilled forward that can skate,” said Spirit Director of Scouting Jim Paliafito. “He reminds me of a Joe Thornton type.”

According to OHL Central Scouting, "Kea is a forward that has all the tools to develop into a very good player at the next level. He has legitimate size, a very good touch and hands for a bigger man and he has better than average feet. When he is really moving his feet he displays a long, powerful stride that can generate some real speed and quickness. Kea has the potential to really fill out as he matures. He prefers to play more of a finesse game, jumping into holes, always looking for the open ice and circling away from the puck."

The Spirit will be introducing Kea and the other new Spirit players at a special ceremony to be held in the immediate future.

Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images

16 Dutchmen named to ECAC All-Academic Team

The ECAC announced today that 181 student-athletes have been named to the ECAC All-Academic team. 16 of the 181 players are from Union. These Dutchmen are: freshman Jean Sebastian Bergeron, junior Stephane Boileau, junior Andrew Buote, sophomore (technically a junior since he red-shirted) Luke Cain, senior Jeff Christiansen, sophomore Nolan Julseth-White, senior Jon Lareau, junior captain Brock Matheson, junior Justin Pallos, sophomore Taylor Reid, senior Jason Shaffer, junior John Simpson, freshman Wayne Simpson, freshman Shawn Stuart, senior captain Mike Wakita, and freshman Jeremy Welsh.

Over half of these guys are Economics majors, which is pretty impressive to me. I took Economics 101 freshman year... and let's just say it wasn't my best class.

To be eligible for the All-Academic team one must obtain a 3.0 GPA.

Congratulations to the 16 Dutchmen and the other 165 ECAC players. The ECAC is by far the most challenging league academically in college hockey. Each team in the ECAC had at least 13 All-Academic selections, except for Clarkson who only had four (weird?).

For more check out ECAC Hockey.com and Union Athletics.com.

Fuck Planet Earth

Fuck Planet Earth - watch more funny videos

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/40fa73e376/fuck-planet-earth-from-maxgoldberg

World Cup Fever

If you're like me, you're gonna wake up tomorrow morning and be watching some Team USA soccer before your second cup of coffee!

My apologies for the Landon Donovan jersey...I'm fully aware it's the most obvious choice, akin to putting #87 on a hockey sweater (and why wouldn't you?)...but my soccer knowledge is pretty limited to fevered interest every two years (World Cup and the Olympics), and I figured better safe than sorry.

Go USA!

Warriors announce '10-11 ticket plans

The Michigan Warriors today announced the availability of season ticket packages for the upcoming 2010-11 season.

Season ticket packages for all 27 home games start at $7 per game and include $2 in “Arena Bucks” per game. “Arena Bucks” are redeemable for concessions and merchandise at each game.

In addition to tickets and “Arena Bucks” for each Warriors inaugural season home game, each season ticket holder also will receive an invitation to a meet the players reception and the team’s post-season banquet. Season ticket holders also receive priority for playoff ticket sales, a discounted parking option and the opportunity to select a seat in Perani Arena from which to enjoy the entire season of Warriors hockey.

Warriors fans purchasing season tickets before August 1 will receive a team t-shirt for each seat purchased and a commemorative Warriors season ticket booklet, while supplies last.

Individuals who held Flint Generals season tickets for the recently completed 2009-10 season will have the opportunity to retain their seat selections in Perani Arena. These individuals should note their seat preferences when purchasing Warriors season tickets for the 2010-11 season.

To purchase season tickets, or for more information, contact the Michigan Warriors and Perani Arena at (810) 744-0580 or visit the Perani Arena box office during business hours.

“In opening season ticket sales, we’re giving hockey fans in Flint and throughout Mid-Michigan an early opportunity to be part of a new and exciting chapter in this region’s rich hockey history,” said Pat McEachern, a member of the Warriors ownership group. “The family-friendly atmosphere, the budget-friendly ticket pricing and planned improvements to Perani will ensure our fans get a great value for their entertainment dollar as they cheer on their Michigan Warriors.”

Packages for the entire 27-game season start at $189 for upper level seats and $243 for lower-level seating. Payment plans are available to help make tickets even more affordable.

Individual and single-game group tickets are scheduled to go on sale in September. Upper level individual game tickets will be available for $8, with lower level individual tickets available for $10. All individual game tickets will include $2 in “Arena Bucks.” Tickets for groups of 20 or more will be available for $7 or $9, for upper and lower level seats, respectively.

Bond Girls Curling Team

When I was in San Diego for Comicon last summer, I met Matt, Jen and Donna, who happened to browse by my table and look at some of my sporty-girl illustrations. Somehow the topic of curling came up, and I discovered that Jen and Donna were on a women's curling team based in Hollywood called Bond Girls. A skeletal agreement to do a commission was made, and a few weeks ago, I finished this illustration, with which I am super happy!

Check out Team Bond Girls on the web, friend 'em on facebook...and hell, if it's convenient, check out a bonspiel!

Whalers hosting draft party Friday

Soo Eagles staying in the spotlight

Team gets new owners

First-ever signee Adam Phillips commits to Massachusetts

Eric Cox makes his college choice