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Hartley Miller's Slap-Shots January 13th Edition

By Hartley Miller

- by Hartley Miller

It may surprise you, but Prince George Cougars GM Dallas Thompson doesn't consult me before making any deals.
As you know, the Cats were like most BC division teams and did not make a trade on deadline day.
Nevertheless, Thompson, and other WHL General Managers exchanged many phone calls on potential transactions. Although I did not have any inside information on these conversations, I am sure that many names were tossed around. The following is a sample (my take) conversation between Thompson and another WHL General Manager, just prior to the trade freeze:

Thompson: Hi Bruno! Dallas here! Hey, how are things? 

GM: Oh, you know, could be better, could be worse. How about with you?
 
Thompson: Ah, Alright. Same ole! Same ole! Crowds are down, the fans we do have are “antsy”, 
and we are trying to hold off Kamloops, again. You know, it's frustrating. We have a better team, a winning record for a change, and we are still trying to just stay out of the basement again. 

GM: Yeah, we all have our troubles, don't we? 

Thompson: Well, let's get down to business. I'm looking for depth on the back end, and maybe even
some help up front. The clock is ticking. What do you have? 

GM: Most of our guys are untouchables, unless you are offering a bantam first rounder, or a prime 16 or 17 year old. I do have a 19-year-old forward with a bad attitude and a 19-year-old defenceman, who is inconsistent, but he's darn good, every 4th game. 

Thompson: Thanks. Hang on a minute. Hey, Pops. We have a chance to make this deal with a team in the east. The 19-year-old winger can score and the 19-year-old defenceman has grit, and all they want in return is a middle round bantam pick. What do you think? 

PG Cougars owner Rick Brodsky (POPS): Well, I like to give a guy a second chance. But, it's your show and I have great faith that you will make the right decision. 

Thompson to other GM: Bruno, I'm going to resist the temptation. However, let's keep the lines of communication open. I appreciate the offer, all the best. 

GM: Just keep my number on speed dial. Your phone calls are always welcome. Take care. I'll see you down the road. Goodbye. 

Thompson to Cougars PR specialist Mike Davis: Hey, Mike. I just got off the blower with one final GM and again nothing. You can tell the media, that we came close to a big deal, but the asking price was just too high.

Yes, another day at the office in the life of a General Manager at the trading deadline.



From the quote rack: 

• "In other words, the folks at Bike have protected more family jewels than any bank". Gregg Drinnan of the Kamloops Daily news, after Atlanta based Bike Athletic produced jockstrap No. 350,000,000. 

• "Before, when he punched you in the mouth, you counted your teeth. Now, when he shakes your hand, you count your fingers." Toronto comedian Frenchie McFarlane, on former NHL enforcer Stu Grimson's new career as a lawyer.
 
• "I've gone from being the Grim Reaper to being the Grim Reader." Stu Grimson, on his graduation from Law School at the University of Memphis. 

• "The world's greatest golf player at night." Israel's Zohar Sharon, considered the world's best blind golfer, describing himself to The Associated Press. 

• "Their embarrassing 86-point loss to the Duke women definitely proves one thing. You're not in good hands with Ball State”. Jim Greene of San Francisco in Tom Fitzgerald's syndicated column. 

And, how was your week?

--Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97FM. He also writes for the PG Free Press.

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