Prince George experienced a first when two local players were selected in the top 40 of the NHL Entry Draft.

 

It is no surprise that sniper Brett Connolly of the Prince George Cougars was sixth overall by the Tampa Lightning. If he had played more games as a 17-year-old, he may have been chosen in the top five.

 

On the other hand, it was a surprise that Kelowna Rockets' winger Brett Bulmer was selected 39th overall by the Minnesota Wild. This selection, once again, reveals not to put too much emphasis on the Central Scouting’s final rankings, as Bulmer was rated 65th among North American skaters.

 

Following these two picks, I reflected, just for fun, on previous players that have been chosen in the #6 and #39 spots. Here is that list from the past 10 years:

 

 

 

 

 

After analyzing this aforementioned list, I am surprised that in the last decade, no superstars were drafted at the #6 position and no regular NHL players were chosen at #39.

 

My curiosity grew so I looked further back in time all the way to 1980. The best #6 picks over the last 30 years include:

·          Winger Ryan Smyth of Canada (Moose Jaw, WHL) to Edmonton in 1994,

·          Centre Peter Forsberg of Sweden to Philadelphia in 1991,

·          Centre Vincent Damphousse of Canada (Laval, QMJHL) to Toronto in 1986,

·          Winger John MacLean of Canada (Oshawa, OHL) to New Jersey in 1983,

·          Defenseman Phil Housley of USA (high school) to Buffalo in 1982, and

·          (Arguably the best of the bunch) Defenseman Paul Coffey of Canada (Kitchener, OHA) to
Edmonton in 1980.

 

The only two notable #39 picks in the last three decades are centre Brendan Morrison of Canada (U of Michigan) to New Jersey in 1993 and Canadian defenseman Steve Konroyd (Oshawa, OHL) to
Calgary in 1980.

 

Yes, history tells us that a #6 pick can emerge into a superstar although that has not happened in the last 15 years. More than likely a #6 will be a solid NHL contributor.

 

Of course, history clearly shows that the chances of making the NHL as a 39th pick are slim, especially with the examples of the past several years.

 

Nevertheless, the question is- should it matter to Connolly and Bulmer what number six and 39 draft choices of the past have accomplished? The answer is NO. What is important, however, is that both these players make the most of their opportunity when the NHL calls.

 

These two P.G. Minor Hockey products are certainly more than just numbers. They are two kids chasing a dream. Now, who says life does not begin at 18?

Now that the ageless Jamie Moyer has broken MLB’s all time record for home runs allowed, he is dealing with a number of jokes about him having given up one of those home runs to Babe Ruth. “Not true,” said Moyer, “The Babe couldn’t hit me.”


A day after his epic 11 hour win at Wimbledon, a tired, badly blistered John Isner lost his next match in 75 minutes. Talk about de thrill of victory and the agony of de feet.


A silver lining for Toronto residents watching all these G20 protests actually turn a little violent...
At least there's one thing they don't have to worry about. What would happen if the Leafs actually won the Stanley Cup?

Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

 

The NHL promised big name entertainment in Vegas and they delivered with George Stroumboulopoulos.

There was over 110,000 people in Philadelphia for the three game Jays home stand and increase over the 100,000 fans the Jays had for the month of June.

FIFA is taking calls for replay on controversial goals very seriously and hope to have an answer when they meet in a retreat in Tahiti to discuss efficiencies.

Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

 

With the eighth pick in the NBA draft, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Al-farouq Aminu, which is Arabic for "he who will disappoint."

Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York

LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant was spotted in South Africa taking in some of the World Cup games.
Either that or his wife insisted he buy her a diamond mine.

A man who uses medical marijuana for cancer says Wal-Mart fired him after a positive testing for the drug. Oh, he isn’t suing anyone; no, he wants to thank them.

 

Shapely lingerie model Larissa Riquelme pledged to run naked through the streets if her native country Paraguay wins the World Cup. If that happens, you’ll see guys’ vuvuzelas popping up everywhere.

Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

Larry King, who recently announced that he is leaving his nightly show, says he'd love to work for the MLB Network. It would mark a glorious return to the sport since his days as play-by-play man for the Boston Beaneaters.


"Danica Patrick has fired her parents from the family business.Apparently, she's been spending some time Home Alone"

 

I'm dependable like birth control, 99.9 percent of the time, Chad Ochocinco said Tuesday. I think he'd better stay away from Travis Henry.


Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

John Sinclair, a 26-year-old scaffolder from Cowdenbeath, carried 110-pound sack over a 1-kilometer course in Yorkshire in 4 minutes 20 seconds to capture the Scottish Coal Carrying Championships.
Along with the coveted title of diamond in the rough.

Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/

 

Reports indicate the man that Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean helped rescue from the Delaware River during the Stanley Cup finals had tape over his mouth. This has given rise to the theory: He put it on when Don Cherry offered mouth-to-mouth.

Anna Kournikova is reportedly back at Wimbledon, teaming up for doubles with Martina Hingis in the veterans' competition. Despite never having won a tennis single's title, Kournikova is still famous for her body of work.

 

Tiger Woods is ranked #5 on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list. He was at #5 last year, too. Only then he was on the list as a golfer.

Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/) 

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.