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Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - August 5th Edition

By Hartley Miller

Lane Lambert certainly wasn't given the red carpet treatment as he was ushered out the door as coach of the PG Cougars. This is not exactly the kind of P.R. the Cats need in trying to win back the many fans that have deserted the team. But then again, we are talking about the Cougars, and the negativity about the organization never takes a break, regardless of what the calendar may say. 

Although he hasn't spoken publicly on the matter, Lambert has issued a statement which he requested to be printed in its entirety. Here it is.

From: Lane Lambert

“I have been asked by reporters for my point of view on what recently happened between the Prince George Cougars and myself.

An AHL organization approached me regarding an Assistant Coaching position with the team. I told them that I was under contract with the Prince George Cougars and they would have to get permission from the Cougars to talk to me. They did and were granted permission. I had not made any decision about next season, accepted a position, nor even received a full proposal from the AHL team at the time of my termination by the Cougars. I had not, and still have not signed a contract with any other organization.

Obviously I am not happy with the way Dallas and Rick handled this particular situation but that is beyond my control. From the articles I've read over the past couple of days, the only comment that I view as being completely accurate was that when I was told I was being terminated I was flabbergasted. Nevertheless, I would like to thank Rick for giving me the opportunity to coach the Cougars two years ago.

I would also like to thank the players of the Prince George Cougars for their efforts over the past two years and wish them all the best for the upcoming season. I hope that they have learned as much from me as I have from them. I would also like to acknowledge Stew Malgunas for his loyalty, commitment and hard work.

Finally, I would like to thank the people of Prince George and the fans of the Cougars. This is a great family city and all of us felt very welcome here. Your support has truly been appreciated”. 

***
By the way, Bridgeport of the A-H-L has just named Pat Bingham an assistant coach. Wasn't that the job Lambert was interested in? I don't think we have heard the last of this story. 

***
Prospective professional athletes often suffer through many agonizing moments on their journey towards stardom. For instance, on one hand, it's thrilling to be drafted in the NHL, but when you are not selected, as early as projected, it has to hurt. 

Nicholas Drazenovic, welcome to the world of professional sports.
 
The Prince George Cougars centre was ranked 29th by Central Scouting among North American skaters entering this year's draft. When you factor in Europeans and goalies, the 18-year-old Drazenovic was projected as a 3rd or 4th round pick. 

Grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends arrived at the Drazenovic’s home about 8:30 last Saturday morning for a “draft party”. Six hours passed, with no one anticipating that it would take that long before Nick was selected by an NHL club. Drazenovic was even concerned, “I am not going to lie” I was nervous as the 4th and 5th rounds went by….” Finally, in round six, 171st overall, the St. Louis Blues called Nicolas’ name. “It was a big relief when my name was called, it was an amazing feeling” stated the recent College Heights Secondary grad. 

Drazenovic has the “tools”, on and off the ice, to receive serious consideration for an early pick. After all, he was one of just 40 that competed in the CHL top-prospects game in Vancouver. Drazenovic was second in team scoring with 18 goals and 56 points. And he's durable, having played in all 72 games. He is well spoken, and an honor roll student. Although considered a bit thin in stature, he has “pumped up” to 185 pounds, which bodes well for his six-foot-frame. Throughout the summer, he trained five days a week with Cougars assistant coach Stew Malgunas.
 
So, this begs the question, what took so long? Drazenovic says, “I strongly feel that not making the playoffs was a major factor in not going higher”. He adds, “I guarantee you (Blair) Stengler, (Real) Cyr and even Greg Gardner would have been selected if we made playoffs”. 

I'm not so sure I agree with Drazenovic’s theory but it certainly doesn't help when you have played in the W-H-L for two seasons and have never experienced a playoff game. It must be frustrating playing for a team that has settled for mediocrity, at best. 

Drazenovic admits he now has something to prove saying it “puts a little fire in my stomach” and that he's ready to “step up” and take a leadership role for the upcoming WHL season. “I'll prove them (St. Louis) right”. 

With the NHL draft reduced to seven rounds this year, Drazenovic almost did not get selected, but his name was called in the “NIC” of time. The puck is now in his corner, and although the odds are stacked against him, Drazenovic is determined not have to sing the BLUES. And that is easier said than done, considering the history of the junior team he is expected to lead. 

***

Headline at borowitzreport.com: "Fearing attacks by athletes, fans take steroids."



And, how is 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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