Hartley Miller’s Slap Shots!

By Hartley Miller

--Warning: The last time I had an open forum column, the publication (does anyone remember the Sports Edge magazine?) lasted three issues and five weeks. I have no reason to doubt that this adventure should be able to make it until week six. Joking aside,
I still can't believe that I am teamed up with the crank himself “Meisner”. He's about the only guy I know of in Prince George who carries an autographed copy of the Bible.  I'm still trying to get over the shock of his call. I never thought this city was big enough for both of us ex-Winnipeg'ers, let alone working on the same page. I'll say this; it may be a blessing that “Meisner” has found this vehicle to express himself, because this way the rest of us don't have to hear his raspy grumpy voice. In all honesty, I'm intrigued with Opinion250.com and its appealing concept.  It not only has a chance to survive and prosper, but to make a long term impact as well. The Meisner name and what he stands for speaks for itself, but a key to success for this adventure will be you the reader, not just for browsing the material, but actually taking part with your thoughtful comments and suggestions. “Not so gentle” Ben, who gained his reputation with a no holds barred approach, has told me, to fly at it “Young Fella” with no restrictions. For his sake, I hope he doesn't regret that one certain phone call.

--So, who has the power-play? PG Spruce Kings GM Len (I won't take a salary) McNamara, or the team's Coach and Director of Hockey Operations the last season and a half, Ed Dempsey? There have been two issues holding up a potential contract that would see him return behind the bench. One is the fact Dempsey wants a two-year guaranteed deal and the other is that Ed is looking to coach and not much more. The two sides can agree on a salary (speculated in the 60-65 grand range per season) but I would be surprised if the Kings budged on that word guaranteed. It seldom happens in the juniors, particularly at the BCHL level. As for the coaching, the team wants the head man to also handle a number of other non-glory positions such as checking up on the players away from the ice including their school work, arranging for travel and hotels, keeping an eye on the team's finances and so on. Unless Dempsey has a better offer from another club, one would think he would have to be the one caving in because (to answer the question at the top) it's not the Spruce Kings shorthanded. (By the way, with growing speculation that Prince George has landed the 2007 Royal Bank Cup tournament, the Spruce Kings organization has set up a victory party)

--Dempsey's former assistant Stu Malgunas quietly signed a one-year contract to continue on as Lane Lambert's right hand man with the PG Cougars.  (For some reason, the team didn't even issue a news release regarding the matter) Coming off back to back non -playoff seasons, Malgunas didn't exactly have a lot of bargaining power and basically had to take what was offered, which we can assume wasn't much. I'm sure the former NHL'er  realizes if the Cougars don't get off to a good start in the fall, it won't take long for the family run operation to pull the trigger and place the blame squarely on where it doesn't belong, that being the coaching staff.

--Don't look for the Kelowna Rockets to repeat as Memorial Cup champions. It comes down to a couple of reasons; home ice and the lack of a proven goalie. The Rockets, in 2004, did not win the WHL title, but captured the Memorial Cup, thanks in part to playing in front of their own fans. This year the tournament is in London, Ontario where the host Knights have been the top CHL team all season. The Rockets will be forced to go with rookie net minder, Kristofer Westblom, who did play well against Brandon in the WHL final, but on the bigger stage, may have trouble in the spotlight. Mike Wall of Telkwa will be the back-up, but is ineligible to play, unless Westblom gets hurt. Wall, on loan from the Everett Silvertips, is an emergency replacement due to the injury to first stringer Derek Yeomans. Wall is yet another example of a former PG Cougar who has blossomed elsewhere. Co-incidence?  Hardly.

--If the PG Mixed 6 and 4 Ball League is looking for any credibility, it sure didn't achieve it on May 16th . One of the games ended 71-5. What a farce! Who would have the audacity to run up such a score? Not even the lowly Hartley's Zeroes (a rag tag bunch of feeble imitation ball players) lose by that much, although they have taken a stab at it from time to time. The league, which plays at Kenworth and Bud Bargey Park, needs a rule change, and quickly, to prevent another embarrassment like this in the future.

--Umass basketball fan Carol Wigg, speaking in Tom FitzGerald's syndicated column, has an obvious concern about the newly hired coach, Travis Ford, who signed guards
James Life and Chris Lowe. As she puts it......"Should we be worried that his first two recruits are 'Lowe' and 'Life'?" Not to be outdone, Karl Vogel of the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal-Star has his own concern about Canada's baseball team......"The Toronto Blue Jays replaced a pitcher named Bush (Dave) with a reliever named League (Brandon)."  And, how is your week?

--Hartley Miller is in his 4th decade on The Prince George airwaves having started in the 1970's. He is the sports director for the top two rated radio stations in Prince George and can be heard weekdays at 7:25am, 8:25am, 11:55am and 4:40pm on 94X and at 7:05am, 7:35am, 8:05am, 12:05pm and 5:05pm on the Wolf@97FM.

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