Hockey 2008

[Lee]

vera said:

I'm thinking that if the Yotes can't get themselves in the playoff hunt for the next 10 or so game, maybe they will let Cujo leave. Maybe we still have a chance to get him. Sorry, I would feel bad for Wayne if the Yotes can't get into the playoff. But i have to selfishly wish that we may have a chance to get a goalie. Gosh, I do feel guilty with such thought.

Interesting in the goalie situation. Although I really don't think this is a very significant trade.

Flames trade Reinprecht and Sauve to Phoenix for Boucher and Leclerc

CALGARY (CP) - The Calgary Flames traded centre Steven Reinprecht and backup goaltender Philippe Sauve to Phoenix for goaltender Brian Boucher and left wing Mike Leclerc on Wednesday.

The Flames announced the deal after their 2-1 loss to Columbus. Reinprecht, the Flames sixth lead scorer, was a healthy scratch for the game. Reinprecht says he will look back on his time in Calgary fondly. "I loved it, it's probably one of the best hockey cities in the world," he said. "It's been a blast playing here."

Reinprecht, 29, recorded 10 goals and 19 assists in 52 games this season with the Flames.

Now he's looking towards the future.

"I'm excited, Wayne Gretzky is the best player that ever has played the game," Reinprecht said. "To learn from him is going to be an honour."

The six-foot, 195-pound Edmonton native has played in six NHL seasons with Los Angeles, Colorado and Calgary, recording 69 goals and 122 assists in 321 games.

Sauve's last start in Colorado on Jan. 24 he gave up seven goals on 27 shots in a 7-4 loss. Sutter wasn't happy after that performance and put Sauve on waivers the next day.

"I went through a tough week that's for sure," Sauve said. "The situation here was kind of different. This is going to be good for me."

Sauve, 25, played eight games for Calgary this season, recording a 3-3-0 record, a 3.28 goals against average and an .891 save percentage.

The six-foot, 188-pound netminder is playing in only his second NHL season. He spent the 2003-04 campaign with the Colorado Avalanche, registering a 7-7-3 record, a 3.04 goals against average and an .896 save percentage in 17 games.

"It kind of stuns you at first, but I think I'm walking into a good opportunity," said Sauve. "It's going to be good for me and I'm looking forward to it."

Flames captain Jarome Iginla was also surprised when he heard about the trade.

"It's always a shock, you never expect these things. All the guys, we wish them well. We know they're very good players and great teammates," said Iginla."It's part of hockey and we respect the players that are coming back in the trade."

Leclerc, 29, played in 35 games with the Coyotes this season, collecting nine goals and 12 assists. Iginla is familiar with Leclerc since he has played against him since junior hockey.

"We're around the same age," Iginla said. "He's a good power forward. He's got good hands in front of the net. He scores his share of goals. He can get really hot too which is a good thing."

The six-foot-two left winger has 63 goals and 90 assists in 26 NHL career games with Anaheim and the Coyotes. The Winnipeg native was drafted in the third round, 55th overall, by the Mighty Ducks in the 1995 Entry Draft.

Boucher has a 3-6-0 record, a 3.87 GAA and an .877 save percentage in 11 games this season with Phoenix. The 29-year-old was acquired by the Coyotes in a trade with Philadelphia on June 12, 2002, and has played in three seasons with Phoenix. In his six-year NHL career split between Phoenix and Philadelphia, he has a 74-83-30 record in 199 NHL games.

[Lee]

And really pathetic for Calgary losing the SO vs Columbus, IMO.

It looks like Calgary is in a slump right now

[Lee]

fingers crossed that they win the bid

Calgary and Edmonton bid to co-host 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships


The Calgary Sport Tourism Authority and Edmonton Events International announced today their formal intention to bid as co-hosts for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship (December 26th, 2008–January 5th, 2009). The letter of intent to bid must be submitted to Hockey Canada by February 1st, 2006; with a formal bid package lodged on March 31st, 2006.

After extensively reviewing the opportunity to bid, the Calgary Sport tourism Authority has advanced plans to form a partnership with key stakeholders in the Province of Alberta.

Officials at Edmonton Events International have also been evaluating the opportunity and both organizations recognize the value of an alliance to strengthen a formal bid. The ‘Alberta 2009 Bid’ is supported by the Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, Edmonton Events International, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Hitmen, Northlands Park, The City of Edmonton, The City of Calgary, Tourism Calgary, Edmonton Tourism, Canadian Sport Centre Calgary, and Hockey Alberta.

Hockey Canada has secured the right from the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to host the 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. Recently hosted in British Columbia (Vancouver, Kelowna, and Kamloops), the tournament set records for 400,000+ attendees, $3.0 million in sponsorship revenues and an economic impact of $30+ million.

Community leaders, Jim Peplinski and Lyle Best have volunteered to serve as co-chairs of the Alberta bid. Jim Peplinski, a former Co-captain with the Calgary Flames, and now a successful businessman in Calgary is well known in both communities, and was recently co-chair for one of the most successful Calgary United Way campaigns in 2004. Lyle Best, President and CEO of Quikcard Solutions INC and 2005 Edmonton Businessman of the Year, is well known and respected throughout the Province of Alberta for his dedication to hockey and the community. He is an Alberta Centennial Medal winner and is the main sponsor of Edmonton Minor Hockey Week - the largest minor hockey tournament in the world.

Peplinski states, “This will be great for all levels of hockey in Alberta. The Alberta 2009 bid will show that we can deliver the best sporting event in Canada, and that our western hospitality and our legacy of hosting excellence are second to none.” Best states, “As one of the premier sporting events in Canada, the inclusion of both Calgary and Edmonton as hosts to the tournament, gives this bid the profile that it deserves. We expect an excellent Alberta bid will have a strong chance on the national stage against the other bid cities.”

Patrick LaForge, President and CEO of the Edmonton Oilers, states “We are strongly supporting the bid. The World Junior Hockey Championship is not only a junior hockey tradition in Canada, but has been a launching pad of many professional hockey careers. We look forward to submitting ”

Ken King, President and CEO of the Calgary Flames, recognizes the potential impact and promotion for the Calgary Hitmen, as well as the considerable opportunity to support Hockey Canada and its various programs around the country. “With over $9 million in proceeds reported from the 2006 tournament, our goal will be to provide Hockey Canada with an event that can potentially exceed and community support.”

“Albertans have a great love of hockey, which can be seen every night in the hundreds of arenas across our province,” said Gary Mar, Minister of Alberta Community Development with responsibility for sport. “Our two largest cities also have incredible track records for hosting international sporting events. Their partnership together with Albertans’ passion for the game would make the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championship a tremendous success.”

Both The City of Edmonton and The City of Calgary are supportive of the bid to co-host the 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and the accompanying benefits of this prestigious tournament.

[Vera]

lee said:

Sorry Vera and aphex

www.nhl.com/news/2006/02/255400.html

Groin injury forces Sweden's Markus Naslund to miss Olympics

I have mix feeling about this. I think this is a big blow for Nazzy, I know he wants to play the olympics, with Peter and Alfie and the very great group of Swedes that they have this year. On the other hand, I also hope that he can rest a bit and heal. His groin's been bothering him for months and he had like 1 goal in the past 10+ games. I really hope that he can sit out more and rest and get himself playing pain free. Look what it did to Jovo for coming back too soon from one injury only to get a new one, a worse one.

[Vera]

Good luck to Calgary/Edmonton. It would be fun and exciting hosting the World Jr.

BTW, Nazzy would be 36 when next Olympics comes. Maybe he can still play for the Swedes. Better yet, the next Olympics will be in Vancouver (the hockey games will be), it's like playing for the home team for him .

[Lee]

I agree having the extra time to rest and heal would be good for Nazzy. Same thing for Miikka who will be nursing his groin injury instead of playing for Finland.

It's unfortunate for Finland that both their NHL goalies are missed in the upcoming winter Olympic.

[Lee]

My heart sank with the news of Rick Tocchet's gambling bust in New Jersey and with Janet Jones Gretzky's name attached to it.

I feel sooooooo sorry for Wayne. He has enough over this last few months. His mother passed away, Yotes in bad shape and now his friend Tocchet who was likely a successor in the head coach job and his wife were involved in a BIG scandal.

I don't believe he involves in illegal gambling, he has too much integrity but I'm really not sure about his wife. Their marriage really don't look solid to me. *sigh* Or may be I'm bias *sigh*

[Lee]

btw aphex, Scott Niedermayer withdrew with injury and Forsberg is still thinking of playing Olympics although his boss said he really wants him to rest his groin injury.

[Lee]

Surprised with the support for Phaneuf on TSN forum as replacement for Niedermayer. But he is not mentioned in the article about Niedermayer's withdrawl. May be another the West being overlooked by the East case

[cert. murse aphex]

lee said:

btw aphex, Scott Niedermayer withdrew with injury and Forsberg is still thinking of playing Olympics although his boss said he really wants him to rest his groin injury.

How about Rob?

It really doesn't look good for Forsberg, he probably won't play. He'll wait with his final decision until the very last minue. Perhaps Nylander instead.

So now you Canadians won't be able to injure him during the tournament.