Saturday, March 30, 2013

Fab Four For Optimist Chiefs

2013 AMHL Champions - Red Deer Optimist Chiefs
The Doug Dynasty continues...

At least that's how the players, past and present, refer to the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs streak of four straight Alberta Midget AAA provincial championships.

It's their tribute to the man in charge, Doug Quinn, who has been behind the Chiefs bench for all four title wins (as well as their Telus Cup championship win last April.)

He's a coach these players absolutely love playing for.  And on Saturday, they rewarded him with another solid 60 minute effort leading to another provincial title.

"They're all exciting but I think one is probably a bit extra special," Quinn said following the Chiefs 1-0 won over Edmonton Southside Athletic Club in the fifth and deciding game of the Alberta Midget Hockey League final.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Great Words From The Great One / Sutter Talks Iggy


Wayne Gretzky and Yours Truly
I can’t lie to you.  Even as a lifelong Calgary Flames fan I was really, really looking forward to today.



After all, it’s not every day that The Great One visits your city… especially when your city is Red Deer.



Wayne Gretzky had the crowd in the palm of his hand this morning at the 10th annual RDC Kings and Queens Scholarship Breakfast.  Over 1,400 people came out to Westerner Park to hear Wayne share stories on stage with his former St. Louis Blues teammate, Kelly Chase [who is very entertaining in his own right].



Monday, March 25, 2013

Rebels: Prospects Perspective

Rebels Senior Scout
Shaun Sutter
As I mentioned in my last blog post, the Rebels had a number of their top prospects in town over the weekend to soak in the "Rebels experience" so to speak.

Players spent quite a bit of time at the Enmax Centrium, both on and off the ice, learning all about what it takes to be a part of the Red Deer Rebels organization.

On Saturday, I chatted with Rebels Senior Scout Shaun Sutter about the weekend and about a pair of high profile prospects in particular, Adam Musil and Vukie Mpofu.

Rather than re-type the whole interview... you can listen to it on my soundcloud page.


Thursday, March 21, 2013

"Bling" For Bartosak / Prospects Update


Honoured.  Excited.  Focused.



That’s pretty much how Patrik Bartosak felt yesterday afternoon when we chatted about his double honours from the Western Hockey League.



After receiving the Red Deer Rebels MVP Award last week, the 19 year old Czech netminder was named as an Eastern Conference 1st-team All Star on Wednesday.  He is also the Eastern Conference nominee for WHL Goaltender of the Year.



He appreciates the honours but, as you would expect, isn’t taking any time to celebrate as he prepares for his WHL playoff debut.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Rebels Players Awards - Who's Gonna Win?




Contrary to popular belief, I have no insider info whatsoever as to who will win the 2012-2013 Red Deer Rebels Player Awards tonight.

But... as a guy who follows the team closely all season long... I should probably offer up my thoughts on the awards in the form of some predictions (which never ever work out well for me in the end).

Thankfully, at least one of this year's awards is an absolute slam dunk...

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Allan Cup - One Month Away

allancup2013.ca


Yesterday at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, the 2013 ATB Financial Allan Cup organizing committee gave an update to the local media.

With the tournament now just one month away, excitement for the Senior AAA national championship tournament is starting to pick up. 

Ticket sales are a clear indicator of that excitement as the tournament is already more than 80% sold out.  Tournament Chair Dave Mousseau expects that number to reach 100% by the time the tournament starts on April 15th.

"With our choice of venue being the [Red Deer] Arena, I think the atmosphere there is second to none, especially for championship calibre," Mousseau proclaimed.  "But unfortunately there's only a certain amount of seats in that venue.  With the following that senior hockey has now, it is going to be a sellout."