It's getting to be that awkward time of the year that no one looks forward to if you are sports fan. Yes, fans the end of the season is nigh with the Stanley Cup Playoffs down to the Final 4 and only Free Agent Frenzy and then the draft to look forward to July 23rd and 24th. At least the draft is later than normal and that makes for a shorter than normal off-season. Here's a collection of hockey items that I've been keeping an eye on.
NEWS-WORTHY TIME TO BE A COACON ON AN OHL TEAM STARTING WITH THE LETTER "O"
Owen Sound, Oshawa and Ottawa will all have new coaches by the start of next season. Ok, I may have played a little faster and looser with the headline than I needed to as Ottawa's Head Coach Andrew Tourignay is only taking a leave of absence with Hockey Canada. However, Owen Sound parted ways with coach Alan Letang while Oshawa did the same with their bench boss Greg Walters. I'm not sure if these guys got fired, quit, but "parted ways" or "stepped down" is a nice neutral middle ground way of saying that the coach was fired or outright quit., and really does not not offer up any information. Are they leaving hockey? Jumping to a pro team? Who knows? We only know they "parted ways" or "stepped down". I will say the Oshawa announcement was far more terse than the Owen Sound announcement.
OWEN SOUND ANNOUNCEMENT:
OSHAWA ANNOUNCEMENT
No quotes in Oshawa release. Lots of quotes in the Owen Sound release. I always raise a Spockian (or Rockian) eyebrow when media releases are a couple of sentences. That said. I'm a play-by-play guy and occasional host not 60 Minutes or Dateline. I'm sure they have their reasons for the structure of their release.
OHL SCHEDULE
The WHL dipped its brave toes into the water by releasing a full schedule earlier in the week that will feature a 68 game schedule and less travel, something difficult to accomplish in the expansive West in both Canada and the US. It's something I'm sure all leagues are looking at. The OHL is scheduled to release theirs before the end of June, and I'm sure similar travel parameters will be in place to minimize the bus miles and hotel stays. Smart move by all leagues as we are still transitioning out of a pandemic.
PLAYERS TOURNAMENT IN ERIE
Congratulations to the organizers and players in the tournament organized by Andrew Perrott and friends. It gave OHL players a much needed boost in their potential draft, U-Sports or Pro Team aspirations. There were 30 odd NHL teams that had representation there and no positive tests, which is outstanding work! Here's hoping some of these guys get the pro deals they desire, or hear their names called on Draft Day.
PLAY BY PLAY NERD NOTE
Sportsnet's John Bartlett has been getting increased exposure on the network as he called both the Islanders/Boston and Vegas/Colorado series with Gary Galley from the studio. Now he's calling the Islanders and Tampa Bay, though not sure if he's on the road or still at the studio. He and Galley have been knocking it out of the park with their call, an John deserves, in my opinion, an elevated role next year. He and I have had some, emphasis on some similarities. John started as PA announcer with the Newmarket Hurricanes before calling play by play for the Barrie Colts. He then got a full-time gig with the Toronto Marlies before calling radio and TV for the Canadiens at various points along with the Leafs and other teams. I started as colour commentator with Newmarket after John left, and then went on to the NIagara IceDogs and called the AHL for TV for a couple of years. That's where our paths diverge. Hey, I said that there were SOME similarities!
AWARD SEASON
Forget the Hart Trophy, the Lady Byng, the Vezina and the Norris. Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens has won the most prestigious award of them all.. https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1405911952069701636?s=20
FINALLY ...
England and Scotland meet today at the Euro 2020 Cup . It will only be the 2nd time they've met in a major tournament in their storied history, if you can believe it. The last time was at the 1996 Euro's when England won 2-0. Hoping for a repeat today though I bear no ill will to the Scots. I'll root for Scotland against any team, except for England. Today will put England one step closer to their likely destiny or a penalty kick loss, or an upset against a far inferior opponent.
Take care
Stay Safe
Steve Clark
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