Good on the Giants/Ray Resigned to Canadian College Hockey

Belated congratulations to the Vancouver Giants for winning the Memorial Cup.
Now hockey fans in the Western Hockey League can give them a hard time for winning junior hockey's ultimate prize, despite failing to win the league title.
The Kelowna Rockets have been getting it from all sides since they won the crown in 2004, despite being bounced in the Western Conference final.
But let's face it, as long as the Memorial Cup exists you need to have a host team participating or the interest just wouldn't be there.
The Giants were a legitimate heavyweight this season and deserved to be in the final four, just like the Rockets were in 2004.
And how about the record crowds? Wow!!
Hats off to the organizing committee for getting bums in the seats for every game of the tournament.
If I'm a WHL Governor, and I am voting on who should be awarded the Memorial Cup the next time 'our league' gets a chance, I'm thinking big market all the way.
Unless Calgary bids for the 2010 games, Saskatoon should be a slam dunk to get it. But if a smaller centre attempts to pull the games away from the Blades bid, I simply don't see a chance of them getting it.
Each WHL team is getting a financial piece of the pie and even the small market teams, which tend to band together in support, have to agree that bigger is better when it comes to a larger city hosting the event.
Money does talk, and reaping the rewards of a successful Memorial Cup with a check that helps the bottom line of a smaller market team couldn't come at a better time, as expenses to run a junior hockey franchise go through the roof.
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The Giants celebrated Tuesday, no not with a parade in downtown Vancouver, but at city hall as the Mayor declared today 'Vancouver Giants Day'.
Like one hockey fan said, "The Giants did something the Canucks were unable to do at Pacific Colesieum...win a championship".
Giants head coach Don Hay should be proud of his team and his accomplishments for keeping his squad focused, despite knowing all season long they would be playing hockey in the month of May regardless of how good or bad they were during the regular season.
Don Hay has to be considered for a pro job at the next level.
To see him behind the bench of the Giants next season won't happen.
If he is back behind the bench of an NHL team as an assistant or head coach next season I'll be shocked.
If Hay bolts for the pro's that would leave five teams looking for new head coaches. Openings would be in Everett, Vancouver, expansion Edmonton, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.
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I ran into Kelowna Rockets overage Chris Ray at the gym yesterday.
Ray has spent the past couple of weeks backpacking with his brother overseas.
Talk about the adventurous type.
Ray is going to be spending a good portion of his summer in Calgary, and appears to be resigned to the fact he'll be playing Canadian College hockey this winter.
Not like that's a bad thing, but I am sure even Ray thought more pro teams would be knocking at his door despite a less than solid 20 year-old season.

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How many WHL athletic therapists do you think are considering the job opening with the Prince George Cougars?
The answer - none!
Over the years we've seen 'trainers' move within the league, but no one in their right mind will be taking that job up in Cougar Country.
Let's see...piss poor pay....tons of work...long hours and terrible travel. Hmmmmmm.
In finding good people you often look at someone with a vast knowledge of the league. In this case the less the applicant knows about the job the better.
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How much was that goal worth that Travis Moen scored in game one of the Stanley Cup final? Will his performance in the 2007 NHL playoffs see him seeking more money next season?
Moen has shown he is worth his 475 thousand dollar paycheck and may be looking for more having scored two game winning goals in the playoffs, and scoring 5 times in the Ducks run towards the cup.
Moen has caught the eye of Anaheim G.M Brian Burke.
Funny thing is while Moen is paid 475 grand to keep opponents off the board, fellow teammate Ryan Getzlaf is earning just over 600 grand to do the opposite - score!
The way I see it either Moen is getting paid to much, or Getzlaf is getting paid to little.
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I will admit I've been struggling keeping up with my blog this week.
The reason?
I am all about excuses, and will use the fact that I am doing the morning shift for a co-worker this week who is having some voice problems.
That's why I'm slacking off.
Getting up at 4 am this week just isn't right. Who can function at that time of the morning?
Everyone says it's a great shift because you are done your work day by noon, and then you can do whatever you want with the rest of the day!
But when you feel like s*** once the shift is over and you want nothing more than to sleep, I just don't see the benefits.
I've never been an early riser.
Never have, never will!!
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A great quote from former NHL goaltender Bob Froese after the ice was littered with plastic mugs after fans complaining about a referee's call.
"I'm just glad it wasn't Machete Night".