Truitt is Top Drawer/Westy Isn't the Only One

I had a chance to break bread (have lunch) with Kelowna Rockets head coach Jeff Truitt Friday. Color Analyst David Michaud joined me on a sun drenched day overlooking Okanagan Lake.
I love Kelowna!!!
Here we were talking hockey on a +32 degree day, speculating with 'the coach' on everything from who was getting the Edmonton Oil Kings job to who the Rockets may lose in the upcoming WHL expansion draft.
You can't help but like Jeff Truitt, and hanging out for lunch on a gorgeous Friday afternoon and chatting about what ails hockey was like three buddy's hanging out at a barbecue.
It's not often 'media types' are able to get this close to a coach at any level, and I am sure for some it may be to close for comfort.
For me, Jeff Truitt is more than just a coach though. Truitt is a friend first - coach second, and I am not afraid to admit that.
Do I cheer for him?
Yes.
Do I want to see him succeed?
Absolutely!
Have I had previous relationships with coaches where I would go out of my way to have lunch with the guy?
No!
Jeff Truitt is the exception to the rule when it comes to ego. He doesn't let that stand in the way of opening himself up and revealing both his strengths and weaknesses as an individual, and as a coach. It's that honesty and confidence that makes you gravitate to him.
Not only is Truitt a good coach, but in the big scheme of life, he's a better person.
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Congratulations to Marty Flichel and the Idaho Steelheads for winning the East Coast Hockey League title Friday night.
The Steelheads beat Dayton 4-1 to capture the league title in five games.
Flichel is the team captain, and is a former Tacoma/Kelowna Rocket.
Flichel had 39 goals - 48 assists for 87 points, which was 4th in ECHL scoring this season. He chipped in with 22 points in 22 playoff games.
The 30 year-olds dad is former Kelowna Rockets scout Barry Flichel.
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The Edmonton Oil Kings are getting set for Tuesday's WHL expansion draft.
While many talk about the talent pool depleting with what will now be a 22nd team, the Oil Kings are still going to get some pretty good players come expansion draft day.
Oh sure they are going to get some players with obvious discrepancies in their game, but like we've seen most recently in Everett in 2003, and Chilliwack in 2007, even expansion pickups can make an impact if they are guided properly.
Many even excel and exceed expectations, because they are forced into certain roles with a first year franchise that they could have only dreamed of with the team that left them unprotected.
Expansion clubs have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and it's that mindset that has propelled teams like the Tips and Bruins into playoff births in season #1.
If the trend continues, the expansion Oil Kings will be treating it's fans to first round playoff hockey in late March.
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The Minnesota Wild and Kristofer Westblom have parted ways.
The Wild failed to sign the Kelowna Rockets goaltender by the June 1st deadline, essentially making Westblom a free agent.
Is he bitter that the Wild didn't offer him a deal? No doubt.
Yet he has to look at two other Western Hockey Leaguer's as examples of what appears to be an odd decision by the Wild in inking players to contracts.
A.J Thelen, the Wilds number one pick in 2004, wasn't given a contract. The Vancouver Giant has to be bitter despite winning a Memorial Cup ring.
Even former Portland Winter Hawk Kyle Bailey failed to earn a deal.
You had to question the Wilds thinking when they offered Matt Kassian a contract last month. Minnesota needs another tough guy like they need a hole in the head.
Hello Derek Boogaard!!
Nothing against Kassian, but he isn't exactly a multi dimensional player, yet the Wild oddly enough inked him to a deal.
Now it's up to Westblom, Thelen and Bailey to prove the Wild wrong.
It's that added motivation that may infact be a blessing for these players down the road, on a day when all three are likely questioning their future in the game of hockey.
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Former New York Rangers GM Neil Smith with a quote on losing a playoff series to Washington.
"The playoffs seperate the men from the boys, and we found out that we have alot of boys in our dressing room".