Speaking To Hamilton in Cowtown

• I caught up with Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton in Calgary as he prepares for league meetings Tuesday and Wednesday. The sale of the Edmonton Oilers and how that will affect the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings will be discussed as well as the financial status of the Portland Winter Hawks. Following the league meetings Hamilton is off to the NHL draft in Ottawa.
• Hamilton says Jeff Truitt was a key reason why Rockets defenseman Luke Schenn and Tyler Myers will likely hear their names called Friday in the first round of the NHL draft. Truitt, a defenseman by trade as a player, has been credited with helping the playing careers of Shea Weber and Josh Gorges.
• I had to ask Hamilton about the rumor that Jeff Truitt will be named the new head coach of the Springfield Falcons Tuesday. Hamilton is pleased Truitt will be given the opportunity after serving as an assistant coach to the Edmonton Oilers minor league affiliate last season. The Falcons have a press conference set for tomorrow where Truitt is expected to be named to the post. Considering he was golfing with Oilers VP of Hockey Operations Kevin Prendergast this afternoon has me banking on Truitt being named the Falcons head skipper.
• The Kelowna Rockets can still use the excuse of having bus legs, but they will be driving in style this season. Hamilton admits the team will be taking delivery of a new bus in August. Hamilton says the existing team bus is just two years old, and they shouldn't have any problems selling it to a tour company. The new rig is expected have better seating, enabling players to recline for better sleep during overnight trips.
• Congrats to Colin Long for being invited to the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. August 1-9. Long is one of six WHL players named to the camp. This years World Juniors are in Ottawa.
• Marc Habscheid is a class act. Habscheid gave me a call the other day concerned about the well-being of my mom. Habscheid has often spoken about the relationships that he has built with players over the years, and how they are as important to him as championships. The call I received two weekends ago just punctuates the point.
• I want to publicly congratulate Todd McLellan for a) Winning the holy grail of hockey b) Being named the head coach in San Jose. It's great to see a new face getting a chance at a head coaching job at the NHL level considering the norm where coaches at the elite level are often times recycled. Todd you deserve it!
• Hope you enjoy the new look of the blog. It was time for a color change.