Good day from Saskatoon

Welcome to Saskatoon, the coldest day of our trip. The temperature is -11 but the wind is down, so it's bearable. We had no snow as we stepped off the bus and entered our hotel last night after the quick trip from Regina. It's amazing how quick the travel can feel after a win. It still amazes me how easy the travel is out here. I guess I took it for granted years ago, but it is a breeze when compared to what we experience in the Western Conference. In saying that, if the road conditions turn for the worse when the prairie winds blow and you experience blizzard like conditions, the travel slows considerably.

I am not sure if this is by design, but it appears the coaching staff have been cognizant of the two hour time difference. While some people like to play it down, getting a wake up call at 8 am Saskatchewan time is like getting up at 6 am in Kelowna. I don't know too many teenagers who appreciate waking up that early. The coaching staff are mindful of the quality sleep these players need, so the later than normal breakfast schedule is welcomed by all on this trip.

You will be able to watch two Kelowna Rockets participate in the CHL Top Prospects game next month at Prospera Place. Damon Severson will play on Team Cherry while Colton Sissons is on Team Orr. The skills competition goes January 31st and I would love to see Severson participate in the hardest shot competition. Outside of Carter Rigby, the 17 year-old could have the best slap shot on the team.

Don't forget AM 1150 will broadcast the CHL Top Prospects game on February 1st. It should be a lot of fun. Essentially this game showcases the top 40 players eligible for the 2012 NHL draft.

The Kelowna Rockets lost another player after last nights win in Regina. Nope, not to injury, but 18 year-old Filip Vasko is off to attend his countries training camp for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships. I thought Vasko played a strong game in Regina last night and came oh so close to scoring his first career WHL goal. Now that Cole Martin has scored, only Vasko remains as the only Rockets player that has failed to find the back of the net.

The players gather tonight for their annual 'on the road' Christmas party. This is a chance for the players to enjoy mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey and stuffing. The best part of the evening is when the players hand out gag gifts to one another. Some of the gifts are inside jokes that you and I wouldn't understand, but its a chance for teammates to make fun of one another and have a few laughs during a grueling time of the year.

The Rockets will be playing their third game in four nights Friday when they face the Prince Albert Raiders. This will mark the first time Antoine Corbin has a chance to play against his old team. Corbin is now a 19 year-old on the PA Raiders blue line. AM 1150 will have the game at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.

On a non related hockey note, gas is 111.9 cents a litre here in Saskatoon.

This posting is coming from my BlackBerry. Any grammatical errors will have to be corrected once I arrived back at the hotel and open my laptop.

Have a great day!