Audio Interview with Red Wings Derek Meech

Western Hockey League got it right

The Western Hockey League got it right when announcing the finalists for rookie of the year in the respective conferences.
Both Kelowna Rockets forward Shane McColgan (Western Conference) and Red Deer Rebels phenom Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Eastern Conference) had sensational rookie seasons by putting up impressive offensive totals, and doing so at just sixteen.
These two players are the future of the WHL, and should be marketed in such a way to attract more American kids thanks to McColgan's success, while showing Western Canadian kids, thanks to Nugent-Hopkins, that they too can excel in major junior, even in their first year of junior eligibility.
Vancouver Giants fans may be sour that 19 year-old defenceman Kevin Connaughton was not given the Western Conference nod for rookie of the year, but I argue against that selection.
Without question, Connaughton's season was solid, but a three year difference in physical and mental maturity as compared to a 16 year-old player is great. Connaughton should be an impact player at 19 and should garner top minutes. For a 16 year-old to be an impact player and earn those minutes is far more impressive.
My second argument for McColgan or Nugent-Hopkins being named rookie of the year was their commitment to the WHL at a young age. Both players could have taken another path towards a pro career, but at a young age believed major junior hockey was the best fit for them. That's not an easy decision to make for any teenager and their family.
Connaughton, much like former Rocket Chuck Kobasew jumped to the WHL at 19, and the league was/is better for it. But both used the WHL as an alternative, not a first choice, in the path towards a pro career. The league opens their arms to these players, and rightfully so, but the commitment level that young players make to the league should not be ignored.
The selection of 16 year-old's that had exceptional rookie seasons is again another example of the Western Hockey League getting it right.

McColgan/Barrie/Main recognized

Shane McColgan has been named the Western Conference rookie of the year. McColgan will now go up against the Eastern Conference rookie of the year, Red Deer's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, for the WHL rookie of the year award next month.

Tyson Barrie was also named the Western Conference defenceman of the year. Barrie was also named a first team Western Conference all-star.

Spencer Main is the Western Conference nominee for scholastic player of the year.

Break'n it down

The Tips out-scored the Rockets 21-14 in the five game seasonal series.

Periods: 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Rockets: 5 5 4 14
Tips: 8 7 6 21

*The Rockets out-shot the Tips in four of the five games. The Rockets registered 170 shots (34 per game), while Everett had 151 shots on goal (30.2 per game).

The Rockets were 7 for 32 on the power play. (22%).

Everett was 7 for 24 on the power play (29%).

1 on 1 with Wings goaltender Chris Osgood

Wings Practice

The Detroit Red Wings practiced at Prospera Place in Kelowna this morning. Over five thousand hockey fans took in the first of two workouts in the home of the Kelowna Rockets.

Ozzy. Veteran goaltender Chris Osgood spent some time with me for a one on one interview, which I will share on this blog later today. Osgood has a home on Kal Lake and is well aware of how beautiful the Okanagan is.

Todd Bertuzzi.

Just one of many hockey fans that have now likely been converted to Red Wings fans.

Pavel Datsyuk took a few moments to sign some autograph's outside Prospera Place before this mornings workout. The Wings used the Rockets bus as the mode of transportation to and from the hotel.

F.Y.I

Kelowna Rockets head coach Ryan Huska, Kamloops Blazers bench boss Guy Charron and Chilliwack's Marc Habscheid are featured on Dan Russell's Sports Talk tonight at 11 pm. You can hear the program at www.am1150.ca

How long was the Rockets injury list this season?

1)Tyson Barrie - knee/ankle (missed 8 games)
2)Brandon McMillan - harline fracture in foot (missed 6 games)
3)Collin Bowman - knee (missed 7 games)
4)Dallas Jackson - hip/ankle (injury not disclosed - missed 8 games)
5)Evan Bloodoff - knee surgery (missed 63 games)
6)Lucas Bloodoff - knee (missed 21 games)
7)Kyle St. Denis - concussion (missed 46 games)
8)Spencer Main - concussion/hip (missed 19 games)
9)Mitchell Chapman - ribs/shoulder (missed 7 games)
10)Brett Bulmer - separated shoulder (missed 7 games)
11)Cody Chikie - broken collarbone (missed 14 games)
12)Geordie Wudrick - shoulder (missed 11 games)
13)Codey Ito - shoulder (missed 5 games)
14) Max Adolph - ankle (missed 9 games)
15) Mark Guggenberger - groin (missed 31 games)

That's unofficially 262 man games lost to injury this season.

Only Mitchell Callahan, Shane McColgan, Colten Jobke, Tyler Matheson, Antoine Corbin and MacKenzie Johnston did not miss a game this season because of injury. Five of the six players mentioned were healthy scratches at some point this season with Callahan playing in all 72 games.

Things that make me go hmm...

• Congratulations to Marc Habscheid for leading his Chilliwack Bruins to a playoff birth this season. I will admit, I predicted Habscheid's team would miss post season play and Seattle would be playoff bound. I was wrong. Whether 'Haber' ever forgives me for this blunder is still in question. If the truth be known, I have a pretty good relationship with the Bruins bench boss and he sent me a friendly barb when he heard my prediction. I may have to buy him dinner for the mishap. I can hear him saying it now, "That will never happen".
• The play-by-play voice of the Vancouver Giants is on the move. Morley Scott has been named the new play-by-play man of the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos. Congrats Morley.
• I spoke to Tyler Halliday before his final game in a Prince George Cougars uniform Saturday night. I wanted to wish Halliday the best in his future, whether it be in hockey or school. Playing your final game in junior hockey with no hope of the playoffs can't be a good feeling. I will have to admit It was nice to see him score against his old team in his final game in junior hockey.
• Burt Henderson. Have you ever heard of him? I hadn't until I was informed that he indeed is the Rockets all-time franchise leader in points by a defenceman. Henderson played a couple of seasons in Tacoma before the Rockets re-located to Kelowna in 1995. Henderson had 186 career points, which is 16 more than Tyson Barrie. Barrie is indeed the highest scoring d-man since the team came to Kelowna, but Henderson is the franchise leader.
• Did you know the Rockets received the third most power play chances of any team in the WHL this season? The Rockets had 364 chances. Only Calgary (372) and Tri City (368) had more.
• The question on the minds of Rockets fans is who to cheer for in the Western Conference playoff series between Kamloops and Vancouver. Rockets fans don't like either team. As one fan told me at last night's awards banquet, it would be nice to see the Blazers punted from the first round of the playoffs for a 10th straight season. My belief is the Blazers will give the Giants all they can handle.
• The Blazers have not gotten past the first round of the playoffs since 1999. That season the team went all the way to the WHL finals with Marc Habscheid at the helm. Habscheid was relieved of his duties that summer. The struggles in Kamloops are being called "the Habschied curse".
• The Rockets will start game one on the road Friday night in Everett. The Rockets are no strangers to winning game one on the road in the playoffs. Last season they beat the Giants in Vancouver 4-2 in game one of a Western Conference Semi Final Series before earning a 3-1 win in Calgary in game one of the WHL final. The Rockets also earned a win in game one of the Memorial Cup in Rimouski. Will the pattern continue Friday?
• When was the last time the Rockets started an opening round playoff series on the road? The Rockets were in Seattle for game one during the 2008 playoffs. The Rockets won that game 3-2.
• In the 2006 playoff series with Everett, the Rockets had home ice advantage. Oddly enough they lost the first two games at home before losing game three in Everett. Maybe home ice advantage is overrated?
• The ugly stat. The Rockets were 0 and 3 in Everett in the playoffs in 2006, yet were 2 and 1 in 2004. The one loss in Everett in 04 came in overtime when John Dahl scored.
• Dan Russell's Sports Talk will feature a round table discussion with the four BC Division broadcasters, who's team's made the playoffs. That segment will likely be aired on Thursday night. You can catch it on AM 1150. Sports Talk is heard on http://www.am1150.ca/ seven days a week from 9 pm until midnight.
• Pumped in crowd noise is not necessary at Comcast Arena. I don't think the video monitor even has to encourage the fans to make noise. A low roof and roudy fans make that building a wild place to witness a game. Who pumps in crowd noise any way? It's unheard of in the WHL!
• I'm interested to see how many hockey fans show up for Friday nights opener in Everett. Traditionally opening round crowds are always on the smallish side. In last years playoffs against the Tri City Americans, just 3 thousand 114 Tip fans showed up for the first of just two playoff games. Two night's later a better crowd of 41 hundred took in the game. Both are small by Tips standards.
• If you are having a coffee in downtown Kelowna today and the guy next too you looks like Chris Osgood, it probably is. The Detroit Red Wings flew into Kelowna late last night and are spending an off day in Kelowna. The Wings will conduct two practices Wednesday and Thursday before heading off to Edmonton to face the Oilers on Friday.

Tyson Time!

Defenceman Tyson Barrie was the big winner at Monday night's Kelowna Rockets awards banquet. Barrie was named the MVP, top defenceman, top scorer and shared the plus/minus award with teammate Brandon McMillan. (pictured). Shane McColgan picked up the rookie of the year award for his 69 point season. Here he is pictured with his dad Shane Sr.

Other winners:
Brandon McMillan was named top defensive forward and sportsmanlike player of the year.

Brett Bulmer was named most improved player.

Mitchell Callahan was the unsung hero.

Spencer Main was the scholastic player of the year.

Three Tips to watch in this series

It's not often you preach the virtues of the opposition, but it's worth appreciating the efforts of several members of Tips in this upcoming playoff series.

Shane Harper: The Tips leading scorer, Harper was a machine especially in January, when he recorded 21 points in 14 games. Harper won't wow you with his speed, but always finds himself in a good position to make plays. Harper scored an impressive 24 goals on the road this season and managed just seven power play goals. When only 16 percent of your goals were scored on the power play, it tells you he's a good five-on-five player. The Tips MVP isn't soft. He's missed one regular season game in the last three seasons.

Tyler Maxwell: If the Tips are on the power play, this guy is the man to watch. Maxwell led the team with 17 power play goals and loves to score them when playing at home. Maxwell scored 22 of his 33 goals at Comcast Arena. Maxwell likes to shoot first and ask question second.

Ryan Murray: The future of the Tips d-core looks bright with this anchor. Murray impressed in all four games (he missed one) the Rockets played against the Tips this season. Murray had a point in all four games. Murray was a +33 in his rookie campaign. Not fancy, Murray shows unbelievable composure with the puck for a young d-man. Murray had points in 13 of his first 16 games this season before cooling off. Impressive player for a 16 year-old without a doubt.

Why am I excited to play Everett?

• Nothing builds a rivalry like playoff hockey. The Rockets and Tips have build up this rivalry thanks to two playoff encounters in 04 and 06. Yet in this series, it's tough to use the word 'hated rivalry' because I don't think the fans nor the teams really hate each other. Let's face it, Rockets fans hate Vancouver/Kamloops, and the feeling is mutual. The vibe I get in this series is a general respect the fans and players have for both organizations.
• The building. You can't watch or call a junior hockey game in a better arena than Comcast. Sorry, you can't. Pacific Coliseum gave them a run for their money last weekend when we were in that building as 12 thousand strong made a ton of noise. The fans in Everett are extremely passionate about the team and the game. You can't knock this group for screaming when the Tips simply bring the puck into the offensive zone. I get as charged up as the fans when Comcast comes to a crescendo. I love the building and hope to call more than just two games in there in this playoff series.
• 21 points. These two teams were separated by 21 points in the standings, so the Tips are the heavy favourites. They are a good team. You don't put up 97 points by fluke. The strength of this team in my opinion is in goal. The match up between Rockets netminder Adam Brown and likely Tips starter Thomas Heemskerk is worth watching. Who's the better goalie? Statistically Heemskerk is. Brown faced 372 more shots than the 19 year-old this season. Brown has to outplay Heemskerk for the Rockets to have a chance in this series. I hope the goaltenders on both sides give the shooters headaches.
• Watch the coaches.This should be a good showdown. Tips head coach Craig Hartsburgh has NHL experience and has won two gold medals as the coach of Canada's world junior team. Huska most recently led his team to a WHL title. Observing two quality coaches in a seven game series is always interesting.
• Speaking of the coaches, my belief is Craig Hartsburgh will be extremely guarded when speaking to the media in this series. I get this 'old school' vibe from him that the media is as much the enemy as the team his club is facing. Maybe I am completely wrong and he will surprise me. I'll let you know. The same I believe does not hold true with Tips GM Doug Soetaert, who has been personable every time I've met him. Soetaert makes it look like he is a fan of the media. And why shouldn't he be? Soetaert gets it. It's about selling tickets and getting his team in the headlines. Soetaert is a solid GM and realizes the importance the media plays in promoting his product.
• As a broadcaster, you always have a belief the team you are calling games for has a chance to win. Why would you go into a series with the mindset for failure? I believe the Rockets can win this series, but not without an all out effort from everybody. Codey Ito, a fourth line player, has to work his tail off and be as affective as Tyson Barrie is offensively. The Tips can afford to have a few passengers in this series and get by, the Rocket can't.
• This series should receive solid media coverage. Nick Patterson writes and blogs for the Everett Herald. Patterson isn't scared to share his opinion and covers the Tips by producing solid copy. He is worth reading for pre and post game stories in this series. Just goggle Everett Herald and you are on your way. The Kelowna Daily Courier is going to be sending Doyle Potenteau on the road for this series, so the Rockets angle will be covered by our daily newspaper. Potenteau has been on many a long playoff run in his time in Kelowna, and knows how to get the message out to the masses.
• My objective on this blog is to share thoughts on the series as it develops. While angled towards the Rockets, my hope is to provide Tips readers a reason to stop by here every day for a look at the visiting teams perspective. If you are a Tips fan, you are encouraged to leave a comment on your take on my obsevations or on what you see in the series.

Dailey remembers '06' series with Rockets

The Everett Silvertip pictured to the
right is captain Zack Dailey. Dailey is the only player participating in this seasons Western Conference Quarter Final Series that will have any memory of the last time the Tips and Rockets met in the WHL playoffs in 2006. Dailey was just 16 at the time and saw limited ice time in that six game series. Dailey is now a 20 year-old. The Tips other 16 year-old that season that is still with the team was scratched for that series in 06. Shane Harper, the Tips leading scorer, played in an opening round series against Tri City but didn't dress against the Rockets.
From a Kelowna perspective, you would think 20 year-old team captain Lucas Bloodoff would have played in that series in 06 as well. Nope. Bloodoff joined the Rockets a season later as a 17 year-old.