Pats Extend Lang Through 2013-14

The Pats announced this morning that General Manager Chad Lang's contract will be extended through the 2013-14 season.

The extension comes after Lang has done some pretty good work with the Pats since arriving two years ago.  In the last couple seasons Lang restructured the coaching staff, changed up the scouting department and overhauled the on ice product.

Bringing in Pat Conacher as head coach along with Josh Dixon and Malcolm Cameron as assistants before last season was a big step forward for the club that showed impressive results in only one season with the team returning to the post season after a three year absence.

While not immediately evident, some of the fruits of Dale McMullin's labour should be showing up soon as prospects step through the ranks to become every day Pats.  Speaking of prospects, they'll be on display come Training Camp which opens August 30th (registration) and gets into full swing the next day.

Getting back to Lang, the list players he brought in the last couple years have been impressive.  Guys like Lane Scheidl, Martin Marincin and Colton Jobke have all been impact players for Regina.  He also had to deal with a tough situation last year in what to do with Jordan Weal at the deadline.  Lang decided to keep Weal and go for it with the Marincin acquisition and if a few things go the Pats way, maybe we're talking about them going on a bit of a run in last year's playoffs.

With all of that, Lang earned the right to continue on and know well in advance he'll be back for a further season.  It will be interesting to see, now that this Pats team definitely has his stamp on it, where Lang goes from here.

For more Pats news head over to ReginaPats.com and remember season tickets are on sale now so check out the website for more info or call 522-5604.

-D

Pats to Retire Jordan Eberle's #7 Jersey

At the Centre Ice Celebration, a gala ahead of tomorrow's Eberle and Friends Golf Classic, the Pats announced they'll retire Jordan Eberle's jersey this upcoming season.  The big date is October 9th when the Pats welcome the Portland Winterhawks to the Brandt Centre.

Eberle becomes just the ninth player in Pats history to have the honour of seeing his number in the rafters and when you look at the numbers, it's hard to argue what the now Edmonton Oiler meant to the franchise.  He sits thirteenth on the team's all time scoring list having lead the Pats in scoring three years during his WHL career.  In his final year of junior, Eberle was named the WHL and CHL Player of the Year in a season where he totaled 56 goals and 50 assists.

Despite being named the Pats' MVP twice in his tenure, Eberle's junior years will likely be remembered more for his contributions while wearing a Team Canada jersey.  Only Eric Lindros holds more career points at the World Junior Championships than Eberle (and Brayden Schenn, both have 26 points) and his last second goal at the 2009 World Juniors in Ottawa will be on highlight reels for a very long time.

Taken 22nd overall by the Oilers in the 2008 Draft, Eberle is quickly translating his success at the junior level to the pro game.  His sophomore season in the big leagues saw him total 76 points in 78 games, capping off the season as a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy.

What Eberle has accomplished within the glass at such a young age (22) is impressive to say the least.  However, it was what he does away from the rink that caught the eye of Pats President, Brent Parker.  "For me it was the class with which he conducted himself off the ice and in our community that separates him from others and truly makes him one of the best Pats of all time," Parker commented in tonight's release.

It's fitting, then, that the announcement came at an event where Eberle is taking time to give back to the community through Thursday's golf tournament in support of the Regina Hospitals Foundation.

For more on Jordan Eberle's jersey retirement, make sure you head over to ReginaPats.com.

-D

Pats Select Sylvegard in Import Draft

Imagine my surprise when I walked into the office this morning and was told the Pats had already made their selection in the 2012 CHL Import Draft.  The draft schedule gives each team ten minutes to make a pick and the Pats were slated to pick around noon today.  This year's draft is rolling along, though with the second round of the sixty team draft almost complete.

The Pats used their 32nd overall pick to take Emil Sylvegard, a sizable Swede who comes in with previous CHL experience.  Sylvegard suited up for the Drummondville Voltigeurs last season in the QMJHL and picked up 31 points in 65 games.  Pats GM Chad Lang is confident that year of experience and familiarity with the North American game will lead Sylvegard to a breakout season in the WHL.

SJHL AGM

The SJHL held its AGM this past weekend in Regina and I spoke with SJHL President Bill Chow, who was kind enough to give me a call, about some of the main points of the weekend.  He said it was a long but productive series of meetings.

Here are the main points from our conversation:

• The 54 game schedule "parameters" are set.  It seems there were still some sticking points on how everything would work, so while we don't yet have a schedule for 2012-13; the outline is set.
• The SJHL dropped the Showcase.  The initial plan was to hold the Showcase in Melfort this year, but with the weekend cancelled that won't be happening.
• It's really too bad because the Showcase is an absolute blast for the broadcasters.  Lots of great hockey and it's one of the few times we can all get together at the same time and catch up.
• The Showcase will be replaced by an "Identification Camp" for '94 and '95 born players with some older players mixed in.  Select players from this camp head to the World Junior A Challenge selection camp for Team West.

Ice Wolves Yard Sale Fundraiser

Bula Joins Wright at TRU

Bula celebrates his SJHL goal

Make it four Ice Wolves who have their hockey and schooling futures sorted out.  Ben Bula joins fellow Ice Wolf grad Brennan Wright at Thompson Rivers University next season playing for the WolfPack in his home town of Kamloops.


According to the TRU release, Bula will be taking some upgrading courses with the eventual goal of physiotherapy.


Bula garnered pretty solid fan support for his physical play, skill without the mitts and seemingly endless quest for his first SJHL goal which finally came to an end November 25th, 2011 against the Flin Flon Bombers.  He finished his SJHL career with 1 goal 14 assists to go with 175 penalty minutes.

Congratulations Ben and good luck next season!

-D

For your viewing pleasure, Bula up against Brett Adnum in the 2011 Anavet Cup:

2012-13 Ice Wolves Commitments:
Brennan Wright - Thompson Rivers University (BCIHL)
Ben Bula - Thompson Rivers University (BCIHL)
Pat Tran - SAIT (ACAC)
Matt Weisensel - SAIT (ACAC)

Junior A Supplement Extended Two Years

Hockey Canada held its AGM this past week/weekend.  The big news items coming from the meetings are the extension of the Junior-A Supplement and the Vernon Vipers will host the 2014 RBC Cup.

Here's the summary of the weekend in release form (the important stuff is in the second half):

Ice Wolves Jail and Bail

The Ice Wolves hold their "Jail and Bail" today to get the weekend started.  While I seem to have avoided incarceration for the time being... MBC announcer, Dale Roth, wasn't so lucky and he'll be occupying the cell at the Mel Heglund Uniplex until noon.  Though he could always buy his way out and exact revenge, who knows?

Here's the video of Dale's "arrest":

You can lock your friends/family/coworkers up for the rest of the day which will conclude with a TGIF barbeque.  Ten dollars gets you a burger plus salads, desserts and all that fun stuff.  Important detail, the bar will be open.

To get someone arrested, call the Ice Wolves office at 425-4141.

-D

Two Wolves Head to SAIT

It's always a pleasure to talk about graduating players moving on in their hockey careers, even better when they're headed to my former school, SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology).

Weisensel accepts award

Matt Weisensel and Pat Tran are off to Calgary to join former Ice Wolves Adam Bartko (G) and Nolan Souchotte (F) with the once four-time defending champion Trojans.

Weisensel becomes the second Wolves' Captain in as many years to suit up for SAIT in the ACAC (Souchotte being last year's addition).  Weisensel was the Ice Wolves award winner for Top Defenceman as well as co-winner of the Most Dedicated Award.  Weisensel had 26 points (4G, 22A) in 56 games for La Ronge last season and added four points in seven playoff games.

Tran accepts award

Tran joined the Wolves ahead of the 2011-12 season in a deal with the Humboldt Broncos.  He added a strong veteran presence to the Wolves and was one of the team's top two-way forwards and penalty killers.  He suited up in every game during the Ice Wolves' season notching 13 goals and 15 assists during the regular season and chipping in with a pair of assists in the playoffs.  Tran was the Wolves' winner of the Award for Sportsmanship and Dedicated play.

Congratulations to both of you on joining the Trojans, and good luck in the coming season!

In some other Ice Wolves news, the team is holding a "Jail and Bail" on Friday.  Pay some money and you can lock someone up for a while.  Or get yourself arrested and skip out on some work, whatever works.

Here's the poster:

Ice Wolves AGM Approaching

I'm sure you missed me dearly while I was enjoying my two week sojourn from La Ronge.  I had a great time being back in Calgary and benefited greatly from some serious sleeping in.  First order of business on the Ice Wolves front is the AGM coming up Wednesday night.

The meeting goes at seven o'clock at the Wolves den.  Last year, attendance was pretty abysmal, so it would be great to see more people at the meeting.  This year it won't be at the same time as Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, so it should be a little easier to pull away from the playoffs on TV.

The AGM is a great way to keep tabs on the team and see where things stand financially.  There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the organization as well.

In addition to the AGM, the Ice Wolves Booster Club has a meeting coming up Tuesday, May 15th at Mistasinhk Place (Boardroom 1 - 7 p.m.).  If you're holding on to that amazing fundraising idea, that's the place you want to be.

In other sports news, Minor Baseball gets going this week in La Ronge.  I make my coaching (assistant coaching) debut working with the PeeWee Miners... I pity them already.

Did anyone see Penticton starting off 0-2 at the RBC Cup?  I definitely didn't.  Should be interesting to see if they can turn it around.

-D

Ice Wolves Extend Holloway

The Ice Wolves solidified their coaching staff for the next couple years by signing Assistant Coach Ron Holloway to a two year extension.

Holloway was the team's Assistant Coach during the 2011-12 season when the Ice Wolves won the second most games in franchise history with a 30-20-2-6 record.  He was also a part of the staff during the 2010 and 2011 playoff runs that saw the Wolves win back to back SJHL Championships, compete in two Anavet Cups and travel to the RBC Cup.

"I only had a one year deal last year and (the Ice Wolves) decided to sign me to a two year deal this year, so I talked with (Bob Beatty) and decided it would be a good fit," Holloway commented Wednesday morning, "I'm looking forward to coming back."

Ice Wolves Award Winners

The Ice Wolves held their 14th Annual Awards Banquet this weekend.  I'm sure if I had been around this team for the last 14 years I'd be saying, "Man, fifteen years coming up.  Where did the time go?", but I wasn't, so I'll leave that to someone else.  As expected, my MC'ing was much less deadly without the fireworks show.  If you're reading this and thinking, "there wasn't a fireworks show last year."  You're clearly just blocking it out.

It was a great night, highlighted by the players' address given by Captains Aaron Enns and Matt Weisensel.  They were heartfelt and grateful, not to mention, hilarious when both delivered their speeches off of cellphones and problems arose.  Including Skyler Hladun calling Weisensel while he was in the middle of his talk.  It was a pleasure to work with both Weisensel and Enns this season, and really, all of the players.

Bob Beatty took the time to put an emphasis on community support for the team.  While he pointed out he was preaching to the converted, he implored people to spread the word about the Ice Wolves around town.  Attendance wasn't exactly impressive in the playoffs this season, making it clear that support needs to be there all the time, not just when the team is winning Championships.  Beatty said the focus in the dressing room this post season was becoming a difference maker, and he applied it to the community as well.  Beatty also made sure to mention the great billets in town as the players highlighted their impact in exit interviews.

Team President Terry Helary found himself reiterating the previous talks to some degree as he thanked everyone around the organization.  Helary spoke about the team's scouting staff as well as the board and volunteers who make it all happen.  He also invited everyone to come out to the AGM which will likely take place in May.

Ice Wolves Year End Banquet

As promised, here are the particulars for the Ice Wolves Wrap Up Banquet coming Friday night.

From IceWolves.ca:
When
Friday March 16, 2012 (Happy Hour starts at 6pm, Supper at 7pm)

Where
La Ronge Motor Inn and Suites

Cost
$30/ticket (only 150 tickets will be sold - Get yours early)

Tickets Available at:  
The Wolves Office, Penny's Hair Design and The Northerner.

If you are interested in volunteering that night, please contact the Ice Wolves Office at 425-4141.
---
I'll be the MC of the night's proceedings, which if you ask me, should make it a little easier to get tickets.  Last year's attempt at a fireworks extravaganza just didn't go over well at all, though I think I have the whole "fire hazard" thing straightened out.

Should be a fun night.  Last year's jersey auction was unbelievable.  I think Adam Bartko's jersey pulled in around five or six thousand dollars for the Ice Wolves.  We'll see who this big buy is this year.

See you at the banquet!

-D