Sunday, January 4, 2009

WHL News



All right is some WHL news for once. I am not going to lie I am East coast biased but it doesn't mean I don't follow the league.The biggest story this week in the Dub has been the sale of the Portland Winterhawks to Bill Gallacher. He met with fans, sponsors and corporate partners, staff and players at Wednesday's reception at Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown Portland. He had this to say:“The Portland Winter Hawks organization has demonstrated its ability to fill Memorial Coliseum, inspire fans and the City of Portland with a spirit of civic pride, and to win the Memorial Cup,” said Gallacher. “Our plan for the future is to do just that once again.” He has four objectives: 1) developing a championship-caliber team capable of winning the Memorial Cup, 2) restoring the organization to profitability through strategic sponsorships and offering customers a top-notch entertainment product, 3) building community partnerships, and 4) renewing a spirit of excitement and hometown pride in the Portland Winter Hawks.He also named a new General Manager and Coach. Mike Johnston will be filling both positions. His assistant will be Travis Green who spent 15 years in the with the New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played for the Spokane Chiefs and the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL.The Portland Tribune has a story on the transfer of ownership. It's good to see this franchise getting a fresh start. I know they had some issues last year.The Kelowna Rockets found out Tuesday that Luke Schenn will not be going back to juniors. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be keeping him the. So far this season he has no points in nine games but has 15 penalty minutes. He also has a -4.A couple of trades have gone down this week. The Tri-City Americans have traded for 19-year-old defenseman Scott Maetche from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. The Chilliwack Bruins have made a trade for 18-year old defenceman Alexander Grill-Donovan from the Brandon Wheat Kings in exchange for a conditional 6th round pick in the 2010 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.Evander Kane of the Vancouver Giants was featured on TSN recently. The Giants also gave Milan Lucic a new 2007 Memorial Cup Championship ring on Tuesday after his orginal was stolen this summer at his parents' house. I have a love-hate relationship with Lucic. I despise him for that Memorial Cup but I have a man crush on him as a Bruin. Here's the Hit of the Year so far: That's My Take(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)Source

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