Newfoundland Hockey Discussion
By · CommentsYou can find the ongoing discussion around the Newfoundland & Labrador Hockey Scene over at the Newfoundland Hockey Talk Discussion Forum.
Come join the many hundreds of thousands that visit monthly and participate in the best discussion around.
A New Reality in Newfoundland Senior Hockey
By · CommentsApproximately 14 months ago, Newfoundland Hockey Talk posted about a decision made by Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL) around the Herder Memorial Championship. We had received a series of email messages from a source, indicating there had been discussion and perhaps some decisions around declaring the Corner Brook’s Pepsi Centre and St. John’s Mile One Centre as the venues for all games for the Herder.
When we broke the story, we were criticized and people indicated this could never happen. It was up to the individual teams to decide where they would play the games.
Fast forward 14 months and we are here now in one of the biggest controversies of the season. Reality has sunk in and one team in particular, the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts are taking exception to HNL’s decision. The team sees this as a slap in the face to the team, its fans, the town and every sponsor/supporter that stepped up over the years to build the Cats into the great organization they have.
Why did HNL make this decision?
From what we have ascertained, this decision is meant to help spread the wealth, an attempt to introduce “revenue sharing” to assist struggling teams and perhaps “save” senior hockey in the province.
The Cats don’t see it that way and they see this as a money grab by HNL and they have been criticized the governing body for making the decision.
HNL has fired back indicating the decision is good for the senior hockey and it would not reverse its decision.
Newfoundland Hockey Talk can sympathize with the Cats position. We also understand where HNL is coming from with its stand.
However, what we do think, there’s something else happening behind the scenes that we are all not hearing.
If everyone thinks this is just about the Herder venue, they are truly mistaken. There are more things happening behind the scenes than HNL or NLSHL probably wants to even comment on.
The league has issues that include HNL’s Herder venue decision but ask why the other teams have been pretty much silent. One would think if this was such a major issue for the teams, their owners and representatives would be on this like white on rice.
Truly, this sucks for the Cats organization, its fan and the team supporters. Is this the signs the league is about to crumble?
If senior hockey is to survive here in Newfoundland, something has to change and there has to be a new approach taken to attract fans and change the impressions of the game. Teams must somehow make the game more entertaining off the ice and improve the product that’s on the ice.
Drop your thoughts about this on the Newfoundland Hockey Talk Discussion Forum.
The New Corner Brook Royals
By · CommentsThe first half of the season is gone by and the Royals are sitting with 5 wins, 5 losses. If you read the discussions taking place about the Newfoundland Senior Hockey League you will hear some good and some bad things about the Corner Brook Royals.
This year is a bit of an odd year.
With the Deer Lake Red Wings taking a year to rebuild their organization, many of the Deer Lake players such as the Robinsons and the Langdons have suited up in the red-white-and-blue. It’s a bit of different dynamic given the rich history and rivalry these two teams had on the ice.
That’s where the rivalry stops … on the ice.
Talking to the fans, many are impressed with what the Royals are doing this year. They are playing some of their best hockey and could have easily won every game. Sure, they had some bad luck and couldn’t put the puck in the net at times and were unable to finish some great scoring opportunities … but you have to look at the situation as it was unfolding.
The Corner Brook Royals once again had a new coach. He may have had experience and some successes behind the bench in minor hockey but this is much different. Fitzgerald needed time to get his footing, feel out his players and understand the dynamics of the game. Some of his inexperience has shown through at times, quite evident in his lines and his on-ice match-ups but he has adjusted and is doing a fine job.
The players needed some time to also gel, to find their legs and to get a feel for how their new line mates played. It has taken some time and over the course of 10 games, the Royals have started to find their stride. Their passing has improved, they’ve finished their checks, have shown so much emotion and heart as of late, they have started to turn heads in this league.
Many had written the Royals off after their first weekend.
Big mistake.
This is a team that is filled with competitors. Contrary to popular beliefs, there is no animosity in the dressing room, just a bunch of guys having fun and wanting to win.
For the fans who have decided to stay away from the game this year … you’re really missing a treat.
The new Corner Brook Royals is a great team. The organization is keeping true to its plan to rebuild this great organization.
Newfoundland Senior Hockey 2011-2012 Schedule
By · CommentsHere’s the latest schedule for the newly formed Newfoundland Senior Hockey League for 2011-2012 (click to load a full view of the schedule).
AHL Returns to Newfoundland and Labrador
By · CommentsThe AHL is returning to Newfoundland and Labrador as former premier Danny Williams managed to snag a deal with the Manitoba Moose, the designated farm team for the newly awarded Winnipeg NHL franchise.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government was asked to provide a subsidy to the tune of $500,000 but quickly decided to not get involved with pro hockey. To save the deal, Williams went another route and worked with Mile One Entertainment to provide alternate funding for the team.
Williams inked a 3-year deal for the franchise and it’s likely this will be Newfoundland’s last chance to keep a pro hockey team in its capital. The St. John’s Maple Leafs pulled out after 10 years and the Fog Devils had a short stint in the capital.
While Newfoundland Hockey Talk is happy to see pro hockey return to the province, one must ask the question if there will be enough support to keep the team in the city. Initial indications are this is a long term commitment by both Williams and the league and early ticket sales and marketing measures show the team is headed in the right direction.
The name of the team has yet to be announced.
Michael Ryder Raises the Cup
By · Comments
Photo Courtesy cbc.ca
Boston Bruins Michael Ryder has reached the pinnacle of what many hockey players dream about. He can now call himself a Stanley Cup champion and take his place in the history books.
The Bonavista native became the second Newfoundlander to raise the Stanley Cup after the Bruins stunned the hockey world and defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in game seven.
Many people had written the Bruins off after Vancouver jumped out to a 2-0 series league but the Beantown heroes battled back at home to even the series at 2 games a piece. The teams traded home wins again, setting the stage for game 7 in Vancouver and there were those who thought the Bruins could go all the way, especially the fans in Ryder’s hometown.
In dramatic fashion, the Bruins did the unthinkable, upsetting the number one seed in the playoffs and put the game away with a decisive 4-0 victory.
It was unlike anything Ryder had ever experienced and he had described it as being “Almost like a dream.”
Ryder played a key role throughout the playoffs, contributing goals and points when needed as the Bruins continued through team after team in post-season.
The Stanley Cup will be making another trip to Newfoundland sometime this summer and Bonavista is sure to celebrate!
Newfoundlanders Destined for Cup Fame
By · CommentsIt’s unprecedented times here in Newfoundland and Labrador. There are many hockey players from the province that dream of one day raising the cup but in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs there will be at least one Newfoundlander who will get that opportunity.
In 2008, Dan Cleary became the first Newfoundlander to have his name engraved on the cup and to bring Lord Stanley’s trophy to the island. Unfortunately, Cleary and his Wings were eliminated in a nail biter last night when eliminated by the San Jose Sharks but that’s not the end of Newfoundlander’s fighting for the cup.
San Jose has Ryan Clowe in the lineup and he has proven to be a force in the playoffs. The Sharks’ leading scorer in the playoffs is well positioned with only 4 teams remaining.
We can’t forget Michael Ryder of the Bruins. He’s once again caught up in the thick of things as the Bruins will now square off against Tampa Bay and another Newfoundlander in Teddy Purcell in what’s looking to be a great series.
The Vancouver Canucks also have a Newfoundland connection but not on the ice. Darrell Williams is their video coach and he hails from St. John’s. Playing a pivotal role in the organization, Williams has the opportunity of a lifetime as the Presidents Cup winning Canucks continues its quest to Lord Stanley!
Exciting times for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Who do you have picked as the favourite?
Wings vs Cats in the Finals
By · CommentsThe West Coast Senior Hockey League finals is about to start with the third place Deer Lake Red Wings facing the regular season champions, the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts.
Fans are in for a treat as we have the Wings, experienced and seasoned, looking to regain the elusive championship and the Cataracts, full of youth and looking to establish themselves as the best in the league.
With seasoned veterans such as Mark Robinson, Chris Peach and Darren Langdon, the Wings definitely have the experience edge. These players have all been there before, know how to win and have the heart to step up during the big game. The Cats have youth on their side, with the best 1-2 punch in goaltending with Yetman and Jewer.
The Cataracts pretty much owned the Wings throughout the regular season. However, this isn’t the regular season.
The Wings knocked off the defending champions in the Clarenville Caribous, taking the series in 6 games. The Bous play a similar style of hockey as the Cataracts and this may give Deer Lake a slight edge. Their game plan will be very similar and this may prove a major advantage in this series.
The Cats on come off a relatively easy series win over the Corner Brook Royals. Solid goaltending and a never-say-quit attitude showed what this team is capable off. Even while being down and all but out late in a few games, the Cataracts just kept coming and pulled off big wins.
While the outcome is yet to be determined, what is known, hockey fans are in for a treat.
Cataracts Take First
By · CommentsThe Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts have taken first place in the West Coast Senior Hockey League.
After battling the Clarenville Caribous all seasons for top spot, the Cats took a single point on Saturday, February 5 to clinch the first place position and waited for the results from the Corner Brook Royals and Deer Lake Red Wings to see who their opponents would be in the first round of the playoffs.
That f ate was decided on Sunday when the Deer Lake Red Wings picked up a 5-4 shoot-out win over the Royals after dropping 8-1 to the Royals on Saturday night.
The Wings shoot-out win means the Cataracts will face Corner Brook in round one of the playoffs.
Can Donnie Gosse Still Compete?
By · CommentsSt. John’s native Donnie Gosse has been one of the premier defensive players in Newfoundland senior hockey for the last ten years. He’s shown what it takes to compete at the highest level here in Newfoundland but there’s many fans wondering if Gosse still can compete.
Gosse has crossed into the West Coast Senior Hockey league this season after his previous team – the Southern Shore Breakers – dropped out of the East league. After signing with the Royals, there were many with high expectations that his addition to the red, white and blue would give the Royals and edge on the blue line and perhaps be enough to push the Royals back to the top of their game.
Fans in Corner Brook are familiar with Gosse who quickly garnished the nickname “Turtle” for his on ice antics and antagonistic ways that saw him covering up if the threat of a fight arrived.
However, this is a new league, with new rules and even though Gosse came out of the gate with a bit of rust, he has showed he can still rise to the occasion and compete. He still has the soft hands, great passing skills and can skate with the best of him. He’s both an offensive threat leading the charge and can rush back to cover up defensively.
Critics may think that Gosse is overrated and not worth what the Royals are alleged to be paying this player. However, any coach and the majority of the true hockey fans recognize what an asset he is to any team.