What’s In A Name?
The city of Winnipeg welcomes an NHL team back after a 15 year absence.
After fifteen long years, chants by desperate fans to “bring back the Jets” have finally been answered.
Well sort of.
As True North Sports and Entertainment Group announced last week that hockey will return to Winnipeg for the 2011-12 season, the team taking the ice might look a little different than the team that left in 1996.
Winnipegger’s are still feeling a bit of an identity crisis as Canada’s newest NHL team is currently without a name.
For nostalgic purposes, the easy answer for Winnipeg’s new team would be the Jets.
The Jets are as essential to those in the ‘Peg as a winter coat in January. Jets merchandise has always sold well and with the latest announcement, sales have only increased. However, as anticipation grows of what the new team’s name will be, it appears as if Jets memorabilia will remain in the vintage section of the catalogue.
True North has said that they prefer Manitoba to Winnipeg, as it includes all people in the province and not just those in the capital.
So now you’re guessing Manitoba Jets? Nah not likely.
When the Jets moved to Phoenix in 1996, they packed up all of the team records, achievements and retired numbers with them.
At the heart of it, the Jets still exist in the NHL, they just landed in Phoenix. It would only be truly appropriate to name Winnipeg’s new team the Jets if the Coyotes were the one to
return.
Only a handful of franchises in professional sports have moved away only to return under the same moniker, here a few examples.
The Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore in 1996 amidst controversy, only to be presented with an expansion team in 1999. The Browns name, history and archives remained in Cleveland while the players left for Maryland. When the team returned, so did the name.
The Ottawa Senators won 11 Stanley Cups from 1917-1934 until financial losses resulted in the team relocating to St. Louis. In 1992, the city was awarded an expansion franchise with hope to use the Senators name. This provoked the threat of legal action. Eventually, permission was obtained from the descendants of former Senators club owner Tommy Gorman to use the Senators name.
Some cities still hold on to their team’s identity with hopes that one day they will return.
When the Seattle Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, the owners agreed to leave the Supersonics name, logo, and colours in Seattle for a possible future NBA franchise, however championship banners and trophies remain property of the Thunder. The Thunder and any future Seattle NBA team will share the Supersonics history but I don’t think we will see many Seattle residents cheering for the Thunder.
The Atlanta Spirit group which sold the Thrashers to True North retain the rights to the Thrashers name. It might be sometime before we see hockey in Atlanta, as the Thrashers are the second team to leave town after the Flames fizzled out in 1980.
Currently the NHL owns the Jets name which reduces complications if True North ownership decides to rebrand the Jets.
It’s kind of hard to argue with True North if they want to use the Manitoba Moose name. It is the brand they created and they are the ones responsible for bringing the NHL back to Winnipeg. If that wasn’t enough reason for disgruntled Jets fans, they also own the venue where the team will play.
As True North brings a new era of the NHL to Winnipeg, Manitobans should be happy no matter what nickname, logo or colours their new team dons, as the NHL returning to their city should be enough reason to celebrate.
Below are some of the rumoured names that have been floating around for Winnipeg’s new team.
Manitoba Moose
- True North built the brand in 1996 and may want to keep this name which represents the groundwork they laid in order to bring the NHL back to Winnipeg. Currently the AHL team for the Vancouver Canucks and rumoured to be moving to St. John’s Newfoundland for the 2011-12 season.
Winnipeg Falcons
- For all you vintage fans then the Falcons should be your top pick. Way before the Jets existence in Winnipeg the amateur Falcons became the first Canadian team to win an Olympic gold medal when they finished first at the 1920 tournament in Belgium. You may remember their (hideous) jerseys when Hockey Canada commemorated the Falcons in 2004 creating a third jersey that was a replica of the antique.
- Falcons probably won’t end up being selected
however. Atlanta Falcons, Thrashers move from Atlanta to Winnipeg, little
weird, no?
Winnipeg Victoria’s
If the Falcons weren’t vintage enough, how about
the Victoria’s. They Won Stanley Cups between 1896 and 1902.
What do you think Winnipeg’s newest NHL Team should be named?
Let’s Go (insert winning team name here)!
As Kevin Bieksa’s knuckler into the bottom corner laid the San Jose Sharks to rest, simultaneously he awoke a new wave of Canuck “fans” who are hopping on the wagon just in time for the Stanley Cup finals. (Hurry up it’s almost full!!)
Despite the game finishing in the early morning hours on the east coast, this new breed of spring canuckleheads have taken over the social networking airwaves.
Time and time again these “fans” plaster their Facebook or Twitter accounts with admiration for their new team. The “LOUUU”’s, “Marry me Kesler” and “I Heart Sedins, “are appearing at an unprecedented rate. The Canuck Coma is hitting Canadians harder than Bieber Fever!
So what if they have never heard of Pavel Bure or Trevor Linden, thought Raffi Torres was the name of a pasta or can’t quite understand why the fans always “Boo” Luongo after a save. (They’re actually saying “Lou” people).
You see, all of this just matter because the Canucks are doing one thing that everyone, even Charlie Sheen can appreciate, they’re WINNING!
Here’s a math formula for you nerdy types.
Winning + Playoffs = New Fans!
It’s quite simple really. Things get really interesting when you throw in the fact one of these teams is Canadian. I guess the formula would look more like this:
(Winning + playoffs) Canadian team = New Fans x 2!
Unlike some of my fellow countrymen, I’ve never bought into this “route for a Canadian team because you’re Canadian” rationale.
I get it! You’re a proud Canadian. You love your country and are passionate about hockey. This just in, we have a tournament for that, it’s called the Olympics. (We even have the World Juniors if you can’t wait every four years).
I think you would be hard pressed to find a Philly fan cheering for the Penguins because they want a team in Pennsylvania to win. A Panthers fan (if there really are any) cheering for the Lightning because they just want the cup in the sunshine state. You won’t find it because it doesn’t happen, frankly it doesn’t really make any sense.
As a fan of a Canadian team (Leafs, yes I am a leafs fan. Please keep reading), there is one team and one team only from Canada I want to win. Why would I want to claim the Canucks as my own? Or the Oilers, Flames, Senators, Canadians…Jets? I see these teams as rivals not as buddies. The only thing we have in common is that we play above the 49th parallel. If anything, the fact that you’re Canadian gives me more incentive to cheer against you.
Some fans are fortunate to see their team win a championship in their lifetime. The 86 year drought the Red Sox suffered actually killed some people, Leafs and Cubs fans are well on their way.
So cheer all you want. I get it, the playoffs are exciting and it’s cool to cheer for a winner, but if the Canucks do in fact hoist the Stanley Cup, think twice before you run to Facebook and tell your buddies that “WE DID IT,” and how proud you are of Henrik, Daniel and the boys.
Let the real Canuck fans enjoy their day (I know a few who will be more than happy to remind me they’ve won) because many of them have paid their dues and as a sports fan you have to respect that. So as the season comes to a close, band wagoner’s rejoice and relax, it will only be 11 short months until you have to start cheering again.
Troy Ryan named new men’s hockey coach at St. Thomas University
Troy Ryan looks to rebuild a struggling STU Tommie's team that finished last in the AUS the past two seasons.
Rebuilding a struggling program is nothing new for Troy Ryan, in fact you could say he’s made a career of it.
The newest men’s hockey coach of the St. Thomas University Tommies will have his work cut out for him. He takes over a team that finished last place in the AUS in the past two seasons and have not made the playoffs in three years.
Ryan replaces former head coach Mike Eagles, who spent the previous nine seasons behind the Tommies bench. During the past two years, Eagles served as both head coach and athletic director. The university decided that the roles needed to be divided which lead them to assemble a selection committee.
The committee, comprised of Eagles, former Tommies forward Jason Cassidy, along with other administrators, former players, hockey executives and alumni held a national search for a new coach.
“The team was due for a revamp,” said Cassidy, who recently wrapped up four seasons with the men’s hockey team. “I really enjoyed playing for Mike. It would be difficult for anyone to manage the responsibility he was tasked with. (He) was carrying too much of the load administratively and that was something the school needed to address. They needed to allot more time to the hockey program because the AUS has gotten increasingly more competitive.”
Ryan’s passion for hockey, coupled with his experience in turning around struggling programs made him the unanimous decision by St. Thomas’s selection committee, which selected him over 22 other applicants.
“He is very knowledgeable about the game. (He) understands how to relate to players and has a passion that can’t be matched,” said Cassidy. “Troy made it clear that this is the level of hockey he has always aspired to coach and the committee was looking for someone to take the program and run with it.”
Ryan, a two-time junior A coach of the year in the Maritime Junior Hockey League has always dreamed of coaching a university hockey team.
“Since the very first time I stepped behind a bench my goal was to coach at the university level. When I contacted my Mother to tell her the news, she quickly reminded me that over 10 years ago I told her I would like to be coaching at the University level by the time I was 45,” said the 39-year old Ryan.
When looking at the Tommies situation, they couldn’t have asked for a more qualified candidate.
At the junior A level, Ryan took hold of the Weeks Crushers who in their previous season won only 18 games. In four years, he built a winner as his team captured the Fred Page Cup. Ryan was also responsible for the turnaround of the Metro Marauders organization as he stabilized the franchise on and off the ice.
Ryan has also established himself on the international level, as he has been a part in seven consecutive world championship events, five with the world junior A and two at world under-17 with team Atlantic.
“I think I fit St. Thomas University and the situation the Tommies hockey program is in because I have experience building and rebuilding hockey programs (both on and off the ice). I like the mentality that St. Thomas University has. Although everyone works in their own departments it seems that everyone is on the same page and is working towards common goals. It is my goal to get the hockey program thinking the same way as the institution.”
With Eagles acting as the university’s athletic director, Ryan does not believe there will be any interference from the team’s former coach.
“It is a bit of a unique situation as he was the former coach of the Tommies but all signs point to us being able to have a good working relationship. I strongly believe that Mike has the best interests of St. Thomas University in mind and I feel we will make a great team.”
Ryan’s influence on the team will be visible right away, as he has been thrown into the recruiting fire with the Tommies graduating eight players from last year. As a new coach, he has the unique opportunity of bringing a handful of new players along with him in his rookie season behind the bench.
“The timing of my hiring has put me behind a little in the recruiting process. I will continue to make calls and meet with potential players and their families and see where that takes us,” said Ryan. “I think there are some advantages and disadvantages to the recruiting situation I have in front of me. I like the fact that I will have the opportunity to bring in a number of players this year but it is very important not to forget the players that have been with this program for a number of years.”
With the AUS continuously producing top teams in the country, Ryan will have to use all of his resources to ensure his team competes.
“My goals for recruiting are to bring in quality student/athletes that fit the core values that we want to surround ourselves with here at St. Thomas University. There is no one area in which to find these players. I will continue to speak with contacts, players, past players, alumni, etc. to try to search out quality student/athletes that are interested in St. Thomas University.”
With much of the recruiting still left to be done and the season only a few months away, Ryan is remaining reserved with his predictions for the program.
“One thing I have learned through my experience in building and rebuilding teams is never to make predictions. In my short time here with the Tommies program, I can already see many areas in which I can work with my staff to make positive changes. My goal with this program is to create a culture and atmosphere of success (on the ice, in the classroom, and out in the community). In time I strongly believe that St. Thomas University will be a spot that top end players will want to play. This does not happen overnight but will happen in time.”
The St. Thomas Tommies have nowhere to go but up after finishing dead last in almost every statistical category in the AUS last season, but they hope Troy Ryan can work the magic that he has made a career out of and rebuild their struggling program.
Matt Robertson Leads Underdog Chargers Versus Former Team
It only seems appropriate that Matt Robertson’s ACAA basketball career could end against the team where it all began.
The fifth year centre for the Crandall University Chargers will take on his former alma mater, the St. Thomas Tommies in the opening game of the ACAA playoffs at Mount Saint Vincent University this weekend.
In his final year of eligibility, Robertson leads the underdog (6-15) Chargers against the (14-7) Tommies in hopes of upsetting the school which he called home for four years.
“My goals are simple, I want to win,” said Robertson when asked his objective for the upcoming game.
The thought of playing against former teammates is something Robertson uses as motivation rather than a deterrent to playing hard.
“It’s really easy to get motivated playing against those guys because of the relationships I have with them. You don’t want to let them get the best of you, because they’ll never let you forget it. So these games are for bragging rights.”
So far, Robertson and his Chargers haven’t had much to brag about in regards to the Tommies as they have lost all three matchups this year. After being blown out in the first game by 22, the Chargers made the second and third meeting much closer losing by nine and ten respectively.
Robertson was a highly decorated member of the Tommies basketball team for four years, where he received team MVP and all-conference honours in 2009.
This time last year, Robertson wasn’t sure if he would ever play basketball again at the ACAA level. His then Tommies were just knocked out of the playoffs by the Holland College Hurricanes and he was gearing up for graduating with a degree in journalism. By the time Robertson decided to pursue an additional degree in education, St. Thomas’ application deadline had already passed.
The Moncton, New Brunswick native was lucky enough to make the deadline at Crandall, which allowed him to continue playing close to home. The opportunity to further his education while continuing to play basketball made the choice of leaving St. Thomas a little easier.
“It wasn’t a tough decision at all. I knew it would be busy and I knew it would be kind of weird having to play against STU, but I knew that I would regret it if I didn’t lace up the shoes for one more year.”
It’s been an up and down season for the Chargers as they snuck into the playoffs with the sixth and final seed. The team only had nine players at tryouts, one subsequently was dismissed for being academically ineligible, dwindling the number to eight. However, the low number of bodies is something Robertson attributes to being a strong point of the team.
“When you only have eight [players], you have to be tight or else you’ll fall apart when the going gets tough. We’ve pushed through the adversity and it’s been an unforgettable year.”
An unforgettable year for a player who left an unforgettable footprint on St. Thomas University which reached far beyond the hardwood.
Robertson was on first name basis with the schools President. He received arguably St. Thomas’ highest honour, the John Frederick Walls Award for community commitment, not once but twice. On top of all of that, he was offered a recruiting job for the university after he graduated.
His reach in the St. Thomas community could be seen in late November when Robertson made his return to the South Gym in Fredericton, this time entering the visitors locker-room. He was greeted by cheers and boos every time he touched the ball. The pressure may have gotten to him as he had a less than stellar night.
“I was so nervous. Going back home in front of all my friends, playing against all my ex-teammates. I stunk up the joint. I shot like 2-14,” Robertson joked.
As the season progressed, Robertson became more comfortable against his old team. Game two saw him get a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while he added 16 points in the third game.
Being one of the veteran leaders, Robertson hopes his experience and strong post presence will help lead the undermanned Chargers over the Tommies and make a deep playoff run.
Robertson admits that he will always be a Tommie at heart, but when he goes for the opening tip Friday, he will put aside the memories of his four years at St. Thomas, the friendships that he made and the times he’s worn the green and gold. All that will be on his mind is knocking out the school he used to call home.
ACAA men’s and women’s basketball playoffs takes place March 4,5,6 at Mount Saint Vincent University.
Volunteer work for Eastlink
Volunteered for Eastlink at the recent Halifax Mooseheads game as Floor Director.
Claire’s Race
Having a published book is nothing new for author Nancy Wilcox-Richards, but that still doesn’t take away from the excitement.
In front of an enthused audience of teachers and elementary students at Bayview Community School, Ms. Wilcox-Richards, also a teacher at the school, tells the story of the inspiration of her recently published book, “Claire’s Race.”
Nancy Wilcox-Richards stands at Bayview Community School on May 15 with Claire, the inspiration for her new book, "Claire's Race." This is the seventh book Ms Wilcox-Richards has had published. Brandon Wile Photo
A young blonde-haired girl sits in the corner of the room just as attentive as the others, her smile stretched from ear to ear. This young girl is Claire.
Claire is Ms Wilcox-Richards’ neighbour. She suffers from epilepsy. Because of her condition, she has limited vision in both eyes, no use of her left arm and her leg is usually supported by a brace. On this day, however, there is no sign that Claire is letting her disability slow her down.
Ms Wilcox-Richards, whom you might know from her “Farmer Joe” books, felt obliged to tell Claire’s story.
”The afternoon Claire’s mother told me about Claire running the race, I couldn’t sleep. The next day I went over and told her I had to write this story. The thought of it being published didn’t even cross my mind, I just had to write her story.”
Due to her limited vision and mobility, Claire was unable to do things such as ride a bike or go rollerblading, for her own safety.
However, her parents were always encouraging her to find other alternatives. Looking for an option, Claire one day came home signed up for the school’s cross-country team.
Despite the obvious concerns of the rough terrain of the course, Claire’s parents allowed her to participate.
When asked how she finished, Ms Wilcox-Richards jokingly responded with, “You’re going to have to read the book,” and then added, “She finished the race and you couldn’t find a dry eye, even the people who weren’t aware of her story were cheering her on.”
The book is receiving a lot of attention as it was the second-best seller in Nova Scotia last week. Ms Wilcox-Richards was caught off guard by the success but is very proud that her book has done so well.
What makes this book even more special is how the proceeds will be distributed.
”The nice part about ‘Claire’s Race’ is that I’m donating all the royalties to the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia. They’re going to take that money and channel it back to Grade 5 students in the province to educate them about epilepsy.”
With seven published titles to her name, the Grade 2 teacher doesn’t have any plans to stop writing anytime soon.
”I am currently looking at a sequel to my book ‘How to Tame a Bully.’ It’s going to be a hockey story, and I hope to have it out by the summer of 2008.”
As for Claire, “She’s truly an inspiration. She’s had to go through extensive rehabilitation and physio and she hasn’t let any of that slow her down,” said Ms Wilcox-Richards.
HMCS Fredericton – Press Release
THE GULF OF ADEN — Being versatile is something the HMCS Fredericton prides itself on. The Canadian frigate is currently patrolling the Gulf of Aden on a NATO counter-piracy mission, but is now shifting its focus to counter-terrorism.
The new mission will begin at the end of February as the HMCS Fredericton will attempt to stop suspected al-Qaeda operatives from entering Yemen.
The region has come under fire after the attempted bombing over Christmas of an American airliner, by a Nigerian al-Qaeda operative believed to be trained in Yemen.
HMCS Fredericton has been running escort missions in the shipping lanes of the Gulf of Aden during the last couple of months. Their duties are to prevent Somali pirates from attempting to hijack vessels.
While the pirates were armed during attacks, their objective was to secure ransom money rather than to harm the hostages. The new counter-terrorism mission will bring about much more risk for the members of the HMCS Fredericton.
The Armed conflict in the region is comparable with what is seen in Afghanistan.
Despite the risk, Lieutenant Brian Owens wants to reassure Canadians that his men are well prepared.
“We are using a fully functional warship and the crew members are all specially trained to deal with this type of mission. There are different rules regarding piracy than counter- terrorism but we are always doing our job with a heightened awareness,” said Owens.
The HMCS Fredericton will be accompanied by warships from Australia, U.S.A, England, Pakistan and some others from Middle Eastern countries.
While the ships focus has shifted, Owens still assures that they are not dropping the piracy policing role. Adding the counter-terrorism mission only heightens the responsibility.
The Fredericton will be expected to cover waters of the Gulf of Aden as well as the Red Sea and Arabian Sea if needed which are very dangerous but vital shipping lanes.
The HMCS Fredericton is expected back in Canada by the end of April.
2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships
Filming games on Court #2 at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Richmond, B.C. Sept 21-26.
Check out all the action on sportscanada.tv
http://www.sportscanada.tv/index.php/2010wwrc-d6-usa-aus
Cann’s long road to coaching
St. Thomas University’s men’s soccer coach Darren Cann has been involved in soccer all of his life. Listen how the former pro moved his way through the English soccer system which eventually led him to coaching in New Brunswick.
Check the story out at
http://www.newbrunswickbeacon.ca/2010/04/coach-canns-long-road-to-coaching/6206
STU students react to Tiger’s return
As Tiger Woods stepped up to the first tee at Augusta Thursday, the golf world held its breath.
Gripping his driver, Nike swoosh emblazoned on his chest, Tiger hauled back and cranked a screamer down the heart of the fairway, allowing the anxious fans to finally exhale as the world’s best golfer was finally back.
At St. Thomas University thousands of kilometres from Augusta, Georgia, many people have been talking about the sporting world’s latest and greatest scandal.
“I see him as a professional golfer who is really good,” said second year student Scott Wilkinson. “His personal life was never an interest to me.”
Woods admitted to cheating on his wife with numerous women after the National Enquirer leaked a story in late November linking him to New York nightclub hostess.
As the richest and highest endorsed athlete of all time, Woods had exposure and garnered lots of attention from women because of his fame and wealth.
Class of 2009 graduate Cole Sanford believes the public are as much to blame as Woods himself.
“He is using his status to get women. We gave him his status and he was using that to his benefit, no one can blame him for that. We are as guilty as he is because we gave him that status.”
Not everyone is so convinced that having power and money gives you a free ticket to do whatever you please.
“I think it’s disgusting that he let his power and skill get to his head and think he could do whatever he wanted and not have to obey the rules of marriage,” added Psychology major Lauren Hamilton.
During his almost five-month hiatus from the public, press and golf world, Woods was dropped from many endorsement deals such as Gatorade, Accenture and TAG Heuer.
“He’s damn good at what he does but I understand his backers bailing,” said fifth-year Kimberley Johnson. “They want him to be seen as family friendly and to them business is business.”
When Woods broke into the golf world in 1996 he signed a $40 million endorsement deal with Nike. Sales for golf apparel and accessories doubled the next year. Due to his loyalty and profitability Nike has stood by Woods, which fourth year Communications student Deanna Gamble believes is a smart investment.
“I don’t think it was smart for his sponsors to pull out at all. His private sex life has nothing to do with his ability to play golf. He will continue to do well in golf and people will forget about what happened and those companies who stayed with him will be rewarded.”
Before returning to golf, Woods was urged by many to make numerous public apologies to his fans, sponsors and fellow golfers. Woods made two press conferences as well as giving two one-on-one interviews with members of ESPN and the Golf Network.
These public apologies have become standard practice with athletes in the past who have had their image tarnished.
“I’m glad he made a public apology. It seemed sincere and he wanted people to know that he was sorry that he let them down and was making an effort to improve his marriage,” said second year Brittany Gavin.
Not everyone is a fan of athletes making public apologies as it has been argued that athletes are being forced to make apologies to save their image, not because they want to apologize.
“These apologies don’t mean anything to me,” said Michael Cooper. “Tiger Woods doesn’t have to apoligize to me for anything, just go play golf.”
Playing golf is what Tiger Woods will do. As he returned to the Masters this weekend, much to the pleasure of the PGA, fans and sponsors the world’s number one golfer is back on the course.
Andres Olaya follows Tiger Woods' progress online. Brandon Wile Photo
Ratings for the event are predicted to be through the roof with reports stating that the Masters will receive a larger viewing audience than the 2010 Winter Olympic gold medal hockey game.
The recent scandal has given the golf world unprecedented exposure and may have even added new fans.
Coming into the tournament Woods was the favorite to win at 3:1 and only time will tell if the world’s most endorsed and arguably golf’s best ever player will be able to resurrect his career.
“I think he’ll come back even stronger just to make his point,” noted former St. Thomas golf team member Marcelle Saulnier. “
There’s no doubt that Woods’ return has gained a large audience as the Nielsen Co. said 4.94 million people watched ESPN’s opening round coverage on Thursday, 47 per cent more than last year’s first round.
Despite not winning the Masters, Woods surprised a lot of people with his fourth place finish. Having not played for almost four months, Woods showed little rust finishing five strokes behind winner Phil Mickelson.
