Metropolitan Division

Aug 22: Around the horn round-up

The Bisons still don't have a new roster page. But we do have their new banner logo. And The Manitoban has posted a tour story with comments from Brett Stovin. Saturday the Belfast Giants displayed their four different jerseys for this season. I am not a fan of the heavy advertised Euro-look.

The Bisons also reposted the CW story on CanadaWest.tv. A hockey pass is $35.99 ($29.99 early bird) and other prices are stated in the story. The debut broadcast is an exhibition football game on Wednesday.

Links:
¶ [UofM rp @CW Logo Story]
¶ [Manitoban: Tour Story]
¶ [CanadaWest.tv Story]





The Hørny Ønes made it official with four new recruits, bringing their total announcements to six. The new players are:

- Jeff Rayman - defence - Vancouver Giants (WHL)
- Taylor Fisher - defence - Selkirk Steelers (MJHL)
- Tyler Maltby - right wing - Sherwood Park (AJHL)
- Jonny Hogue - goaltender - Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL)
- Ty Edmonds - goaltender - Prince George Cougars (NAHL)

Maltby had committed to Arizona State but that fell through for some reason. He scored a ton in Junior A, just over a PPG.

They also continued their flood of new stories with word of a new assistant coach, Kevin Higo, who was the head coach of the Grand Prairie Storm of the AJHL.

Links:
¶ [UofL Recruiting Story] ● [rp @CW]
¶ [UofL rp @CW Logo Story]
¶ [UofL Higo Story]


Nate Fleming became the 5th T-ird to sign a pro deal. He is going to the Manchester Storm of the EIHL.

Links:
¶ [UBC Story]


The Bluegars have nothing at all on their website this off-season. But they have retweeted a few recruiting announcements.

- Bradley Kennedy - forward - Weeks (MHL)/Halifax (QMJHL)
- Mitchell Lipon - centre - Whitecourt (AJHL)
- Kord Pankewicz - defence - Brooks (AJHL)/Lethbridge (WHL)

All of them have split time between Major Junior and Junior A. Kennedy had been in the QMJHL until mid-way through last season. Lipon once played in the WHL but has been back in Junior A for 2½ years. Pankewicz had four seasons in the Dub before splitting last season between that and Junior A.

Links:
¶ [Kennedy retweet]
¶ [Lipon retweet]
¶ [Pankewicz retweet]


The Banjo Mutts tweeted their CW conference banner and issued a press release with their recruits. They landed more players than I thought they needed. Here are the newest fire hydrant-cleaners:

- Taran Kozun - goaltender - Rosetown Red Wings (redshirt after minor league season with 4 teams)
- Collin Shirley - left wing/centre - Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
- Carter Folk - left wing - Victoria Royals (WHL)
- Taylor Sanheim - forward - Penticton Vees (BCHL)
- Jesse Shynkaruk - forward - Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
- Alex Forsberg - left wing/centre - Victoria Royals (WHL)
- MacKenzie Johnston - defenceman - Rosetown Red Wings (redshirt after MRU)

Links:
¶ [UofS Story]


The Banjo Cats previously announced the signing of a goaltender. They have now announced more signings. They must be purring with five additions from the Dub, much more than in recent seasons.

– Michael Herringer - goaltender - Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
– Troy Murray - defence - Kootenay Ice (WHL)
– Zak Zborosky - forward - Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
– Ben Duperreault - forward - Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
– Jacob Cardiff - forward - Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Links:
¶ [UofR Story] ● [rp @CW]

I found this: https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2014/3/21/5532734/flyers-robert-hagg-defenseman-entry-level-contract-phantoms-modo

I still love that the Wheel of time was able to bring together an even more bloated spread out universe into an amazing conclusion.    

OK...You're right, I was wrong.  I learned something new today.  

    I think Sabres are in and Leafs miss this season. Sens will also miss and Lightning will be back in.  

  No.   He was drafted out of the KHL.   It slides. Just like Hagg's did.   How else do you think Hagg is going to play his 4th season in the AHL.   You only get 3 years of an entry level deal. His first year slid.   Just like Ruby's can.

Just to comment on the travel time/distance thing, I think it's mostly a symptom of them putting their foot on the gas as the show approaches it's climax. Plus this is a show with multiple POVs in multiple locations, and is based off source material that itself doesn't stick to a consistent timeline.   I think in general the writing has suffered from having less source material to base it off of. The first 3-4 seasons there was plenty of material that was well plotted out. Beyond that though they've gotten into unknown territory and are having to bring characters together who are spread all over the damn place in the books. Martin himself can't seem to figure out how to untangle the bloated monstrosity he's created. The show runners are having to do that without having years to try to figure it out, so I think that's where you get the logical inconsistencies that have popped up in recent seasons.