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Post by wade on Jan 23, 2016 1:55:39 GMT -5
Details are still very limited as of tonight...but...I've been informed Stony Plain Eagles have Ryan Smyth on a card!
Surprising news, to be sure. I excepted NOT to hear of Ryan Smyth playing SR hockey. In fact; he said so in his retirement press conference.
But...here it is:
Wow
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Post by wade on Jan 23, 2016 10:09:20 GMT -5
More information coming out late last night and early this morning regarding this galactic altering event:
Yes. Ryan Smyth. The Knighted Edmontonian. Is signed with the Stony Plain Eagles. He practiced with the team on Wednesday night. The official announcements will only be made when an exact debut game is known & confirmed.
The Eagles are clearly serious about these intentions and as much as they're trying to keep it on the down low until they see the whites of his eyes blinking into "game ready"'mode...well...this cat wouldn't/couldn't stay in its bag. The Eagles are already getting calls from other players coming from down the grapevine wanting to suit up along side # 94.
Shocking news for myself. I wrote off the likelihood of Smyth playing amateur hockey because of his extremely busy personal schedule...but...apparently Stonyburgh has a couple of KEY connections to 94. This is very likely going to happen, folks.
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Post by wade on Jan 23, 2016 11:50:04 GMT -5
In mere minutes the Stony Plain Eagles will announce that Ryan Smyth will play tonight against Innisfail Eagles:
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Post by wade on Jan 23, 2016 13:17:52 GMT -5
Ryan Smyth will make his Stony Plain Eagles debut tonight, hosting Innisfail Eagles!
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Post by IceMan_M on Jan 23, 2016 14:01:29 GMT -5
It's confirmed, he's dressing tonight. That's going to put some fans in the stands for sure! Great pick up by Stony! They seem pretty serious about this season!
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Post by Don Robertson on Jan 23, 2016 15:20:35 GMT -5
Ryan Smyth will make his Stony Plain Eagles debut tonight, hosting Innisfail Eagles! I think it's great, things like this only legitimize Sr AAA more and make it OK for other high profile guys to play with teams. More of this will create more interest and with luck expansion in the Chinook League, ( that may be a giant leap but it won't hurt anything ) Cheers Don Robertson
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Post by wade on Jan 23, 2016 16:37:58 GMT -5
Ryan Smyth will make his Stony Plain Eagles debut tonight, hosting Innisfail Eagles! I think it's great, things like this only legitimize Sr AAA more and make it OK for other high profile guys to play with teams. More of this will create more interest and with luck expansion in the Chinook League, ( that may be a giant leap but it won't hurt anything ) Cheers Don Robertson Funny how fast fortunes can change. 24 HRS ago, I'd have been tempted to predict the entire CHL might have 1-2 more years as a SR AAA entity. This signing has already resulted in a spontaneous combustion of renewed interest & excitement. The Glenn Hall Arena is the hottest ticket in Oil Country this afternoon.
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Post by IceMan_M on Jan 23, 2016 16:39:31 GMT -5
^ I agree with Don here, it can only be a good thing for Sr. Hockey.
Looking at the way the Alberta senior hockey teams are shaping up, not only Chinook, there may very well be some changes about. Heard some rumblings about Bonnyville and Daysland being pushed out of the NCHL AA league, which would leave them searching, more than likely, to the Chinook. Now, again, only rumblings for now. But looking at the stats, Bonnyville outscored their opponents by a goal diff of +86 (121 for and 35 against) in 15 games. Daysland wasn't far behind outscoring their opponents +62 (107f vs. 45a).
Would be nice to see the Chinook expand, but only if it can absorb some capable teams that can compete at the level required.
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Post by IceMan_M on Jan 23, 2016 16:43:37 GMT -5
I think it's great, things like this only legitimize Sr AAA more and make it OK for other high profile guys to play with teams. More of this will create more interest and with luck expansion in the Chinook League, ( that may be a giant leap but it won't hurt anything ) Cheers Don Robertson Funny how fast fortunes can change. 24 HRS ago, I'd have been tempted to predict the entire CHL might have 1-2 more years as a SR AAA entity. This signing has already resulted in a spontaneous combustion of renewed interest & excitement. The Glenn Hall Arena is the hottest ticket in Oil Country this afternoon. Agreed! There's a new buzz around and that's 110% a good thing!
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Post by mlh01 on Jan 23, 2016 16:50:20 GMT -5
This is great news. In the past, Wade, you have said that there is more star power in Ontario Senior AAA and that it wasn't necessarily good for Senior hockey. I always disagreed and remember a few of our conversations on previous threads.
I mentioned that 10-15 years ago when Dundas had the likes of Rick Vaive, Todd Harvey, Todd Hlusko, Mike Kennedy, etc and Cambridge had the Peter Zezel's, Steven Rice's and Gilbert Dionne's that Senior hockey was incredibly popular. I called it the "renaissance" of Senior hockey. It brought back 1000's of fans.
I know you may not agree based on your past comments but believe me it will only HELP Senior hockey to have these kinds of ex-pros play when they are done their NHL careers.
The point I remember you arguing over and over was that these ex-pros playing 10 of a 24 game schedule was not a good practice. You specifically would point to the Real McCoys and the fact that so many nights they'd have a short bench. My argument back was that having Vaive or Zezel play 10 games was better than not having Vaive or Zezel at all.
On that note, congrats to the Chinook League. Down to only 4 teams and it's flagship team (Bentley) having to move locations with only 100 people attending games (Wade quoted figure), this publicity can only certainly help the league.
To be honest, I am sure the Toronto Sun or Globe will pick up a story or two on Smith. Again will help Senior hockey across the country.
Hope it works Wade and I hope it convinces you that the ex-pros that Donnie signs are actually not at all negative but great for the overall sport at this level.
On that note, I heard Jason Bonsignore has signed with the Hamilton Steelhawks. Not the star power of Ryan Smith but good for our league. If Dundas/Hamilton are successful in their bid, let's hope Donnie has more NHL vets on his radar!!!
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Post by Guru on Jan 23, 2016 16:54:56 GMT -5
Smyth and Bonsignore....linked at the draft.....now both make Sr. Hockey debuts on the same night.
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Post by wade on Jan 23, 2016 17:19:45 GMT -5
Not all...but...most of the former NHLers Dundas has signed have been fringe NHLers or 3rd & 4rth line players whom many hockey fans don't recognize right away. Obviously, Rick Vaive would be an exception to this statement. Mike Kennedy...on the other hand...really didn't have much drawing power in an AC's I ever saw him partake in. Certainly not in the same Smythosphere as # 94 who is to Oil Country what Wendel Clark or Doug Gilmour are to Leaf Nation.
My gripe with some of the former NHLers is that they sign on at the SR AAA level and sooner or later discover they're not able to dominate/humiliate every SR AAA opponent...they back off/quit/refuse to take it serious as a way to protect their own egos and they leave a SR AAA team holding the bag. This isn't opinion. It's fact. I've seen it several times with several SR AAA teams.
I feel reasonably confident Ryan Smyth is entering into this challenge knowing full well what his opposition is all about and what his own limitations are as he's now 40 years old.
It's not even easy to predict where exactly his performance level will be tonight or in the coming weeks.
He could be a 2-3 goal/game guy who transforms the landscape of the CHL in just a couple weeks...or...it's possible he could be rather slow and digestible for some of his opponents.
I am about to load up & head to Stonyburgh for the first time in about 3 years...and I think his debut will be a decent landmark for how far he can reach these days.
Another important consideration...Smitty knows a lot of other former pro players and don't be at all surprised if his signing brings a few aftershocks of other big name guys.
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Post by AFAN on Jan 23, 2016 20:27:41 GMT -5
HEY WADE, CHECK HIM OUT TONIGHT , SEE WHAT HE CAN DO THEN HES COMING TO BENTLEY NEXT WEEKEND! LIKE YOU SAID LOTS CAN CHANGE IN 24 HRS.... OFF TOPIC BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY I THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT MIKE RICHARDS MAY SUIT UP FOR THE KENORA THISTLES THIS YEAR. NOW HES GONE TO THE NHL AGAIN AND THE THISTLES ARE JUST GONE PERIOD!
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Post by wade on Jan 23, 2016 22:12:51 GMT -5
20 in the books here in Stonyburgh. Ryan Smyth scored about 9:00 into the game to make it 2-0...but...for the most part Inny carried most of the play and seem very intent on playing their trademark style and it's tied 2-2.
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Post by wade on Jan 24, 2016 2:44:58 GMT -5
Smitty scored once and assisted once tonight.
I thought the simple effectiveness of his notorious style was on full display in the 2nd period when Inny took some PIMs and allowed 94 to sneak around the net and start to play to the strengths of his game.
I'm not sure how much better he can be in 2-4 weeks...but...I am sure he's gong to make Stony PP a more dangerous weapon and his presence alone is a major game changer in Alberta SR AAA
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