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Post by bardown on Nov 3, 2011 11:45:08 GMT -5
no tim in this HORSE race sir, but chiefs are getting stronger...
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Post by hockeypops on Nov 4, 2011 2:22:06 GMT -5
I asked Fleury, through his twitter account, if he was going to Horse Lake this year & he didn't respond. Which is strange because...he's kinda like Santa Claus...dilgently responding to every single fan/enemy/comment. I am almost certain Horse Lake would make him an offer of some sort. And although his winter schedule is probably full...I expect we will see him play some games with the HL Chiefs. He's not going to be a dominant SR player. He never was, to be honest. He is older now...but...43 is only entering into the "Upper Limit Range" of Allan Cup participants. Ive seen guys closer to 50 still kicking it with the kids and its always compelling if/when that happens. Never more so than if Fleurys' name is on a sweater. I know Horse Lake will play hard ball and they will bend the rules, cut deals, swindle and style their way through the season. And I COULD raise holy hell over it. And they'll probably end up doing something horrific and beyond tolerable, eventually. But they WILL also put asses into empty seats. And now back on topic..... Keep an eye out for Tim "Toolman" Green. He played on & off in the Battle River League last year and is currently coveted by a couple different Alberta SR teams. And lets just say the chase to get this former ECHL star signed is probably a "one HORSE race" It's not always the obvious what a team wants when it goes looking for a big name. If Theo plays back in HL (which is sounding pretty likely), who can HL attract because of Theo. Don't forget he has a few close friends and relatives still involved in the game. Yes it's good for bums in the seats but is this what the Alberta AAA hockey is going to end up as? A giant race to see who can pay big enough bucks to get a marquie name or two. Yes it's great for the extra revenue at the gate but at what cost to the integrity of Alberta AAA hockey. Isn't this exactly what everyone is referring to when they say that paying players big dollars has got to stop and Hockey Canada needs to step in. I don't take issue with Theo playing - and whether he's effective or not isn't an issue - it's the cash for services that's not right.
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Post by naitch on Nov 4, 2011 7:42:00 GMT -5
I asked Fleury, through his twitter account, if he was going to Horse Lake this year & he didn't respond. Which is strange because...he's kinda like Santa Claus...dilgently responding to every single fan/enemy/comment. I am almost certain Horse Lake would make him an offer of some sort. And although his winter schedule is probably full...I expect we will see him play some games with the HL Chiefs. He's not going to be a dominant SR player. He never was, to be honest. He is older now...but...43 is only entering into the "Upper Limit Range" of Allan Cup participants. Ive seen guys closer to 50 still kicking it with the kids and its always compelling if/when that happens. Never more so than if Fleurys' name is on a sweater. I know Horse Lake will play hard ball and they will bend the rules, cut deals, swindle and style their way through the season. And I COULD raise holy hell over it. And they'll probably end up doing something horrific and beyond tolerable, eventually. But they WILL also put asses into empty seats. And now back on topic..... Keep an eye out for Tim "Toolman" Green. He played on & off in the Battle River League last year and is currently coveted by a couple different Alberta SR teams. And lets just say the chase to get this former ECHL star signed is probably a "one HORSE race" It's not always the obvious what a team wants when it goes looking for a big name. If Theo plays back in HL (which is sounding pretty likely), who can HL attract because of Theo. Don't forget he has a few close friends and relatives still involved in the game. Yes it's good for bums in the seats but is this what the Alberta AAA hockey is going to end up as? A giant race to see who can pay big enough bucks to get a marquie name or two. Yes it's great for the extra revenue at the gate but at what cost to the integrity of Alberta AAA hockey. Isn't this exactly what everyone is referring to when they say that paying players big dollars has got to stop and Hockey Canada needs to step in. I don't take issue with Theo playing - and whether he's effective or not isn't an issue - it's the cash for services that's not right. I think the line is not clear regarding which side teams should be on for the integrity of Senior hockey in this country. You can't have a team full of ex-pros who are only looking to put $$$ in their pockets but at the same time you cannot have a team full of beer league players, younger guys, etc...who won't be able to compete. In my opinion, you need a mix...what that mix is-is different for every team & league. I think people forget that real people own these teams & the goal is to make a profit...or at least break even. I understand the argument "for the love of the game" but c'mon...no owner is going to run a team year after year when it is cutting into his/her own pocket on a consistent basis. Me personally...i am more inclined to attend a game or take my ragazzi to a game if there is something worth watching & paying for...pretty simple formula that most people use when figuring out where to spend $$$ for entertainment purposes. I like when teams pick up ex-pros & if that particular team can afford to pay that player a few bucks...so be it...i have no problem with that. The challenge to the team is to make sure they do it without compromising their existence in a league going forward...that is where the integrity question is front & center.
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Post by hockeypops on Nov 4, 2011 12:21:46 GMT -5
It's not always the obvious what a team wants when it goes looking for a big name. If Theo plays back in HL (which is sounding pretty likely), who can HL attract because of Theo. Don't forget he has a few close friends and relatives still involved in the game. Yes it's good for bums in the seats but is this what the Alberta AAA hockey is going to end up as? A giant race to see who can pay big enough bucks to get a marquie name or two. Yes it's great for the extra revenue at the gate but at what cost to the integrity of Alberta AAA hockey. Isn't this exactly what everyone is referring to when they say that paying players big dollars has got to stop and Hockey Canada needs to step in. I don't take issue with Theo playing - and whether he's effective or not isn't an issue - it's the cash for services that's not right. I think the line is not clear regarding which side teams should be on for the integrity of Senior hockey in this country. You can't have a team full of ex-pros who are only looking to put $$$ in their pockets but at the same time you cannot have a team full of beer league players, younger guys, etc...who won't be able to compete. In my opinion, you need a mix...what that mix is-is different for every team & league. I think people forget that real people own these teams & the goal is to make a profit...or at least break even. I understand the argument "for the love of the game" but c'mon...no owner is going to run a team year after year when it is cutting into his/her own pocket on a consistent basis. Me personally...i am more inclined to attend a game or take my ragazzi to a game if there is something worth watching & paying for...pretty simple formula that most people use when figuring out where to spend $$$ for entertainment purposes. I like when teams pick up ex-pros & if that particular team can afford to pay that player a few bucks...so be it...i have no problem with that. The challenge to the team is to make sure they do it without compromising their existence in a league going forward...that is where the integrity question is front & center. Most AAA teams hope to break even at best and many don't. Most owners I have known are in fact in it for the love of the game. Most players with talent, still want to play and would do so without being paid if everyone did the same thing and stopped handing out the cash. I agree that a talented team is a much better draw and AAA hockey attracts high end players because of the Allan Cup and the competition, but if a player is just playing because he's paid enough then he needs to go to the ECHL or CHL or wherever "Professional" players get paid to play. Of course we seem to keep skipping past the obvious, paying players is not allowed under the rules of Senior Amateur Hockey and from what I've seen in Alberta Chinook League, beer league guys don't make it and there's some pretty impressive talent on the ice from the 5 AAA teams and the AA teams are no slouches.
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Post by wade on Nov 4, 2011 15:26:37 GMT -5
The Don Cherry of Senior Hockey will never waiver. I will always place highest importance on every amateur players' motivation to take up the Allan Cup cause. I will never say Ive seen or heard it all...but...I have learned a lot and my perspective has changed significantly in the last few years. These days...I tend to shake my head at most of the allegations made over the forums. It doesn't change the big picture here..which still reveals a predominantly pure & sweet thing we all cherish....good Canadian folks playing the game for mostly the right reasons. And thats what the focus of promotion/discussion & celebration should be all about. Is money an issue? Of course. It always is. But...Amateur Hockeys' governing body needs to know how to prioritize problems/solutions at this level and I definatley do NOT think "paid players" is something they need to be concerned MORE about than other pressing issues. As for Theo Fleury and the Horse Lake delegation...I fully anticipate they will outspend all other Alberta SR AAA teams this year. Fleury may be a part of it...and he might even behave arrogantly (again). I hope not. But...he might. I think I will sit back and let things transpire for a couple months before I worry too much about whats going on up there. The Horse Lake team could end up being a great draw for everyone out here and I feel confident they will NOT be able to assemble a team which will terrorize/cheap-shot & humliliate their opponents. Ive said it before...were a long ways from 2005. This is gonna be good.
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Post by bardown on Nov 4, 2011 18:55:21 GMT -5
we are a long ways from 05.....cu in new year..first aaa exy games vs fsj nov 25-26 cmon out...
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Post by propuckplayer on Nov 5, 2011 14:55:05 GMT -5
I must say the Bentley Generals have put a pretty impressive team together this season.
The Gens already had a great squad last year, but this season with the additions of chris falloon, scott kalinchuk, brett thurston, peter vandermeer, ryan tobler, and many more the Gens may have the team to beat.
Should be a great year in the Chinook league with Bentley, Stony, Lloyd, Ft. Sask, and Sylvan being able to beat each other any given night.
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Post by propuckplayer on Nov 5, 2011 15:05:30 GMT -5
Anyone know if Bentley is still going with Dewberry as their affiliate. I don't think the Bensmiller boys can crack the squad of the Gens this year.
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Post by wade on Nov 5, 2011 15:11:34 GMT -5
Anyone know if Bentley is still going with Dewberry as their affiliate. I don't think the Bensmiller boys can crack the squad of the Gens this year. Its different affiliation rules this time around PPP. SR AAA teams are now permitted to affiliate (up to) 19 players from ANY lower tiered hockey team. This means, the Gens' can pick & choose individual players from various rosters and I have to think Kurt Bensmiller would still be a player they would want to have available for service.
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Post by hockeypops on Nov 5, 2011 15:18:15 GMT -5
Anyone know if Bentley is still going with Dewberry as their affiliate. I don't think the Bensmiller boys can crack the squad of the Gens this year. The Gens aren't limited to just Dewberry as an affiliate team. This year there is no affiliate team but the option for up to 19 affiliate players from any AA team, so the Bensmillers can be plucked from Dewberry without using up more than 2 affiliate cards, leaving Bentley open to select up to an additional 17 players from anywhere. I have heard that Bentley isn't interested in 19 affiliates but more likely 6 or 8 premium guys. Of course, time will tell how that all plays out.
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Post by wade on Nov 5, 2011 15:24:16 GMT -5
Anyone know if Bentley is still going with Dewberry as their affiliate. I don't think the Bensmiller boys can crack the squad of the Gens this year. The Gens aren't limited to just Dewberry as an affiliate team. This year there is no affiliate team but the option for up to 19 affiliate players from any AA team, so the Bensmillers can be plucked from Dewberry without using up more than 2 affiliate cards, leaving Bentley open to select up to an additional 17 players from anywhere. I have heard that Bentley isn't interested in 19 affiliates but more likely 6 or 8 premium guys. Of course, time will tell how that all plays out. Hopefully all 5 Alberta SR AAA teams follow the Generals lead to resist the obvious temptation to take full use of the new affiliation rules. I really have zero interest in watching "all star teams" contest playoff games. Ideally...everyone steps up efforts to put together solid 25 man rosters are show loyalty to these players at pinch time.
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Post by hockeypops on Nov 5, 2011 15:40:39 GMT -5
The Gens aren't limited to just Dewberry as an affiliate team. This year there is no affiliate team but the option for up to 19 affiliate players from any AA team, so the Bensmillers can be plucked from Dewberry without using up more than 2 affiliate cards, leaving Bentley open to select up to an additional 17 players from anywhere. I have heard that Bentley isn't interested in 19 affiliates but more likely 6 or 8 premium guys. Of course, time will tell how that all plays out. Hopefully all 5 Alberta SR AAA teams follow the Generals lead to resist the obvious temptation to take full use of the new affiliation rules. I really have zero interest in watching "all star teams" contest playoff games. Ideally...everyone steps up efforts to put together solid 25 man rosters are show loyalty to these players at pinch time. From what I have heard that seems to be the general feeling from most of the Chinook League GM's. As was relayed to me, there was quite a discussion about the affiliate rule and in general it was not well received by the Alberta teams.
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Post by captain on Nov 8, 2011 18:41:56 GMT -5
See where Theo Fluery will be in studio with Bob McCowan on Sportsnet, Thurs. 6:10 et. somebody should give Bob a heads up on the possible Horse Lake senario ,act 2.
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Post by upnorth on Nov 21, 2011 21:10:08 GMT -5
Horse Lake Roster as of last week: Travis Cunningham, Ryan Mcleod, Mike Lalonde, Steve Later, Tyler Brough, Kevin Boutilier, Jesse Dudas, Roger Maxwell, Andrew Derton, Jerry Cunningham, Morgan Mclean, Greg Lakovic, Dallas Jackson, Cory Mchecran, Ryan Hill, Calvin Wagner.
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Post by munzie on Nov 21, 2011 23:42:40 GMT -5
And I suppose Andrew Derton would be playing for free, like he was when FSJ was paying him handsomely. Not that he isn't a very fine defenceman.
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