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Post by mlh01 on Mar 1, 2015 20:55:43 GMT -5
Don't want to get too far ahead, but the McCoys defensive additions have certainly given the team a new look. They're up 3 games to 0 against easily the strongest team in Ontario.
Whitby has outclassed Dundas all season, including some horrific 9-4 and 11-2 blowouts (albeit against small Dundas' benches in both games).
Either way, Whitby won those games by overpowering the McCoys physically. This is not the 2014 behemoth Dundas team. Much smaller version.....
Until recently that is - the additions of Duncan Dalmao, Derek Matheson and Jake Guindon on defence give the McCoys a similar look to last season in that all 3 defenseman are 6'2 to 6'3". The big, strong D that has been missing throughout the season.
Add to that the fact that twice I had to take a double take to realize that #4 Dalmao was NOT the highly skilled Nick Smith (who had worn #4 for Dundas for much of the last decade)...Dalmao made a couple of end to end rushes that were reminiscent of Smith. Matheson is similarly skilled. (Note: Matheson is incorrectly listed on Pointstreak as a forward). He made some great rushes and provides much needed veteran defensive leadership.
Not sure that I have seen such high "offensive" skill on the McCoys D in over a decade - I would have to go back to the Kelly Reed days...and even better that both new D look to have that type of skill.
Again, Whitby is strong and can certainly come back from 3 games down...but look out, Donnie just may have pulled another rabbit (or two)!!
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Post by mlh01 on Nov 28, 2014 20:03:18 GMT -5
The Dundas Real McCoys received their Allan Cup banner and rings.
All players here except McKee.
And surprise surprise.... Greg Stewart playing.
Christie, Smith eh all won't be far behind I'm thinking.
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Post by mlh01 on Nov 12, 2014 21:57:50 GMT -5
Speculation is..
Stewart has a deal with Dundas. Gets his release to play AA with Gander. He was likely the most talented player in the Allan Cup last season. He's only 28, not long removed from the NHL/AHL/Europe. He'll get flown in, put up in a hotel, make decent money as the Nfld teams draw so well...
Then, he can rejoin the McCoys in Feb for another run at the Cup.
Snider is back from Europe, Mole resigned in net.
Hearing Christie and Smith, amongst others from last year's team may join after the New Year or even before as they're skating again.
Just sayin..put it altogether and in a season when people thought Dundas would have trouble...they may just end up in Clarenville...
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Post by mlh01 on May 16, 2014 22:01:32 GMT -5
True wade but that is 2014. You need to remember that 2015 will be essentially free for any other Newfoundland team. Therefore, it would not surprise me if a 3rd Nfld team that is currently AA, declares their team AAA next year if no Quebec team declares. Again, costs would be minimal as there would be little, if any, travel expenses involved. Each Allan Cup game would be no different than 3-4 more road games, and Clarenville would be required to pay out minimal amounts (but still some $$ coin) even to the other Nfld teams.
Believe me, I do not think that there are many who would support 3 teams from a province of 500k people...but thems the rules....and it doesn't matter what we think.
Donnie had the best suggestion. Teams and leagues such as ours (Chinook and ACH) earn the right. Nfld also does although they do it differently by declaring the previous year. Each champion should continue to have a berth in the Cup. So you'd have ONT, AB, and NF. All others including Kenora, South East, Powell River, etc should enter regional tournaments.
Wouldn't that be great - 6 true "teams"....ahhh I'm dreaming again. haha
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Post by mlh01 on May 16, 2014 20:52:31 GMT -5
When has it ever been done that way? They will break down inter-provincial playoffs and send branch representation just like they've done each year since Quebec dropped out & Newfoundland joined. The only thing that could change this is if the HOST REGION produces a SR AAA candidate from a different Provincial Branch within the region (PEI, NB or NS) Wade - They've done it that way the last few years. The ONLY time that Ontario had multiple teams is when they host. 2013: Host Pacific Region (had 3 teams - Bentley, Stoney Plain and Fort St John) Ontario: Kenora had to play Brantford....thus ONE Ontario team 2012: Host West Region (had 3 teams - Lloydminster, Rosetown, Southeast) Ontario: Kenora had to play Dundas...thus ONE Ontario team 2011: Host Kenora...thus TWO Ontario teams 2010: Host Pacific Region (had 3 teams - Fort St John, Powell River, Bentley) Ontario: Dundas had to play Kenora...thus ONE Ontario team Wade - not sure why you think next year would be different in NFLD, and they would grant Ontario 2 teams???
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Post by mlh01 on May 16, 2014 16:15:51 GMT -5
[/quote]Your wrong.
1. HOST 2. ATLANTIC 3. ACH 4. NORTHERN ONTARIO 5. WEST 6. PACIFIC
These will be the 6 AC spots for 2014. [/quote]
Wade I believe you may be wrong. As much as I believe this is the way it should be - both Northern Ontario and Ontario gaining entry, this is not how it was handled in the past.
The Northern rep plays the winner of the ACH (S. Ontario).
Here is what I believe:
1. HOST 2. ATLANTIC 3. QUEBEC (if they decline, then a third Atlantic Rep) 4. ONTARIO (North plays South) 5. WEST 6. PACIFIC
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Post by mlh01 on May 8, 2014 18:21:10 GMT -5
Sorry. Didn't mean to imply it was you who said it. The posters making those errors have bowed out of the thread, it seems. Wade - I started the thread and I'm likely one of the posters you're referring to. I honestly feel that the Generals do travel the best of any Senior organization in Canada. When I say that, to be frank, it's a compliment. I was at the opening ceremonies and there were actually people laughing in the crowd at how large the "Army" was compared to other teams...many more players, more coaches, more of an entire entourage. Even more fans than any other team except the 2 S. Ontario teams. Again, to me that is a compliment. It means you have the most dedicated group. I will go one step further and add to this thread...I still do not for a minute believe that there has been a Senior team in the last 10 years that would have beaten this year's McCoys...not during the year, not in February...but for those 4 games in this year's Allan Cup. That lineup was too strong, too big and just too talented...in any size barn. And again I've pretty much watched every game online, and am basing my opinion on what I perceive to be facts. It's not a slight against Bentley in 2013 or any other Champion...just my opinion based on my Senior hockey knowledge and the fact I've watched so many games live and online. But what I wanted to add is that over the same time frame (last two decades say back to 2001), I will say that I think the best overall Senior operation would be Bentley, Wade. Year in and year out, the Generals are competitive. Every tournament you have travelled EXTREMELY well. You are in the thick of things at every Cup you've attended (except this past year....in reality were never in either game against Dundas or Clarenville). But you can't be in the final every year. There, I have just made that declaration that Bentley has been the most successful Senior operation of the modern era...let the discussion begin . I will go first and comment (on my own comment) - I believe the McCoys organization (again in terms of hockey) would be a close second. If I counted correctly since 2001, Bentley has been in 8 Allan Cups and Dundas in 7. That's pretty close but there were a few Cups that I watched where the McCoys just weren't strong enough with the players they managed to bring. Lastly, I would say South East is a close third...while Clarenville has not been around long enough (Allan Cup eligibility) to be in the discussion. Would love to see all 4 teams in NFld next year!!!
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Post by mlh01 on May 6, 2014 18:13:13 GMT -5
You beat me to it. The Generals plodded with the puck. It was strange. It would look like they would have an odd-man rush and the player would hang onto the puck so long it turned into a 3 on 3 or 4 on 4.
Speed was not a word I'd associate with the Generals. Only team they may have been faster than was Brantford who frankly did not show up. The Blast didn't look like the same team from the regular season.
PS all joking aside, if HC doesn't step up you may see the smallest amount of AAA teams ever in Canada as the travel costs to Nfld are enormous.
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Post by mlh01 on May 4, 2014 13:10:06 GMT -5
Wade, I'll preface my reply by saying I think we both share the same passion about Senior hockey. I think we both, as most people on this board do, want Senior hockey to succeed and move into the place we all believe it should.
Do I agree with everything you say - no of course not. But I love the banter because our posts "help" in spreading interest in Senior hockey. Keep up your passion.
On that note buddy - again no disrespect but you're out to lunch. It has been this way since the 30's. Of course there are more pros drafted, playing, retired and now living in Ontario - there is such an imbalance of former players here its not funny...if you're retired and want to continue I the business/broadcasting or most careers for that matter, you would settle in Southern Ontario. just stating the facts.
As for the number of AAA teams there are more than any other province - currently 7. I do agree though that that figure should be higher.
My feeling is you will see that number grow in the next few years, especially if Hockey Canada comes on board....which is the "hope".
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Post by mlh01 on May 4, 2014 9:01:13 GMT -5
I wasn't going to reply to this as its so obvious with 13.5 million people.
Wade, almost 50% of all Canadian NHL players are from Ontario, year after year. Alberta fluctuates between 8-12 percent...as does Que and Sask. it's been that way for decades.
Lokk it up- no disrespect just the obvious facts.
Also, we flew in Joel Dezainde who was the brother of our captain (Norm) who was out there working in the oil business. Only reason he flew in. [/quote]
Not sure why my post created like that...above is what I responded...sorry if it reaches the board twice
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Post by mlh01 on May 4, 2014 8:57:19 GMT -5
Not sure where the census information comes from, saying "most ex-pros live in Southern Ontario"? Calgary is a hot bed. In fact, Dundas flew an NHL Alumni from Calgary to play for them in 2008! I wasn't going to reply to this as its so obvious with 13.5 million people. Wade, almost 50% of all Canadian NHL players are from Ontario, year after year. Alberta fluctuates between 8-12 percent...as does Que and Sask. it's been that way for decades. Lokk it up- no disrespect just the obvious facts. Also, we flew in Joel Dezainde who was the brother of our captain (Norm) who was out there working in the oil business. Only reason he flew in.
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Post by mlh01 on May 3, 2014 19:25:03 GMT -5
Some very good points wade. The 2013 Bentleys were a very strong team, although I agree with "Senior Hockey Vet" in that the two players that stood out were Weller (former NHL) and Bailey. So were they stronger or weaker with those two in the lineup??
Also agree that when the Cup is in Ontario, the Ont squads are much stronger. It only makes sense. We have 13.5 million people and most ex-pros who decide to live in Canada, post career, end up in Southern Ontario. Translates to having the strongest Senior teams in the Canada. But the caveat is...will they still play Senior and will they travel to an Allan Cup.
Lastly, as for Warroad...very good point Jing Jang. Maybe one of the strongest teams ever. But I can't compare as that predates the internet. Only someone who saw them, and also saw Dundas this year can truly compare.
My original analysis is drawn from watching each Cup since 2003 online (except for Kenora I think that had no Fast Hockey or attending. Still believe Dundas is the strongest team I've watched online or live.
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Post by mlh01 on May 2, 2014 13:39:27 GMT -5
Thanks. It's too bad more teams don't (or cant) declare AAA. I do try to follow Senior hockey right across the country and am always amazed at how many Senior teams that Saskatchewan has.
And correct me if I'm wrong but in both your major leagues a AA team won the championship (Unity in one league and the Kyle Elks in the other).
Is it simply economics that prevent them going to AAA?
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Post by mlh01 on May 2, 2014 11:53:44 GMT -5
So how many AAA teams will Sask have? Anyone know?
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Post by mlh01 on May 1, 2014 20:38:51 GMT -5
There were 7 ex-NHL players. I respect your opinion, and love any debate, especially about Senior hockey. But, I do not agree with your comment about ex pros.
Senior hockey is about finding the absolute best players you can find that are over the age of 20.
We have looked for ways to promote Senior hockey on this board, through many other threads...and it's hard enough as it is now...nevermind limiting who can and cannot play.
Plus, the definition of "Amateur" has changed drastically....professional players/athletes can now compete in the Olympiics...which is, or once was, the WORLD's biggest amateur sporting event.
Lastly, once you are finished playing professional hockey....you ARE an amateur.
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