MacDougall in select company
Bedeque native building impressive resumé with UNB Varsity Reds
Gardiner MacDougall has established himself as one of the all-time great coaches in the history of Canadian university hockey.
In 17 years at UNB, the Bedeque native and his Varsity Reds have reached the Canadian final an impressive nine times and won six national championships, with all six coming in the last 11 years.
The University Cup was first contested in 1963, and only those great Toronto Varsity Blues’ teams had a greater run since the Cup’s inception. The Blues, coached by Tom Watt, won nine of 12 championships from 1966-1977.
To reach a final in any league is tough, but to do it nine times nationally in 17 years is almost unheard of.
The UPEI Panthers have never reached a Canadian final, and only the 1965 Saint Dunstan’s Saints have done so – losing to the Manitoba Bisons 9-2 in Winnipeg.
The numbers say the Reds have the best university hockey program in the country since 2000, and Gardiner MacDougall is the reason why. The University Cup championship is back in Fredericton next year, and odds are that UNB will be in the final.
Connor McDavid
If rumors hold true, Connor McDavid is about to become the highest-paid player in the NHL.
A salary of $13.25 million per year for eight years is ludicrous for a player with such a brief tenure as McDavid. He is a great player and will likely be a star for years to come, but should have to prove himself over a longer period than just this past year, where he won the scoring race and MVP award. Edmonton should know better than to give one player that much money in a cap world. If they want proof of the possible repercussions, look no farther than Chicago, where Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are making $21 million of the $75 million allowed. Chicago traded away rising star Artemi Panarin before he hits his payday, knowing they cannot afford another huge salary under the salary cap. I guess making the big splash outweighs long-term common sense.
Baseball
Major League Baseball is almost at the halfway point of the regular-season schedule, and baseball fans are in for some great games and pennant races in the second half.
In the National League, only four teams are five or more games over the .500 mark, with three of those in the West Division. Only 6 1/2 games separate all five teams in the Central Division.
The American League standings also show that only four teams are five or more games over the .500 mark. The American League East is separated by only 5.5 games from top to bottom, and only 2 1/2 games separate the top three in the Central Division.
The Houston Astros, with a 12 ½-game lead, are the only runaway team in the AL West. The Toronto Blue Jays are a little behind last year’s pace as they were in third place on Canada Day last year at 43-39 (wonlost), 5 1/2 games off the pace. It all adds up to some great baseball and pennant races in the second half.
Canada 150
We are so fortunate to live in a country like Canada, especially when we look around the world at all the terrorism and fighting. We are safe and free in Canada, and are the envy of many around the world.
Canada is 150-years-old, and it is time to not only celebrate, but to be grateful for what we do have in this great country. Have a safe and happy Canada 150 weekend. Joe MacIntyre is a Summerside resident. His column appears every Saturday. Comments and suggestions can be sent to j-mac@eastlink.ca.