Looking for NHL stats? Then send me an email
Attention hockey poolsters: If you need NHL team-by-team statistics for your draft, email me (rvanstone@postmedia.com) and I promise to reply with two PDF files that include numbers for every player. I already have PDFs from early this week, and should have the final stats by Monday. Y’er welcome.
And now for the regularly scheduled plug: Our annual sports memorabilia sale, benefiting the Regina Leader-Post’s Christmas Cheer Fund, is April 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Conexus Arts Centre’s Jacqui Shumiatcher Room. If you would like to donate memorabilia of virtually any description, send me an email or call (306-781-5216).
Attention: Anyone named
Alex. One donation was an autographed poster of Dave Ridgway’s field goal that gave the Saskatchewan Roughriders the 1989 Grey Cup title. Ridgway inscribed the photo “To Alex, Best Wishes ...” So if your name is Alex, or if there is an important Alex in your life, have we got the item for you! (Enough shameless salesmanship. Onwards ...)
It would not be surprising to see the Regina Pats win the 2018 Memorial Cup, which is slated for May 18-27 at the Brandt Centre. The Pats, who were eliminated from the WHL playoffs by the Swift Current Broncos on Monday, will be well-rested — unlike the three league champions who will have endured the rigours of an extended playoff run. Plus, there will not be a better coaching staff in the CHL’s championship tournament than that of the Pats, thanks to John Paddock and Dave Struch.
The participation of the Broncos or Moose Jaw Warriors would be a gift to Memorial Cup organizers, considering that April has arrived — unlike the spring — and tickets are available.
Regina-born Jason Clermont should have been among the Canadian Football Hall of Fame’s 2018 inductees. In addition to excelling as a CFL slotback — three 1,000-yard seasons with the B.C. Lions — Clermont starred in the junior and university ranks with the Regina Rams.
Also worthy of induction: Kent Austin, Wayne Shaw, Alan Ford, Mervyn Fernandez, Joey Walters, Terry Greer, Darryl Leason, Barrin Simpson, Dick Thornton, Jim Hopson and Lovell Coleman.
The hall should also recognize Canadians who have excelled south of the border. Regina-born punter Jon Ryanhas spent 12 seasons in the NFL and has earned a Super Bowl ring. How can he not be inducted at some point?
Pet peeve: Hockey referees who refrain from calling obvious penalties due to a reluctance to affect a game of magnitude. The laissez-faire approach actually detracts from the game.
Nice people who deserve a plug: Evan Quick, Ted Turner, Mel Turner, Jason Roske, Florence Ell, Courtney Wagner, Sidney Crosby, Dave Magnussen, Sorrel Steinberg, Gord Hubbard, Ashley Prest, Tony Playter, Tanner Jeannot, Quinn Neald, James Gallo, Dennis Nestegard, Marc Smith, Bill Pierce, Scott Morgan, Gayle Slater, Sonia Cameron, Kelly Bates, Bernice Bates, Kelly Marce, Brayden Burke, Craig Smith, Terry Massey, Tom Massey, Bob Massey, Jim Duncan, John Smidt, Evan Doepker, Garry McRadu, Wendy McRadu, Dick White, and anyone named Alex.