BACK IN THE GAME
Former Panthers bench boss Tim Kendrick to coach Island Storm
Former Panthers bench boss Tim Kendrick to coach Island Storm, says Guardian sports columnist
The Sports Prophet, aka Fiddler and yours truly, has learned from reliable sources Tim Kendrick has been hired as the head coach of the Island Storm.
He will replace Joe Salerno, who has joined Moncton Magic, the Storm’s National Basketball League of Canada rival.
Kendrick joins the Storm after a very successful stint as head coach of the UPEI Panthers from 2011-2017, where he fashioned a 113-88 record, including 70-50 in regular season play, the best record by far of any UPEI sports team during the same period. Of all the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) basketball teams, this is second best overall record, a tough task considering the turnover via graduation and the rebuilding that takes place at the university level.
Kendrick had five straight winning seasons at UPEI with the only blemish on his record coming last year, which can be attributed to the injuries to AllCanadian and standout Tyler Scott and talented veteran Lorenzo Parker plus the loss of Brad States to the pro ranks.
His contract was not renewed and UPEI has hired former Panther Darrell Glenn to coach the squad.
Kendrick’s most heartbreaking loss came in the 2016 AUS final in Halifax when the Panthers lost the championship game to Dalhousie by two points.
States, who had his finest season under Kendrick, is on the Storm’s protected list and will be re-united with Kendrick. Popular six-foot-11 centre Nick Evans, who had a couple of great seasons here with the Storm, is returning after playing with Windsor last year. The fiery redhead is married to an Island girl, which should make him a crowd favourite – I know he’s one of mine.
The Storm has a strong following with a solid fan base and the Charlottetown businesses community is very supportive.
Although league rosters remain at 12, there ‘s been a significant change in that five must be Canadian, which is good for basketball in Canada and good for coach Kendrick. He has run basketball clinics in Canada and the United States and has contacts everywhere, which should help with the Storm. As a result of the roster change, the playing careers of a few UPEI and Holland College hoop grads may also be extended.
Storm season tickets are now available at the Eastlink box office or by calling 902-629-6625.
Golf
P.E.I.’s Tim Yorke shot an 81 in the opening round of the Canadian mid-amateur in Saskatchewan earlier this week, which is certainly not “Yorkelike.”
The annual Mike Kelly Memorial Golf Tournament in support of the Panthers men’s hockey team goes Saturday, Sept. 9, at Fox Meadow. Registration is from 12:45-1:15 p.m. with a 1:30 shotgun start. Fourman teams, carts, meal, etc., with a $700 entry fee.
In the Peakes Bombers golf fundraiser, played at Peakes Tee during Old Home Week, the team of Sean Corcoran, Rabs MacDonald, Laura Bradley and Kathleen Curran took home top honours, edging Matt Bradley, Rob Phalen, Mitchell Power and Luke MacDonald by two strokes.
The first P.E.I. senior men’s tour event goes Sept. 5 at Avondale. To register, contact Merlin at merlin@stanhopegolf.ca.
The first Pownal Minor Hockey parent/player golf tournament is set for Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. Two-person teams, golf, cart, barbecue for $85. Contact Avondale at 902-651-4653.
Harness racing
The international harness racing community and the hundreds of new visitors to P.E.I. for the World Trotting Conference were blown away by the huge and passionate fan support for harness racing in this province and by the beauty of our city and province.
Maybe they’ll be back someday.
The Gold Cup and Saucer winner, Shadow Place, did have Island connections as the groom was Shane Baglole and the trainer is Kyle Fellows, whose sister Jaimi is married to Curtis MacDonald, brother of Anthony, James, Mark, Lloyd and Bobby Drake.
There is an 11-dash card tonight at 6 p.m. at the city track with the $2,250 open Mares going in Race 10. It includes Ramblinglily, Shadows Mystery, Prettyndangerous, West River Ambyr and Good Luck Kathy.
There’s also a big card Sunday in Summerside with the 10-dash card featuring the Joe O’Brien and Lady Slipper stake for two-year-old colts and fillies.
Mohawk Raceway has a terrific card tonight and Dr. Ian Moore’s stable is in action. Shadow Moon has the 11-hole in the $113,500 stake for two year olds, Percy Bluechip has Post 9 in the $192,300 Eternal Camnation, and both Brackley Beach and Casimir Richie P are in the other Nassagaweya division.
James MacDonald drives Hudson Phil from Post 5 in one of the two-year-old colt stakes and also has one of the favourites, Mach It So, in a $40,000 Canadian Pacing Derby elimination.
At Yonkers, New York, Mark MacDonald handles Blood Line in the $40,000 Messenger stake eliminations and Sunfire Blue Chip in the top class.