10 WEEKEND THINGS FOR CAPITAL AUTO MALL

1 – HERE WE SIT: All around the world, arenas and stadiums sit empty waiting for the next move. The Coronavirus panic has wreaked devastation on the sports & entertainment industries, with varying degrees of disaster. The pause or cancellation of seasons will cost leagues and owners millions (maybe even billions, depending how long this goes) while game night workers (ticket-takers, popcorn sellers, ushers, etc.) will struggle to pay their rent. For most it’s not life and death, but it’s damn close.

2 – FOOTBALL’S LUCKY: The CFL got in one day of its Regional Combines last week in Toronto before suspending the rest, TFN. The NFL has said it’s generally not affected, as the Draft will go ahead as planned April 23-25 and they expect no disruption of their regular season. They’re very lucky. Those who’ve purchased tickets to the CFL’s Touchdown Atlantic on July 25 in Halifax are getting worried and are starting to ask questions. But no one knows the answer, so sit tight. My hope and suspicion is that this virus will go away just as quickly as it arose. But I’m no infectious disease doctor.

3 – STATUS QUO: Normally right now CFL coaches and personnel types are clocking 40 times and counting bench press reps at their own Underwear Olympics (aka The CFL Combines).  However Calgary Stampeders QB Coach Marc Mueller told the RP Show on Friday that those people are currently on hold. “Right now we’re proceeding as if it’s status quo and taking it day-by-day,” Mueller said from Calgary. “Without the Combine you may have to do some extra work, make some more calls, watch another game on a guy or something. All news comes down the pipe or downhill for a guy in my position. We just have to prepare the way we always did, assuming we’ll get back to work eventually.”

4 – PERSPECTIVE: Montmartre, SK farmer Russ Herold lost his son Adam nearly 2 years ago in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. At age 16, Adam was the youngest on the bus. Russ Tweeted this on Friday: “I get the disappointment of all the sporting events being postponed or canceled, but let’s keep it in perspective people. I wish this happened March 2018. Life would be drastically different for some families. There are worse things in life! #Broncos #AH10”

5 – JUNIOR A SEASON FINITO: Those are good words to heed for the 100-or so Junior A teams across Canada who had their seasons canceled by Hockey Canada on Friday. That was an easy one to call after the NHL, NBA and various pro leagues hit the pause button just hours before. Junior A teams aren’t flush with cash to begin with and, since the players have no money, the teams couldn’t afford to have the players sitting around waiting for a resolution. I can’t imagine major junior teams can wait much longer before doing the same. It sucks for the 20-year olds and just as much for the contending teams, however refer to Point 4. Refer to it as many times as you have to.

6 – HUMBLING: They say everything happens for a reason – and I believe it – even if that reason isn’t always immediately apparent. This pandemic has shown that even in 2020, the human race isn’t immune toeverything. And for the teams and leagues, it may show that they’re not bigger than the universe either. The entire world is on pause. Did you ever think that would happen? Do you think someone might be trying to tell us something?

7 – #HUMBOLDTSTRONG: Just last week we were in Humboldt calling the Broncos/Melville Millionaires game on TV. For obvious reasons the Broncos are the marquee team in the CJAHL so people from coast-to-coast were messaging me asking how the community is doing as the 2-year anniversary of the crash nears. I’d suggest this — a cornerstone concept of Recovery which I learned early on from my mentors and in training is that a lot of times you don’t get over something. You learn to live with it. Tragedy, trauma, addiction, mental health, whatever.  I’d say that’s the case in Humboldt. The community and those affected will likely never get “closure” because the reminders are there daily. They have learned – or are learning –  to live with it and they’re doing very well. Thanks for asking.

8 – ON ROUGHRIDERS: What would a 10 Things column be without a point on the Green & White? A guy told me this week that he’s nervous about the 2020 Grey Cup-host Saskatchewan Roughriders because they’re not a Super Team like the one in 2013 which was a lock to bring home the Cup (an All Star at virtually every position). What can I say? This is a different world than 8 seasons ago and this Rider regime doesn’t fidget with the salary cap. This team’s still excellent, is the defending 1st-place team, is the Vegas oddsmakers’ pick to win the West, and is still pretty sexy. Sure it would be nice for the four other West Division teams to lay down but that’s not going to happen. So hang onto your hat for a wild season, which I expect will start on time.

9 – BRUINS VS GOLDEN KNIGHTS: At some point the NHL and NBA will get back to action, and I maintain it’ll be sooner than later. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told ESPN in a live interview Friday morning that they’ll play into August if they have to. Why would the NHL be any different? Here’s an interesting reminder that the annual EA Sports Stanley Cup Playoffs simulator picked the Boston Bruins to beat the Vegas Golden Knights in a 6-game final series. It also predicted that no Canadian team will make it to the second round.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: These will be the first Stanley Cup Playoffs without Don Cherry on Hockey Night In Canada since 1980. Wow. … While others are hoarding toilet paper, I’m hoarding Starbucks Keurig coffee pods. … No one wants to hear you grunting in the gym. Zip it. … AT THE MOVIES: 2 thumbs up for the new Ben Affleck flick The Way Back. It’s about a 40-something basketball coach who battles alcoholism and grief and tries to get a floundering high school team on track. It’s hard to see yourself on screen but at least we know happy endings are possible! …  who The football types which Toronto Sun writer Frank Zicarelli referred to this week as criticizing the Argonauts for giving up their home date against Saskatchewan for TD Atlantic should be ashamed of themselves. Step outside of yourselves for once and think about what’s best for the CFL! This game was the fastest sellout in TD Atlantic history and it’s all because Canada’s Team is there! This might actually be a major step towards a 10th team in the CFL. … Yes, I’m very pleased with how everything has worked out. We go to national television with the RP Show on April 8 on Game+ Network. Call your cable provider for details. … The Estevan Bruins led the SJHL in attendance in 2019-20. … I looooove these junior hockey send-offs the teams are getting in their towns from fans as the team bus heads out on the highway. Who started this tradition? Take a bow. … There are 6 Rams and 6 Huskies on the invite list for the CFL Western Regional Combine which was slated to be held next Friday in Edmonton. The guy I was most-interested to see is Eric Wicijowski, who looked like Scott Schultz 2.0 with Regina last year. His father Tim played 37 games for the Regina Pats in the 1970’s. Here’s hoping they pull this off because I’m anxious to see this kid show his stuff!

Y’er welcome and look after yourself,
RP
@rodpedersen