SCRUFFY’S THIS ‘N THAT

Welcome to Friday!  Here are the weekly collection of thoughts running through my muddled mind, and as always, they come in no particular order!

— If what I am hearing is right, there are some who make the decisions when it comes to the Riders Plaza of Honor who are against Kerry Joseph being enshrined. ????? How can he not be?

Ron Lancaster, Kent Austin, Kerry Joseph and Darian Durant are the only four QB’s to take this team to a Grey Cup. Joseph did it in a year when he was named the Most Outstanding Player. This shouldn’t even be a debate. Word is Joseph doesn’t meet the “stipulations” needed to get in. Stipulations,  shmipulations. Put KJ in and stop the nonsense. By the way, in this farewell season of Mosaic Stadium, the Riders should commission a print featuring the stadium and its 4 GC winning quarterbacks. I think a few Rider fans from near and far would plunk some money down to get one of those.

— Are the Regina Pats contemplating a bid for the Memorial Cup in 2019?  When Pats president Todd Lumbard was asked that question during the Access/SHAW broadcast of Game 7 between his team and the Red Deer Rebels, he didn’t say no. Regina hosted the Memorial Cup back in 2001 and it was a very successful event even though the home team had to basically re-shape their roster as the season went on because of poor play which resulted in the cupboard being left bare for years to come.

I would think after 18 years, it would be time to bring back Canada’s major junior hockey championship to the Brandt Centre, but could that come at Moose Jaw’s expense.  Mosaic Place is one of the best “small” venues in Western Canada. It has hosted many events like the Telus Cup and the Scotties and many concerts like Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith.  I think the city could go a tremendous job of hosting the event, but a solid business plan would be needed much like it would be here.

2019 is a long ways away, but I don’t see the event going back to Alberta—although I am sure the Edmonton Oil Kings would love to have the event at Rogers Place.  It was just in Saskatchewan in 2013 when the Blades hosted so perhaps there is a desire by WHL and CHL brass to take the event to BC or perhaps the U-S.  Only one bid can be successful, and perhaps neither city will make a bid, but if Regina or Moose Jaw could host the 2019 Mem Cup, you would have one backer right here. It would be fantastic.

— As the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, we are now without the Canadian teams, Los Angeles, Anaheim, the Rangers and Chicago. I am thinking many in the hockey world are hoping the Washington-Pittsburgh series will keep the hockey universe interested.

— The Canadian hockey universe will obviously be interested in the NHL draft lottery on Saturday.  Just for you-know-whats and giggles, I ran the NHL draft simulator one last time and here is how it came out:

— On a personal level, I would love to see Auston Matthews end up with the Calgary Flames. Having Matthews on the Flames and Connor McDavid on the Oilers would spruce up “The Battle of Alberta”. It will never be the same as it used to be, but it would be good for the rivalry. I just don’t want him going to Toronto. Much like McDavid, the kid doesn’t deserve that.  There is also a rumour going around about PK Subban being an Oiler with players like Oscar Klefbom, Andrej Sekera, Taylor Hall and perhaps Matthews if the Oilers get the pick going the other way. I just have one word to say that and I will say it several times. NO, NO and NOOOOOOOO! My thoughts on Subban over the years on this blog haven’t changed. I’m not a fan of his game at all.  A guy who I have become a fan of with his play in the playoffs has been St. Louis’ Colton Parayko. That kid can play and will be a top 10 blueliner within the next three years.

— I have blocked some rubber in my younger years, but for the life of me, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to stand 15 feet in front of Shea Weber when he blasts one. It shocks me that more guys aren’t injured blocking his devastating howitzers from the point.

— The Game 5 win for the Raptors was improbable the way they had played for three quarters, but firing the confetti cannon was a little much. You didn’t do anything!! Do that if you win the series, but doing it after a win that puts you up 3-2 is a little over the top. By the way, I just one want to see someone rifle a ball off of Drake’s face before the playoffs are over.  This just in—-YOU”RE NOT ON THE TEAM!

—  A study came out this week saying dogs don’t like to be hugged. ????? Are the people responsible for this study going to come out and say young men between the ages of 15-24 have no idea what online porn is. The sad thing is someone paid money to whoever did this study.

— High Impact Wrestling’s version of Wrestlemania goes tonight at the Highland Club as “Spring Meltdown” takes place.  Those who know me know I love my wrestling—it has been that way since I was going to the old Exhibition Auditorium for Stampede Wrestling in the 80’s. It is always an interesting night when I journey into “Gronkville” (my name for some of the “creatures” that come out of the woodwork to attend the event) to witness what is about to take place. These guys don’t do it for the fame or the money, they do it because they love it and they love to entertain.  BTW, two thumbs up to the Leader-Post’s Mark Melnychuk for his great profile piece on HIW wrestler Alexander Prime this week. If there is anyone from the current roster who will make it in the business, it is this kid. What he does in the ring is outstanding, and I think the surface has just barely been scratched on his potential.

— I’ve got some more thoughts bouncing around the brain, but I will save it for Monday’s column or perhaps throw it into next Friday’s “This and That”

— That’s all I got. Have a great weekend everyone!