THE *MONDAY* MORNING GOALIE

The weekend buzz … (Photo: Regina Leader Post)

1 – POLAR PLUNGE: We made it back from Las Vegas just in time to participate in Family Day’s Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Saskatchewan and Law Enforcement Torch Run! Figured I’d mention it in the column because everyone’s eagerly asking “What was it like???” I’d have to say, jumping into ice-cold waters in -12 temperatures … wasn’t too bad! I was expecting unbearable but it was merely unpleasant. More importantly, around $20,000 was raised for those charities so thanks to my family and friends who donated, all the local media for their great coverage, and to those who came out!

2 – VEGAS LEFTOVERS: My heart sank when I got the email from WestJet saying it was time to check-in and come home from Las Vegas on Sunday. Leaving +70F weather in Nevada for these -36C conditions in Canada had a lot to do with that, but also the way we were treated in The Valley. The Golden Knights staff really rolled out the red carpet and made us feel at home. If you’ve been following this evolution, I wrote here five years ago that I’d rather jump on a plane and fly 3 hours to go to NHL games in shorts in Las Vegas than drive 6 hours to Winnipeg and freeze my butt off. That time has finally come and it’s better than I imagined! 

3 – XFL INVADES CFL: The news we broke Monday that star CFL offensive lineman Derek Dennis is leaving for the XFL really got people talking. For whatever reason, The Bonecrusher never got CFL offers in this free agency period so now he’s going to try his hand in Vince McMahon’s league. CFL pundits have suggested Derek’s been blackballed for his pro-union stance but if that’s the case, I’d be very disappointed. Also then, you can’t complain about the XFL being competition for players if you’re going to spurn your All Stars and hand them over to the XFL. It goes both ways!

4 – PLAYOFF DEBATE: Interesting that Randy Ambrosie dropped a proposed playoff format change during the first stop on his cross-Canada tour (a great initiative by the way). Consider me a traditionalist but I’m not closed-minded enough to think an overhaul isn’t worthwhile looking at. However please don’t say this proposed format change will help ensure the top 2 teams will get to the Grey Cup! Last year’s Winnipeg-Hamilton match-up in Calgary was the best storyline anyone could’ve asked for, from a football perspective. From a business perspective, it would’ve been Saskatchewan-Edmonton. And are we doing this for business, or for football? I’m really starting to wonder.

5 – LONG DISTANCE: We’ve had Cody Fajardo on the Rod Pedersen Show this winter from Washington, DC and also the newest Roughrider, James Franklin from his home in Oklahoma just last week. Remember when people got worked up around here if the players didn’t live in Saskatchewan year-round? How ridiculous. I’m glad that archaic way of thinking is extinct.

Having said that, Argonauts Assistant GM John Murphy was on the RP Show last week saying Toronto’s personnel strategy will include signing and drafting Toronto-area players. When the Riders had 13 players from Saskatchewan on their roster way back in 2013, the Argonauts had 16 which was the most in the CFL. It’s not critical, and Chris Jones never believed in this philosophy. (Neither does Pats boss John Paddock). But I like local players, and it certainly helps with the connection between the fans and the team. Good job Argos!

6 – THE OTHER MURPH: Salute to long-time CFL head ref Kim Murphy who announced on Twitter over the weekend that he’s retiring from the Canadian Football League. Murphy’s career includes 26 seasons, 486 games and 9 Grey Cups. More impressively, I can’t recall any serious scrapes between Kim and CFL coaches regarding his decisions. Murph blended into the woodwork, did his job, and didn’t become part of the story. The hallmark of a great official.

7 – RATINGS: This is very important to note – Here are the Top 10 cities for viewership of the RP Show over a 4-week long trend: 1) Regina, 2) Saskatoon, 3) Edmonton, 4) Calgary, 5) Winnipeg, 6) Montgomery, AL, 7) Prattville, AL, 8) Prince Albert, 9) Moose Jaw, 10) Las Vegas, NV. Take a long sip on your coffee and absorb that one!

8 – THE BUZZ: We dashed from the Polar Plunge over to the Brandt Centre in time for Monday’s Pats-Wheat Kings game (an eventual 2-1 Brandon win). Truth be told, the biggest reason I go is to visit with the NHL scouts in the media room before the game and Monday’s group included birddogs from a variety of NHL & WHL teams, plus Central Scouting. They wanted to talk about Vegas, the “show”, and the relocation of the AHL team from San Antonio to Henderson, NV. (They’ll be known as the Silver Knights and begin play next fall). I was pleased to report that Las Vegans are already buzzing about the AHL coming to town, and will be packing the new 6,000 seat arena. They’re eagerly learning hockey but for now, just enjoying the entertainment. Plus the Silver Knights tickets will cost a fraction of the NHL ducats. I’ve been told that 5 years ago there was just one ice surface in Vegas and now there are 5 with many more on the way.

9 – JUST WIN BABY: A quick note on the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, who will begin play this fall in brand new Allegiant Stadium. Every single ticket for the entire 2020 season has been sold. That’s staggering, but not unheard of. The Cowboys and Browns boasted the same thing in 2019. Stadium construction isn’t complete yet, but Jon Gruden and his staff report to work every day in luxury trailers a stone’s throw from the new facility. With a population of 2-million in the greater Las Vegas area, it seems there’s room enough for the Raiders, Golden Knights and Silver Knights. They’ve been waiting decades for this, and that’s why it’s going gangbusters.

10 – RANDOM THOUGHTS: When you see two people talking, plus don’t walk up and interrupt them. … The Netflix documentary: Killer Inside/The Mind of Aaron Hernandez keeps running through my mind and it’s been weeks since I saw it. I’m not sure why the filmmakers had to bring up his sexual preference, but I suppose that’s key to how the story unfolded. Fans see a cold-blooded serial killer. I see a confused young man who could’ve been saved if the proper resources had been offered and if his coach was human. 4 lives could’ve been saved. At least now teams and leagues have seen the light. … Will Kamloops Blazers owner Tom Gaglardi be fined for ripping the WHL in the newspaper for voting the Kelowna Rockets as 2020 Memorial Cup hosts? The quotes I wrote down are “The league did the wrong thing”, and “I’m sour”. It’s unlikely he’ll be fined, although he should be. But owners are allowed to blow off steam like this all the time, particularly regarding this subject. … If you’re one of the ones who goes to Twitter and says it’s wrong that owners are handed championship trophies on stage before the players, then you just don’t get it. … Very excited for the Prince Albert Raiders 50-year Anniversary celebrations over 2 days in August! All the big boys are expected to be there including Mike Modano, Scott Hartnell & Chris Phillips. It makes you giddy to open your email and have it say “Dear Prince Albert Raider Alumni …” I love P.A.! … The CFL needs to make a MAJOR foray into betting, starting this season. I’m not a gambler, never have been, but I’m getting XFL, NFL and NHL odds and prop bets shoved in my face on a weekly basis by the leagues’ PR companies. It’s time the CFL got up to speed.

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen