NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE RINKS

By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds/DUBNetwork MJ Warriors Beat Writer

1. Bedard: I told you all that Connor Bedard would make the World Junior team and it would be great for him to get there…and he’s there! He’ll do great, and I expect they’ll keep that combination of chemistry with Kamloops star and Dallas pick Logan Stankoven alive…who cares about Bedard with Wright…Stankoven and Bedard will make the beautiful music. Lookout world!
2. Suffocating: The Canadian team is absolutely the favourites to win gold by a mile and a big reason is what I expect to be a stifling pairing of Jake Neighbours and Justin Sourdif. Sourdif, the 2002-born Vancouver Giant and Florida Panthers pick is as versatile as Neighbours, and Team Canada’s brass will use them to shut anyone down at the event starting Boxing Day.
3. Kudos to Balmoral: Loved every minute of the Mandi Schwartz Invitational, the best U18 female tournament in Western Canada, that finished up at ND last Sunday. Balmoral Hall of Winnipeg, MB beat an absolutely stacked Edmonton Pandas team in a dramatic final that ended 5-3; one that had all the twists and turns of a Tarantino flick. Dana Goertzen is a real player headed to the University of Manitoba, while Emerson Jarvis of the Pandas is committed to Ohio State and is legit, even though I believe she was nursing some sort of injury. Either way, everyone gave it their all at the event and it was great. Ryann Perett of Notre Dame, committed to NCAA DI Lindenwood, should absolutely be on Team Canada’s entry into the U18 World Championships…she’s legit as well.
4. Game of the Month: Had a blast calling the SJHL Game of the Month on Sasktel TV Local with my partner Rory McGouran. Rory is an excellent broadcaster, and he and I have a ton of chemistry I believe! Humboldt smoked Kindersley 8-0 Tuesday night, but the best part was making quality TV with Rory, Producer Rusty and the Bamboo Shoots crew! Loved it. Johnny’s Bistro in Humboldt is unreal.
5. Whoa: Whoa…the Sens beat the Panthers 8-2? I guess anything can really happen in the NHL.
6. They’re all right: The Leafs keep winning after a convincing 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers and if anyone doubted Willy Nylander…well, eat your words. I still don’t believe in this team come playoff time, but as usual, the regular season is fun. Good to see Jack Campbell playing so well too…his heart feels like it’s in the right place.
7. Duts: In the SJ, I kind of wondered if Notre Dame goalscoring machine Elliot Dutil would slow down if he was taken away from Kev Anderson…and the answer is no, he’s still scoring. A couple more in North Battlefords has the 18-year-old Montrealer at 23 in only 28 games, though I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was frustrated with the club’s inability to get wins or points in the standings lately. Kudos to Elliot though…he just knows how to score goals.
8. The Rat: The thing I love the most about Humboldt Bronco and Ferris State University commit Connor McGrath is how he makes his linemates better. He really understands how to create offence, that moving his feet and putting pucks in good areas are better than trying to tap dance and do it on his own. His coach Scott Barney has to be thrilled with him, especially since he manages the puck and sets the tempo of almost every shift he’s on, which makes life so much easier for his current lineys Alex Morozoff and Braiden Koran. Man, was he good against Kindersley.
9. Will they go?: Will NHLers go to the Olympics? Every day I think it is less and less likely. Too many factors: the Chinese authorities, the new variants, agents, etc…it’s too much. Get ready to enjoy Eric Fehr and Jason Demers, folks…
10. Sleep: Two young girls at home, calling a ton of games…to be honest folks, I’m gassed! Send me some good vibes…ha! Rod was super generous in giving me a good gift card to Shoppers Drug Mart. That man knows what to give a father of two young people aha!

(Follow Jamie on Twitter at @Neugsie)