NEW YEAR'S RODSERVATIONS
A RIDER DOZEN ODDS N’ ENDS
1 – GO PATS GO: “Three years,” a Regina business executive said to me in club seating during the Regina Pats’ 7-4 victory over the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings Tuesday evening. “Three years is all it took the new Pats owners to sell this building out every night and be the #1 team in the country.”
It’s staggering what’s going on with the Regina Pats Hockey Club right now. While it’s not new in some other WHL markets (Kelowna, Kamloops and Medicine Hat come to mind), it’s entirely new here in the Queen City. What’s remarkable about it is that we were told over and over that it couldn’t be done. “Regina isn’t a hockey town,” was the mantra.
Think again.
2 – IF YOU’RE NOT FIRST, YOU’RE LAST: Local businessman Trent Fraser further points out these three Regina teams are in first-place in their divisions/leagues: the Regina Pats, the AAA Pat Canadians and the PJHL Regina Capitals.
However don’t forget that didn’t work out so well for Calgary’s Stampeders, Dinos and Colts who led for most of the year but faultered at the finish line.
3 – PATS SHOPPING: As it turns out, the Regina Pats are in the market for a goaltender before the WHL trade deadline in early January but it’s not due to a lack of faith in starter Tyler Brown. According to WHL sources, the Pats are concerned over the lingering injury to back-up Jordan Hollett and are in the market for some insurance.
Who’s out there? It’s unlikely the Western Conference-leading Everett Silvertips would part with Carter Hart however perhaps his World Junior teammate Connor Ingram would be made available by the 4th-place Kamloops Blazers.
A Brown-Ingram tandem would certainly make the Pats an even more formidable foe.
4 – BE LIKE MIKE: It’s becoming the buzz in the Queen City: if the Regina Pats score six goals or more in any home game, fans can redeem their ticket stub for a free appetizer at Regina’s Mr. Mike’s Casual Steakhouse. As it turns out, the Pats have achieved the feat nine times and you’d think the restaurant may be having second thoughts.
But think again! I was in their fine establishment Wednesday evening and our server said Mr. Mike’s is loving the promotion. For instance after Tuesday’s 7-4 win over Brandon, the joint was packed within 30 minutes of the game’s conclusion.
They say they can’t buy advertising like this.
5 – DURANT TALK: Of course the Roughriders are still never far from peoples’ lips around here. “Anything new on Durant?” several people questioned on the concourse during Tuesday’s Pats game. “Let me guess; he’s gone isn’t he?” each one of them said.
To that, I still don’t have an answer.
At least as of today, we’re one day closer to a resolution to the number one hot-button topic facing Canada’s Team this off-season.
6 – A DOUBLES CHRISTMAS: If there’s a P.R. battle in this scenario, you’d have to think Darian Durant is winning it. The franchise quarterback left a series of gifts around the city for his fans leading up to Christmas. It was an Easter egg-type of hunt, with Durant Tweeting out various locations for fans to find a gift package. Under the bow was an autographed 8×10 glossy photo of Durant.
2017 is shaping up to be very interesting in Riderville.
7 – KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES: On the other hand, fans continue to settle into what seems like the inevitable; Durant having played his last game as a Rider. Some fans have said that if Chris Jones is building “a system” in which the club can sustain the departure of any franchise player and still be successful, then they’re all for it.
“He’s a spreadsheet guy,” said one long-time fan this week. “He’s taken emotion out of the equation and is building a rock-solid foundation.”
It sure seems that way.
8 – VOTES OF CONFIDENCE: From what I’ve been told, members of the Rider Board of Directors have been saying in the community that they fully support Chris Jones and his plan. That should come as no surprise.
9 – FRENZY SAYS: Football maven John Lynch feels this Rider regime needs to be much more successful in free agency than they were last year. For instance, Shawn Lemon, Justin Capicciotti, Kendial Lawrence and John Chiles never finished last season with the club.
10 – MAKING GAINES: Thoughts on the Riders’ re-signing pending free agent defensive back Ed Gainey on Wednesday? He’s a quality player and a quality person. The type that you don’t want to let slip away.
11 – SIMSATIONAL: Former Roughriders quarterback Blake Sims – a star at Alabama – was signed as a running back to the practice roster of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday. Who can forget the Blake Sims Era in Riderville in 2015? You’ve got to hand it to the guy; he’s absolutely dying to be an NFL’er at all costs.
12 – EH OH CANADA GO: The 2017 World Junior Hockey Championship is playing out as per usual. (i.e., wake me up for the medal round). After Canada’s 5-3 tournament-opening victory over Russia on Boxing Day, the TSN analysts said, “Well they weren’t perfect”.
Is that where the bar is set at? That’s an awful lot of pressure to place on Canadian coach Dominique Ducharme and his players but that’s the way it is for Canada in every international tournament. You’re expected to win. Don’t screw it up.
13 – DOWN GOES DOWNIE: NHL’er Steve Downie went on a Twitter rant against the Arizona Coyotes late last week, blasting the club for not visiting him in the hospital when he was concussed, and advised any free agents not to sign there. He also blamed Don Cherry for his style of play, saying he watched too many Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em videos as a kid. He’s suffering P.C.S. and says he wished he never played hockey at all.
Sounds to me like a guy who’s blaming everybody else for his problems.
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| 2011 |
I’ve got to get back to work on the SportsCage on 620 CKRM. I’m starting to enjoy not working far too much! But first, we’ve got a trip planned to New York beginning Thursday and it’s going to be spectacular. On the docket are the Bills-Jets at MetLife Stadium, a tour of Sirius/XM Radio from my buddy Zig Fracassi of NFL Radio (hopefully including a stop by Howard Stern’s studio), a trip through Central Park, the famed Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center and of course watching the ball drop in Times Square on New Years Eve.
You never know who you’ll run into in the Big Apple. The last time I was there, I got to spend time with Tim Tebow and Rider great Tad Kornegay!
To quote John Lynch, “It’s just gonna be fantastic”.
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SEE YOU NEXT YEAR …
RP
@rodpedersen
Wonder who bought the rock'em sock'em videos for him? Don Cherry or his parents?
9. Frenzy says;
Frenzy is sure right on that one. Jones and Murphy were total flops on Free Agency last year. Total flops!
Wasn't great, but wasn't total either. Gainey and Foster evidence.
Back in the day I could never figure out why the hockey powers had Downie on Canada's National Junior Hockey Team.
He was just a loose cannon and you never knew when he was going to go off. But the brass explained that he played 'on the edge'.
He was a wingnut.
Hold on a minute, the Wheaties aren't going to roll over and allow the Pats to assume the WHL throne without a fight. Last night proved it and no question we'll see one hell of a battle come playoff time.
Wouldn't that be something if the Wheaties won the Cup in Regina in 2018? The sight of seeing Kelly hoist the Cup on their own home ice would be too much for Rod and his followers to bear!
If your the Pats, I don't think you would go after a guy the caliber of Connor Ingram to work in tandem with what you have already, considering what it would cost to get him. He would have to be the #1 guy or trading the assets you would give up would be a waste if he is sitting on the bench for half the games he is here.
If you think you are going to "stop by" Howard Stern's studio you are crazy. You have a better chance of swinging by fort knox. He may only use the studio 100 days a year but a guy from the NFL channel is not getting your foot near the door let alone in the door
You may be mistaken.
Kelly is no longer with the Wheat Kings. He is with Las Vegas. That's OK, you're just an uninformed troll. HNY Roddy!
McCrimmon still owns the Wheat Kings.
Believe me…if Pats got a guy like Ingram he wouldn't be on the bench half the games…he would be in the net for 90%of games and 100% playoffs…Pats will not continue to score 5-7 goals per game….after watching game here on Tuesday its plain to see we need upgrade in goal
If you're looking for an interesting place to eat, try Ellen's Stardust Diner, 1650 Broadway, for breakfast or lunch. It's a unique entertainment experience, as is Birdland Jazz Club, 315 W44th St. Have a great time.
Hey Wheat Kings fan dream on. You win a game 2-1 in a shootout and now you are going to go somewhere in the playoffs this year? Remind us all again what happened in the Memorial cup last year.
Yes he does, and as such Kelly will be out there on the Agridome ice with the rest of the Wheat Kings after they win. Wonder if as he's hoisting the Cup skyward he'll look over at Roddy and give him a big ol wink. Boy the Sportscage the next day would be like the Howard Stern show with insults and rants all over the place.
It's Great to see the Pats winning and the Brandt Centre full, its great atmosphere.
Wouldn't it be nice if the REAL could figure out a better exit strategy when patrons are leaving a Pats game? Sitting for 25 minutes in the parking lot is insane. Do they ever plan on cleaning up that parking lot? There has been a pile of twisted steel pipe sitting out there since last season. Its now almost completely buried under the snow. Someone will have some severe damage to the underside of their vehicle when they hit that this winter.
Not a hope in hell you get near Howard's studio, let alone inside.
Wishful thinking though.
I guess we'll see, Anonymous.
The Wheat Kings can't win a Memorial Cup. Never have and never will. I think God punishes teams that have stupid troll fans.
That should end it.
Uh, guys? The Pats haven't won jack squat in 42 years, not even a league title since 1980. You're starting to sound an awful lot like Toronto Maple Leafs fans, long championship droughts but still centre of the universe. First place ranking in the CHL doesn't mean anything until you collect some hardware.
Transcript of Rod's meeting with Stern:
Rod: "Hi Mr. Stern, it's a pleasure and an honour to…"
Stern: "Hey bud, would you mind getting me a coke? And a glass with ice too"?
Rod: "Um, yeah sure, absolutely"
Stern: "Thanks bud" (walks away)
I'd be honoured to get him a refreshment.
I love New York City, have a great time Mr Pedersen, be safe always! Happy New Year!
El@
The Riders BoD may still be supporting Jones but this fan isn't! How do the Riders expect to win without a bona fide starting QB? They expect fans to dole out big $s for season tix & in return, as 1 who has paid thousands over the years, I expect a decent team with a great QB. And if I don't get it, why shld I keep renewing my tix? The BoD needs to get their heads out of the ground!
bona fide starter been long time since we had one of those