THURSDAY SHOW RECAP: A JUNIOR HOCKEY SHOW!

We covered all the hottest sports topics on Episode #234 of The Rod Pedersen Show on Thursday, but focused on junior hockey for a change! Here are the highlights:

• Rod and Dupes covered these Quick Six show topics in The Rollout for Flooring Superstore: 1) TSN reports the CFL is investigating two Bubble Cities to play the 2020 season, 2) Player paycuts in all leagues, 3) UFC Fight Night controversy from Wednesday evening, 4) Addressing viewer questions (Why are teams still signing players?, Why is there no update on a CFL season? and Would a GoFundMe campaign work for the CFL?, 5) MLS considering Orlando’s Disneyworld Resort as a Bubble City, and 6) The Blue Bombers announce a $3.5-million profit.
• On these topics Rod said the controversy over Wednesday’s Glover Texeira/Anthony Smith UFC main event is misguided. Smith refused to tap out and criticism should not be levelled at his cornermen or the referee for not stopping the fight. On the CFL questions, Rod said all teams are conducting business as usual until told otherwise, the CFL has no update because nothing has changed, and a GoFundMe for the CFL would be tough. RP said the Humboldt Broncos received $15-million worldwide after the 04-06-2018 tragedy and that’s a drop-in-the-bucket for what the CFL needs.
• Comedian Kelly Taylor joined the show from Prince Albert for some hilarious stories. Wednesday was the 1-year anniversary of the Raiders claiming the WHL title in Game 7 of the championship series with Vancouver and Kelly reflected on being in the Art Hauser Centre that night. The boys discussed conducting business two months into the pandemic and talked about Kelly’s guests on his popular podcast including TSN’s Natasha Staniszewski.
• WHL GM of the Year Peter Anholt of the Lethbridge Hurricanes joined the show from his office at the Enmax Centre. He reflected on the WHL season being cancelled, the rebirth of the Hurricanes franchise, winning the WHL Marketing/Business Award and the Leschyshyn/Henry trade with the Pats which ended up being #1 pick Connor Bedard.
• Rod talked about broadcasting in some old time WHL barns and challenged viewers to name the 17 stadiums he’s called CFL games in over his career. They were BC Place, Empire Stadium, McMahon Stadium, Commonwealth Stadium, Shell Place in Fort MacMurray, Taylor Field, Mosaic Stadium, Winnipeg Stadium, IG Field, Tim Hortons Field, Ivor Wynne Stadium, Rogers Centre, BMO Field, University of Guelph, Frank Clair Stadium/TD Place, Olympic Stadium and Percival Molson Stadium.
• WHL Coach of the Year Brad Lauer of the Edmonton Oil Kings joined the show from his basement in Edmonton to recap the season, discuss coaching role players in the WHL and NHL, his hometown of Humboldt and his days with the Regina Pats. Regarding players expecting paycuts, “Lau” said the NHL and NHLPA are going to have to work together with the understanding that the revenue they’re used to isn’t going to be there. Brad played 300+ games in the NHL.
• New Melville Millionaires Head Coach & GM Mike Rooney joined the show to discuss taking over the job last week. He said it’s a “good fit” at this time in his hockey career. Roons talked about taking over the Mils, having Goalie of the Year Berk Berkeliev back next season, and how junior hockey teams are operating amid the pandemic.
• Viewers asked Rod why his morning commentary didn’t air on Cat Country 98 FM. After some investigation, Rod reported that there was a power outage at the radio station transmitter.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Collision Centre poll question was: Which NHL division leader is the top contender for the Stanley Cup? – Boston, Washington, St. Louis or Vegas? At press time, the Bruins were leading.
• You can vote now on our Twitter poll for the Rockstar of the Day for RoxDar Supply Chain Solutions. Wednesday’s winner was CTV’s Claire Hanna.
• Thursday’s show is available for viewing now on our Facebook page, you can listen to the podcast by clicking on the PODCAST tab, or you can listen anytime to our 24-hour live audio stream at RodPedersen.com/ListenLive presented by SUDS Full Service Car Wash.
• See you at 10 am MT Friday for a donnybrook on Football Friday!