Simmonds & Ward On Diversity Coalition
A group of 7 hockey players, some active, others retired, announced the formation of a new coalition called The ” Hockey Diversity Alliance ”
Two former members of the Owen Sound Attack, Wayne Simmonds & Joel Ward are among the coalition whose stated goal is eradicating racism and intolerance in the sport.
The players have been in discussion about starting a group since shortly after Akim Aliu went public last November with his experiences of racism in professional hockey.
Ward played 4 seasons in Owen Sound with the Greys, Platers and Attack beginning in 1997.
Simmonds played a year and a half in Owen Sound with the Attack beginning in 2006.
NHL Facilities Open
The National Hockey League and NHLPA are hoping for a mid-July start for training camps
Phase 2 of the NHL's Return-To-Play plan began yesterday as several club facilities were opened for small group, voluntary workouts.
Players can skate in groups of up to 6 at a time, with specific instructions on testing, mask-wearing and temperature checks.
Wolf CHL Goalie of the Year
Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips is the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year
Wolf led all CHL goaltenders with a 1.88 goals-against-average.
Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm was the Ontario Hockey League nominee.
The Canadian Hockey League Defenceman of the Year Award will be announced today.
Noel Hoefenmayer of the Ottawa 67's is the Ontario Hockey League nominee.
Canadian Hockey League Release
Dustin Wolf wins CHL Goaltender of the Year Award presented by Vaughn
The Canadian Hockey League is proud to announce that Calgary Flames prospect Dustin Wolf of the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips is the 2019-20 recipient of the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award presented by Vaughn.
Wolf led all CHL goaltenders with a 1.88 goals-against-average, a .935 save percentage, nine shutout victories, and finished the season tied for second in overall wins compiling a 34-10-2-0 record.
“I’d like to congratulate Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips on being named the 2019-20 CHL Goaltender of the Year,” said Lucas Gore, Sales Representative from Vaughn Custom Sports. “Congrats on an amazing season, Dustin, and best of luck in the future.”
The 19-year-old from Tustin, California, allowed one goal or fewer in 21 of his 46 games this season and compiled a shutout streak of 147:47 between January 17-22. He also competed for the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship and was recently named USA Hockey’s Goaltender of the Year. Wolf has now played three seasons in the WHL after joining the Silvertips as a fifth round pick in the 2016 Bantam Draft amassing 20 career shutouts in that time which is tied for fifth most in WHL history. The seventh round pick by the Flames in the 2019 NHL Draft signed his entry-level contract last month.
“I want to thank the CHL for the Goaltender of the Year Award, it’s a really big honour,” Wolf said. “I’d like to thank the coaching staff and everybody out in Everett. Additionally, our goalie coach James Jensen, for the continuous support throughout the season. I’d also like to thank my parents for the awesome support they give me each and every day, and finally I’d like to thank the fans for all the support they give us each and every game. It’s a real pleasure playing out in Everett and I hope to see you guys next season.”
Wolf’s award recognition makes it an incredible three times in five years for a Silvertip to be honoured following Carter Hart wins in 2016 and 2018. In between, the Philadelphia Flyers goaltender was also a finalist in 2017, and the WHL’s Ian Scott of the Prince Albert Raiders was last year’s national award recipient. Wolf is also just the second American goaltender since the award was first introduced in 1988 to win following Michael Houser of the London Knights in 2012. This marks the second straight season for Wolf on the national awards stage as he was named the CHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year for 2018-19.
Finalists for the award were 2020 NHL Draft prospect Nico Daws of the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm and Ottawa Senators prospect Kevin Mandolese of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Cape Breton Eagles.
Hockey Canada Goalkeeping Camp
The Hockey Canada Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp begins today
Twenty-three goalies, including 6 with ties to the Ontario Hockey League will participate in the camp which serves as an evaluation for international Hockey Canada programs.
Ontario Hockey League Release
OHL NETMINDERS INVITED TO HOCKEY CANADA'S VIRTUAL PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE GOALTENDING CAMP
Hockey Canada continues preparations for the 2020-21 season with a virtual four-day Program of Excellence goaltending camp from June 9-12.
Typically serving as the initial evaluation stage for summer development and selection camps for Canada’s national men’s teams, the online camp will focus on goaltender development and evaluation through online education.
Twenty-three of the top goaltenders in Canada will participate in camp, as well as 11 elite-level instructors. The list of goaltenders includes five at the under-20 level, six at the under-18 level and 12 at the under-17 level.
“The Program of Excellence goaltending camp is a great opportunity to bring together the top young goaltenders in the country and assist with the development process for these athletes,” said Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of national teams for Hockey Canada. “Despite the unique nature of this year’s camp and the switch to an online delivery for our programs, we believe all 23 goalies will benefit from world-class instruction as we continue to prepare for a new season.”
Online sessions will include goaltender development, mental and physical performance, planning for short-term competition, environments for success, embracing the role of a back-up goaltender and more.
OHL Goaltenders Invited to Program of Excellence Goaltending Camp
Under-20 Goaltenders:
Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Under-18 Goaltenders:
Matteo Drobac (Hamilton Bulldogs)
Benjamin Gaudreau (Sarnia Sting)
Under-17 Goaltenders:
Nolan Lalonde (Kingston Jr. Gaels U16/Erie Otters)*
Jackson Parsons (Cornwall Colts U18/Kitchener Rangers)*
*- committed to OHL member team for 2020-21 season
Henstock Signs Letter of Intent With Blues
The Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League announced winger Kevin Henstock has signed his Letter of Intent to report to Collingwood.
Henstock, who is 17, scored 18 goals for the Oakville Rangers Midget AAA squad last year.
Henstock was the 1st overall selection in the 2020 Ontario Hockey League Under 18 Draft and will attending camp with the North Bay Battalion this Fall.
MLB New Proposal
Major League Baseball has proposed a 76-game regular season, with a playoff format that could expand to 16 teams.
This latest proposal would allow players to earn about 75% of their prorated salaries.
Players refused cuts beyond what they agreed to in March which jeopardized plans to hold opening day around July 4th in empty ballparks
Financial issues have kept MLB and the Players Association from progressing smoothly to the once targeted return to baseball in early July.
NBA Protocol
The National Basketball Association hopes to resume the current season in late July.
As part of the NBA protocols for an Orlando based tournament style event, if a player leaves the Disney World bubble, they will need to quarantine for at least 10 days and must have two negative COVID-19 tests in order to return to the competition.
The NBA and NBPA have agreed to conduct performance-enhancing drug testing when the season potentially resumes next month. However, tests for recreational drugs will remain suspended.
Nothing Cook(ing)
Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook will no longer participate in any team activities unless he receives what he feels to be a “reasonable” deal,
During the off-season, the Vikings gave quarterback Kirk Cousins, who had one year left on his deal, a contract extension paying him $30 million per season.
Cook has one year remaining on his contract at $1.3 million.
USports Cancels
U-SPORTS, representing university sports in Canada, announced the cancellation of 6 National Championships this Fall in response to the COVID-19 situation.
The decision comes as a result of the on-going uncertainties with student-athlete health and safety, travel and public health restrictions that affect the 56 member universities in different degrees.
The Vanier Cup and the Canadian Cross Country Championships are among the activities impacted.
Minor Softball Cancels
The Grey Bruce Minor Softball League announced the cancellation of the 2020 season.
The Grey Bruce Minor Softball League is made up of teams from 14 local communities and provides minor softball divisional play and tournaments for age groups from Under 8 to Under 18.
Coyote Update
The Georgian Bay Coyotes virtual Cross-Canada run continues.
Avery Brown of Meaford is the 2nd member of the Coyotes to reach the Trans-Canada Mileage Award.
In 7 weeks Avery has logged 150km in training.
As a team, the Coyotes have virtually reached Regina, Saskatchewan by accumulating their local training miles