Raptors Direct To Florida
The Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association will be the only team that will travel to Florida for training camp in Phase 1 of the Return To Play plan.
The defending NBA Champion Raptors are expected to use the Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University in Naples beginning June 23rd.
Players who do not wish to participate in the NBA restart are being asked to inform their teams of that decision by June 24th
The Raptors are scheduled to commence playing scrimmage games by July 22nd
Toronto is the defending NBA Champion
NHL Hub City
The federal government announced the extension of the Canada-U.S. border closure for an additional 30 days yesterday.
However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada is open to the idea of having an National Hockey League Hub City despite the extended restrictions on border crossing.
Edmonton, Toronto & Vancouver are among the centres being considered by the NHL to be a Hub City should the current season resume.
Prime Minister Trudeau stated the final decision is ultimately up to the NHL as well as the province and city’s health authorities.
The Sabre Shuffle
The Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League fired General Manager Jason Botterill yesterday and cleaned house in the hockey operations department.
Botterill was fired after three seasons, along with assistant general managers Steve Greeley and Randy Sexton.
The Sabres replaced Botterill with former NHLer Kevyn Adams who was the senior vice-president of business administration.
The Sabres have not made the playoffs in 9 years.
World Junior Development Camp Invites
Hockey Canada will be conducting a ” virtual ” Development Camp for the National Junior Team
Sixteen OHL players including Tyson Foerster of the Barrie Colts and former Colt Ryan Suzuki have been invited to participate in the 5 day camp which begins July 27th.
No members of the Owen Sound Attack were among those invited.
The World Junior Hockey Championships will be hosted by Edmonton and Red Deer this season.
OHL Release
The Ontario Hockey League is pleased to announce that 16 OHL players have been invited to attend Hockey Canada's National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp.
The camp roster features two OHL goaltenders, three defencemen and 26 forwards as part of the 41-player roster that will attend the five-day virtual camp taking place July 27-31. The camp will feature various online education sessions with a focus on player development. Hockey Canada announced last month that various programming and training sessions will be held virtually this summer due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We are excited to begin preparations for the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship with this group of 41 players and our full staff at our online camp, as we believe we have a good mix of veteran leadership and young talent that are eager to represent Canada during the holiday season,” said Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of national teams for Hockey Canada. “We are also pleased to have Michael and Mitch round out the coaching staff, as their Canadian Hockey League and international experience will compliment André’s leadership while we work towards defending our gold medal on home ice.”
The roster for Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp includes three OHL skaters who helped Canada win gold at the 2020 World Juniors (Byfield, Drysdale, McMichael), six OHL players who were selected at the 2019 NHL Draft (Harley, Clarke, McMichael, Rees, Suzuki, Tomasino), eight OHL players who are eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft (Brochu, Drysdale, O’Rourke, Byfield, Foerster, Perfetti, Perreault, Quinn), one who is eligible in 2021 (Lennox) and one who is eligible in 2022 (Wright).
As announced earlier this year, Ottawa 67's head coach André Tourigny will return to Canada’s National Junior Team and serve as head coach after helping Canada to a gold medal as an assistant coach at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. He was named head coach of the OHL's 67's in 2017 and has helped them claim the Hamilton Spectator Trophy twice as back-to-back regular season champions. Tourigny was recently awarded the Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHL's Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season and was named the CHL Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year presented by Janes.
The 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship is set to take place in Edmonton and Red Deer this December.
OHL Players Invited to Canada's National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp
Goaltenders:
Brett Brochu (London Knights)
Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit)
Defencemen:
Jamie Drysdale (Erie Otters)
Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads)
Ryan O’Rourke (Soo Greyhounds)
Forwards:
Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves)
Graeme Clarke (Ottawa 67’s)
Tyson Foerster (Barrie Colts)
Connor McMichael (London Knights)
Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit)
Jacob Perreault (Sarnia Sting)
Jack Quinn (Ottawa 67’s)
Jamieson Rees (Sarnia Sting)
Ryan Suzuki (Saginaw Spirit)
Philip Tomasino (Oshawa Generals)
Shane Wright (Kingston Frontenacs)
Coaches:
Head Coach – André Tourigny (Ottawa 67’s)
For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_Men.
OHL Forecast
Ontario Hockey League Commissioner Dave Branch released a statement yesterday pertaining to the next season of OHL play.
The statement indicated the plan is to commence play in the Fall following the lead of government and public health agencies who will signal when it is safe to get back on the ice.
No date was established for the possible return to play.
Previously, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced they would launch next season on October 1st.
Dave Branch Statement
“The OHL is looking forward to the upcoming hockey season. We plan to drop the puck in the Fall and will follow the lead of government and public health agencies on when it is safe to get back on the ice. Our players and coaches are getting ready to play and our teams are working on their plans to provide the great experience our fans and the community have come to expect from OHL hockey.”
Rangers Update
The Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League released a statement following allegations made Monday by former Ranger forward Eric Guest, who claimed he was forced to snort cocaine at a Rookie Party in 2016.
The Rangers relate they are aware of the allegations and have contacted Waterloo Regional Police Services and will participate with OHL Commissioner David Branch and the League investigation.
Until the investigation is complete the club will make no further comments.
Officlal Kitchener Rangers Release
The Kitchener Rangers became aware of the allegations made by Eric Guest for the first time last night. These allegations involve former players with our team and are extremely serious and potentially criminal conduct.
As a result, we have contacted the Waterloo Regional Police Services. We will participate with the Commissioner and the League in their investigation. Until the investigation is complete the club will be making no further comments.
Siskins Sign Magani
The Stayner Siskins of the PJHL Carruthers Division announced the signing of Joseph Magani.
Magani is an 18 year old defenceman who played for the Bradford Midget Bulldogs last season.
Earnhardt Jr To NASCAR Hall of Fame
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been selected for induction in to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Earnhardt will be inducted in Charlotte, North Carolina, along with the late Mike Stefanik and 87-year-old Red Farmer, who is planning to race on Talladega's dirt track this weekend.
Despite never winning a series championship, Earnhardt received 76% of the votes cast on the modern era ballot.
Earnhardt won 26 races before retiring as a full-time Cup driver following the 2017 season.
Ralph Seagraves was named the Landmark Award winner for his contributions to the sport.
Ottawa To Host World Men's Curling Championship
Ottawa has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2021 Men's World Curling Championship
This year's championship in Glasgow, Scotland, was cancelled, as was the women's championship and world mixed doubles in Prince George and Kelowna, B.C., respectively.
The 2021 men's championship is scheduled for April 3rd-11th at TD Place Arena and will also serve as an Olympic qualifier.
Six countries can earn a berth in the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.