Game Day vs. Chilliwack

Like it's any big secret, Chris Driedger will be in net tonight as the Bruins roll into town.  I would guess tomorrow also when Spokane arrives (and Monday).  He's been solid, hopefully that can continue.

"This time of year, practice is important, but rest and recovery is just as important," Tory said. "We have another 4 in 5."

"The positive is that we have been through (player absences) before with me, Shinny (Brendan Shinnimin) and Proks (Neal Prokop)," Reddick said. "Ows is one of the best in the league, and it is sad, but Driedger is ready to steal the show for a couple of weeks, and we'll be there to back him."

"Chris is a good goalie," Tory said. "He went to the U17 (World Hockey Challenge). He wouldn't be on our team if he wasn't a good goalie. He has shouldered the load the last couple games. It's not the first time we have had a goalie go down."

"When it happened, I thought he'd be fine," Driedger said, recounting Owsley's injury. "Then he was down for a while, and I thought, 'I'd better get my helmet on.' You're kind of happy on the inside because you get to play, but it's a bad circumstance, for sure, but you have to jump on the opportunity and make the most of it."

"In the shootout, I was nervous," Driedger admitted. "They had some good guys shooting on me, and they had some good moves. I'll be ready next time." (Herald)

----------

Rene Ferran over at the Examiner is reporting that Neal Prokop still isn't ready to go:

Neal Prokop continues to be sidelined with a bone bruise suffered Jan. 14 vs. Kamloops. He has missed the last 14 games, and he's likely to miss quite a few more. He's begun to do some light skating but is unable to go full speed yet. (Examiner)

I'm no expert, but he's missed over a month, seems more serious than a bone bruise, but what do I know.  I know that no matter what it is, it will take a little longer to heal than the average athlete because it's that same leg as the broken femur.  Poor kid.  I really would love to have him back out on the ice--and I'm sure he'd prefer to be there as well.

----------

Ferran also takes a closer look at Drydn Dow in his latest installment of "Meet the Ams":

"Yeah, it's a bit frustrating, but you've got to be a team player," Dow said. "You've got to stick it out, stay positive and help the boys.

"I've just to go out there and be an offensive D-man. I know that with my size, I'm not going to make the big hit, but I've still got to finish my checks, stay in position and put myself between the puck and the net."

Dow also does a good job of avoiding the penalty box. He has just 10 penalty minutes this season.

"He's done a good job in the limited role he's had," said Ams associate coach Scott Beattie. "He's always ready, and he's always positive. Would he like to play more? Absolutely, and with the injuries we've had up front, we've been dressing seven D-men and he's been playing more.

"His size won't let him be a bone-crushing D-man, but he's a good skater, and his puck-moving skills are what got him to this level. He does what he's asked to do when he's asked, and he does it quite well." (Examiner)

----------

Did you know that Captain Kruise "Clutch" Reddick has been doing a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association?  Yeah, I didn't either.  One month left of the regular season and this note arrived in my inbox:

The Americans, inspired by their team captain Kruise Reddick, are proud to announce a fundraising program for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, "Kruise'n for MDA Challenge". Reddick is graciously donating $2 for every goal the Tri-City Americans score during the regular season and the Americans will match that donation. Reddick is encouraging fans and Tri-City businesses to join this cause. Fans can choose to make a per goal or one time pledge on behalf of their favorite player. Those that would like to make a pledge as part of the Kruise'n for MDA Challenge can contact the Tri-City Americans office at 509.736.0606 or stop by the Booster Club Booth behind Section L during the game.

Again, no expert, but in my opinion if they wanted fans and businesses to help contribute the word about this should have maybe gone out in, I don't know, October? Regardless, it's still a good cause and I think it's great that the team, and the Captain, continue to do fundraising for the MDA.

----------

Former Everett Silvertip and general pest Zack Dailey is suing the 'Tips over his WHL scholarship.

Dailey, who played five seasons for Everett from 2005-10 and served as the team's captain his final two years, signed his player agreement with the Silvertips in August of 2005. Players must designate a college at the time of signing the player agreement and Dailey designated the University of Alberta.

At the time of signing, Dailey and his family resided in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the course of his five seasons with Everett, Dailey and his family, who are United States citizens, relocated back to the U.S.

Dailey was admitted to the University of Alberta, but because he was no longer a resident of Canada, the fee increased. The suit claims the annual fee for a foreign student at the University of Alberta is $15,408.56, while for Canadian students the cost is $6,200.

The suit alleges the Silvertips and WHL have refused to provide for expenses in excess of $6,200. Dailey is suing for the balance of his education costs plus attorneys fees.

The text of the standard player agreement does not deal specifically with players who change their country of residence during their WHL careers.  (Herald Net)

I have never read a player agreement so once again, not an expert.  But it seems odd that they have to select a college when they're 15, 16 years old.  I would think that since the the wording of the agreement doesn't deal with the residence issue, he's got a case.  Even moreso if the WHL/Silvertips doesn't want to look stingy and if they want to avoid adding fuel to the NCAA vs. WHL fire.  It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.  According to the WHL:

For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a full year guaranteed Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees, to a post-secondary institution of their choice. For example, players graduating from a four-year WHL career are eligible to receive four years of scholarship funding. The WHL Scholarship, combined with additional financial assistance from Universities in Western Canada, makes the WHL - Canada West Universities joint scholarship equivalent to any other offer available in North America today.  (whl.ca)

It doesn't specify anywhere which entity is responsible for the scholarship payout--the league or the team.  But I have to assume it's a majority team responsibility if Dailey is suing the Silvertips and not the league*.  But I can see where the team would not want to pay it, $9,000 (the difference between what team is paying and what tuition/fees are) x potentially 5 years = $45,000.  That's a chunk of change.

----------

Speaking of scholarships, the other day former American (and former hockey bf) Blair Macaulay was named the Husky WHL Graduate of the Month. 

The Canada West Universities Athletic Association and Western Hockey League proudly announce that Manitoba Bisons forward #26 BLAIR MACAULAY is the Canada West men’s hockey Husky-WHL Graduate of the Month for January 2011.

In late 2010 WHL Commissioner Ron Robison announced that a total of 275 graduate players have been awarded WHL Scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year, with 102 being active players for the seven Canada West men’s hockey teams.

During six January conference games, MACAULAY recorded three goals and six assists for nine points, scoring one game-winning goal and recording an overall rating of +8 as the Bisons went 4-2-0. He had three multi-point games and picked up at least one point in five of six contests.

The second-year Winnipeg native had 12 goals and 29 points through January and sits third in Canada West scoring.

Macaulay’s game-winning goal came on Friday, January 21st, in a 5-1 win at Lethbridge, and he was instrumental during a 5-3 come-from-behind victory at then CIS #7-ranked Saskatchewan on January 14th. Down 3-0 in the second period, Macaulay assisted on a goal by Jordan Cyr and found twine himself midway through the third to tie the game at three, earning First Star on the evening.

The 22-year-old University of Manitoba Arts major played three full seasons in the WHL – two with the Saskatoon Blades, one with the Tri-City Americans – and parts of two others at the start and finish of his WHL days. Over his Junior hockey career, Macaulay picked up 27 goals, 40 assists for 67 points in 212 regular season games. He also had two goals, six points in 26 playoff contests. Macaulay and the Americans went 52-16-2-2 in 2007-08, eventually losing to rival Spokane in seven games at the Western Conference final. (Americans)

He's an Art major?  That's sexy, just like him.

----------

Here's to hoping the boys have rested up from the road trip and are ready to go for another busy weekend--and another intense one with Chilliwack, then Spokane twice.

*it is team responsibility according to Bob Tory.