The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The past week has been a busy one in the sports world. I asked the panel of Sports Experts to comment on the players the Bombers were able to acquire last week, and also on a story that was passed to me from a group in Edmonton. First, let's talk about the Bombers. At the December 1 deadline, they were able to acquire four players that will make an immediate impact in their lineup. Unfortunately, both Ron Marcoux and Jordy Black are injured right now and it is unknown when they will be back, but both players were impressive last weekend against La Ronge. You will get a chance to see Nate Wilson and Mackenzie Groenewegen this weekend. Here is what the group had to say about the trades: "I am very impressed by these new guys, although there is still some adjustments that need to be made. The grit and integrity of the players we acquired is unbelievable." - Adam R. "All three new guys looked really good in our line-up. They look and play like they want to be here, unlike those who were traded. Will this be enough to get us on the right track?" - Tom T. "I like the new guys that have showed up. Maybe a bit of good luck will be coming our way. Most of the guys at Johnny's really like Groenewegen." - Bob H. The second thing we talked about this week was a story from Edmonton about a group of guys who are proposing a tournament to decide the Stanley Cup winner should the NHL season be cancelled. Michael Payne, Mark Suits and Tom Thurston have set up a website saying the cup's original owner, Lord Stanley, intended it to go to the best team in Canada. Originally called the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, it was first presented in 1893 to a hockey team from the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, then the top league in the country. If the league isn't playing, the group suggests that the NHL stand back and allow another tournament to decide the winner for this year. The tournament could include teams from the Canada University Hockey Championship and minor professional hockey league teams in leagues such as the AHL. "We believe it is the best trophy in all of sport, and it should not be denied to the best hockey team...playing this season," says the website. The group of Sports Experts in Flin Flon had mixed feelings on the idea. "I could really care less about the NHL and the Stanley Cup right now. If the NHLPa and the owners can't come to an agreement then the Stanley Cup means nothing in my opinion. I still contend the Oilers would have won the cup this season if it weren't for the lockout." - Jason M. "I'm all in favour of the Stanley Cup being hoisted in Canada again. I really hope this group is able to make this a go." - Adam R. "As much as it would be interesting to watch, I don't think it would ever happen nor should it. The Stanley Cup is the trophy for the best team in the NHL." - Steve M. "All I can say is 'get real'. We have accepted and expected that the best of the NHL would win the cup but to diminish that and allow anybody to compete for the cup is nonsense. If there was no NHL then we could look at an alternate solution to who can compete for the Stanley Cup." - Tom T. "The Cup is to go to the best team, not just the NHL. All teams in Canada should have a shot at it even if the NHL is playing. Who said the NHL is the best? In exhibition games with the former World Hockey Association, the WHA won 33 games, lost 27 and tied seven with the NHL, and they also out scored them by 245-239. So who was the best?" - Bob H. "I don't like the idea of the Stanley Cup being awarded to anyone, regardless of the fact that it should be awarded. That is like saying the World Series trophy should have went to an amateur team in 1994. It just doesn't work like that, and I don't like the idea at all." - Jeff K. Personally, I'm undecided. Maybe the threat of taking away the Cup and giving it to a REAL hockey player, one that plays for the love of the game instead of a million dollar paycheck, would put some perspective into the entire NHL collective bargaining process. On the other hand, putting college teams against American Hockey League teams or junior teams just doesn't make a lot of sense. Maybe we could sign up the local rec league champs? Next week in the Sports Experts column, we will likely talk about the NHL talks, as both sides are meeting this week in Toronto. Also, the Bombers have seven players participating in the all-star festivities at the end of the month, and I'm sure that topic will come up in the next couple of weeks. Remember, all it takes to join the Sports Experts is an opinion and an e-mail address, and I know that everyone has at least one or the other. Send an e-mail to [email protected] and I will fill you in on the rest of the details. Right now there is a contest going on. Anyone that signs up before December 17 will have their name entered into a draw for a free pair of Visiball Golf Ball Finders (value $40). Also, by signing up your friends, you get a bonus entry.
