Menu

Hockey

Kevin-Raine-4

Raine Returns To Giants For 2021/2022

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dryden’s Kevin Raine is headed back to Northern Ireland for the 2021/2022 Elite Ice Hockey League season.

Raine has officially re-signed with the Belfast Giants for his fourth year season in the U.K.’s top league.

Over those four seasons, he has 33 points (six goals, 27 assists) and 92 penalty minutes in 136 regular season games. Raine is a fan-favourite of the Teal Army, and was an alternate captain during the 2019/2020 campaign.

The defender is headed into his seventh season of professional hockey. He spent two seasons in the American Hockey League, one split between the AHL and East Coast Hockey League, and four with the Giants in the EIHL.

The 28-year-old has been a part of five championships throughout his career starting with an OHL title during the 2011/2012 season with London Knights. That was followed by an AHL title (Calder Cup) in 2014/2015 with the Manchester Monarchs, two Challenge Cup victories (2017/2018, 2018/2019) and one EIHL title (2018/2019).

Raine played two seasons with the U18 ‘AAA’ Thistles (2008/2009, 2009/2010).

walter-gretzky

Hockey World Mourns Loss Of Walter Gretzky

, , , , , , ,

Walter Gretzky, the father of hockey great Wayne Gretzky, has died at the age of 82.

Wayne Gretzky confirmed his father’s passing in a statement posted on Twitter.

“He bravely battled Parkinson’s and other health issues these last few years, but he never let it get him down,” Gretzky wrote.

Gretzky said his father was the reason he fell in love with the game of hockey.

He said his dad inspired him to be the best he could not just in hockey, but in life.

“For my sister and my 3 brothers, Dad was our team captain – he guided, protected and led our family every day, every step of the way,” said Gretzky.

“He truly was the Great One and the proudest Canadian we know.”

43698074002_acba4077f5_b

NHL, Players’ Association Reach Deal For 56-Game Season

, , , , , , , , , ,

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) have reached a deal for a 56-game regular season.

The regular season is scheduled to begin Jan. 13 with formal training camps starting 10 days earlier.

“While we are well aware of the challenges ahead, as was the case last spring and summer, we are continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our participants and the communities in which we live and play,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement Sunday.

Games will take place within realigned divisions, including a division made up of the seven Canadian teams.

The joint statement from the NHL and NHLPA said they determined that the ongoing Canada-U.S. border closure required realignment, adding the players also sought to minimize team travel as much as possible.

Each team in the East, Central and West divisions will play every other team in its division eight times, while each Canadian team will play every other team in its division nine or 10 times.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs would feature 16 teams in the traditional best-of-seven, four-round format and conclude around mid-July.

The top four teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs, with intradivisional play in the first two rounds. The four teams that advance to the semifinals would be seeded by their regular-season points total.

thistles-1-1

U-18 Kenora Thistles Appoint New Head Coach

, , , ,

The new head coach of the U-18 ‘AAA’ Kenora Thistles has been announced.

Scott Parsons is set to be behind the bench for the upcoming season, taking over from interim head coach Bill Brunton.

He is no stranger to the Kenora bench, having served as assistant coach and goalie coach during the 2019/2020 campaign.

Parsons says that he’s excited about being the new coach, and that it’s always been a goal of his. He tells us that he’s going to expect his players to come prepared every time they step on the ice, and that as a coach he’s going to be completely honest at the rink.

The new head coach will be joined behind the bench by Jaryd Wiebe, a former National Junior ‘A’ champion with the MJHL’s Portage Terriers. Parsons will also get help from St. Thomas Aquinas Saints boys’ hockey head coach Carson Dubchak, and former Thistles head coach and current manager Doug Novak.

All Thistles teams start tryouts next week, and all players need to be registered in minor hockey to participate.

thistles-1-1

Kenora Thistles Camp Approaching

,

The Kenora Under 18 Thistles are starting to get ready for a new hockey season.

The Thistles are holding tryouts September 26th and 27th at the Kenora Recreation Centre.

There will be a total of three, on-ice sessions.

12:00pm-2:00pm and 5:00pm-6:00pm on Saturday the 26th
11:00am-2:00pm on Sunday the 27th

The cost is $100.

For more information email U18thistles@gmail.com

dogsfamily-1

Billet Families Needed For Ice Dogs

, ,

The Dryden GM Ice Dogs are now looking for billet families for the upcoming SIJHL season.

Homes are needed for the 2020-2021 campaign.

Team officials say becoming a billet family is a rewarding experience full of lasting memories.

Anyone interested in helping or requiring more information is asked to get a hold of Jenn Turgeon at jennturgeon@hotmail.com

You can also visit the Ice Dogs Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3325088974206464&id=183933848322008

evan_armit_medium-1

Dryden’s Evan Armit Signs Junior Hockey Contract

, ,

The new Winnipeg entry in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League will have a Dryden connection to it.

Former high school standout Evan Armit has signed with the Freeze after being selected during a recent identification camp held by the team in Winnipeg.

The 18 year old led the Kenora Thistles in points last season with 31 in 46 games. (20-goals and 11-assists)

Armit was with the Dryden Eagles for two years before that.

The Freeze are set to make their league debut on October 10th in Steinbach.

The Freeze are owned by 50 Below Sports and Entertainment Inc. who also own the Winnipeg Blues of the MJHL and the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League.

50 Below also owns and operates the Rink Hockey Academy and Training Centre.

hockey_stick_puck_and_net_2439-1

Red Lake Hockey Registration Night

,

The Red Lake District Minor Hockey Association is preparing for a return to the ice.

The Association is hosting a Registration Night on Tuesday, September 15th.

It’s being held at the Super 8 Big Conference Room from 6:00pm until 9:00pm.

You are asked to wear a mask and physical distancing rules will be in effect.

For more information, contact tbdohert@lakeheadu.ca or call/text 807-728-1644.

Three cheques (two post dated) or one cheque with payment in full will be required for hockey fees and in addition one Jersey deposit cheque of $100.00 upon registration of player.

thistles-1-1

Thistles Grouped With Winnipeg Teams

, , ,

The Kenora Thistles will be on the ice this season, but things will look a little different.

Levi Taylor is the Commissioner of the Manitoba Under 18 ‘AAA’ Hockey League, and explains that it will be only divisional play to start the 36 game schedule.

Taylor says Kenora will be in the East Division with the three Winnipeg teams; the Wild, Thrashers and Bruins.

He notes teams were grouped together into the divisions aligned with regional health authorities to reduce travel, eliminate overnight hotel stays and contact with other clubs.

Taylor says in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak the league will be able to shutdown a specific division without impacting other teams.

He adds the teams will play three games over a ten day period.

The league is scheduled to kick off the 2020-2021 season on October 16.

Load More