{allcanada} Rodrigue following in father's footsteps for Oilers

 

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EDMONTON -- Olivier Rodrigue was born to be a goaltender.

The Edmonton Oilers prospect, selected in the second round (No. 62) of the 2018 NHL Draft, has the position in his genes, thanks to his father, Sylvain Rodrigue, who was a goaltender in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before later becoming a coach.

The younger Rodrigue, 18, will be coached by his dad, who was hired by the Oilers in 2015 to work with goaltenders, and will be based with Bakersfield of the American Hockey League this season.

"I always said I wanted to be like my dad and I always said I wanted to be a goalie," Rodrigue said at Oilers development camp in June. "When I started playing as a goalie, I was at his goalie camp, so we started with the basics and after moving up, maybe in peewee, he started letting me do it my own thing with my own goalie coach.

"We still talk about being a goalie after every game and every practice, but he wanted to be my dad, he didn't want to be my goalie coach. But now he has to be my goalie coach."

Sylvain Rodrigue said he did not give any inside information on his son to the Oilers, who traded up to select Oliver in the draft. Edmonton acquired the No. 62 selection from the Montreal Canadiens for the Nos. 17 and 133 picks.

"I was not involved in it at all," Sylvain Rodrigue said. "The only time I went to the Oilers hotel [at the draft] was because I had a meeting with the coaching staff. I had no clue about the scouting part and all those things they talk about in those meetings, so this is awesome."

The Oilers did plenty of due diligence, and believe Olivier Rodrigue can develop into a starting goaltender in the NHL.

"We had Oliver ranked as the best goalie in the draft," Oilers director of player personnel Bob Green said. "When you look at the draft and you see what's left, if you look at him and if you get an opportunity to get what you think is the best goalie in the draft, it made sense at the time. We feel he's got the potential to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL."

Rodrigue was 31-16-1 with a 2.54 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in 53 games last season, his second with Drummondville of the QMJHL. He had a 2.50 GAA and .891 save percentage in 10 playoff games.

Rodrigue was invited by Hockey Canada to attend the World Junior Summer Showcase in Kamloops, British Columbia, which runs through Saturday.

"I'm really happy to be with the Edmonton Oilers, but now the real work begins," he said. "I think my strength is my mobility and I'm always square to the puck so that makes things a lot easier. I know I'm not the biggest goalie (6-foot-1, 159 pounds), but if I'm stopping the puck, that's all that matters to me."

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{allcanada} Talbot, Oilers looking to start fast, set tone for season

 

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EDMONTON -- Cam Talbot is looking for a fast start this season, and the Edmonton Oilers goaltender thinks opening it against the New Jersey Devils in the NHL Global Series in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Oct. 6 can help propel the Oilers in a positive direction.

"Anytime you can get a road trip like that to start the season, guys are always together, you're on the plane, you're hanging out, you're in hotel rooms, it's just a fun time to be away with the guys," Talbot said Tuesday.

"Hockey is the main focus, but you always have to focus on those team gatherings too, and build a good rapport with everyone in the room and let the new guys get to know everyone else that have been around for a while. I think that's going to be a great trip for us and we're looking forward to that, obviously."

The Oilers play at the Boston Bruins on Oct. 11, New York Rangers on Oct. 13 and Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 16, before their home opener against the Bruins on Oct. 18.

Talbot said a strong start will be vital for the Oilers in their attempt to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"Our start is a huge focus and that starts in training camp," Talbot said. "I know that guys are getting ready to come back into town soon and they're going to be fired up and ready to go. We don't want another repeat of last year, and everyone knows that."

The Oilers need Talbot to play the way he did two seasons ago when they qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2006. He was 42-22-8 with a 2.39 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in 2016-17, and was 31-31-3 last season with a 3.02 GAA and .908 save percentage. Edmonton finished 17 points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second wild card from the Western Conference.

"He had an all-world season the year before last. Last year he was good, maybe not great, but it was good," Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Grant Fuhr said. "Unfortunately, when everybody has a bad season, good looks worse than it really is. He didn't have that bad a year last season, it just doesn't look as good. I think there are expectations for him and I think if he plays as well as he did last year, and adding in four or five games like he did the year before, he'll have a great year."

Talbot said he believes his game improved toward the end of last season and is looking to build on it.

"I think I finished last season the way that I had my season two years ago," he said. "So down the stretch I felt as good as I had all season long, going back a couple of years. So I need to pick up from there, and I need to have a good start so the rest of the team can have a good start, and I'm focused on that right now."

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{allcanada} Nylander expects contract with Maple Leafs 'to take some time'

 

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William Nylander said he believes getting a new contract from the Toronto Maple Leafs will not happen soon, but the restricted free agent forward said he is not concerned.

"That's between my agent and [general manager Kyle Dubas]," Nylander told TSN on Tuesday. "They're talking about it, so I'm not really into that right now. Once it gets closer to the season, I think I'll be more dialed [in]. I mean, Kyle says it's going to take some time, so I'm not too stressed about it."

The 22-year-old had 61 points (20 goals, 41 assists) playing the final season of a three-year, entry-level contract he signed Aug. 18, 2014, after he was the No. 8 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft.

He can sign a contract of up to eight years, or he could sign a shorter-term deal that would keep him a restricted free agent after it expires.

"[Kyle] wants to take it slow, so you can ask Kyle," Nylander said.

The Maple Leafs this offseason signed free agent center John Tavares to a seven-year contract worth $11 million per season and are negotiating a contract extension with center Auston Matthews, a frequent linemate of Nylander.

"I think me and Auston have had great chemistry," Nylander said. "I was able to get out there on last Wednesday with [John] and you saw how amazing he was. So that would also be special to maybe get to play with him too for a little bit."

Forward Mitchell Marner also is eligible for a contract extension before he would become a restricted free agent after this season.

Matthews said July 26 he was not tuned into his talks and that he expected them to take awhile.

"They preach patience," Matthews said Thursday, referring to his agent and Dubas. "Both of them do. … When it gets done, it gets done. But I don't think anyone is in too much of a rush."

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{allcanada} Jones not naming Riders' starting QB

 

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Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Chris Jones told reporters on Tuesday that both quarterbacks Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge would play on Thursday against the Edmonton Eskimos, but did not tip his hand on who would start.

Collaros, who was acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in January, suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Ottawa Redblacks was been sidelined until this week.

TSN's Matthew Scianitti reported that Collaros was working with doctors and neck specialists and has been feeling better over the past couple weeks.

Saskatchewan is 3-3 and sits fourth in the West Division.

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{allcanada} Manziel to make first CFL start Friday vs. Tiger-Cats

 

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MONTREAL — Johnny Manziel will make his CFL debut against his former team.

The Alouettes made the announcement Tuesday that Manziel will be their starter Friday night when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Hamilton dealt Manziel to Montreal on July 22, along with offensive linemen Tony Washington and Canadian Landon Rice, for receiver Chris Williams, Canadian defensive lineman Jamaal Westerman and 2021-22 first-round draft picks.

Manziel made headlines across North America in May when he signed a two-year deal with Hamilton.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner played in both of Hamilton's exhibition games — completing 21-of-31 passes for 168 yards and a TD while rushing six times for 19 yards — but remained on the sidelines as Jeremiah Masoli's backup once the regular season began.

Manziel dressed for Montreal's 44-23 loss last week to Edmonton but didn't play as Vernon Adams Jr. went the distance, completing 15-of-28 passes for 217 yards and an interception while rushing for 72 yards and a TD on eight carries.

The six-foot, 210-pound Manziel was taken in the first round, No. 22 overall, by the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL draft but was released in March 2016 after posting a 2-6 record over two tumultuous campaigns.

Manziel, 25, appeared in 14 games overall, throwing for 1,675 yards and seven TD passes.

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{allcanada} DiPietro driven to start for Canada in World Junior Championship

 

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KAMLOOPS, British Columbia -- The two words have popped up on Michael DiPietro's phone a few times each month since December.

The words serve as a reminder and a motivator for the Vancouver Canucks goaltending prospect. A reminder of a feeling he wants to avoid, and a motivator to never have to see them again.

Got cut.

DiPietro, selected by the Canucks in the third round (No. 64) of the 2017 NHL Draft, was one of the final players released from Canada's selection camp for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship team that won the gold medal.

Getting cut was something that never had happened to him, but he understood it was a feeling he needed to embrace if he wanted a chance to be the starting goalie for the 2019 WJC.

"After the day I got cut I put reminders on my phone for every day that I got cut to keep me going," DiPietro said. "It was something that you never want to feel that feeling ever again. It's up to me to make sure I don't.

"It would pop up on my phone in the morning when I'd get up to go to the rink during the season or in the summer. That's something that fuels me and drives me, something that's a constant reminder that each day you've got to get better because there's guys that want to come here and prove themselves too. I've got to do what I've got to do to maintain my game at a high level and give myself the best chance to play."

DiPietro used the sour feelings of being cut to push him through the second half of last season with Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League, and he won the OHL Goaltender of the Year Award after finishing fifth in the league with a 2.79 goals-against average and sixth with a .910 save percentage. It carried through his offseason training and how he's handling things during the World Junior Summer Showcase this week.

"I have a different approach coming into this year, definitely a more serious one," he said. "I want to make the (WJC) team. Not only do I want to make the team, I want to win gold. That's my focus coming into camp, set the foundation to do that come January."

That more serious approach has been noticeable to Canada's staff, including coach Tim Hunter.

"You can see him in the net, he competes, he's ready, he's prepared before practice, he's got himself ready to go," Hunter said. "Through the drills, playing the puck out, competing right to the end. That's the sign of a good goalie."

Among the things DiPietro (6-foot, 200 pounds) said he's worked on is better puck tracking, which he believes will improve his positioning.

"I was working with (goaltending coach) Lyle Mast and reading releases better and being more patient," DiPietro said. "You're on your game when you see the puck. As simple as that sounds it can be complex at times. When you see the puck more the game slows down. For me, being able to see the puck and slow the game down a bit more will help me become more calm in the net and more composed and not have to always rely on my athleticism."

Supplying further motivation to be Canada's goalie at the WJC is the tournament being played in Vancouver.

"It's an honor to represent your country no matter what, but especially in the city that drafted you would be really cool," he said. "I think winning in Vancouver would be even better. That's my focus."

Hunter said before camp started that DiPietro's experience gave him an advantage toward being the starting goalie for the 2019 WJC. DiPietro, though, knows he has to earn the job.

"It's great to hear him say that, but at the end of the day it's just words and I have to go prove those words to be true," he said. "Now it's up to me. It's not up to anyone else. Words are words and actions speak louder than words."

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{allcanada} Als QB Adams sounds off on 'We want Johnny' chants

 

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Montreal Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. sounded off Monday after hearing 'We want Johnny' chants during his team's loss to the Edmonton Eskimos on Thursday night.

The chants were, of course, made in reference to fans wanting to see newly acquired quarterback Johnny Manziel hit the field, but Adams, who went 15-for-28 for 217 yards and an interception on Thursday, believes the fans were unfair to him.

"Yes, it hurt me to hear that. I have nothing more to say or to give to the fans of Montreal. Never again," Adams told La Presse, per Google translate. "Their behavior was very disrespectful. It was not like I was playing badly. I do not want them to ask me for anything, not even a small piece of equipment."

Adams was making his first start of the season on Thursday. Reports prior to the game indicated Manziel, a former first-round pick in the NFL, would see his first regular season snaps in the CFL at some point. Instead, Adams took every snap in the 44-23 loss as the Alouettes dropped to 1-5 on the season.

"I do not care what the situation is. It was a lack of respect and it affected me," Adams said. "I tried anyways to make plays on the field. But that's fine. In the future, I'll treat the fans as they treated me. That's all. "

The 25-year-old Adams finished as the Alouettes leading rusher against the Eskimos, adding 72 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, and Alouettes head coach Mike Sherman said after the loss he believed the quarterback "played well enough to win."

"My performance was not perfect, but I think I played a pretty good game overall," Adams said. "We left points on the ground for several reasons, some of which because of my passes lacked precision. We should have scored at least 10 more points."

Despite Sherman's praise for Adams after last week's game, Manziel took first-team reps in practice on Monday and appears to be the favourite to start Friday against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats – his former team. Sherman, however, said he would not be revealing his starter until game day.

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{allcanada} Reilly, Ward, Santos-Knox named CFL top performers

 

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TORONTO — Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly, Ottawa kicker Lewis Ward and Winnipeg linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox are the CFL top performers for Week 7.

Reilly threw for 415 yards and four touchdowns as the Eskimos thumped Montreal 44-23 on Thursday. The reigning most outstanding player also ran for a touchdown.

Ward went seven-for-seven on field goal attempts on Saturday, earning all the Redblacks' points in a 21-15 win over Hamilton.

Santos-Knox had a career-high 10 defensive tackles on Friday, including three sacks, in the Blue Bomber's 40-14 rout of Toronto.

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Re: [SurroundSound] Re: EoH New Shares

Just wanted to give a hearty endorsement of EoH's recent upmixes: Rhythm of the Saints came out exceptionally well, and I can't wait to hear Patrick Moraz's The Story of i.

And any fan of the Doobie Brothers should check out his recent upmixes of the four Michael McDonald-era Doobie Brothers albums.  They sound fantastic, and until someone hires Elliot Scheiner to do 5.1 remixes--I'm certainly not holding my breath--they're as good as we're likely to get.  (And they'll make a nice complement to the upcoming "Quadio" set of four classic 70s DB albums from Rhino!)

Michael Eldridge
340 Park Avenue
Arcata CA 95521

"Sorry for the Delayed Response"

On Tue, Jul 24, 2018 at 11:40 AM, EoH <aartnienhuis@gmail.com> wrote:

New in Surround2/FLAC/Upmixes : Paul Simon - The Rhythm of the Saints

Enjoy !

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Re: [SurroundSound] A couple of Ambisonic/decodes

Thanks for doing this, Richard!  Eager to hear both decodes, and grateful for the treats you've been giving us, both musical and discursive, during the long shutdown.

Michael Eldridge
340 Park Avenue
Arcata CA 95521

"Sorry for the Delayed Response"

On Sun, Jul 29, 2018 at 9:13 AM, 'dreamingspiresquadarchive@yahoo.co.uk' via SurroundSound <surroundsound@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Am posting this because i know there are a few here that are interested in Ambisonic/UHJ decodes.

As part of the shut-down i've just posted the second of two Ambisonic/UHJ decoded albums on the blog (DSQA-II)

😏

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

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{allcanada} Blindspot Casts Schitt's Star

 

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Dustin Milligan (Schitt's Creek) and Annie Q. (The Leftovers) both will guest-star on Season 4 of NBC's Blindspot, TVLine has learned exclusively. No character details are currently available.

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{allcanada} Jays trade suspended closer Osuna to Astros for Giles, prospects

 

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The Toronto Blue Jays have traded suspended closer Roberto Osuna to the Houston Astros in exchange for pitcher Ken Giles as well as minor league right-handed pitchers Hector Perez and David Paulino.

Osuna, who is eligible to return from a 75-game suspension under the league's joint domestic violence policy on Aug. 5, is currently on a rehab assignment in triple-A Buffalo and has yet to allow a run in six innings pitched across rookie ball, High A and triple-A.

"We do feel a responsibility to the fans and we do feel empathy for the fans and we ultimately work for the fans," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said. "That's how we do our jobs. We are human and it is very difficult for accusations not to influence us in some way.

"Having said that, this made sense for the organization from a baseball perspective."

Despite the 23-year-old's suspension, players suspended for domestic violence are eligible to play in the postseason, unlike those suspended for performance-enhancing drug use.

Osuna's lawyer Domenic Basile made a statement to CP24 following the news of the trade on Monday.

"The Toronto Blue Jays just made a decision to trade Roberto Osuna to the Houston Astros. As I have said on prior occasions, Roberto loved playing for the Toronto Blue Jays and he loves the city of Toronto," Basile told CP24.

"In my view, he is a young superstar who will succeed wherever he pitches. I remind everyone that he is presumed innocent and that our focus is to continue to deal with his court matter."

"The due diligence by our front office was unprecedented. We are confident that Osuna is remorseful, has wilfully complied with all consequences related to his past behaviour, has proactively engaged in counselling, and will fully comply with our zero tolerance policy related to abuse of any kind," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said.

Osuna has not pitched in the MLB since May 6, two days before he was put on administrative leave when he was charged with one count of assault in Toronto.

In 15 games with the Blue Jays this season, Osuna has nine saves and an ERA of 2.93.

Giles, 27, is 0-2 with a 4.99 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 12 saves over 34 games this season for the defending World Series champion Astros.

The right-handed pitcher was demoted to the minors on July 11 after appearing to get in a verbal altercation with manager A.J. Hinch. Giles made headlines earlier this season when he punched himself in the face after a rough outing.

Over 279 career relief appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies and Astros, Giles is 12-14 with a 2.72 ERA, 367 strikeouts and 77 saves in 91 opportunities. Giles is making $4.6 million in 2018 and has two years of arbitration left.

Perez, 22, is 3-4 with a 3.73 ERA over 21 games, including 13 starts, in single-A and double-A this season. The Dominican Republic native was the seventh ranked prospect in Houston's system.

Paulino, 24, was at one time the top-ranked prospect for the Astros, but after Tommy John surgery and an 80-game suspension last season after testing positive for steroids, the Dominican Republic native has dropped to No. 10. He's 2-1 with a 6.25 ERA over 36 innings pitched with the Astros during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

"This was one (deal) that made sense form a baseball perspective," Atkins said on a conference call Monday. "Extremely excited about Giles, Perez and Paulino joining the organization. I think for many reasons this deal made sense and it starts with the talent we're acquiring."

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{allcanada} TFC teen Akinola in demand when it comes to international game

 

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TORONTO — Born in Detroit to Nigerian parents and raised in Canada, Toronto FC teenage forward Ayo Akinola has options when it comes to playing internationally.

That's true despite the fact that Akinola helped the U.S. to the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India last year. While U.S. Soccer got to Akinola first, the 18-year-old can still make a one-time switch in international allegiance.

Spicing up the story is the fact that Akinola's 17-year-old brother Tom, a member of the TFC academy, attended a Canadian youth identification camp in 2015. Tom was born in Toronto but could play for the U.S. through his father, who now has American citizenship.

Nigerian soccer officials have also reached out to Ayo Akinola. As has the Canadian Soccer Association, which has told him where they think he could fit into the program, both short- and long-term.

"I'm still discussing (it) with my family," Akinola said in an interview. "Because I feel like it's a really big (decision) ... It's a one-time switch so you can't switch back."

"I'm still young," he added. "No time to rush. But at some point, I'm going to have to make a decision which one is the best fit for me."

He says the choice may come ahead of qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Akinola says he has been treated very well by U.S. Soccer. Canada has also been good to him, he adds, singling out Toronto FC which he says welcomed him 'with open arms."

Akinola moved north of the border when he was one. His father still lives in Detroit, where he works at Detroit Metro Airport. The Akinola boys live with their mother in Brampton, Ont.

Akinola was 14 when he started with the U.S. youth program, soon after joining the TFC academy. He got the call-up after a scout saw him in a 5-0 win over a New York Red Bulls youth side.

"I still remember the day — it was March 22, 2014," Akinola said of the U.S. invite in a 2017 U.S. Soccer video.

"Through (under-)14, -15, and now -17, all in all, playing for the United States is the greatest thing ever," he added in the video.

At 15, he moved down to Bradenton, Fla., where he spent more than 18 months with the U.S. residency program. At the FIFA U-17 World Cup, he had one goals and one assist in five matches. He scored four goals in the CONCACAF U-17 Championship earlier in 2017.

He signed with Toronto FC as a homegrown player last December, becoming the 15th player in club history to graduate to the first team from the TFC academy.

Akinola opened his senior account with Toronto with a goal in a 3-0 win over Ottawa Fury FC last week in the second leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal. While he has played just 24 minutes off the bench in three league games, coach Greg Vanney likes what he sees.

"He's clever. He's aware. When he makes runs, sometimes he's making runs to open up other people. Sometimes he's making runs because the spaces are available for him.

"I think he's very well-connected to the guys around him. A lot of young players, you'll see they make runs just for themselves. He's got a better sense of his relationships to guys around him ... I think he's doing a nice job. He's a big, strong kid who will continue to learn to compete with professional centre backs in different ways. But I think he's got a foundation to continue to grow as a striker and continue to find ways to score goals and not just be a link-up player."

The usually restrained Vanney, a former U.S. international, showed his emotional side after the Ottawa game when a reporter asked him whether Akinola was considered a Canadian and American. Vanney's blunt response was that Canada Soccer could do a better job trying to woo the teen into the fold.

The CSA did not help its cause by opting not to put a Maple Leaf next to Akinola's name in the TFC lineup it tweeted before the match as it did for Jay Chapman, Liam Fraser and Ryan Telfer.

Like those three, Akinola has a Canadian passport. But his time with the U.S. program has prompted more than a few people to welcome him to Toronto when they see him at BMO Field.

"I'm like 'I've been here my whole life,'" he said with a smile.

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{allcanada} Iginla retires after 20 NHL seasons

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CALGARY -- Jarome Iginla on Monday ended the career a younger version of himself couldn't have imagined.

Reflecting from start to finish, Iginla officially announced his retirement from hockey with a press conference with the Calgary Flames.

"It's an amazing job," said Iginla, who had 1,300 points (625 goals, 675 assists) in 1,554 games from 1996-2017 for the Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. "I remember starting hockey at age 7 and going to my first tryout and dreaming about how great it would be, and it's been even better. These 20 years in the NHL, it's been better. I'm excited for retirement and to be with my family, but I'm going to miss all of you and all of this.

"So many great memories."

The 41-year-old recalled many of them in a ceremony with friends, family and former teammates at Scotiabank Saddledome, where he played for the Flames from 1996-2013.

As a teenager, Iginla won back-to-back Memorial Cup championships with Kamloops of the Western Hockey League, in 1994 and 1995. He was selected in the first round (No. 11) of the 1995 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars before being traded to Calgary on Dec. 19, 1995. He won gold with Canada at the 1996 IIHF World Junior Championship, at the 1997 IIHF World Championship and at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Iginla, who was voted to the NHL First All-Star Team three times (2002, 2008, 2009), won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the leading goal-scorer in the NHL twice (2002, 52 goals; 2004, 41 goals). He played in the NHL All-Star Game six times (2002-04, 2008, 2009, 2012) and won the Ted Lindsay Award as most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by members of the NHL Players' Association in 2002.

What Iginla accomplished on the ice -- he's tied for 15th in NHL history in goals and one of 13 players in NHL history to score at least 30 in 12 seasons -- was only part of what made him an all-time great, former Flames teammate Martin Gelinas said.

"He's a caring, smiling, charismatic person," said Gelinas, who played with Iginla from 2002-04. "What we saw on the ice is that player, that force, that guy who could score goals. For me, what made Jarome a complete, complete package is what he did off the ice. What he did on the ice, we all saw it. We were all lucky enough to play with him and cherish those memories.

"But what he did off the ice was exceptional. Jarome had a gift of doing so with a simple autograph or shaking hands or going to a school and spending time with charities, calling someone out of the blue and making their day. That's what makes him the classiest, I think, person I've played with, on and off the ice."

That's just Iginla, longtime teammate Craig Conroy said.

"He's humble," said Conroy, teammates with Iginla from 2001-2010. "Everything he does behind the scenes, giving back to the community with his time, financially, helping people, that's the way Jarome always was."

Iginla won the King Clancy Memorial Award, given to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community, and NHL Foundation Award, given to the player who applies the core values of hockey --commitment, perseverance and teamwork -- to enrich the lives of people in his community, in 2004.

He received the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, in 2009.

"My grandpa took me to my first tryout," Iginla said. "We didn't know there were no jerseys and no socks (provided). So I skated around … everyone has their outfits and they're good players and playing for years. I'm skating around with no jersey and no socks. My grandpa had to run and get me a jersey from the sports store in St. Albert.

"While I was out there wheeling around, he brought back one, and I wasn't that thrilled to get it, but it was a Calgary Flames jersey. It might've been the last one left at the time. I think not wearing a jersey to start, and wearing a Flames jersey after, worked against me, and I ended up in the worst league."

Rough start. Strong finish.

"I think of kids … if there are any kids out there who are close and competing to make it and wondering if the sacrifices are worth it, I assure you they are," Iginla said. "Work as hard as you can, give it your best, it's a wonderful, wonderful game to be a part of all the way through.

"It's been an awesome, awesome experience. Thank you to my teammates. Thank you to the whole hockey community. It is a great one to be a part of. Thank you so much."

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{allcanada} Faust 'flattered' that Trebek recommended him as Jeopardy! replacement

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Answer: Alex Faust. Question: Who is Alex Trebek's potential replacement as the host of Jeopardy!?

The longtime game show host said recently he would recommend the Los Angeles Kings play-by-play announcer as his replacement if Trebek retires when his contract expires in 2020.

"[I] mentioned to our producer not so long ago that [Faust]; they should consider him," Trebek told TMZ.

What did Faust think of Trebek's recommendation?

"I'm flattered by [Trebek's] high praise," Faust told NHL.com, "and delighted to hear he's a big Kings fan."

@alex_faust :I guess there are worse ways to randomly see your name show up on TMZ!

I'm flattered by Mr. Trebek's kind words, and delighted to hear he's a big @LAKings fan!

 

Faust is set for his second full season behind the microphone in Los Angeles, and he's no stranger to replacing living legends. Faust took over for Bob Miller, who called Kings games on television for 3,351 games over 44 years before a series of health problems forced him to retire, as lead play-by-play announcer on FOX Sports West and Prime Ticket.

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{allcanada} Jarome Iginla bids farewell to NHL after 20 seasons

 

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CALGARY, Alberta (AP) -- Jarome Iginla closed his 20-year NHL career in the city where he was the face of the franchise.

The 41-year-old winger made his retirement official Monday in Calgary, where he spent 16 seasons with the Flames.

Iginla entertained a packed news conference at Scotiabank Saddledome with humorous stories about his career and teammates.

He's the Flames all-time leader in goals with 525. The captain for his last decade in Calgary also scored the most points and played the most games.

While a Stanley Cup eluded the likely Hall of Famer during his career, he was a dominant power forward in the NHL.

He assisted on one of the most famous goals in Canadian hockey history.

Iginla set up Sidney Crosby for the overtime winner in the final of the Olympic men's hockey tournament in Vancouver in 2010.

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{allcanada} Riders QB Collaros activated from injured list

 

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Saskatchewan Roughriders veteran quarterback Zach Collaros was activated from the six-game injured list on Monday.

The 29-year-old, who was acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in January, suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Ottawa Redblacks and has been sidelined ever since.

TSN's Matthew Scianitti notes that Collaros has been working with doctors and neck specialists and has been feeling better over the past couple weeks.

Over two games this season, Collaros has thrown for 309 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

On Monday, the Riders also added defensive back Marcell Young to the practice roster and released running back Jerome Messam, defensive back Will Blackmon as well as linebacker Carl Bradford.

Saskatchewan is 3-3 and sits fourth in the West Division.

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{allcanada} Als' Manziel takes first team reps at practice

 

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Recently acquired quarterback Johnny Manziel took first team reps against the first team defence at Montreal Alouettes practice on Monday, a good indication that he'll get his first CFL start against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Friday night.

Vernon Adams Jr., who got the start in a blowout loss to the Edmonton Eskimos on Thursday, followed Manziel at practice, according to TSN's John Lu.

Head coach Mike Sherman wasn't ready to officially name Manziel as the Week 8 starter, but he did repeat what he said at Manziel's news conference.

"We didn't bring (Manziel) here to watch him sit on the bench," he said.

Receiver B. J. Cunningham was also asked about the possibility of Manziel starting on Friday.

"They wouldn't have (Manziel) out there with the ones (first team offence) taking most of the reps if he wasn't going to be playing, so he'll come out ready to play this week."

Als' Cunningham thinks Manziel will play against Ticats

Alouettes wide receiver B. J. Cunningham thinks Johnny Manziel will play on Friday and says he looks poised and he's adjusted well to the team.

Als' Cunningham thinks Manziel will play against Ticats

Alouettes wide receiver B. J. Cunningham thinks Johnny Manziel will play on Friday and says he looks poised and he's adjusted well to the team.

The 25-year-old pivot was not available to the media on Monday.

The Alouettes acquired Manziel from the Ticats last week in a five-player blockbuster deal in an attempt to jumpstart their struggling offence.

In two pre-season games with the Tiger-Cats, Manziel completed 21 of 31 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown while rushing six times for 29 yards.

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{allcanada} Roughriders release RB Jerome Messam

 

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REGINA — Jerome Messam's second stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders has come to an abrupt end after the Canadian running back was charged with voyeurism.

The Riders announced via Twitter on Monday that the hard-running veteran had been released "after he has been criminally charged following an incident in November 2016." The CFL said in a separate statement that the charge was voyeurism.

The league said it will not register a contract for Messam should any team attempt to sign him.

Both the Roughriders and CFL said they will not have further comment as the matter is now before the court.

Messam was a Calgary Stampeder in 2016 and a Calgary Police spokeswoman said the charge "relates to the alleged video-taping of a consensual sexual encounter with a victim.

"It is alleged the video-taping was done without the person's consent."

The adult complainant came to police in April 2018 after being told Messam had the alleged tape, which police said had not been posted anywhere.

Messam was charged on Sunday, police said.

The six-foot-three, 240-pound Messam ran for just 206 yards on 52 carries (3.9-yard average) in six regular-season appearances this season.

Messam rejoined the Riders as a free agent this off-season after spending parts of three campaigns with the Stampeders (2015-17). Messam registered consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaigns (1,198 yards in 2016, 1,016 in 2017) with the Stamps before returning to Saskatchewan.

Messam, a 33-year-old from Brampton, Ont., spent the 2014-15 seasons with Saskatchewan before being dealt to Calgary on Oct. 14, 2015.

Under the Criminal Code, voyeurism is when someone "surreptitiously, observes — including by mechanical or electronic means — or makes a visual recording of a person who is in circumstances that give rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy."

The Criminal Code also covers distributing recordings from such offences.

Punishment is up to five years in prison.

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{allcanada} Iginla trade worked out for Flames and Stars, Nieuwendyk says

 

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More than two decades after being traded for Jarome Iginla, former Calgary Flames center Joe Nieuwendyk predicts Iginla will soon join him in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"It's been quite the journey for him," Nieuwendyk said. "I mean, when I was part of the deal for him, I didn't know anything about him other than he was top prospect with the Dallas Stars.

"It didn't take long for him to play into the League that you knew there would be something special about him. And now he'll be a Hall of Famer and have his jersey hanging from the rafters in Calgary. I'd have to say it was a trade that worked out for both teams. I mean, he became the face of the Calgary Flames franchise for two decades."

When Iginla announced on the Flames website last week that he would be officially retiring from the NHL at a press conference in Calgary on Monday, Nieuwendyk took time to reflect on Iginla's journey since the trade.

Iginla, a forward, was selected by the Stars in the first round (No. 11) of the 1995 NHL Draft before being acquired by the Flames, along with forward Corey Millen, for Nieuwendyk on Dec. 19, 1995. Nieuwendyk, one of the top centers in the NHL at the time, had been in a contract dispute and helped force the hand of former Flames general manager Al Coates.

"It was a great hockey deal," Coates said. "Joe helped the Stars go on to win a title, and we all know what Jarome did in Calgary for the next 16 years.

"Joe was a great guy and great player, so we knew we needed someone in return who would be a mainstay in Calgary the next decade or so. We'd done our homework on Jarome."

Coates' educated gamble paid off; Iginla played 16 of his 20 NHL seasons with the Flames. The 41-year-old is their all-time leader in goals (525), points (1,095), games played (1,219), power-play goals (161) and game-winning goals (83).

Nieuwendyk would go on to help the Stars win the only Stanley Cup championship in their history in 1999 and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011 after having 1,126 points (564 goals, 562 assists) over 20 NHL seasons with the Flames, Stars, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.

"It's not often where you find a trade in which it helps both teams like that," Nieuwendyk said. "Certainly for the Flames franchise, to get a role model for future Flames in Jarome."

The combination of Iginla's trademark grin and offensive production made him the face of the Flames. But for Hall of Fame inductees Nieuwendyk, Chris Chelios and Igor Larionov, it was as much the competitive snarl that made him so effective.

Chelios, a defenseman who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013, recalled how Iginla would not back down when the game became chippy, even initiating that style of play at times. It didn't make them friends by any means, but it did give Chelios respect for the Flames wing.

"I don't think we like each other very much, but we do talk when we see each other and [say] congratulations on a great career," said Chelios, who played 1,651 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Atlanta Thrashers. "I'm sure he's going to be a Hall of Famer.

"He's just a great competitor. A great career, one of the best power forwards I played against over the course of my career."

Larionov, a forward who was inducted in 2008 and had 644 points in 921 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Red Wings, Panthers and Devils, said it's a "no doubter" that Iginla is destined for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"No matter if team doing well or doing bad, he's always there," Larionov said. "He gives his best effort. That's what separates great players from average players. So he's always been consistent. Character and goal-scorer, and a good guy."

Iginla, who is eligible for induction in 2020, was named an NHL First Team All-Star three times with Calgary (2002, 2008, 2009), and won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer twice (2001-02, 52 goals; 2003-04, 41 goals). He played in the NHL All-Star Game six times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2012) for the Flames.

Iginla's accomplishments while representing Canada in international play are also impressive. He helped win the gold medal at the 1996 World Junior Championship, 1997 IIHF World Hockey Championship, 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and 2002 and 2010 Olympics.

Nieuwendyk understands Iginla's frustration at never winning the Stanley Cup, but believes it shouldn't tarnish his Hockey Hall of Fame credentials.

"There are players like Jarome and (former NFL quarterback Dan) Marino in every sport who are great players and haven't won that elusive championship," Nieuwendyk said. "I think at the end of the day that will be the one disappointment for him, but that doesn't define him as a player or the legacy he leaves behind.

"He'll look back in a few years and put his head on his pillow being satisfied what he accomplished."

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{allcanada} Senators’ Cody Ceci asks for $6 million ahead of arbitration

 

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The numbers put forth by Cody Ceci and the Ottawa Senators have been released ahead of Wednesday's arbitration hearing, with the two sides $2.65 million apart.

Ceci's camp is asking for $6 million, while the Senators are proposing a $3.35-million deal for the 24-year-old, who had five goals and 19 points this past season.

The five-year NHL veteran's play has come under fire in recent seasons. Advanced analytics show a defender who gives up scoring chances at a high rate, while others see a strong, right-shot skater living up to his status as the 15th pick of the 2012 NHL Draft.

The 6-foot-2 rearguard has historically been highly valued by Senators management, which protected him during last summer's expansion draft in favour of Marc Methot, who wound up on Dallas.

He also played for Team Canada at the 2016 world championship after putting up a career-high 10 goals and 26 points in 2015-16.

His $6-million ask might seem excessive, but that's kind of the point. Unlike in MLB arbitration, where the arbitrator must choose one of the two competing numbers, the NHL's system allows for the arbitrators to choose a salary they deem reasonable.

It's what happened with Winnipeg's Jacob Trouba earlier this month. Trouba asked for $7 million, compared to the Jets who offered $4 million. The arbitrator split the difference and awarded Trouba a $5.5-million deal.

It will be interesting to see what figure Ceci winds up with, and – should the two sides fail to settle beforehand – just how contentious his arbitration hearing will be given the amount of information available that sheds his play in a poor light.

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