WCEC photos

Just got back from having a look around at the Events Centre. I checked out the Klips' dressing room and fitness areas, the new concession/kitchen, room renovations, a new hallway to connect the two sides of the rink... it's impressive.

I'll have some photos up pretty soon. The boys were on the ice when I had to come back to work to meet the Crossroads deadline, so no interviews, but I'll probably go back after lunch.

I will say this much - Larry could be a poet with all the stuff written on the walls of the new room. He's got motivational stuff coming out the ying-yang. I have pics of that too.

Check back in a few minutes.

This will be the concession area where you walk in.

New kitchen

This hallway connects the two sides of the rink (the lobby was the only way to get to the far side).

New stalls in the Klippers' room

The new gym. Stairs lead from the dressing room directly up here. Neat setup.

Here comes Chicken Soup for the Hockey Player's Soul

View from the fitness room

Another set of stairs leads from the gym to bike room

Dommett hit getting media attention

We see it at every level of hockey, right up to the NHL. Media outlets that never cover the everyday happenings in hockey will always magnify the black eyes, the controversial hits or major injuries that might even result from a clean hockey play.

The hit on Andrew Dommett in La Ronge is getting attention from sources beyond the usual suspects when it comes to SJHL coverage.

I just finished listening to a clip of yesterday's John Gormley Live where Gormley sits down with Laury Ryan and discusses the Junior A Supplement and head shots in general. The Dommett hit isn't discussed - the league does not comment on specific incidents - but there is a hint that a major suspension would be handed down later that day. It's a discussion that every league needs to have from time to time about protecting their players while emphasizing the most appealing aspects of the game. The Ryan interview begins at the 11:10 mark of the clip.

Rob Vanstone had a story in yesterday's Leader-Post about the suspension to Justin Ducharme and some quotes from Laury Ryan about the Junior A Supplement. Of course, the two major dailies do carry SJHL coverage from time to time, so that's nothing new. (I have reason to believe one bit of info in the article came from my Clarion story, which is kind of neat).

Gregg Drinnan of the Kamloops Daily News mentioned the suspension on his blog, one of the most-read hockey blogs in the country.

I also got an email this morning from Evan Hammond, the voice of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, who said there had been a similar hit in the BCHL recently which only resulted in a two-game suspension. He mentioned both hits on his blog and said the Ducharme suspension was an example of "how a league correctly sends a message and protects its players."

SJHL communications director Mitchell Blair referred to the suspension on his blog (I am really getting sick of typing that word) and the reaction seems to be ranging from too much to not enough to just right - which is usually a good sign that they got it right when it comes to these things.

Ducharme suspended for 16 games

This just in - the SJHL has suspended La Ronge forward Justin Ducharme 16 games for his hit on Andrew Dommett Sept. 19.

According to the official release: "The suspension comes after Ducharme delivered what is being called a 'late and blind side' hit to Kindersley’s Andrew Dommett during a game September 19 that resulted in Dommett suffering head injuries. Ducharme will not be eligible to rejoin the Ice Wolves until November 19."

I think this is a reasonable suspension. While it was a vicious hit, I don't believe there was the kind of malicious intent necessary for a 20-30 game ban - like Chris Simon taking a baseball swing at someone's face or stomping on a leg. There's intent to injure and then there's deliberately trying to end someone's season or career, and I don't think the latter was the case.

16 games is a long time, but especially in the SJ where you play 58 games. Ducharme will miss nearly a third of the season, which would equate to about 25 games in the NHL.

I'd be curious to know where this ranks on the list of all-time suspensions in the SJHL. It's gotta be up there.

Back up and running

If you tried to visit the blog earlier today, you probably got a message saying it had been removed.

To my disbelief, I got that same message just after lunch when I came to the site. My first thought was maybe I had violated the Blogger terms of use in some way, but I couldn't remember anything like that. Finally I decided to log into my Blogger account and try to reach the blog from my dashboard.

I got a message saying there had been "suspicious activity" in my account and that I had to verify that it was actually me. The only option was to have Google make an automated phone call with a code that I had to enter on the site. A few minutes later and voila, blog was up again.

My guess is someone hacked my account and Blogger shut down my blog as a precaution. From looking at my logs, there were no visits between 1:03 a.m. and 1:46 p.m., when the site was re-activated.

I'd like to know what the suspicious activity was.

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On a happier note, the local celebrities pulled off a comeback to defeat the Klippers 12-10 yesterday on Main St. We were down 10-9 late in the game but managed to tie things up. Then Brenden Ullrich scored the go-ahead goal (I think Justin Gerwing was in goal at that point) and we added a last-second empty netter to seal our second straight Goose Festival win. I managed two or three assists despite playing with a right-handed twig.

We couldn't have done it without a phenomenal performance from our young goaltender Tristin McBain, who made some unbelievable point-blank stops.

The end of the beginning

With the Klippers' 5-4 loss in Yorkton last night, they have officially ended the season-opening road trip forced by the fire at the West Central Events Centre.

Could they have done better in their first four games? Absolutely. They were in full control of the La Ronge game until Andrew Dommett got crunched, and they blew a pair of two-goal leads last night in Yorkton.

That said, there's nothing wrong with going .500 on the road, much less without your captain for 2 1/2 of those games.

Now the team gets a full week off to log some time in their brand new fitness room at the WCEC and get ready for the grand re-opening on Oct. 2, when they play the Battlefords North Stars in their home opener.

It sounds like Larry Wintoneak tried a number of players with Calkins and Adamyk last night and also juggled some other lines, so we'll have to wait and see what he comes up with a week from now.

Ryan Benn, Kiley Long and Tanner Kissick all saw their first action of the season on the Melville/Yorkton trip, so every player on the roster has now featured in at least one game. Dommett's injury means there will likely only be one cut up front for now, but I expect it to be made in the coming week.

Before their week off, though, the Klippers must face a team of local "celebrities" (so they tell us) in a street hockey game today on Main Street. The annual Goose Festival game kicks off at 5:30.

I had told Dommer in training camp that I was going to fight him this year, to follow up on my bout with Wintoneak last year. Since that won't happen, I'll have to pick on someone else.

Rumours are swirling that Taylor Duzan will get the start in goal. His team better hope he's a better tender than right fielder.

I can't wait to see how the Klippers try to cheat this year. Last year they made us wear the black jerseys in sweltering 32-degree heat, while playing uphill. Referee Rod Perkins finally found it in his heart to give us the downhill slope halfway through, but we had to keep the blacks.

Klips win in Melville

You gotta give this team credit. With no Dommett, no Wasden, no Down and no Haaf they managed to come out flying tonight in Melville and hung on for a 4-2 win.

I didn't go on the trip (last weekend was the exception, not the rule) but judging from the game sheet, it was a solid night for the Calkins and Hoffman lines.

Beau Taylor was placed with Calkins and Adamyk, and he came through with the second goal of the game along with an assist on the insurance goal late in the third. Calkins had two assists.

Beau's a great kid and I'm happy for him to get this opportunity on the top line. He's still improving after moving to Western Canada from Australia at age 14, and this is a big chance for him to take his game to the next level. I know his mom Joni and the rest of his family in Australia must be pretty proud of him.

Taylor Duzan stepped up with two goals, the first and last ones of the game. Ryan Benn dressed for the first time this season and scored what turned out to be the game winner early in the second period.

Pearce Gourley and Justin Gerwing both dressed tonight. Kiley Long and Tanner Kissick were the scratches. I thought maybe Kissick would be dressed because only five D's were available and he's played back there before, but Larry just went with the five like he said yesterday.

Shots on goal were 40-28 for the Klippers, including 17-6 in the first. They sure came out flying. Scotty Hellyer made 26 saves.

The three stars were Taylor Duzan, Michael Desjarlais and Johnny Calkins in that order.

Braeden Adamyk sits atop the SJHL scoring race after three games with a goal and seven points. Ex-Klipper Travis Eggum is right behind with six points.

Tomorrow night the Klippers are at Farrell Agencies Arena in Yorkton to face the Terriers (1-1). I believe they're staying in Yorkton tonight. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Final note: Andrew Dommett is now at home in Major recovering from his injury. It's nice to see him out of the hospital. The Klippers are hoping to have him back by early December at this point.

Klippers lose Dommett indefinitely in loss to La Ronge

JOSH LEWIS
of The Clarion

The season-opening road trip started so well for the Kindersley Klippers. It only took a split-second for it to turn into a nightmare.

With the Klippers leading the La Ronge Ice Wolves 2-0 late in the first period Sunday night, captain Andrew Dommett took a sickening hit to the head in front of the La Ronge net that will have major repercussions for himself and his team.

Dommett broke his jaw on both sides and lost several teeth from the attack by Ice Wolves forward Justin Ducharme, who received five and a game and will surely face a suspension. -written before the suspensions were announced

Linemate Johnny Calkins responded by going after Ducharme and a donnybrook ensued in the corner. When the dust settled, the blindside hit gave La Ronge a seven-minute power play, most of it on a 5-on-3.

The home side scored four goals over that span and never looked back en route to a 9-6 victory.

Literally adding insult to injury was the fact that former Klipper Travis Eggum scored a hat trick.

Dommett had scored twice, including the game-winner, in a 7-6 victory over the Battlefords North Stars the previous night. He also had a goal Sunday before getting clocked.

“From what I saw, it was a late, blindside, chicken (expletive) hit,” Calkins said on Monday. “It was one of those hits you don’t want to see happen to anyone, let alone a guy on your team. You don’t want to see that in hockey whatsoever. It was ugly.

“He’s not the type of kid to lay there when he’s not hurt, so I knew something major was wrong,” Calkins added. “He’s more than a teammate to me, he’s my best friend and I’d do anything for him. I lost my cool, and it became personal.

“When a 19-year-old kid who has not very much experience in our league does something like that to the leading goal scorer in the league, something’s not right there and something needs to be done.”

Calkins was escorted to the penalty box after the fracas, but said he lost his mind when he saw the La Ronge bench laughing at his fallen linemate. At that point, he was kicked out of the game and headed straight to the hospital.

“That’s no class, no respect. That whole organization should be embarrassed,” he fumed.

Klippers head coach Larry Wintoneak was more reserved in his comments in order to avoid league fines, but he, too, was livid about the incident.


“It bothers me the way it happened. I could see if it was a real good hit, but it was a dirty hit. To me, it was a blatant blow to the head. To me that’s a match penalty, but that’s where I, as a GM, have to make some calls and get him on tape and let the league take care of it.

“The bottom line is the league has to address hits to the head.”

Calkins said Dommett was in good spirits at the hospital, which was more than Calkins himself could muster.

“I had a tough enough time with it,” said the centre. “I just don’t understand how he’s so positive about it.
“I hope (Ducharme) woke up this morning and felt terrible for what he did.”

As of Monday, Dommett’s jaw had not yet been wired and he was slated to see several specialists to determine whether plates need to be inserted. Until that is decided, it’s not known how much time he will miss.

By the time the lengthy La Ronge power play ended, they were leading 4-2. The Klippers did make a game of it, but losing two-thirds of their top line took its toll.

“You lose a few guys in a hurry like that, it had an effect on us mentally more than anything,” said Wintoneak. “I think the wheels fell off and we allowed them to get themselves back in the game.”

Ducharme may be public enemy number one, but referee Kyle Paulsen isn’t far behind for the Klippers. He also worked Saturday’s game in North Battleford and the penalties were lopsided in the opponents’ favour on both nights.

The general sentiment around the team Sunday was that La Ronge had been rewarded for the illegal hit and won the game by spending nearly six minutes with a two-man advantage.

“That was the difference in the hockey game because 5-on-5 we can play with this team and there’s no doubt in my mind,” said Wintoneak.

“I don’t think it was fair, but that’s as far as I can comment.”

Aside from Dommett, the Klippers’ other goals Sunday came from Jesse Mysiorek, Braeden Adamyk, Taylor Duzan, Beau Taylor and Tanner Exner.


Along with Eggum’s hat trick - all on the seven-minute power play - La Ronge got markers from Justin Remillard, Marc-Andre Carre, Doug Lindensmith, Richard Cameron, Nolan Souchotte, and Aaron Enns with an empty-netter.

Wintoneak said his focus early this week would be making a case to the league for disciplinary action, then looking at what changes to make with Dommett out of the line-up.

Adamyk and Sanfred King were put together after the hit and showed some chemistry.

Left winger Justin Gerwing and defenceman David Haaf each played their first SJHL game Sunday. Haaf fought Lindensmith during the first period donnybrook and was ejected.

Saturday in North Battleford

Dommett wasn’t the first casualty of the weekend. Defenceman Riley Down injured his shoulder after falling awkwardly in the first period of Saturday’s 7-6 win over Battlefords. He returned to Kindersley for X-rays.

After a sluggish start, the Klippers spotted the Stars a one-goal lead before Kurt Leedahl found the back of the net twice in the final two minutes of the first period.

Dommett scored a power play goal midway through the second, but the North Stars potted three in the period to take a 4-3 lead.

Six goals were scored in a wild third period, four of them for Kindersley. King and Adamyk traded goals with the home side and Brett Penner scored his first SJHL goal in front of his family, from nearby Medstead, on a wrister just under the bar.

With the game tied 6-6 in the final minute, a lucky bounce saw the puck on Dommett’s stick with half the net to shoot at, securing the two points with 27.4 seconds left.

“The defenceman had it in the corner and me and (Adamyk) knew he was going to try to shoot it out, so we kind of started backing out,” said Dommett in what would be his last interview for quite some time.

“He shot it and Adsy baseball swung it and the puck hit his stick and went right to me. I gloved it and set it down. I knew the rookie goalie wouldn’t be too ready, so I tried to go top shelf on him and fortunately I did.”

The Battlefords goal scorers were Colin Phaneuf, Cade Kimery, Shayne Morrissey, Brett Miller, Shay Neufeld and Tim Rollins.

“You look ahead to February and we’re not going to remember how ugly this one was. It’s a win,” said Wintoneak.

King was outstanding on Saturday, scoring a crucial goal in the third period and adding two assists. His broken femur has fully healed and it showed.

“It’s a pretty traumatic thing to happen to you and it’s nice to be playing hockey again,” he said. “I have more confidence now and knowing my leg’s 100 per cent gives me that extra little boost.

Forwards Penner and Pearce Gourley, along with defender Jeff Bartel, were the rookies in the line-up.

With 16 forwards on the trip, Ryan Benn, Kiley Long and Tanner Kissick did not dress for either game.

The Klippers are back on the road this week for games tonight in Melville and Thursday in Yorkton.