Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Import Draft Improvisation

On June 30th,2015 the annual Canadian Hockey League import draft was completed amid once again the word "draft" being stretched to it's greatest limit  as labelling this a European signing period would be more accurate.

The majority of Canadian Hockey League franchises would agree that the import draft has become nothing more but a way for agents to maneuver through this draft to have their clients play in the one particular organization that they covet.  For bigger markets like the London Knights and the Quebec Remparts, this draft is a bonanza because they know going in they can consistently land either a highly touted NHL prospect or someone who was drafted early in the National Hockey League the year before. The Sarnia Sting have had recent success as of late and although not a big market the presence of Russian super agent and former Detroit Red Wing great Igor Larionov creates opportunities that we will touch on later. Conversely, smaller markets like the Prince Albert Raiders,  Swift Current Broncos and Acadie-Bathurst Titan among many others are handed the herculean task of convincing a European who's capable of playing in the league to play for them. I can understand the tentativeness of a European willing to commit to say, just for conversation sake, Prince Albert. Aside from the slighty, and some would say unfairly rugged reputation the city has, what motivates a kid from Moscow,Russia or Geneva, Switzerland who generally speaking live posh lives from wanting to re-locate to small town  Saskatchewan. The answer is their's nothing more significant the small market can offer aside from guaranteed playing time and really, if you're truly a top prospect the playing time will be their whether you're overseas or in North America.

So what can the league do to aid the smaller markets by putting them on an equal competitive playing field with the larger markets when it comes to this draft? I have a suggestion that I firmly believe can right what has really become a wrong.

My first take on this conundrum is to, and I realize this will come with purists who don't believe doing this falls within the integrity of hockey but that is to have clubs completely suspend conversations with European player agents with stiff penalties in place if proof of substantiated conversations happen. By doing this, you're strong arming the clubs who know that going into this process that they have financial and way of living advantages so the players would naturally be more inticed going somewhere more recreationally appealing. I mean really...West Edmonton Mall or the Town and Country Mall(Moose Jaw)???? My point exactly. By suspending the tangible talks to the players and agents teams can be more free in their selections without any pre-conceived ideas that Player A, and Player B wants to go there. The way to make the above work without any hitches is by running a silent draft in which the results aren't known until after the draft completes. If by for example, Dimitry Sokolov, the Russian who is highly sought of as a top ten selection in the 2016 NHL draft does want to go to the # 1 Acadie-Bathurst Titan that his prerogative but by doing so that disables him from ever entering the Canadian Hockey League or seeking a trade. If Acadie-Bathurst isn't the pool you feel like swimming in then your hands are ultimately tied and the player can remain in Russia as in order to maintain parity, the Canadian Hockey League has to throw the proverbial hammer down and for once sternly make clear that the players do not run the league, top league officials do. Also, the reason for my above suggestion is because what is starting to transpire is agents who have strong affiliated ties with a particular club can drive the location of their client because not only does the agent have control of the situation but also what is starting to take place is National Hockey League teams are starting to seek control for where there prospects land, ie Leon Draisatl going to Kelowna via lonely Prince Albert.  Pertaining to what I'm referring to when I mention that some agents hold all the cards, look no further than Igor Larionov. Larionov is a  Detroit native who's agency looks after the majority of the premier Russians. Twice now, in the last four years Larionov has used his stigma and reputation in arranging to have two top players getting drafted by the same team. In 2011-2012, it was current Edmonton Oiler Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenychuk. I realize this situation was a tad different because technically Galchenyuk was not drafted through the import draft but the rules were bent, in large part thanks to the strong arming by Igor to classify Alex as an American so he could bypass the whole process and became a free agent eventually joining his buddy Yakupov. Then, prior to the 2014 CHL Import draft it was the work of Larionov that got sixth overall selection from the New Jersey Devils Pavel Zacha and Nikita Korostelev, who picked in the seventh round by the Toronto Maple Leafs has been considered by many as one of the classic steals of the draft on the Sarnia Sting. If this was a normal selection process it would've been humanly impossible for Korostelev to fall as far as he did to Sarnia but when the player only has one destination hand picked, the other General Managers across the Canadian Hockey League have their hands tied.


At the respect of improving parity in junior hockey, a game in which I believe is already fairly strong but can become so much more equitable to call franchises. The Memorial Cup is one of the hardest trophies to win in sports, I plead with commissioner David Branch to make it attainable that everybody has a shot at this prize.

Thanks,

Brett Murray

e-mail:bhm26@hotmail.com

twitter:@bretzky26

Monday, June 29, 2015

ESPN "The Decision" Round two

July 8,2010 seems like mere distance now, but back at that point the basketball world was in a frenzy with Lebron James, along with  ESPN's Jim Gray formulated the idea of having his network air Lebron's free agency decision amongst a myriad of controversy. The sound clip which to this day is played around the world and that being, "this summer, I've decided to take my talent, ah this is hard, I've decided to take my talents to South Beach to play the Heat". Later, he proclaimed the reason he ultimately chose the Heat was due to striving for not one, not two, not three, not four but five championships. Definite sound bite central but as the story unfolded, those projected five championships never came to fruition. Fast forward to summer 2015 and the decision may be repeated all over again, but potentially with a different result.

Tagging along for the decision part two this time will be his companion  Dwayne Wade. There are so many permutations and combinations that could play out with several moving pieces surely proving as bait to sway the two's decision. There's no guarantee that Wade and James will come to the agreement to join forces but if there anybody in the business of winning, it's  these two amigos so attaching by the hip increases a 2016 NBA title reign greatly.

Let's begin to discuss some potential destinations for these two and weigh in on the pro's and cons on what makes each destination intriguing.....

The Cleveland Cavaliers are who I am favouring in this horse race as Lebron James opting out of his contract could've been viewed as merely a tactical maneuver as opting out allows time to assess the situation while re-structuring the contract. The Cavaliers would almost certainly have the flexibility to structure both Dwayne and Lebron into the fold. The Cavaliers were a  fast-tracked competitive organization due to their spring of dazzlement in the 2014 free agency period. Technically on the floor, Wade's presence would provide something the Cavaliers were sorely missing in their close call against Northern California's favourite son, the Golden  State Warriors and that is an ability to have a tangible second option driving the hoop. As good of a passer as Kyrie is, he's shown me an unwillingness at times to cut hard and take on the post-up defenders. This is something D-Wade isn't afraid to do.

The Boston Celtics led by new wonder coach Brad Stevens have to be on this for the very reason that the aside from Stevens, the city of Boston marks off every box in the two's checklist. It's a big market with a storied reputation of winning, and an unbelievable young nucleus that are ready for that next step very much like how Tristan Thompson, Kyrie Irving along with Timofey Mozgov were for this past year's playoff run. Marcus Smart is a terrific floor general that can step into the Irving shoes, fellow Canadian and Kamloops native Kelly Olynick could represent what Thompson brought with sizeable better offensive skills and the big man himself Jared Sullinger is criminally underrated amongst the NBA community and is ready for shining moment. James and Wade added as the vets, and I'm sure they'd be able to convince a couple more players who know playing with Lebron virtually guarantees a final four appearance wouldn't be a hard sell as the likes of Mike Miller, Shaun Marion and Ray Allen have all followed Lebron around over the years.

The Los Angeles Lakers are my darkhorse, not that you can really consider the Lakers as a darkhorse in any realm. My theory behind this choice is that because Kobe Bryant, who is highly respected by his fellow peers for his unquestionable results has made it clear that after 2016 he will be hanging up the sneakers and what better way to send him off then with a title. Lebron, Wade and Kobe have the Olympic bonding experience and just like Boston, Los Angeles is a prime time market and would give players who sign here the ability to thrive on and off the court. I mean heck, even Metta World Peace aka Ron Artest, whatever he's calling himself these days was able to be corralled by Kobe and that individual is the epitome of an ego. Los Angeles has been craving a winner since 2009 and Lebron has been craving a title since 2013(for him a year without wining is an eternity, imagine what two feels like) and might see Kobe as someone worth suiting up alongside. Not to mention the impending acquisition of Demarcus Cousins provides the toughness inside as Laker fans were beginning to become accustomed to big man that played like band-aids such as a Jordan Hill and the notorious under achiever Andrew Bynum.

In summarization, my gut says that around mid July you will see the two sign with the Boston Celtics. What this really means, because at the end of the day I'm never really right so with my luck watch them sign in China but in all seriousness, as theorized earlier the Celtics provide the tools and coaching staff needed by superstars to elect to end up coming to that particular destination and for a city already known for being "Boston Strong", I believe is about to be a little stronger.

Thanks for this, hope you enjoyed. Feedback certainly encouraged and I can be reached by e-mail at bhm26@hotmail.com and at twitter @bretzky26.



Brett Murray

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Saskatchewanian Summertime Blues

On what could've been a potentially historic Sunday June 28.2015 on the PGA Tour in reference to a Canadian breaking through in the winners circle again, and this time not any Canadian but a Canuck who hails from a province who's pastures only allow golf four months in a calendar year, that being Graem Delaet. Delaet, who's birth place is a community that before his rampant success on golf's biggest stage claim to fame was being the home of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey Red Wings of Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Btw, Weyburn I'm sure has many more noteworthy accomplishments than being the home an above average junior A hockey organization, but the hockey guy is coming out in me.

Delaet's penchant in his young golfing career is being somebody that unfortunately can't get past this aura of putting together one stinker of  a round in a four round consummation. He's that talented, he's Bubba Watson long, has the demeanor of a laid back but savvy Corey Pavin. but somewhere along the line he is missing that pre 2009 Tiger  Woods killer instinct(on the course, not with the ladies as I'm led to believe he's a happily married man). I harken back to his debut season on the tour of 2010 when he chased down the anomaly also known as Anthony Kim. There's no doubt that after watching that Sunday clinic albeit in a losing effort the average Canadian golf fan including myself thought to ourselves that come year 2015 that Graem Delaet would have multiple trophies and a dreamer may of even foreseen a Major Championship with his name engraved with the past and present greats. It just hasn't materialized that way, but why you ask? I revert back to that point I made about him not having that "killer instinct" in his repertoire. I am of the what some consider a baseless theory that once you win in golf, you'll be able to package that ability to a multitude of wins. This theory also comprehends to other sports as  evidenced by the 2015 Chicago Blackhawks who have now won for the third time in six years. Back in 2010, which happened to be the Blackhawks first triumph, team leader and Captain Serious himself Jonathan Toews who was only 22 at that time but got a taste of what winning the Stanley Cup symbolized and felt like and sure enough he's been able to lead the Hawks to two more since. I appreciate this is an isolated example of phenomenal athletes meshing together to form something great whilst realizing that golf is a game of individual contractors so feeding off teammates is simply not an option  but the brass tacks are that Delaet has been knocking on the door more then Sheldon Cooper does in an entire season of the "Big Bang Theory" that sometime very soon he'll have Penny finally answer the door.  The game is definitely there, it's a matter of making a few more puts and stop blowing up with one of his aforementioned bad rounds.

I tend to ramble on, so let's finally get to the why, why and what does Delaet need to do to reach this sports pinnacle? Watching what Bubba Watson does to win such tournaments as this weekend's Travellers Championship not withstanding his two Masters titles, I feel like Delaet can take a few pages out of this playbook to enhance potential solution. Let's call them the "Bubba Rules"

1) Constantly berate and scream at your caddie(How about no, I suggest Graem takes after Bubba's golfing ability, and not mimick his personality because he has the tendency to come off as a complete jackass, one of the tour's all time poor sports ranking right up there with Rory Sabbatini).

2) Work the Golf Ball! -Bubba is known as being one of the most creative players pertaining to his ability to work his golf back, left, right, left right, weaving draws and fades consistently as the hole sees fit. Delaets a bomber off the tee as is Bubba but just because you can hit the golf ball 600 yards doesn't necessarily mean you have to every hole. On  a 350 yard par four with water lurking to the right, the potential is there to drive the green but Graem, take out a 4 iron, push it up there 230-240 and have a comfortable wedge onto the green; This will allow more birdeable opportunities.

3)Perfecting the putter-Everybody lauds Watson for his driving ability, but what Bubba doesn't get nearly enough credit for is his work on the greens. The way he reads puts for being is Brad Faxon like, who as a post-cursor to this article was awfully impressed by his golf analysis on last week's US Open golf coverage. You can't score if you can't put and Graem should sit down and watch the tapes of Watson on the greens because he led a few statistical categories around the greens at the Travellers.

4)Fire under your belly-Bubba is a jackass, said it once already but have to repeat a second time to paint a clearer picture. As bad as this for Bubba's PR, conversely it's that same jack-assery that burns his competitive desires because when Bubba's upset, television cameras will vividly hear exactly how he is feeling. When he misses a makeable four foot putter, he may pull a Happy Gilmore and throw it in the lake. Watching Graem who understandably has more of a laid back demeanour. but I need to see some hurt and frustration on the course to get his emotions flowing. It's ok to be agitated at times because golf can be a very frustrating game because as it's essence, it's a game of perfection as you are never truly satisfied. I recall listening to an interview with Vijay Singh years back after he fired a away a respectable 65, and he told who I believe was Peter Kostis that he was kicking himself for missing two very makeable putts earlier in the round. Being content with your game is the demise for lot of golfers, it's time for Graem to get out of this losing funk and show some determination and care.

Graem Delaet came close, but in the end coming close is just about the same accomplishment of finishing T-47 for golfers who are in the upper echelon. I think Graem has tournament titles calling him in the very near future, that's what I think but it's time for Graem to have this same belief.

Thank-you!

Brett Murray

e-mail:bhm26@hotmail.com

twitter:@bretzky26

Friday, June 26, 2015

2015 NHL Draft round one grades

Coming into this evenings post, I was originally going to hand out a grade based on an entire team's work but soon realized that with so many teams hoisting multiple selections in the first round that just consummated, it was extremely difficult because take for an example the Boston Bruins, who General Manager Don Sweeney flowered us the entire day with pure entertainment with all of the acquisitions with a series of controversial trades whilst accumulating three consecutive draft picks, I came to the realization that with the widespread thoughts I had with each one of these picks, I have elected to grade pick by pick. In a fairly simple approach, I will list the player, supply a grade and then divulge why I came to the particular mark.



1)Edmonton Oilers-Connor McDavid- (A +)

     
 This was a natural no-brainer, even embattled Bruins General Manager Sweeney couldn't of screwed this one up. McDavid, barring any significant injuries will follow the same plight of Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky and a when-healthy Sidney Crosby. The guy will be expected and I have no qualms about him doing this will be to lead the Oilers to championships. Obvious pick but the only pick.

2)Buffalo Sabres-Jack Eichel (A)

Only reason Eichel doesn't acquire an A + is because for whatever reason, when he conducts interviews he rubs me the wrong way with a condescending attitude giving off the impression that he better then everyone else, which in the game of hockey he very well may be. The same over-confident attitude who views he's the best at everything may very well describe this very blogger but the like old saying goes, opposites attract. Nonetheless, paired with the likes of O'Reilly, Evander Kane, and Sam Reinhart Buffalo has an apparent very bright future.

3)Arizona Coyotes-Dylan Strome(F)
 
Going into this, I suppose I should've had a pre conceived idea what my lowest grade score could be, so we know it now, that being the fat old F. I have a numerous amount of concerns which if you would've read my earlier post titled " NHL Draft Observations" then to no surprise, I don't have a very positive outlook on Connor McDavid's now ex teammate. He's slow as molasses which is a very elementary term but considering Strome's skating is very elementary it just fits. His inability to skate is going to drive coach Dave Tippett bonkers and NHL defenceman salivating at the notion of going head to head with this players for the next number of years.

4-Toronto Maple Leafs-Mitch Marner (B)

I'm very complimentary of this diminutive forwards game and project him as a premier scorer at the National Hockey League level. His vision of how sees the ice is Lecavalier-esque. My only gripe with this selection is with the premise that I believe that Boston College defenceman should've been the selection here as he better molds into what Brendan Shanahan is trying to build.

5-Carolina Hurricanes-Noah Hanifin(A)
 
As a young kid plying his trade dominating countless games of street hockey, one of my favourite teams was the Carolina Hurricanes, not because I liked them a team because back in 1999, I probably couldn't of named one player who was on the roster but because I was love with the uniforms. The thought of Noah Hanifin and Justin Faulk forming a franchise d-pairing has me perhaps wanting to attend a Carolina Hurricanes game and become a fan of the team. Well done Canes!

6.New Jersey Devils-Pavel Zacha(E)

When discussing Zacha going to the Devils, E definitely doesn't stand for excellence. The Devils dropped the proverbial ball with this pick as the ever underrated Matt Barzal was available and with everything I've seen and read, Barzal is much more the player who is ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League scene. From a Devils point of view, the ever debated Russian factor would make me a little nervous.

7. Philadelphia Flyers-Ivan Provorov(A)
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As an avid Regina Pat supporter it does pain me in a way to compliment a team for taking a Brandon  Wheat King, I feel like I broke some kind of code. Other then my petty bias toward Western Hockey League eastern divisional teams, no questioning that Provorov is an elite talent and Philadelphia landed upon a treasure. I can speak a little more knowingly on Provorov because I have seen him so often but what stands out in spades to me is his skating combined with the calmness in the defensive end. Even though he put up respectable numbers offensively, I feel this facet could use a little more seasoning.

8.Columbus Blue Jackets-Zach Werenski(B)

The knock on Werenski is that physically he's nowhere close to being ready to play in the NHL, but like a lot of other college bound defenceman and he is reportedly headed to the University of Michigan, the Blue Jackets will give him the appropriate amount of time to mature in three to four years he'll be ready to contribute top line minutes to the upstart Columbus franchise.


9.San Jose Sharks-Timo Meier(E)

Is Meier a player that on typical circumstances would merit an "E" grade? Of course not, but the grading is poor due to the choices that were on the board at the time. First of all, the Sharks are in need of  defenceman and with the way the draft was playing out at this time, trading down would've been advisable.A power forward who drive the net like Mikko Rantanen would've calmed the fears of Sharks fans because Tomas Hertl is a playmaker who needed a driver. Timo Meier has about as much physicalness in his game as Shaquille O'Neal has free throw prowess.

10.Colorado Avalanche-Mikko Rantanen(A)

Will Mikko come in and supplant Teemu Selanne and become the new and improved "Finnish Flash". This guy I had a little lower in my mock only because I didn't quite define him as a team need for the first half of the teams picking but after careful consideration and analyzing the picks, I think Rantanen has the making of an elite power forward and fully expect him to be NHL ready after convering with men in Finland this past season. Obviously the decision came down to him or Crouse and I believe Patrick Roy and the Avs pulled the right card.

11.Florida Panthers-Lawson Crouse(B -)

I struggled with this grade a lot because Crouse is a Canadian Junior Hockey League enigma. The guy looks like and on some nights plays like Lawson Crouse.  Which power forward are the Panthers getting, the power forward who terrorized world junior defences or the very same power forward who might as well been a sleep the entire series versus the North   Bay Batallion. With variances of night to night talent  this pick will either be a fielders choice or a home run.

12.Dallas Stars-Denis Guryanov(B)

As someone who takes pride on a daily basis in making bold, absolute statements I give a big thumbs up to Jim Nill and the Dallas Star organization for throwing us our first ball from left field today.Guryanov, who I initially had at 22 although that doesn't mean anything at all as my mock draft practice was beyond embarrassing, is an interesting choice because if he commits to the North American game he could run on the same track as fellow Russian Nichusbkin and run wild as early as next year for the Stars. His strength is his shot and with Jason Spezza's exceptional passing ability one worries for the safety of opposing goaltenders.

13.Boston Bruins-Jakub Zboril(D)

An overused phrase being soft as butter is seen as an insulting caption if you're a striving defenceman in the big stage, but in this situation, if their was a catchier and more gimmicky phrase I would've  thought of because in reference to Zboril's game, being called soft as butter may be a compliment. I mean credit for the young lad for trying as he registered in boxing classes in the Maritimes to get stronger but the only question I have is do people in the Maritimes actually take out their aggression and actually box, I thought they had the moniker of being such friendly folk.

14.Boston Bruins-Jake DeBrusk(A)

Step out to the stage for pick number deux Boston Bruins. After a flurry of trades, the Boston Bruins used first round pick two out of three on the Swift Current sniper. The son of former Oiler tough guy Louie is known for his goal scoring something senior DeBrusk certainly wasn't known for. Jake possesses a Jordan Eberle-esque shot with the only criticism is his Dylan Strome-esque skating.


15.Boston Bruins-Zach Senyshyn(D)

To say this pick came out've left field wouldn't be doing it justice. This pick seemingly came out've the teams regional spring training facility. The ONLY reason this pick doesn't score a F is because it's different, one could say a little innovative. You will never see me agreeing however that the Bruins couldn't of traded down and not gotten the same player. This my friends, is asset management at it's worst. In fairness to Senyshyn, because he played on a stacked, Sheldon Keefe led Sault Ste.Marie Ontario Hockey League team he didn't get the necessary playing time to give him a fair shake to improve his draft status. Let's hope Keefe did a commendable job developing the player and not instructing him how to put a hit on former agents!(Too soon??? Too low of a blow???...apologies.)

16.New York Islanders-Matt Barzal(B)

No more dissecting Bruins, thank god as I was already nauseous having to type the word  Boston that often. The Islanders acquired this pick from the Oilers in exchange for a second and Griffin Reinhart. The fact that the Islanders were able to rid themselves of Reinhart is victory enough and probably should've been awarded an A +. Reinhart is a pylon, essentially volume two of Luke Schenn. Barzal is no pylon to say the least with the only tangible issue Barzal deals with is staying healthy. The injury plagued year affected his draft stock mightly because hadn't had been for him being as  a classified he's a sure fire top ten pick this year.

17.Winnipeg Jets-Kyle Connor(B +)

The valuation at the  number seventeen selection was exquisite as Connor is a tremendous get. The burgeoning power forward who by a lot of the scouts standards still has a lot of filling out  to do has me under the opinion that Connor has one of the more higher upsides in this class. He's showed well for himself at recent international tournaments, so the mass of Manitobian Jet fans will have plenty to cheer about.

18.Ottawa Senators-Thomas Chabot(E)

Scouts, media personalities when describing Thomas Chabot's game have used the word great skater but needs to refine his offensive game. I'm of the belief that physical maturity can be developed throughout time, and by saying that if you're not offensive game is not polished half way through your junior career it may very well never arrive. I juxtapose that the ceiling is high and but the body may be working faster then the brain. Risky selection Bryan Murray.

19.Detroit Red Wings-Evgeny Svechnikov(B)

A Russian pegged by the Detroit Red Wings is about as sure of a thing as it is with Carrie Underwood releasing a new # 1 hit single. Some things are just meant to be. Svechnikov is great value here and I fully expected the Senators to take him one pick earlier. Playing in a softer league such as  the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League makes it a little difficult to surmount whether Svechnikov has the aggressiveness to succeed in the National Hockey League but my gut says he does.

20.Minnesota Wild-Joel Eriksson EK(E)

With the initials of J.E.E, one more Z would've allowed me to say,"jeez, this is a terrible pick". With players like Travis Konecny and Nick Merkley on the board, this is the direction the Wild choose? The Wild have the reputation of being a soft team up front and this will do nothing to change that reputation into a more positive manner.Konecny, who plays with a level of truculence would've been my pick but like I said once before, it wasn't the first time I was wrong.

21.Ottawa Senators-Colin White(B+)

Colin White and Matt Barzal were in similar situations coming into the 2014-2015 campaign dealing with injuries that affected the way they developed. Hadn't it been for unforeseen, this "Band-Aid", would've very probably been a top ten pick. Injuries do happen in hockey, it's the name of the game but or someone I had projected to go #18 to Ottawa, the fact that he fell onto Ottawa's lap  nearly granted them an A. It's humorous that the selection of #22 ascertained a more glowing review then the same team's pick at eighteen.

22. Washington Capitals-Ilya Samsonov(D-)

I fully understand that a general manager's responsibility is to both forecast the long term and short term outlook of it's franchise. I'm not disputing this logic but for a team who has near sighted expectations to win Lord   Stanley, how is selecting a goaltender with the 22nd overall pick seen as a smart hockey decision. If you didn't have a goaltender who is likely to be included with the 2019 Canadian Olympic hockey team(assuming the NHL agrees to go) in Lloydminster native Braden Holtby, was picking a goaltender in Samsonov who I fully fledge has stellar upside the logical resolution? The answer ladies and gentlemen is a resounding no.

23.Vancouver Canucks-Brock Boeser(C)

I can only imagine the scrutiny the British Columbia media will put on General Manager Jim Benning for passing on two kids with strong B.C ties, those kids being Jansen Harkins and Nick Merkley. First of all, any accredited media outlet suggesting that the team look at Harkins with this pick needs their head checked, Merkley however you could make a strong case for. All that's in the past as Vancouver opted for Boeser. Controversial only in the sense of where this kids geographically situates but a player who compares to Kyle Okposo gets a pass in my books.

24.Philadelphia Flyers-Travis Konecny(B +)

In a pick originally owned by the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was the Philadelphia Flyers opting for the Ontario kid Konecny. Konecny's claim to fame, or maybe claim to shame is more fortuitous is that he Mike Riberio type work ethic. The skill he has is unquestioned as evidenced by the Ottawa 67's making him the first overall pick in the Ontario Hockey League bantam draft. Getting drafted in the first round surely will be the kick in the pants needed to reinvigorate his career and to make him realize he DOES have what it takes to be an everyday serviceable NHLer. A phenomenal pick by Philadelphia.

25.Winnipeg Jets-Jack Roslovic(C-)

If we were comparing Roslovic to ice cream flavours, one might compare him to vanilla(and please no, racial connotations need not be speculated upon). He's a very reliable, bland player. At the summer under eighteen year tournament which is basically an U.S All-star team against the other countries  scraps, Roslovic eventually landed on a line with expected number one overall pick in 2016 Auston Matthews and didn't look out of place.

26.Montreal Canadiens-Noah Juulsen(E -)

Was it me or when Marc Bergevin was being interviewed by George Strombopoulos, he made note of the fact the reason he got a good look at the Everett Silvertip Juulsen, was because he was monitoring  his "poor" prospect Nikita Scherback. That's a motivational general manager alright. Back to Juulsen, for his age he has a shot that would make Al MacInnis jealous. His defensive game needs shoring up and with this pick being a project because the Habs have a lore NHL ready defensive gems they can afford to be patient with Noah.

27.Anaheim Ducks-Jacob Larsson(C)

This was a tough one for me because in terms of where they ended up getting the Swede Larsson, it's appreciably deserving of a B or greater but the reason I'm grading the way I did was because I felt purely from an organizational need perspective, Nick Merkley of the Kelowna Rockets kept raising his hand but I suppose diminutive General Manager Bob Murray couldn't see over the large crowd. I should clarify, I'm not railing on Larsson I just personal the skillful and creative Merkley made much more sense.

28.New York Islanders-Anthony Beauvillier(B)

The Islanders fell "victim" to the Toronto Maple Leafs plotting of maneuvering through the draft and compiling more picks for the later rounds. I take that back, until the Leafs can show even a little competence in running a team it is virtually impossible to fall victim to "Canada's team????".Beauvillier is one of, if not the most defensively responsible forward in this draft class and with the Islanders already possessing a lot of high end scorers, a little ying to their yang won't hurt.

29.Columbus Blue Jackets-Gabriel Carlsson(C -)

The knack on Carlsson is that he makes Luke Schenn look like an offensive dynamo. He's a bruising presence back there and with the way the Blue Jackets have constructed their defence, Jack Johnson and David  Savard, two of their best players are known for lighting it up offensively as nobody will mistake those two for defensive stalwarts. I don't mind the pick here, a personal preference would've been Jeremy Roy but Roy won't have to wait long to have  his name called tomorrow morning in round two.

30. Arizona Coyotes-Nick Merkley(A)

O, the irony that the only team that scored a F in these rankings finishes the first round with an A. Merkley essentially fell on the Coyotes lap but somehow that's how the cookie crumbled. Merkley for his small stature actually is quite aggressive in the corners and isn't afraid to muck it up with bigger players, which is pretty much everybody. A media personality for Sportsnet who may or may not have working on the draft coverage tonight said that based off of Merkley's Memorial Cup escapades back in May that he expected his draft status to rise. Shows much how he knew...


I hope you're buying what I'm trying to sell and are enjoying what I'm putting out. I'm asking to please initiate feedback if it all possible and to please follow me on twitter so I can try to grow this blogging "enterprise. My handle is @bretzky26


Thanks!

Brett Murray

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Bustin' the Bust

Jalen Rose had a storied career, certainly not an overly successful career, and now is trying to weave his way through the media world currently employed by the ABC/ESPN conglomerate focusing on the basketball coverage. Earlier this evening, Jalen along with his colleagues had the responsibility of covering the National Basketball Association draft.  Didn't watch much of it so it's not really  in my place to critique it overly, but one particular comment Rose made really struck a chord.

Jalen's colleague, when describing Kristaps Porzingis, the Latvian who was taken by the New York Knicks with the fourth overall selection used the phrasing that he suspected that this pick could be in the bust territory, like a lot of the other recent New York Knicks first round picks. This assertation, which I didn't have a problem with personally because my bias(negative connotation) towards European basketball players took a nose-dive when the Toronto Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani back in 2006 who makes Michael Olowakandi look like the next Scottie Pippen. My favourite reference pertaining to Bargnani came from a broadcaster who's employed by the Fan 590/sportsnet, who shall remain nameless, referencing that he wouldn't trust Bargnani to cover the coach. It's ironic that Porzingis and said Bargnani will now be teammates because the way Porzingis projects, it's very plausible that these two will be on similar career paths. Torontonians can only sympathize with the fans of New York as Knicks supporters haven't had much to cheer about lately. Two lanky Europeans who are both built like myself, which is not a great thing to be eight feet tall and soaking wet. Not in the NBA anyways with pending defensive assignments against the likes of Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard etc etc who's ferocious physicality to will eat these two alive.

So Jalen, you say have the problem with the word "bust" hey.....let's take a closer look at your career. We'll begin his story with his success at Michigan, but really the only success he had was in his wallet because Michigan during the 1992-1994 seasons, paid players under the table, including Jalen who was part of the eclectic group ever known as the "fab five". He got paid to win a championship which years later tarnished the reputation of the Wolverine program itself and didn't instill a very good image of Rose and the other members of the five. Based on his college tenure, this blogger rightly or wrongly, considers it a wash.

Let's move on to the 1994 NBA draft, he's selected thirteenth overall by the Denver Nuggets. Commendable considering how high he was drafted but was aided by the program he was affiliated with in college and his exploits may not of been as recognized had he played with an institution that did things according to the rulebook.  Two non chalant years in Denver eventually landed him in basketball mecha o Indianapolis, Indiana with the Pacers. After some early team struggles when be began his tenure there, the team slowly transisted into an Eastern power. How so you ask, well it was because of the 90's version of Steph Curry, sharp shooting Reggie Miller. What I'm about to imply next most won't probably agree with but it's based on complete subjectivity and because I'm the author of this blog, of course it's right when I make the implication that the compliments Rose provided to Miller which on paper were serviceable statistics, doesn't live up to the high first round pick that he was. When I think of a thirteenth overall pick in their fifth to sixth year, I visualize someone that is a team leader, leading their troops to divisional titles and conference championship appearances. I do not view a veteran thirteenth overall selection as somebody who is riding coat tails and being a secondary piece for the team's greater good doing enough. Frankly, this is a bust and if you don't oblige to this opinion, well you're probably going to want to stop reading this blog as if you haven't already figured out by now, I speak in absolutes and my ego makes me believe I am always right so even though this may be an opinionated piece on the face, it might as well be factual coming from me.

We're now leaving the friendly city of Indianapolis and working our way towards Chicago. His memorability in Chicago is drawing a complete blank because ultimately he did nothing of significance. Two out of the three seasons he had in Chicago were injury plagued which unfairly usually leads people down the bust path, with him being no exception.

There are many variations of busts in all sports, but if my T
Jalen Rose had a storied career, certainly not an overly successful career, and now is trying to weave his way through the media world currently employed by the ABC/ESPN conglomerate focusing on the basketball coverage. Earlier this evening, Jalen along with his colleagues had the responsibility of covering the National Basketball Association draft.  Didn't watch much of it so it's not really  in my place to critique it overly, but one particular comment Rose made really struck a chord.

Jalen's colleague, when describing Kristaps Porzingis, the Latvian who was taken by the New York Knicks with the fourth overall selection used the phrasing that he suspected that this pick could be in the bust territory, like a lot of the other recent New York Knicks first round picks. This assertation, which I didn't have a problem with personally because my bias(negative connotation) towards European basketball players took a nose-dive when the Toronto Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani back in 2006 who makes Michael Olowakandi look like the next Scottie Pippen. My favourite reference pertaining to Bargnani came from a broadcaster who's employed by the Fan 590/sportsnet, who shall remain nameless, referencing that he wouldn't trust Bargnani to cover the coach. It's ironic that Porzingis and said Bargnani will now be teammates because the way Porzingis projects, it's very plausible that these two will be on similar career paths. Torontonians can only sympathize with the fans of New York as Knicks supporters haven't had much to cheer about lately. Two lanky Europeans who are both built like myself, which is not a great thing to be eight feet tall and soaking wet. Not in the NBA anyways with pending defensive assignments against the likes of Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard etc etc who's ferocious physicality to will eat these two alive.

So Jalen, you say have the problem with the word "bust" hey.....let's take a closer look at your career. We'll begin his story with his success at Michigan, but really the only success he had was in his wallet because Michigan during the 1992-1994 seasons, paid players under the table, including Jalen who was part of the eclectic group ever known as the "fab five". He got paid to win a championship which years later tarnished the reputation of the Wolverine program itself and didn't instill a very good image of Rose and the other members of the five. Based on his college tenure, this blogger rightly or wrongly, considers it a wash.

Let's move on to the 1994 NBA draft, he's selected thirteenth overall by the Denver Nuggets. Commendable considering how high he was drafted but was aided by the program he was affiliated with in college and his exploits may not of been as recognized had he played with an institution that did things according to the rulebook.  Two non chalant years in Denver eventually landed him in basketball mecha o Indianapolis, Indiana with the Pacers. After some early team struggles when be began his tenure there, the team slowly transisted into an Eastern power. How so you ask, well it was because of the 90's version of Steph Curry, sharp shooting Reggie Miller. What I'm about to imply next most won't probably agree with but it's based on complete subjectivity and because I'm the author of this blog, of course it's right when I make the implication that the compliments Rose provided to Miller which on paper were serviceable statistics, doesn't live up to the high first round pick that he was. When I think of a thirteenth overall pick in their fifth to sixth year, I visualize someone that is a team leader, leading their troops to divisional titles and conference championship appearances. I do not view a veteran thirteenth overall selection as somebody who is riding coat tails and being a secondary piece for the team's greater good doing enough. Frankly, this is a bust and if you don't oblige to this opinion, well you're probably going to want to stop reading this blog as if you haven't already figured out by now, I speak in absolutes and my ego makes me believe I am always right so even though this may be an opinionated piece on the face, it might as well be factual coming from me.

We're now leaving the friendly city of Indianapolis and working our way towards Chicago. His memorability in Chicago is drawing a complete blank because ultimately he did nothing of significance. Two out of the three seasons he had in Chicago were injury plagued which unfairly usually leads people down the bust path, with him being no exception.

There are many variations of busts in all sports, but if my reasoning above wasn't enough to convince you that Jalen had a very underwhelming career the the icing on the cake will be that as a high first rounder, he was traded for Donyell Marshall and the Pilsbury dough boy himself, Lonny Baxter to the Toronto Raptors. The combination of Marshall and Baxter can be compared to the hockey equivalent of being traded for Shawn Thornton and a seventh round pick. To continue to prove my case, shortly after acquiring the veteran, the Raptors announced a rebuild. In fairness to Jalen, by that point the Raptors were in year fifteen of their rebuild so it wasn't like Jalen was the first veteran to be thrown into basketball hell. His stats while in, as an ESPN broadcaster would say "Toronto, Canada"....can we please stop excluding the provincial designation when  name dropping a Canadian city, why don't we Canadians start sufficing that player X is from Miami,America or Bridgeport, America. Just a little pet peeve of mine that had to be vented at some point in this piece. OK, back to Toronto, and I mean their ain't much more to be said because like I mentioned earlier, his stats were serviceable but unfortunately not serviceable enough to assist Toronto into any kind of tangible playoff success.

To conclude this bust-tacular tale, his travels then took him to very same place I spent time ragging earlier and that being the Big Apple itself, New York City. As if Spike Lee didn't already have enough trouble having to be agonized by bitter rivals Miller and the Pacers, now he had one of those Pacers on his very own Knicks. And surprise, surprise he was a cap dump. Because, as we all know it's a first rounders dream to be considered a cap dump. He left New York contributing what he came to New York with, that being a big fat goose egg. Lastly, he goes to the wonderful city of Phoenix Suns. Phoenix is a warm, year round tourist destination and warm certainly isn't an adjective that would describe Rose's time in the sun, heck warm isn't  a way to describe his entire basketball career how I view him as a player which by now should be apparent that he was my idol growing up.

You hate the word bust Jalen, what's intriguing about that it's the very thing that defined your long but not so illustrious career.

Hope you enjoyed!

Brett Murray

E-mail:bhm26@hotmail.com

Twitter: @bretzky26

NHL Draft Observations


Let me clarify something as we currently sit two days prior to the 2015 National Hockey League Draft, I have a huge passion for junior hockey, specifically the Western Hockey League because of where I geographically situate. As much as I take pride in knowing my fair share about the Ontario and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, it fails in comparison to what I consider appreciable knowledge when it comes to the ins and outs of the league affectionately known as the dub. The draft is an exciting time because it's the day where aspiring young amateur athletes get their names called and for all purposes begin their professional journey.

This year's draft biggest question mark is who the Edmonton Oilers will select first overall. There's apparently this kid out of Ontario named McDavid,what is it..Colton, Connor??? He's said to be pretty good. In all seriousness, you'd have to NEVER turn on the television to not know that Connor McDavid is a generational talent, a coined term that is used far too often in sport now a days, but in this instance the word generational probably undersells him a great deal. There is a combination that he possesses that included literally Darren Helm speed(former Medicine Hat Tiger), Milan Lucic size and toughness in the corners, and Sidney Crosby's vision on the ice. The only knock on him, and this is really grasping at straws is the lack of a quality shot in his repertoire.

The second overall pick would in any other year be the first overall pick. Unfortunately for the lanky American Jack Eichel, his draft year of 2015 happened to fall on who certain media dignitaries like to call "McJesus". The way he's built does not scream eighteen year old, both physically and the way he conducts himself off the ice. There's a particular Youtube video of which a sixteen year old Eichel was asked by one of the American media outlets covering the World Juniors to be the interviewer amongst his fellow American teammates. His ability to control the conversation whilst adding humour gave off the impression that you witnessing a savvy media vet interviewing teenagers, but no this was an sixteen year old holding his own on the mic with eighteen and nineteen year olds. On ice, it really is a man against boys. The speed is noticeable, not quite McDavid-esque but noticeable. His shot will only get better with age and I expect him to step up with Buffalo next year and possibly have the wherewithal to nab 25-30 goals. As a sidebar though, Sportsnet and Elliotte Friedman are reporting that purportedly Eichel has not ruled out going  back to college which in my humble opinion would be career suicide. A conversation with former Ohio St. Buckeye and current Boston Celtic Jared Sullinger may be in order as Sullinger was set to be the NBA's first overall pick, went back to school and now is a bench player on a non-playoff team.

Connor McDavid's teammate Dylan Strome....where do I begin. Huge praise and can be easily construed from my previous two paragraphs regarding Eichel and McDavid. Dylan Strome, a tad more negative, a lot more negative. This is what makes Connor McDavid so good, the fact that he allowed Strome to ride his coat tails all year long even assisting with Dylan Strome's scoring title. The guy CAN'T skate. I've seen better skating abilities from current NHL goon/pylon John Scott. The impression is that Arizona is leaning towards selecting Strome with the third overall pick is typical Arizona Coyotes. GM Don Maloney, Mitch Marner is on the board still!!!!!...Regina Pat rival(we won't even get into that cheap shot against Adam Brooks) Ivan Provorov is on the board!!! Heck,  Noah Hanifin will be a serviceable defenceman. All these selections make the Coyotes a better team but in typical Coyote fashion they're going to find a way to screw it up which partially upsets me because I have went to Coyote games in the past and intend to go to some in the future and would love nothing more then for them to find that inquisite  compliment to future stud, former London Knight, son of former TSN broadcaster Tie, Max Domi. This may sound harsh, but I've been known to throw a outside the box prediction now and again, I believe that Dylan Strome won't score more then thirty career goals.


I'd like to touch on a few of the Regina Pat draft hopefuls that expect, sorry that will get their name called in Miami over the weekend.

First, let's start with one of my favourite junior players of all time, and I've been tooting his horn the entire year, and that's Austin Wagner. McDavid may the best skater in this draft class which is no surprise because he's the best in every particular skill set in this draft seemingly. Austin Wagner, for people who have examined him play and skate will agree with me when I say he's not far off. The guy has a huge frame for the way he trucks around the playing surface. He's only seventeen and whichever NHL team calls his name to the podium will have gotten the steal of the draft. As you'll evidence in my mock draft below, I have serious qualms about labelling Wagner a steal for the simple reason that I think next year in the Western Hockey League he may jettison and be a candidate for the league's most valuable player. I believe once he flourishes his pair of mits, he'll be a 40 goal scorer in the dub quite realistically as early as next season and eventually a twenty to twenty five scorer consistently in the show. For these reasons, I have a good gut we'll be hearing Austin's name in the first round.

Jesse Gabrielle, the agitator who reportedly had an outstanding NHL combine which more then likely increased his draft stock. My thoughts on Jesse are this, wasn't exactly a "fan" upon his arrival to Regina. I listened when head coach and General Manager John Paddock explained the reasoning on the kind of truculence Jesse could bring to the table and for the first handful of games, wasn't buying what I was getting sold. As the second half of the season wore on, I began to see that a player like Gabrielle was never going to be able to lead a line which is maybe what I blindly expected when he was brought in for Morgan Klimchuk. He's a speedy complimentary force that isn't afraid to get his nose dirty or come back hard on the back check.Also, to the distain of Paddock, his mouth isn't exactly free of tabasco if you catch my drift. All in all, with the superb combine, I have him penciled in as a third round pick.

In regards to Connor Hobbs, if I was a National Hockey League scout, I'd be a little torn. He's a big defenceman who has a Shea Weber-esque shot,.ok so I lied, it's not quite in the Weber category but It's a threat from the point. My issue with Hobbs is the fact that he takes too many untimely pinches during times that you would consider inopportune. If he would hit the books and become a better student of the game there's no doubt in my mind that he'll be an everyday NHLer because the physical tools jump out at you every time you watch him play. The A + shot is his bread and butter but another facet that he doesn't get enough credit for is the first pass.  Always tons of zip to it and routinely clears the defensive zone with ease. Due to these features, Hobbs should be a fourth round pick on draft day.

The Winnipeger Adam Brooks is next on my list. This is a unique situation as a handful number of players go through this type of situation every year and that is re-entering the draft for a second time after getting passed over in trip number one. I believe scouts may be emphatic to  Brooksy, stealing a line from the colorful John Tortorella because under previous Regina Pat head coach Malcolm Cameron, he didn't play. I'm sure Cameron had his reasons but until this year Adam Brooks didn't have the opportunity to be showcased to the hockey world. In all reality, due to not playing the year before this is his draft year. On the smaller side, surprisingly good in the corners and isn't afraid to crash the net looking for that rebound. I like Brooks, he is certainly on the drafting bubble because he's an extremely late bloomer, here's hoping someone takes a chance, via the draft or a free agent contract after the fact.

Mr.Sergei Zborovsky(had to reference google to make sure I'm spelling right, if not blame google) was a pleasant import beneficiary for the Regina Pats this past season. A lanky defender that his skating will take you a back, it's actually quite stellar for a man of his size.  A man that has to be given a ton of praise for Zborovsky's development was his fellow Euro Pavlo Padakin. I've heard Pavlo took Zborovsky under his wing and helped him with the language deficiencies he was experiencing and taught him a better understanding of the North American game.

I will now include my four round mock draft for you to observe, appreciate you reading!

1.Edmonton Oilers-Connor McDavid(Erie OHL)
2.Buffalo Sabres-F Jack Eichel(Boston University)
3.Arizona Coyotes-D Noah Hanifin(Boston College)
4.Toronto Maple Leafs-F Dylan Strome(Erie Otters OHL)
5.Carolina Hurricanes-Ivan Provorov(Brandon Wheat Kings WHL)
6.New Jersey Devils-F Mitch Marner(London Knights Ontario Hockey League)
7.Philadelphia Flyers-D Zach Werenski(US-NTDP)
8.Columbus Blue Jackets-F Matt Barzal(Seattle Thunderbirds-Western Hockey League)
9.San Jose Sharks-F Mikko Rantanen(TPS-Turku Finland)
10.Colorado Avalanche-F Lawson Crouse(Kingston Frontenacs OHL)
11.Florida Panthers-F Travis Konecny(Ottawa 67's OHL)
12.Dallas Stars-D Oliver Kylington(Farjestads Sweden)
13.Boston Bruins-F Pavel Zacha(Sarnia Sting Ontario Hockey League)
14.Boston Bruins-D Jeremy Roy(Sherbrooke QMJHL)
15.Boston Bruins-F Kyle Conner
16.Edmonton Oilers-D Jakub Zboril(Saint John QMJHL)
17.Winnipeg Jets-F Colin White(US_NTDP)
18.Ottawa Senators-F Yevgeni Svechnikov(Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL)
19.Detroit Red Wings-F Nick Merkley(Kelowna Rockets Western Hockey League)
20.Minnesota Wild-F Timo Meier(Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL)
21.Buffalo Sabres-Jake DeBrusk(Swift Current Broncos WHL)
22.Washington Capitals-F Denis Guryanov(Togliatti 2 Russia)
23.Vancouver Canucks-F Joel Ek-Eriksson(Farjestads Sweden)
24.Toronto Maple Leafs-D Thomas Chabot(Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL)
25.Winnipeg Jets-F Jansen Harkins(Prince George Western Hockey League)
26.Montreal Canadiens-F Brock Boeser(Sioux City USHL)
27.Tampa Bay Lightning-F Austin Wagner(Regina WHL)
28.Anaheim Ducks-D Brandon Carlo(Tri-City Americans Whl)
29.Arizona Coyotes-F Daniel Sprong(Charlottetown Islanders QMJHL)
30.Philadelphia Flyers-F Jordan Greenway(US-NTDP)
Round Two:
31.Buffalo Sabres-F Jack Roslovic(US-NTDP)
32.Arizona Coyotes-F Jeremy Bracco(US-NTDP)
33.Edmonton Oilers-G Mackenzie Blackwood(Barrie Ontario Hockey League)
34.Columbus Blue Jackets-F Paul Bittner(Portland Winterhawks WHL)
35.Carolina Hurricanes-D Travis Dermott(Erie Otters Ontario Hockey League)
36.New Jersey Devils-F Zach Senyshyn(Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds OHL)
37.Boston Bruins-F Anthony Beauvillier(Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL)
38.Columbus Blue Jackets-F Nikolai Chebykin(Dynamo Moscow KHL Russia)
39.San Jose Sharks-G Ilya Samsonov(Magnitogorsk Russia)
40.Colorado Avalanche-D Nicolas Meloche(Baie-Comeau Drakkar QMJHL)
41.New Jersey Devils-F Blake Speers(Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds OHL)
42.Ottawa Senators-F Mitchell Stephens(Saginaw Spirit OHL)
43.Los Angeles Kings-D Vince Dunn(Niagara Icedogs Ontario Hockey League)
44.Tampa Bay Lightning-D Noah Juulsen(Everett Silvertips WHL)
45.Calgary Flames-F Michael McNiven(Owen Sound OHL)
46.Boston Bruins-Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson(Omaha USHL)
47.Winnipeg Jets-F Michal Spacek(Pardubice Czech Republic)
48.Ottawa Senators-F Dennis Yan(Shawinigan Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
49.Dallas Stars-Filip Chlapik(Charlottetown Islanders QMJHL)
50.Minnesota Wild-F Graham Knott(Niagara Ontario Hockey League)
51.Buffalo Sabres-D Gabriel Carlsson(Linkopings Sweden)
52.Calgary Flames-D Matthew Spencer(Peterborough OHL)
53.Calgary Flames-F Dimitryo Timashov(Quebec Remparts QMJHL)
54.Chicago Blackhawks-D Rasmus Andersson(Malmo Sweden)
55.Nashville Prehidators-D Mitchell Vande Sompel(Oshawa Generals OHL)
56.St.Louis Blues-F Thomas Novak(Waterloo USHL)
57.Edmonton Oilers-F Nicolas Roy(Chicoutimi Sangueneens QMJHL)
58.Philadelphia Flyers-F Nikita Korostelev(Sarnia OHL)
59.New York Rangers-G Matej Tomek(Topeka NAHL)
60.Arizona Coyotes-F Cameron Hughes(Spruce Grove AJHL)
61.Columbus Blue Jackets-D Guillame Brisebois(Acadie-Bathurst QMJHL)
Round three:
62.Washington Capitals-F Alexander Dergachev(SKA Saint Petersberg Russia)
63.Arizona Coyotes-F Christian Fischer(US-NTDP)
64.Tampa Bay Lightning-F Roope Hintz(Ilves Jr Sweden)
65.Toronto Maple Leafs-D Jacob Larsson(Frolunda Sweden)
66.Carolina Hurricanes-F Julius Nattinen(JYP Jyaskyla Finland)
67.New Jersey Devils-F Radovan Bondra(Slovakia)
68.Columbus Blue Jackets-D Jeremy Lauzon(Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL)
69.Columbus Blue Jackets-D Alexandre Carrier(Gatineau QMJHL)
70.Philadelphia Flyers-F Filip Ahl(HV71 Sweden)
71.Colorado Avalanche-D Jonas Siegenthaler(Zurich Switzerland)
72.New York Islanders-F Nikita Pavlychev(Des Moines USHL)
73.Detroit Red Wings-D Brendan Guhle(Prince Albert WHL)
74.Los Angeles Kings-F A.J Greer(Boston University)
75.Boston Bruins-D Caleb Jones(Portland Western Hockey League)
76.Calgary Flames-F Ryan Gropp(Seattle Thunderbirds WHL)
77.Florida Panthers-D Simon Bourque(Rimouski QMJHL)
78.Winnipeg Jets-D Kyle Capobianco(Sudbury OHL)
79.Edmonton Oilers-F Keegan Kolesar(Seattle Western Hockey League)
80.Anaheim Ducks-f Gabriel Gagne(Victoriaville QMJHL)
81.Arizona Coyotes-F Nathan Noel(Saint John QMJHL)
82.New York Islanders-D Vlad Gavrikov(Russia)
83.Calgary Flames-D Will Reilly(North York CCHL)
84.Anaheim Ducks-F Dante Salituro(Ottawa OHL)
85.Nashville Predators-F Jesse Gabrielle(Regina WHL)
86.Edmonton Oilers-D Devante Stephens(Kelowna WHL)
87.Montreal Canadiens-F Jens Looke(Brynas IF Sweden)
88.Florida Panthers-D Ethan Bear(Seattle WHL)
89.New York Rangers-D Jesper Lindgren(Modo Sweden)
90.Philadelphia Flyers-G Daniel Vladar(Kladno Czech Republic)
91.Chicago Blackhawks-F Hayden McCool(Niagara Icedogs Ontario Hockey League)
Fourth round:
92.Buffalo Sabres-D Parker Wotherspoon(Tri-City Americans WHL)
93.Carolina Hurricanes-D Ryan Pilon(Brandon Wheat Kings WHL)
94.St.Louis Blues-D Austin Strand(Red Deer Western Hockey League)
95.Toronto Maple Leafs-D Jack Sadek(Lakeville North High School-Minnesota)
96.Carolina Hurricanes-G Callum Booth(Quebec Remparts QMJHL)
97.New Jersey Devils-D Samu Niku(JYP=Jyvaskyla Finland)
98.Philadelphia Flyers-D Thomas Schemitsch(Owen Sound Attack Ontario Hockey League)
99.Philadelphia Flyers-F Robin Kovacs(AIK Sweden)
100.Nashville Predators-F Matteo Gennaro(Prince Albert Raiders whl)
101.Colorado Avalanche-D Jason Bell(Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL)
102.Florida Panthers-F Dryden Hunt(Medicine Hat Tigers Western Hockey League)
103.Dallas Stars-D Chaz Reddekopp(Victoria Royals WHL)
104.Los Angeles Kings-F Adam Musil(Red Deer Rebels Whl)
105.Boston Bruins-F Brent Gates(Green Bay USHL)
106.San Jose sharks-F Jonne Tammela(KalPa Kuopio Finland)
107.Toronto Maple Leafs-F Sebastian Aho(Skelleftea Sweden)
108.Winnipeg Jets-D Colton White(Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds Ontario Hockey League)
109.Ottawa Senators-F Andrew Mangiapane(Barrie Colts OHL)
110.Detroit Red Wings-F Brad Morrisonn(Prince George Cougars WHL)
111.Minnesota Wild-F Rihard Bukarts(Brandon  Wheat Kings WHL)
112.New York Islanders-D Joe Cecconi(Muskegon USHL)
113.Washington Capitals-D Tate Olson(Prince George Cougars Western Hockey League)
114.Vancouver Canucks-G Conor Ingram(Kamloops Blazers WHL)
115.Nashville Predators-D Damir Sharipyzanov(Owen Sound Attack OHL)
116.St.Louis Blues-F Erik Foley(Cedar Rapids USHL)
117.Edmonton Oilers-F Brendan Warren(US-Under seventeen)
118.Tampa Bay Lightning-D Connor Hobbs(Regina Pats Western Hockey League)
119.New York Rangers-D Loik Leveille(Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL)
120.Tampa Bay Lightning-F Conor Garland(Moncton Wildcats QMJHL(
121.Chicago Blackhawks-F Cameron Askew(Moncton QMJHL)


Thanks!

Brett Murray

e-mail:bhm26@hotmail.com

Twitter:@bretzky26

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

World Series of Hockey

NHL expansion is certainly on the forefront right coming off the wake of the board of governors meeting. Two main facets the board of governors have approved are being eaten up and spit out by the media, but not the kind of bad spitting out you indulge in when your food tastes awful, but the kind of spitting out you do when you're in pure amazement and shock. The two main takeaways from the Board of Governors are three on three overtime administered as of the 2015/2016 National Hockey League season, and more importantly from a league sustainability point of view, the higher ups agreed to at the very least, look into the plausibility into expansion. Great news for the league and great news for markets that are thirsty, to the point of dehydrated for an expansion organization.

Essentially to break this down, the league will explore three markets in particular, that being the metropolis' of Seattle, Quebec City, and tourism driven Las Vegas. From all media outlets it appears that Las Vegas is furthest along in this process, although the validity of  Quebec City being farther along is certainly up for debate. Las Vegas has already surpassed a season ticket drive instilled by the league to ensure that their is enough interest from the corporate sponsors/residents alike. The initial support is clearly there for Vegas, but because Vegas is very tourism driven, can the outpouring of support be sustained to enthrust a permanent  franchise? I examine.

Las Vegas has everything a player would want, post-game and off season entertainment come to mind along with the year long weather that Nevada has to offer. Having never been to Vegas, I can't speak to how hockey is truly perceived, but if you judge it solely on such events as the 2015 NHL awards which took place this Wednesday evening, the league may salivating on the marketing opportunities. It's Las Vegas, the players would naturally be looked after, but the more important question is, can and will the fans step up and be able to turn this franchise into the modern day Minnesota Wild, and not a now defunct Atlanta Thrashers?

My biggest concern, and the deeper you examine this issue, the more concerns I'm sure would pop out of my head, is, as evidenced in the opening paragraph is long-term sustainability. Vegas is an intriguing market in the sense that partnerships with the casinos would bring new resources that frankly other teams around the globe would dream of having. Casinos, who would drive a good portion if not all the sponsorship dollars, because if I'm not mistaken the prospective owner is affiliated with a casino which should be to surprise to anyone as it would be like the FIFA not being run by career criminals, the two just go hand in hand with each other. Tourists flood this gambling community on a daily basis which is why any sporting team in Vegas would create great walk-up gate revenue, but does not anyone else, and I'm sure Gary Bettman has asked this question to himself thousands of times, think that this city would have an awfully difficult time having a consistent season ticket holder base? Yes, I'm fully aware that they breezed through Bettman's season ticket initiative, but hype can drive citizens to endeavor in things that they otherwise wouldn't and won't even blink of the idea at having to renew their season tickets during year three/four/five of the franchise. The best comparable would be if my beautiful city of Regina, Saskatchewan were rewarded with the honour of George Strait gracing his presence in the Queen City. The first show would undoubtedly be a massive hit, the second show, similar results surely, but for the third and fourth shows etc etc, the same kind of buzz may not exist. We live in a world of what can you do for me now, not what can you do for me in a few years. Any city that initially gets an NHL team will of course have immediate positive reaction, heck even a locale like Birmingham,Alabama would hoot for a team in the deep south, but geographically that's just not a viable option, and certainly when surveying state interests, a vast majority might confuse hockey and curling..."what's ice?", they may suffice.

My other concern only in the realm of making sure the team in Vegas is taking  seriously is to ensure that the team and the ownership doesn't give off any gimmicky vibes. Being a Canadian, we don't have to think too far away to remember the disastrous experimentation that was the American invasion in the Canadian Football League.  I personally was a fan, my most memorable Rider game was when, back around 1997, Rider great Don Narcisse broke the then at the time reception record and who were they playing you ask...that's right, the at the time Damon Allen led Memphis Mad Dogs. As much as I enjoyed seeing these different American franchises invade Regina, the adult in me now realizes that financially it virtually destroyed  the Canadian Football League. Vegas particularly couldn't even find anthem singers who knew the Canadian national anthem, now one would expect Vice President Bill  Daly would make sure no similar antics are pulled this time around because we all suffice this would be a P.R nightmare. Reportedly, the team would be called the Las Vegas Black Aces, which to use card terminology is very applicable considering the market that we are discussing.

Will Las Vegas have a National Hockey League franchise by say,2018-2019? If you believe what you're hearing from the Sportsnet and TSN's of the world, it seems likely. The right choice for expansion? Up for debate, but one can't fault the league for attempting to get creative and do all it can to make hockey strive south of the border, no matter how much controversy and criticism it's receiving.

Thanks,

Brett Murray

e-mail:bhm26@hotmail.com

twitter:@bretzky26

Peyton Manning to......DeAndre Hopkins???

Fan bases from the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and San Diego Chargers woke up this morning, tuned into the ever reliable NFL network, and saw the headline, Broncos ATTEMPTED to trade Peyton Manning to the Houston Texans. Now, I can only visualize the emotions the workforce of  the aforementioned cites of KC, Oakland and San Diego were feeling, People potentially were of the depressive mood knowing full well that the all for not trade of Manning could've led their market to become AFC West favourites for the 2015-2016 National Football league campaign. I take that thought back, the markets of  San Diego and Kansas City may have had this feeling because let's face it, the Oakland Raiders are still owned by the last name Davis, and associating itself with the Davis surname is code for a basement dweller finish. For the record, even with Manning in the fold for Denver, I'm leaning towards the prognostication that San Diego was going to be competitive for the division but without Peyton may have prompted the Latino California community into hysteria.

So obviously when this report came out, the Denver Broncos were FORCED to deny this rumour, it's just basic media training 101. I trust the NFL network when it comes to reliable rumours and pertinent information, unless it was coming from ex network employee Warren Sapp, who's only source of reliable intel was which hotel to frequent in a prostitution ring.  Here are my thoughts on this Manning speculation, Denver can go into constant denial, but is/was their some merit in making this bold move? I mean, this after all is a thirty nine year old aging quarterback who is heavily dependant on the likes of Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas pulling the weight for him. Peyton has never possessed a strong arm, even going back to his Indianapolis days, where the better athletic specimen such as Marvin Harrison and Reggie  Wayne did the quote on quote dirty digging for good ol #18! A new coach was brought in for the Broncos this year, that being former Texans field sergeant Gary Kubiak. Maybe the idea of trading a declining Manning back to his former employee was a way to stick it to the management in Houston by saying" Hey Rick Smith, you've had  a long history of dealing with quarterbacks who are long in the tooth, heck you even employed a pylon, I mean Matt Schaub for a few years, surely you'll want to take on Peyton?" From a Houston perspective, a team that is not that close to contending renders me curious on why they would even consider such a move, but I suppose Peyton is a PR smash which would re acquaint those hopeless visions of finally bringing a Super Bowl team to the modern day Houston franchise.

More importantly from  a Denver perspective it begs the question, why? Is Brock Osweiler the next Tom Brady? Impossible to know with limited viewing knowledge. Contractually, were finances getting in the way of addressing more glaring team needs, I mean this is the same team that had to let go of Julius Thomas who went to the ultra competitive(tongue in cheek)  Jacksonville Jaguars. The latter I take more credence to because no insider or team official has come out and said that they feel Osweiler is ready to take over the starting ranks. I think ultimately what this comes down to is Denver and Kubiak getting  greedy feeling as if that they're strong receiving corpse and Von MIller led defence can counter what the loss of #18 would've meant. There is a precedence here as I vividly remember the year or two before the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl, the at the time Tony Dungy led bucs were on the up and up and had, what never really truly materialized, a budgeoning quarterback by the same of Shaun King. The thought was that King could lead a young offence with a bulldozer running back combination Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn could alleviate any one of King's growing deficiencies. Their defence was superb, led by Derrick Brooks, and the hotel clever Warren Sapp. The Buccaneers were seemingly on the verge of a dynasty, but then owner Malcolm Glazer wasn't content, electing to go in a different coaching direction whilst bringing in current Monday Night football analyst Jon Gruden. Gruden dissected the team and came to the realization that the secondary and receiving team needed upgrades so what he did ultimately led to the 2002 pinnacle, he decided NOT to give King a contract that he was up for, and yet brought in Brad Johnson, who's only role on the field was to stand there and not get sacked, that's all he could do.Worst starting quarterback to ever win a super bowl? This question has been debated repeatedly but you could make a comparison that in some ways, he's hockey's version of Antii Niemi, who had a great Chicago team in front of him and had to do very little to nothing to take home Lord Stanley.

Gary Kubiak is a smart football man, so is Jon Gruden. If Kubiak is taking a page out've Gruden's playbook, maybe, just maybe the Denver Broncos are on the precipus of winning the Super Bowl, but then again, like I mentioned earlier the Denver Broncos are denying these rumoured claims, so maybe not.

That's all for now, would certainly appreciate feedback via the comment section or by e-mail a bhm26@hotmail.com, or please follow me at twitter @bretzky26.

Thanks, and have a superb day!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Maritime Mishap

After what has seemed like the quickest three week stretch humanly possible, unbeknownst to the majority of sporting fans in Canada, because I think we need to differentiate the difference between a Canadian sports fan, and a true, loyal Canadian Soccer fan, we have reached the quarterfinal stage of the World cup . There is a difference, and this article will parallel the reasons on why I think the Canadian Soccer Association dropped the proverbial ball when selecting host sites for the 2015 FIFA women's world cup, and further yet and even disturbingly more outrageous, they really missed the boats on selecting the playoff host sites.

First, before I delve into the reasoning as to why I feel the way I do, let me just first backtrack as being a mid eighties baby, my recollection of early to mid nineties Canadian Soccer, aside from the legendary tandem of Dick Graham and Vic Rauter on what I believe was called "Soccer Saturday" was the majority of national games that were broadcast were hosted at Commonwealth Stadium. The remnants of the likes of Paul Peschisolido scoring a goal and then making a victory lap around the infamous track which circled the playing confines were memories that were able to stick with me because these games were hosted at one primary destination, with one primary landmark that being the track. And I can just add that Peschisolido was an absolute beast for me on my Nintendo 64 in FIFA world cup '98, I apologize for the side bar but that game was an absolute stellar, other then "Waverace", best game of my childhood.  Ok, back to the topic at hand getting away from my Nintendo domination, the fact that Edmonton hosted these friendlies/World Cup qualifiers/gold cups was something that stood out to me. A lot of other sports tend to rotate locales, such as soccer does now. Some(most) would argue that diversification amongst destinations is a good thing as it allows the fine game of soccer to be grown nationally, but the purists could distain that by doing this we lose that memorability. To use a good comparable, I'll reference the Canadian University Vanier Cup. For years, it had one location, Toronto. You would get ready in your living room each November a day before the Grey Cup in anticipation of a good, high scoring indoor football game featuring players, that if they were lucky, would crack a practice roster in the CFL. Now, what do we get, a game in Saskatoon,Saskatchewan on a  day when it's -40 Celsius, playing on a regional field that is better suited for a neighbourhood pick-up game of flag football. Final score 2-0 on a safety! To bring this all back, the World Cup has come to Canada in 2015 and we're rewarding sites like Moncton,New Brunswick???? The same Moncton who has a tough enough time securing enough season ticket commitments to bring the CFL to their province, our supposed home brewed, superior traditional game of football can't suffice, but yet they can host a soccer world cup? 

I was watching a couple preliminary matches from Moncton a couple of weeks ago, and literally they were playing to a half sold-out crowd.  I understand, and I prefaced in the article earlier that I fully support growing the game in parts of the country that otherwise wouldn't get a cup of coffee but save this "experimentation" for friendlies/gold cups/ etc etc. Let the world cup play on pitches that can actually consummate worldly crowds. I may be biased, nevermind that, I AM biased when I say the my hometown province of   Saskatchewan should've been included in the rotation, specifically Regina because frankly Saskatoon doesn't have the facility. Riderville surely would've jumped on board and supported the chance to see Ivory Coast and Norway or France v England. I'd be extremely curious to understand the reasoning asto why Saskatchewan was axed from contention and also why Edmonton, who's a soccer made metropolis probably large in part due to their beloved Oilers looking like an American Hockey League club these days, didn't get rewarded with the final games of this tournament. If it was an availability issue, then I apologize for my rant but due to the Canadian Soccer Association's decision to give Moncton a undeserved lineup, I'm sure their first pick of Montague,Prince Edward Island, or some other small island was offered and couldn't accept.

According to geniuses/crooks at FIFA, not growing the game at all is better then putting Canada on the soccer map.

Thanks, and hope you're thoroughly enjoying. Please feel free to respond with your own thoughts

Brett Murray

E-mail:bhm26@hotmail.com

twitter:@bretzky26

Sacramento Queens

Hello, so according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo, who repeatedly is given high praise for his extensive insider knowledge pertaining to the association, is as of last night reporting that head coach George Karl of the Sacramento Kings, or Queens, depending on whatever side of the Shaquille O'Neal spectrum you sit on, has been pushing ownership and management to make a splash by dealing away Demarcus Cousins. Yes that's right folks, the same Demarcus Cousins, infamously known as "boogieman" who first showcased his talents for arguably(unarguably in my eyes), the greatest NCAA basketball program that resides on earth that being the Big Blue, the Kentucky Wildcats. The guy was an ever intimidating presence in college with the combination of his size with John Stockton-esque ball skills. The transition to Northern Cal and the NBA from college was aside from a few glaring attitude issues, seamless. He's a poor man's Karl Malone, which everybody would deem as incredibly high praise for a player who is the ripe old age of twenty-five.


The question that needs to be examined, is the why portion. Now, according to updated sources the morning of July 23rd,2015 as much as Karl is adamant that a move to ship away the superstar is made, Kings owner is said to be hesitant with immersing in such a bone-headed endeavor. Before writing this article, I scoured a few message boards related to the Sacramento Kings, and the general consensus is that fans would revolt such a move and are wondering why they hired George Karl in the first place. Once again, as eluded to in the opening sentence of the paragraph, the why is screaming, ruthlessly looking for answers.

So why did they hire George Karl, after all this is the same organization that elected to fire Mike Malone whilst he was in the midst of having his praises lauded by players and media alike. George Karl, going all the way back to his Milwaukee days has had the reputation of clashing with star players and alienating and dividing the locker room.  I can only imagine the interview process when the Kings were dwindling away at their list... "So George, if we decide to hire you, what's your first course of action? George-"Well, I want to come in and trade our superstar for scraps and be a lottery team". It's like saying the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins when hiring a coach letting the coach dictate the organization's game plan moving forward and forcing the trade of Sidney Crosby. That's not plausible. The hire is completely baffling to me not just because Karl's purported locker room demeanor but also his overall lack of success. Every team in the NBA strives to get to the top, and the Kings don't have to look very far because beside them in Northern California, the Golden State Warriors converted from being a 90's/early 2000's laughing stock to quickly resembling a model franchise. Aside from his Shaun Kemp/Ray Allen led 1995-1996 Seattle Supersonics team(great symbol by the way), absolutely no playoff success has come Karl's way.

An angry/playoff choking coach? No thanks. Good luck Sacramento.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Chambers Bay Conflict?

So as of tonight, Sunday, June 21th,2015, the United States open concluded amid rampid controversy. The winner for the second consecutive major was none other than Texas fire baller, twenty-one year old Jordan Spieth. Spieth conquered the very things that a lot of his fellow PGA Tour found "unfair" and that was solely and singularly the green complexes. Was this very non-traditional golf course not "green"enough for some? According to Billy Horschel, the USGA should be ashamed of the setup. I'm sorry Billy, but since when does a player who has recorded ONE top ten finish in a major championship earn the justification to speak on a platform on behalf of the entire players body? I watched the play unfold on FOX(which did a stellar job aside from some leaderboard snafus despite skepticism from the media going into the week) and what I saw was a stern test which rewarded the players skill-set to utilize the slopes and undilations on the greens which led to some having consistent short range birdie putts. I'm not sure the issue here, do players like Ian Poulter, who frankly are Web.com tour caliber unless the event is labelled as the Ryder Cup really believe that by immersing in a shoot-out, they would all of a sudden become more successful. If you want a shoot-out, play more events such as, and I circle back to this because for whatever reason it was one of my memorable tournaments growing up was the SEI Pennsylvania Classic going way back in 2002. Players want to showcase their talents which is completely commendable, but the average viewer does not want to see -50 as the winning score every week. I realize this is tongue and cheek in terms of realistic output. I compare a golf major championship in golf to that of a slobber knocker defensive battle in the NFL. A 56-55 score is good every once in a while but so is a 9-6 field goal infested outing. Nothing wrong with seeing <-5 every folks. A MAJOR championship is purportedly a major test, let's keep it that way. All in all, compelling weekend in the world of golf. A few takeaways from the weekend.

-Jordan Spieth is 21 going on 41. The way he speaks and conducts himself, he is resembling what every parent would want their kid to grow up as. His maturity compounded by his ability to seize the pressure to put him in the mindset that  a Sunday in a Major Championship is like playing in a Monday Pro-Am at the aforementioned "legendary" SEI Pennsylvania Classic.

-Brandel Chamblee and Frank Nobilo...ever get the sense that these two may constantly butt heads off-set from the Golf Channel?  Brandel's opinions, are as if you continue with this blog, are ALMOST as absurd as mine as he always pushes the edge near insanity. To publicly humiliate Dustin Johnson on air minutes after he three putted the eighteenth to lose the Open because why...he wouldn't attend the presentation. Does Johnson come off well from skipping the presser, not exactly but I found great drama from Nobilo clenching his teeth every time Chamblee would open his mouth during that segment. One  conservative and one right wing on that panel makes for on-air fireworks. Kudos to primary hosts Rich Lerner and Kelley Tilghman who somehow corral Nobilo and Chamblee from dropping the gloves which seemingly can't be an easy task. Nobilo's a respected commentator as evidenced through his promotion to CBS, potential jealously setting in on the Texan(Chamblee's) part.

To conclude this article, the PGA tour should certainly make it's way back to Chambers Bay in the future. The course is a links test which is a nice knuckle-ball for this championship and it creates unbelievable theater because as Chris Kirk learned the hard way this Sunday,a couple wonky pitches to the wrong quadrant of the green can lead to a score reminiscint of something you might see me do, and that is the big 1 0.Players hated it,unless your name is Jordan Spieth, fans loved it, very curious to see which direction the USGA will side with going forward.

Thanks,

Brett Murray

E-mail:bhm26@hotmail.com

twitter:bretzky26(please follow!)

Synopsis/Hello

Hello all, my name is Brett Murray. I am a sports enthusiast who isn't afraid to make statements that when the word bold is used as a descriptor, would be seen as a massive crying understatement. I push the envelope, in some regards to enlist some opinions that I have in the world of sports, in other facets some opinions and absolute statements that are made will be keyed for pure comedic fodder.

Here's the reason for this blog, I am an individual who is very much  in between careers without really knowing what I want to do in the grand scheme. I intend to use this platform to hopefully share and enlighten folks alike with my extensive sports knowledge and maybe, just maybe if the reviews are seemingly positive, parlay this ability into a career which could entail freelancing for a sport organization/websites respectively. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to you and I following on this journey together. Also, before I go, I can be reached at brett_h_murray@hotmail.com and on twitter at @bretzky26. Twitter is something I haven't used enough of but have all the desire in the world to use it more to get my name out there and give it a damndest effort to grow the blog and my following.

Thanks,


Brett Murray