What is happening???

This is terrible. Team Canada World Jr. Captain Patrice Cormier was tossed out of a game in overtime after the hit you are about to see.

Viewer discretion: This video is terrible to watch. It will make you sick to your stomach. Please watch but don't say I didn't warn you.

I would like your comments below.

Bombers tampering charge

So I woke up this morning to read about the Flin Flon Bombers being charged with player tampering. Reagen is really getting a stiff penalty on the Stillar trade. The following piece has been pulled from the Melfort Mustangs website for your viewing pleasure:

Some people around town were wondering why the Mustangs didn't get more for Deven Stillar in the trade with Flin Flon. Or why would we trade with Flin Flon in the first place. Well sometimes there are things going on in the background that make trades nearly impossible to make. This was one of those times. The Mustang Organization was left no choice but to look into it further and in doing so garnered the proof to lay a tampering charge against the Flin Flon Bombers under the following SJHL rule.

4.1 To preserve discipline and competition, and to prevent the enticement of players, coaches, scouts and trainers, a Member Club shall not, through any officer, employee, agent, scout or other representative offer any proposal to, negotiate with, or discuss employment, either present or prospective, with a player whose name is on any player list, or with any coach, scout or trainer connected with another Member Club. For contravention of this rule, the responsible Member Club shall be liable to a fine of not less than $750.00 nor greater than $3,000.00 as determined by the President dependent upon the quality of the player involved after gathering appropriate evidence. This fine is not subject to appeal. As well, the offending team loses all rights to the player in question. Further, the team found guilty of tampering will automatically give up five (5) spots on their Player Protected List for a period of one (1) year.

A Hearing was held on Friday January 15th with the following outcome:

The SJHL has suspended Flin Flon Bombers head coach Mike Reagan for 3 games, issued a $3000 fine to the organization, and also removed 5 spots from their protected player list for a period of 365 days in relation to a player tampering charge.

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I'd love to go to a Bombers/Stangs game now! Boy oh boy! What about a Melfort/Flin Flon playoff series?

Enjoy your day!

dd

Dommett headed to all-star game

It may not have happened conventionally but the SJHL's leading goal scorer is headed to the all star game in Lanigan, SK.

Andrew Dommett will suit up for the Sherwood conference all stars after it was announced that Aaron DeCorby, who is now with the LaRonge Ice Wolves, is taking the place of the injured Devin Stillar on the Bauer squad.

Here's what voice of the Millionaires and Terriers Craig Stein had to say on his blog:

Dommett only leads the league with 28 goals... not a bad 'injury replacement!'

Can you have an all star game that doesn't include the league's leading goal scorer? I guess things worked out the way many felt they should. Congrats Andrew!

Goaltender of the week

Finally some good news to report...

SJHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK:

Josh Thorimbert, Kindersley Klippers
1992 G Josh Thorimbert (Saskatoon SK) stopped 50-of-52 shots in two starts following the Christmas Break, going 1-0-0-and-1. He posted a 0.96-GAA and a .962-SPCT. The rookie workhorse is now 17-8-1-and-2, 2.70, .915.

Fw: TSN.

TSN.ca ALERT: Mark McGwire admits to using steroids when he broke home run record in 1998.
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Klippers issue formal release

Kindersley Jr. Klippers are moving forward in their day to day operations. Our games for Jan 16 & 17 vs Yorkton Terriers will be played at the Eston Complex, games are at 7:00 pm both nights.

There will be a fan bus leaving from the Kindersley Mall parking lot at 6:00 pm. If you are planning to ride the bus donations will be gratefully accepted. Please check our website at www.klippershockey.com for updates.

The remaining schedule is being worked out and will be announced. Thank you to our fans, community and hockey world for their patience and support during this challenging time.

Perreaux traded

Kindersley trades Justin Perreaux to Portage (MJHL) for Cam Canart and futures.

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I was waiting for Perreaux to be moved today and was beginning to think it wouldn't happen.
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Trade

Battlefords land Chad Filteau from Estevan in multiplayer deal. Justin Waskewitch and Ryan Andersen going to Bruins. Other details TBA.
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Saturday morning

How do we put yesterday into perspective? When we think back to what transpired in Kindersley it is hard to imagine what happens next. The events that have taken place are catastrophic and devastating to a community.

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The following youtube video is the story from the South West TV News:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaHcQkKWbKc

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Here is some home video of the fire (four parts):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x__FfBCOHTg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEiiil9lqVM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKL6bAJtzw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LV-cWtlox4&feature=related

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A Facebook group was also started up yesterday and there are about 120 photos of the fire posted. You can find that here: http://bit.ly/7SE00T.

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The story is getting attention all over the province and even some national coverage. Everyone is willing to lend their support and help out in anyway needed.

Check out the following 'Tweet' from TSN's Darren Dreger:

DarrenDreger Hockey fans rally! Kindersley, Sask needs our help. I'm there. My TSN colleagues are there, if needed to get this community back on its feet

Bob McKenzie of TSN also mentioned the story on his Twitter feed by 're-tweeting' posts from here in Saskatchewan.

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Here's what former voice of the Klippers' Ryan Tunall had to say:

ryantunall: the Kindersley rink fire is a tragedy. I was the play x play guy for the SJ's Klippers last season. It's a devastating loss.

It was later re-posted by McKenzie.

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If you have well wishes or messages you would like passed along on here or to the team and the town you can leave a comment or fire me an e-mail at dupont_darren@yahoo.ca and I will be more than happy to pass along the message.

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It's a tough day but the sun did rise this morning and this town will come together in a time of need.

I'll pass along anymore information that comes my way.

dd

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UPDATE 11:45am: Eklund (the anonymous hockey blogger) from the hockey rumour website www.hockeybuzz.com has 'tweeted' about the Kindersley fire:

Eklund Anything I can do RT @DarrenDreger: Hockey fans rally! Kindersley, Sask needs our help. I'm there. My TSN colleagues are there, if needed

SJHL statement regarding fire

Friday, January 08, 2010 The SJHL Board of Governors and member teams wish to express condolences to the community of Kindersley and all stakeholders of the West Central Events Centre for today’s devastating fire.

The SJHL fully understands the importance and positive impact these facilities have on our communities and the sense of loss that is felt.

The Kindersley Klippers management team have met and will have ongoing meetings to develop a plan and create options required to ensure the Klippers are back on the ice as soon as possible.

The SJHL is committed to ensuring a speedy transition with any actions required. While it is fortunate this tragedy did not result in human loss, it should be noted the Klippers have suffered a very significant loss from basic office equipment to equipment needed to play, ranging from protective wear to sticks, skates, and sweaters.

To date, the Klipper management team is waiting for assessment of the building and equipment damage and are also developing a strategic plan to move forward. This may take an undetermined amount of time.

As of this time, the game slated for Saturday, January 9th against Estevan is postponed. Kindersley games for January 16th and 17th are in question.

It is still hoped the Kindersley players who have been selected to play in the All-Star Festival will be supplied with equipment and able to participate.

As assessments are completed and the Kindersley Klippers management plans are put into place, future notifications will be issued by both the Klippers and the SJHL.

For more information:
SJHL President-Laury Ryan 306 536 7380
SJHL Communications-Mike Stackhouse 306 621 2539
Kindersley Klippers Governor-Terry Shea 306 463 3118

Stories Con't

KINDERSLEY — The town of Kindersley was gripped by a state of emergency Friday, as a 55-year-old arena burned to the ground and firefighters worked to save the attached rink/curling club complex.

The blaze sent smoke pouring into the curling rink, which is housed in the West Central Events Centre, and forced the hasty evacuation of the SaskPower Scotties women’s provincial curling championship. The day’s first draw started just a few minutes before the alarm sounded.

It’s too early to tell whether the arena and curling club can re-open this winter.

More than 60 volunteer firefighters from Kindersley, Kerrobert, Rosetown, Eston, Eatonia, Acadia Valley and Oyen, Alta., plus Pincemin Fire and Safety, converged to battle the blaze, which broke out on the north end of Exhibition Stadium and spread quickly. There were no serious injuries.

“There’s no doubt this is a very devastating event for the community,” said Sherry Magnuson, the town’s chief administrative officer. “Arenas are the lifeblood of the community in the winter, ours particularly. This is a very strong hockey community, skating and curling, so, yes, it is devastating. It’s a shock.”

Exhibition Stadium, which was built in 1955 and housed storage areas, a skating rink and the fitness and weight room for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Kindersley Klippers, was levelled 40 minutes after the fire started. The lobby connecting the stadium to the adjoining arena/curling complex, which was built in 1992, was also destroyed.

The levelled stadium included the office of the local minor sports association, which administers local hockey, figure skating and ball programs in town.

“All our equipment rooms, all the kids’ sweaters, the skating club’s figure skates were all in there,” president Brenda Walde said while watching the fire consume the last of the structure.

“This is the gathering place — lots of history and lots of memories. But you know what? I have no doubt this community will get together and make this right, quickly. They’ll do it for the kids, they’ll do it for the teams, they’ll do it for the community.”

The newer arena, where the Klippers play and keep their offices, sustained smoke and water damage, as did the curling club. Neighbouring vehicles and houses also sustained damage, and homes and schools were evacuated because of ammonia concerns.

There’s no estimate yet on the cost of the fire. RCMP Staff Sgt. Wally Lynds said there was minor maintenance work going on in the arena at the time, and he’s “fairly certain it was accidental.”

Police continue to investigate.

Fire Chief Ron Hope said a structural assessment must be carried out on the fire wall between the old and new parts of the complex and said he has “very high hopes” the newer structure will remain standing.

He said the quick response from neighbouring towns helped to keep a bad situation from becoming much worse.

“Some of them would be close to an hour away,” he said. “But you call in what you need to deal with the situation and I can’t thank those departments enough for what they did. Without their co-operation, without their help, we’d be sitting in a different (situation) than we are right now.”

Thick, dark smoke could be seen all over town and curious onlookers watched the building burn from across the street before getting evacuated.

Two fire alarms had sounded in the arena the previous day, but Hope said those were caused by steam and were unrelated to Friday’s fire.

The initial emergency call came in at 9:58 a.m. By 10:15 a.m., the fire department was on scene, the facility was evacuated and RCMP were on site. A state of emergency was declared at 10:30 a.m.

“We’re very fortunate to have saved one structure considering the other one is 50 years old,” said Tom Geiger, Kindersley’s deputy mayor. “We’ve seen it in other communities — once it starts, it’s really tough to contain it.”

Sunday marks the 100th anniversary since Kindersley was incorporated as a village. A ceremony was planned for the complex on Sunday, but that will now be moved elsewhere.

“I think it’s important we go ahead with it,” Magnuson said. “It’s an important milestone for the town and to launch off into the next 100 years — particularly so now, with what’s happened today with this tragic event.”

kmitchell@sp.canwest.com

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

More headlines

Fire has forced hundreds to flee hockey rink in Kindersley, Sask.

By: THE CANADIAN PRESS

KINDERSLEY, Sask. - Officials in Kindersley, Sask., declared a local emergency Friday as a massive fire ripped through a hockey arena and curling complex, sending hundreds of people attending a provincial curling championship into the cold.

Sherry Magnuson, the town's chief administrator, said firefighters were trying to save the newer part of the complex, which houses a hockey arena and curling rinks.

"Exhibition Stadium, which is the old skating arena, has burned to the ground," she said.

The newer and older portions of the facility are adjacent to one another and are connected by a common lobby, she said.

Students from a nearby school, residents and business people in the area were asked to leave as a precaution. They were urged to go to an Elks Hall on the west side of town and register with local officials.

"It's precautionary. We're concerned about if there might be a potential explosion with some of the chemicals that are at the arena, so we need to be cautious with that," Magnuson said.

Kindersley is about 120 kilometres west of Saskatoon.

Officials activated the municipality's emergency plan around 10 a.m. and set up a command centre at the town hall, just a couple of blocks from the burning building.

Firefighters from several surrounding communities were called in to help more than two dozen of the town's volunteer firefighters. Heavy equipment contractors were using backhoes to push apart some of the burning debris.

RCMP Sgt. Carole Raymond said only one person was taken to hospital.

"There is one person confirmed injured, with minor injuries. (They are) non-life threatening," she said.

RCMP were blocking off the area to allow firefighters to do their work, she said.

Bystanders said hundreds of people who were attending the provincial Scotties Tournament of Hearts were forced to flee the curling rink when smoke began to drift through the facility.

Jill Shumay, who was curling with the Patty Hersikorn rink from Saskatoon, said there was no sense of panic when the fire alarm went off, even though they could smell smoke.

"There's a big mess and huge smoke damage. It was very smoky when we were evacuating already," she said.

At one point tall flames could be seen shooting into the air above the complex.

Regina curler Michelle Englot, who wasn't scheduled to be on the ice at the time, said she found out about the blaze from other players. It wasn't the first time that curlers attending the provincial championships had heard fire alarms go off in the facility.

"There were two alarms that went off during (Thursday's) games," she said. Shumay said they turned out to be false alarms.

The two arenas are at the centre of life in the community. One of the arenas is home to the Kindersley Klippers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

The heavy damage will be very difficult for residents to take, Magnuson said.

"(They are) the heart beat of the community so this is really shocking and devastating for us. It's going to have quite an impact," she said.

Englot said while team clothing may have been lost, she hoped their curling shoes hadn't gone up in smoke.

"Shoes are a little more difficult to replace and break in," she said.

-By Lisa Arrowsmith in Edmonton
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WCEC update

Friday, January 8, 2010

By Kevin Mitchell, Sports Editor, The StarPhoenix

 




KINDERSLEY — A fire Friday morning has destroyed the old section of the West Central Events Centre in Kindersley and also caused major damage to the new addition, which includes the curling rink at which this week's SaskPower Scotties provincial women's championship is being played and the hockey rink the junior Kindersley Klippers call home.

The part of the arena that has been completely burned down featured a rink, the Klippers' training area and coaches office, plus the offices of the town's minor sports association.

Smoke from the blaze could be seen on the other side of the town, which is located approximately 200 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon.

Firefighters were working feverishly to save the new addition to the facility, which opened in 1956. Of the parts of the building still standing, much of the exterior was charred black. Fire crews were dousing the new addition with water, trying to keep the flames away. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the facility.

At this point, it is highly unlikely the provincial curling will championship will continue in Kindersley this week. Saskatchewan Curling Officials were meeting Friday to weigh all options.

The Klippers home game on Saturday is being rescheduled, and the team is looking at alternatives for the rest of the season, including playing in a nearby community.

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
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Fire at WCEC

Word is the WCEC caught fire this morning sometime and the word I'm getting is that it's the old side that caught fire.

Anyone in the know have any more details? DiscoverKindersley.com doesn't have much for details at this point and the site appears to be crashing.

Bruins @ Klippers tonight

The Kindersley Klippers go searching for their 2nd straight victory tonight as they host the Estevan Bruins at the WCEC. Game time is 7:00pm.

Perfect in 2010

The Klippers are off to a perfect 1-0 start in 2010 thanks to a 3-1 win over the North Stars and now face the Sherwood's basement dwellers.

Home Stand

The Klippers are 1-0 on their current six game home stand. They play host to the Bruins tonight and Saturday before hosting two against Yorkton next weekend and one against Melfort on January 20.

The team will need to take advantage of this home ice if they hope to make up ground in the Sherwood Conference. In January the team plays 8 of 11 games at home (where they are 13-4-2 on the season) before playing 7 of 10 on the road (where they are 7-10-2) to end the season in February.

Last meeting

The last time these two teams played was back on December 5th in Estevan which the Bruins won 5-0. The Klippers will be hoping for a much better effort this time around.

Four Klippers headed to SJHL all star game

The Klippers will be represented by four players when the SJHL all-stars take the ice in Lanigan, SK on January 14th.

They are defencemen Steven Turner and Kurt Leedahl along with forwards Jordan Braid and Johnny Calkins.

Andrew Dommett has supriseingly been left off of the roster. His 42 points have him tied for 8th in league scoring but his 28 goals are tops in the league. The next highest goal total is 21.