I'm on holidays for a few weeks and as in years past there is developing news with the ICE while I am out of town.
Some thoughts ...
May 26th - Today is the 10th anniversary of the ICE winning the Memorial Cup in Guelph with a 6-3 win over Victoriaville. Colin Siclair with 2 goals including the game winner.
Summer - The club is celebrating success with the Hot Stove Dinner/Golf event in July. Tickets for both events are available now and most of the players, coaches and staff from 2000 & 2002 will be back in Cranbrook.
Season Tickets - The Early Bird Deadline in June 1st and the ICE office will be open during the lunch hour each day. Every year it seems fans wait until the final week so it should be a hectic place all week.
Kris Knoblach - Since moving to Cranbrook the ICE have a history of not firing so it was very surprising news yesterday. Other than the press release there were no comments from the ICE. There are lots of rumours circulating as to what happened and probably 1 of the 100 are right. More official details should be revealed over the coming days.
New Coaches - 5 years ago the ICE lost Cory Clouston and Brad Lauer during the summer and eventually hired Mark Holik and Kris Knoblauch. 2 years ago Mark Holick and Scott Beattie left and the club promoted Knoblauch and added Todd Johnson and Jerry Bancks. It will be another makeover with a Head Coach and Assistant Coach openings this season. Again there are going to be lots of rumours and speculation.
I love a good rumour as much as anyone as long as it is being reported in such a way, but keep in mind it's amazing how many stories are written with wrong information. Over the years there were reports on people who were in the running for the ICE jobs, when in fact they never even applied. There were stories on candidates flying to Cranbrook for an interview when in fact they weren't even short listed.
We are entering Silly Season for hockey as coaching vacancies in the NHL have a trickle down effect to the AHL, WHL and so on.