Kitchener Rangers sue the Michigan Daily

The Kitchener Rangers have sued the University of Michigan’s student newspaper the Michigan Daily and reporter Matt Slovin for his story that Michigan recruit Jacob Trouba was offered 200,000.00 by the Kitchener Rangers to break his commitment to the University of Michigan and play for the Kitchener Rangers who drafted him.

By QMI Agency --- The Kitchener Rangers of the OHL have taken legal action against a University of Michigan student newspaper and one of its reporters for publishing a story that alleged the team offered defenceman Jacob Trouba $200,000 to play for it.

A story that appeared in The Michigan Daily last week alleged that the Rangers tried to coax Trouba, a first-round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets last month, out of a deal to play for the Michigan Wolverines.

This story is getting more interesting by the minute – here is a story from the Record that says the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL are suing the Michigan Daily for $1 million dollars in damages for the story that Matt Slovin wrote on Michigan recruit Jacob Trouba and him being offered 200,000.00 to play for the Rangers.

You can also read more about this developing story here and here.

More Potential Departures...including Coaches (RW77)

Brad Schlossman has stated that Aaron Dell is likely to sign. There have been tweets that suggest that there may be up to 3 more early departures. We know that MacWilliam and Rowney aren't the other 2.

I also doubt Rodwell and Grimaldi will bolt. For Grimaldi it would be ridiculous...unless he's bolting for an entry contract and assignment to Major Juniors (ala BC's Adam Pineault a few years back) but... that would suprise me. I'm pretty certain that one of the two is Danny Kristo. However, I think the third is just a rumor.

As for Dell, the Montreal Canadiens were trying to sign him after last season but I doubt they're in the mix now thanks to GM being fired. Best bet is Calgary, but I wouldn't count out Winipeg.

In either case, it would solve a lot of the conjecture as to what happens to Tate Maris.

And in other news:

Schlossman reports Cary Eades is a candidate for the Mankato job. This isn't a surprise as I'm sure Eades has been a candidate in several head coach gigs since he came back to UND. It would not surprise me if Eades bolts for Mankato either. Mankato plays gritty...which is Eades' forte. Eades' hire may also keep the higher profile recruits they have from bolting.

As for UND, it would be interesting to see what direction they go. Will they promote Dane Jackson to Associate Head Coach and hire an Assistant or will they hire an Associate Head Coach and keep Dane where he is?

If Dane gets promoted, it would not surprise me to see the Assistant position go to... Karl Goehring. He's already working with the team and has done a decent job.

Or... what about Scott Koberinski? He's been helping UND since I was at UND it seems like... (circa 2002 or so). Koberinski has head coaching experience in the USHL.

John Marks and Steve Johnson will pop up. However, the question would be: Would Steve take a lateral job change especially since UND turned him away twice. I'd hope so as I'd love to see Steve back as a coach.

They could go out of left field and hire Tom Ward out of Shattuck? He has WCHA coaching experience, though with the hated Gophers...

In the end, Eades isn't going to stick around forever. And he is destined for a head coaching gig. I think Mankato would be a good gig if he wants it. That being said, I hope he stays.

J.T. Brown Bolts to the Lighting

The annual defections of college hockey players to the professional ranks is in full swing as the UMD Bulldogs lose their star power forward J.T. Brown,

Brown inked an entry level deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning this afternoon.  It was rumored that Brown could have signed a professional deal last summer after wowing the college hockey world with outstanding performance during the 2011 NCAA Frozen Four at the Xcel Energy Center. Brown was also named the Most Outstanding Player during the 2011 NCAA Frozen Four, for his efforts.

Damian Cristodero, Lightning Strikes --- The Lightning on Wednesday acquired one of the nation’s most-coveted college players when it signed Minnesota-Duluth sophomore forward J.T. Brown to a two-year, two-way contract that runs through the 2012-13 season. The plan is to get him into the lineup Saturday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum against the Jets, GM Steve Yzerman said.

"He’s very talented, very competitive, good skill level, good skater,” Yzerman said. “I’m anxious to see him in there.”

Brown, 21, led UMD this season with 24 goals and in 80 games in two seasons had 40 goals and 84 points.

“Definitely exciting,” he said of signing with Tampa Bay. “It came down to having the right opportunity and being the right fit.

J.T. Brown is the son of former Minnesota Vikings running back Ted Brown who played in the NFL from 1979-1986.  Brown scored (40g-44a—84pts) in 81 games for the Bulldogs.

Brown is expected to make his NHL debut on Saturday when the Tampa Bay Lightning play the Winnipeg Jets in Tampa. 

Joey Crabb vs Johnny Oduya

If you watch the video closely it looks like Johnny Oduya slew footed Joey Crabb, hence the reason you hear Joey Crabb tell Oduya ef you. Then, there is fight, albeit not a very good one. I've got give Crabb credit for at least taking a poke at Oduya who is one tough S.O.B.

Jets Evander Kane played with concussion for 14 games.

Image via WikipediaThis is today's shocking revelation in the NHL. During the present time, when the NHL is concerned about players with concussions, we have a player that is suffering form a concussion for 14 games and doesn't take himself out of the line up.

Tim Campbell, WINNIPEG Free Press - Evander Kane is ready to try to help the Winnipeg Jets out of their offensive funk.

The 20-year-old left-winger will return to the lineup tonight when the Jets meet the Toronto Maple Leafs at the MTS Centre (7:30 p.m., TSN Jets, TSN 1290).

Kane has missed the last seven games because of a concussion and admitted this morning he may have played with concussion-like symptoms since taking a hit against the New York Islanders on Dec. 20. He played the rest of that game and 14 more before the symptoms became more acute.

Evander Kane runs over Al Montoya

This happened in last night's game. Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane ran over Islanders starting goalie Al Montoya, Montoya would leave the game with an apparent upper body injury. If I had to guess if there was a suspension coming to Evander Kane. I would say I have no clue. 

No Supplemental Discipline for the Jets Bogosian

According to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, there will be no supplemental discipline for the Winnipeg Jet's Zach Bogosian for his hit on Minnesota Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard. I guess that doesn't make Pierre-Marc Bouchard nose and face feel any better.

Per Michael Russo --- Per league source: No Supplemental Discipline for Bogosian. Player Safety Dept. feels that Bogosian did not run at Bouchard and that Bouchard turned just prior to the hit.

So this season we have seen similar hits result in no supplemental discipline; Letang on Burmistrov, Krejci on Stuart, and now Bogosian on Bouchard. My question is; aren't these the types of hits the league wants to get rid of?

Bouchard boarded by Bogosian

This is the hit by Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian on Pierre-Marc Bouchard, this is the kind of hits that the NHL is trying to do away with, Bogosian has to be suspended for this hit and there is no room in the game for this type of hit. You simply can not hit someone like this if the checking player see numbers. This is what Michael Russo had to say about this bush league hit.

Biggest concern after the Wild’s seven-game winning streak (overall and road) was snapped tonight is the health of Pierre-Marc Bouchard. He was driven face-first into the ledge that separates the boards and glass behind the Winnipeg net with 1:06 left by defenseman Zach Bogosian.

Bogosian was assessed a boarding major and game misconduct, and Bouchard left with his nose gushing. After the game, the remnants were still there on the ice and by the locker room – a trail of blood. [Russo's Rants]

Bogosian was given a five minute major and a game misconduct and I expect there will be hearing/phone call from Brendan Shanahan and the NHL Department of Player Safety.

Will this hit warrant a suspension or Not?

Check out this hit by Penguins Kris Letang on the Jets Alex Burmistrov during last night's game in Winnipeg. I don't think this boarding call is worthy of a suspension and I don't think the NHL needs to suspend every player that commits a questionable play/penalty.

Related articles

• Suspension coming for Penguins' Kris Letang? (aol.sportingnews.com)

Dustin Byfuglien charged with boating while intoxicated

Image via WikipediaDustin Byfuglin was charged with BWI, seems like this case has gotten a little more complicated. Maybe this is why Dustin Byfuglin had refused to take a blood or urine test?

TORONTO - Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was charged Tuesday with boating while intoxicated three weeks after his arrest in Minnesota.

According to a criminal complaint from the Hennepin County Sheriff's office, a water patrol officer on Lake Minnetonka stopped Byfuglien's boat the evening of Aug. 31 because the navigational lights weren't on. According to the officer, Byfuglien's speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and watery, he was unsteady on his feet and he smelled of alcohol. There were three people in the boat with him.

Authorities also said Byfuglien admitted to taking a muscle relaxant but couldn't remember the name of the drug and he said he takes a "handful of supplements from 16 or 17 different bottles every day."

Byfuglien was charged with third-degree boating while intoxicated, a gross misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to a year in jail, and refusing to submit to a test. He was also charged with failing to display the proper warning lights on the boat and not having enough flotation devices for everyone on board.

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• Dustin Byfuglien arrested on drunk boating allegation (mvn.com)
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• Report: Dustin Byfuglien will face drunken boating charges (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
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Dustin Byfuglien arrested on drunk boating allegation

Winnipeg Jets Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien was arrested in Minnesota for boating while intoxicated. As of this afternoon Byfuglien has yet to be charged.

WINNIPEG - Authorities in Minnesota say Winnipeg Jets star Dustin Byfuglien(notes) has been arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated.

The sheriff's jail roster in Hennepin County says the 26-year-old defenseman was brought in just before midnight Wednesday night and released shortly after 2 a.m.

An employee with the county sheriff's office says he was arrested on probable cause and officers have 36 hours to determine if he will actually be charged.

During that time, blood or urine tests will confirm if he was intoxicated.

Another jail official said a mug shot of Byfuglien was taken but a decision was made not to release it to the media.

In the U.S., it is an offense to operate a motorboat with a blood-alcohol limit higher than .08. A conviction carries a maximum $1,000 fine, possible jail time and loss of a boating licence. The offense is raised to a gross misdemeanour, increasing the fine and jail time, if the driver's blood-alcohol level is more than .20, he has similar past convictions or there were children on the boat.

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• Dustin Byfuglien's arrest for BWI not most shocking part of arrest report (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
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Some Jets not down on Winnipeg?

Image via WikipediaThis is a story that caught me eye this morning, before the 2011-2012 NHL season has even started; there are rumors of some on the Winnipeg Jets hockey team that are not happy about being in the city of Winnipeg, MB, this is according to sports radio talk show host Bob McCown of the Fan 590 out of Toronto, Ontario… McCown goes on to say that there might be as many as three Winnipeg Jets players that don’t want to play in Winnipeg. I suppose you can look at any roster in the NHL and probably have 2-5 players that are unhappy about being on their team but why bring this up now before the season has even begun.

Winnipeg Free Press --- (Bob) McCown believes players will look past the sold -out building and gold-plate ownership while coming to the conclusion that this isn't a good place to earn a seven-figure living.

"Guys are not going to want to play there," said McCown.

"I have first-hand knowledge of no less than three members of the Atlanta Thrashers, no fewer than three, who are now Winnipeg Jets, who are actively pursuing alternatives. Not the least of the problems, there's no place to live, in the style that an NHL player has become accustomed to. Are there upscale homes? I'm sure there are. But they're not available and they're not for rent."

Ladd's response to this talk was succinct.

"I haven't heard that, but if there are guys that don't want to be in Winnipeg then we don't want them anyway," said Ladd. "We want people that want to be part of a good hockey organization that's going to create a winning culture. From everyone I've talked to -- I haven't heard any of that."

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• Andrew Ladd Signs With Winnipeg Jets, Deal Reportedly For 5 Years, $22 Million (sbnation.com)
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Jake Marto gets a gig with Winnipeg (RW77)

Image via WikipediaNewly former UND defenseman Jake Marto has earned himself an AHL Contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Here is the story:

Jets agree to terms with Jason DeSantis & Jake Marto on AHL Contracts

Thursday, 04.08.2011 / 10:09 AM / News Articles

The Winnipeg Jets, in conjunction with St. John’s IceCaps, are pleased to announce today they have agreed to terms with Jason DeSantis and Jake Marto on new American Hockey League contracts. As per club policy, terms of the agreements are not disclosed.

DeSantis, 24, split the 2010-11 season between the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers. The defenceman from Oxford, MI played 19 games with the Penguins recording five points (1g, 4a) and eight penalty minutes. He also recorded 27 points (6g, 21a) and 38 penalty minutes in 45 games with the Wheeling Nailers. DeSantis helped the Nailers reach the third round of the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs scoring three points (1g, 2a) in 15 games. DeSantis has played in 85 career AHL games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and the Philadelphia Phantoms collecting 27 points (2g, 25a) and 26 penalty minutes. He joined the Phantoms in 2008 after four seasons of college hockey with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Marto, 23, recently finished his senior season on defence with the University of North Dakota where he played 157 games over four seasons collecting 57 points (21g, 41a) and 48 penalty minutes. The native of Grand Forks, ND helped the Fighting Sioux to consecutive conference titles in the 2010 & 2011 WCHA tournament. Marto played two seasons with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers before joining UND. While with Omaha, Marto played in a total of 114 games and recorded 45 points (6g, 39a) and 54 penalty minutes.

I'm happy he's getting a chance at pro hockey. Not sure where it will lead but it's pretty cool.

As an aside, the date on this article is actually August 4th, not April 8th. They use the European date format.

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Jets new logo unveiled.

Winnipeg Jets Hockey Team NHL.COM

The Winnipeg Jets have released their new logo and I must say that I am disappointed. I like the old Winnipeg Jets logo they had back in 1996 before the team moved to Phoenix and became the Coyotes.

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Blake Wheeler re-signs with the Jets...

Image via Wikipedia The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed former Boston Bruins and Minnesota Golden Gopher Blake Wheeler to a two year deal . In my opinion; I believe the Jets have overpaid Blake Wheeler who is set to be paid 2.5+ million a year. Wheeler has never scored more than 45 points in a season (21g-24a-45pts) and the knock on Blake Wheeler is he is a 6'5" player that plays like he is 5'8".

TSN.COM ---- The Winnipeg Jets were busy on Monday signing seven players including right-winger Blake Wheeler to new contract. Wheeler signed a two-year deal worth $5.1 million total.

Wheeler scored seven goals and 17 points in 23 games with the Thrashers last season after being acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins. He scored 18 goals and 44 points in 81 games overall last year.

The Thrashers acquired the 24-year-old from the Bruins on Feb. 28, 2011, along with defenceman Mark Stuart in exchange for centre Rich Peverley and defenceman Boris Valabik.

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Illegal Curve on former Sioux Jason Gregoire...

Kyle from the Illegal Curve has a nice write up on former Fighting Sioux leftwing/forward Jason Gregoire. Recently Jason Gregoire decided to forgo is last year of eligibility to sign an entry level deal with the Winnipeg Jets.

More on Gregoire after the jump.

The versatile left-winger left school after his junior year to take advantage of a cap loophole and make himself a free-agent. Fielding offers from several teams, Gregoire decided on the home-town Jets.

Going forward, Gregoire figures to be in the mix for a job on the left wing with the big club. A 1989 birthdate, Gregoire will bring a mature game to camp and Illegal Curve would not be surprised if he made the club in a 3rd-line checking role or a 4th line energy role. A left-handed shot (quick release and accurate), Gregoire is said to be very coachable and well-liked in the room.

Standing not quite 6’ tall and tipping the scales at nearly 200 pounds, Gregoire can play a variety of styles and could make himself a valuable addition to Coach Noel’s depth chart. The aforementioned hockey sense, coupled with his preference to play up-and-down the wing and his knack for scoring timely goals would seem to indicate that he would slot in somewhere between 3rd and 6th on the Jets current left-wing depth chart.

Winnipeg Expected to announce 'Jets' name before draft pick...

Image via WikipediaTSN.CA is reporting that the Winnipeg team will now be called the Jets. I believe that this is the right move, nice to see the Jets back in Winnipeg, Manitoba where they belong. Claude Noel has also been name head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, Noel was the head coach of the Manitoba Moose.

It looks like the Winnipeg Jets are cleared for landing.

The team, which is expected to officially announce their name before making the 7th overall pick in tonight's NHL Entry Draft, is reportedly going to go with the very popular Jets nickname.

You can watch the Draft live on TSN, TSN.ca and TSN Mobile TV tonight at 7pm et/4pm pt. Make sure to check out TSN.ca for a live hockey blog with TSN Analyst Craig Button, beginning at 6:30 pm et/3:30 pm pt.

After an explosive Thursday that watched big name players get moved, Friday could be just as volatile as the NHL Entry Draft goes tonight in Minnesota.

The Queen maybe making a return to Winnipeg

Illegal Curve Picture

If you ever went to a Winnipeg Jets game or a Manitoba Moose game in the old Winnipeg arena you would have seen the Queen Elizabeth II picture that hung in the arena.That picture could be making a come back.

CBC --- An NHL hockey team may not be the only thing returning to Manitoba's capital.

The largest known portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which hung from the rafters in the Winnipeg Arena for 20 years, may also be coming home.

Anya Wilson, custodian of the portrait, says she got an exciting phone call which suggests the Queen may be returning to Winnipeg.

Wilson says she can't say much more but would love to see the portrait hung once again.

At five-by-seven metres, the portrait has been homeless since it was taken down from the Winnipeg Arena, where the former NHL Winnipeg Jets used to play.

The Arena was demolished in 2005.

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Winnipeg Appears NHL's Only Option for Thrashers.

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeHere is an interesting article from the Spector blog about the NHL possibly making a return to Winnipeg. All I can say is whatever KDP, what does he know about Winnipeg? I wonder if Kevin can find Winnipeg on a map or even knows where the city of Winnipeg is at?

Spector Blog --- Since mid-May various reports suggesting the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to True North Sports & Entertainment and their subsequent relocation this summer to the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, may occur in the near future has generated considerable stir in the NHL world.

As of this writing there's been no confirmation a deal is in place or imminent but various media sources claim it's either all but done, or will be in a matter of weeks, perhaps even days.

It remains to be seen when an official announcement could be made, but unquestionably this is the closest the city of Winnipeg has come to getting back an NHL franchise since their beloved Jets were sold and moved to Phoenix, becoming the Coyotes, in 1996.

Winnpegers in particular and a majority of Canadian-based hockey fans in general are thrilled by the prospect, but there is some question if the city of roughly 750,000 souls can be a viable hockey market, given its market size, location and other economic factors.

Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe raised those questions in his May 22, 2011 column, suggesting the Thrashers would enjoy an initial rush of strong support in Winnipeg until the team's losses started to pile up, Winnipegers realize the sticker shock of attending NHL games, and American TV interests make it clear they're not interested in televising games involving a Winnipeg team.

So are the Thrashing moving to Winnipeg?

Image via WikipediaThere seems to be a buzz around the "Internet" that the Atlanta Thrashers are going to be moving to Winnipeg, I know we have seen and heard this story before but this time it sounds like this might actually be true. Of course Gary Bettman denies that there is a deal in place to sell the Thrashers to True North, which would in turn relocate the team from Atlanta to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Here is the link to the interview that was on Sports Radio 1290 A.M. CFRW out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. [Click to listen]

Stephen Brunt; Globe and Mail ---- An agreement to sell the National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers to a Winnipeg group which plans to relocate the franchise to the Manitoba capital is done.

Sources confirmed tonight that preparations are being made for an announcement Tuesday, confirming the sale and transfer of the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns and operates the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and the MTS Centre arena, which would become the NHL team’s new home.

Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League, is expected to travel to Winnipeg to make the news official.

The announcement would end months of speculation about whether one of the NHL’s financially-troubled American sunbelt teams might move north, filling the void left when the Winnipeg Jets packed up and left for Phoenix in 1996, where they became the Coyotes.

Much of the talk this spring had centred on that failing franchise, which was bought by the league after being placed in bankruptcy by its former owner Jerry Moyes in 2009.

But sources in Winnipeg suggest that the Thrashers had in fact been the primary target of potential owners Mark Chipman and David Thomson all along, and that some months back, the NHL board of governors quietly approved the sale and transfer of the team, pending the negotiation of a purchase agreement between Atlanta Spirit LLC, the Thrashers’ owners, and True North.

In the meantime, no potential owner materialized who was prepared to keep the team in Georgia, and local governments there showed no interest in propping up the Thrashers.

“There seems to be a consensus there is going to be a team in Winnpeg,” former major league pitcher Tom Glavine, who had tried unsuccessfully to find new ownership for the hockey team in Atlanta, acknowledged last week. ““The question is who, and unfortunately the bullseye seems to be on the Thrashers’ back.”