A few loose ends.

Fomer Sioux defenseman/forward Kyle Radke has signed a professional contract to play with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. Sounds like the Steelhead management wanted to add some toughness to their line up. It will be interesting to see what kind of penalty minutes Kyle can rack up.

“Kyle is a smooth skater and solid ‘d-man,’” said Idaho Steelheads Head Coach Derek Laxdal. He added, “He’s got a physical toughness that will bode well in our league and we’re excited to get him as Kyle was highly recruited amongst other ECHL teams.”

Yawn, boring, been there done that...

The Redwings and the Blackhawks are going to play in yet another outdoor game this winter. While I am sure that I will watch it, I hope this game does a better job at keeping my attention than the last one. The outdoor game in Buffalo was hard to watch because of the constant stops and starts. Apparently this will be the third outdoor game that former UNH star Ty Conklin who just signed a free agent contract with the Stanley Cup champions the Detroit Redwings could have the unique experience of taking part in all three recent outdoor NHL contests. He was a member of Edmonton and then Pittsburgh for the previous two games

The host Chicago Blackhawks will square off against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings, in a 1 p.m. ET game that should not only capture the attention of the entire sports nation on arguably the greatest sports television day of the year, but could also be a key contest in what figures to be a tight Central Division race. It will be the 701st all-time meeting of the clubs. No NHL opponents have played more regular-season games against each other.

The game, the third in an outdoor venue put on by the NHL, will be televised live on NBC in the United States as well as CBC and RDS in Canada. NHL Radio will provide coverage across North America and NHL.com will provide extensive digital video coverage.

"The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We thank Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough for their vision. We thank Mike Ilitch and the Red Wings for their cooperation. And we thank Mayor Daley, in advance, for the warm welcome we know the City of Chicago

Former Fighting Sioux forward/star Jonathan Toews will wear the "C" for the Blackhawks this season. This is a huge honor for the young players as Jonathan Toews is (20 years, 79 days) that is barely 20 folks and will not be 21 until after his second season in the NHL. Thanks to the Rink Rat for bringing this too my attention as I had forgotten how old he really was.

Chicago Blackhawks announced Friday that centre Jonathan Toews will serve as the team's captain for the 2008-09 season, making him the third-youngest captain in NHL history.

Only Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby and Tampa Bay Lightning centre Vincent Lecavalier, both while 19, became captains at a younger age than the 20-year-old Toews, who will be heading into just his second season in the Windy City.

"Jonathan deserves this honour," said Blackhawks general manager Dale Tallon. "He is a tremendous individual and a wonderful leader on and off the ice.

"He has experience in captaining teams from his world junior appearances and guys follow his lead in our locker room."

Toews led NHL rookies last season with 24 goals and seven power-play markers while ranking third with 54 points in 64 games.

The Winnipeg native was Chicago's first choice, third overall, in the 2006 NHL entry draft.