Cox quietly piling up points from blue-line

By Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The StarPhoenix

February 3, 2012

After a recent offensive output of the Saskatoon Blades (31-19-0-1), only three Eastern Conference teams have scored more goals this season.

And while defenceman Connor Cox has only bulged the twine himself once this season, he has been an important part of the Blades' scoring fury.

Cox recorded 10 assists in January as Saskatoon found the net 61 times and racked up a 10-3 record.

He now leads the team with 29 helpers heading into tonight's clash with his former team, the Moose Jaw Warriors (31-14-5-1).

"I wouldn't think so, but it just panned out that way," Cox said of his team-high total.

"A lot of second assists in there - not too many first assists. It's been pretty quiet from my perspective. I'd like to keep it going and help the team out with those assists."

Given the play of some of the other Blades last month, it's easy to overlook the production of Cox, who has scored just once so far in 2011-12.

Winger Michael Burns had six goals and 18 points and was plus-10 in January, while Matej Stransky (14 points), Jake Trask (13), Lukas Sutter (12) and Jesse Paradis all chipped in on the scoreboard.

Even fellow blue-liner Dalton Thrower, coming off a final week of December where he was named CHL player of the week, had six goals and 14 points to overshadow Cox.

But as the fifth-place Blades try to pull to within three points of the East Division-leading Warriors, no one is discounting what the impact the Lethbridge, Alta., product has made to create offence from his own zone outward.

"His mobility is probably his greatest asset," said defenceman Darren Dietz, who has been paired with Cox since he arrived from Moose Jaw in a November 2010 trade.

"He's quick back to pucks and makes good, quick decisions. When you're able to do that, and beat forecheckers and make the right plays, it really helps."

Blades head coach and general manager Lorne Molleken said he knew what he was getting from an offensive standpoint when he acquired Cox for a 2011 second-round WHL bantam draft pick.

But it's Cox's play without the puck that has impressed him.

The five-foot-10, 183-pound rearguard is plus-20 this season, good for third on the Blades.

"For the most part he does a real good job with his stick and dictates where he wants the opposition to go," Molleken said. "He's been solid for us in that regard and he's worked hard on that part of his game.

"He's very committed. A lot of times he's the first one there at the rink a long time before other players."

Because of his work ethic and puck-moving skills, Cox has been a mainstay with Dietz on the team's power play.

He has 13 assists with the man advantage, the most of any player on the Blades.

"He does a great job of getting pucks through to the net," Dietz said. "There are lots of times where his shots are getting tipped in. Maybe it explains not getting credit for the goals, but it's just as important getting those shots through."

That's something Cox fully understands. While he hasn't netted a goal of his own since that lone marker in Spokane on Oct. 21, he isn't worried about it as long as the Blades continue to add to their goals-for total of 195.

"I'm going to try, but I'm more of a pass-first kind of guy," he said. "I have to start thinking shoot first, I guess, and try to get some in the net.

"But I'm not too concerned, as long as other people score."

dnugent-bowman@ thestarphoenix.com

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Thrower and Sutter up to their old tricks

By Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The StarPhoenix

February 3, 2012

Saskatoon Blades centre Lukas Sutter appeared in the CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game, alongside teammate Dalton Thrower, on Wednesday.

Photograph by: Gord Waldner, The Starphoenix Files, The StarPhoenix

Saskatoon Blades fans who tuned in to watch the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Wednesday night probably felt like they were sitting inside the Credit Union Centre.

And no, it isn't because most rec rooms generally have the same ambiance as the north-end arena the local WHL team calls home.

Blades centre Lukas Sutter and defenceman Dalton Thrower played in the 17th annual showcase contest at Prospera Place in Kelowna, B.C., and did so in a way Saskatoon spectators have grown accustomed to seeing this season.

Sutter, who centred a line with Ontario Hockey Leaguers Andreas Athanasiou (Kitchener Rangers) and Tanner Pearson (Barrie Colts), didn't stray far from the style that's allowed him to net 22 goals and 46 points with a plus-20 rating and 127 penalty minutes with the Blades so far.

The Sutter trio was likely the most dangerous for Team Orr as the Lethbridge, Alta., native set up Pearson for a handful of quality chances in the third period.

While Pearson could not beat Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds netminder Matt Murray, that didn't stop Sutter from making an impact in the game.

In addition to taking a penalty of his own - a tripping call in the second period - the 86th-rated North American skater in the NHL Central Scouting's mid-season rankings drew an infraction in the final minute of the game that led to the winning goal.

As Blades fans are well aware, hardly a WHL game goes by where Sutter doesn't spend time in the penalty box while also forcing an opponent to do the same.

Likewise, Thrower was up to his usual tricks.

Paired with Greyhounds defenceman Gianluca Curcuruto, the North Vancouver, B.C. native was a physical force during the game and squared off with Plymouth Whalers forward Tim Wilson in a second-period fight.

Thrower's 84 penalty minutes trail only Sutter on the Blades.

The 30th-best North American skater - who is sixth in the WHL scoring among blue-liners with 40 points - also quarterbacked the Team Orr power play.

Although he wasn't able to score with the man advantage like he's done five times for Saskatoon, Thrower unleashed a few of the slappers from the point that have become commonplace of late - especially over the last 13 games where Thrower earned 20 points.

What makes the Top Prospects Game so unique compared to other bestonbest exhibition matches is because the game features some of the top draft-eligible players competing in front of a building full of NHL scouts and executives, everything is for keeps.

As was evident from the play of Sutter and Thrower, those on the ice try to display skills that are exhibited on a nightly basis for the club teams.

Granted, it may be an apples-to-oranges comparison with the NHL's all-star game, but it's a distinction that makes the game more enjoyable to watch when compared to other star-studded competitions.

Blades bits: The Everett Silvertips fired general manager Doug Soetaert Thursday evening, the Everett Herald reported. The Silvertips were sporting a league-worst 12-30-1-8 record and Soetaert was in the final year of his contract.

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Dogs aren't taking underachieving Dinos lightly

By Darren Zary, The StarPhoenix

February 3, 2012

Forget about the neutralzone trap. A paper shredder appears to have attacked the University of Calgary Dinos.

With a stacked team listed on paper, the Dinos should be a top contender for a Canada West men's hockey conference title.

Instead, they have been a major disappointment on the ice. They are currently in fifth place in the conference at 12-11-1.

University of Saskatchewan coach Dave Adolph, for one, isn't fooled by that underachieving and somewhat deceiving record, which has been distorted by an injury plagued season. He sees the Dinos as a legitimate Canada West contender and a potential threat down the stretch.

"They're a very good team," said Adolph, whose Huskies (15-5-2) play host to the Dinos tonight and Saturday night (7 p.m., Rutherford Rink) with first place in their sights, while Calgary continues to battle for fourth place and home ice for the Canada West quarter-finals.

"Calgary kind of slipped there the last part of November and a little bit at the start of January, or it'd be a four-horse race (along with Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba)."

First place is not out of the question for the hockey Dogs, who have three of their remaining six games on home ice. They're looking to inch closer to securing a spot atop the standings as the top two Canada West teams are granted a bye through the first round of playoffs and a home playoff date for the league's best-of-three semifinal series March 2 to 4.

"I would say that every year, the first week in February, we've been either in first place, one point out of first place or tied for first place, it seems, and it's happening again," Adolph said.

Earlier this season, the Dinos swept a two-game series with the Dogs in Calgary. Last March, Calgary ousted Saskatchewan from the Canada West playoffs and snagged one of two University Cup playoff berths as a result.

"Maybe (Dinos coach Mark Howell) out-coaches me, who knows, but they play us pretty well," Adolph said. "They're like Manitoba. Both teams are big and physical and they play a real demanding defensive game and make it difficult on their opponents.

"That's why I said it's a four-team race and it's going to be a hell of a run down the stretch here."

The Huskies, who had a bye last week, are coming off a pointless weekend in Winnipeg against the Bisons. Calgary swept two games with the Regina Cougars.

"Calgary won 2-0 and 2-1 last weekend, and that looks like the kind of game they want to play," Adolph said. "We don't want to slow the tempo down. We have to play to our strengths and our strengths are playing to speed. As big as Calgary is, we get to pucks first better than most teams in the league, so we have to make sure we're gritty."

DINOS IN DOG HOUSE

As far as the Dinos go, what's gone wrong? Howell admitted that injuries have played a part. So did a tough road schedule through November when, academically, the players were missing Thursday and Friday every week and, by the end, "you could kind of tell your guys were tapped out," Howell said.

"Those would be the only two excuses I would use. The rest of it, we just haven't been good enough. There have been points in time when we've been very good and (others) when we just haven't delivered."

The Dinos have been hurt by injuries, with three of their top-six forwards and two top-four D-men being sidelined at different times this season.

"It makes things a little tricky to piece things together," Howell said, "but luckily we got Kevin King at Christmas, and that's helped for sure."

King saw action in the American Hockey League and ECHL before Christmas. He had 33 goals and 76 points with the WHL champion Kootenay Ice last season.

DOG TALES: King and fellow Christmas add Spencer Edwards joined a talented rookie crop which includes Tyler Fiddler, former Saskatoon Blades captain Teigan Zahn, Memorial Cup champion goalie Jacob DeSerres, former Moose Jaw Warrior star Dylan Hood (who piled up 83 points last season), Taylor Stefishen, Max Ross and David Robinson. Stefishen leads the Dinos with 11 goals and 10 assists. A fifth-round pick of Nashville back in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Stefishen put up some big numbers for BCHL's Langley before going to NCAA's Ohio State for two seasons and then to Prince George last season.

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Pats playing the odds, continue on task

By Greg Harder, Leader-Post

February 3, 2012

Head coach Pat Conacher says the numbers don't lie but the results can be deceiving.

Despite the fact that the Regina Pats have lost three straight games - and six of their past seven - Conacher insists that the team isn't playing as badly as it seems.

The statistics back him up.

"There are things we try to strive for each and every game," explained Conacher. "We have about 10 of them. If we're meeting seven out of those 10 we usually win that hockey game. We're on track with shots, blocked shots, hits, all that stuff. We're winning our segments. The stats support that. Even when the stats say you should win the games in those situations, we haven't been."

Although hockey isn't played on a stat sheet, Conacher realizes that if the Pats continue to win enough of the games within the game, the odds will eventually fall their way.

"We just have to continue on task," said the head coach, whose team visits the Swift Current Broncos tonight. "You're not guaranteed (a win), so keep your nose to the grindstone. That's the message. We're doing lots of things well. We're not getting the two points so we have to do better. We can't go the other way. We can't think we're not doing the right things, because we are. We have to keep at it. We can't afford to do less. Don't get discouraged."

Conacher believes the Pats will respond accordingly. In his mind, the team has come a long way this season and the players now understand what it takes to win, even if they aren't always rewarded.

"I think they really do," he said. "We've been very consistent throughout the entire season. I've been on other teams where they started with good intentions but then they let up. That's why (assistant) Josh (Dixon) and Malcolm (Cameron) have done such a great job charting those things (and reminding the players). It's in their face after every game and every seven-game segment. We stay with it and I really do believe the players see it and believe it."

That includes goaltender Matt Hewitt, who has been pulled in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

"People struggle inside the game," noted Conacher. "Matt has been a big part of our (success). Matt has had trouble (lately). It doesn't all lie on him. Players go through different things. As a team we have to keep doing what we do and those individuals have to be the best they can be."

The Pats haven't had to deal with many prolonged droughts this season. Prior to the current slump, their only other losing skid of more than two games was a five-gamer in November, although they did pick up two points for an OT loss and a shootout setback.

The troubling aspect of their current skein is that two of the three losses came at the hands of non-playoff teams - the Prince Albert Raiders and Broncos. Regina has been somewhat inconsistent against teams below them in the standings, but Conacher isn't pushing the panic button.

"It's a priority to beat the teams below you for sure," he added. "It does sting a little bit more when those teams below you take those two points from you because those are two points you'll never get back. But there are no gimmes. That's why it's sports. When it's one game, anything can happen. Usually in a seven-game series the best team wins. But on any given night in this league - or any league in the world - you have those athletes who have great pride in themselves and their team. You have to be ready to go to war. That's what's great about our league right now. The parity is fantastic, especially in our conference."

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St. Croix an offensive saviour

Centre sets team scoring record with 21 games left to play

By Cam Tait, Edmonton Journal

February 3, 2012

Edmonton Oil Kings centre Michael St. Croix can't get the puck past Lethbridge Hurricanes goalie Brandon Anderson at Rexall Place in December.

Photograph by: Greg Southam, The Journal, File, Edmonton Journal

WHL game time

REBELS at OIL KINGS 7 p.m. Media: Team 1260

Michael St. Croix has achieved several Edmonton Oil Kings modern franchise history milestones this season.

Western Hockey League player of the week. Check.

Canadian Hockey League player of the week. Done.

Highest point total with 79 - four more than last year. Yep.

But the 19-year-old forward is looking for more: a Western Hockey League champion-ship, followed by a Memorial Cup ring and a 100-plus point season.

The push for perfection continues tonight when St. Croix and his teammates host the Red Deer Rebels, who will come into Rexall Place hungry. They have 51 points - two points out of an Eastern Conference playoff spot - and are fired up following a 6-3 home win Tuesday over the Medicine Hat Tigers.

With a team on such a roll as the Oil Kings are (33-12-2-4), balancing confidence and cockiness could be challenging.

Not for St. Croix. He has it figured out. "When, as a team, you believe in yourself, your teammates and your coaches, and know that when every individual is doing their job you have a great chance of being victorious," he says of his confidence.

So what's cockiness?

"When you underestimate your opponents and expect to win without paying the price." St. Croix doesn't need to garner the attention of any NHL scouts after being picked in the fourth round - 106th overall - by the New York Rangers in the 2010 entry draft. He just wants to prove he's NHL material.

"After being drafted to the Rangers, I wanted to prove to the Rangers organization that they made a good decision taking me in the draft," St. Croix says.

"I would view this as a breakout year, not only for myself but also for the Edmonton Oil Kings. Last year, we began to create a culture in the dressing room that demanded results and accountability.

"This year has been great. We have been winning and, personally, I have been contributing offensively on most nights."

Oil Kings head coach Derek Laxdal says St. Croix has an uncanny ability to know what to do with the puck.

"I have players take runs at Mike and he has the ability to escape the puck and make a play. When he is at his best he has a sixth sense where he just makes the play," says Laxdal.

St. Croix credits being on a line with Dylan Wruck and Taylor Maxwell for his 32 goals and 47 assists this season.

"Dylan sees the ice so well, works super hard and knows how to put the puck in the back of the net," says St. Croix. "He is one of my best friends off the ice and the chemistry translates to the ice as well. We look for each other all over the ice."

In November, 20-year-old Maxwell came to Edmonton in a trade with the Everett Silver-tips. Maxwell has been added to the line with Wruck and St. Croix.

"He (Maxwell) has one of the best shots I have ever seen and we get along very well outside of the rink," says St. Croix.

The Oil Kings, on most nights, have been entertaining to watch. Since Edmonton co-hosted the world junior hockey championship last month, crowds have increased for Oil Kings games, something St. Croix is happy to see.

"The fan support has been awesome the last couple weeks," he says, including the 8,400-plus last Saturday when the Vancouver Giants were in town. St. Croix is hoping those fans can see him improve and become a quicker and more efficient skater as well as becoming a more reliable defensive asset.

Laxdal says he would like to see St. Croix work in his own end.

"Mike is working hard to be a solid two-way player. He knows he can score, but has to understand if you are not scoring you have to contribute in the other end of the ice," says Laxdal.

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Game offers glimpse of future Flames

By Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald

February 3, 2012

FEBRUARY 9

Abbotsford vs. Oklahoma City (25-16-3-0) (29-11-2-3) 7 p.m., Scotiabank Saddledome

Ryan Walter stopped in town to make a quick sales pitch before next week's American Hockey League contest between the Abbotsford Heat and Oklahoma City Barons.

But, you can be sure, he does not need to sell this game to any of his troops.

"If you're an Abbotsford Heat player and you have a chance to play in the Calgary Flames' building," the Heat president said Thursday, "in front of executives and staff members, you'd think you'll bring your best game.

"So, yeah, lots of reasons to come and see."

Officially, Feb. 9 will be game No. 35 in the Baby Flames' 2011-12 AHL regular season.

But, as Walter says, the clash serves many other purposes to the team and to the city of Calgary - and are the main reasons why they've staged another AHL game at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

"We think it's a real valuable game for Flames fans to be able to see what's on the farm, what's in the American Hockey League, and what's their future," he said. "Really, many of these kids will be the future of the Calgary Flames."

Some of them already are. Forward Krys Kolanos is the latest example of a player making the jump, while forward Lance Bouma and defenceman T.J. Brodie have split time between Calgary and Abbotsford.

Injuries to their parent club have also given National Hockey League playing minutes to forwards Paul Byron, Greg Nemisz, Roman Horak, defencemen Joe Piskula and Clay Wilson, and goalie Leland Irving.

"There's a statistic the AHL likes to use," Walter said.

Last season, 87 per cent of NHLers played at least a game in the AHL.

"We have a funny business. We want every player on our team to make the NHL. When a player like Krys Kolanos comes to Abbotsford and then gets a shot to play for the Calgary Flames, you're obviously very excited.

"But that's why we're there." A Calgary Hitmen-sized crowd of almost 8,500 showed up for last year's game between the Flames and Edmonton Oilers farmhands that preceded the events of the NHL's Heritage Classic weekend.

Heading into Thursday's action, Oklahoma was leading the Western Conference with a 29-11-2-3 record while Abbotsford was fifth (25-16-3-0). So next Thursday's clash figures to have some bearing on the standings.

"They have snuck about nine or 10 points ahead of us now, but we've been very competitive," Walter said. "It gives Calgary a view of the future. If you're a Calgary Flames fan, you should want to get to know some of these stars.

"I would really encourage people to make it the Baby Battle of Alberta. I think it's going to be a great game."

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Game within a game

By Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun

February 3, 2012

THREE STARS

P Dan Cleary, Red Wings. One goal, one assist, six shots on goal.

PP Brad Stuart, Red Wings. Two assists, three shots, seven hits.

PPP Roberto Luongo, Canucks. Made 40 saves in regulation and OT to earn team a point. Too bad about the shootout, though.

PIVOTAL POINT

With the Canucks appearing headed for a regulation loss, Mason Raymond flung a shot at Jimmy Howard and it pinballed off Brad Stuart for the game-tying goal at 15: 36 of the third period.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Red Wings directed an awesome 78 shots at Roberto Luongo through 65 minutes - 43 reaching him, 16 missing and 16 were blocked. The Canucks directed 44 at Jimmy Howard ... Ex-Canuck and current Wing winger Todd Bertuzzi celebrated his 37th birthday Tuesday. He entered the game needing one goal for 300 in his career and left it still needing one goal ... The Canucks finished their six-game homestand at 3-1-2 with four of the games going to either over-time or a shootout.

RAVE FOR ROOKIE

As expected, Canuck centre Cody Hodgson was named NHL rookie of the month for January. The 21-year-old collected six goals (two game-winning goals, two game-tying goals) in 11 games. "There's a great number of rookies in this league and it feels nice to be recognized by the NHL," Hodgson said. " I think I am a beneficiary of the way our team has been playing." February didn't begin as well as Hodgson was minus-2 and had no shots on goal against the Wings.

SCOUTS HONOUR

Ex-Canuck GM Dave Nonis, now Brian Burke's lieutenant with the Leafs, and Washington Capitals' GM George McPhee were in the house Thursday taking in the game. They were in Kelowna the night before at the Top Prospects game. "Nothing sinister," said Nonis.

MR. HOCKEY IN THE HOUSE

Living legend Gordie Howe, 83, received a standing ovation when he was introduced to the Rogers Arena crowd during a second-period TV timeout. Vancouver Giants majority owner Ron Toigo probably loved it, too, as Gordie was wearing a Giants' bomber jacket. (Howe is a minority owner of the WHL team.)

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Howe not afflicted with dementia: son

Marty says blog rumours created 'living hell'

By Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun

February 3, 2012

ARLEN REDEKO

Gordie Howe pretends to give Michael Bublé the elbow while showing off the jerseys the Vancouver Giants will be wearing tonight (7: 30 p.m., Pacific Coliseum) to honour Mr. Hockey.

Photograph by: Arlen Redekop, PNG, Vancouver Sun

Marty Howe wants to make something perfectly clear: his dad Gordie, Mr. Hockey, is not suffering from dementia, the same disease that led to the death of his mother Colleen.

"It's really not dementia," said Marty, responding to a pair of stories published Thursday about Gordie's memory loss and difficulty in speaking at times.

"I just want to clear that up. He's not as well as he could be, but he's still doing fine. It's been going on for eight to 10 years, but if it was actually dementia, he'd probably be dead already. That's just the way the disease works. That's one of the things that definitely rules it out.

"It's not that something might happen later but, right now, he definitely doesn't have it and hopefully he never does," Marty continued. "Someone was blogging it to everybody and it made my life a living hell today. So to just try and clear it up, Gordie is going to be with us a long time and he's still going to be able to function."

What Gordie, 83, does have is something termed "mild cognitive impairment." It often leads to some confusion and fatigue later in the day and it's also led the Howe children to put a moratorium on their dad's public speaking.

Mr. Hockey doesn't do media scrums anymore but he certainly had no trouble schmoozing with the WHL's Vancouver Giants and their ownership group, crooner Michael Bublé among them, at a function Thursday to promote tonight's Gordie Howe Night at Pacific Coliseum. The Giants will wear special red and white "Gordie Howe-Mr. Hockey" jerseys for the game against the Kamloops Blazers.

"Gordie actually loves doing these things," Marty Howe said. "Ron Toigo and the Giants are so good to him. He still does 55-60 appearances a year with the travel and everything that goes on.

"He loves fishing, but it's not the same thing. It doesn't build up his spirits and, when he comes to these things, he puts his game face on. So we book him to everything we possibly can and he enjoys every minute."

The Giants, of course, love having Gordie. He is a minority owner in the club and he has been regularly feted each sea-son for the past 10 years.

"We're really proud to be able to do this," said Buble, a passionate hockey fan. "It's so cool to see the reaction to Gordie from all over the city. I love Gordie and I feel really fortunate I got to know him. He's got a great sense of humour. I've done a few photos with him where he's pulled down my shirt and given me an elbow to the head. I think I've taken his left elbow a few times."

Buble has had Gordie and family to some of his concerts in the Detroit area and always makes a point of acknowledging Mr. Hockey to his audience.

"Every show that I've done there, I've introduced him and it's pretty amazing to see 14,000 people on their feet for five minutes going absolutely nuts," Buble said, almost tearing up. "It's actually been really emotional when we were there those times."

Buble didn't receive one of Gordie's mock elbows on Thursday, but Giants forward Jordan Martinook did during a photo op. He was thrilled.

"I'm just glad he didn't hit me with it," quipped Martinook, 19.

"It was pretty cool, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I'll never forget. I'll be telling my parents and everybody about it. Hearing from my dad and my grandparents and stuff, you always knew what Gordie brought to the game."

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There's just no stopping Mr. Hockey

He's scaling back media interviews but still loves meeting fans, says son

By Steve Ewen, The Province

February 3, 2012

Vancouver Giants owner Ron Toigo says Gordie Howe (above) is enjoying life again.

Photograph by: Getty Images File, The Province

Gordie Howe's son says Vancouver Giants owner Ron Toigo treats Mr. Hockey "like he's his father."

Toigo says he thinks the legendary right winger is as content as he's been since his wife Colleen died in 2009.

That's a positive spin on proceedings, especially in light of reports Thursday that Howe, 83, is beginning to feel the affects of memory loss.

Howe was at the Pacific Coliseum Thursday afternoon to promote his appearance at tonight's game between the Giants and Kamloops Blazers (7: 30 p.m., AM 650). One-hundred fans will get to meet Howe at the game, while the Giants will wear special jerseys honouring him.

Thursday, Howe had a tussle rink-side with crooner Michael Buble, a fellow minority owner of the Giants. He made like he was going to invade a television interview with Vancouver sniper Brendan Gallagher. He showed off a Stanley Cup ring.

He didn't speak to the media, though, which is something he has been doing in Vancouver, where they hold a special night in his honour every season.

Marty Howe, who was running point for his dad, says that will become the norm.

"He definitely has a loss of words, and he has his good days and his bad days," said Marty, 57.

"We just stopped the interviews to make it easier on him. He gets very nervous about doing anything on TV. It used to be a piece of cake for him, but rather than put him through that at his age and give it more pressure than it needs, we wanted to cut it out. We wanted one less problem.

"Gordie is doing fine. He does 55-60 appearances a year still, with the travel and everything that goes on. He's probably healthier than I am on a treadmill. His pulse never gets over 60. The man's a horse still.

"It's just as far as doing things like this [media scrum], it's hard on him now and he'd rather not do it, so we don't have to do it."

It doesn't sound like they'll be cut-ting down the public appearances anytime soon, either.

"He'd probably be dead now if he couldn't do these type of things," said Marty. "He loves to be out in the public.

"He loves getting out and meeting and talking to the people, and people love him so much because they can tell he's genuine about what he's doing."

Toigo met Gordie Howe years ago though a mutual friend, and they've remained close. Marty said the Howes will stay at Toigo's mom's house on trips here and "we get to raid the kitchen and use the laundry machine - it's way better than a hotel."

A Howe contingent also comes up in the summer to go fishing with a Toigo crew.

Toigo said he believes Gordie Howe has put some weight back on and is enjoying himself now that he's gone from living by himself to split-ting time between the residences of Marty, who lives in Hartford, Conn., and youngest son Murray, who lives in Sylvania, Ohio.

"He has medical issues," said Toigo. "But hopefully it stays mild."

There were reports Thursday that Howe had begun to feel the effects of dementia, the condition that killed Colleen.

Marty Howe said that was "blown way out of proportion.

"It made my life a living hell today," he added. "Just to try to clear it up, he's going to be with us a long time and he's still going to be able to function. He has some memory loss and he definitely has a loss of words. Most of it comes at night or when he's tired.

"I've been getting sympathy notes and all kind of remedy things all day long from people who think he's going to die tomorrow. He's not. Not that it couldn't happen in a car accident or something - but Gordie's doing fine."

Marty Howe denied it was dementia his father was suffering from, but admitted "it may turn into it."

According to a medical dictionary, dementia is "a loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with nor-mal activities of daily living, lasting more than six months, not present since birth, and not associated with a loss or alteration of consciousness."

"If it was actually dementia, he'd be dead already," said Marty Howe. "It's just the way the disease works.

"Right now, he doesn't have it. Hopefully, he never does."

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The van provies nightly awards

By Jim Jamieson, The Province

February 3, 2012

BEST PREDICTABLE PENALTY

At 19: 19 of the first period, Canucks' Ryan Kesler breaks his stick over Detroit defenceman Niklas Kronwall and gets a cross-checking minor. Attempted payback? Kronwall's body check on Kesler the last time these teams played, in December, resulted in Kesler attempting to fight the Red Wings D-man (to no avail).

BEST STANDING 'O'

Hockey legend Gordie Howe was recognized during a stoppage in play during the second period and the crowd at Rogers Arena responded with a well-deserved standing ovation for the former Red Wings icon. Howe, a co-owner of the Vancouver Giants, is in town for a special night in his honour on Friday at the Giants' home game against Kamloops. The WHL club will unveil a special Gordie Howe Mr. Hockey jersey.

BEST SHOT DISCREPANCY

With 9: 12 left in the first period, the Red Wings had 11 shots on goal and the Canucks had one. Ouch.

BEST AWARD

Centre Cody Hodgson was named NHL rookie of the month for January earlier in the day.

Hodgson, 21, led all rookies in scoring with 10 points (six goals, four assists) in11 games. He also led the Canucks in scoring in January, the closest Vancouver players being Daniel Sedin at 5-3-8 and Alex Edler (1-7-8) in the same number of games.

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Yzerman likes AHL as option

News Services

February 3, 2012 3:08 AM

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman thinks there should be more options as to where NHL teams can place their prospects.

Yzerman believes players with three seasons of junior experience should be allowed to play in the American Hockey League. As it stands, junior-aged players can play only in the Canadian Hockey League or in the NHL.

"We talk about it all the time," Yzer-man said. "We would like to have, particularly guys who have played three years in junior, that when we feel it's time to go to another level, we'd rather see them in the American League."

The Lightning faced this dilemma this season with Brett Connolly. They decided to keep the rookie forward in the NHL, but have cut his ice time significantly in recent weeks. They don't have the option of sending him to the AHL.

"I'd like to see us talk further about it," Yzerman said. "We're not trying to raid junior hockey, but we look at Brett, he's played in junior hockey for three years. Part of the reason we wanted to keep him is we felt like it was time to play against stronger competition and a higher pace. Junior hockey is good, but he's had three full years."

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Royals ready for tough tasks ahead

By Cleve Dheensaw, Times Colonist

February 3, 2012

GAME DAY:

VICTORIA VS. SPOKANE

7 p.m. at Spokane Arena

Radio: The Zone 91.3

TV: None

The Victoria Royals are not underestimating the magnitude of the task that awaits them tonight and Saturday during a Western Hockey League swing through eastern Washington state.

After all, how could they?

The Royals are only 17-30-5 and among the bottom four teams in the Western Conference scrambling for the final two playoff berths with only six points separating the lowly quartet.

This weekend's opponents belong to another world.

Tonight's foe, the Spokane Chiefs, are 28-15-7 and firmly entrenched in a playoff position by 24 points.

On Saturday, it gets even tougher. The Tri-City Americans are 35-12-2, ranked No. 5 in the BMO MasterCard CHL top 10 poll of all major junior teams in North America, and a whopping 37 points clear of a playoff berth.

"It [weekend road swing] is going to be tough, no doubt," said Victoria GM and head coach Marc Habscheid.

"We've got to find a way. We are going there to win, not participate. We played well recently against Kamloops [36-11-4 and ranked No. 2 in the CHL top 10], which is a club right up there with these teams."

At least Habscheid has the Minnesota Meteor, forward Ben Walker, in his corner. The rookie from Edina in suburban Minneapolis was named by the Royals on Thursday as their player of the month for January with eight points in 11 games.

Walker's start in February wasn't bad, either, as he scored twice and assisted on another goal in Wednesday's 5-1 victory over the Prince George Cougars at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. And on a team with the worst defensive record in the league, where a plusrating is a rare commodity, Walker leads the club at plus-3. In fact, he's the only player on the Royals with a plus rating.

Habscheid said Walker is getting more comfortable with the major-junior brand in his 26 games (six goals, 20 points) since leaving Minnesota high school hockey earlier this season to join the Royals.

Although employing his blinding speed to great advantage, Walker has also shown a willingness to stand his ground in front of the net and knock home some greasy goals.

"I'm just trying to get to where the better spots are to score," said the 18-year-old, who despite his short tenure with the Royals, is likely to have garnered some notice from pro scouts.

Yet, Walker is under no illusions this weekend as he crosses the border back into his home country. He knows the challenge the Chiefs and Americans present.

"We're going to have to bring our 'A' game," he said.

Another Royals forward showing signs of stirring is Steven Hodges, the fleet five-foot-11 centre, who has been strangely quiet much of this season despite being rated No. 55 among North American skaters in Central Scouting's mid-season rankings for the 2012 NHL draft.

"Every game is a crunch game for us now," said the Delta native, who has 15 goals and 33 points but a minus-19 rating in 52 games.

"We have to play each game like it's a playoff game."

Did somebody mention playoffs?

For the Royals, they may have already effectively begun.

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