Hey gang, I know I haven't posted in a while, I've been quite busy with work, sports, and social events, but since school is starting very soon, I'll be glued to my computer the majority of the time! Which means, more blogging! I can tell you are all shaking with excitement...anyway, here's a recap of what I've missed in local sports since I've been gone.
The Winnipeg Jets made some good moves during the offseason, and amid great frustration that they didn't do anything during the free agent period, but I'm happy to say that Kevin Chevaldayoff made some pretty good moves.
Along with re-signing the core of Wheeler, Little, and Bogosian, they also re-signed tough guy Anthony Peluso, and young d-men Paul Postma, and Zach Redmond. Kevin Chevaldayoff and the Winnipeg Jets have one thing in mind when developing this team, they want to build from within, and that begins with a strong core.
Aside from signing the core, strengthening the right side was the priority for Chevy. And he did just that. Trading draft picks was something that Chevy didn't want to do for so called "quick fixes". But in a change of heart he went out and traded draft picks for two quality right wingers that will be a certainly be a step up from the players they had last year. The first is Micheal Frolik. The Czech winger is coming off a good season, and a better playoff with the Chicago Blackhawks where he won a Stanley Cup. Although his role with the stacked Hawks was limited, he will play a much larger role with the Jets. Similar to his time in Florida, Frolik will take a more offensive role with the Jets, filling 2nd or 3rd line duties, killing penalties, and even working on the power-play. I'm excited about this transaction, adding a guy who can play at both ends of the ice, and play on the 2nd or 3rd line will certainly be a step up from Antropov and Wellwood (no disrespect intended towards those gentlemen).
The second player that the Jets picked up was Devin Setoguchi from the Minnesota Wild. While he's never found that 31 goal form that he had with the Sharks, he's a big, fast winger who can put the puck in the net. The expectation is that he will be "the guy" to play with Evander Kane, and he certainly has the ability. Whether him, Frolik, or another player steps up remains to be seen. But the Jets won't go far without a solid second line. I still believe Olli Jokinen has good hockey left in him, and with Evander Kane the sky's the limit. Hopefully the Jets can piece it all together and make it to the playoffs.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in shambles, they are 1-5, they "fired" their GM before they even fired him, and their CEO "frosted tip" cool guy Garth Buchko was also relieved of his duties.
This is a team that is in bad shape, scratch that, they're in terrible shape, scratch that again, it's hard to tell what kind of shape their in because they are so mangled, and disorganized. I don't know what to make of this Wade Miller situation but some in the media seem to be pretty high on him, but if the Bombers don't start winning games, they'll find themselves the laughing stock of the league once again, new CEO or not.
Before I continue I just want to say that I love the Bombers, as bad as they may be, I'm a fan of them, and they are my team. But this whole year has been bad from the start. We commit to Buck, Mack, and Buchko, yet here we are. Two of those three men are gone, while buck has gone from starter to third string in a matter of days. They told us it was Goltz's team for the remainder of the season, well, he didn't play so well against the BC Lions. Now it's Max Hall's turn to take the reigns, maybe he'll be the Jesus type figure that the Bombers have been searching for! He could lead us to the promise land! But my guess is that we haven't seen the last of Buck Pierce this year.
They have yet to win at the stunning Investors Group Field this season, and if things continue this way, I'd be surprised if they sell-out another game this season.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes started off hot but cooled off significantly for a time. At one point the Fish were 9 games back of the wildcard spot in the American Association playoff race after being swept by Gary-Southshore at home earlier in the season. But the fish found a way to fight back, and now sit only 3 games back of the Gary-Southshore Railcats for the wildcard spot. In Iowa tonight, the Goldeyes took a 4-1 lead in the 5th inning of tonight's contest against the Sioux City Explorers, only to fall down 5-4 going into the ninth. But this never say die group of ball players scored twice in the top of the ninth, then Patrick Keating shut it down picking up his 16th save of the season.
The Goldeyes picked themselves up after being knocked down, and are very much back in the playoff picture. Like I said in an earlier post, Rick Forney finds the players, and they find ways to win.
One thing that'll help them tremendously is the return of veteran IF Yurendell deCaster, who's team in the Mexican league failed to make the playoffs. In 71 games with Acereros de Maclova deCaster hit .342 with 10 homers and 52 RBI in the Mexican League in 2013, and will join his cousin, fellow Goldeye Kevin Mosequit in Winnipeg. deCaster was part of the Goldeye's club that took home the American Association championship last season.
Goldeye's OF Fehlandt Lentini set the record for all time stolen bases in independent baseball. The record is a nice touch for a guy who has spent a large part of his career with the Goldeyes in three different stints. He's been a fan favorite since his introduction to the Peg in 2006, and the fact that he was able to achieve this milestone with the Goldeyes, is icing on the cake.
The last, and perhaps most intriguing development with the Fish this year is the season that Ryan Scoma is putting together. Scoma is currently batting .363, and hunting down the batting title. He remains in the top five and has 9 hits in his last 4 games. If he gets there, he would be the first Goldeye to win the batting title since Kevin West did it in 2005.
Well there you have it, I think I've caught up for the most part, here's to hoping the Bombers fight back, the Fish make the playoffs, and the Jets put together a "game changing" season and prove their nay-sayers wrong.
Cheers!
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