Robson Resigns as Canes' Assistant G.M.

Breaking News........

Brad Robson has resigned his positions as Assistant Hurricanes General Manager and Director of Scouting effectively immediately. I spoke with Robson late this afternoon and he confirmed this is indeed the case. He is also pulling his name out of the running for the vacant G.M. job with the hockey club. As for the reasons, Robson told me the board of directors has taken too long to make a decision on this position and therefore he's decided to step aside effective now from all his duties.

Earlier today, before I found out the information regarding Robson, I spoke with Team President Bryan McNaughton who told me a new G.M. likely wouldn't be announced until early next week. He says the board held a meeting Thursday to discuss the hiring and that more follow-up is needed in regards to the candidates. He says the board has deliberated on this and the hiring committee hopes to have a recommendation for the board this weekend, with an announcement next week.

In a news release late Friday, Canes' Governor Herman Elfring stated, "The Board of Directors and the organization was unable to finalize a decision this week and though professional protocol does not allow us to reveal details, deliberation will continue. We are still on schedule with our original deadline of June 29th" said Elfring "We are dedicated to completing this process and hope that this news will not distract from larger events next week such as the WHL scheduling meetings and the NHL Entry Draft."

With Robson's name now out of mix, the pool of potential candidates has to be seriously thinned out by now. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out over the weekend and into next week.

Thanks,
Pat

Enmax Renos Means Less Seat Availability

I had a chance to talk with Ashely Matthews today, the General Manager at the Enmax Centre.

I was told a few weeks ago by a friend that he heard a number of seats will be lost during the construction at the Enmax Centre and after speaking with Matthews I confirmed that very thing. Matthews says because of Fire Code and safety regulations, capacity during Hurricanes games as well as concerts will be reduced by 1000 seats. He notes a number of exits are being changed around at the Enmax and they have no other alternative but to go this route, simply because of safety issues. Matthews also told me a number of Fire Marshals and being brought in and trained and will be at every Enmax event to watch over things and help out in the event of an emergency.

I suppose this is some short term pain for long term gain. Most people knew there was going to be and had to be disruptions during the renos. Matthews informed me those 1000 seats will be lost for the entire two year construction period, but they'll all be back once the building renos are finished.

Construction will likely start in about a week and half to two weeks from now. As I said on this blog a few months back, because of the construction, the Hurricanes will have to start this upcoming season on the road for 3 to 4 weeks and won't be able to get into the Enmax Centre until around the 10th of October, maybe later. The Canes' camp will take place at another rink in Lethbridge.

Thanks,
Pat

WHL Wraps Up Annual Meeting

Calgary, AB -- The Western Hockey League concluded its Annual Meeting yesterday in Vancouver by announcing a decision has been made to maintain the current conference playoff format that has been in place for the past two seasons. The WHL Board of Governors agreed that the conference playoff format will remain in place for the next five years, through the 2013-14 season. Prior to adopting the conference format in 2007-08, the WHL first round of playoffs were based on divisional match-ups as opposed to conference seeding.

The WHL Board of Governors also agreed to adopt video replay during the regular season and playoffs commencing with the 2009-10 season. The WHL introduced video replay for the first time during the 2009 WHL Playoffs.

The WHL also announced it will be expanding its officiating development program to include video training centres for referees and additional linesmen training camps throughout Western Canada.

The WHL also adopted a new player recruitment strategy which will include the hiring of a Director of Player Recruitment who will focus on promoting the WHL Scholarship program and the overall benefits of playing in the WHL to top prospects in Western Canada and the United States.

The WHL has also adopted a new facility standard in which all WHL franchises will work toward installing in venue video display boards by the 2011-12 hockey season to further enhance the fan experience.

The WHL also announced that through the support of the WHL Alumni Association and its corporate sponsors the League will be introducing a series of new online post secondary education initiatives commencing with the 2009-10 season. These new initiatives will improve the access players will have to University courses while playing in the WHL.

“This year’s WHL Annual Meeting was very productive in that we have a clear consensus on the direction we are heading in many key areas within the League,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, “The new initiatives we have adopted will allow us to enhance awareness of our education program and expand our commitment to development for the players and officials.”