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Articles by Rod Pedersen
10 WHL Things: Canes Pull The Trigger
By Glen Erickson We’re past the quarter pole in the 2024-2025 Western Hockey League schedule and there’s plenty to ruminate about these days. 1 – Monster Deal – If there’s one thing for certain I’ve learned over the years covering the WHL, it’s Peter Anholt is not shy about rolling up his sleeves.
Official: Elks Name Mark Kilam Head Coach
EDMONTON – The good news keeps coming for the Green and Gold, as Mark Kilam has selected Edmonton as the next stop on his coaching journey. Kilam is the new Head Coach of the Edmonton Elks, the Club announced Monday morning. He will be unveiled later today at Commonwealth Stadium, taking over as the 25th head coach in franchise history.
Monday Commentary: Always Fresh
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) Is it just me, or did that seem like a particularly wild weekend? What’s generating the most buzz in my circles is the College Football shenanigans where postgame, onfield skirmishes and melees are costing some teams some money.
On Football: Hits On The Quarterback
On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFLfrom week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here. ___ No one wants to see any player take a vicious hit like the one that knocked Trevor Lawrence out of the game. It’s easy to agree on that point. Eliminating violent shots is the hard part.
Kilam To The Elks
Don’t be fooled – RodPedersen.com was the first to report the CFL’s Edmonton Elks have hired Mark Kilam as their new head coach, with an announcement expected on Monday. Multiple sources indicated on Saturday afternoon that Kilam – who’d been with the Calgary Stampeders since 2005 – has agreed to join the Elks under “new” General Manager Ed Hervey. Kilam was part of a purge from the Stampeders last month under Head Coach & GM Dave Dickenson. However it didn’t take long for him to land on his feet.
Stackhouse’s 10 Weekend Things
1 – QB MUSICAL CHAIRS – Quarterbacks are coming off the board quickly in the CFL and the Saskatchewan Roughriders are left with minimal options after Vernon Adams got dealt to Calgary and Davis Alexander re-upped with Montreal. One would assume Cody Fajardo is not in play for the Riders after the way he was treated here. He’d have to be an incredible sucker for punishment to come back.
Saturday Florida NHL Round-Up
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Spencer Knight made 20 saves, Mackie Samoskevich scored with less than a second left in the second period, and the Florida Panthers got four goals in the third to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-0 on Saturday and complete a two-day sweep. Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Evan Rodrigues and Adam Boqvist also scored for Florida, which won 6-3 at Carolina on Friday.
Scruffy’s This N That
1 – RIDER FREE AGENTS: The CFL has released what players will become free agents in February. Jeremy O’Day and crew have to look at 32 players, which is more than any other team, and decide if they want to try and have them continue their CFL careers in Saskatchewan or let them go somewhere else.
Friday Round-Up: Big Third Lifts Panthers To Win At Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A.J. Greer and Anton Lundell scored 4:10 apart in the third period helping the Florida Panthers recover after squandering a two-goal lead to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Friday. Lundell, who also had an assist, notched the Panthers’ league-leading seventh short-handed goal this season. A nine-game home-ice winning streak ended for the Hurricanes.
Week 13 NFL Picks 2024
Week 13 features only three games between two teams with winning records. All three matchups are on Sunday. Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry square off when the streaking Philadelphia Eagles (9-2) take on the Baltimore Ravens (8-4) in a potential Super Bowl preview. Barkley leads the NFL with 1,392 yards rushing and Henry is next at 1,325. The Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) visit the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) in a matchup between first-year coaches who’ve turned their teams around.
Friday Commentary: The Lessons
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) A coupla three or more so entering the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend … #1 – There were no surprises in the NFL’s Turkey Day tripleheader. The Lions got past the Bears – although we’ll be discussing the coaching gaffe by Chicago at the end of the game on today’s RP Show – the Cowboys smoked the Giants and the Packers easily dismantled the Dolphins.
Davis Alexander Era Begins In Montreal
MONTREAL – There’s a saying in professional sports that head coaches want to win now, while general managers think about the future. By choosing quarterback Davis Alexander over Cody Fajardo as the Montreal Alouettes starter, GM Danny Maciocia believes he’s killing two birds with one stone. “I have to take care of the present but also the future,” Maciocia said Thursday during a news conference at Olympic Stadium.
PANTHERS LOCK UP FORSLING, GADJOVICH
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Gustav Forsling came to the Florida Panthers four years ago simply looking for a chance. He earned a whole lot more. Forsling — the NHL’s leader in plus-minus this season by a wide margin — and the Panthers have agreed to an eight-year extension, the team announced Thursday. He was slated to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, with this season the last he had on a three-year, $8 million deal.
LARRY DEAN RETIRING, JOINING SASK’S FRONT OFFICE
Larry Dean is transitioning from the football field to the front office. The veteran linebacker retired Thursday after seven CFL seasons. But Dean will be remaining with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as the club’s player-personnel co-ordinator. Dean, 35, is currently participating in the CFL mentorship program. The joint venture between the league and CFL Players’ Association is in its third season and provides education about pro football off the field.
COMMENTARY: CREATURES OF HABIT
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) They’re creatures of habit, those hockey guys. Unless you’re living under a rock this week, you know it’s NHL Trade Deadline time and this year’s deadline is Friday afternoon.
THURSDAY SPORTS PAGE: PLAYOFF BOUND!
REGINA – Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen was a playoff early bird at the Montana’s Brier on Wednesday. Not only did the host province grab the first of six playoff berths with a day of pool play remaining, McEwen (6-1) secured the top seed in Pool B with a 9-3 win over Nunavut’s Shane Latimer on Wednesday evening. The top three teams in each pool of nine advance to Friday’s round of six, from which Saturday’s four Page playoff teams emerge.
CFL, CFLPA OFFERING SUCCESSFUL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
TORONTO – He still considers himself a player but Aaron Grymes is preparing for life after football. Grymes, 33, is participating in the CFL mentorship program this week. The joint venture between the league and CFL Players’ Association is in its third season and provides education about pro football off the field. For example, Grymes and the other participants were scheduled to spend time Wednesday at TSN, the league’s broadcast partner.
COMMENTARY: THE KISS OF DEATH
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) Today it’s a lesson in expectations. The Florida Panthers won 5-2 at New Jersey Tuesday night for their sixth straight win. They’re the #1 team in the NHL right now and it was an historic night. Defenceman Aaron Ekblad became the franchise’s all-time assist leader, and the Panthers now lead the NHL in road wins too. Cue the parade.
WEDNESDAY SPORTS PAGE
REGINA – Tyler Smith was not yet born when a Prince Edward Island team last reached the playoffs at the Canadian men’s curling championship. Smith, born in 1998, has led P.E.I. to a 4-1 start at the 2024 Montana’s Brier in the Brandt Centre. While there are still tough opponents ahead, including Wednesday’s clash with defending champion Brad Gushue, Smith’s Crapaud Curling Club foursome has turned heads in Regina.
HEAR THAT? SIX STRAIGHT WINS
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The Florida Panthers just keep rolling along. Nick Cousins had two goals and Florida beat New Jersey 5-3 on Tuesday night for its sixth straight win, spoiling the debut of interim Devils coach Travis Green. Eetu Luostarinen, Evan Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart also scored as the Panthers won for the 12th time in 13 games. They also played Monday night, posting a 4-2 victory at the Rangers. Florida leads the NHL with 43 wins and 90 points. It is 25-4-2 since Dec. 23.
ARGONAUTS ADD COACH DREW TATE
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts added Drew Tate to their coaching staff Tuesday as an offensive assistant. Tate, a former CFL quarterback, spent last season coaching receivers with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Tate began his coaching career in 2018 at Coastal Carolina before serving as the B.C. Lions quarterback coach in 2019. Between 2020 and 2022, Tate coached in the Spring League as well as at the University of Tennessee at Martin and Northern Iowa.
COMMENTARY: THE GOOD, THE GREAT & THE UGLY
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) It’s Tuesday and time for another edition of the Good, the Great & the Ugly: First the good: After a two-week break, the NFL is back to business and there were two significant announcements on Monday – Jason Kelce is retiring in Philadelphia after 13 seasons as a Hall of Fame center. Next stop, Canton. And in Denver, the Broncos announced they’re moving on from franchise quarterback Russell Wilson.
TUESDAY SPORTS PAGE
MONTANA’S BRIER Jamie Koe of the Northwest Territories rocked Shane Latimer’s winless Nunavut squad 9-2 in eight ends Monday night to move into first place in Pool B at the Canadian men’s curling championship in Regina with a 4-and-1 record. Koe is followed by Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen — who lost 7-4 to Matthew Manuel of Novia Scotia — and Tyler Smith of PEI, who knocked off Aaron Sluchinski of Alberta 8-5. Both McEwen and Smith are 3-and-1.
GARDEN PARTY: PANTHERS 4 RANGERS 2
NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Lomberg scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, Sam Reinhart scored twice and the Florida Panthers beat the New York Rangers 4-2 on Monday night in a matchup of first-place teams. Anton Lundell also scored, Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling each had two assists as the Panthers won their fifth straight and 11th in the last 12 games. Florida leads the NHL with 42 wins and 88 points.
COMMENTARY: OKAY BLUE JAYS
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) Stroke another item off the old Bucket List! On Sunday we made the journey over to the Gulf Coast to watch the Toronto Blue Jays square off against the Boston Red Sox in Ft. Myers, FL, the spring training home of the Red Sox. Watching the Jays in grapefruit league play is something I’ve wanted to do for a lifetime. And on this Sunday it was “sort of” watching the Blue Jays.
MONDAY SPORTS: BRIER RACE HEATING UP
REGINA – Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen, Alberta’s Brendan Bottcher and Manitoba’s Reid Carruthers emerged from the Canadian men’s curling championship’s opening weekend as front-runners. Those three are 3-0 heading into Monday’s action at the Montana’s Brier in Regina. McEwen’s 3-0 start includes wins over four-time champion Kevin Koe and five-time winner Brad Gushue. “I think it shows what we’re capable of,” McEwen said after Sunday’s 6-5 win over Koe. “We can definitely hang with these teams.
10 WEEKEND THINGS
Taking shots … 1 – THE BUZZ: Spent the week, like all the rest, around football and hockey people. Grateful for this life! The gridiron guys come from the pro, college and high school ranks – and some agents – and they’re all at the end of their rope. In an article regarding the NFL Combine in Indy this weekend, this new breed of players was referred to as “the opt-out generation”. The Transfer Portal has caused chaos in the game, and in general, no longer is a deal a deal.
SUNDAY SPORTS: SASK 2-0 AT BRIER, REAVES-REMPE FIGHT HAPPENS
REGINA – Ontario’s Scott Howard threw a walk-off double takeout for the first Brier win of his career as a skip in Saturday action at Regina’s Brandt Centre at the Canadian Mens Curling Championship. The son of four-time Canadian and world champion Glenn skimmed a guard and made the double to score three for a 7-5 win over B.C.’s Catlin Schneider.
SATURDAY FLORIDA HOCKEY ROUND-UP: LIGHTNING, PANTHERS BOTH WIN
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Victor Hedman scored in the sixth round of the shootout and the Tampa Bay Lightning stopped a four-game home losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. The Lightning won the shootout 2-1 to tie Detroit for the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot. The Red Wings have two games at hand, “Two points is the most important thing in a game like this,” Hedman said.
SATURDAY SPORTS: OPENING NIGHT DRAMA AT THE MONTANA’S BRIER
REGINA – Host Saskatchewan eked out a tense win and defending champion Brad Gushue won a game that included an unpleasant interaction with a spectator to open the Canadian men’s curling championship Friday. Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen fought off a persistent Prince Edward Island team skipped by Tyler Smith to win 7-6, while Gushue prevailed 7-4 over Nova Scotia’s Matthew Manuel.
ASSINIBOIA LANDS 2025 MIXED NATIONALS
One of Curling Canada’s most popular national championship events is headed back to Saskatchewan. The 2025 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship will take place Nov. 2-8 at the Assiniboia Curling Club, it was announced today by Curling Canada. “The Canadian four-player mixed championship always is an event to remember and we’re excited to see how Assiniboia will embrace it in 2025,” said Nolan Thiessen, Chief Executive Officer of Curling Canada.
SCRUFFY’S THIS ‘N THAT
1 – OOPS! It’s not as bad as the Experience Regina fiasco, but there are some people within the Saskatchewan Roughriders organization who should be embarrassed after what was just a braindead promotion. The team that saluted all of its female staff in a recent article on their website basically slapped all of those staff across the face with just an insulting email campaign towards women and to be honest some men as well since body shaming was involved.
COMMENTARY: HOCKEY SHOOTOUTS & THE CHIEFS SUCK
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) A coupla thoughts headed into the weekend: #1 – I know the vast majority of hockey fans are against the shootout being used to decide games but I’ve always been a fan of it. And with the advent of 3-on-3 overtime, the number of shootouts we see has gone wayyyyy down meaning when we get ‘em, they’re special.
111TH GREY CUP PLANS UNVEILED
VANCOUVER – From a zip line between Vancouver’s convention centres to replica mini CFL fields, a slate of sponsors and events for the upcoming 2024 Grey Cup were unveiled on Thursday. The CFL awarded the 2024 Grey Cup game to Vancouver after both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and B.C. Lions had bid to host that contest. “Vancouverites are incredibly excited to host the Grey Cup this year,” said mayor Ken Sim.
COMMENTARY: OOPS … THEY DID IT AGAIN
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) Nothing more than random thoughts on today’s commentary: #1 – I opened my phone today to see the Saskatchewan Roughriders are national news for having to apologize for a failed marketing campaign regarding “Girl Math”. My first thought? At least 20 years ago when the team was bad on the field, at least the marketing department was winning awards off of it. (Remember ‘Canada’s Team’ and the Melonhead campaign?
THURSDAY SPORTS PAGE: NHL, WHL, CFL, MLB, NFL & MORE
NHL OILERS 3 BLUES 2 OT EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid scored 4:34 into overtime and also had two assists to rally the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night. Zach Hyman scored twice to give him 40 for the season as Edmonton won its second straight. Stuart Skinner finished with 30 saves.
ROUGHRIDERS APOLOGIZE FOR AD CAMPAIGN
REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders apologized Wednesday for issuing an email to season-ticket holders that resulted in a backlash from fans. In the email to season-ticket holders entitled, “Girl Math is When Cheaper Tickets = Free Drinks!”, the marketing campaign featured an ad that in part read, “Proficient in girl math it’s basically free.” It also includes the phrases, “Literally the best excuse for cute matching outfits,” and “Take the stairs.
CFL ISSUES STATEMENT ON TORONTO QUARTERBACK CHAD KELLY
The Canadian Football League (CFL) has released the following statement regarding the allegations surrounding the Toronto Argonauts and Chad Kelly: The CFL is committed to creating healthy and positive working and playing environments for all those associated with the league and its member clubs. We take the allegations against the Toronto Argonauts and Mr. Kelly very seriously and we have opened an investigation in accordance with the league’s Gender-based Violence Policy.
FLAMES DEAL TANEV TO STARS
Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames announced Wednesday that they have acquired defenseman Artem Grushnikov along with a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from Dallas in exchange for Chris Tanev in a three-way deal involving New Jersey. Calgary will retain fifty percent of Chris Tanev’s salary.
LIONS, CFL MOURN THE PASSING OF CRAIG ROH
The BC Lions organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former defensive lineman Craig Roh. The club has issued the following statement: “Craig was a consummate professional who always battled hard for his teammates. His dedication to representing the BC Lions and helping others was also evident during the many hours he put into our team’s school programs.
WEDNESDAY COMMENTARY: GOOD, GREAT & UGLY
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) It’s time for this week’s edition of the Good, the Great & the Ugly! First the good: The Blue Jays are back and that’s always good. They are 1-3 in spring training here in Florida, but I know we’re not supposed to put any stock in preseason results. According to preseason Power Rankings I’ve seen, they’re ranked #10 in all of Major League Baseball.
WEDNESDAY SPORTS: HOCKEY ROUND-UP, MLB, NFL NOTEBOOKS
NHL SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk scored a goal and had an assist in his return from injury and the Florida Panthers defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Tuesday night. Sam Bennett and Brandon Montour also scored for the Panthers while Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves. AVALANCHE 5, STARS 1 DENVER (AP) — Andrew Cogliano and Nathan MacKinnon scored 49 seconds apart, Alexandar Georgiev stopped 33 shots and Colorado cruised to a 5-1 win over Dallas.
BETTMAN ADDRESSES JETS SITUATION
WINNIPEG – NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says Winnipeg is a strong NHL market where “hockey matters,” and that he believes the attendance issues affecting the team will be resolved. Bettman spoke to reporters Tuesday before the Jets were scheduled to host the St. Louis Blues. The Jets have averaged the second fewest fans per game in the NHL this season, but Bettman says he doesn’t view the situation as a crisis.
COMMENTARY: THE KING
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) Just like a game-ending interception in overtime of a big playoff game, Peter King’s retirement announcement on Monday came down with a large, heavy thud. The dean of pro football writers in America announced in his popular Monday Morning Quarterback column that this week’s edition would be his last.
BETTMAN COMING TO WINNIPEG
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is visiting Winnipeg to watch Tuesday’s Jets game against the St. Louis Blues. He’s holding a press conference with local media two hours before the game, when he’s expected to talk about the Jets’ decreasing season-ticket numbers and address the club’s future viability. Bettman will then go to ice level and talk to fans, as well as answer some of their questions submitted ahead of time. (Canadian Press)
The Rod Pedersen Show
TORONTO – Canadian linebacker Henoc Muamba has called it a career. The 35-year-old made the announcement Sunday on his Instagram account. Muamba played in the CFL with Winnipeg (2011-13), Montreal (2015, 2018-19), Saskatchewan (2016-17) and Toronto (2021-23) while also spending time in the NFL with Indianapolis (2014-15) and Dallas (2016). “I’m forever grateful to God for endowing me with the skills and the ability to play football at a professional level,” Muamba wrote.
COMMENTARY: IDLE HANDS
(Listen daily for the RP Commentary on the All New Hits 98 CKHD & LTD Radio) The Monday commentary is meant to be a wrap of the sporting weekend and what a weekend it was … #1 – Jennifer Jones said a reluctant good-bye to womens curling Sunday night after falling 5-4 to Rachel Homan in the Scotties final in Calgary. Had she won, she’d have surpassed Colleen Jones with a record seventh Canadian womens curling championship but instead she’s walking away at age 49 with nothing left to prove.
MONDAY SPORTS: HOMAN CLAIMS SCOTTIES CROWN
SCOTTIES Rachel Homan of Ontario won the Canadian women’s curling championship with a dramatic 5-4 win over Jennifer Jones of Manitoba on Sunday night in Calgary. Homan and teammate Emma Miskew claimed the fourth Scotties Tournament of Hearts victories of their careers, but the first since 2017. Homan went undefeated in the tourney with an 11-and-oh record. Homan’s team will represent Canada at next month’s women’s world curling championship in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
10 WEEKEND THINGS
Completely random thoughts … #1 – THE GREAT 8: Alex Ovechkin’s 1,400th NHL game was not a memorable one. Saturday night in Sunrise, FL, Ovechkin was minus-1 and pointless in Washington’s 3-2 OT loss to the hometown Panthers. Fans of both the Caps and Cats were scrambling to get videos and photos of the 38-year old in warmup, fearing that this could be his last trip to South Florida.
SUNDAY SPORTS: HOMAN REACHES SCOTTIES FINAL
SCOTTIES Skip Rachel Homan and her Ottawa-based foursome are one win away from a Canadian women’s national curling championship. Homan, who has won 10 straight games in Calgary this week, defeated Manitoba veteran Jennifer Jones 6-4 in 11 ends on Saturday night. Homan plays the winner of Sunday’s all-Manitoba semifinal between Jones and Kate Cameron in Sunday night’s final.
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