Monday, December 26, 2011
Another former AWHL Player makes it to the NHL
The Buffalo Sabres have called up Derek Whitmore from the AHL. He played for the Butte Irish of the old AWHL in 2001-2002.
Some other notables from the old AWHL to make it to the NHL are Former Billings Bulls goalie Chris Holt who played for the NY Rangers, Former Great Falls American Pat Dwyer who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes, and former Fernie Ghostrider goalie David LeNeveau who played for the Pheonix Coyotes.
Once again congratulations to Derek Whitmore on getting called up to the Buffalo Sabres!
Some other notables from the old AWHL to make it to the NHL are Former Billings Bulls goalie Chris Holt who played for the NY Rangers, Former Great Falls American Pat Dwyer who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes, and former Fernie Ghostrider goalie David LeNeveau who played for the Pheonix Coyotes.
Once again congratulations to Derek Whitmore on getting called up to the Buffalo Sabres!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Three Montana Wrestlers make it to Nationals
At the NCAA Wrestling Finals in Philadelphia there were 3 Montana wrestlers competing last weekend.
Trent Sprenkle from Billings competed for the ND State Bison and went 3-2, Vince Salminen also from Billings and from NDSU went 0-2, and Cole Dallasera from Butte competed for Wyoming and went 2-2.
Penn State won the team title with Cornell finishing 2nd and Iowa finishing 3rd.
Trent Sprenkle from Billings competed for the ND State Bison and went 3-2, Vince Salminen also from Billings and from NDSU went 0-2, and Cole Dallasera from Butte competed for Wyoming and went 2-2.
Penn State won the team title with Cornell finishing 2nd and Iowa finishing 3rd.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Former Billings Bull Goalie going to Nationals!
While the Billings Bulls season is over, Former goalie Eddie Fritz who was traded to El Paso of the Western States Hockey League is going to Nationals in April with his new team, the El Paso Rhinos.
The El Paso Rhinos won their playoff series two games to zero over the Boulder Bison and are moving on to the WSHL Championship series versus the Idaho Jr. Steelheads. Both teams will be going to Nationals!
A little closer to home, The Helena Bighorns and the Seattle Totems are playing in the Nor Pac league finals with both teams having already qualified for Nationals. Former Billings Bulls player Stormy Knight is a member of the Seattle Totems.
Best of luck to all these teams at Nationals in April!!
The El Paso Rhinos won their playoff series two games to zero over the Boulder Bison and are moving on to the WSHL Championship series versus the Idaho Jr. Steelheads. Both teams will be going to Nationals!
A little closer to home, The Helena Bighorns and the Seattle Totems are playing in the Nor Pac league finals with both teams having already qualified for Nationals. Former Billings Bulls player Stormy Knight is a member of the Seattle Totems.
Best of luck to all these teams at Nationals in April!!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Former Billings Bighorn is Boston Bruins Announcer
While enjoying a free preview weekend of NHL Center Ice on DISH Network I flipped to between periods coverage of the Boston Bruins VS New Jersey Devils game and the studio host was none other than former Boston Bruin/Billings Bighorn player Gord Kluzak.
Kind of neat to see a former player like that!
Kind of neat to see a former player like that!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Nor Pac Showcase
The Nor Pac hockey league just finished their inaugural showcase tournament here in Billings MT. Eighteen games in 3 days. The Eastern division went 16-2 versus the West. The attendence figures for the 3 Bulls games at the Metra were 505, 1382, and 1309. The Bulls beat Medford OR 10-2, then they beat Seattle 4-1, and then on the final day they lost to Puget Sound 5-2.
The league said they were pleased with how well the tournament was run and many people in Billings hope that it will be back here again next year.
The league said they were pleased with how well the tournament was run and many people in Billings hope that it will be back here again next year.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Two Billings Guys make Huge Leaps up in Hockey!!!
First off, Billings native and former Yellowstone (Cody, Wyo.) player Jake Doty has tried out for and made the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. The WHL is a Major Junior Canadien Hockey League that often times feeds NHL rosters down the road.
Speaking of the NHL, They have just announced the hiring of Billings native Bryan Pancich as a linesman for the 2009-10 season. Bryan was a linesman last season in the USHL -- A Tier 1 Major Junior American League.
Congrats to both Jake and Bryan!!!
Speaking of the NHL, They have just announced the hiring of Billings native Bryan Pancich as a linesman for the 2009-10 season. Bryan was a linesman last season in the USHL -- A Tier 1 Major Junior American League.
Congrats to both Jake and Bryan!!!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Billings Baseball Part 2
Updating my last post:
The Billings Scarlets lost their next game and finished the tourney 2-2. Not bad.
The Boulder Arrowhead Little League team went 3-2 for the tourney losing their last game 9-7 to Salem Oregon.
The Laurel Dodgers class A Legion team lost to Kennewick WA 7-6 in the Regional Final. They took 2nd place capping off a great season.
The Billings Scarlets lost their next game and finished the tourney 2-2. Not bad.
The Boulder Arrowhead Little League team went 3-2 for the tourney losing their last game 9-7 to Salem Oregon.
The Laurel Dodgers class A Legion team lost to Kennewick WA 7-6 in the Regional Final. They took 2nd place capping off a great season.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Billings Baseball 2009
Ussually when a Montana team makes it to a regioal tournament they pretty much go 0-2 and are done save for when we get to play Alaska then they go 1-2 and are done.
This year has definitely been an exception to the rule.
The Billings Scarlets American Legion team so far is 2-1 at their Regional Tourney in Oregon and looking to keep on winning and hopefully get a chance to make it to the Legion World Series see what happens with that. In the early sixties the Billings Royals took second in the Legion World Series led by Pitcher Dave McNally, losing to Louisiana in the championship game.
The Laurel Dodgers class B American Legion team are 2-0 in their regional and are hoping to continue their winning ways.
The Billings-Boulder Arrowhead boys little league team is also 2-0 in their regional and not only have a shot at the Little League World series in Williamsport PA but also have a shot at making it on ESPN2 for their regional final which even if they lose they still will have made it on to National TV.
Speaking of Dave McNally (who sadly passed away in 2002) his brother owns the Ford dealership here in Billings. The name of the business is Archie Cochrane Ford. Archie Cochrane was the brother of former major league catcher Mickey Cochrane, who played in the 1920's and 30's. Incidentally, Mickey Mantle is named after Mickey Cochrane. Wow, small world!!!
This year has definitely been an exception to the rule.
The Billings Scarlets American Legion team so far is 2-1 at their Regional Tourney in Oregon and looking to keep on winning and hopefully get a chance to make it to the Legion World Series see what happens with that. In the early sixties the Billings Royals took second in the Legion World Series led by Pitcher Dave McNally, losing to Louisiana in the championship game.
The Laurel Dodgers class B American Legion team are 2-0 in their regional and are hoping to continue their winning ways.
The Billings-Boulder Arrowhead boys little league team is also 2-0 in their regional and not only have a shot at the Little League World series in Williamsport PA but also have a shot at making it on ESPN2 for their regional final which even if they lose they still will have made it on to National TV.
Speaking of Dave McNally (who sadly passed away in 2002) his brother owns the Ford dealership here in Billings. The name of the business is Archie Cochrane Ford. Archie Cochrane was the brother of former major league catcher Mickey Cochrane, who played in the 1920's and 30's. Incidentally, Mickey Mantle is named after Mickey Cochrane. Wow, small world!!!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Pro Wrestling
The other night on ESPNClassic they had what appeared to be a bootleg video from the late 70's of Nick Bockwinkle and Ray the Crippler Stevens VS The Crusher and Dick The Bruiser in a cage match.
It appeared to be filmed by a fan from the front row. The Crusher and The Bruiser defeated Bockwinkle and Stevens and bloodied them up pretty good to boot. Also as an added bonus they beat up Bobby The Brain Heenen when he tried to interfere.
While this was fun to watch now, it would have been 'The absolutely, positively, coolest thing in the whole world' if I had gotten to see it Thirty years ago!
It appeared to be filmed by a fan from the front row. The Crusher and The Bruiser defeated Bockwinkle and Stevens and bloodied them up pretty good to boot. Also as an added bonus they beat up Bobby The Brain Heenen when he tried to interfere.
While this was fun to watch now, it would have been 'The absolutely, positively, coolest thing in the whole world' if I had gotten to see it Thirty years ago!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Billings Bulls to Host Nor-Pac Showcase
The Billings Bulls have announced that they are going to host a 3 Day 18 game league showcase January 7-9, 2010 at both the Metra and Centennial Ice Arenas.
All games count in the standings. The Nor-Pac Junior Hockey league has two divisions of 6 teams each and with VERY few exceptions the teams in the East almost never play the teams from the West. Each team in the league will play 3 games against teams from the other division. There will be scouts from the NAHL, USHL, and several colleges in attendance. With two rinks 5 minutes apart from each other this is an ideal place to hold such a major event such as this.
In addition to the Showcase the Bulls will also play two additional home games on Metra Ice on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2nd versus teams in their division, presumably Bozeman and Helena.
All games count in the standings. The Nor-Pac Junior Hockey league has two divisions of 6 teams each and with VERY few exceptions the teams in the East almost never play the teams from the West. Each team in the league will play 3 games against teams from the other division. There will be scouts from the NAHL, USHL, and several colleges in attendance. With two rinks 5 minutes apart from each other this is an ideal place to hold such a major event such as this.
In addition to the Showcase the Bulls will also play two additional home games on Metra Ice on Dec. 31 and Jan. 2nd versus teams in their division, presumably Bozeman and Helena.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Bulls Goalie Headed to Southern Maine Huskies
Billings Bulls goalie Tim Gerrish has signed a letter of intent to play for the Southern Maine Huskies for the fall of 2009. He is from Albany NY, so he will definitely be a little closer to home.
Congratulations and best wishes for success to Tim and the Huskies!
Congratulations and best wishes for success to Tim and the Huskies!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Former Billings Bulls Player Called up to NHL
Former Billings Bulls Goalie Chris Holt has been called up by the St. Louis Blues this week. Chris played for the Bulls in 2001-2002. Chris played in one game for the New York Rangers during the 2005-06 season. The Surrey, BC native was 7-5-0 with a 1.70 GAA for the Peoria Rivermen this season before this recent call up.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Lincecum wins Cy Young!
I have rooted for the San Francisco Giants for 32 years, and you know what they say 'There is a first time for everything'. Tim Lincecum has won the 2008 NL Cy Young award! I am extatic!
He went 18-5 for the year and captured the first Cy Young for a Giant since 1967. Once again congrats to Tim Lincecum, the 2008 NL Cy Young award winner!
He went 18-5 for the year and captured the first Cy Young for a Giant since 1967. Once again congrats to Tim Lincecum, the 2008 NL Cy Young award winner!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Two Mustangs Leave Team
The Billings Mustangs (farm club of the Cincinnati Reds) have had two players leave the team. The first thing that comes to mind is steroids or Pacman Jones type behavior.
Nope -- Training camp for Division I College Football. First baseman Andrew Means, who just hit two home runs last night, is the number one receiver for the Indiana Hossiers and Pitcher Will Hudgens, who had a 3-0 record, is the starting QB for the Memphis Tigers.
Best of luck to both this college football season!
Nope -- Training camp for Division I College Football. First baseman Andrew Means, who just hit two home runs last night, is the number one receiver for the Indiana Hossiers and Pitcher Will Hudgens, who had a 3-0 record, is the starting QB for the Memphis Tigers.
Best of luck to both this college football season!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Billings, MT makes TWO Nat'l Magazines in one Week!
In this current weeks Sports Illustrated they mentioned in a must see minor league baseball article how at the Billings Mustangs games when a designated 'beer batter' gets a hit fans can gets beers for 4 for 10 dollars for the rest of the inning.
In this weeks People magazine there is an article about how an older couple adopted a 15 year old foster kid who they met on an airplane flight.
Not to often that Billings makes the National news, let alone twice in one week!
In this weeks People magazine there is an article about how an older couple adopted a 15 year old foster kid who they met on an airplane flight.
Not to often that Billings makes the National news, let alone twice in one week!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Central Washington Softball
One week ago it was all over ESPN that two women's softball players from Central Washington carried a Western Oregon player around the bases who had blown out her knee during her home run trot.
Thought i'd add that one of them, Central Washington SS Liz Wallace, is from Florence, Montana. A small town just outside of Missoula.
These girls are a shoe in to win an ESPY award this summer.
Thought i'd add that one of them, Central Washington SS Liz Wallace, is from Florence, Montana. A small town just outside of Missoula.
These girls are a shoe in to win an ESPY award this summer.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Giants 17 Patriots 14
%&#$@*^&*&$$%^@$%$# NY Giants!!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Montana Team Makes Cover of SI
The Carroll College Fighting Saints - Division 2 NAIA Football Champions - made the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. First time ever for a Montana team!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
ROCKIES!!!
How bout those Colorado Rockies! They just beat the Padres 9-8 in 13 innings in a one game playoff to advance to the NL playoffs VS the Phillies. One of the most exiting baseball games that I have ever seen.
Well so much for my WS prediction of Tigers and Mets -- that wont happen. Lets try football...My Superbowl prediction - Patriots 31 Cowboys 20. See what happens.
Well so much for my WS prediction of Tigers and Mets -- that wont happen. Lets try football...My Superbowl prediction - Patriots 31 Cowboys 20. See what happens.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
World Series Prediction
Detroit Tigers 4 NY Mets 2
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Dusty Jackson
Former Billings Bulls forward Dusty Jackson has signed on to play for the Denver Pioneers next year. CONGRATULATIONS DUSTY!!!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Nice Guy Award #2
A few months back I wrote about what a nice guy John Madden was. This time the Nice Guy Award goes to golfer Phil Mickelson.
A few years ago former NFL football player Conrad Dobler's wife was parylyzed in a hammock accident. All of their savings has been drained paying for her care and the NFL players pension is a joke so now that Conrad's daughter is ready for college they have no money to send her there.
Phil Mickelson -- who has never met the Doblers called them up and gave them the money to pay for four years of college for their daughter. That was a really classy and nice thing to do.
A few years ago former NFL football player Conrad Dobler's wife was parylyzed in a hammock accident. All of their savings has been drained paying for her care and the NFL players pension is a joke so now that Conrad's daughter is ready for college they have no money to send her there.
Phil Mickelson -- who has never met the Doblers called them up and gave them the money to pay for four years of college for their daughter. That was a really classy and nice thing to do.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Tennessee Titans
Next year at this time everybody is going to be talking about the Tennessee Titans. They dodged a bullet by not losing Norm Chow to the Cardinals. He is as much of an offensive genious as Belichick is a defensive genious. Let alone the fact that anymore a team needs to have a two man partnership running things. Pioli/Belichick, Shanahan/Kubiak, or Parcells/Belichick to name a few. Gone are the dictator days of a Vince Lombardi, the league is too complex for that.
Jeff Fisher and Norm Chow make for a great leadership team and Vince Young is going to be a stud.
Jeff Fisher and Norm Chow make for a great leadership team and Vince Young is going to be a stud.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Super Bowl Prediction
OK - I may be going out on a limb here but here goes:
Baltimore 28 Philadelphia 27.
I think that Philip Rivers will have a bad game and cost the Chargers, I don't think that the Patriots have the horses, and I don't think that the Bears can get there with Rex Grossman. Both the Ravens and the Eagles have veteran QB's and I think that that is where its at!
Baltimore 28 Philadelphia 27.
I think that Philip Rivers will have a bad game and cost the Chargers, I don't think that the Patriots have the horses, and I don't think that the Bears can get there with Rex Grossman. Both the Ravens and the Eagles have veteran QB's and I think that that is where its at!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Cool Blog
Check out www.sports-law.blogspot.com
Friday, September 15, 2006
John Madden
Most of you know that John Madden is the Hall of Fame Football announcer who just recently went from Monday night football to NBC's Sunday night football. But when he was head coach of the Oakland Raiders back in the 70's he was invovled in something where he was one hell of a nice guy.
In August of 1978 The Patriots were playing the Raiders in Oakland in a preseason game. Darryl Stingley of the Patriots was paralyzed in that game. He was taken to a local hospital and the Patriots were boarding a plane to go back to Boston. John Madden asked the Patriots coaches and management if anyone was staying behind to be with Daryll, they said no. Madden couldn't believe it so he himself, the coach of the other team went to the hospital and sat with Daryll that night and made visits up there in the coming weeks. Daryll's family was in Chicago and his teammates were in Boston so he had nobody else to talk to.
I couldn't believe this when I read it -- it shows how things have changed in today's NFL and it also shows what a nice guy John Madden is!
In August of 1978 The Patriots were playing the Raiders in Oakland in a preseason game. Darryl Stingley of the Patriots was paralyzed in that game. He was taken to a local hospital and the Patriots were boarding a plane to go back to Boston. John Madden asked the Patriots coaches and management if anyone was staying behind to be with Daryll, they said no. Madden couldn't believe it so he himself, the coach of the other team went to the hospital and sat with Daryll that night and made visits up there in the coming weeks. Daryll's family was in Chicago and his teammates were in Boston so he had nobody else to talk to.
I couldn't believe this when I read it -- it shows how things have changed in today's NFL and it also shows what a nice guy John Madden is!
Friday, September 08, 2006
Steroids
There has been a lot of discussion lately about steroids -- Good, bad, and undecided. There has been a lot of accusations about so and so did or did not take steroids, but one thing is fairly certain -- Manute Bol ( Seven foot six inch tall 150 pound center from Sudan who played in the NBA for several teams in the late 80's and early 90's ) probably did not take any steroids it is safe to say.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Bozeman Football Player
Former Bozeman high school football player Travis Dortsch was cut by the NY Giants yesterday where he was trying to get on as a punter. He played his college ball at Purdue and had previously spent one season on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Drew Bledsoe
In 2002 Drew Bledsoe was traded from the New England Patriots to the Buffalo Bills. He had at that time spent his entire 9 year career with the Patriots. Even though he was expecting to be traded, when his agent called him and said that it was a done deal it was still quite a shock. The only one at home at the time of the call besides Drew was his 3 year old son, so needing to tell somebody he told his son that he had been traded to Buffalo. His son was watching Bob The Builder on TV and said, "Dad get out of the way of the TV". "But, I've been traded to Buffalo", said Drew. "Why do you want to be a Buffalo?" said his son. "You don't understand", said Drew. "I am now going to play football for the Buffalo Bills". "Oh" said his kid, "What color are their jerseys?". Just goes to show that a little kid views the world from a slightly different angle than a grownup does.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Ben Roethlisberger
Just want to say that Big Ben is one lucky guy in the fact that he didn't get killed, or break his neck, or lose an arm or leg in his motorcycle wreck! He still got banged up pretty good but at least it looks like he will probably recover! WOW!!!
