Saturday Morning Special: Nov 27

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The 1st outdoor junior hockey game in Canadian history... the top ranked defenceman from the WHL for 2011 as well as his legendary coach... a tour through arguably the most competitive conference in the NCAA... and discussions on the top NHL netminders under 25 years of age and the struggles of some Canadian teams in the big league. A loaded show is right but really, should you expect anything less?

Saturday's Game Day edition of TPS began with Dean and I offering up some names of players we think can (or should) be considered bubble players for Hockey Canada. The invite list for the WJC camp comes out on Monday and we suggested several players we think deserve some level of consideration. Did Brandon's Scott Glennie make the cut on either of our lists or is there another Wheat King that we'd look at instead (hint: YES... he's pictured)? What about some character, two way players or scorers who we think can alter their game for the big tournament? Is there a goalie not getting any hype from the mainstream media that we think makes sense?

Our second segment took us south to Madison, WI where Andy Baggot of the Wisconsin State Journal covers the Badgers. Should recent struggles at home be a concern for Mike Eaves and company or are the Badgers about to break out? Has Brad Eidsness lost the starter's job at North Dakota and speaking of goalies... who should be considered to top puckstopper in the WCHA this year? Is there are surprise story this year in the WCHA?

On Friday the Vancouver Giants were in Edmonton to take on the Oil Kings. Dean and I spoke with 2011 eligible David Musil after the game and on Saturday we presented that conversation to our audience. The son of a former NHLer who grew up in both Canada and the Czech republic, Musil is an interesting hybrid of two styles of hockey. The big blueliner talked about his strengths and weaknesses and also what playing at Rexall Place means to him.

We also chatted with Giants head coach Don Hay about his marquee rearguard and the bench boss did a great job of describing what the 6'3 defender means to his team and also how he's progressed over the last two seasons.

At the top of the second hour we contacted Gord Thibodeau, the head coach of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. The AJHL club hosted the first ever outdoor game in Canadian Junior hockey history on Friday and the Northern Classic was a huge success. Thibodeau talked about the event itself, the lead up to the big game and the lasting legacy that Ft. McMurray will have now that the day has passed. (Click the aerial photo above to enlarge it).

Finally, Daren Millard joined us for his regular Saturday segment and we covered a lot of ground with him. The Grey Cup, the plight of the New York Islanders and their choice to send Josh Bailey to the farm, the top goalies under the age of 25, who won the Jaroslav Halak trade between Montreal and St. Louis and grades for the 6 Canadian franchises through the first quarter of the season.

"If you missed it live, click the archive"... HERE.