What Came Down The Pipe Tonight: Season 7 Debut

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Tonight Guy and I went 4 out of 5, which would get us in the Hall of Fame if we played baseball. We talked a lot about Hockey Canada and it's U18 and U20 programs, welcomed in a new WHL coach and went coast to coast in the CHL. The Only guest we missed out on was new Western Michigan Head Coach Andy Murray, but we hope to catch up with him soon. Check out the first show of season 7 below.


First up was Rick Jackson of NHL Central Scouting who was fresh from Canada's U18 camp in Calgary. The team was picked today and it's dominated on the back end by WHL players and up front by those of the OHL. Rick told us who impressed him and why a couple of cuts that surprised us might have happened. It seems that Canada might have an offence by committee squad for the upcoming Ivan Hlinka tournament.

After failing to get in touch with Andy Murray we pinch hit with Ryan Murray in a conversation I had with the blueliner earlier in the day. He'll be attending Canada's U20 camp this week in Edmonton and said he would be more confident on the ice then he was at last December's camp where he was cut. We talked about his style, and what kind of point man he is on the power play. What kind of impact playing in Everett has had on him and how the Silvertips need to rebound from an off year compared to what most people expected. Ryan was the captain for Canada in the past with the U18 program and because of his late birthday will be a very high pick this June...some think he could go first overall.

Our CHL insider Sam Cosentino stopped by next and we went through the rosters for the U18 team and the U20 camp as well as 6 initiatives put forth recently by Hockey Canada for the upcoming season at different levels. We also touched on some coaching changes in the Q and OHL.

Speaking of new coaches the Regina Pats new bench boss was our next guest. Pat Conacher has played and coached at all levels and told us how he plans on turning the proud franchise around. What does he expect from Jordan Weal? Does he expect Brandon Davidson back? We also touched on his past with Chilliwack (now Victoria). Pat gave us his thoughts on the move and a few players he helped coach last year.

In our final segment Guy and I discussed a few story lines that might be told this week at the U20 camp, and who are some guys that people should get out and watch. We reached back into our draft head to head series as a good number of players we compared will be competing this week. By the way the practices are open to the public and things start tomorrow.

To catch what you missed, or hear it again...click here.