New Season = New Rules

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All 3 leagues hit the ice Thursday and there are changes from coast to coast; Stiffer penalties, suspension and freedom for goalies stand out to me.

OHL - The New Goalie Factory

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There are 10 different nations represented in the World Junior Championship but nearly half of the goaltenders expected to be on those roster will come from teams based in the Canadian Hockey League. Is the CHL, and more specifically the Ontario Hockey League, becoming the new place for goaltenders to develop?

Here's a look at the CHLers from around the globe.

Should the OHL Look at Thunder Bay?

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The Ontario Hockey League consists of 17 teams located throughout Ontario, 2 more in Michigan and one other based in Erie Pennsylvania. Like the WHL and QMJHL, the OHL has a remote franchise or two, in this case the Soo Greyhounds who are situated 4.5 hours from their nearest rival in Sudbury. The next stop of the trail is Barrie, another 300 km. past Sudbury so you get a sense of just how far the Greyhounds have to travel during the year.

Listen, the Prince George Cougars, Portland Winterhawks and Brandon Wheat Kings don't have any sympathy for the Greyhounds. I'm sure the same can be said about the QMJHL's teams in Cape Breton, Chicoutimi and Rouyn-Noranda.

We recently received a letter from a fan in Ontario who would love to see the OHL expand to Thunder Bay, a big town that's even further away from the rest of the league than the Soo is. We're talking 700 km. to Sault Ste. Marie, 1000 km. to Sudbury and a staggering 1283 km. to Barrie. And that's just the closest 3 teams!

A road game against the Erie Otters... 1671 km., about 19 hours away. Ottawa? 20 hours and 23 minutes according to Google Maps.

While we're going to share the letter with you, it's not an idea that I personal believe can work (I can't speak for Dean) but we'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

Inglis gets 10: Video

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It's not just Brendan Shanahan or the OHL that are ruling the roost when it comes to lengthy suspensions, as WHL discipline dude Richard Doerksen has slapped 10 games on Prince George leading scorer Charles Inglis for a head shot over the weekend.

Here is the video courtesy of CKPG and our good friend Allan Bristowe. 10 games is a nice round number for what seemed to be a player targeting another players head.

However unlike the NHL and OHL's suspension you had to dig a little on the WHL's website to find info on it. It's under the NEWS and WHL DISCIPLINE section, and only this was written.

0/04/11 Charles Inglis Prince George 10 games for match penalty for checking to the head versus Victoria on October 1

We've all seen "The Shanny Show", and the OHL is doing something similar, although without a former NHLer hosting it. The QMJHL also gives a detailed explanation, although I haven't seen any video evidence with their rullings.

What I liked about the OHL's version is it was front and centre on their website. Not hiding it a few mouse clicks away. Junior leagues need to be transparent and totally open with their rulings. The WHL should follow suit and give more then one line about a suspension. As for the latest one handed down by Doerksen. I think it sends a strong message and hopefully it means he has to hand out fewer suspensions this year.

Saturday Morning Special - Sept 17th

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Another two-part CHL league preview, a look at goalies in the WHL and the NHL, who played well in Penticton, are Drew Doughty and Kyle Turris getting bad advice and a key prospect for 2012 makes his TPS debut. In short, another busy and interesting edition of The Pipeline Show for your Saturday morning.

Interleague Play in the CHL

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Training camps are well underway in the CHL, the Q has even played exhibition games already. Now wouldn't it be nice if you lived in Regina and were able to watch Gatineau take on the Pats or Sarnia face off with Medicine Hat? How about living in Quebec and having the opportunity to see Kelowna skate against Belleville in the pre-season?

If the CHL held interleague play during the pre-season you would get to see that.

Does David Branch 'Wear Too Many Hats'?

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The three CHL leagues have their own leadership in the form of Commissioners Gilles Courteau (QMJHL), Ron Robison (WHL) and David Branch (OHL). The leagues share many rules and regulations and during times like the CHL Top Prospects Game and the CHL Import Draft, they work in conjunction with each other.

But what happens when there is a dispute involving a couple of the leagues? Of course they take their issue to the CHL, however, the President of the Canadian Hockey League is the same David Branch that occupies the OHL office.

Is this a classic case of a conflict of interest? That's an argument coming out of the QMJHL right now and one that should be considered.

Owen Sound Wins OHL Title

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A series with nothing on the line except league bragging rights, went the distance and then some before it was finally decided. Jarrod Maidens second goal of the game, in overtime, gave the Owen Sound Attack a game 7 victory and the OHL Championship. Owen Sound defeated Mississauga 3-2 on Sunday afternoon but both teams will move on to the Memorial Cup as representatives of the OHL.

CHL Playoffs: Half of Memorial Cup Field Filled

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2 of the 4 teams have been decided for the 2011 Mastercard Memorial Cup, one Q league finalist has been decided and Mad Max dominates Medicine Hat in Kootenay. It was a wild night in the CHL playoffs.

Doug Gilmour Fired Promoted in Kingston

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The Kingston Frontenacs announced Monday that they would be holding a press conference on Tuesday and speculation began. Would it mean the end of former NHL star Doug Gilmour's tenure as head coach of the Frontenacs? Apparently the answer is yes but not because the 75-106 (.414) Gilmour is being let go... he's being promoted to the General Manager position.

Gilmour's former Maple Leafs teammate Todd Gill has been named the club's new head coach.

No press release yet from the OHL or the Kingston Frontenacs on any of this but friend of TPS Mike Farwell had it on Twitter over the last hour. More on this story as it develops. Here is a brief report from The Canadian Press.

CHL Semi-Finals Living up to Hype

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After the weekend's action in the Canadian Hockey League, only 2 of the six semi-final series features a team without a loss. As fans would hope for, the best against the best has produced terrific hockey and impossibly close games. You can offer up predictions but things are so tight that any combination of league finals really wouldn't be much of a shocker at this point.

Here is a look at where things stand right now across Canada.

Greyhounds Go Young With New G.M.

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As reported by our CHL insider Sam Cosentino from Rogers Sportsnet on Tuesday night the Soo Greyhounds have hired 25 year old Kyle Dubas as their new General Manager. Dubas has a long history with the club and most recently was a player agent. The official release can be found here. TPS had already put in a request to speak with Dubas before he was hired and we hope to have him on our show tomorrow morning 10-12 mst. (Now confirmed)

CHL/College Signings Galore

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This time of year, everybody is looking for a job.

Each spring NHL teams line up for the key free agent collegians available and also get busy on inking their drafted NCAA prospects too. This year has been no different and several important players have either left school early or have signed their entry level deals after completing their college eligibility.

Another popular feeding ground for NHL teams this time of year is in the waters of the overage, undrafted CHL player. Players drafted out of the CHL in the 2009 draft have to be signed to prevent teams from losing their rights, we've seen a number of those entry level contracts as of late as well.

A bunch of names have been scratched to contracts, some made news and some went unnoticed and there are still some high profile free agents available. Here is a team-by-team breakdown of what has happened so far and at the end, a list of other guys I think should be on the radar for teams.

Tuesday Recap: CHL & NCAA Prediction Show

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Tuesday night was Prediction Night on The Pipeline Show as we went through all three CHL leagues as well as the NCAA National Tournament bracket with our no holds barred predictions. Joining us for each segment was another TPS regular who closely follows the league in question and not surprisingly, each of them contributed tidbits that we'd overlooked.

How'd we do? More importantly, do you agree with us? Click, find out and then let us know.

Team World 2010 - OHL

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The Subway Super Series is getting closer every day and like I did with the QMJHL on Tuesday, today I'm revealing 'Team World' that, if I were King, would play the Canadians in the OHL leg of the 6-game event.

Why isn't every CHL team Twittering?

Whether you use Twitter or not, you have to admit it's a very valuable and free marketing tool for a sports team. Which is why I find it interesting that only half the QMJHL teams are using it. The numbers get better in the OHL and WHL, but it should be 100 per cent across the board in every league.

The break downs can be found at NHL Draft Video

The CHL is going to a uniform website system (although it hasn't been the smoothest transition) and they should make it a rule that each team has to have a twitter account to promote the product. Every league should be doing this in my opinion.

Do you agree?

OHL Priority Selection

The WHL Draft is in the books and the OHL has their version this weekend. Our old friend Mark Seidel from North American Central Scouting (not to be confused with NHL Central Scouting) was kind enough to forward his mock draft and with his permission, you can check that out below.

OHL Playoff Preview

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The Ontario Hockey League postseason gets underway tonight with two series dropping the puck to get it all started. While a few of the opening round match ups appear to be fairly one sided, there are also two or three that may go the distance as the two teams way a lengthy battle to move onto the second round.

On Tuesday we spoke with Sam Cosentino of Rogers Sportsnet who helped break down each series for us. Using that segment from The Pipeline Show as the basis, here is our OHL Playoff Preview...

Eberle to be evaluated by Hockey Canada

I reported it last night on Global Sports, and today Falcons head coach Rob Daum confirmed on the TEAM 1260 that Oilers prospect Jordan Eberle (photo courtesy Springfield Falcons) will be in Springfield tomorrow. I'm told Hockey Canada officials will monitor his play and that he could receive an invite to play for Canada at the World Hockey Championship. Last year Eberle had 9 point in 9 games with the Falcons down the stretch and if he's anywhere near that production this time around he'll likely get a late call up from the Oilers. I just spoke to Eberle and he'll join Guy and myself for a quick conversation Tuesday night shortly after 7 pm MST. More details here.

Oil Kings GM Bob Green was in Phoenix last week watching listed player Henrik Samuelsson. The Oil Kings had hoped that his older brother Philip, whom they drafted would have come north but he ended up at Boston College and is now a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect. Henrik wasn't taken in the 2009 WHL draft but shortly after the Oil Kings listed him. Bob Green is very high on the 6.02, 193 pound forward who plays for the PF Chang Midget program in Arizona and has a cannon for a shot. Sameulsson attended Oil Kings training camp last year and last week was invited to attend the United States national development camp for it's U17 team, the camp takes place March 27-30.

In all 3 CHL leagues the regular season is over and all 3 leagues today announced it's playoff schedules. Click on WHL, OHL and QMJHL for each league's schedule.

CHL Trade Frenzy Gaining Steam

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The CHL trade deadlines are rapidly coming up and as with the NHL, the deals are rolling in at an increasing pace. With the World Junior Championship now in the rear view mirror, big name players have already been dealt and there will be more to come in the next few days.

Here is a bit of a recap of some of the notable trades we've seen in the last few weeks.