Sold!...?: Portland Winter Hawks

If you thought being a Blackhawks fan was tough before Bill Wirtz kicked it, the poor citizens or Portland, OR have their own circus in the WHL's Winter Hawks. The last couple years, the Winter Hawks had more in common with the Chicago club than their jersey. (The sweaters originally worn by the Winter Hawks were hand me downs from the Blackhawks. They were later tweaked, such as redoing the cross-tomahawks shoulder crest with a "P" for Portland, but they're essentially still the same...excepting that awful 25th anniversary shirt.)

Portland has been the league's worst team under their current ownership, lead by Jim Goldsmith. Worse yet, they're being sued by their former coach, are accused of neglecting medical treatment for their players, and have been late to pay suppliers.

However, it looks like salvation will come in the form of new owners. Greg Drinnan reports that the Winter Hawks are set to be sold pending league approval. The buyer is Calgary-based billionaire Bill Gallacher, who also has an interest in the BCHL's Nanaimo Clippers. The price is a reported C$7.5MM.

Not too long ago, the Winter Hawks were a proud franchise, having won two Memorial Cups and churning out NHL-bound players, such as Marian Hossa, Brendan Morrow, Braydon Coburn, Richard Zednick, Adam Deadmarsh, and Cam Neely to name a few. Oh yeah, and Brandon Dubinsky.

Portland's recent years of suffering pale in comparison to their brothers in Chicago, but they're hoping that with fresh blood at the purse strings they'll have an equally miraculous turnaround in the standings.

Gallacher will have a tough go of it. The Winter Hawks have the worst lease in the league, particularly now that their arch rival Seattle Thunderbirds are exiting KeyArena to become the primary tenant at Kent Events Center, currently under construction. Despite reports that a new lease is imminent, it's highly doubtful new terms will bring any significant revenue sharing, though even a reduction in rent would go a long ways. I expect Gallacher and his group will be underwriting the team in exchange for the glamours of ownership.

Spokane Chiefs win MasterCard Memorial Cup

Jared Cowen game-worn jersey:
$350

Roundtrip airfare to Kitchener, Ontario:
$621

Ticket strip:
$498

Watching team captain Chris Bruton break the Memorial Cup in half:
Priceless

RIP: WHL chairman Ed Chynoweth

Ed Chynoweth, Western Hockey League's Chairman of the Board, passed away today after a year plus battle with cancer. He was 66.

Chynoweth's contributions to major junior hockey are incredible. If you do not know much about this man, I encourage you to read what Greg Drinnan has written here and here. You'll quickly understand why he was so well-respected. Without Chynoweth's 37 years of service, the WHL would not be the leader it is in both player development and education opportunities.

He is survived by his wife Linda and sons Dean, GM/coach of the Saskatoon Blades, and Jeff, GM of the Kootenay Ice. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, particularly Dean Chynoweth, whom I consider a friend.

Update: For more on Ed Chynoweth's legacy, read the Eric Duhatschek-penned obituary in the Globe & Mail.

RIP: Silvertips annoucer Dave Piland

Everett Silvertips in-arena announcer Dave Piland passed away Friday after a two-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive malignant brain tumor. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lisa, and their children TJ, Greg, Crissy and Katie. Greg will continue in his father's footsteps, taking over the mike at Tips home games.

Everett fans knew him as "Super Dave", but I remember him as "Deep Voice Dave" aka "DVD" when he was the on-ice intermission voice of the Seattle Thunderbirds. Dave will be missed by fans of both rival teams.

I was fortunate enough to know both Dave and his son Greg through their involvement with the T-Birds. The hockey world has lost not only a booming voice but a great man.

WHL Blogs

As a follow up to NHL Beat Writer Blogs, here's a list of WHL blogs. This time I'm including blogs by a team's radio guy(s) as well. Again, this isn't a reasearch project. I'll add 'em as I come across 'em. If you have a blog to add, please email it to: hockeyramablog AT gmail DOT com.

Last updated: September 4, 2011

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS
Luber's Lounge: Bruce Luebke (@wheatkingsvoice)

CALGARY HITMEN
The Hitmen Informant: Brad Curle (@BCurle_Hitmen)

EDMONTON OIL KINGS

EVERETT SILVERTIPS
Herald: Nick Patterson (@NickHPatterson)

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS
Daily News: Gregg Drinnan (@gdrinnan)
Keen's Korner: Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports)

KELOWNA ROCKETS
Daily Courier: Larry Fisher (@LarryFisher_KDC)
Dub Nation: Doyle Potenteau Regan's Rant: Regan Bartel (@Reganrant)

KOOTENAY ICE
Between the Lines: Jeff Hollick (@JHollick_ICE)
NewsAdvertiser: Jeff Bromley

LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES
Hurriance Watch: Pat Siedlecki

MEDICINE HAT TIGERS
News: Sean Rooney (@seanrooney)

MOOSE JAW WARRIORS
Time Herald: Matthew Gourlie

PORTLAND WINTER HAWKS
After the Whistle: Andy Kemper (@kemperpbp)
Inside the Coliseum: Todd Vrooman (@ToddVrooman)

PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS
Drew's Diatribe: Drew Wilson

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS
Cougar Town: Dan O'Connor (@DanOConnor_PG)

RED DEER REBELS
The Red Deer Scene: Marlow Weldon (@marlowweldon)

REGINA PATS
Leader-Post: Greg Hardner
Rodpedersen.com: Rod Pedersen (@sportscage)

SASKATOON BLADES
Blades Blog: Les Lazaruk
WHL From Above: Cody Nickolet (@WHLFromAbove)

SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS
In the Corners: Thom Beuning
MyNorthwest.com: Mike Caccioppoli (@TheBirdBrain)

SPOKANE CHIEFS
Spokesman Review: Dave Trimmer (@SRtrim)

SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS
Broncos Blog: Shawn Mullin (@shawnmullin)

TRI-CITY AMERICANS
Tri City Herald: Annie Fowler

VANCOUVER GIANTS
The Province: Steve Ewen (@steveewen)
Sun: Elliott Pap (@elliottpap)
Dan Elliott (@GMenDanElliott)

VICTORIA ROYALS

Scooter's surprise retirement

Dean "Scooter" Vrooman, the voice of the WHL's Portland Winter Hawks called it quits Thursday, after 25 years in the booth.

Scooter is, or shall I say was, Portland's version of Fred Cusick. But in the tradition of junior hockey, Scooter did more than just call the game. He also handled publicity and corporate advertising for the team.

From winning the 1998 Memorial Cup to the sex change of his longtime radio partner, Scooter has seen it all. He was Portland's biggest fan. It will be tough to replace a personality so identified with the Winter Hawks.

Well, Scooter, good luck with wherever you go next. Here's one last call and probably your favorite: