Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Junior Watch and a Moment on the Soapbox

The Windsor Spitfires have retained the top spot in the Canadian Hockey League rankings, with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League contributing four teams to the rankings. Windsor leads the Ontario Hockey League contingent on the poll. The Western Hockey League has three teams in the top 10.

1. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
2. Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
3. Barrie Colts (OHL)
4. Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
5. Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
6. Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (OHL)
7. Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
8. Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
9. Tri-City Americans (WHL)
10. Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

The other junior news of the day -- or at least slightly related to junior hockey -- is that of Michael Liambas reaching a deal to play minor pro hockey for Bloomington of the International Hockey League.

Liambas, according to TSN.ca, is expected to be with Bloomington for its Dec. 11 game with Flint. Liambas was a member of the Erie Otters of the OHL when he hit Kitchener's Ben Fanelli from behind on Oct. 30. Fanelli's helmet came off; the Ranger sustained skull and facial injuries.

The OHL suspended Liambas, 20, for the rest of the season. Liambas would not be eligible for junior hockey next season as a 21-year-old.

My take here is rather simple. He's eligible to play because the IHL does not recognize the OHL ban. What needs to be said now is that the IHL and Liambas' coaches must illustrate what needs to be done to keep this player in hockey.

It's too easy to just ban a player and let them fend for themselves. Lessons need to be taught. It might have been better to ban Liambas as a player in the OHL, but offer him a position within the league working on player safety issues and rules. A pipe dream perhaps, but it seems like working in the league's administration would help the young player learn more about how to play the game with more responsibility, which would make the game better in the long run.

Just a thought. Now, on the with report.

QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Rimouski 4, at Victoriaville 3 OT
Saint John 4, at Prince Edward Island 1
Shawinigan 6, at Drummondville 5
The roundup is here and the standings are here.

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE
Ottawa 4, at Belleville 3
At Plymouth 6, Saginaw 2
The roundup is here and the standings are here.

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
At Brandon 7, Saskatoon 2
At Prince Albert 7, Swift Current 4
At Kamloops 5, Edmonton 0
Calgary 6, at Prince George 5
Kootenay 6, at Vancouver 2
Kelowna 6, at Everett 2
The roundup is here and the standings are here.

UNITED STATES HOCKEY LEAGUE
No games scheduled
The standings are here.

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