Thursday, June 05, 2008

Back on Blog Bandwagon

It's been awhile since there has been any sort of update and now is as good of time as any to get back on the blog bandwagon.

Just some randoms today...

- I got up this morning and realized the Broncos Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is less than three weeks away. The evening goes Tuesday June 24th and tickets are still available by calling the Broncos office.

Andy Schneider and Tyler Wright will go in as the 12th and 13th members. Look for a blog story/interview with each of them in the coming days.

Tyler Wright and myself have been playing phone tag lately. He's in the middle of a busy time as he prepares for the NHL Entry Draft as the Development Coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets. I last spoke with him just before he was headed to the NHL Draft Combine in Toronto.

- Speaking of the NHL Draft, It's an event looked upon with anticipation. Broncos top prospect Geordie Wudrick attended the combine and interviewed with 24 teams. By all accounts, it went well. There are some teams hot and cold on Geordie. Look for the L.A. Kings to scoop him up possibly in the 2nd round. We'll wait and see. The Wudrick family will be attending the events in Ottawa.

There are several Bronco storylines heading into the draft. Where will Matt Tassone fall? Will a team take a shot at player who had a break-out season as an 18 year-old now in his draft year? What about the two highly touted 19 year-olds in Zack Smith and Dale Wiese?

This draft for me personally could be the busiest. I don't think I'll be crossing my fingers like I did last time in Ottawa (2005) where I had to wait to the 7th and final round (#221st overall) when the Calgary Flames selected Myles Rumsey with their final pick. Or how about last summer in Columbus where both Ryan Molle and Paul Postma were 7th and final round selections. Or 2004 in North Carolina when David Schulz was taken in the 8th round by Vancouver. Kyle Moir was a 5th round pick of Nashville

Fact is, the Broncos have a player drafted
every season since coming back to Swift Current from Lethbridge for the 1986-87 season. A total of 50 players.

If you want a closer look at some of the WHL prospects visit my buddy Michael Remmerde's blog at
www.nhldraftnotes.blogspot.com

- Can you believe Broncos Rookie Camp is just over 10 weeks away? Crazy. Camp opens up August 18th for orientation.

- Congratulations to former Broncos Head Coach Todd McLellan on a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings. McLellan was a bit before my time in the broadcast booth and would fall under the Regan Bartel era. By all accounts, he's held in high regard amongst the Broncos including Assistant General Manager Elden Moberg who worked closely with him over the years. I plan on tracking him down for a radio piece and a blog story. The Red Wings Assistant Coach will be tough to get a hold of now. Going through the Wings will be virtually impossible now.

- Seven of us had a fun four days near Whitefish, MT as Broncos Head Coach/GM Dean Chynoweth hosted a staff get-together at his palatial cabin. I'll spare you the details just for the sake of ... "betcha we see that on the blog next week" or "put that on the blog!" Whatever, it comes with the territory as a blogger.

There are several beauty golf courses down there as you would expect. Eagle Bend is a Nicklaus course and was the best I've seen. Gorgeous layout, challenging holes, great scenery and affordable.

It was funny, you travel seven hours for golf and end up following a Swift Current foursome for the entire round. It was weird running into the Prairie Post's George Bowditch and company on the 15th hole at Eagle Bend. It was like we were playing a round at the Chinook here in the city.

Dean is a great host, and as just "the radio guy" who works for the radio station, I feel fortunate to be included.

Hopefully another update will be coming sooner rather than later...

Jon

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