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In my conversation with Brent Sutter (if you missed it is in the audio on demand portion of the www.fan960.com) a couple of things stood out to me.

Brent said that he has talked to all of the players on the roster and felt that they were all looking for a change.

Also the preparation and attention to detail that Brent is stressing is a huge departure from Iron Mike, and a return to what both Darryl and Jim Playfair stressed in the previous years.

A few things you are going to hear a lot from Brent this coming season 1). Wolfpack Mentality and 2). Practice like you play.

Former Flames AHL assistant coach Scott Allen was recently named an assistant to Scott Gordon with the New York Islanders.

Flames 5th round pick from Montreal, Spencer Bennett was going to go the NCAA route after 2 years in the BCHL, but it now appears that he has changed his mind and will go to Portland of the WHL.

Spent some time with the gang from Hockey Canada earlier today, they don’t seemed to be to bent out of shape by the NHLPA’s warning to players to not participate in on ice sessions at orientation camps. This is not new insurance concerns have been raised at the last 2 Team Canada pre Olympic camps but the players choose to go on the ice.

It does raise two questions though, firstly why now and why release the info late in the afternoon on a Friday? Secondly how will it look if the NHLPA makes the warning and nobody listens, I know the Germans have, but I mean what if none of the major hockey nation’s players listen?

Another reason why I love this city, it is day 2 of Flames prospect camp and there are a couple hundred people here to watch power skating drills.

Flames continue to get their house in order announcing the signing of 3 prospects today including Keith Seabrook, Greg Nemisz, and TJ Brodie. My guess is that 2 if not 3 of these young men will be NHL ready in two or three seasons. Brodie is the one to keep your eye on; the young d-man is a favorite of many to make Team Canada and star at the World Juniors in Saskatoon this Christmas.

These young guys are seemingly having a good time around camp, at lunch I ran into a bunch kicking a soccer ball around outside in the parking lot, you would have thought they played the whole season together, joking and carrying on like they were.

Although Jamie McLennan has the title of assistant coach he has been working a lot with the goalies and seems to have a system of teaching already in place.

The Calgary Hitmen appear ready to name a new coach tomorrow we will carry the press conference live at 2pm.

Also watch for a couple of shows on the FAN960 geared towards minor hockey this fall.

Sorry I have been a little slow on the updates of late, lets start it off this week with some hockey as the Flames have posted a list of players changing their numbers.

http://flames.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=450977 (cut and paste into your browser)

I was a little surprsied that Pardy changed his number, I thought he was always going to be a #55, but I guess he had other plans.

The local hockey heroes are opening their prospect camp today down here at the Dome, guys to keep your eye on include:
Goaltender Joni Ortio is a Finnish kid who the Flames drafted in the late rounds this year, but expect him to be one of the goalies for the Finns at the upcoming world Junior Championships in Saskatoon.

Another kid justed drafted this year was the Flames first pick Tim Erixon, the swedish d-man still has to define what type of player he is going to be. First round picks are always intresting to watch but Erixon may not be that far off.

Hugo Carpentier was a 4th round pick for the Flames 4 years ago, he had no problem scoring in the QMJHL but as a pro it hasn’t translated on the ice. Hugo played the bulk of his time in the ECHL last season that will have to change this year if he is going to move forward in the organization.

The Flames announced the signing of Nigel Dawes today, details were not released, although I have heard it is a two year deal, it gives the Calgary Flames another younger guy with an upside that also needs to be defined.

The Stamps picked up their first win of the season this past Friday over the Argo’s, but I can’t help but ask a question coming out of that game. What is going on with all of the penalties? My god they made a big deal about discipline last year constantly throwing Tom Higgins under the bus for his perceived lack of control, well the Coach of the year in the CFL has the exact same problem right now.

Why was Kerry Joesph in that game in the 4th quarter? He was struggling and getting the crap kicked out of him by the Stamps, he won’t finish the season if that is how Andrus chooses to use him.

The “Richest Day in Rodeo” has finally arrived after 9 wild days we finally get to see the best of the best get after it. Probably the pool that best exemplifies this is the Tie Down Roping where there are no less then 25 World Championship Buckles combined among the 10 competitors. The bulk of those belong to 3 cowboys, Trevor Brazile with 9, Fred Whitfield with 8, and Cody Ohl with 6.

It should be noted that while he is the most successful Cowboy in Pro Rodeo history Trevor Brazile has never won Calgary, and that is something that he has been talking a lot about this year. As a matter of fact Trevor spent the last 3 weeks in Canada getting used to the stock he was going to see here in Calgary.

Probably the two best stories to come out of Wildcard Saturday had to do with a couple of rough stock guys who had miserable 4 day pools but turned it around when it matter most. In bareback Adam Grey had split 5th place money once in his pool before winning $6000 on Wildcard Saturday and a trip to Sunday. Ben Morrow in Saddle Bronc had even a worse first 4 days with no money won, but with a ride of 82.5 yesterday he captured 2nd place money and a trip into today’s finale.

Here they are my picks for all 6 pools today, if anything I am likely jinxing the picks but these are the guys and gal I would like to see win.

Tie Die Roping – Fred Whitfield, what isn’t to like about the “already Hall of Famer” he brings his best to Calgary every year and loves this Rodeo and besides at 41 still works hard on his craft, he was out early this morning just to make sure everything was ready.

Bareback – Jason Jeter, I am going of the board a little bit here as Jason isn’t exactly the most active competitor these days, but he got the call late as an injury sub and I like the way he rode in Pool A.

Steer Wrestling – Lee Graves, didn’t compete last year because of a serious knee injury, what a story it would be for the local Cowboy to win it again in his back yard. By the way as a fall back I would like to see one of the Cassidy’s win it if Graves doesn’t.

Saddlebronc – Rod Hay, why wouldn’t you want to see the 8 time Canadian Champ win his first $100,000 pay day in Calgary, he has won 3 Stampedes before, but not since the format change.

Barrel Racing – Tammy Key Fischer, she just lost her 18 year old son in the last month what a fitting tribute to her and her family to come away here a winner.

Bull Riding – Tyler Thompson, I want to see the reigning Canadian Champ win it in his own back yard, he is from Black Diamond.

Take all of your money and call your bookie with those locks for today.

Just one hockey note the Flames are taking a gamble that Brian McGrattan has gotten his personal demons in check as they signed the tough guy to a one year deal yesterday. IF he has this is going to be a significant pick up for the local hockey heroes who are looking to shed that run and gun identity and get back to that tough as nails and ugly team to play against. If that happens watch out, you think some of the talking heads don’t like the team now for some of the things they have done lately they will be real mad when they come into your yard and kick your dog.

Looks like we are going to get a nice day down at the Stampede today, after fighting the elements I am looking forward to a summer like day.

Just to make sure that we are not accused of glossing over anything it should be pointed out that the Steer injured in yesterdays go around of bulldogging was put down. The animal had a spinal injury so it was put out of its misery. That was a first for me, and I am not sure how exactly I feel about it other then there is a risk for everybody involved in these events. You make up your own mind, if it doesn’t sit well with you then will talk to you on Monday when we are back with sportsline.

Looks like day 4 of Pool B is going to be a strong day considering there are only 6 competitors who have a lock on one of the 24 positions for Sundays “richest day in rodeo”, I am sure their will be some broken barriers and barrels knocked down as they try to avoid wildcard Saturday.

Flames added a little more depth yesterday with Germyn and Riley Grantham signing deals. We know what Carson is all about, but Grantham is intriguing to me. A tough guy that ran out of dance partners in junior, this will be a big test for him to see if his enforcer type game translates to the AHL.

Last summer the Tampa Bay Lighting were the league joke as they signed everybody for anything, this summer they actually seem like they have a plan. The Lighting has used free agency wisely and upgraded their horrible back end. Now if Mike Smith can continue to develop in goal, who knows maybe, they will be competitive this coming season.

An interesting e-mail this morning got me thinking and I thought maybe I better say something about it so for those of you who are thinking about getting married and would like to know when the Flames schedule comes out so you can play your receptions you will likely have to wait a week. The last couple of years the NHL sked has come out this week while the stampede is on, or if you like right around the MLB all star game look for it next week either Tuesday or Wednesday.

I would like to let him make the announcement but it looks like in the “breaking news 24/7” world you and I live in (an trust me I am as guilty as the next guy) the good folks in the 5th estate have decided to leak the news on Joe Sakic’s retirement. I get the need to be the first with breaking news on trades, signings, and firings, but can’t we just let the athlete make the announcement in these kinds of cases.

I hope Burnaby Joe surprises everybody and says he is coming back, I think the league is better with Joe Sakic in it, although it would make the Flames lives a little easier when they play the Avalanche. Off the top of my head I believe Mr. Sakic has more points against the Flames then any other team in the league. I know he has gotten a mitten full of milestones in Calgary too.

It is interesting watching the Anaheim Ducks this off season; Saku Koivu looks like he will join the once “mighty” ducks adding more depth at the forward position. Anaheim has said goodbye to a number of high end d-men this past year but have added more scoring depth up front, curious to see if it works for them.

Down here at the Rodeo grounds I can tell you that the Ladies were not too impressed with the conditions of the infield yesterday. Most of them were out this morning talking to organizers and over seeing the working of the grounds. Led by Lindsay Sears, current world champ, the ladies sure seemed to get their point across. It was tough sledding yesterday as two horses slipped dumping their riders. I know talking to some of the competitors in the past that the infield has been an ongoing debate for years now.

Canadian legend Rod Hay fresh off a day one win in Saddle Bronc has drawn the reigning Canadian and World Champion horse Cool Alley today and should be able to make a strong ride and maybe grab a strangle hold in Pool B.

According to the Calgary Herald defending World Champion Bareback rider Justin McDaniel went to hospital after getting bucked off Grated Coconut yesterday.

If you have never been to the “greatest outdoor show on earth” do yourself a favor and get down here this year, there are some great athletes competing this week.

Flames made it official as they announced that both Jason Jaffray and Jamie Lundmark have signed deals for the upcoming season. My guess is that both are two way deals, but that info I am sure will come out in the next couple of days.

I am a little surprised that Lundmark is back, he didn’t play well in the post season and is probably not going to develop much more at the top level, he is a guy who can come up and spell of an injured guy on the 3rd or 2nd line.

It appears that the Flames want to be competitive in Abbotsford; I don’t remember them recently signing so many veteran guys to 2 way deals as they have in the last couple of weeks. Both Omaha and Quad City were two of the younger teams in the AHL, not so for the Heat.

Curtis Cassidy was outstanding in the rain yesterday as Pool A finished up their round robin, he posted a 3 second time in the Steer Wrestling, a new arena record, despite the rain. Both he and his brother Cody are off to Sundays final.

Today 60 new competitors will begin their 4 day journey to the richest day in rodeo, and some big time performers are in this group. Probably none is hotter then Lindsey Sears from Nanton who is both the defending Stampede and World Champion.

Probably the best bet for a big time score will be at the bottom end of the Bareback, as the defending World Champion Justin McDaniel has drawn the World Champ Grated Coconut.

This is our third annual broadcast of the Calgary Stampede, and we got rained on once right at the end of Bull Riding, today a new challenge with a 100% chance of rain. Less then an hour out and the heavens have opened up.

Interesting challenge today it is the 4th and final day of pool A the top four competitors from the 6 events will advance. That gives us 24 spots in this pool and just 7 confirmed spots leaving 17 to be determined this afternoon.

The reigning world champion bareback horse Grated Coconut is scheduled to be out tomorrow for the start of pool B.

The Canucks signed former Calder Trophy winner Andrew Raycroft today, he will likely be Roberto’s caddy, and the Canucks will leave Cory Schneider in the minors to play.

Watch the Flames this week, there are some bargains still out there and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Darryl sign a veteran forward, maybe re sign Bertuzzi time will tell.

Day 3 of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo is about getting going and things remain wide open. In all 6 events very few of the athletes have begun to pull away in the quest to be among the top 4 money earners by the time the 4th go around ends tomorrow. Only Jeff Willert in Saddle Bronc has taken advantage. Willert’s back to back 1st place finishes will make it tough for him to not qualify for next Sundays “Richest Day in Rodeo”.

It looks like will have to wait another day to see two of the best horses in the world as both “Grated Coconut” and “Cool Alley” have yet to make an appearance. “Grated Coconut” is quite a story as he will go down as one of the most decorated bareback horses of our generation.

Rain last night has forced organizers to double their efforts to ensure the infield is in game shape for the 3rd go round. 90 minutes out and it is looking a lot drier then it did an hour ago.

For the record security at the old Stampede is second to none to the point where it is a little stiffiling, both of the major pro teams in town could probably take some lessons. Although I here the Stamps have really started to crack down this year in preparation for the Grey Cup and are being really hard on tailgaters. Having worked on that side of the fence for a bit, the minute you start screwing around with what people believe to be a tradition your are screwed.

Flames have signed Jason Jaffray to a contract; the Rimby product has been languishing in the minors for the past couple of seasons with the Canucks. If my memory serves me correctly he did have a cup of coffee with Vancouver a couple of years ago and looked good. Darryl Sutter has taken the opportunity this summer to add veteran depth to the Abbotsford roster with guys who have limited NHL experience, again having the ability to recall a player and not worry about them getting caught up in the bright lights of the NHL. I would not be surprised to see a Greentree, Jaffray, or Murray make the team out of camp. By the way the Jason Jaffray signing was reported on the Sun newspaper website and has not been announced officially by the local hockey heroes.

The trading of Ryan Smyth by the Avalanche to the Kings was not surprising, but what Denver got back was. A pair of d-men in Tom Preissing and Kyle Quincey goes back to the Av’s from LA. Preissing is a journeyman who can move the puck, but it is Quincey who the Kings plucked of waivers from Detroit last year who maybe the biggest piece in this puzzle. LA was so excited to have him last year and talked as if he was a cornerstone guy, one wonders what happened there, but if continues to grow it will be a steal for the blue line deprived Avalanche.

Random thoughts:

Probably the best thing to be said about the changes that the Flames have made this off season was said by Darryl Sutter “proof is the pudding the game isn’t played on paper.” In a way it is refreshing to hear a GM not oversell acquisitions, no doubt Sutter is proud and happy to have Jaybo and Brent, but the team has to win.

Tim Erixon, the Flames first round pick from this past Friday in Montreal, is the most intriguing top pick the team has had in a while. The club seems a little cautious about what he might turn into, but they believe that he might be special a top 3 guy. I can’t wait to see him at the July development camp just to get a mental picture of him moving forward.

Calgary’s trade of Jim Vandermeer has pissed off a ton of media members who profess to be CBA experts; some believe that the league shouldn’t have allowed the Coyotes to make the move since the league is funding the team.

With all of the talk about Flames d-men lately I do find it interesting how many players and coaches (past/present) talk about the loss of Mark Giordano late last season as being a huge blow.

Best signing of day one of free agent frenzy might be Colorado signing goalie Craig Anderson, he might be another Dwayne Roloson or Tim Thomas type. An older goalie that gets a chance later in his career to become a starter and makes the most of it.

Worst signing could turn out to be the Rangers (again) that is an awful lot of money given to Gaborik for a long time with a guy who can’t play a full season.

Backlund, Erixon, and now Sjostrom anyone else notice Darryl’s new found love of Swedish born players. Remember when the joke was Darryl only took WHL kids?

Stamps sure didn’t look ready for the season on Thursday did they? Love Hank to death but he looked more like Frank then Hank, he has to be better.

Enough Micheal Jackson already, did anybody notice that Karl Malden passed away, outstanding actor who was terrific in “Patton”, he will be missed.

Good to see Dan Cleary invited to the Team Canada orientation camp in Calgary at the end of August. I doubt he will make the team but he is an outstanding story of perseverance and how sometimes when the media makes it mind up on guy it isn’t always correct.

Don’t get caught up in the who isn’t there argument with the Team Canada list, if a guy deserves to be there I am sure he will be when they announce the team in December.

Enjoy the Stampede everybody!