Bulldogs Training Camp...

Never a dull second for me ... Live for 93.3 The Peak at Salmon Fest morning to afternoon, now at the rink tonight ... with a couple "scouts" in tow

Bulldogs release Training Camp, pre season schedules, PEAK Salmon Fest coverage

While it's still plenty hot out, darkness is coming sooner and the days are getting colder. What better place to be in the Fall and Winter seasons - a well lit hockey rink! Here's a look at the new ice for those that haven't been in the rink yet!

And here's a couple of beauties - Bruce and my little guy Griff checking out Training Camp 2012

Without further delay, here's the details on the 2014-2015 Training Camp and Preseason.

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs organization announces the schedule for the
2014/15 Main Camp.

Players begin to arrive in the Alberni Valley this week and are excited to get on the ice and
begin what should be an exciting 2014/15 season.

Over the 3-day main camp, players will participate in education presentations, fitness testing, baseline tests, practices, three full-length scrimmage games, all leading up to the annual Red/White game on Sunday.

Here is the 2014/15 Main Camp schedule:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29th
9:00-10:30am Team Black practice
11:00-12:30pm Team Gold practice
5:30-8:00pm Team Black vs Team Gold Game

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30th
9:00-11:30am Team Black vs Team Gold Game
6:00-8:30pm Team Black vs Team Gold Game

Following the completion of Saturday, new teams will be formed with the players that will continue into Sunday for the annual Red/White game. Admission to Sunday's Red/White game is by donation of a non-perishable food item to benefit the Bread of Life.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31st
10:00-11:00am Pre Game Skate TEAM RED
11:15-12:15pm Pre Game Skate TEAM WHITE
5:00-7:30pm ANNUAL RED WHITE GAME (admission by food donation)


The players that will continue competing for a spot on the 2014/15 Bulldogs will continue a week's worth of practices leading up to the exhibition series. The exhibition schedule is as follows:

Friday, September 5, 7pm vs Victoria Grizzlies @ Oceanside Place Arena (Parksville, BC)

Saturday, September 6, 7pm vs Cowichan Valley Capitals @ Weyerhaeuser Arena (Port Alberni, BC)

Friday, September 12, 7pm at Nanaimo Clippers @ Frank Crane Arena (Nanaimo, BC)

Saturday, September 13, 7pm vs Nanaimo Clippers @ Weyerhaeuser Arena (Port Alberni, BC)

The 43rd Annual Port Alberni Salmon Festival and Derby goes this weekend. Always a very fun and very very busy time for me as I will be providing Live updates from Clutesi Haven Marina all throughout the weekend. Sadly it looks like I will have to miss the Bulldogs Red and White game, so accept my apologies in advance that I won't be able to provide updates from there!

Here's hoping I will see you at Salmon Fest...if you can't make it down, tune in to THE PEAK as no one covers Salmon Fest like us with Live Updates on the leading fish and the ongoing events constantly from Saturday to the end of fishing Monday.

Can't get the PEAK? No problem - listen live on your computer at www.933thepeak.com or through your Smartphone and the TuneIn App - which you can get more info on HERE

The Salmon Festival website is HERE and their Facebook Page is HERE

Mmmmmmm world famous Kiwanis Salmon Dinner!

Listen to the radio and don't bring your dogs!

Hammer

Drop the puck already! Georgeson to UBC, Dogs add Trainer, Ice Bucket Challenge

Firing up the blog again after a much needed holiday back home! I wasn't ready for hockey until after I got some much needed time off, but now I'm chomping at the bit to get back into the booth with Bruce and Dan and back at the rink.

Some holiday moments first off, by request, for those that aren't on Social Media

Griff's first fish. Not sure who's happier, Griff or Gramps

My Master Angler 32.5 inch Walleye. Notice the arms bent at the elbow and not extended out to the camera to make the fish look better. As Walleye's go size-wise, this is a catch of a lifetime!

Ahhhh, the Drive-In!

I didn't get a trophy, but I'm sure I won

Oh to be a one-year-old again!


Alright, lets get down to business now!

First off,  big congrats to Justin Georgeson!

PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are very proud to announce that the team’s leading scorer from the 2013/14 season Justin Georgeson has committed to play for the UBC Thunderbirds this coming season.

Georgeson was acquired by the Alberni Valley Bulldogs as part of a future deal at the 2012/13 trade deadline.

Georgeson led the Bulldogs in scoring last season with 19 goals and 34 assists in 58 games. Georgeson added another three points in the playoffs for the ‘Dogs. “I am extremely happy to announce my commitment to the University of British Columbia,” said the newest Thunderbird Justin Georgeson. “Thanks to everyone who has had a helping hand in my success, including the City of Port Alberni for a memorable final year of junior hockey,” added Georgeson. “Finally, thanks to my family for affording me every opportunity to reach my ultimate goal of prolonging my hockey career.”

The Bulldogs coaching staff Kevin Willison, Adam Hayduk, and Alex Evin had an opportunity to talk to newly appointed UBC Thunderbirds men’s hockey coach Tyler Kuntz at the Kamloops Professional Coaching Conference earlier this passed July.

"We are extremely thrilled to add another local player from the BCHL to our program,” said UBC Thunderbirds men’s hockey coach Tyler Kuntz. “Justin is a player that I am very familiar with from his days in the BCHL with the Coquitlam Express and Alberni Valley Bulldogs. He is a determined, intelligent, and skilled centre-man that can play up down your line-up and in all situations,” added Kuntz. “He will compete hard and develop into a very good CIS hockey player. Justin will add value to our program both on and off the ice."

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs are excited for this new chapter in Justin’s life and wish him all the
best in his future endeavors.

This is old news, but it happened when I was away, so for those that missed it, read below for details on the Dogs new Trainer Damon Pugerude. There is no position with a team that does more work and has as big a factor in a teams success that gets less credit than the Trainer. Welcome to the club and to the Valley Damon, you have big shoes to fill and high standards to meet as James McDonald did an incredible job. 

PRESS RELEASE
August 6, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Port Alberni, BC – The Alberni Valley Bulldogs announce the addition of Damon Pugerude as
the team’s new trainer and equipment manager.

Pugerude was selected by the coaching staff from dozens of applications that were submitted for the position. Pugerude spent the last three seasons in a similar role with the Drayton Valley Thunder and
the Sherwood Park Crusaders junior “A” hockey teams in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. In addition to his experience at the junior “A” level, Pugerude also served as a trainer at U16 Alberta Cup events, has extensive experience on the equipment side, and is registered with the Alberta College of Paramedics.

“We were very pleased and impressed with Damon’s attention to detail and passion for what he does,” said Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ head coach and general manager Kevin Willison. “He is certainly a good fit for the team.”

Yah yah, I know, I know, you are tired of seeing these. BUT you are still not as tired as someone battling with ALS who tries to do something as simple as brush their teeth or stand up. So suck it up! Don't even watch it..just go to www.als.ca and donate!

I read a report that the Ice Bucket Challenge recently raised 8.6 MILLION DOLLARS in a single day! Wow!

Here's Kevin Willison getting soaked by the Harbour Chieftan boat, before then being dumped with a couple coolers of ice by  Mitch Makin, Dylan Haugen and Zach Funk  

And here's me answering the challenge put forth to me by former Bulldog Trainer Dave "Soupy" Campbell and Surrey Eagle fan Michelle Neuman.

Hammer