Season Ticket Pick Up today, Port Alberni Toy Run Saturday, Female Hockey Fest Sunday, Lindores gets an "A", Fitzgeralds the sidebar to Dogs vs Clippers on Saturday, Ultimate Fishing Town

It's ticket pick up day today for Season Ticket Holders and Corporate Partners. Drop by the Multiplex Upper Lobby from 10am to 8pm.

To buy single tickets starting tomorrow go to www.thequb.com

The 26th Annual Port Alberni Toy Run goes this weekend. In it's 25 previous years, the Toy Run has raised over 1,000,000 dollars (WOW) for local Children's Charities.

As always, THE PEAK is ALL OVER IT. We will be there live on Saturday, and we are all over town this week giving away tickets to the Toy Run Dance on Saturday night.

Get more on the Toy Run Website HERE

The Female Hockey Fest goes Sunday! Check out the official website HERE

The Alberni Valley Times has a story on the Female Hockey Fest HERE

Congrats to former Bulldog Robert Lindores, now a Surrey Eagle, as he was named an Assistant Captain this year.

It will be quite the sight this weekend with the Fitzgerald Triplets returning to their home town to play for the opposition in a Junior A game. While I don't expect the Bulldogs to treat it different than any other game with any other opposition, it will be no doubt be special for the fans here in the Valley as they always follow their local talent. To read more on the triplets, check out this story from the Nanaimo Daily News....

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE



Release to all friends of BC: Please refer to links.

Port Alberni needs your help to get the word out in the province and to make the politicians aware that this contest is getting very heated. We are leading the way in the Ultimate fishing town contest, We led in the semi finals with over 56,000 votes to Dauphin Manitobas 53,000 and made the top 10 as the leader. We are leading now with a very slim margin against Nestor falls Ont, who passed Dauphin quickly over night with votes and now the other communities are getting govt support in cash donations to help win this contest against us.

I  dont believe we should have the govts get involved in this town contest to entice people to vote for a community in their province that made the top 10 in order for them to be crowned "Ultimate fishing town in Canada". I believe a town should stand on its own merits and it  takes away from the contests purpose to  find the ultimate fishing town in canada and the spirit of the contest. Having said that,  I certainly woudnt turn down any additional govt money after the contest, but to  use it as a way to entice people to vote just seems to be not in the spirit of the contest. We wont be asking our provincil govt to counter Manitobas offering to help us win this contest, but would like to make everyone in B.C. including the politicians aware of the uphill battle we are facing.

Port Alberni is known as a community with a heart as well as an Ultimate fishing town. We dont need our provincial govt enticing anyone to vote for us with cash as we KNOW we are the ultimate fishing town in canada.  Who ever wins, it has been alot of fun getting our communities involved in this and the promotion has been awesome for all the towns nominated. I wish all the communities the best as we get closer to the end, but Port Alberni has to really step up to the plate now as we are facing off against govts it seems. This community has worked extremely hard on its own to get where we are, and now we find a bigger task ahead of us to bring this cash donation and title home to Port Alberni. We need the support of British Columbia now and would like to reach everyone that has always considered us or B.C. an ultimate fishing destination. Anything you can do to help us would be appreciated. Please forward to all your contacts around the province.

Carolyn Jasken,  Port Alberni, B.C. 250-724-6077




My only comment on the above is -what about Chilliwack? Not that I want THEM to win of course, but they are also in the contest from this province. If all of BC split their votes between the two, that would be great...I don't like the thought of Chilliwack being closer to the Lower Mainland and the higher population base, my fear is that if the Province gets mobilized, it might not be for Port Alberni. It could very well kill our chances. Food for thought.

That's all I have for today!


Hammer

Roberto Luongo gives up the "C"

Just got this from the Canucks...."About time" in my opinion.

Hammer





Roberto Luongo relinquishes captaincy

Monday, 13.09.2010 / 1:00 PM / News

Vancouver Canucks


Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks President & General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that goaltender Roberto Luongo has decided he will relinquish his role as team captain. Luongo's leadership remains important to the club's continued success and he will continue to support teammates with his work ethic, discipline and desire to win.



"Roberto has been an excellent captain for our team the past two seasons," said Mike Gillis. "We respect and support his decision to relinquish the captaincy and are confident that he will continue to help lead our team through his tremendous character and work ethic both on and off of the ice."



"I am honoured to have served as captain of the Vancouver Canucks for the past two seasons," said Roberto Luongo. "Being captain in a Canadian city for a team with such passionate fans is a privilege and an experience I will always take pride in. I will continue to be a leader on this team and support my teammates the same way I always have while focusing on our ultimate goal."




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"Dizzy" scores for Senators in win over 'Hawks, "Around the Pound, The Bulldog Hockey Show" tonight on THE PEAK!

Congrats to former Bulldog David Dziurzynski, AKA Dizzy, as he scored for the Ottawa Senators in the NHL Youngstars Tournament as the Senators rookies staged a massive third period comeback to pick up a 7-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sens were down 3-1 after two, but won the game 7-3.

Way to go Dizzy! Good things happen when you put your head down and work your rear end off!

Check out the video from TSN.ca here

Read more from the Senators website here. 

"Around the Pound" the Bulldog Hockey Show on 93.3 The Peak debuts for another season tonight on 93.3 The Peak FM from 6pm to 7pm.

Tonight's guest list, in order of appearance (as always, subject to change)

Head Coach and GM Paul Esdale

Ryan Renz and Justin Morello

Jeff Dubois, Director of Communications for the BCHL

Nanaimo Clippers Play-by-Play Voice Dan Marshall

If you have any questions for me or my guests, send them in by clicking here



LAST BUT NOT LEAST!! VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!!

Hammer

World of Wheels, RC Championships...

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Live at the 65th....

Some sights from The Fall Fair!


Tune in to 93.3 The Peak FM to listen!


Hammer




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2 games for Scott Renner for the Frank Riddle hit

From the BCHL website, under discipline.

Scott Renner (PR) suspended 2 games for Blow to the Head Major in September 10, 2010 game
 
Someone commented below asking how Frank Riddle is feeling today. I think it's best to say he's feeling like someone who took a significant blow to the head, which is obviously no where near "100%"

Hammer
 

Great E-Mail from the Rosses, more on the Riddle hit.

I received this great email from Kevin's parents Martin and Elizabeth last night. Just by reading it, you can see why Kevin is such a quality kid. The apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree.

Out of all the testemonials I have heard regarding the Alberni Valley, this may be the best....

Reflections on Last Season

Hi Hammer,
 

A belated thanks for posting the two highlight reel videos covering the Bulldogs' amazing season last year!  They brought back some great memories, especially of those unbelievable, improbable come-from-behind-wins that left all of us hoarse and shaking our heads in disbelief!  We all remember that it was a tremendous season, but after seeing all the highlights packed together, I'm convinced that the season was even more incredible than I remember it!
 

As you know, Kevin played for the Bulldogs for three years, and over that time we listened to a million of your broadcasts.  We still follow the Bulldogs, especially on your blog, and I expect we'll tune in to the occasional game this season, for old time's sake.  But it'll be strange not hearing Kevin's name on the blueline.  This year, his #27 will be sewn on the back of a Princeton jersey.
 

Mostly, though, I'm writing this e-mail to thank you, the Bulldogs and the whole community of Port Alberni for providing such a wonderful hockey experience for Kevin.  "Classy" is the word that comes to mind.  As far as hockey commentators are concerned, you're the best in our books!  And we're proud to have been connected, even in a small way, with such a super hockey town.  For Kevin, all roads led to Port Alberni, and we're glad they did.
 

In particular, though, Elizabeth and I would like to thank Kevin's billets, Larry and Nancy Doucette, for being the most amazing billet family that parents could ever hope for.

 
Best wishes for an even greater season this year!

 
Martin and Elizabeth Ross

What a nice email...thanks for sending it, and thanks for sending us Kevin as well. We are also glad that all roads let to Port Alberni!

Regarding the Frank Riddle hit - I have seen the video now, and it happened exactly as I described it during the broadcast. Things happen very fast, and as we don't have the benefit of replay, you just never know if you saw it how you thought you saw it...

Frank carried the puck behind the net from the right side, and then reversed the puck back the opposite direction and sent it up the boards as he continued moving forward coming out on the opposite side of the net. He comes out (without the puck) and as he's close to the opposite corner now (still without the puck, it was on the opposite side of the rink) he looks back and as he's doing so takes a charge/elbow/check to the head. Or just call it interference if you wish.

Needless to say, its a suspendable offence. I wouldn't be surprised if the Kings see if differently, as things look different from the other side of the puck. I'm sure they would see it just the same or worse however if it was their player being taken from the ice via ambulance.

All that matters is what the league thinks now. Is there a place in the league for hits like this? Do players need to be held accountable?

If the answers are NO and YES respectively, then hopefully a message will be sent.

I would hope Scott Renner felt bad, I'm sure he's a nice kid and he meant well and he was jacked up for his first game...it might have even been his first shift. No matter what if you are reckless and you injure someone, you need to be held accountable.

Hammer

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Kings 3 Dogs 0

This one had a bit of everything, and not a lot of it good for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

From stretchers to ambulances to multiple frisbees in the head for the broadcaster, it was quite the night.

One of the scarier incidents I've seen in my close to 1000 games happened just 5 minutes into the game as Frank Riddle was knocked out on a hit by Scott Renner. A 15 plus minute delay with a motionless Frank Riddle was gut wrenching to watch.

All I can tell you now is that Frank is alert and back with the team after being taken to the Hospital by the Ambulance.

Bulldogs Trainer Chad Oliver certainly didn't want his first game with the team to begin that way. In speaking to Chad after the game he credited the Kings Medical Staff and Volunteer Team for a job well done in supporting him through the situation.

The Dogs were visibly disjointed on the ensuing 5 minute major, but who can blame them for having to see a teammate in that position.

The Dogs weren't able to get much going in the way of offense throughout the game, mustering just 20 shots.

Frank Slubowski was the bright light, keeping the Dogs in it as the Kings came out flying in the second. Matt Garbowski made it 1-0 before Chad Niddery banged a wrap around rebound home as it was 2-0 Kings after 2. An empty netter in the final minute sealed the deal.

Oh, and about the frisbees...My thanks to the Kings staff for talking to me after the game assuring me they will deal with the situation.

Broadcasting in the stands isn't an acceptable place, for this exact reason. Its hard to do your job when you are unexpectedly clocked in the back of noggin'. As I was talking to the Operators at the Radio Station who were asking what the heck happened to me, an on-looking Kings Volunteer blamed me, saying "you aren't supposed to be there" HAHA. No kidding! I wasn't there because I wanted to be.

Needless to say, I was a little fired up. Its a tough situation for the Kings in the building there, but they have promised me they will do their best to rectify the situation in the future, and that's all that myself and the 15 other BCHL Broadcasters and all of our listeners can ask for.

Hammer

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Ceremonies

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Kings

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Tail Gating in Powell River

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Bulldogs Line Up

Here's the view from the broadcast "landing pad" tonight. Click it to enlarge it.

Here's the Dogs line up tonight:

Trent Dorais - Sam Mitchell - Tyler Berkholtz

Justin Morello - Josh Mitchell - Sawyer Mick

Colton Sobchak - Trent Murdoch - Casey Bailey 

Lars Hepso - Oliver McCluskey - Tyler Auricchio

Tanner Hicks - Brody Lynott

Kyle Weber - Connor Varley 

Frank Riddle - Kenney Morrison 

Frank Slubowski 

Kiefer Giroux

Scratched - Konrad Litke, Brent Baltus

Tonight's 1st intermission guest is Bulldogs Captain Trent Dorais. BCHL Commissioner John Grisdale will join me in the 2nd intermission.


AND from the Powell River Kings side of the puck, welcome to the blogosphere Fraser Rodgers, the new Play-by-Play voice of the Powell River Kings. Check out "Rodgers Ramble"

Hammer

BCHL Pay-Per-View Details...

The British Columbia Hockey League has released a number of Pay Per Video video package options that are now available for purchase ahead of the 2010/11 season. Packages and single game purchases can be made in the BCHL Live area or by clicking HERE.



Get It All Pass - $339.99 Early Bird to September 15th/$349.99 Regular Price


The 'Get It All' Pass includes live access to every BCHL regular season game for all 16 teams and full access to Archived games.


Team Pass - $159.99 Early Bird until September 15th/$169.99 Regular Price


The Team Pass includes live access to all Home and Away games for one BCHL team and full access to Archived games for your selected team.


Away Games Pass - $89.99 Regular Price (For Season Ticket Holders Only)


The Away Games Pass includes live access to all Away games for one BCHL team upon verification of an existing Season Ticket account.

Single Game Pass - $6.99 Regular Price

Access to any single game during the 2010/11 regular season


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Broadcast Info tonight....

I'm doing my best to get this info on the blog, Internet here in the Hotel in Powell River is sporadic at best...


Here's how you can listen to or watch the game tonight, and all season....


All 60 Bulldog Regular Season games are broadcast live on local radio in Port Alberni on 93.3 The Peak FM.


If you aren't in listening range of THE PEAK, fear not, as we stream our audio live on the Internet


Visit our website to LISTEN LIVE  www.933thepeak.com


Catch Barlow's Bulldogs Hockey with the Pre Game Show kicking off 15 minutes before game time! 


For all 30 Bulldog Home Games Rick Schievink will join me to provide commentary and analysis.


The BCHL also offers Live and Archived Game Video on a Pay Per View Basis. Audio is provided by the Home Team's Broadcaster.

Check out the BCHL website for more information at www.bchl.ca

The Hap Parker Arena

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On the road

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Game day #1 - Interview live from bus this morning...

Good Morning, and Happy Game Day!


The Dogs are on the bus this morning headed to Powell River for the season opener tonight (7:15 pregame show, 7:40 approx for the puck drop) on 93.3 The Peak, our website www.933thepeak.com and the BCHL website at www.bchl.ca


Catch an Interview with Paul Esdale and myself pumping up the game live on 93.3 The Peak this morning at approximately 8:50am.


We usually only do our Morning Show interviews at 8:10am but since we will be in a spotty place for cell service at that point Jolie has allowed a one-time-only special Interview at 8:50am today, so be sure to tune it.


A live Interview from the bus....should be fun!


Hammer


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One more sleep, VOTE PORT ALBERNI for WFN's Ultimate Fishing Town, check out the Fall Fair!

One more sleep, and the puck is dropped on the 2010-2011 BCHL season!


Excuse the lack of blogging lately, but I'm still in the process of putting together final preparations for the first Broadcast of the year tomorrow, which is always my #1 priority. It's never an easy process with how so many things have to come together to make it happen, but we have some very talented people here at 93.3 The Peak and within Island Radio so I know we will be good to go by game time tomorrow.


I promise, you'll have plenty of stuff to chew on tomorrow leading up to the game!


For now, don't forget to VOTE PORT ALBERNI  so we can win $25,000 and a 30 minute show on WFN promoting our city!

AND...

...don't forget to check out the 65th Fall Fair on now until Sunday!

If you can't make it, THE PEAK has got you covered with live updates throughout the weekend....I'll see you there on Sunday if you are coming down!

Check out the Fall Fair website here

That's it for now, gotta get packed!

Hammer

Trent Dorais Captain for 2010 2011

I just spoke with Head Coach and GM Paul Esdale, and he informed me that Trent Dorais will wear the Captain's "C" this year.

His assistants will be Sam Mitchell and Frank Riddle.

Obviously this will come as a shock to some with last years Captain Sam Mitchell returning to the team this year.

Its a little of both for me, part of me is surprised and part of me isn't. I initially thought Sam was a no brainer. However, once I considered that Sam Mitchell was picked as Captain before Paul arrived last year by Nolan Graham and Bryan Vines, it is less surprising.

This could be as simple as Paul Esdale and Kevin Hasselberg wanting "their guy"

From what Paul told me, it was less about what Sam did or didn't do, and it was more about what Trent Dorais did throughout the summer, training camp, Exhibition and the subsequent practices leading up to the season opener.

Sam Mitchell won the job this time last year. It looks like Trent Dorais won it this year.

This was no doubt hard news to take for Sam. Having said that, from what I know about Sam's character, he will take it professionally and with maturity. Its my hope that he will take the "snub" and use it for motivation to make him a better player to land himself an NCAA scholarship.

Sam should be proud with how he wore the "C" last year. He has an "A" on his sweater this year, and that shows me what the Coaching Staff think of him and what they expect out of him. Leadership.

Frank Riddle is a player that in my mind improved more than anyone throughout the course of last season. As a 20 year old chasing a scholarship, he's a guy that I expect big things out of for this season. He showed last season he has the abilities to carry the puck, shoot the puck,move the puck, take the body and play solid "D"

I got a chance to get to know Trent Dorais a bit better after last season ended as he chose to live in Port Alberni (just down the road from me) over the summer to work and train for the upcoming season.

Although training was his #1 focus, when time allowed we managed to get out for a couple rounds of Golf at the Alberni Golf Club.Let's just say he's a way better hockey player than he is a golfer, although his athletic ability was evident as he improved in leaps and bounds each time we went out with the schooling he received from Alberni Golf Club Head Pro Bruce MacDonald.

He's a great guy off the ice, a heart and soul guy on it, and a leader in the dressing room.

I'm excited that he'll be the Captain of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for 2010-2011.

Hammer

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Bulldogs Ranked 15th in Canada....

This came as a surprise to me, as I can't ever remember PRE Season Nation-wide Rankings.

Thanks to 'Dogs superfan Ron for the heads up, as he found the rankings on the SJHL website. They aren't yet on the CJHL website or the BCHL website at last check.

They mean next to nothing now, even less than during the season I guess, but never the less it's nice to see some National recognition for the 'Dogs and the rest of the BCHL. 

Hammer

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting announced today its

Pre-Season Top 20 rankings for the 2010-2011 season. Last year’s final rankings and the leagues in which

the teams belong to are in parenthesis.

The CJHL Pre-Season Top 20 as of Thursday, September 9

1. (2) Vernon Vipers (BCHL)

2. (5) Dauphin Kings (MJHL)

3. (3) Penticton Vees (BCHL)

4. (10) Oakville Blades (OJHL)

5. (8) Brockville Braves (CJHL)

6. (HM) Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)

7. (4) Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL)

8. (HM) Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)

9. (16) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)

10. (1) Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)

11. (11) Woodstock Slammers (MJAHL)

12. (8) Grand Prairie Storm (AJHL)

13. (9) Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL)

14. (NR) La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL)

15. (7) Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)

16. (13) Fort William North Stars (SIJHL)

17. (NR) Wellington Dukes (OJHL)

18. (NR) Winnipeg Saints (MJHL)

19. (19) Abitibi Eskimos (NOJHL)

20. (20) Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAA)

Honourable mention goes to the Powell River Kings (BCHL), Battlefords North Stars (SJHL), Swan Valley

Stampeders (MJHL), Huntsville Otters (OJHL), Truro Bearcats (MJAHL),

The pre-season rankings are based upon a variety of factors which includes the league in which the teams

belong to, last season’s results in regular season and playoffs as well as initial recruiting efforts for the

upcoming season.

The Dogs are BACK!

Some information on the season opener, and the home opener, sent out by the Dogs today...DROP THE PUCK ALREADY!!

THE DOGS’ ARE BACK

Press Release
September 8th, 2010

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs players, staff and ownership group would like to welcome everyone back to the 2010/11 season.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs will start the regular season off Friday September 10th in Powell River. To catch the game listen live on 93.3 the Peak at 7:30 pm to Evan “The Hammer “Hammond for all the action.
The Home Opener Weekend will begin Friday September 17th at 7:00pm when the Bulldogs will take on the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Pre Game festivities will start at 5:00pm with a Tailgate party. Watch for more details on the Tailgate party next week.

Don’t miss out the following night on September 18th at 7:00pm when the Bulldogs take on the arch rivals Nanaimo Clippers. All fans join us to have an opportunity to get an autograph and picture taken with Team Canada’s Olympic Gold Medalist Gina Kingsbury from 5:30 to 6:30pm.
Season Ticket holders will be able to pick up your Season Pass Cards starting at 10:00am to 8:00pm in the upper lounge at the MultiPlex on September 14th.

Single Game tickets will go on sale starting September 15th at 10:00am.

Please make sure you pick up your season tickets before the Home Opener on September 17th to avoid long line ups.

Get ready for another exciting season ofBulldog hockey! Be proud to be a Bulldog! Let’s fill the Rink !

Some video to whet your hockey appetite!

Really busy getting ready for Broadcast #1 from Powell River Friday night....here's something to tide you over in the meantime!

As I was trying to save as much material as I could from a dying laptop, I found this great video from last season with two great goals by Casey Bailey from a game against Victoria.


A great play with great anticipation by Luke Fenske, and a great play created by the great speed and great vision of Matt Hatch. Move your feet and push the pace, and good things happen. Drive the net, have your stick on the ice and BE READY like Casey Bailey was, and good things happen.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE!

The BIG WINNER

The Peak's David Wiwchar Interviews Derby Champ John Robertson.

Catch Salmon Fest Wrap-Up reports tomorrow morning on The Peak.


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Another new Monday Leaderboard change!

Crazy leaderboard changes today!




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Full Monday Leaderboard Change...

The daily leader board has done a full change in the last 20 minutes!


Hammer


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Another team pic...

Another Team Photo from the introductions yesterday at Salmon Fest. Photo by Art Berlinksi, via Barb Bailey...thanks to both!


Hammer


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