I'm staying away from the typical 'Best of 2010' and '2011 Predictions' column.Namely because I can't remember what I had for breakfast, let alone what might have occurred in May of last year.And, I really don't make predictions because I only stand to look dumb (or dumber if you prefer).
I just got back from a trip to the Maritimes over Christmas and I traveled on a stretch of highway in Nova Scotia called the Cobequid Pass.Apparently, it's a privately run highway that was not, necessarily, built with public money.People pay to use it though.$4 a crack at the toll booth.When I passed through, I found the 45 km stretch to be not nearly as well cared for (snow removal) as the rest of the Trans-Canada in that area.In November 2008 there was an issue where a couple of semis jack-knifed and 1500 vehicles were stuck in grid lock for fourteen hours.
You often hear horror stories from friends and family when it comes to passing through customs, dealing with people in the customer service industry, lost luggage, etc.However, I have to really compliment the folks at Air Canada.I traveled during a very busy time of year and also in the midst of a big shutdown in eastern Canada due to a big snow storm.I had a couple of flights cancelled, but I was given a number of other options (on-line) within minutes and my plans went off without a hitch, really.I also embraced the technology made available to me and was able to check-in and get my seat 24 hours in advance with my iPod.My boarding pass was then sent to my Blackberry and I didn't have to worry about paper at all.I think this trip also halted a three-visit streak to Nova Scotia/New Brunswick where I resulted in dealing with lost luggage and trying to explain to a poor guy in India (Air Canada call center) who Scooby-Doo is (he was on my son's running shoes).
Air Canada also had a very impressive selection of movies to watch while on the flight.I remember a few years ago when something called Steven and Chris might headline your viewing enjoyment (enjoyment used loosely).I, finally, got the opportunity to see The Expendables.I recommend it if you are a 1985-1995 type action movie fan.Leave your reality brain at the door too.
The funniest show on television is Big Bang Theory, hands down.Too bad I had to wait until this Christmas to understand that.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders appear ready to name Greg Marshall as their new head coach.Marshall has been a finalist for a couple of CFL coaching jobs in the last few years; so it was only a matter of time before some club rolled the dice with him.What amazes me is seeing fans criticize the choice already without ever knowing anything about Marshall or even giving him the benefit of a few games experience.I reserve judgement on hiring for one full season.
Stats are not everything, but sometimes I think Hockey Canada purposely sends a roster to the World Junior Hockey Championships that will be a little closer to competitive with the rest of the inferior field.In other words, I don't think they truly send what they could.I'm looking at the OHL, for example, and the top five eligible scorers in the league are Tyler Toffoli, Ryan Strome, Greg McKegg, Joey Hishon, and Garrett Wilson.None of them made Team Canada.It's a similar story in the WHL, where Brendan Ranford, Linden Vey, Jordan Weal, Ty Rattie, and Michael St. Croix are also all at home.Kelowna Rocket GM Bruce Hamilton's son made it though, and so did former NHLer Brent Ashton's kid Carter.Mike Foligno's son, Marcus, is also on the club.I'm not saying those players shouldn't be on the team, necessarily, I'm just saying it pays to have connections.He was a third liner on his club team. Goaltending is an area that Hockey Canada may want to look at, however, as that has been a position where our country has struggled in each of the last two tournaments for players in this age group.
Somewhat off topic, I remember a few years ago when Jim Nill's (Detroit front office) son was named to Canada West for the World Junior 'A' Challenge.How laughable.He was a third liner on his club team in the BCHL and finished with 11 points in 53 games.Now, I check and see St. Louis has spent a draft pick on him.In three years at Michigan State, he's never scored more than 2 goals.Like I say, it pays to have connections.I'd like to say I'd bet a pay cheque that he never plays an NHL game, but somehow he made it this far.
I have a lot of nice person mentions this week, but none of them are from around Yorkton because I wasn't here!So, we'll get back on track with that next week.
