A Rainy Friday

It's Friday and a number of golf tournaments are set for today and of course the Rider game this evening.  Hopefully the rain can blow over....

Sidewalk days are underway on Main Street--- our store is blowing items out for the big move.  Come down and get a steal of a deal!  We will be open until 9 pm tonight and 9-5 Saturday.

After the mayhem and craziness that occured in Vancouver after the game 7 loss to Boston, the City is cleaning up and estimating the million dollars of damage that was done.  Here is an article that is kind of interesting and reveals the "science" behind sports rioting.  http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/There+science+behind+senseless+violence+Vancouver/4963538/story.html

The coaching search for Winnipeg's new NHL squad has another name joining the mix. Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland has an interview scheduled for Friday with Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and assistant GM Craig Heisinger, the Winnipeg Free Press reported on Thursday.

Already in the mix for the coaching job are Manitoba Moose coach Claude Noel, former Edmonton Oilers coach and TSN hockey analyst Craig MacTavish and last year's Thrasher's bench boss, Craig Ramsay.

MacTavish's name has become a focus as the former NHL player and coach was passed over for the job in Minnesota. He is said to have interviewed twice there.

Mike Yeo will be named the new Minnesota Wild coach on today according to the Winnipeg Free Press. 

Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell announced Steve Konowalchuk as the T-Birds new head coach. Konowalchuk becomes the 16th head coach in franchise history. The new Head Coach was Assistant Coach with Colorado Avalanche the last two seasons

The NHL draft is set for next week.  I will have a look at the top prospects next week and check in with Warrior Joel Edmundson. 

The Red Deer Rebels announced an expansion to their arena is set to go yesterday.  Total grant funding for this $3.5 million project will come from the Province of Alberta’s Community Facility Enhancement Program ($1.75 million), The City of Red Deer ($1 million), and Red Deer County ($500,000). Westerner Park will make up any shortfalls in the total construction cost.

The upgrade includes 14 more luxury suites and an additional 1,000 seats added to the 6,000 seat ENMAX Centrium facility. The expansion will have significant economic impact on Central Alberta in attracting national, international and world events to Westerner Park.

Construction for the expansion plans is set to start in May of 2012 and be complete by October 2012.

With the Red Deer Rebels Hockey Club's bid to host the 2013 Memorial Cup, and the and new seating and suites to be in place by Fall 2012, Red Deer's chances of securing this prestigious event are greatly enhanced.

Have a great Friday!