Maxwell One Hot ‘Cold-Stove’ Item
It took only three days of the new year before hockey’s rumor mill heated up.
The hot one Tuesday involved former Spokane Chiefs coach Bryan Maxwell, who has gone into real estate here while retaining ties with a British Columbia group that wants a Western Hockey League expansion franchise.
A source with a WHL West Division team said he’s heard Maxwell is in line for a dual role as coach/general manager of the WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes.
“That’s news to us,” Hurricanes marketing director Darren Stocker said Tuesday.
Lethbridge coach Rob Daum has another year on his contract, Stocker said. GM Bob Bartlett is listed as the team’s alternate governor. Governor is Canadian hockey parlance for owner.
Alternate owners are fired daily.
Although Maxwell was not available for comment, his wife, Debbie, made short work of the rumor. Asked if her husband was considering such a position she said, “Gawd no.”
A team that monitors how much tape it uses in practice is in no position to start buying out contracts.
Hitmen get turnbuckle treatment
The WHL’s new expansion club in Calgary has taken criticism for its unusual nickname, Hitmen.
The name links the club to partowner Brett “Hitman” Hart, a professional wrestler.
“Do the New Jersey Devils promote satanism?” Hart said to Regina Leader-Post sports editor Greg Drinnan.
Reminded that the New Jersey Devils are based on a local legend, Hart responded:
“What do you think I am?”
Vote of confidence
If the Spokane Chiefs are to dig themselves out of the WHL West cellar they’ll need production from Jason Podollan, their leading scorer and to some critics their leading disappointment.
Coach Mike Babcock points to Podollan’s improving numbers - a team-leading 21 goals to go with 22 assists - and wonders if Podollan is burdened by expectations.
It’s no secret that to reach the playoffs the Chiefs are going to have to score more goals, meaning that if Podollan doesn’t cash in on his chances the team will find it hard to catch fire.
“Jason is our biggest threat,” Babcock said. “Every kid tries to give you what he has. He’s a good person who’s trying. We’ve moved him to a wing (from center) and I think that’s better for him on a line with (Trent) Whitfield and (Greg) Leeb.”
Heading into tonight’s game with Tri-City, the Chiefs have played hard with very few rewards, but Babcock sees no reason to lean on veterans for more than they’re capable of giving.
So he continues to espouse the season-long theme of the rebuilding team.
“We have to keep our goalsagainst down, improve our power play - we’re 2 of 17 on the power play since Christmas - and above all continue to work hard,” he said.
Three dot stuff …
The Chiefs were held to five shots in the third period in their Dec. 31 overtime loss at Tri-City… . Defenseman Bryan McCabe will get a week off after his excellent performance in the World Junior Tournament. McCabe - a twotime gold-medal winner in the world juniors - will return to the Chiefs for their Portland game here on Jan. 11… . The Chiefs hope to have “Hard-luck” Hugh Hamilton (bone bruise) and Mike Haley (knee) back tonight for Tri-City. … The WHL will cut from three to two the number of 20-year-olds each team carries next year… . The league’s trade deadline is Feb. 3. If the Chiefs make a move expect it to be with an eye toward youth… . The Chiefs have released veteran left winger Paul Bailley… . Mike Grier, a left winger for the U.S. in the World Junior tourney, is the nephew of former L.A. Rams defensive lineman Rosie Grier.
The league’s players of the month are Tri-City’s Daymond Langkow(14 goals, 12 assists in 11 December games), who’s on a 12-game scoring streak, and Brandon winger Darren Ritchie… . Tacoma forward Jon Varga is the WHL player of the week (six goals, 10 points in three games).