Fast Break
Basketball
Burns leaves UI, joins Grier
Mike Burns’ tenure on the University of Idaho men’s basketball coaching staff apparently will be a short one.
Burns, hired at Idaho in late March by new Vandals head coach Don Verlin, will join Bill Grier’s staff at San Diego, UI announced Monday. Burns and Grier, the ex-Gonzaga assistant coach, are long-time friends.
Burns will replace Walter Roese, who took an assistant coaching position at Nebraska.
Burns led the Community Colleges of Spokane to a 30-2 record last season, earning NWAACC East Region coach of the year honors. Prior to his one season at CCS, Burns was the head coach at Eastern Washington for three years, compiling a 38-49 record.
He assisted at Washington State in 2003-04 under Dick Bennett before returning to EWU, where he had been an assistant coach on Ray Giacoletti’s staff for three years.
In his first season as head coach at San Diego, Grier guided the Toreros to a 22-14 record, the WCC tournament championship and a first-round NCAA tournament win over Connecticut.
Burns and his wife, Mary, cited the importance of being near family in southern California as a major factor in their decision.
“Basketball is important in all of our lives, but doing what is best for your family is the most important thing,” Verlin said. “For their family to have the opportunity to be a part of their grandchildren’s lives is a move we all thought they had to make.”
Hockey
Chiefs take step toward Juniors
Spokane Chiefs forwards Drayson Bowman, Tyler Johnson and Mitch Wahl have been invited to attend the 2008 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., Aug. 1-9.
All three are candidates for the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the World Junior Championship this winter in Ottawa, Ontario.
Both Johnson and Wahl are eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft Friday and Saturday.
The camp will feature practices and eight international games with a split squad of the best American players under the age of 20 facing off against Sweden and Finland.
The first international game is set for August 5th. All games will be held at the 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena at the Olympic Center.