Broncos in Shaunavon Tonight
The Swift Current Broncos play the PA Raiders tonight in Shaunavon in a WHL pre-season game. This is the second WHL pre-season game in Shaunavon's brand new rink, The Crescent Point Wickenheiser Centre.
Bronco news this week has been dominated by Norwegian goalie Steffan Soberg and his no-show at Bronco camp. The events are chronicled VERY well here.
Yesterday morning, we had some fun on the Magic 97 Morning Show...
Caution...this video also SMAMELESSLY self promotes me. VERY Shameless...like 10x worse than some other blogs.
Switz
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 09, 2011
Let's Get Back to The Rink
Tonight the Swift Current Broncos play an exhibition game against the Saskatoon Blades. It is the first signifigant exhibition game of the season. Players that excel tonight could move on to successful WHL careers. Players that don't leave it all on the ice could be getting their last taste of major junior hockey.
We know this has been a bad summer for hockey. Boogaard, Belak, Rypien, Demitra, McCrimmon, Lokomotiv. Household names for reasons that are tough to reconcile. Sid Crosby, hockey's poster boy himself put on a brave and smiley face to deliver news no one was happy to hear. Hockey's best draw remains on the sidelines.
Locally, the summer hasn't been spectacular either. The Broncos are coming off their most disappointing season in franchise history. Yes it was. Poor season ticket sales for the upcoming campaign have created worries at the i-Plex. 1200 season tickets. That's it. 1200 is a decent crowd for the Redneck Betties Roller Derby team, but for a WHL team to only get that kind of support for it's 36 home games...unacceptable.
Let's get back to the rink. It's what we do. The rink is where we watch hockey. It's where we eat rink burgers and fries with vinegar. It's where we catch up with friends and make new ones. It's where first dates happen and where many senior citizens have their last social outing. The rink is our past. It's our field of dreams. Does the kid who is attending his first game...watching Charlie Horse and eating a hot dog care about the Board of Directors? Does that kid care that our 1992 born forwards are underachieving?
The rink is more than what's happening on the ice. The sport of hockey is hurting. So what. If the hockey is good, that's just a bonus. It's the experience of the rink that matters. This is a small city. Buying a beer and telling stories at the intermission is just as fun as watching big plays and huge saves.
The days are getting shorter. There is a chill in the air. Snow will soon fall. Here's to another winter of warming ourselves by gathering around a sheet of ice.
Switz
Friday, September 02, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Swift Current Randoms
Greetings from the Snowstreaker/Alphavoice studios. Sit back and enjoy the randomness!
Saskatchewan's Most jacked man, Trevor Koot
As I type this, local He-man Trevor Koot is doing a final few bicep curls before flying to Cleveland for the IFBB North American Championships.
(shameless plug ahead) The Alphavoice studios are happy to have provided Trev with the production elements for his posing routine. Trev recently captured 1st place up at the Saskatchewan novice show and then at provincials a couple weeks later.
I'll keep you posted on how Saskatchewan's most musclebound real estate expert does on the North American stage. Koot heads to Cleveland Labour Day weekend.
Swift Current Mayor Jerrod Schafer and myself...in happier times?
Whenever I introduce Swift Current mayor Jerrod Schafer at functions and fundraisers, there is always a comedic shot at him as part of the introduction. There's plenty of people without a sense of humour who think I use my MC gigs as a platform to attack the mayor.
I voted for him in the last election, and will probably vote for him again. I would miss the comedic fodder if he wasn't in the mayor chair.
Speaking of civic politics...I'm no expert on urban planning...but why on Earth would you want to build a giant recreational facility with two schools on the extreme outskirts of town? Isn't it important to build these things near your downtown?
I don't blog as much as I used to because the world has twitter. twitter.com/ryan_switzer. Visit the link on the left to follow me.
I'm sure everyone in attendance got their picture taken with Joe Sakic during his Bronco Hall of Fame induction. I somehow came into possession of his game worn Bronco jersey years ago (long story). It was nice to get it signed and get that pic taken.
Joe is a very nice and classy fellow. He signed everything that everyone put in front of him that night. Even numerous 8 x 10's and jerseys that were fresh out of the plastic package were autographed by Sakic. Some memorabilia sellers made a small fortune off Joe that night. Lots of young hockey fans also got memories and pics with Joe that will bring smiles for a lifetime.
My two favorite NHL players have always been Joe Sakic and Theo Fleury. It was a pleasure to work with both of them this summer. Breakfast with Theo, two months later supper with Joe. Whenever I feel bad about my radio pay cheque, I think of all the perks over the years.
What's that saying? "What would the boy you were think of the man you are?" I got to rub elbows with Sakic and Fleury as an adult... that would be really cool to a kid growing up in Swift Current in 1988.
Sorry for that PAINFULLY self serving last couple paragraphs.
If you missed out on the chance to visit the Clearwater Drive In this summer, make an effort to go there next year. Good recent movies and, quite possibly, the world's best theatre popcorn. Harry Potter 7 part 2 with the kids tonight.
Good luck with back to school shopping!
R$
Greetings from the Snowstreaker/Alphavoice studios. Sit back and enjoy the randomness!
Saskatchewan's Most jacked man, Trevor Koot
As I type this, local He-man Trevor Koot is doing a final few bicep curls before flying to Cleveland for the IFBB North American Championships.
(shameless plug ahead) The Alphavoice studios are happy to have provided Trev with the production elements for his posing routine. Trev recently captured 1st place up at the Saskatchewan novice show and then at provincials a couple weeks later.
I'll keep you posted on how Saskatchewan's most musclebound real estate expert does on the North American stage. Koot heads to Cleveland Labour Day weekend.
Swift Current Mayor Jerrod Schafer and myself...in happier times?
Whenever I introduce Swift Current mayor Jerrod Schafer at functions and fundraisers, there is always a comedic shot at him as part of the introduction. There's plenty of people without a sense of humour who think I use my MC gigs as a platform to attack the mayor.
I voted for him in the last election, and will probably vote for him again. I would miss the comedic fodder if he wasn't in the mayor chair.
Speaking of civic politics...I'm no expert on urban planning...but why on Earth would you want to build a giant recreational facility with two schools on the extreme outskirts of town? Isn't it important to build these things near your downtown?
I don't blog as much as I used to because the world has twitter. twitter.com/ryan_switzer. Visit the link on the left to follow me.
I'm sure everyone in attendance got their picture taken with Joe Sakic during his Bronco Hall of Fame induction. I somehow came into possession of his game worn Bronco jersey years ago (long story). It was nice to get it signed and get that pic taken.
Joe is a very nice and classy fellow. He signed everything that everyone put in front of him that night. Even numerous 8 x 10's and jerseys that were fresh out of the plastic package were autographed by Sakic. Some memorabilia sellers made a small fortune off Joe that night. Lots of young hockey fans also got memories and pics with Joe that will bring smiles for a lifetime.
My two favorite NHL players have always been Joe Sakic and Theo Fleury. It was a pleasure to work with both of them this summer. Breakfast with Theo, two months later supper with Joe. Whenever I feel bad about my radio pay cheque, I think of all the perks over the years.
What's that saying? "What would the boy you were think of the man you are?" I got to rub elbows with Sakic and Fleury as an adult... that would be really cool to a kid growing up in Swift Current in 1988.
Sorry for that PAINFULLY self serving last couple paragraphs.
If you missed out on the chance to visit the Clearwater Drive In this summer, make an effort to go there next year. Good recent movies and, quite possibly, the world's best theatre popcorn. Harry Potter 7 part 2 with the kids tonight.
Good luck with back to school shopping!
R$
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Swift Current Indians Wrap Up
Every August I find myself at my laptop preparing a new blog entry about the WMBL and Swift Current Indians Baseball.
Last year after a tribe win, I made light of the WMBL trophy being nowhere to be found. Lost in a broom closet in Okotoks somewhere after a Dawg 3-peat in years prior.
Two years ago was my "Co-Champs = no champs" post, where I touched on the greed of certain parties in the league stretching league resources thin to make a profit.
This year, I have been encouraged to share thoughts on the league's new player eligibility rules and the bizarre playoff seeding that saw Swift Current lose in round 1. They were seeded against one of the top teams in the league in a series that saw The Tribe without home field advantage.
Well...
I like the new eligibility rules.
"Members of the Canada-based Western Major Baseball League have voted to raise their game in the competitive world of summer collegiate baseball by adopting roster rules more in line with the premier leagues in the states. While not quite as strict, beginning in 2012, WMBL team rosters will be limited to players who have remaining college eligibility, college seniors who just completed their fourth and final college season, and a maximum of three Canadian players who are one year removed from college."
Long story short, players will not be able to play in the league into their 30's anymore. Yes, this removes Conrad Funk and past legends like Kelly Horaska from the equation...but honestly, Conrad has a baby on the way and probably wasn't going to play next year anyway. Conrad and Horse aren't the norm. We don't see those types every year.
Joe Carnahan will adjust his recruiting accordingly, and the Swift Current Indians will be fine. These new recruiting rules will give the league better credibility and attract better players to the prairies every summer.
The cost of importing players will go up. Hopefully the upgrades in skill will help fill seats around the league.
...and the playoff format? The Swift Current Indians have won three championships with that format. I agree they got screwed this year, but I'm not gonna call the league "bush league" and demand change. I'm sure things will be reviewed.
What people need to realize is the quality of baseball is going up every year. Since I've started calling games, there has been a steady rise in the talent level of the players. This year I enjoyed a few games with 2006 Indians alumni John deVisser. He marveled at how much the league has improved in just five years.
The WMBL is growing, and there will be growing pains...but if you love baseball and spend a good chunk of your summer nights at the nearest WMBL ballpark...you won't be disappointed.
Switz
Every August I find myself at my laptop preparing a new blog entry about the WMBL and Swift Current Indians Baseball.
Last year after a tribe win, I made light of the WMBL trophy being nowhere to be found. Lost in a broom closet in Okotoks somewhere after a Dawg 3-peat in years prior.
Two years ago was my "Co-Champs = no champs" post, where I touched on the greed of certain parties in the league stretching league resources thin to make a profit.
This year, I have been encouraged to share thoughts on the league's new player eligibility rules and the bizarre playoff seeding that saw Swift Current lose in round 1. They were seeded against one of the top teams in the league in a series that saw The Tribe without home field advantage.
Well...
I like the new eligibility rules.
"Members of the Canada-based Western Major Baseball League have voted to raise their game in the competitive world of summer collegiate baseball by adopting roster rules more in line with the premier leagues in the states. While not quite as strict, beginning in 2012, WMBL team rosters will be limited to players who have remaining college eligibility, college seniors who just completed their fourth and final college season, and a maximum of three Canadian players who are one year removed from college."
Long story short, players will not be able to play in the league into their 30's anymore. Yes, this removes Conrad Funk and past legends like Kelly Horaska from the equation...but honestly, Conrad has a baby on the way and probably wasn't going to play next year anyway. Conrad and Horse aren't the norm. We don't see those types every year.
Joe Carnahan will adjust his recruiting accordingly, and the Swift Current Indians will be fine. These new recruiting rules will give the league better credibility and attract better players to the prairies every summer.
The cost of importing players will go up. Hopefully the upgrades in skill will help fill seats around the league.
...and the playoff format? The Swift Current Indians have won three championships with that format. I agree they got screwed this year, but I'm not gonna call the league "bush league" and demand change. I'm sure things will be reviewed.
What people need to realize is the quality of baseball is going up every year. Since I've started calling games, there has been a steady rise in the talent level of the players. This year I enjoyed a few games with 2006 Indians alumni John deVisser. He marveled at how much the league has improved in just five years.
The WMBL is growing, and there will be growing pains...but if you love baseball and spend a good chunk of your summer nights at the nearest WMBL ballpark...you won't be disappointed.
Switz
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday Brain Dump
A couple random meandering thoughts...
I always thought teachers didn't care about money.
As I blog this The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation and the Provincial Government are embroiled in a conflict over $$$.
My mom was an STF councillor back in the day. I grew up around teachers. If there is any job in the world that deserves better pay, it's being a teacher.
...but the STF is not winning the PR war. Opinions on teachers are dropping faster than my average in grade 11. I don't like it, but I have yet to talk to anyone, who isn't a teacher, who thinks they're doing the right thing with their job action.
I do hope this ends with teachers getting some sort of a raise. Mom was the first teacher at Irwin School every morning and the last one to leave...usually around 5pm. I've never seen Disneyworld.
(pictured; my fro and Theo Fleury)
Swift Current has been good to me. I've been able to MC events featuring some amazing speakers. Dennis Hull, Walter Gretzky, Sam Richardson, Jason Clermont, Chris Szarka, Danny Barret, Gord Miller and Pierre McGuire and Scott Schultz come to mind.
If you ask me which one I felt was the best...Theo Fleury now goes to the top of the list. Dennis Hull is the best speaker of the bunch, but Theo Fleury has the best speech.
...and I liked Pierre McGuire and Gord Miller's presentation. They were in town a few years ago for a Midget AAA Legionnaires fundraiser. There is no sports announcer in Canada that gets haterized on the internet more than Pierre McGuire. He's a good guy...and I'm sure he loves the attention. Good, bad or otherwise.
By the time you read this, it is likely that an announcement has been made that The Atlanta Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg. I'm sure a team based out of Winnipeg will have HUGE fan support in Manitoba...but calling the team anything other than 'The Winnipeg Jets' seems like an early fail. Some think the team should have "Manitoba" in the name to capture province wide marketing magic similar to The Saskatchewan Roughriders. That doesn't have to happen in Manitoba. I lived in Brandon for two years. Winnipeg is far and away the biggest center in Manitoba. People resepct Winnipeg. Manitoba doesn't have the Dog River/Wollerton type rivalries that the 306 has. Winnipeg Jets...make it happen.
Congrats to local tattooed jacked man Trevor Koot for capturing the Provincial Bodybuilding title in Lloydminster last weekend. A lot of hard work, chicken breast and tuna went into that physique.
Switz
Tweet
A couple random meandering thoughts...
I always thought teachers didn't care about money.
As I blog this The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation and the Provincial Government are embroiled in a conflict over $$$.
My mom was an STF councillor back in the day. I grew up around teachers. If there is any job in the world that deserves better pay, it's being a teacher.
...but the STF is not winning the PR war. Opinions on teachers are dropping faster than my average in grade 11. I don't like it, but I have yet to talk to anyone, who isn't a teacher, who thinks they're doing the right thing with their job action.
I do hope this ends with teachers getting some sort of a raise. Mom was the first teacher at Irwin School every morning and the last one to leave...usually around 5pm. I've never seen Disneyworld.
(pictured; my fro and Theo Fleury)
Swift Current has been good to me. I've been able to MC events featuring some amazing speakers. Dennis Hull, Walter Gretzky, Sam Richardson, Jason Clermont, Chris Szarka, Danny Barret, Gord Miller and Pierre McGuire and Scott Schultz come to mind.
If you ask me which one I felt was the best...Theo Fleury now goes to the top of the list. Dennis Hull is the best speaker of the bunch, but Theo Fleury has the best speech.
...and I liked Pierre McGuire and Gord Miller's presentation. They were in town a few years ago for a Midget AAA Legionnaires fundraiser. There is no sports announcer in Canada that gets haterized on the internet more than Pierre McGuire. He's a good guy...and I'm sure he loves the attention. Good, bad or otherwise.
By the time you read this, it is likely that an announcement has been made that The Atlanta Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg. I'm sure a team based out of Winnipeg will have HUGE fan support in Manitoba...but calling the team anything other than 'The Winnipeg Jets' seems like an early fail. Some think the team should have "Manitoba" in the name to capture province wide marketing magic similar to The Saskatchewan Roughriders. That doesn't have to happen in Manitoba. I lived in Brandon for two years. Winnipeg is far and away the biggest center in Manitoba. People resepct Winnipeg. Manitoba doesn't have the Dog River/Wollerton type rivalries that the 306 has. Winnipeg Jets...make it happen.
Congrats to local tattooed jacked man Trevor Koot for capturing the Provincial Bodybuilding title in Lloydminster last weekend. A lot of hard work, chicken breast and tuna went into that physique.
Switz
Tweet
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
RIP Macho Man
I used to love wrestling. Randy "Macho Man" Savage was a big reason for that. Randy Savage was the perfect wrestler. He could do it all. He was a GREAT athlete. His matches were memorable and exciting. His top rope elbow was just one of the daredevil moves he used on a regular basis that were ahead of their time. When wrestlers were jacked up bodybuilders pretending to punch and kick each other, Randy Savage took it to the next level.
Outside the ring his interviews were legendary. Back before "If you smell what the Rock is cooking" and "That's the bottom line 'cause Stone Cold said so", Savage had kids everywhere saying "OOOOOH Yeah" and "Dig it!" in raspy voices.
...and who else had the range to be both a conniving villian and white hat wearing hero the way Savage did? If he wasn't using sneak attacks to injure "the good guys" or hiding behind Miss Elizabeth, he was Hulk Hogan's courageous wingman.
We could always overlook the bad things Randy Savage did, because we wanted to love him.
So often in life, we look for reasons to dislike people. We point out faults and quietly celebrate other's shortcomings and mistakes. We always rooted for the Macho Man...even if we weren't supposed to.
This is my favorite Macho Moment. This was a Career vs. Career match from Wrestlemania 7. The Ultimate Warrior vs. Savage. The loser was forced to "retire". Randy Savage began the match as the "bad guy". Up until this point in the match, the story was that the Warrior had thrown everything he had at Savage, but couldn't successfully put him away...
WWE Wrestlemania 7 - Randy Savage vs... by Joe81425
Switz
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