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Ryan Pulock scored two times and he added eight assists as he helped the New York Islanders advance to the Eastern Conference final in the Edmonton bubble, where they came up short against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup, the biggest question was when the new season would begin. There were rumours that the season would begin on January 1 so Ryan returned to Brandon where he trained in preparation for that day. In the end, the NHL won't begin its season on January 1; however, it will begin not long after.
The NHL has a plan to begin the new season on January 13 after the NHL and the NHL Players Association formulated a plan to move forward.
The season is set to begin on January 13.
— NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2020
Details: https://t.co/7hXC6mEGui
Ryan is now back in New York and he is in quarantine until Thursday.
For most of the offseason, Ryan was able to hit the ice and train in gyms as he would in any offseason. When Manitoba went under 'Code Red' restrictions, that changed as arenas were required to close their doors as were gyms.
This certainly changed how Ryan prepared, but there were no excuses for the Islander who has become one of the team's top players from the back end.
"I just had to figure things out, I did a lot of things at home, and stayed in shape that way," said Pulock. "I was pretty fortunate that the weather was nice so I was able to get outside pretty often."
The Islanders will be in the East Division alongside Boston, Buffalo, New Jersey, the Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington. Each team will play 56 games with formal training camps beginning on January 3 with no preseason games.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature 16 teams in a best-of-7, four-round format and conclude around mid-July with the plan of returning to a normal hockey calendar for the 2021-22 season (regular season beginning in October).
As he quarantines for two more days, Ryan is thrilled about the news.
"It seems quite crazy to be honest, it has happened quite quickly," said Pulock. "It's going to be great to get back at it and sort of have a feeling of normalcy back."
The Grandview native has now played in 234 regular-season NHL games -- 270 if you include playoffs -- and he's scored 34 times while adding 88 assists. He was well on his way last year to record a career-high in points when the season was ended in March because of the novel coronavirus. Pulock put up 35 points in 68 games and his previous high was 37 points the year prior in 82 games.
As he continues to prepare for his fourth full season in the NHL, the former Brandon Wheat King is expecting big things.
"Every player's goal is to always improve. I'm reaching my prime with the aspects of my age and I think it's important that I continue to take steps and improve," said Pulock. "My goal is to get to the point where I can dominate the game a little bit."
Parkland connection:
This year's Islanders team will once again feature a pair of Parklanders. Ryan is joined by Barry Trotz who led the Washington Capitals to a Stanley Cup title back in 2018. This will be Barry's third year behind the Islanders bench and he's led the team to the playoffs in the previous two years.
"Having Barry behind our bench gives us a chance to win every night," ended Pulock. "The adjustments that our staff make every game gives us the edge and sometimes that's the difference between winning and losing."
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Curl Manitoba had a plan to run its men's and women's provincial championships from February 2-7 at the Selkirk Recreational Complex.
However, that is no longer the case. Both events have been cancelled. As a result, Manitoba gave the option to last year's provincial winners to advance to this year's nationals in Calgary.
Team Gunnlaugson has accepted their berth on the men's side while Team Jones accepted their team's spot on the women's side. Team Samagalski/Karwacki will represent Manitoba at the mixed doubles event.
Curl Manitoba listed a few reasons as to why they cancelled the events.
• In order to discourage travel between communities which would be required for regional qualifying;
• In order to limit volunteer preparations for the championships to the time and effort already expended;
• In order to ensure the health of athletes, volunteers, and spectators by not encouraging them to assemble in an uncontrollable situation at a championship venue.
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Jolie Richmond has been skating on a creek by Manipogo Provincial Park for 11 years.
In a normal year, the creek is just one of the places that she would skate on as she also skates with different clubs inside. But under 'Code Red' restrictions, that isn't the case so Jolie is strictly heading outdoors and she has done so about 20 times already.
Although she isn't able to invite her friends over right now, she can't wait until the time she can once again.
"I love hanging out with my friends on the creek," said Richmond. "We always laugh and have a ton of fun, we all just hope we can do that again soon.
Jolie has taken skating lessons in Ste. Rose and she's also skated with Epic Edge in Dauphin.
"I've had the chance to learn a bunch of different tricks over the past years and I enjoy that," said Richmond.
For the most part, Jolie uses her figure skates on the ice, but she will also lace up her regular skates when her friends come over as well.
Don't forget to check out some of the other beautiful outdoor rinks in the Parkland and stay tuned to see more over the holiday season.
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Riese Gaber has another multi-goal game as his time in the NCHC bubble has come to an end.
Backed by two goals from the Gilbert Plains sniper, the North Dakota Fighting Hawks skated past Miami, 6-2, in their final game in the bubble.
Gaber has now scored seven times in the first 10 games of the season as the Fighting Hawks enter the Christmas break on a solid note.
Gaber comes back for round two! @UNDmhockey#UNDproud | @MidcoSN pic.twitter.com/DkWbQ5Rfdr
— UND Insider (@UNDinsider) December 21, 2020
(Gaber notches his second of the night)
North Dakota went 7-2-1 in the bubble and they will be back on the ice in game action on December 31 when they face Omaha back at the Baxter Arena.
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Peter Quenneville started his junior hockey career in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) with the Sherwood Park Crusaders where he would play 120 games (including playoffs).
After recording just 22 points in his first season, Peter became an elite offensive threat as he scored 31 times in 53 regular-season games and he chipped in 50 assists the following season. In 10 playoff games, he scored four more times and had eight points.
Peter made the move south of the border after that season as he joined the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He finished eighth in league scoring with 70 points -- 33 of which were goals -- as the Fighting Saints went 45-11-1-7 and finished atop the Eastern Conference. They went on to beat Fargo in the league final as they were crowned USHL champions.
Quenneville played just one season in Dubuque before he packed up his bags and moved to Manitoba for the first time. He joined the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 2013-14 season. Peter would quickly become a consistent offensive contributor with 51 points in just 44 regular-season games and he added another four points in eight playoff games that year.
Moving forward to the 2014-15 season, Quenneville was named Brandon's captain. He led a team that included Jayce Hawryluk, Michael Ferland, and Brandon's own, Tyler Coulter, to name a few. Also on the roster was John Quenneville, Peter's brother.
"The experience to be able to play with John was pretty incredible," said Quenneville. "It was a pretty special opportunity and we both loved it."
Peter's 75 points in the regular season led Brandon to a 53-11-4-4 record which won them the East Division by a whopping 29 points over the Regina Pats. The Kelowna Rockets went 53-13-5-1 that season to win the B.C. Division by 30 points. Both teams cruised in their first three series which put them up against one another in the championship final.
Leon Draisaitl would ultimately score the game-winning goal in game four as Kelowna swept Brandon to win the Western Hockey League.
Although it wasn't the finish to his junior career that he had hoped for, Peter is grateful for the opportunities Brandon provided for him and the playoff run was something he will never forget.
"It was a lot of fun playing on that team, we had a lot of great guys that have played in the NHL," said Quenneville. "It may not have been the finish we were hoping for, but it was still a year that I'll never forget."
Moving on:
Peter would move on to play in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones in the 2015-16 season where he recorded 26 points in 58 games. After just one season with the Cyclones, Quenneville embarked on the biggest change of his playing days as he moved overseas to Denmark for the 2016-17 season.
He felt after his season in Cincinnati that his value in North America was just about as low as it ever has been.
"I felt that I needed to sort of disappear a little bit and make a name for myself on the big ice," said Quenneville. "I had the chance to work on some elements of my game that you have to on the big ice. It helped my skating a ton and my ability to carry the puck."
From 2016 to 2019, Peter played 162 games (including playoffs) in Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, and Norway. His final season overseas saw him record 50 points in 48 regular-season games in Norway and he followed that up with another six playoff points in six games.
"Using those three years really helped me when I decided to come back, that's for sure." he offered.
North American bound:
When Peter returned, he joined the Rapid City Rush in the 2019-20 season and he was named the team's captain. He played 51 games and scored 24 times while adding another 34 assists. During the middle of the season, Quenneville was playing so well that he was called up by the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey and that's where he reunited with his brother, John.
The brothers had the chance to play seven more games together as they have now played in the AJHL, WHL, and AHL together.
"That's pretty crazy to think about, not many brothers get the chance to play with each other at the professional level, so it was pretty special," offered Quenneville.
Peter is now back playing with Rapid City and once again, he's been named the organization's captain. The former Brandon Wheat King had one assist in the team's opening weekend of play -- as they went 1-1 -- ahead of a three-game set this weekend against the Allen Americans.
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During the summer, you can often find Cary Fillion at the Gilbert Plains Country Club with his son, Zak, and daughter, Caitlin. In the winter, you will find Cary at the rink supporting both Zak and Caitlin as they stay busy playing on multiple teams.
Caitlin plays for the U15 Ice Dogs and the Parkland U15 women's Rangers while Zak plays with the U13 Star Hawks. Due to 'Code Red' restrictions in the province, the Fillion's arent able to spend their nights in rinks across the province, but they are still spending time on the ice.
For the first time ever, the family has teamed up to create their own backyard rink so now all they have to do is walk outside to get a good skate in.
The name of the rink is very fitting as the Fillion's have named their rink, the Fillion Plex.
"We're huge Winnipeg Jets fans and we have some ties to the organization with our family," said Fillion. "We actually thought of the Fillion Forum, but because we're huge Jets fans and not Montreal Canadiens fans, that's how we came up with the name."
It's early in the season, but the Fillion family have already made a bunch of special memories on their backyard creation. On top of all the skating that happens in their backyard, the Fillion's also have a fireplace and a hot tub.
So whether they're in the mood for a good skate, some marshmallows on the fire, or some lounging in the hot tub, the Fillion's have it all and they're loving every minute of the family time they spend together.
"It's pretty incredible, we're spending so much time as a family outside," ended Fillion.
Over the past two weeks, Darnell Duff has taken a trip around the Parkland to feature nine of the beautiful outdoor rinks across the region. You can check them out right here which includes the feature. Stay tuned over the holiday season for more.
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Baseball Manitoba has announced its list of provincial championship hosts this summer and Swan River is on the list.
The Swan River Minor Baseball Association will host the 15U rural event from July 9 to 12. It isn't the first time that the provincials are heading to Swan River and Eric Arp is thrilled that they are.
"It's fantastic. We've always had a good experience in the past and we're delighted to be hosting again," said Arp. "We want to have top elite ball in our area and we want to showcase our area."
Arp says the facilities in Swan River are some of the best in the province and he figures all visiting teams and fans will be very impressed. And when it comes to fielding their own team, Arp says they will be competitive.
"Our team will be strong, I think we have some solid pitching," continued Arp. "We'll have to work on hitting and we'll be right there competing with the top teams."
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After many years playing hockey in Russell with the Rams, Tyler Huston has taken the next step as he's joined the Parkland U-15 Rangers. Although this is his first AAA season, this is his final year of U-15 eligibility before he moves up to the U-18 ranks.
As hockey in the province has been put on pause, Huston is sitting on five AAA games played with the Rangers so far and he's patiently waiting for when he can get back on the ice with his friends.
"It's been a great time, we have great coaches, and a great group of guys," said Huston. "I'm really enjoying the transition and I'm starting to feel more comfortable playing at this level."
Huston says he loves the pace of the game at the AAA level and it's allowing him to develop and improve his skills, something he has certainly done over the years. Now although he can't gather with his team at any rink in the province, Huston is doing his best to stay sharp.
For the second year, the Huston's have made their own backyard rink as have so many families across the Parkland. The rink is set up with a net so he can work on his shot and is a good enough size that he can get a solid skate in while he waits for the AAA season to resume.
"I'm skating almost every day right now, just doing what I can to stay in shape," ended Huston. "Working on my shot is also something that I'm working on a lot and I'm happy with how things have gone."
Tyler wanted to move up to the AAA ranks because it's more intense and he has loved every minute of it.
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From the second that Braden Schneider could walk and perhaps even before that, he had a mini stick in his hands.
When he was three-years-old, he did a year of figure skating before he got into playing organized hockey the year after. About 15 years later, he's set to represent the country, but before we get to that, it's time to take a look at the road it has been for the Brandon Wheat King.
(Braden, age 3, figure skating photo in Big River, Saskatchewan)
Schneider lived the first eight years of his life in Big River before the family moved to Shellbrook where they lived for three years. Another move saw the family head to Prince Albert and that's where Braden's competitive hockey days really began with the Prince Albert Raiders U15 team. After a productive 23 point campaign in the 2014-15 season, Braden joined the leadership group for the next season as he was named the team's captain.
His year as captain with the U15 Raiders was also his draft year. In a draft where Peyton Krebs went first, Kirby Dach went second, and Bowen Byram went third, Schneider didn't have to wait that much longer to hear his name as he was drafted 12th overall by the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Carmela Schneider is Braden's mother and she says that day was a special one for the family, one in which Braden and his brother, Marek stayed home from school.
"We were all so pumped, it was such an exciting day for all of us," said Carmela. "We were so excited when he was drafted by Brandon. He has loved every part of his journey with Brandon, he loves the team, he loves the city, and he's made some great friends. I know the organization will always have a special place in his heart."
Speaking of Braden's brother, Marek was drafted 30th overall by the Saskatoon Blades in the 2018 draft. Marek will look to make the Blades this season after he played seven games with them last year and he started this season by playing one game with the Flin Flon Bombers before the SJHL season was shut down.
When it comes to Braden, he's nearing the 200 regular-season games played mark with Brandon as he will enter the upcoming season having played 185 games and if you include the playoffs, he's already suited up in 199. His most productive season as a Wheat King was last year when he tallied seven goals and added 35 assists for a 42 point total, an 18 point increase from the prior season.
He was also named to the Eastern Conference's first all-star team last season as he was one of the top back end players in the league and he proved he can provide offence as well.
2020 NHL Draft:
Four years prior, he was drafted by Brandon and as we fast forward four years, Alexis Lafrenière was the first-overall selection in the NHL draft. Quinton Byfield and Tim Stützle followed Alexis at two and three. 18 picks after they took Lafrenière, the New York Rangers were on the clock again and they selected Schneider. He was one of two Wheat Kings that went in the first round as Ridly Greig went 28th overall to the Ottawa Senators.
"It's just amazing that I'm able to watch my son achieve his dream, he's been talking about getting drafted for a long time and this has been a huge goal of his," said Schneider. "To experience the whole draft in our home was extremely special. We're living a lot of families dream right now, we're really grateful for that, and we're so proud of Braden."
(Taylor Gauthier celebrating a Team Canada win at the World U18 Hockey Challenge in Umea, Sweden in April 2019)
World Junior dream:
Braden was among the final cuts last year for Team Canada, a team that won gold at the World Junior Hockey Championships. With one more year of experience under his belt, Braden received an invite back to camp this year as he made his way to Red Deer last month with the goal of making the team, a goal he came up just short last year.
This year, Braden is one of 25 that has been named to the Canadian roster ahead of the World Juniors which gets going on Christmas Day in Edmonton. Because of restrictions, the rest of the Schneider family wasn't able to be in attendance for any of training camp and they weren't able to congratulate Braden in person. They did; however, get the opportunity to congratulate him virtually.
Members of the Team Canada coaching staff called Braden's parents and Marek was also on the phone. They walked down the hall and knocked on his door and after a short delay, Braden opened the door and his parents and younger brother shared the good news that he had cracked the final roster.
"You could just see Braden's eyes and how happy he was, it was a pretty surreal moment for all of us," continued Carmela. "We had a great moment and it's one that we will never forget."
Carmela is always one that likes to decorate her house during the holiday season and this year, she has with a little bit of a twist. The Schneider house in Prince Albert is now decorated with red and white lights outside.
You can imagine how thrilled Kelly was when I suggested that we change the Christmas lights from white to white and red. “Come on, it’s not every day that your kid makes Team Canada...”. What a good Dad! ❤️🇨🇦🏒 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/NTeagxudjz
— Carmela Schneider (@SchneiderSnide1) December 12, 2020
"I'm that mom that when the kids do well at something or make a team, I'll hang their jersey in the window," ended Carmela. "When we were in Canadian Tire this year, we saw the red and white lights and we thought that would be a great idea."
The family may not be able to support Braden in person like they would have hoped, but they are showing their support from Prince Albert and as we near the beginning of the World Juniors, you can expect the Brandon Wheat King and New York Ranger prospect to be a big piece as Canada looks to win another gold medal.
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Logan Samson is extremely excited to get back on the ice with his friends playing the game he loves, hockey. He plays on the Timbits Teal Sharks and he wears #10.
Although he will have to wait for that to happen until Manitoba gets out of 'Code Red' restrictions, he is staying sharp on the ice.
Just like so many families in the Parkland, the Samson's from Dauphin have created their own backyard creation. Luke and Nicole Samson teamed up to make the rink and of course, decorate it with some candy canes.
"I just wanted to put something magical together to boost all of our spirits during the holidays and we thought this would be a great idea," said Nicole.
Since the rink was built, Logan has been taking advantage of it as often as he can and when the family is all done skating for the day, they sit by the bonfire for some more laughs and snacks as well.
When Logan does get back on the ice, he will continue setting up his teammates. He likes to call himself a playmaker.
"I like passing it to my teammates for them to score," ended Logan.
Logan says his favourite part about having a backyard rink is that he gets to skate with his family and he loves the candy canes that are lit up.
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