This week’s News and Views:
News: Nick Drazenovic has been hired as the Prince George Spruce Kings Skills and Development Coach.
Views: Drazenovic has enjoyed and been passionate about his long-time involvement with the PG Cougars, first as a player and then as their Director of Player Development the past couple of years.
The 32-year-old loves his hometown of Prince George but perhaps loves Jr. Hockey even more.
Going from Major Junior to Junior A is not necessarily a step up, however, after not coming to contract terms with the Cougars in the off-season, staying in the game with a championship team like the Spruce Kings isn’t a bad consolation prize.
His new job won’t take away from his new duties as owner-operator of Northern Elite Hockey that supports the north in hockey development.
The well-respected Drazenovic, who grew up in College Heights, wants to give back to the game that has been so good to him.
Being with the Spruce Kings still gives him that high-profile opportunity.
NEWS: Spruce Kings hire Jessie Leung (@jjleung) as the team’s new Associate Coach and Nick Drazenovic (@Drazzy1010 ) as the team’s new Skills and Development Coach.
Full Story: https://t.co/Z7UcpTiuLQ pic.twitter.com/NKsrKBU9gK
— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) August 8, 2019
News: Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis had to be restrained during a clash in the dugout with manager Brandon Hyde during Wednesday’s 14-2 loss to the New York Yankees. Davis lost his cool after he was lifted for pinch hitter Jace Peterson.
Views: The Orioles are 38-76, which means they are averaging just one win every three games and Davis is part of the reason for another awful season.
The 33-year-old first baseman signed a seven-year, $161 million free-agent contract with the Orioles in January 2016, but has taken the money and run.
Davis, who smashed 53 homers in 2013, is batting just .182 this season and has struck out 111 times in just 247 at-bats.
Earlier this year, he set a major league record by going hitless in 54 consecutive at-bats, a streak that dated to September of last season.
Davis is typical of many of today’s athletes that feel they are entitled and should have a regular position, regardless of performance.
Manager Hyde deserves much better from his under-achieving so-called “slugger”.
Chris Davis is trying to fight his own manager. Orioles in full dumpster fire mode @Starting9 pic.twitter.com/rAO0w9jhNn
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 8, 2019
News: In his first interview since rupturing his Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Kevin Durant told Yahoo Sports “It will probably be the last time they (Toronto Raptors) will be in the Finals.”
Views: Durant was responding to a question about the Raptors fans who initially cheered after he went down with the injury.
Apparently, the answer came through a smirk. Okay, was he really joking? Perhaps, but although there may be some truth to that statement, it may not sit well with the all of a sudden extremely large Raptors fan base.
How those Toronto fans now feel about Durant will have to wait as his debut with the Brooklyn Nets is on hold until next year (date to be determined).
When asked about the Toronto Raptors fans who cheered after he got hurt, Kevin Durant smirked and said, “It will probably be the last time they will be in the Finals.”
GREAT piece by @ChrisBHaynes. KD really opened up and they covered a lot of topics: https://t.co/IhoWBrxY6d
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) August 7, 2019
News: The BC Lions have allowed a CFL high 25 sacks on quarterback Mike Reilly over their first seven games of the 2019 season.
Views: One has to wonder if Reilly still believes life as a Lion is better than that of an Eskimo as he played the previous six seasons with Edmonton.
Despite a lack-lustre offensive line, he is still completing 2/3 of his passes but Reilly has thrown for just six touchdowns while also tossing six interceptions.
His worst year in Edmonton statistically was 15 TD’s, 10 picks in 2015. Oh yea, but that year the Eskimos won the Grey Cup.
He also dazzled in 2017 with 30 TD’s and 13 interceptions.
What really must bother Reilly the most is the 1-6 Lions record and that is likely to become 1-7 after Saturday’s game in Hamilton.
“He’s a very good football player. Part of his persona is how he interacts with opponents on the field.”@Rikester13 on Simoni Lawrence and the tough Tiger-Cats defence ahead of Saturday’s big test in the ?
FULL VIDEO ?| https://t.co/S6cbziuqD0 pic.twitter.com/wMilKJzDuZ
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) August 8, 2019
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao sparred on social media over a possible rematch. Because going online is the only way those two can meet and actually get any hits.
*Comedy writer Jim Barach http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.ca/
Manny Pacquiao told TMZ that when he retires from the ring he wants to own an NBA team. The team’s strengths, we assume, would include boxing out and fighting for rebounds.
*Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://www.seattletimes.com/author/dwight-perry/
Vince Carter, 42, says he will play one more season for the Atlanta Hawks then retire. “The first time is the hardest,” said Brett Favre.
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
San Francisco 49ers rookie DT Nick Bosa, who has a ‘significant sprain’ on his ankle and will miss the pre-season, will ‘not be pushed to return’, says team GM John Lynch. In other words, he won’t have Kevin Durant surgery.
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
The Denver Post reports it took an emergency team four hours to rescue a horse that fell into a basement. They’re still working on the Seattle Mariners.
*Canadian comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
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Hartley Miller is the news and sports supervisor and morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97.
He also is the 94.3 radio colour commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com.
Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]