Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Raiders Find New Coach/Yawney Makes Sense


A coach in the Okanagan is finally getting his big break!
Got you excited for a minute that Ryan Huska was being named the Rockets new head coach, didn't I?
Nope, it's not Huska...at least not yet!
Bruno Campese will be named the new head coach of the Prince Albert Raiders as early as Friday.
Campese will take over the duties in the Northern Saskatchewan community, even though the Raiders have failed to notify the media of a press conference.
Their was speculation Campese was going to either be a head coach with the Rockets or an assistant under Ryan Huska, but obviously that didn't happen.
He was also rumored to be going to Prince George as an assistant there, but Campese gets what he was looking for all along, the first time chance to be a head coach in the Western Hockey League.


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While we are talking about rumored coaches, the latest name to be thrown around in Kelowna is Trent Yawney.
Yawney was most recently the Canadian Under 18 coach, with his assistant being...wait for it, Jeff Truitt.
Yawney is still reaping the rewards of an NHL contract despite being gassed with the Chicago Blackhawks, but finds himself in the unemployment line.
After the Under 18's, I am sure his interest in coaching was rekindled, and the junior age group may be another starting point for the Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan resident.
He is connected with Rockets General Manager Bruce Hamilton in one small way.
Both are alumni of the Saskatoon Blades.

If Yawney was named the head coach in Kelowna, he has something in common with assistant Ryan Huska as well.
The two were drafted by the same NHL team. The Chicago Blackhawks. Both were drafted in the 3rd round. Yawney in 1984, Huska in 1993.





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I am sad to say a former colleague of mine is moving from the Okanagan.
Roger Snow, who was my color analyst for 4 seasons will be moving to
Phoenix, Arizona next month.
Snow was as dedicated as they come, and took great pride in the numbers side of the game. Roger could tell you which Rocket scored on what day, at what time, and how many games it was since someone had bulged the back of the net.
He loved statistics, and it showed on the broadcast. Roger joined me for three consecutive appearances at the Memorial Cup, a time we will both treasure.
Good luck Roger in your next endeavor.
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