Shane "Iron Man" Harper sets new "games played" record for 'Tips

                                                  Photo: Frank Deines III/Everett Silvertips

You know I'm all about the good news. Here's some good news regarding Everett Silvertips winger Shane Harper, who now has a new nickname with the team: IRON MAN.

I'd take time to write out everything that Shane's done leading up to lacing them up for his 288th straight game on Saturday night against Tri City, but Silvertips PR guy Jon Rosen has already written a stellar news release.

So... I'm copying and pasting it here.

Everett Silvertips Press Release/"Iron Man" Harper Rewrites Silvertips Record Books

Everett, WA – November 30, 2009   

Having become a model of consistency with the Everett Silvertips, Shane Harper played in his 288^th career Western Hockey League game in Saturday’s 6-1 win at Tri-City to set a new club record for games played.  The previous record of 287 games played was set last season by Canucks prospect Taylor Ellington, now a member of the Manitoba Moose.

Harper, a 1989-born winger from Valencia, California, punctuated the night by netting two goals, completing a week in which he had five goals and three multi point efforts featured in wins over Spokane and Tri-City.  With 35 points on 19 goals and 16 assists this season, Harper has also compiled a +21 rating as the Silvertips have surged to a 16-8-1-0 record in the competitive U.S. Division.

Throughout his five-year Silvertip career, which began as a 16-year old in the 2005-06 season, Harper has accumulated 169 points on 77 goals and 92 assists.  Though he won’t reach Zach Hamill’s club record of 262 career points, Harper’s 77 goals present him a clear opportunity to surpass Hamill’s club record of 87 career goals, while Harper is currently on track to surpass John Lammers’ single season record for goals, set in the 2005-06 season with 38.

These accolades can be attributed to a remarkable run of consistency, beginning with the 2007-08 season and continuing through the games this past weekend.  Throughout that time, Harper has played in 168 out of a possible 169 games, a run he credits to his workout regimen both in the regular season and the off-season. 

“A lot of it has to do with experience, but I think weightlifting helps with my endurance,” Harper explained.  “When I came into the league, I was 155 pounds.   My first two years in the league, I worked out with weights every day after practice, and now I just try to maintain it.  It helps me withstand the physical play, which keeps me healthy.”

That endurance will be on display as the Silvertips’ 25 games played this season is a league-low.  Harper, along with the rest of his hard-working teammates, return to the ice Wednesday evening when they host the Kelowna Rockets at 7:05 pm.

WHL: T-Birds: Cool Bird Bobblehead Night + Dictionaries!

He's a favorite among hockey fans, now the Seattle Thunderbirds are honoring mascot Cool Bird with his very own bobble head! The first 3,000 fans arriving at ShoWare Center for Friday night's match-up against the Portland Winterhawks will receive a free bobblehead, courtesy of Comcast. This is the team's first ever bobble head night, and we hear Cool Bird is extremely excited to be honored in this way! The puck drops at 7:35pm, so get there early!

The T-Birds are also proud to announce that fans helped raise $3,124 to buy dictionaries for area schools. They teamed up with the Rotary Club of Kent Afternoon to host the second-annual "Rotary Night with the Seattle Thunderbirds" on November 6, during the game against the Spokane Chiefs. The fundraiser benefits the Rotary Club's "Dictionary Program."

Twelve Rotary Clubs took part in the event, including: Kent Sunrise, Renton, Federal Way Sunrise, Federal Way Afternoon, Covington, Maple Valley, Magnolia, SeaTac, Seattle International, Sodo and Bellevue Overlake. Together, these clubs and the T-Birds provided more than 280 dictionaries to 3rd grade students in their respective school districts. The Seattle Thunderbirds say they're very proud to be associated with the event, and look forward to teaming up with fans to raise even more money for dictionaries next year!

If you'd like more information about Cool Bird Bobble Head Night, the Rotary Club Dictionary Program, other upcoming Seattle Thunderbirds events or the team's schedule, just click here, or call: (253) 239-7825.

WHL: Silvertips team up with Christmas House for holiday drive

Anyone who's ever been to an Everett Silvertips game knows just how connected the team and its fans are, to their community. Just a couple of weeks ago, fans donated food to help stock empty shelves at the Volunteers of America food bank in Everett. They also raised money to benefit breast cancer research during Hockey Fights Cancer month. The Silvertips organization and players are active in area schools and take part in various events all year round.

This week, the Silvertips are teaming up with Christmas House to collect money and gift donations to help bring holiday cheer to area families facing hard times this season. And as they always do, the 'Tips are offering fans something in return for their generosity. The news release below perfectly outlines the Christmas House Holiday Drive. If you need any further information, check out the Silvertips' website by clicking here.


EVERETT SILVERTIPS NEWS RELEASE: Christmas House Holiday Drive begins Friday
Everett, WA – November 24, 2009/ The Everett Silvertips announced Tuesday that beginning with the Friday, November 27 game against Regina, and continuing during all home games through the Saturday, December 12 contest against Seattle, representatives of Christmas House will be tending to the main doors to Comcast Arena, collecting stuffed animals, blankets, clothing and monetary donations. For every toy, clothing or stuffed animal donation, or for cash donations of $5 or more, fans will receive a ticket for a prize drawing of a variety of autographed paraphernalia and in-game experiences listed below.


Games in which Christmas House representatives will be collecting donated items include:
Friday, November 27 ( v. Regina)
Wednesday, December 2 (v. Kelowna)
Tuesday, December 8 (v. Portland)
Friday, December 11 (v. Prince George)
Saturday, December 12 (v. Seattle)

The prize drawings will be held during the second intermission on Saturday, December 12. More information can be found at both the Christmas House table and the BECU Guest Services Table on the concourse.

This year, drawings include:
*Autographed hockey sticks by Radko Gudas, Kellan Tochkin, Cameron Abney and Byron Froese
*Autographed hockey sticks by former Silvertip and current Phoenix Coyote Shaun Heshka and Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach Rick Tocchet
* 2009-10 Fan Favorite Bobblehead Doll Set
*Uncut autographed Silvertip trading card sets from 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09
*A ride in the brand new, flashy Silvertips Zamboni
*A night in a Silvertips suite (catering not included)
*An opportunity to watch the pre-game skate from the team bench
*Team-signed Silvertips jersey

Winners do not need to be present to win. No donation is necessary to enter drawing. Please limit entries to one entry per person per game.

Christmas House is a 501 ©(3) non-profit organization that has served the Snohomish County community since 1981. Their goal is to provide children from low income families with new toys, gifts and clothing during the holidays. Last year, the all-volunteer staff helped over 3,300 Snohomish County families, including 9,500 infants, youths and teens receive clothing, blankets, toys and personal items during the holiday season. More information on their efforts can be found at www.christmas-house.org.

The Silvertips’ 2009-10 season continues at home Wednesday evening against the Spokane Chiefs. For Silvertips tickets, including season seats, ticket packages and group ticketing information, please visit www.everettsilvertips.com or call (425) 252-5100.

WHL: Interview with Silvertips D-Man Radko Gudas

(Photo Courtesy: Frank Deines III/Everett Silvertips)

I posted an interview with Everett Silvertips defenseman Radko Gudas up at the KING 5 sports page.  He's a pretty interesting guy and talked about a lot of things, including: LA Kings training and rookie camp over the summer, adjusting to life and a different style of play in North America, how much his dad has influenced him, the NHL player he wants to emulate, and his favorite home-cooked meal.

You can read the interview by clicking here.

Enjoy!

WHL: Silvertips overpower T-Birds 4-1

(Photo Courtesy: Mick White/Kent Valley Sports)

The Seattle Thunderbirds welcomed the Everett Silvertips to ShoWare Center last night, and the Silvertips made themselves right at home. The first period went by pretty quickly, with a lot of back and forth action, and some great stops by T-Birds goaltender Calvin Pickard and ‘Tips netminder Kent Simpson. Seattle got on the board first, in the final 10 seconds of the period. Everett defenseman Radko Gudas went to the box at 18:33 for tripping and Seattle went on the power play. With 8 seconds left on the clock, Prab Rai connected with Lindsay Nielsen and Jeremy Schappert to score, and the period ended with the T-Birds up 1-0.

The Silvertips took control during the second period and never looked back. At 9:47, Shane Harper found a way past Calvin Pickard. Alex Theriau and Scott McDonald got the assists. Everett scored again less than four minutes later. This time, Tyler Maxwell found the back of the net, with help from Harper and Chris Langkow. The Silvertips went up 3-1 before the second period ended. Harper scored again at 15:39. Maxwell and Langkow were credited with the assists. Tempers started flaring this period as well, although the refs only called 2 penalties, after Everett’s Alex Theriau dropped the gloves and traded punches with T-Bird Chance Lund. Both went to the box to serve 5 minute majors for fighting.

During the third period, Everett skated as though they owned ShoWare Center, and in a sense, they did. They controlled every aspect of the game, while the T-Birds looked as though they had completely lost their focus. Silvertips Center Chris Langkow scored at 3:34, with help from Tyler Maxwell and Drew McDermott. Seattle let their frustrations get the better of them and took a number of penalties. Brendan Dillon was hit with back-to-back penalties about halfway through the period. He had just come out of the box for an interference call, when he was sent right back for boarding. The T-Birds had 2 power play chances late in the third, as Silvertips defenseman Radko Gudas served back to back penalties for hooking and roughing, but it was a case of too little, too late for Seattle, and the game ended with the final score: Everett 4, Seattle 1. The Three Stars of the Game: 1. Shane Harper (Everett), 2. Tyler Maxwell (Everett), 3. Prab Rai (Seattle).

After the game, T-Birds Head Coach Rob Sumner gave the Silvertips much credit, telling radio play by play guy Thom Buening, “They outworked us, they outplayed us. They were the better team tonight.” Sumner said the team will focus on improving play in a number of areas, including special teams. The T-Birds will also be without standout goaltender Calvin Pickard when they face the Regina Pats on Wednesday night (November 25). Pickard has been selected to play for Team WHL in the Subway Super Series in Victoria, BC on November 25 and 26. No word yet whether he’ll be back to backstop the T-Birds when a strong Portland Winterhawks team rolls into ShoWare Center on Friday, November 27.

Everett Silvertips forward Byron Froese has also been selected to represent Team WHL in the tournament. As of this writing, he’s on the roster for the November 25th game in Victoria. To learn more about the Subway Super Series, including full rosters, click here. The Silvertips host the Spokane Chiefs at Comcast Arena Wednesday night. The Chiefs will be without Captain and defenseman Jared Cowen, or forward Levko Koper, are also playing in the Subway Super Series. However, former Silvertip Kyle Beach is now part of the Chiefs lineup, and should receive a warm welcome.

To learn more about the Everett Silvertips, click here. And to keep up with the Seattle Thunderbirds, click here.

WHL: Recap: T-Birds v. Silvertips 11/14

The Everett Silvertips rode a 2 game winning streak into Saturday’s game against I-5 rivals the Seattle Thunderbirds.  The Silvertips currently sit smack in the middle of the WHL’s US Division with a 12-6 record.  The T-Birds have struggled so far this season; their 7-12 record landing them at the bottom of the US Division. Still, Seattle also rode a 2 game winning streak heading into Comcast Arena.  Anyone who’s ever seen these two teams face each other, knows that records don’t count.  They will hit the ice and give everything they have to beat the other team. There is absolutely no love lost between the Silvertips and T-Birds.  On this night, Everett put Kent Simpson in net, while Seattle featured 17-year-old phenom Calvin Pickard.  And on this night, Pickard would prevail.

The first period featured a lot of action on both sides of the ice, with both goaltenders deflecting some pretty strong shots.  The first also featured a number of penalties, ranging from holding to unsportsmanlike conduct, but the clock ran down with a scoreless tie and the shots on goal fairly even – Everett 9, Seattle 11.

The second period began with the T-Birds on the power play, as Silvertips center Chris Langkow sat in the box for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the close of the first period. Everett killed that penalty and went on the power play about 4 minutes into the period, when T-Bird d-man Steve Chaffin was called for holding. Just before that penalty ran out, Seattle’s Brenden Rouse drove up the ice and scored a shorthanded goal, with a little help from Silvertips goaltender Kent Simpson.  Simpson tried to stop the puck and accidentally slid it past him into the net.  The T-Birds scored again, on a power play at the 9:15 mark.  Right wing Sena Acolatse shot the puck past Kent Simpson.  Colin Jacobs and Brenden Rouse got the assists. About halfway through the 2^nd period, Jacobs dropped the gloves with Silvertips forward Kellan Tochkin and both of them went to the box. Jacobs got a 5 minute major for fighting, but the refs slapped Tochkin with 2 minutes for instigating, 5 minutes for fighting and a 10 minute misconduct.  He would not return until well into the 3^rd period. Not even a minute after the fight, the T-Birds struck again. Captain Lindsay Nielsen found the net, on a shot from Charles Wells and Jeremy Schappert.  There was more chippiness as little scraps broke out on the ice. In a move reminiscent of former T-Birds Captain (and current Manchester Monarch) Thomas Hickey, Radko Gudas, Everett’s big D-man, laid a hip check on T-Birds forward Prab Rai that sent Rai airborne. Luke Lockhart was called for hooking with 52 seconds left in the 2^nd, and as the horn sounded, the T-Birds’ Stefan Warg and ‘Tips’ Chris Langkow went at it.  Neither was called for a penalty and the two teams hit the locker room with Seattle up 3-0.

The Silvertips turned their aggressiveness up another notch as the third period got underway, driving again and again at the T-Birds’ net and outscoring Seattle 8-3 in the first 8 minutes of the final period. Again and again, Calvin Pickard turned them away, with help from his teammates.  Everett seemed to put Seattle on its heels, but the T-Birds regrouped and basically ran out the clock for most of the period.  With three minutes to go, Seattle scored again. Jonathan Parker put one past Kent Simpson. Sena Acolatse and Brenden Rouse got the assists.  The Silvertips turned up the jets again in the final 3 minutes of the game, but could not find a chink in Pickard’s armor.  Time ran out, giving Seattle a 4-0 victory and Pickard his second shutout of the season.  The 3 Stars of the Game:  3. Radko Gudas (Everett D-man); 2. Calvin Pickard (Seattle goaltender); 1. Prab Rai (Seattle LW).

WHL: T-Birds' Pickard named CHL Goaltender of the Week, ranked #1 among WHL goaltenders

                                              (Photo: Seattle Thunderbirds)


Congratulations go out to Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Calvin Pickard, who has been selected the Goaltender of the Week by the Canadian Hockey League for the week ending November 15, 2009. The recognition is well-deserved, as Pickard posted 3 victories in 3 games, including 2 shutouts.

On Friday, November 13, the 17-year-old backstopped the T-Birds to a 7-2 victory over the Kamloops Blazers, in Kamloops, BC. From there, the team hopped a bus and drove to Everett, where Pickard earned his second shutout of the season Saturday night, as the T-Birds beat a tough Silvertips team 4-0. From there, they hopped right back on the bus and drove back into BC, where they faced the Giants on Sunday afternoon. Again, Pickard was in top form, making 25 saves in a 5-0 victory over Vancouver and earning his 3rd shutout. For those who like to keep count, in his three latest wins, Calvin stopped a total of 76 of 78 shots and recorded a whopping .974 save percentage. He was also named the #2 "Star of the Game" in Everett and Vancouver. 


Calvin had lots of scoring help last weekend. On Friday, Jonathan Parker scored a hat trick and Prab Rai had 2 goals. Charles Wells and D-man Jeremy Schappert also scored in the 7-2 victory over Kamloops. Four different T-Birds scored Saturday: newcomer Brendan Rouse (former Brandon Wheat King), Sena Acolatse, Captain Lindsay Nielsen and Jonathan Parker. Acolatse and Rai each notched two goals on Sunday in Vancouver, while Wells added one.

In addition to the "Goaltender of the Week" honors, Pickard has also been ranked #1 among WHL goalies by Central Scouting in the first of 3 ranking reports this season. NHL teams use information compiled by Central Scouting to help them decide which players to draft in June. The group will release its mid-season rankings in January and final rankings in April. 

You can read more about Calvin Pickard's amazing achievements at the Seattle Thunderbirds website, and learn how to get an up-close seat to watch this talented young man in action, by booking seats in "Calvin's Corner" at the T-Birds' home rink, ShoWare Center in Kent. Just click here.

WHL: Silvertips fans donate 4460lbs of food to VOA food bank

                                                          (Photo: Everett Silvertips)

Everett Silvertips fans did more than show their support for their team during last Saturday's game against the Seattle Thunderbirds. They also donated 4,460 pounds of food to help stock the shelves at the Volunteers of America food bank in Everett.

In a news release, Silvertips Vice President & General Manager Doug Soetaert said, "Our loyal fans continue to come through to restock the shelves of the food bank. We're delighted with the way the community once again displayed their generosity."   

The news release went on to say that last weekend's food drive more than tripled the record amount collected two seasons ago during the team's "Make Noise for Hunger" campaign. Earlier this season, fans donated more than 1,200 pounds of food at the Silvertips' Green/Grey game.

The area's new lacrosse team, the Washington Stealth, has also issued a challenge to area businesses. A story on the team's website says the Stealth will match all donations (up to $5,000) made by businesses and corporations to the food bank through December 31. But they're taking things one step further. Any company that donates at least $1,000 will receive a gift package which includes team goodies and tickets to the Stealth's home opener on January 9, 2010.

Lori Drabant, the VOA's Director of Development and Communications welcomed the donations. "It's phenomenal," she said. "It helps a great deal."  The VOA food bank now has roughly 14 days of food. Food Bank Director Christin Froderberg thanked everyone who donated, saying, "the community's response has been wonderful."   Their next goal is to get 30 days of food on the shelves, as well as donations of food to make holiday meals, including: stuffing, jello, cranberry sauce, flour, sugar,  cake, cookie and other baked good mixes, cans of pumpkin (for pie) and condensed milk.

The Volunteers of America's Everett food bank serves 5,000 clients a month. 50% of those clients are children. 20% are senior citizens. And the VOA says it's not too late to donate. If you can't stop by the food bank with food, you can donate money online. You can also "adopt" a family or senior for the holidays, through the group's "Holiday Basket Bureau" program, or host a food drive with your neighbors or community group.

Find more information about the Volunteers of America and its needs by clicking here.

To get more information about the Everett Silvertips' efforts in the community, as well as information about the team and its game schedule, click here.

To get more information about the Washington Stealth's efforts in the community, as well as information about the team and its game schedule, click here.

Mitch Love is blogging again!

I love hockey players who are well-spoken, and love it even more when they can express themselves in writing. To that end, one of my favorite players is former Everett Silvertips Captain Mitch Love, who now plays for the Peoria Rivermen.  I made his acquaintance last season after spectacularly messing up the Canadian anthem (click here if you're interested in reading about that debacle).  Mitch was playing for the Houston Aeros then, and he graciously ageed to share what life is like in the AHL.  That blog was very well received by all who read it (hockey and non-hockey fans alike).



This season, Mitch has agreed to blog again, much to our delight. He's written two blogs so far. You can find the links below.  Feel free to let him know just how much you enjoy it.  And I do believe you WILL enjoy it.

Mitch Love: Blog #1
Mitch Love: Blog #2

T-Birds shut out Silvertips 4-0 at Comcast Arena

                                                        (All photos: Su Ring)

The Everett Silvertips rode a 2 game winning streak into Saturday’s game against I-5 rivals the Seattle Thunderbirds.  The Silvertips currently sit smack in the middle of the WHL’s US Division with a 12-6 record.  The T-Birds have struggled so far this season; their 7-12 record landing them at the bottom of the US Division. Still, Seattle also rode a 2 game winning streak heading into Comcast Arena.  Anyone who’s ever seen these two teams face each other, knows that records don’t count.  They will hit the ice and give everything they have to beat the other team. There is absolutely no love lost between the Silvertips and T-Birds.  On this night, Everett put Kent Simpson in net, while Seattle featured 17-year-old phenom Calvin Pickard.  And on this night, Pickard would prevail.

The first period featured a lot of action on both sides of the ice, with both goaltenders deflecting some pretty strong shots.  The first also featured a number of penalties, ranging from holding to unsportsmanlike conduct, but the clock ran down with a scoreless tie and the shots on goal fairly even – Everett 9, Seattle 11.

The second period began with the T-Birds on the power play, as Silvertips center Chris Langkow sat in the box for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at the close of the first period. Everett killed that penalty and went on the power play about 4 minutes into the period, when T-Bird d-man Steve Chaffin was called for holding. Just before that penalty ran out, Seattle’s Brenden Rouse drove up the ice and scored a shorthanded goal, with a little help from Silvertips goaltender Kent Simpson.  Simpson tried to stop the puck and accidentally slid it past him into the net.  The T-Birds scored again, on a power play at the 9:15 mark.  Right wing Sena Acolatse shot the puck past Kent Simpson.  Colin Jacobs and Brenden Rouse got the assists. About halfway through the 2^nd period, Jacobs dropped the gloves with Silvertips forward Kellan Tochkin and both of them went to the box. Jacobs got a 5 minute major for fighting, but the refs slapped Tochkin with 2 minutes for instigating, 5 minutes for fighting and a 10 minute misconduct.  He would not return until well into the 3^rd period. Not even a minute after the fight, the T-Birds struck again. Captain Lindsay Nielsen found the net, on a shot from Charles Wells and Jeremy Schappert.  There was more chippiness as little scraps broke out on the ice. In a move reminiscent of former T-Birds Captain (and current Manchester Monarch) Thomas Hickey, Radko Gudas, Everett’s big D-man, laid a hip check on T-Birds forward Prab Rai that sent Rai airborne. Luke Lockhart was called for hooking with 52 seconds left in the 2^nd, and as the horn sounded, the T-Birds’ Stefan Warg and ‘Tips’ Chris Langkow went at it.  Neither was called for a penalty and the two teams hit the locker room with Seattle up 3-0.

The Silvertips turned their aggressiveness up another notch as the third period got underway, driving again and again at the T-Birds’ net and outscoring Seattle 8-3 in the first 8 minutes of the final period. Again and again, Calvin Pickard turned them away, with help from his teammates.  Everett seemed to put Seattle on its heels, but the T-Birds regrouped and basically ran out the clock for most of the period.  With three minutes to go, Seattle scored again. Jonathan Parker put one past Kent Simpson. Sena Acolatse and Brenden Rouse got the assists.  The Silvertips turned up the jets again in the final 3 minutes of the game, but could not find a chink in Pickard’s armor.  Time ran out, giving Seattle a 4-0 victory and Pickard his second shutout of the season.  The 3 Stars of the Game:  3. Radko Gudas (Everett D-man); 2. Calvin Pickard (Seattle goaltender); 1. Prab Rai (Seattle LW).

AHL: Interview with Riley Armstrong, Abbotsford Heat

Photo: Abbotsford Heat

Former Everett Silvertip Riley Armstrong likes to visit Western Washington during the summer. Now, he won’t have so far to travel. Riley left the Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate) during the off-season and signed on with the Calgary Flames. He’s starting the season with the Flames’ AHL team, which moved to Abbotsford over the summer and changed its name to the Heat.

When I caught up with Riley a couple of weeks ago, he had just found an apartment and was busy learning his way around. We chatted about a number of things, including: what he likes about the Calgary organization, how he’s similar to former Everett teammate (and KING 5 Hockey blogger) Mitch Love, what he loves about his hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and what makes him so qualified to judge a unique Canadian TV show that turns former NHL bruisers into figure skaters.



SR: How’s Abbotsford?
RA: Not bad, just slowly getting settled in here and trying to figure my way around and stuff like that. I just moved in (to an apartment) about 3 days ago so I just got my couches and stuff. I just rented furniture and got it delivered yesterday.

SR: Did you take anything with you from Worcester?
RA: No, I left all my furniture there. I had it in a storage unit and I just left a whole house of stuff, pots and pans, couch, kitchen table and stuff like that. I just left it there and I’m trying to sell it to the guys on the team or will hopefully figure out something to do with it.


SR: So you’re starting from scratch again.
RA: Yeah, I am; which isn’t bad. I just decided to rent furniture here since I have a one year contract, where I could possibly be somewhere else next season, so I didn’t really want to buy a lot of stuff and then have to bring it home to Saskatoon for the summertime. It (renting furniture) makes it a little easier. A lot of the guys on the team are doing it since this is a new city.

SR: Last year, the team was in Iowa, wasn’t it?
RA: The team played in the Quad Cities last year so I think this is a pretty big change for the guys. Being in Canada now, you have all the hockey highlights all the time, which you kind of miss when you’re in the States. You’ve also got the best of both worlds being in BC, where you have the ocean right there and I’m living in the mountains (in Abbotsford) so it’s a pretty big change from living in Saskatoon all summer.

SR: How would you describe Saskatoon to somebody who’d never been there?
RA: I think Saskatoon is kind of a laid back city. I wouldn’t say there’s too much action going on and it takes about 15 minutes to get from one end of town to the other. But at the same time, there is a lot to do. The river flows right through the city so on a nice night out, you can always go for a walk down by the river and enjoy some ice cream at the Double Decker Bus. It’s my go-to spot there. I go out to eat quite a bit with my brother and my family. We don’t live at home with our parents anymore so it’s our time to go hang out with one another. There’s a lot of good restaurants to go to in Saskatoon, so I think that’s one of the bonuses of the city. You’ve got three good steakhouses, some good sushi places, Chinese food. They’ve got it all.

It’s always fun to go home, back to Saskatoon for the summertime. I feel comfortable in the city. All my friends and obviously all my family live there, too. (Note: Riley and his brother, Atlanta Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong have bought homes in the area.) I hang out with my brother – we get along great. We talk about hockey and break our jobs down. We learn from each other and push each other. We also work out together. I think at the same time, my parents would love us to be living at home. I don’t think, as a parent, you ever want to see your kid move away, but we’ve kind of been at that age now, me being the youngest in the family at 24, it’s kind of time to move out and move on at some point in life. It’s always nice to go home to home-cooked meals from your mum and dad that you enjoyed so much growing up. I think my dad cooks the best steaks on the barbeque and my mom has one of the best spaghetti dishes going, so it’s always fun to get the call saying you’re having steak or spaghetti for dinner that night, you’re pretty excited to go over there and have a nice dinner.

SR: I spoke to some players who are just making the transition from the WHL to the next level of play and they all really miss the home cooked meals, either from their parents or from the billet family. It’s a hard part of their adjustment to living on their own.
RA: When I was away from home the first year when I left Everett, I got tuned into the cooking channel. I went out and looked up some recipes to try and start cooking, trying different things. I think later on in life, you might get married and you’re gonna have to cook dinner so it’s always good to get some practice while you’re doing it on your own here and hopefully, you don’t get your family sick (laugh).

SR: What do you cook? What’s your signature dish?
RA: My signature dish is spaghetti with chicken and vodka sauce. I’ve also learned from my dad, how to cook salmon on the barbeque. You cut up potatoes and carrots and wrap them in tin foil, put them on the barbeque and let them marinade in butter. It’s one of my favorites from my dad. I’ve spent hours around the barbeque learning it from my dad so I think I’ve almost got it down now.

SR: Turning to hockey - tell me about Flames training camp.
RA: When I first got there, we did some fitness testing, then practiced against one another. There were probably about 60 kids at camp. They weeded kids out through the week and then they got into exhibition season. I had the opportunity to play in the exhibition game that was held in Saskatoon. That was my first time ever playing in Saskatoon. I never played there when I played for Kootenay or Everett. All my friends were at the game. It was sold out, and it was pretty cool to play in the city that I grew up in. My dad couldn’t make it, but my mom was there and my sister. It was definitely awesome to step onto the ice and have my friends down by the glass, banging on it. It was an awesome experience.

SR: The last time we talked, you said you were looking forward to working with the Sutters and the Flames organization. How have they been?
RA: They’ve been pretty good. They’re up front; they’re a pretty honest group of people. I think I can learn from them in so many ways to hopefully get better in my career. They’re a hard-nosed working family and that’s the kind of people I like. That’s something I think I bring to my game every night, so hopefully they can see that in me and I can get back up to Calgary throughout the season.

SR: The people I’ve spoken with who are familiar with you say that about you—that you are hard working, you don’t slack off, that you take every game seriously.
RA: That’s just how I grew up. I wasn’t the biggest guy. I think most of the time, these 6’3”, 6’4” kind of guys get a few more opportunities because they’re taller and possibly stronger. So, I have to use my strengths, my advantages, my speed and hard work.

SR: How are you guys gelling in Abbotsford? You just arrived from Flames camp. Are you on set lines yet or are you still working things out?
RA: We’re still kind of working things out. This is obviously my first year with the organization. There are other guys that have been here (with the team) for three or four years. I think the coach here has a read on them better than he does on me, so I’m just trying to go out there at practice and show him what I can do and the things that I bring to the table. I think things will sort out from there. It doesn’t really matter what line I’m on. Basically, everyone who plays in the league can play, so it doesn’t matter if you play on what they call the “first line” or the fourth. If you go out there and play hard every night, that’s what they’re looking for you to do, so hopefully I can contribute and score some goals again this year.

SR: I’ve been a fan for years, but have only been covering hockey for a year and I honestly can’t tell you who’s on the first line and fourth line. But going back and looking at the scoring summary of a game, you find a lot of times, the third and fourth line guys are digging in and scoring as much as the first and second line guys. And sometimes, it’s the fourth line guys who are carrying the team.
RA: I’ve never really played on a “top” line before. I do have good skill, I think, and work on that part of my game often, but at the same time I think you just want to get back to the basics. I think my best games are when I’m grinding it out, when I’m in the corner, or when I’m just in the game more, instead of just being a perimeter player. I like to get into the action, get my nose dirty once in a while.

SR: You and (former Everett teammate) Mitch Love seem to have a really similar work ethic- the same drive to get out there and do whatever it takes to play, to get into the middle of the action, and the same kind of dedication to help the team.
RA: We’re the same kind of person. He walked on to Swift Current and made that team. I walked onto Kootenay and made that team the first year and we’ve kind of been on the same path – we’ve never been drafted to the NHL and we’re in the AHL. I think if you want it, you have to go get it. It’s out there for you to take. I think we’ve learned that playing under Kevin Constantine and Doug Soetaert (in Everett), helping us out through the time we spent there. Hopefully, we’re still on the right path and one day we both can be in the NHL.

SR: Lightening things up a little—do you have a pre-game ritual?
RA: I’m not really into that too much. I think it boils down more to, if I find a good place to eat, I’ll just go to that same place all the time. I’ll eat different foods on different days, as long as it’s a nice place to go eat. After I eat, I usually come home and have a nap and then I head to the rink. I don’t like to get to the rink too early, since we’re already there two hours before a game. If you get there two and half or three hours early, you’re just sitting there thinking. So, I usually get there right about two hours before the game and then I settle in. I tape my sticks the same way all the time because it feels comfortable for me. Then I get dressed and go out on the ice for warm ups. It’s not that do anything special but I think if I really, really looked into it, I’d find that I probably do a lot of things the same way throughout the day, but at the same time, I don’t really let that stuff get in my head, like if I put my skate on wrong or lace it up wrong, I have to get all undressed again. I’m not as crazy as (former Everett teammate; current Providence Bruins standout) Zach Hamill.

SR: I’ve heard stories about Zach and other players, who really do seem to have to follow a set routine and are almost superstitious about it, to the point where, like you said – if they lace up a skate wrong, they have to start all over again. How does that kind of stuff start?
RA: I think you might get dressed (a certain way) and you play a really good game – you have two goals. And then you do it again the next game and you have a goal and an assist. Then you think, “Wow, I have to do this every single game.” And I think it kind of gets in your head that you have to keep doing it. And if you get hot – like one year Zach (Hamill) had 93 points and he must have been doing something right all the time so he kept doing it and doing it. It seems to be working for him. He’s still playing well and will probably get up to Boston this season and have some NHL games.

SR: Were there any players in Worcester who took things a little too seriously like that?
RA: There was one guy in Worcester, Kyle McLaren, who played in the NHL forever. After every single period, he would get undressed and shower and then get dressed again. He’d wear all brand-new underwear under his equipment. I don’t know why he did it and I never really did ask him. I think that was kind of his thing so I just let him do it, but we always gave him a little bit of a hard time about it.

SR: I’ve heard stories about stars, like Sidney Crosby, who has to walk into the arena a certain way. And if someone stops him, he has to leave and come in again. That’s pretty obsessive.
RA: I think people have their ways about certain things. I’ve never really been one to walk in and out of a rink weird or do anything like that. I just kind of take life as it comes. I think it doesn’t really matter what I do before the game, it’s how I prepare in the morning and how I prepare while I’m at the rink, (that determines) whether I’m going to play good or not play good. I don’t think it has anything to do with how you get dressed or what you eat or anything like that. It’s just how you focus and if you are focused and if you are prepared to play the game that night.

SR: Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?
RA: I like to eat a Caesar salad and spaghetti with a little bit of meat sauce. I don’t really like a lot of sauce so that it’s like a soup, almost. I just like enough to have some taste. If I could, I would just eat plain spaghetti, something light that doesn’t sit in my stomach all day and night. And I like to drink a Coke or a Pepsi.

SR: Is there any particular music you like to listen to on game day? Any music that helps you get pumped up for a game?
RA: I think I’m kind of weird when it comes to listening to music for game day. Everyone listens to hard rock or rap and it gets them pumped up. I like to listen to songs that I can sing along to. I’m really into Sugarland right now. They have some really good songs and they’re just a really good band. Nickelback as a few really good pump-up songs but I’m not really into the loud music. I just like to keep it mellow a bit.

SR: Have you seen the CBC show “Battle of the Blades?” As soon as I saw the ads for it, I thought of you because of your background in figure skating. (Note: Riley figure skated until he was 15, then turned to hockey full time)
RA: I actually watched it two nights ago. I watched it because Claude Lemieux is in it and I played with him last year. And I actually know a girl who is one of the partners. I figured skated with her when I was younger. It was pretty weird seeing her out there skating, and also seeing Claude Lemieux out there skating, after he was laughing at me that I used to figure skate. I was actually nervous for the guys, wondering if they were going to trip on the toe picks or not. It was actually a pretty entertaining show. My mom was telling me I should sign up for that but I don’t think that would be fair since I can do all the tricks on my hockey skates, I would win the competition pretty easily.

SR: There were a few heart-stopping moments for me, seeing these guys doing those crazy spins where they hold the girls by their feet. I was waiting for one of the girls to bust her chin open on the ice. But it was funny, too, to see these fighters like Bob Probert and Tie Domi figure skating.
RA: Yeah- you’ve got these rough-nosed guys you’ve seen dropping the gloves for 18 years in the NHL and now they’re figure skating. It kind of shows a different side of them where people can get to know them better than just as guys who fought all the time on the ice.

SR: One of my co-workers met a player with a tough-guy reputation and was surprised to learn how friendly he was. Some the nicest guys I’ve met are players who are “fighters” on the ice. In fact hockey players, as a whole, seem to be the most approachable, down-to-earth people.
RA: With hockey, the one thing they (coaches/organizations) always talk about is getting out in the community and visiting hospitals, visiting schools and talking to kids. I think every hockey player goes out there and tries to help at least one kid follow his dream, just like how it was when we were growing up. We had the Saskatoon Blades come into my school when I was young; talking about the things they did to make it. I’ve always enjoyed doing that. Me and Mitch did that a lot in Everett. I did it quite a bit in Worcester, too.

To go with the fighter question: I always call the fighters off the ice, little teddy bears. I think the “mean streak” they have in them is like a switch that goes on when it’s time for them to do their job, to protect players. I don’t think every guy has that switch, maybe one or two guys per hockey team. I think it’s unbelievable, the way they can do their job, the way they can control themselves and that they can still play the game but when it’s time to do their job and protect somebody, that they can go out there and do that. But off the ice, they’re like the big teddy bears. You can joke around with them, play fight with them. It’s awesome to have them as friends, too, because you know they’ve always got your back.

SR: I don’t remember hearing about you getting into any fights. Are you a fighter?
RA: I’ve actually had quite a few bad experiences fighting. I think I help the team by scoring goals and being an “energy” guy. I’ll go to battle for my teammates but that doesn’t necessarily mean fighting. I’ll skate into a situation to back up a player, to show that we’re a team and will stick up for each other. I wouldn’t say that fighting is something I do well. I think that’s why we have guys on the team that will do it. In the situations that I’ve been in, I’ve had a lot of good guys to back me. When I played with Mitch Love, he always came in there at any given time to help me out, whenever someone had me down. And then in Worcester, I had Brad Staubitz and Frazer McLaren who were always there to help m out. Now they’re both in San Jose, so it’s awesome to see them play in the NHL. Those three guys will always be lifelong friends for me.

I think all the guys who have the responsibility (of being fighters) can also play the game, or they wouldn’t be allowed to go on the ice. They have to be just as good at playing hockey as they are at fighting. You can put them on the ice knowing they can get the job done, and if it’s time for them to do their “other” job, that comes as second nature to them.

SR: Any predictions about who is going to win Battle of the Blades?
RA: (after watching one episode): I want to say Craig Simpson. Actually, I want to change that to Glenn Anderson. I was just going over everyone’s programs in my head and I think Glenn is going to come out on top.

SR: Did you skate pairs or single when you were young?
RA: I did a little bit of pairs skating when I was little. The girl I skated pairs with was Katherine Husiak. She still lives in Saskatoon. We talk once in a while. My mom was her coach too and made us do pairs. I think I was 8 or 9. I wasn’t strong enough to lift her over my head or do anything like that so we just did the little kid kind of pairs stuff, with jumps.

SR: So, in your figure skating expertise, Glenn Anderson had the best moves.
RA: Yes, he showed the best potential to get better throughout the show.

SR: And how do you think your old pal, Claude Lemieux, is going to do?
RA: (Laughs) I don’t know. The way he skates with hockey skates, the toe picks could come into effect with him, but who knows? I think they’re skating quite a bit and trying to get used to figure skates so I think Claude will do fine. I’m not gonna say he’s not gonna come a close second to Glenn, but I think he’ll probably be on the show for quite a bit.

Well, we’re a few weeks on from Riley’s prediction, and Glenn Anderson is out of the running. However, Riley’s former Worcester Sharks teammate Claude Lemieux is still in the heat of competition, along with Riley’s original first choice, Craig Simpson. If you want to know what we’re talking about, you can check out the show “Battle of the Blades” on CBC-TV. Check the website for dates and times.

Riley has also discovered Twitter and is having fun learning this social networking tool. Here’s his Twitter handle: @Pitter20.

The Abbotsford Heat is off to a decent start.  You can track their season on their website - just click here.