A Sad Day in Sports

Tragically this was the scene in Russia this morning as a plane crashed into the Volga River shortly after take - off. The majority of passengers on the plane were the Lokomotiv hockey club of the Kontinental Hockey League. The team was on their way to Belarus to kick off their KHL schedule. Amongst those who perished in the accident were coach Brad McCrimmon, a former NHLer and native of Saskatchewan and former NHLers including Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei and Karl Rachunek. These are just the names of those most hockey fans might recall.
What a horrible few months it has been for the game of hockey off the ice. The NHL family has lost three players since May in Derek Boogard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak, and then the international hockey scene has to endure this tragic event. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of all those who lost someone in this unfortunate accident this morning in Russia; may they all rest in peace.


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On a day when there is so much sadness in sports, the news of Andy Fantuz' return to Riderville is over - shadowed as it rightfully should be. Nonetheless, HEEEEE's BAAAAACK. Andy Fantuz was back in Rider green this afternoon, practicing with the first team offence at Mosaic and according to Rod Pederson's blog he and Darian Durant did not miss a beat. He along with Weston Dressler, Chris Getzlaf, Efrem Hill and Dallas Baker make up easily the best recieving corps in the CFL. How good is this crew? So good that it looks like Carey Koch, who is eligible to come off the Nine Game list this week will remain right there on the injured list. And let's face it, every team in the league would be quick to grab a guy like Koch.

I can only think that with Doug Berry gone and Darian in a better place in terms of happiness and freedom that the sky is the limit for this offensive group the rest of the way.

Like I said yesterday, let's just hope that the Riders brass and Andy's representatives can get together and work out a deal that will pay Andy what he deserves while at the same time making sure he is in Rider green for years to come.

Going back to the Rider offence, not only are they scary good, look how young they are. Is anyone of the five starters over 28? We could have something very special to watch for years to come.

While bad news for the Riders, this is great news for John Chick. The former Rider who was cut loose by the Colts at the NFL cut down deadline, not only caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he has been put on their 53 man roster for this weekend's game against Tennessee. While I would have loved to have seen him back with the Riders, this is great for John, his family and all his fans as he gets to realize his dream of playing in the NFL.
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For the record that 'other' football league kicks off tomorrow with a showdown between the last two Superbowl Champions as the Saints travel to Lambeau to take on the Packers. I don't think the NFL could have picked a better game to kick off the season and build up the excitement of the NFL season to come. I will have my prediction's for the NFL in tomorrow's post. Let me know what YOU think will play out this season.