/blogs/LarryMellott/home.aspxCheck out Larry's latest thoughts...en-usCopyright 2012, CJOY-AMThu, 17 May 2012 15:46:24 GMTMon, 14 May 2012 13:54:21 GMT1http://emmisinteractive.comHe's been overlooked by the NHL and by Team USA, but I've considered Michael Houser the best goalie in the OHL this year and among the elite last year too.  When a young London Knights team got off to a great start this year it surprised a few people; granted excellent coaching and a solid system were keys to success, but they also knew they could count on the guy between the pipes to cover for any youthful mistakes.  Quite frankly I thought a bigger, older Niagara Ice Dogs team would have the edge in the OHL final.  Once again Houser and his teammates proved us doubters wrong.  I've learned my lesson, I won't bet against them at the Memorial Cup.  One final thought, heading into next June's NHL draft Michael Houser is ranked #16 among goalies.  Who are those other 15 guys and what have they done???/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10382969larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10382969Mon, 14 May 2012 13:54:21 GMTI'm sure most Guelph Storm fans were thrilled to see Daniel Paille hoist the Stanley Cup last June, along with former Storm coach Geoff Ward.  Will two more alumni get a chance to do that this spring? A Los Angeles/New York cup final is a distinct possibility.  Dustin Brown vs Ryan Callahan would be an entertaining match-up, two of the hardest hitters in the game.  Paille, Callahan and Brown were all team-mates in 2002/03, Ryan Callahan's rookie year in the OHL.  Here's where you can always play the what if game.  If Los Angles hadn't scooped up Brown for the 2003/04 season would Dustin Brown's presence have helped win the Memorial Cup in Kelowna?  Anyhow, back to the present, besides those two hard working forwards the guys on the back end-Drew Doughty in L.A.and the Rangers Dan Girardi-haven't been too shabby either. I'm not sure who I'd cheer for, but .../blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10382550larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10382550Fri, 11 May 2012 17:41:10 GMTIts been rumored for quite some time that Mississauga businessman Elliott Kerr would buy the St. Mikes Majors hockey team from Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.  That transaction became official today.  One other minor little detail, it meant Kerr had to sell his interest in the Guelph Storm.  Coach Scott Walker has now become a coach/owner; like Mark Hunter in London and Bob Boughner in Windsor.  Those franchises have been highly successful in recent years, with London only one win away from capturing their second OHL title.  Walker will own roughly one third of the team with Rick Hoyle and Rick Gaetz.  John Heely, who's been involved with the ownership group since the team moved from Hamilton to Guelph 21 years ago, maintains a small share.  It brings up one question, although not in my mind, how does this affect GM Mike Kelly?  It has the potential to be a .../blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10382144larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10382144Fri, 11 May 2012 16:53:26 GMTScott Diamond has taken his game to a diamond (pardon the weak play on words) where very few Canadians have gone over the years-the major leagues.  I remember the Guelph native pitching for the junior Silvercreeks and briefly the senior Royals before taking his game south of the border.  Originally signed as a free agent by the Atlanta Braves he was traded to Minnesota last summer.  He made his major league debut with the Twins immediately after that trade, pitched several times and registered his first major league win, before being sent to Triple A Rochester.  He started this season in Rochester and has had an excellent start.  The reward was a recall to the big leagues yesterday.  How to go Scott! You've got a whole city cheering for you./blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10380964larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10380964Tue, 08 May 2012 13:50:06 GMTI took my daughter and grandchildren to Canada's Wonderland on the weekend.  The kids always enjoy a visit to that fantasy land.  My daughter and grandson enjoy the rides. Grandpa and grandaughter are a little more timid.  Every year features at least one big new attraction.  This year it's the Leviathan-the 16th rollercoaster on the grounds.  This one is definitely not for the feint of heart.  It's 306 feet/93 metres tall and reaches a top speed of 92 mph/148 km/h.  Very simply put it's now the tallest and fastest coaster in the land.  Give it a try and let me know how thrilling it is, I'll take your word for it!/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10380674larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10380674Mon, 07 May 2012 19:23:19 GMTFormer NHL defenceman Marc Bergevin was named the GM of the Montreal Canadiens yesterday. He's been with the Chicago Black Hawks since his retirement, serving in several different areas.  His resume looks solid, but many of the online observations yesterday were directed at his appearance.  People were commenting on how much he resembled actor Jeff Goldbloom.  I compared pictures of the two and drew the same conclusion.  I'm thinking if this hockey thing doesn't work out he could be Goldbloom's double in his next movie!/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10379556larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10379556Thu, 03 May 2012 16:38:58 GMTOur Guelph Sports Hall of Fame selection committee is going through the annual process of considering candidates.  The new group of inductees will be honoured at our fall banquet (date yet to be determined).  If you've nominated a team or an individual thanks for your help-even if they're not selected this year your nomination form remains on file for future consideration.  There are lots of worthy candidates.  For the record our committee members are not allowed to nominate anybody; that part is up to you.  The Wall of Honour is located just inside the arena area at Old Quebec Street, on the lower level. /blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10379166larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10379166Wed, 02 May 2012 18:25:19 GMTRumours have been floating around the OHL since last fall that Eugene Melnyk was interested in selling his junior hockey team in Mississauga.  The Ottawa Senators owner was hoping he'd see a substantial attendance boost in Mississauga after hosting last spring's Memorial Cup.  It hasn't happened. It's also been reported extensively that Mississauga businessman, sports agent and former part owner of the Mississauga Ice Dogs, Elliot Kerr, was a potential interested buyer.  One minor little detail, Kerr is involved in the Guelph ownership group, or is he?  Elliot Kerr apparently was at the Majors draft table three weeks ago.  I know he certainly wasn't here in Guelph.  I'm hearing there may be an official announcement as early as next week./blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10377640larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10377640Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:16:19 GMTVancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo has been a hot topic of conversation during this year's Stanley Cup playoffs.  He was replaced by backup, now number one?, goalie Cory Schneider, during therir series loss to Los Angeles.  Now all indications are he'll be moved elsewhere during the off season.  To be fair he's handled the situation with class; that wasn't always the case.  Flashback to spring 1998 and the Memorial Cup tournament in Spokane.  The four teams were QMJHL champions Val D'Or Foreurs, WHL champion Portland Winter Hawks, OHL champion Guelph Storm and the host Spokane Chiefs. Spokane was coached by current Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock, but that's another story for another time. Val D'Or goalie Roberto Luongo was one of the first players I interviewed at that event.  He and his teammates would also become the first team eliminated from the tournament, when the Storm shut them out 7-0.  By all .../blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10375441larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10375441Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:50:21 GMTBarb Underhill is a 1984 World Champion figure skater.  When her husband, Rick Gaetz, bought a share of the Guelph Storm several years ago she started to help some of the young Storm players work on their skating ability.  It's evolved, in recent years, into a new career working with pro hockey players.  Until recently her clients have played for various teams; now she'll focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Barb has signed on as a skating consultant for the team./blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10375060larry.mellott@corusent.com (Larry Mellott)/blogs/LarryMellott/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10375060Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:28:08 GMT