Marc Habscheid (WHL) Chilliwack Bruins...

When the Chilliwack Bruins hired Marc Habscheid during the past off-season, they added a head coach and general manager with storied ties to the WHL.

Habscheid was a consistent offensive producer during his playing career with the Saskatoon Blades. He played professionally in the NHL, in Europe, and also played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship and the Olympics. His coaching record includes a World Junior Championship gold medal and a Memorial Cup championship with the Kelowna Rockets.

He has also retained his ties to Saskatchewan, where he has been involved with retired LPGA Tour player Nancy Harvey in co-hosting a scholarship fundraising golf tournament in their hometown of Swift Current.

WHL Rookie to Watch: Shane McColgan

Through six games this season, right-winger Shane McColgan has collected two goals and five assists. When the regular season began, the native of Manhattan Beach, California was patrolling the wing beside Kelowna Rockets' veterans Mitch Callahan and Stepan Novotny. He now finds himself playing with high-energy centerman Kyle St. Denis.

Last season, McColgan toiled in midget hockey with the Los Angeles Junior Kings, where he was coached by former Saskatoon Blades forward, Jack Bowkus. He also played in four WHL games last season, as well as four playoff games during the Rockets run to the league championship. He scored his first WHL goal on the road in a game against the Red Deer Rebels.

McColgan's speed and nose for the net have allowed head coach Ryan Huska to experiment among his top-six group of forwards. We spoke with Huska at Prospera Place in Kelowna about McColgan, his play to date, and also some thoughts on McColgan's midget hockey coach.

Random Ravings...

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft

Should be interesting on Friday night in Montreal at the NHL Entry Draft. Doesn't appear to be a particularly deep pool this season, but first round prognostications are always fun. Here's a few thoughts...

My Top 5, in order, from the WHL:
1. Jared Cowen, D, Spokane Chiefs
2. Brayden Schenn, C, Brandon Wheat Kings
3. Evander Kane, C, Vancouver Giants
4. Scott Glennie, F, Brandon
5. Carter Ashton, F, Lethbridge Hurricanes

My 1st Round "Perfect Fit":
Stefan Elliott, D, Saskatoon Blades. Could be available in the middle of round one when the Montreal Canadiens step to the podium. Not that this is ever a consideration in Quebec, but Elliott, a native of BC's Lower Mainland, speaks fluent French.

My Longshot:
Brett Ponich, D, Portland Winterhawks. The kid is about 6'8" tall on skates. He has some developing to do, could use a mean streak, but you cannot teach this kind of size. Perhaps a mid- to late-round selection.


The Sutter Clan in Calgary

Sure, there will be eyebrows raised when the Calgary Flames announce Brent Sutter as the club's new head coach, but one can hardly be surprised. The family is dealing with estate matters associated with the homestead in central Alberta, so sticking closer to home seems to make sense for everybody and this is a group that really does pull together. I always enjoy chatting with the eldest, Gary Sutter, who frequents tha Shannon Lake GC in Westbank three or four times a week.


CFL Football At Last

The final pre-season tilts go on Tuesday night and then we're only a week away from games that really matter. As a loyal Saskatchewan Roughrider fan, I'm always hopeful and skeptical this time of year. Will be nice to hear Rod Pederson and Carm Carteri on the airwaves. Pederson also handles radio play-by-play for the Regina Pats of the WHL.


Good Guys, Good Family

Enjoyed a quick chat with Scott Wasden on the weekend as he teed it up with family in Westbank on Father's Day. Wasden played for the Medicine Hat Tigers and played in the 2007 Memorial Cup in Vancouver before being traded to the Kamloops Blazers where he toiled this past season as a 20-year-old. He will know this week if he'll get a free agent tryout with an NHL team this summer. If not, he's headed to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Wasden's cousin, Kevin Walrod, also hit the links with the family. Walrod has graduated from the BCHL, where he played for the Westside Warriors before winding up his career with the Cowichan Valley Capitals. He'll head for Michigan State in August, where he has accepted an offer that will see him suit up in the NCAA with the Spartans.