SASKATOON (34-12-3-3) at REGINA (23-25-3-3)
Today, 7 p.m., Brandt Centre
Radio: 620 CKRM

Key injuries: REGINA — None to report. SASKATOON — D Teigan Zahn (leg, out for season); LW Curtis Hamilton (collarbone, out for season); LW Curt Gogol (thumb, indefinite).

Overview: Saskatoon hasn't exactly set the league on fire in the New Year. After winning three straight games to open 2010, the Blades have gone 5-5-2. They lost 7-3 to the host Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday to fall out of top spot in the Eastern Conference. They’re one point back of the front-running Brandon Wheat Kings, with three games in hand, and only two points ahead of the fifth-place Medicine Hat Tigers . . . The Pats have a 2-3-0 record against Saskatoon this season. Both wins came via shootout at the Brandt Centre. Following tonight’s game, the teams are slated to meet two more times in the regular season: Feb. 27 and March 10, both in Saskatoon . . . This is the first meeting between the Pats and Blades since the Jan. 10 trade deadline. Saskatoon made a deal with the Prince George Cougars for import C Marek Viedensky (9-27—36, 41 GP), who has five goals and six assists in 10 games since the trade. The Blades also added scrappy RW Sena Acolatse (14-11—25, 49 GP), who has one goal, two assists and 23 penalty minutes in 10 games . . . Captain Derek Hulak, an ex-Pat, is Saskatoon’s leading scorer (23-39—62, 52 GP). Stefan Elliott is among the league’s top-scoring D-men (19-28—47, 52 GP). He’s also tied for second in the WHL with a plus-32 rating. Hulak is +30 . . . Regina has a record of 16-8-1-3 on home ice. Saskatoon is 17-7-0-3 on the road . . . Blades head coach/GM Lorne Molleken has always loved a tough team. His current group has four players with over 100 penalty minutes: RW Randy McNaught (ranked third in the league with 144 PIMs), injured LW Curt Gogol (133), LW Darian Dziurzynski (124) and C Travis Toomey (103). The Pats have two: RW Brett Leffler (113) and D Mitch McColm (106).

NFL Unveils New Super Bowl Logo

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Vince Lombardi trophy will be a permanent fixture on Super Bowl logos from now on.

The trophy itself will get a new regional look, depending on where the game is played.

The changes were announced Thursday when the NFL unveiled the new logo in conjunction with the North Texas Super Bowl host committee.

At next year's Super Bowl in Dallas, the silver winner's trophy will also display a silver model of Cowboys Stadium. The NFL says it created a national logo -- without the stadium -- and a regional one with it.

Though the trophy will remain on future logos, the stadiums will change with each host

Lapo New Blue Bombers Head Coach

WINNIPEG - Paul LaPolice is the new head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

LaPolice formally accepted the terms of a deal with the club Thursday morning and will be introduced as the new coach at a press conference on Friday. Sources with both the Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where LaPolice has spent the last three years – the last two as offensive coordinator – have confirmed the news.

Earlier today there were conflicting reports from two media outlets, one claiming LaPolice had been offered the job, the other saying it was going to Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive coordinator Greg Marshall. But Marshall, the runner-up to Doug Berry and Mike Kelly previously, was never offered the job with the Bombers.

The Riders apparently attempted to keep LaPolice in Regina by sweetening their offer financially to remain as offensive coordinator under Ken Miller, but he has decided to take the Bomber job.

LaPolice previously served as the Bombers offensive coordinator in 2002-03 and has worked with the Toronto Argonauts twice (2000-01; 2006); Tiger-Cats (2004-05) and Riders. Prior to coming north to Canada, he spent seven years in the US college ranks with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Unviersity of New Hampshire, Western Connecticut State and Maine Maritime

Stevie going South

Pass rusher Stevie Baggs has signed a one-year contract with the Cards.


The Cardinals, searching for pass rushers and trying to get younger at the position, have looked at the Canadian Football League to find a possible piece at linebacker.

Unlike last year, the Cardinals found one of those players.

In signing undersized defensive end Stevie Baggs – who tied for the CFL lead in sacks with 12 while playing for Saskatchewan this season – to a one-year contract Wednesday, the Cards have made the first step in trying to rebuild an aging linebacking corps.

At 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, Baggs could fit with the Cards’ 3-4 alignment. With Bertrand Berry’s retirement and the unlikely return of free agent Chike Okeafor, the Cards need outside pass rushing candidates. They also need linebackers overall, with the possibility inside man Karlos Dansby could leave as a free agent.

The Cardinals were interested in CFL pass-rushing star Cameron Wake a season ago, bringing Wake in for a tryout before Wake eventually signed in Miami.

This time, they signed Baggs, 28, a Florida native who played his college ball at Bethune-Cookman before fashioning a journeyman’s football résumé with stops in NFL Europe, the Arena Football League and the practice squad of the Detroit Lions. He spent time with the Edmonton and Winnipeg franchises before signing with Saskatchewan last winter (the CFL plays in the summer) and having a breakout season.

Baggs tied British Columbia’s Rickey Foley for the league lead in sacks and Foley too is trying to follow in the footsteps of Baggs and Wake to the NFL, reportedly trying out for teams like the Jets and Patriots.

Baggs joins an outside linebackers mix that includes veteran Clark Haggans, 2009 draft picks Cody Brown and Will Davis, and Mark Washington, who spent the last month of the season on the practice squad. The Cards are optimistic not only of their draftees but also of Washington, who impressed during his brief time in Arizona and should be in the mix for a roster spot in 2010.

Lapo to Bombers?

Sportsnet's Arash Madani is reporting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have offered their head coaching job to Paul Lapolice, the Roughriders' offensive coordinator.
If he accepts, there will be a news conference tomorrow.:

"From: @madani09
Wpg Blue Bombers have offered Sask RR off coord Paul LaPolice head coaching job. LaPo beats out greg marshall. Press conf tmrw if he accepts.

CHL Top Ten

1 Saint John Sea Dogs (42-8-1-0)
2 Barrie Colts (41-7-0-1)
3 Windsor Spitfires (40-7-0-5)
4 Tri-City Americans (37-13-0-2)
5 Saskatoon Blades (34-11-3-3)
6 Moncton Wildcats (35-12-1-3)
7 London Knights (35-13-0-2)
8 Brandon Wheat Kings (35-16-0-3)
9 Drummondville Voltigeurs (35-14-0-2)
10 Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (33-12-4-1)

Honourable Mention:
Everett Silvertips (33-16-2-1)
Victoriaville Tigres (34-17-1-1)
Plymouth Whalers (31-20-0-1)

Quick Check In

I know, things have been slow around here on the blog over this past week just copy,paste jobs. But I really haven't had much to say lately and maybe that's for the best with the way I have been feeling with not only the Pats play over the last three games but the Flames trades. I thought I would send a little hello I will have more going on the blog later this week. But have to go and finish the work day and get home to watch the Blades/Raiders game tonight. The Blades better win because if they don't then the two pathetic fucking points the Pats got over these two last shoot out losses real mean nothing gotta run.

WHL Playoff Push

Time to update a few things...


First, the "stretch records" idea for the West is being trashed....it was working on the assumption that you'd need 64 points to make the playoffs in the West but that just isn't going to happen, the way Seattle and Prince George have been playing. Now it's probably more like 54 points needed, and everyone else but those two teams is already at that point level. So it's unmathematically official: Seattle and Prince George will miss the playoffs. Everyone else will make it.


As for the East....we've been assuming 78 points would be required and that still seems accurate. So the required records in the East to get 78 points:


Saskatoon Blades: 2-19-0 (0.095)
Brandon Wheat Kings: 2-15-1 (0.139)
Medicine Hat Tigers: 3-13-0 (0.188)
Kootenay Ice: 4-15-0 (0.211)
Calgary Hitmen: 5-16-0 (0.238)
Red Deer Rebels: 8-12-0 (0.4)
Moose Jaw Warriors: 9-11-1 (0.452)
Prince Albert Raiders: 10-8-0 (0.556)
Swift Current Broncos: 11-7-1 (0.605)
Regina Pats: 13-5-0 (0.722)


Edmonton and Lethbridge cannot get 78 points and so they're like the Birds and Cougars - unofficially out of the race.


I don't know about you, but that 13-5 for Regina seems more intimidating all the time. Not much room for error left there. Of their remaining 18 games, they have to play 10 of them against teams .667 or better - and they can only afford to lose maybe five of those at most. And they play 10 of 18 on the road, where they are the 4th-worst team in the WHL. It's not adding up to a happy ending here.


Some actual "magic numbers" now...


Tri-City will be the first team in the league to mathematically clinch a playoff spot - they need a mere 1 point, or 1 lost point by Seattle, and it's official.


Everett's number to clinch a spot is 4.5 wins or Seattle losses.


Portland's number is 6 wins or Seattle losses.


Vancouver's is 6.5 wins or Seattle losses.


Prince George will be mathematically eliminated with 4 losses or Chilliwack wins.


Edmonton will be mathematically eliminated with 6 losses or Prince Albert wins.


And just for reference, the remaining schedules for everyone in the league....


Brandon
Home – (12) Red Deer, Kootenay, Regina, Swift Current, Regina, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Moose Jaw, Regina
Away – (6) Saskatoon, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Regina


Calgary
Home – (11) Medicine Hat, Prince Albert, Brandon, Prince George, Red Deer, Kelowna, Prince Albert, Swift Current, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Red Deer
Away – (10) Swift Current, Medicine Hat, Swift Current, Regina, Lethbridge, Kelowna, Kamloops, Red Deer, Kootenay, Edmonton


Chilliwack
Home - (6) Kelowna, Vancouver, Seattle, Tri-City, Vancouver, Portland
Away - (11) Tri-City, Vancouver, Swift Current, Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Brandon, Moose Jaw, Prince George, Prince George, Everett


Edmonton
Home - (11) Lethbridge, Kootenay, Regina, Lethbridge, Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna, Red Deer, Kootenay, Saskatoon, Calgary
Away - (7) Kelowna, Prince George, Prince George, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Kootenay


Everett
Home - (9) Spokane, Kelowna, Spokane, Moose Jaw, Portland, Tri-City, Prince George, Seattle, Chilliwack
Away - (11) Spokane, Vancouver, Spokane, Tri-City, Seattle, Spokane, Kamloops, Prince George, Prince George, Portland, Spokane


Kamloops
Home - (9) Lethbridge, Kelowna, Spokane, Seattle, Calgary, Everett, Vancouver, Prince George, Prince George
Away - (9) Portland, Spokane, Prince George, Kelowna, Tri-City, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Vancouver


Kelowna
Home - (8) Edmonton, Lethbridge, Kamloops, Calgary, Spokane, Seattle, Vancouver, Prince George
Away - (10) Chilliwack, Everett, Kamloops, Portland, Seattle, Lethbridge, Edmonton, Calgary, Spokane, Vancouver


Kootenay
Home – (9) Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Spokane. Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton
Away – (10) Moose Jaw, Brandon, Regina, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Edmonton, Red Deer


Lethbridge
Home - (10) Saskatoon, Calgary, Swift Current, Kootenay, Edmonton, Kelowna, Kamloops, Moose Jaw, Red Deer, Medicine Hat
Away - (10) Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops, Red Deer, Edmonton, Edmonton, Kootenay, Regina, Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat


Medicine Hat
Home – (12) Calgary, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Brandon, Moose Jaw, Kootenay, Kootenay, Kamloops, Moose Jaw, Red Deer, Edmonton, Lethbridge
Away – (4) Calgary, Swift Current, Kootenay, Lethbridge


Moose Jaw
Home – (8) Kootenay, Red Deer, Regina, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Lethbridge, Swift Current
Away – (13) Kootenay, Spokane, Seattle, Everett, Portland, Tri-City, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Brandon, Saskatoon, Brandon, Swift Current


Portland
Home - (10) Kamloops, Seattle, Tri-City, Moose Jaw, Kelowna, Prince George, Tri-City, Spokane, Tri-City, Everett
Away - (8) Seattle, Prince George, Prince George, Everett, Tri-City, Seattle, Chilliwack, Seattle


Prince Albert
Home – (8) Saskatoon, Swift Current, Red Deer, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Brandon, Swift Current, Saskatoon
Away – (10) Medicine Hat, Calgary, Red Deer, Swift Current, Saskatoon, Brandon, Calgary, Red Deer, Regina, Saskatoon


Prince George
Home - (11) Edmonton, Edmonton, Kamloops, Portland, Portland, Seattle, Seattle, Everett, Everett, Chilliwack, Chilliwack
Away - (9) Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Spokane, Everett, Portland, Kamloops, Kamloops, Kelowna


Red Deer
Home – (9) Lethbridge, Regina, Prince Albert, Prince George, Kootenay, Calgary, Prince Albert, Swift Current, Kootenay
Away – (11) Brandon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Kootenay, Calgary


Regina
Home – (8) Saskatoon, Kootenay, Calgary, Chilliwack, Vancouver, Lethbridge, Prince Albert, Brandon
Away – (10) Brandon, Red Deer, Edmonton, Brandon, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Saskatoon, Brandon


Saskatoon
Home – (11) Brandon, Swift Current, Red Deer, Vancouver, Brandon, Chilliwack, Prince Albert, Regina, Moose Jaw, Regina, Prince Albert
Away – (10) Prince Albert, Regina, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Kootenay, Moose Jaw, Brandon, Edmonton, Calgary, Prince Albert


Seattle
Home - (11) Portland, Moose Jaw, Vancouver, Everett, Kelowna, Portland, Tri-City, Spokane, Tri-City, Portland, Vancouver
Away - (9) Portland, Tri-City, Chilliwack, Kamloops, Prince George, Prince George, Kelowna, Tri-City, Everett


Spokane
Home - (11) Everett, Kamloops, Moose Jaw, Tri-City, Everett, Everett, Prince George, Tri-City, Kelowna, Tri-City, Everett
Away - (9) Everett, Everett, Kamloops, Kootenay, Tri-City, Kelowna, Portland, Seattle, Tri-City


Swift Current
Home – (10) Calgary, Red Deer, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Chilliwack, Prince Albert, Regina, Vancouver, Regina, Moose Jaw
Away – (9) Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Brandon, Kootenay, Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw


Tri-City
Home - (9) Seattle, Chilliwack, Kamloops, Moose Jaw, Everett, Spokane, Portland, Seattle, Spokane
Away - (11) Vancouver, Portland, Spokane, Everett, Spokane, Seattle, Portland, Chilliwack, Portland, Seattle, Spokane


Vancouver
Home - (6) Lethbridge, Everett, Tri-City, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Kamloops
Away - (12) Chilliwack, Seattle, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Brandon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Kamloops, Kelowna, Chilliwack, Seattle

Pats Game Tonight

Regina Pats (23-25-3-2) @ Red Deer Rebels (28-19-0-4)
Tonight 7:00pm Brandt Centre
6:35 Pre-Game Show 620 CKRM
Rogers Sportsnet National Broadcast

The Lowdown
This is the third time that the Pats and Rebels have got together with the home teams winning each of the first two games. This is another key match-up in the race for playoff position in the Eastern Conference. The Rebels are in 6th spot, 9 points ahead of the 10th place Pats.

About the Rebels:
The Rebels are yet again, one of the best defensive teams in the Eastern Conference. They have given up the 2nd least amount of goals in the East, but scoring is a problem, they are 10 in the East in goals scored.
Who’s who: The Rebels are lead by the underrated Willie Coetzee and by the highly touted Landon Ferraro
Player: GP G A Pts.
Willie Coetzee 51 23 46 69
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 46 18 28 46
Andrej Kudrna 48 23 19 42

After being kept off the score sheet in back to back games, Jordan Eberle picked up a power play goal last night
Player: GP G A Pts.
Jordan Eberle 39 36 37 73
Jordan Weal 53 24 47 71
Matt Strueby 50 27 14 41

Big January:
January finished with a 4-1 loss in Moose Jaw on Saturday night, but even with the loss, it was the best month of the season for the Pats. They finished with a 7-2-1-0 record, which is a complete turnaround from the 1-10-0-0 record they suffered in December

On the ice tonight:
There is one other game in the WHL tonight with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in Chilliwack to play the Bruins

Waste Management night:
Tonight’s game is brought to you by “Waste Management”. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the game, and it will be donated to the Regina Food Bank by Waste Management. They will also have contests and prizes throughout the night.

They are all big games:
With the Pats in full chase mode in the Eastern Conference playoff race, every game is important from here on in. Here’s how the rest of the schedule breaks down: 19 games (9 home/10 away), 17 v/ Eastern Conference, 12 East Division, 2 B.C. Division.

Autographs are back:
Jordan Eberle will also be signing autographs after the game is over. You can purchase a glossy picture for $5 for Jordan to sign, courtesy of Konica-Minolta with all of the proceeds going to the WHL’s Haiti Relief Fund.

National TV Audience:
Rogers Sportsnet will be broadcasting tonight’s game across Canada on its family of networks. This will be the 8th televised game this season. (5 on Access 7, 2 on Shaw and tonight on Rogers SNET

CFL 2010 Schedule

Date Away - Home - Time
Pre-Season A
Sun Jun 13 Montreal Winnipeg 02:00 PM
Sun Jun 13 BC Saskatchewan 04:30 PM
Sun Jun 13 Calgary Edmonton 07:00 PM
Tue Jun 15 Hamilton Toronto 07:30 PM

Pre-Season B
Sat Jun 19 Toronto Montreal 01:00 PM
Sun Jun 20 Winnipeg Hamilton 01:00 PM
Sun Jun 20 Saskatchewan Calgary 03:00 PM
Sun Jun 20 Edmonton BC 05:00 PM

Week 1
Thu Jul 01 Montreal Saskatchewan 07:00 PM
Thu Jul 01 Toronto Calgary 10:00 PM
Fri Jul 02 Hamilton Winnipeg 08:00 PM
Sun Jul 04 BC Edmonton 07:00 PM

Week 2
Fri Jul 09 Toronto Winnipeg 08:00 PM
Sat Jul 10 Calgary Hamilton 01:00 PM
Sat Jul 10 Saskatchewan BC 10:00 PM
Sun Jul 11 Montreal Edmonton 07:00 PM

Week 3
Wed Jul 14 Calgary Toronto 07:30 PM
Fri Jul 16 Winnipeg Hamilton 07:00 PM
Fri Jul 16 Montreal BC 10:00 PM
Sat Jul 17 Edmonton Saskatchewan 04:00 PM

Week 4
Thu Jul 22 Hamilton Montreal 07:30 PM
Fri Jul 23 BC Toronto 07:30 PM
Sat Jul 24 Edmonton Winnipeg 06:30 PM
Sat Jul 24 Saskatchewan Calgary 09:30 PM

Week 5
Thu Jul 29 Toronto Montreal 07:30 PM
Fri Jul 30 BC Edmonton 09:00 PM
Sat Jul 31 Hamilton Saskatchewan 06:30 PM
Sat Jul 31 Winnipeg Calgary 09:30 PM

Week 6
Fri Aug 06 Saskatchewan Montreal 07:00 PM
Fri Aug 06 Toronto Edmonton 10:00 PM
Sat Aug 07 Winnipeg Hamilton 07:00 PM
Sat Aug 07 Calgary BC 10:00 PM

Week 7
Thu Aug 12 BC Saskatchewan 09:00 PM
Fri Aug 13 Hamilton Winnipeg 08:30 PM
Sat Aug 14 Montreal Toronto 07:30 PM
Sun Aug 15 Edmonton Calgary 08:00 PM

Week 8
Thu Aug 19 Winnipeg Montreal 07:30 PM
Fri Aug 20 Hamilton Toronto 07:30 PM

Week 9
Fri Aug 27 Calgary BC 10:30 PM
Sat Aug 28 Saskatchewan Edmonton 07:00 PM

Week 10
Fri Sep 03 BC Montreal 07:30 PM
Sun Sep 05 Winnipeg Saskatchewan 04:00 PM
Mon Sep 06 Toronto Hamilton 02:30 PM
Mon Sep 06 Edmonton Calgary 06:00 PM

Week 11
Fri Sep 10 Calgary Edmonton 09:00 PM
Sat Sep 11 Montreal Hamilton 01:00 PM
Sat Sep 11 Toronto BC 04:00 PM
Sun Sep 12 Saskatchewan Winnipeg 01:00 PM

Week 12
Fri Sep 17 Calgary Saskatchewan 09:00 PM
Sat Sep 18 Hamilton BC 10:00 PM
Sun Sep 19 Winnipeg Toronto 01:00 PM
Sun Sep 19 Edmonton Montreal 04:00 PM

Week 13
Fri Sep 24 Montreal Winnipeg 08:00 PM
Sat Sep 25 Saskatchewan Hamilton 06:30 PM
Sat Sep 25 BC Calgary 09:30 PM
Sun Sep 26 Edmonton Toronto 12:00 PM

Week 14
Fri Oct 01 Montreal Calgary 09:00 PM
Sat Oct 02 Saskatchewan Toronto 03:00 PM
Sat Oct 02 Winnipeg BC 10:00 PM
Sun Oct 03 Hamilton Edmonton 04:30 PM

Week 15
Fri Oct 08 Edmonton Hamilton 07:30 PM
Sat Oct 09 Toronto Saskatchewan 05:00 PM
Mon Oct 11 Calgary Montreal 01:00 PM
Mon Oct 11 BC Winnipeg 04:30 PM

Week 16
Fri Oct 15 Hamilton Toronto 07:30 PM
Sat Oct 16 Edmonton BC 10:00 PM
Sun Oct 17 Winnipeg Montreal 01:00 PM
Sun Oct 17 Calgary Saskatchewan 04:00 PM

Week 17
Fri Oct 22 Montreal Hamilton 07:00 PM
Fri Oct 22 BC Calgary 10:00 PM
Sat Oct 23 Toronto Winnipeg 04:00 PM
Sat Oct 23 Saskatchewan Edmonton 07:00 PM

Week 18
Fri Oct 29 Montreal Toronto 07:00 PM
Fri Oct 29 Hamilton Calgary 10:00 PM
Sat Oct 30 Winnipeg Edmonton 07:00 PM
Sun Oct 31 Saskatchewan BC 05:00 PM

Week 19
Fri Nov 05 Calgary Winnipeg 08:00 PM
Sat Nov 06 BC Hamilton 02:00 PM
Sat Nov 06 Edmonton Saskatchewan 07:00 PM
Sun Nov 07 Toronto Montreal 04:00 PM

CFL Playoffs Semi-Finals
Sun Nov 14 TBA
Sun Nov 14 TBA

CFL Playoffs Finals
Sun Nov 21 TBA
Sun Nov 21 TBA

Grey Cup Championship
Sun Nov 28 06:30 PM

NHL In Saskatoon

Islanders Back To Saskatoon
New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames – Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Coming back to Saskatoon for a second straight year, the Saskatoon Blades and Credit Union Centre, in partnership with the New York Islanders, are proud to provide you a unique pre-purchase opportunity for the September 29th New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames NHL pre-season hockey game.

Pre-Purchase Package includes:
- Ticket to New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames
– September 29th at Credit Union Centre
- Ticket to 2010/2011 Saskatoon Blades Home Opener

Saskatoon Blades season ticket holders have the first chance to purchase tickets beginning on Tuesday, February 2nd at 10:00 am until Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:00 pm.

In order to capitalize on this great ticket opportunity, please use your usual season ticket holder password.

Tickets to the general public go on sale beginning Saturday, February 6th at 12:00 pm.

Fans can purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.ca, by calling 938-7800, or by visiting any Ticketmaster location

CFL Hall of Fame 2010

CAMERON, HAM, NARCISSE, PAYTON AND PISTILLI
2010 Induction Class Proudly Announced by Canadian Football Hall of Fame

HAMILTON -- Players Bob Cameron, Tracy Ham, Don Narcisse, and Elfrid Payton and builder Joe Pistilli have been chosen for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, it was announced today.

Four Grey Cup champions and a builder who has long championed the great game of Canadian football make up the Class of 2010.

The class includes significant amateur representation. In addition to being a CFL all-star, Bob Cameron won the Hec Crighton award as the top university football player in the country at Acadia University, and Joe Pistilli is a legendary leader in junior football circles in Quebec and amateur football across Canada.

While congratulating the class on tremendous individual careers, Canadian Football League Commissioner Mark Cohon remarked on the group’s influence on the game beyond CFL stadiums.

“While Cameron and Pistilli’s impact on amateur football are obvious, the careers of their three classmates also undoubtedly inspired countless young people to pursue our game and the lessons inherent in it,” Cohon said.

“Tracy Ham and Elfrid Payton were at the forefront of the successful rebirth of the Montreal Alouettes, a huge factor in the phenomenal growth of amateur football in Quebec, growth that continues to this day. And Don Narcisse was one of the most popular members of the 1989 Roughriders team whose last second Grey Cup victory certainly made all sorts of Saskatchewan kids think nothing could be cooler than playing football,” he said.

“When we honour this Class of Inductees, just as when we honour all of our Canadian Football Hall of Famers, we are doing more than recognizing what they have accomplished as individuals within our game. We are also celebrating the game itself, and the difference it has made in the lives of all of us who have been a part of it, and loved it.”

After starring at Acadia University, Cameron was a punter with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1980 to 2001, winning three Grey Cups, and the honour of being named to three All-Canadian teams. In 1988, he was voted the Most Valuable Canadian in the Grey Cup game.

The CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 1989, Tracy Ham starred at quarterback for the Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, and Baltimore Stallions before joining the Alouettes. The Most Outstanding Player in the 1995 Grey Cup game, he held at the time of his retirement the record for Most Rushing Yards by a Quarterback.

Don Narcisse was a tremendous receiver for the Riders, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in a season seven times. In that 1989 season, he had 81 receptions and 11 touchdowns, including one in that epic Grey Cup. He was an All-Canadian four times, and was chosen by Saskatchewan fans as the Most Popular Roughrider three times during his 13 season career.

A member of two Grey Cup winning teams and a five-time CFL All-Star, Elfrid Payton was a master at sacking the quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Baltimore Stallions, Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts, Shreveport Pirates and Edmonton Eskimos. A CFL All-Star five times, he trails only Grover Covington on the all-time list of players with the most sacks in league history, with an incredible 154.

Joe Pistilli was involved in all levels of junior football in Quebec for 42 years, as well as being an important part of Football Canada, at the national level, for 29 years. A former Commissioner of the Quebec Junior Football League, he has also served as President of Football Quebec, Director of Football Canada, and President of Football Canada.

“Joe’s passion for the game and the positive influence it can have on young people has been evident in every task he has taken on over his many years of service, and he will always be an inspiration to all of us,” said Richard Munro, Chief Executive Officer of Football Canada.

“As the national body responsible for amateur football in Canada, we’re thrilled that the Canadian Football Hall of Fame is recognizing Joe and, through his honour, the thousands of people who work so hard on behalf of the amateur game in Canada.”

The Class of 2010 will be formally inducted this fall during Canadian Football Hall of Fame Weekend. An announcement on this year’s host city, as well as the exact dates, will be made later this spring.

The new inductees bring to 244 the total number of Hall of Fame members honoured in the Hall’s Zone of Champions, which features busts of the members. The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum operates as non-profit registered charity. Located in Hamilton Ontario since 1963, and in its current location next to Hamilton City Hall since 1972, the Hall is home to more than 30,000 Canadian football artefacts, ranging from equipment to trophies, photos and videos.