NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners’ blogger Jeff Budke talks about the three game stretch Michael Saunders had for himself this week at the World Baseball Classic for Team Canada. Saunders was 8-for-11 over the weekend, including a 4-for-4 night Saturday against Mexico. Canada failed to advance to the second round behind Italy and team USA, but Saunders production could not be overlooked, and he was awarded the Pool MVP honors.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger points out that so far, no Canucks names have been included in Team Canada’s 2014 Olympic roster. Now, the Bartender thinks that is a travesty. We all know that Roberto Luongo deserves to be between the pipes in Russia, but Phil also thinks that Alex Burrows and Dan Hamhuis deserve to get at least a tryout for the team.
NWSB Insider and Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson reports on what he believes are prudent expectations for newly signed Canadian major leaguer Jason Bay. He points out though this is a long shot, remember that Jason Bay was the 2004 National League Rookie of the Year, 2009 Silver Slugger and a 3 time All Star. Nothing is what Ferg has come to expect from the M’s, so even if it doesn’t work, Bay has met his expectations.
NBA Insider and one of our northwest hoops bloggers Steve Lee says this NBA season it appears as though two “Vancouverites”, (ok, one from Victoria) have flipped the script and are trying to make Hollywood into “Vancouverlite”. Steve points out at 7’0″, 265lbs, Rob Sacre will help solidify a frontcourt core of Howard, Pau Gasol, and Jordan Hill. It can`t hurt his game for Team Canada having Steve Nash to look to as well…
NWSB Insider and northwest sports fan Steve Lee tells us today about icons in the great northwest. Sports icons to be exact. IN version 3 today he talks about the British Columbia sports icons. Icon – a person or thing regarded as a symbol of a belief, nation, community, or cultural movement. Robert Sacre, Brett Lawrie, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Cory Schneider, and Travis Lulay make Steve’s list.
NWSB Insider and northwest sports fan Steve Lee tells us today about icons in the great northwest. Sports icons to be exact. IN version 2 today he talks about the British Columbia sports icons. Icon – a person or thing regarded as a symbol of a belief, nation, community, or cultural movement. Steve Nash, Daniel Sedin & Henrik Sedin, Christine Sinclair, Justin Morneau, and Geroy Simon make Steve’s list. Plus Shea Weber is an HM.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks writer Josh Hall brings you an in-depth look at the Nucks 1st Round Draft Pick from Friday night’s selection process from Pittsburgh. Brendan Gaunce who hails from the Markham/Sudbury area of Ontario could provide an impact the Canucks will dearly need in 3-6 years from now. Centre depth for Ryan Kesler and Henrik Sedin. Wonderful words to our ears.
NWSB Insider Dave B brings us another Northwest Athlete Profile of a hometown hero in Victoria. Eli Pasquale was a leader and a champion for Canada and the Univerisity of Victoria Vikings. At the height of just 6’1” tall, Eli Pasquale is the University of Victoria’s All-Time leading scorer; he was inducted to the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and to the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
Dave B. Profiles one of the Northwests own, Defenseman Karl Alzner of the Washington Capitals. Dave tells us how Karl Alzener hails from Burnaby BC, and how he made his way up the ranks of the CHL into the NHL, collecting a captaincy for Team Canada at the World Juniors along the way and how he started his Junior career for the Calgary Hitman.
Dave B. Profiles one of the classiest hockey players of all time, Joe Sakic. The Burnaby born and bred sniper played 20 seasons and now has his number retired by the Colorado Avalanche, the organization he spent his entire career with, including the first few with the Quebec Nordiques. He remains part of the NHL landscape today as Executive Advisor and Alternate Governor for the Avs.
Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges weighs in on the topic of being Canada’s team. When their teams are out of the playoffs other hockey markets want to talk about the series that involves the team from Vancouver that beats their teams on a regular basis. A team getting attention on Hockey Night in Canada and TSN. Plus a team with Ryan Kesler, and Alex Burrows could never be Canada’s hockey team.
Northwest Athlete Profile: Gareth Rees
Dave B. took a step outside the box with this one and profiles Rugby Canada’s best ever Gareth Rees. The hulking fly-half and full back was born in Duncan, BC and is the son of former Welsh rugby player Alan Rees. Rees retired in 1999 but remains in the broadcasting side of things. Team Canada misses you Gareth, but being an analyst on Rogers Sportsnet suits you to.