Greetings from the Czech Points sports corner.
This former newspaper reporter has recently been indisposed while rehabbing from knee replacement surgery. Highly recommended, by the way, if — like me — you’ve been hobbling around for the past several years on a severely damaged joint. Kudos to Dr. Pickle and his gang at BGH for a job well done. So far, so good.
SO LONG, “RUT”
A sad farewell to former longtime Tier II and OHL Belleville Bulls trainer Chris Rutledge, who died recently from cancer.
“Rut” was the ultimate hockey team trainer, starting back in the 1970s as a stick boy with the old Sr. A Belleville Mohawks and eventually becoming one of the most respected men among his peers in the OHL. All as a volunteer.
Rut was a standout lacrosse player who could’ve competed at the highest junior and senior levels in Ontario but chose to remain in his hometown to pursue a lifelong career as a mortician. He’s also one of only two people I know whose favourite beer was Molson Golden Ale.
Not sure if Golden is even still around, but if it was, I’d be raising a few glasses to Rut. Right now.
HALL OF FAME FOOTBALLERS
With the Vanier Cup Canadian university football finals just around the corner, can’t help but think of a Belleville brother act that should be in the Belleville Sports Hall of Fame: Kyle Pyear and Ryan Pyear.
Kyle started in the offensive backfield for the four-time consecutive Yates Cup Ontario champion McMaster Marauders and remains today the only Belleville gridiron product to ever lead the nation in rushing.
Ryan quarterbacked the WLU Golden Hawks to a Vanier Cup title and was Game MVP, again, the only local athlete to ever achieve the latter distinction. He was also an OUA Rookie of the Year.
These guys should be inducted into the BSHOF. Tomorrow.
RUGBY BLUES
Another sad day for supporters of the Canadian men’s rugby team: Uruguay 59, Canada 14.
Canada men were once considered the top nation in Tier II rugby. Now, we are barely competitive among Tier III countries. At this rate, winning a single pool match at the upcoming men’s World Cup in 2027 in Australia will be nothing short of a miracle.
PWHL NICKNAMES REVEALED
See where the four expansion teams in the PWHL have released their nicknames:
Hamilton Havoc
Meh. Was also in the running for Hamilton’s new AHL team which opted for “Hammers.” The PWHLers missed a great opportunity to pay homage to the hockey cult classic film “Youngblood,” which starred Rob Lowe, the late Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. In the movie, the fictional team was called the Hamilton “Mustangs.” Much better.
Detroit Clutch
Yeah, I get it, a neat reference to the Motor City’s extensive automotive history. Why not then, just the Detroit Motors?
San Jose Sea Lions
Thank you, San Jose, for not choosing something high-mindedly stupid like Surf, Sea or Sand.
Las Vegas Vanguards
Solid choice. Better than the city’s NHL “Golden Knights” moniker since Nevada, after all, is the Silver State.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Hope you all took a moment on Nov. 11 to remember our nation’s men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice during times of global conflict. Many of them were athletes and sports fans who responded to the call of duty in two World Wars. Lest we forget.
