Puck Podcast

EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers have named Wayne Fleming an assistant coach.Fleming was head coach of Avangard Omsk in the Continental Hockey League last season after serving three seasons as an assistant with Calgary

CALGARY – Canada’s Olympic hockey hopefuls are back on the ice at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

The 40-plus players participating in Team Canada’s orientation camp this week have been divided into two groups and are practising separately

According to Canadian sports network TSN, Stephen Walkom will leave his post as the NHL’s director of officiating to make a comeback as a referee

Movements in the world of hockey Monday:ECHLJOHNSTOWN CHIEFS-Re-signed F Sean Berkstresser.KALAMAZOO WINGS-Agreed to terms with F Sean O’Conner, F Erik Johnson and D Matt Krug

PHOENIX – Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie has submitted an amended proposed agreement to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes for US$212.5 million and immediately move them to Hamilton, with or without the NHL’s consent

CALGARY – Jason Spezza says he’ll feel comfortable if estranged teammate Dany Heatley shows up at Ottawa Senators training camp next month.Heatley asked the Senators in May to trade him and Ottawa has yet to make a deal

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens won’t be hitting the ice at Olympic Stadium this year.The team quashed rampant rumours today that it was planning a regular-season match that likely would have drawn more than 50,000 fans into the noisy, concrete behemoth

CALGARY – Canada’s top hockey players have started converging on Calgary.Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith was the first player off a plane Monday as Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp kicked off

Steve Yzerman has already seen the benefits of a productive Olympic orientation camp.He participated in the first one Canada ever held just months before the country ended a 50-year gold-medal drought at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City

MONTREAL – The small arena where Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo first strapped on his goalie pads now bears his name.The Canucks’ team captain was on hand Saturday in the east-end Montreal borough of St-Leonard for the inauguration ceremony and to sign autographs for hundreds of fans who lined up to meet the goaltender

Movements in the world of hockey Friday:

 

National Hockey League

NASHVILLE PREDATORS-Signed F Marcel Goc to a one-year contract.

TORONTO – Eugene Melnyk says he was the victim of a Jim Balsillie “cheap shot.”In an interview with the Toronto all-sports radio station The Fan 590, the Ottawa Senators owner said Friday he was surprised to learn earlier this week that Balsillie had called his integrity into question in recent court filings related to the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy case

KELOWNA, B.C. – Dany Heatley says he wants the Ottawa Senators to trade him because he’s no longer happy with his role on the team.Heatley finally broke his silence on a request he made in the spring to be traded

Movements in the world of hockey Thursday:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Re-signed D Brett Festerling to a two-year contract.BUFFALO SABRES-Signed LW Jeff Cowan to a one-year contract

KELOWNA, B.C. – Dany Heatley will break his silence Friday about his rocky relationship with the Ottawa Senators.He’s been in hockey limbo since requesting a trade from Senators general manager Bryan Murray in the spring

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Rugged winger Jeff Cowan has signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, who continue to add muscle this off-season.Cowan is an eight-year NHL veteran but spent last season playing for Peoria of the AHL

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks have re-signed defenseman Brett Festerling to a two-year contract through the 2010-11 season.Festerling played 40 games with Anaheim as a rookie last season, recording five assists and 18 penalty minutes

The outcome of the NHL’s battle in the desert over the ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes could send a cold shiver through other major professional sports leagues in North America

OTTAWA – Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is firing back at BlackBerry billionaire Jim Balsillie.Melnyk has released a statement that reads like an open letter to Balsillie, addressing claims by the Research In Motion co-CEO that he lacks personal integrity and expressing dismay over Balsillie’s attempts to buy the Phoenix Coyotes