Regina-Saskatoon to Host World Juniors

The Regina Leader-Post is reporting that Regina and Saskatoon will host the 2010 World Junior Championships.

Multiple sources indicated to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix on Sunday that an announcement on Saskatchewan's successful bid to host the 2010 event will come as early as today.

The Saskatoon/Regina group was bidding on either the 2010 or 2012 championships; Saskatchewan previously staged the 1991 event.

Illegal Curve is very excited at this turn of events and will be in attendance throughout the tournament. Saskatchewan will be pleased to welcome everyone to the World Juniors, even if you are from Manitoba.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Team Canada goalie Steve Mason has been traded from London to Kitchener.
2. The NHL may have caught Rick DiPietro with illegal pads. I am sure there is a joke in here somewhere, but I don't have the time to think it through today.
3. Cal Nichols has resigned his position with EIG so that he can legally support Darryl Katz's bid to buy the Edmonton Oilers.
4. Pierre Lebrun feels that Canada's fascination with the World Juniors is misplaced. He lost me after he said he was named after Pierre Trudeau. Maybe this Pierre should also take a long walk in the snow.
5. Mark Bell has been sidelined with a head injury after a fight with Ryan Malone. Cue up the DUI checkstops, Bell will have some time off.
6. Who's Hot and Who's Not in the CHL.
7. The Globe and Mail annoints Jarome Iginla 1st half MVP.
8. Canada has been awarded the 2010 World Juniors after Switzerland pulls out. Tournament interuptus? Thats what she said? So many good ones to use here...
9. PS, Canada wins again, plays for Gold tomorrow.
10. Check out this video featuring James Wisniewski.
11. Check out the first paragraph of Taking Note, for what is likely the quote of the day.
12. Check out this new website. Lots of interesting content and links.
13. Fanhouse has the 1st Half Rookie Review.
14. A profile on current Omaha Lancer, Nico Sacchetti. What kind of a nickname is Sac? Was Scrotum already taken?
15. Atlanta and Carolina will swap broadcasters for the 2nd period of tonight's game. Should make for an interesting listen.
16. A look around the NHL with faceoff.com.
17. The canoe.ca blog answers the question about what team was the first to pull their goalie. This started a trend, as guys have been pulling their goalies ever since.
18. The latest installment in the Hockey News feature on the Roseau Rams.
19. The Score with a mid-season review and second half forecast.
20. The Hockey News blog with the 10 Ten moments from the Winter Classic.
21. The Hockey News profiles hot prospects from the World Junior tournament.
22. A look at U. Mass-Boston, playing in NCAA Div. III.
23. Simon Gamache would like to return to Switzerland.
24. Spector takes a look at some potential deals as the trade deadline approaches.
25. A look at the Lightning's prospects from Hockey's Future.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Marc Crawford has not responded to allegations that he ordered the attack on Steve Moore.
2. Mark Recchi has been assigned to the AHL.
3. The Coyotes have traded Alex Auld to the Bruins for Nate DiCasmirro.
4. Bob McKenzie notes that Brian Burke will have to move some pieces to prepare for Niedermayer's return.
5. Pavel Kubina will return to the Leafs lineup tonight after missing 10 games with a knee injury.
6. Fernando Pisani is happy to be avoiding the spotlight.
7. The New Arena in Fargo is a finalist for the World U-18 Championship.
8. Hockey.com writes that Euro's are becoming more common amongst NHL tough guys.
9. David Amber profiles 10 rivalries in the NHL.
10. Sean Avery doesn't like Toronto.
11. The Bentley Falcons are taking the NCAA by storm.
12. Evgeni Malkin is the forgotten superstar in Pittsburgh.
13. Greg Moore has shed some weight and elevated his game.
14. Bates Battaglia owns a bar in Raleigh, NC.
15. Shawn P. Roarke with his picks for Canada's World Junior team.
16. Andrew Raycroft is adjusting to life as a backup.
17. The Blackhawks have recalled David Bolland.
18. Taking Note with an interesting look at hazing in hockey.
19. Reggie Leach has turned his life around after battling alcohol.
20. The Hockey News Blog is not a fan of the point for a shootout loss.
21. Another installment on the Hockey News' profile of Roseau, MN.
22. Brett Hull says the Stars will assess their talent before making any moves.
23. An update on the small hockey colleges in the Eastern US.
24. Stan Fischler says the Rangers miss Avery.
25. Steve Downie saw only 4:39 in his NHL debut.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.