Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have acquired defenceman Steve McCarthy from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a third round draft pick in the 2007 Entry Draft. McCarthy, 24, spent the 2003-04 NHL season with the Chicago Blackhawks, where in 25 games he recorded four points (1-3-4) and eight penalty minutes. He has played 134 games over a four year NHL career tallying 16 points (3-13-16) and 45 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 200 lbs, native of Trail, BC, played his junior hockey in the Western Hockey League with the Ice franchise, spending his first two years in Edmonton and then Kootenay. McCarthy represented Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships in both 2000 and 2001, winning Bronze medals both years and being named captain of the 2001 team in Russia. McCarthy was originally selected in the first round, 23rd overall, in the 1999 Entry Draft.

Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced on August 18th that goaltender Dan Cloutier has signed a multi-year contract. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. "Dan has grown as a person and a player in Vancouver and is now at an age when NHL goaltenders traditionally reach the prime of their careers," said Dave Nonis. "He’s had some wonderful seasons for us and has become a big part of this community. We look forward for another excellent year from Dan." Cloutier, 29, played in 60 games with Vancouver during the 2003-2004 season, equalling a career high season with 33 wins, 21 losses, six ties, five shutouts and a career best 2.27 goals-against average. In tallying 33 victories, Cloutier became the first goaltender in Canucks history to have posted three consecutive 30 win seasons. In fact, no other goalie in team history has won 30 or more games in two straight seasons.

Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced on August 17th that the Canucks have signed free agent right wing Anson Carter, subject to a physical. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Carter, 31, joins the Canucks after splitting the 2003-04 season with the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Los Angeles Kings. In 62 NHL games that season, Carter tallied 15 goals, 13 assists and 28 points, including four game winning goals. In 529 career NHL games, Carter has recorded 158 goals, 180 assists, 338 points and 170 penalty minutes. He has also played 24 NHL playoff games.

Although me being a huge fan of Wrestling, especially the WWE (TNA is a poor substitute with only a few worthwhile wrestlers & storylines), I have to say that some of their gimmicks are hard to swallow. The current one that disgusts me the one about Eddie Guerrero saying that he is the real father of Rey Mysterio's son Dominic. They spend way too much time on this nonsense and the wrestling gets reduced, while we have to bear through Eddie saying "Dominic, come to Papi. I am you biologocal father!" Worse is the poor acting by the babes that Eddie brings out - his lawyer & a women who does really badly as a child welfare worker.

Calgary Flames General Manager and Head Coach Darryl Sutter announced today the signing of centre Daymond Langkow. As per club policy, terms and conditions of the deal were not disclosed. “We felt it was important to sign Daymond to a long-term deal,” said Sutter. “He’s a big part of the nucleus of our team and fits in our team’s identity. He’s a great two-way player capable of playing both ends of the ice and brings leadership, character and grit to our team." Langkow played in 81 games with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2003-04 season posting 52 points (21 goals, 31 assists) and 40 penalty minutes. The 5’11” 192 lbs. centre finished tied for second on the Coyotes in points (52), third in goals (21), third in assists (31) and was one of only four Coyotes to have a plus rating (+4). In 625 NHL career games with Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Phoenix the Edmonton, Alberta native has posted 354 points (136 goals, 218 assists) and 374 penalty minutes. The Flames acquired Langkow on August 26, 2004 from the Coyotes in exchange for Denis Gauthier and Oleg Saprykin. Langkow was the Tampa Bay Lightning’s first choice, fifth overall, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. "He's a durable guy, who you'll see play almost every single game, so that's a perfect fit for us," Sutter said about the newest addition to the Calgary Flames. "That's the key; he fits in salary wise and he answers the questions that have to be answered to have a players here. Number one, does he really want to play here, number two, can we afford him and number three, does he fit in long term, and with him it's pretty easy to answer 'yes' to all three." Langkow has posted at least 50 points in each of the last five seasons, at least 20 goals in each of the last three, at least 30 assists in each of the last five seasons and has missed only three games in the past three seasons (one game during the 2003-04 season for the birth of his third child and two games due to injury during the 2001-02 campaign).



Centre Daymond Langkow was an explosive scorer in junior who became a fine two-way player in the NHL. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Langkow was a dynamic scorer for three seasons with the WHL's Tri-City Americans. After leading the league with 67 goals in 1994-95, he was the fifth overall selection of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He was also named to the CHL First All-Star Team and the WHL West First All-Star Team. The talented youngster was returned to junior the next year and scored 91 points in 48 games. Langkow represented Canada at the 1995 World Junior Championships and helped the team capture a gold medal. The Edmonton native played four games in Tampa during the 1995-96 season and was named to the WHL West Second All-Star Team in his final year with Tri-City. A reliable two-way player with 15 goals as a rookie in 1996-97 but never took his game to the next level on a struggling Lightning team. In December 1998 Langkow was included in a four-player deal that saw him and Mikael Renberg sent to the Philadelphia Flyers for Chris Gratton and Mike Sillinger. Upon his arrival in Philly, Langkow became an excellent playmaker and upgraded the club's power play with his speed and anticipation helping Philly reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2000. After three seasons with the Flyers, Langkow was dealt to the Phoenix Coyotes where he emerged as one of the team's most productive players. Langkow went to play three seasons with the Coyotes, before being acquired by the Calgary Flames in the summer of 2004.



INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 1996
Played on Canada's World Junior Championship team in Boston, winning gold ... had three goals and three assists in five games … was a linemate of Calgary captain Jarome Iginla.
JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS:
Played in 246 WHL career games with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL posting 378 points (159g, 219a).
1995-96: Appeared in his first four NHL games with TB before being reassigned to Tri-City (WHL) ... named to WHL West Second All-Star Team … runner-up for WHL Top Prospect Award … finished his junior career as Tri-City’s all-time leader in goals, playoff goals (29), playoff assists (30) and playoff points (59) ... concluded his Tri-City career with 159-219-378 in 245 games over 4 seasons…Ranked 1st on Tri-City in assists and 2nd in points…Led Tri-City in playoff goals and points.
1994-95: Became 1st ever Tri-City player to win WHL scoring title, recording a club-record 140 points in 72 GP … led entire Canadian Hockey League with 67 goals and 140 points … tied for Tri-City lead in playoff goals and points; 1st in PIM … finished 3rd in WHL playoff scoring with 27 points in 17 GP … named Tri-City MVP … runner-up for WHL Player-of-the-Year award … appeared in CHL’s 1995 All-Star Game (3 points) … named to CHL First All-Star Team and WHL West First All-Star Team.
1993-94: Led Tri-City in goals, assists and points … named team MVP.
1992-93: Played in his first full season in the WHL posting 64 points in 64 games.
1991-92: Made his WHL debut playing in one game with Tri-City.





Song for the day - "Carnival" - TORI AMOS