Northwest Notes: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014
Former Cd'A Laker Johnson returning to Cd'A on Sunday
Former Coeur d'Alene Laker and Spokane Chief, and current Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson will take part in a public skate on Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Frontier Ice Arena in Coeur d'Alene.
Johnson, returning to the area during the NHL's Olympic break, has played in 58 games and has 17 goals and 20 assists, with three game-winners for Tampa Bay. He is currently seventh in the NHL with two shorthanded goals, three on the power play.
In addition to his time with Spokane (2007-2011), he played with the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL in 2011-12 and Syracuse of the AHL in 2012-13.
Information: www.frontiericearena.org.
Famous faces join amateurs in Montana Pond Hockey Classic
KALISPELL, Mont. - The Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau will host more than 50 teams from across the United States and Canada on Feb. 21-23 during the Montana Pond Hockey Classic on Foys Lake, just outside of Kalispell.
Stanley Cup champion and Hockey Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald will welcome players and will join the action along with several of his former Calgary Flames teammates. The Stanley Cup itself is also expected to be on hand, on behalf of Restore Hockey.
Information: www.discoverkalispell.com
Deadline approaching for Lakeland AAU hoop tourneys
The fourth annual Lakeland City Classic boys and girls AAU basketball tournaments are fast approaching. The boys grade 6-7-8 tournament will be held March 7-9 at Lakeland High in Rathdrum. The girls grade 6-7-8 tournament will be March 21-23, also at Lakeland High.
Each division will have eight teams and there is a guarantee of four games. Cost is $180.
Entry deadline for the boys is March 1 at 5 p.m., or until the division is full. The girls entry deadline is March 15.
Information: Tournament director Lance Bridges, 687-2399
Idaho's Madison collects fourth WAC Player of the Week honor
DENVER - Idaho's Stephen Madison has been named the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball Player of the Week for Feb. 3-9, the fourth time he's received the honor this season.
Madison, a senior forward from Portland, Ore., averaged 23 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in leading the Vandals to a pair of home wins.
In a 73-67 win over New Mexico State on Thursday, Madison scored 24 points with eight rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block. In Idaho's 70-63 overtime win against Texas Pan-American on Saturday, Madison hit a deep three with nine seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game and send the contest into overtime, finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds and two assists in the win.
Madison is averaging 18.3 points, eight rebounds, 2.3 assists, one steal and 0.6 blocks per game this season and is second in the conference in scoring and rebounding.
Rigmaiden leaving Shock to be scout for B.C. Lions
SPOKANE - The Spokane Shock announced the departure of general manager Ryan Rigmaiden, who has been named as the director of U.S. scouting for the Canadian Football League's B.C. Lions football club.
Rigmaiden, a Spokane native and graduate of Shadle Park High, began his football career with the Shock in 2007 while the team was a member of the af2, serving as director of player personnel until being named the GM in 2010.
During his time with the Shock, the team achieved a regular season record of 88-31, and 11-4 in the playoffs, as they won the 2009 af2 ArenaCup and 2010 AFL ArenaBowl.
Tracy Malingo will continue to serve as the executive vice president of operations for the Shock. Ryan Eucker, who joined the organization just after the 2010 ArenaBowl championship, will take over director of player personnel duties and assist head coach Andy Olson with Spokane's football operations.
The Shock will kick off the 2014 season with training camp on Feb. 20 and host the Iowa Barnstormers on March 15 for their season opener at 7 p.m. at the Spokane Arena.