I like to update this puppy you're reading once a week or so. There are times when something happens that's it's easy to come up with a topic, whether it be a big trade or roster move, a memorable game or two or just some observations to comment on.

I sat down at the computer on Tuesday afternoon and pondered for a few moments.....what to write about?

Well, the first thing that popped into my alleged mind was to espouse some words about the Niagara Icedogs, after all, that's what this space is intended for by the wonderful folks at localsportsreport.com.I see every minute of every game and should really have some thoughts on what's going on with the club, but not so much this week. The team played only two games last weekend, losing 3-0 (empty net goal included) in Mississauga on Friday night, before droping a 3-2 decision on home ice to the Peterborough Petes on Saturday night. The team was in both games, but really missed the offense of the injured Alex Friesen and Andrew Agozzino, who were joined early in Saturday  night's tilt with the Petes  by Andrew Fritsch, who was seen on crutches after the game, so it's safe to say he suffered a "lower body injury".........

Which brought me to my next possible topic, something I know the Cogeco guys have touched on as a bone of contention in one of their previous blogs.......Why is it the National Football League, the most well run, richest, most successful sports league on Earth (o.k., not counting the Pro Bowling Tour) can issue injury updates every week, but hockey teams are deathly afraid to reveal the most minute information about a player's well being? Granted, the NFL includes injury updates partly to facilitate things for those wagering on their product, but with hockey teams, not just in the OHL, but at all levels, you'd think the nation's safety was being compromised if we in the media found out a player had a bruised shoulder.........

Next, I thought of writing about the OHL season so far, but we're just past the one third mark of  the season, and that's more of a topic for when we reach the halfway point in mid-December. Besides, there are still way too many teams we haven't seen to offer an informed comment or two about teams or players.So much like I wish my teachers in high school had done, the report cards were put on hold.

How about some thoughts on the Central Scouting rankings released last week? Mark Visentin of the Icedogs was ranked the # 1 draft eligible goaltender in the OHL, which is very much deserved. Even when you consider of course the goaltending factory that is the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the number of strong netminders in the WHL and the dramatic improvement of European goalies over the past few years (Vesa Toskala excepted), it would appear Visentin could be one of the top 5 goaltenders picked in next June's NHL draft. And Freddie Hamilton of the Icedogs was ranked 17th among OHL draft eligible skaters, which could translate into a late second or third round selection for him next year. My biggest surprise with the rankings was the absence of Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack. He is one of the most electrifying players in the OHL on a struggling team, and I'm sure if he played for Windsor or Kitchener or the London Yankees, he would be rated in the top 10. Personally, I put him in the top five. I thought the same thing about Ryan O'reilly last year and look where he is today!

I considered doing a blog about my favourite OHL players, but I am still way too po'd at Leafs GM Brian Burke for passing on Zac Kassian of the Peterborough Petes when the Leafs had the number 7 pick in the draft this June and Kassian was available. Instead, they picked Nazem Kadri. Nazem Kadri!!!!! The next Jason Blake....trust me on this one. Kassian looked terrific for the Petes on Saturday night, I picked him as the first star of the game.He's the total package, great size, he can score, hits, fights, in short, everything the Leafs professed to be looking for. Oh welll, I guess there's a reason they are where they are right now. The fans in Buffalo will adopt Kassian as their favourite player in about two years time.

Finally, I thought, hey, it's the holiday season. Tell everybody about the sports- themed Christmas tree that has evolved over the years. It started with a simple little Leaf ornament, then the idea accelerated one Boxing Day when Shoppers Drug Mart had had packages of Leaf blue and white Christmas tree balls on sale. So we bought one pack of six.........then the next year another pack...then the next year another. Meantime, we'd purchased a few Buffalo Bills ornaments that looked pretty snazzy. My wife had a Blue Jays ornament from years ago when they were good,we bought a Niagara Icedogs ornament last year, purchased some strings of Leaf lights, logo and all for the windows, some blue LED lights and there it was, a Toronto Maple Leaf Christmas display.   Only one thing was missing from our Leafs display........

 I wanted to make a nativity scene using members of the Leafs organization, but I couldn't find 3 Wise Men.............    

Later....

Chuck