New Kids On The Block

This is not a post about musicians in jerseys nor will I be talking about the former boy band in any way today, but it is about the team to the left as Spain made their IIHF Women's World Championship Division-1B debut today in Puigcerdà, Spain in front of 223 fans. Spain has never played at this level of women's hockey in the country's history, so this was a historic day for the nation and the national team as they took the ice against Netherlands. No one is expecting them to win against more experienced nations, but Spain is at this event because they have proven they belong by winning lower IIHF tournaments! Can they win this one as well or remain at this level?

Things didn't start off well for the home team today against a strong Dutch team as two power-play goals had Netherlands up 3-0 before the first break. That score would balloon to 5-0 by the end of the second period, and Natherlands would skate to the 6-0 win when the final horn sounded behind Kayleigh Hamers' two goals and two assists. The 28 year-old SDE defender always seems to play well when wearing the Dutch colours, and today's effort only reinforced that. Spain will look to bounce back on Monday against Great Britain who beat Korea 3-2 in a shootout in game where Korea held a 2-0 lead.

I don't think people understand how important it is to see countries like Spain and Netherlands building their hockey programs to become bigger players on the world stage. Hockey fans often lament the fact that Canada and the US end up in the gold medal final at every major tournament despite the rivalry between the two countries, so having more countries getting better is massive for the sport. We know Sweden and Japan are on the rise once again, so that will help at the top level of women's hockey, but getting countries like Spain, Netherlands, Great Britain, Latvia, Korea, and Kazakhstan more experience will push the teams at higher levels to be better as well.

Back to the action in Puigcerdà, Spain earned the promotion to Division-1B after defeating Poland in their final game of the Division-2A tournament last year, ending that tournament with a 4-1 record. Spain replaced Slovenia who were relegated after finishing at the bottom of the 2025 Division-1B standings, so they're looking for a strong performance to remain in this group or potentially move higher. Dropping their first game is a setback, but Spain can rally and still finish strong in this tournament as Kazakhstan and Latvia haven't jumped out ahead of anyone either. Just getting a goal on the scorebord for Spain would be a big moment in program history, so they have some work to do against Great Britain tomorrow.

To me, having teams showing improvement and growth from places where ice hockey isn't close to being a popular sport on the levels of football (soccer), field hockey, or handball means that these programs are making the sport stronger and better overall. It doesn't matter if Spain can't compete with Canada or the US at this point in time because they have shown they can compete with other countries who are all working towards the same goal of being able to compete at that level one day. This isn't an overnight solution, but it's one that will play out over years as long as programs are supported and funded and there is room for growth. As the tide rises, the teams will all get better in time, leaving us with more competitive hockey.

I don't know Spain will win the tournament, but the Division-2A tournament starts tomorrow and one of Poland, Australia, Iceland, Slovenia, and Chinese Taipei will take the same step forward that Spain did last season. If that means bumping Spain back to the 2A tournament, so be it as only Spain can change that fate by winning games. What should be remembered, though, is that these five teams are looking to join the 1B tournament to prove that they belong among better teams thanks to their success in this year's tournament.

By having teams work to get better at every level, the IIHF will see countries catch the powerhouses. It might take decades for some of these teams to reach a IIHF Women's World Hockey Championship level, but the skill and talent is rising every year. Getting to see these women forge paths for the generations behind them is awesome!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

No One Should Be Surprised

With the Nashville Predators and the Los Angeles Kings winning their respective games today, the Winnipeg Jets needed the same result in their game against the Philadelphia Flyers if they wanted any legitimate chance at making the playoffs. Mathematically, the Jets wouldn't be eliminated from the race, but the required wins and losses to get in are at their maximums after tonight's woeful, uninspired 7-1 hammering at the hands of the Flyers. For a team that needed to be at its best to make the last week of the season matter, the Jets turned in one of their worst performances of the season. Like the sheep in wolf's clothing, no one should be surprised that the Jets are going to miss the playoffs. This is simply another game where they didn't bother to show up.

Let's go back to April 2 where the Jets were going into Dallas to play the Stars. They had won four of five games entering that contest including a solid 4-2 win over Colorado and a demon-exorcising 4-1 win over Vegas. The Jets were on a bit of a high as they landed in the Lone Star State, and the team was looking to take that next step.

"We just said to take care of our own business and that's what we're trying to do. We got ourselves here, but we can't take our foot off the gas," head coach Scott Arniel said following the overtime win in Chicago on March 31. "It doesn't get any easier in going into Dallas and then Columbus, so a lot of heavy lifting still to go. We have got to make sure that we continue to do those things that keep us in games and that gives us a chance to win."

A 22-save shutout for Jake Oettinger combined with Adam Erne and Arttu Hyry each having a goal and an assist was all that was needed for the Stars to brush the Jets aside by a 3-0 score. For a guy who had said how the Jets had to "take care of our own business" two days earlier, Scott Arniel sung a different tune following the Dallas game.

"I didn't like our first two periods. I know the first period, they got the couple ones on the power play and then we turned the puck over and gave them the second one. We didn't have enough compete, we didn't have enough guys getting our nose over the puck and being heavy on it. Our execution wasn't great,” Arniel said about the loss.

It's funny how things can change so dramatically in two days.

Tonight's game is sort of how the stretch run has played out for the Jets. A late goal against Nashville earned them a point, but a shootout loss on March 17 gave Nashville two points. They followed that effort up by going through the motions in a 6-1 hammering by Boston two nights later, and then dropped a 5-4 shootout loss to the Penguins in a game where the Jets held a 4-3 lead with eleven minutes to play. In games where the Jets needed two points to jump into the thick of the playoff race, they were unable to secure them.

Since March 1, the Jets are 5-5-2 against teams in a playoff position while posting a 7-1-1 record against teams out of the playoffs. The Jets are beating the teams they should beat, but they've struggled against teams in the dance. If the Jets had any hope of making noise in the playoffs, they had to be better than .500 against playoff-bound teams. They aren't, though, and that might be the most important thing about the Jets falling short: they don't beat good teams when they have to win. Isn't that what playoff hockey is all about?

There will be lots of video for the coaching staff to break down for Sunday's practice as they prepare for the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday. The Jets beat Vegas 4-1 in their last meeting in Winnipeg, but Vegas will likely come into Canada Life Centre fired up as they sit one point ahead of Edmonton for the Pacific Division crown. If they show up at the rink like they did tonight, the playoff dream ends.

Beyond that, the Jets have to win all three of their remaining games while hoping that the Kraken, Canucks, and Flames take care of the Kings and the Sharks and Ducks handle the Predators. There is no tomorrow if they don't take six points in the final games and get some help because the Kings and Predators can eliminate the Jets with any win in their final games. In layman's terms, the Jets need to dig deep over the remaining three games or they're golfing next week.

Frankly, no one should be surprised that it's come to this. This Jets team has been a sheep in wolf's clothing all season long, never really proving that they had the killer instinct needed to be considered as a contender. Tonight's effort put them on the brink of elimination, and it might just be time for these sheep to be put out to pasture.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

The Best Race In Hockey?

Everyone loves a good race for playoff spots in hockey. It doesn't matter what level of hockey as long as there's a compelling race that has more teams than needed in that race. That very thing is happening right now in the ECHL's Central Division as six of the seven teams in the division are battling for four playoff spots. Two teams have already clinched spots thanks to their leads over the division, leaving two spots for which those remaining four teams will compete. What should be understood is that none of the teams know where they may finish or who they may play thanks to these playoff races! Let's look at the ECHL Central Division!

Team: Toledo Walleye
Record: 40-16-12 (.676)
Games Remaining: 4

The Walleye currently occcupy first-place with 92 points, but they're hardly out of the woods. Yes, they have clinched a playoff spot, but they lost in overtime tonight, allowing the Fort Wayne Komets to pull into a tie for first-place. The two games against Fort Wayne coming up on April 12 and 16 will likely determine whether Toledo finishes atop the division or in second-place to start the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Remaining Schedule: @ Cincinnati (Apr 11), @ Fort Wayne (Apr 12), @ Fort Wayne (Apr 16), vs Wheeling (Apr 17).

Team: Fort Wayne Komets
Record: 41-16-10 (.687)
Games Remaining: 5

The Komets helped their chances of winning the division with a big win over Kalamazoo at home before these two teams move their battle to Kalamazoo tonight. The Komets have one game in-hand on Toledo on the schedule, so they control their own destiny as they sit with 92 points after having clinched a playoff spot in the Central Division last week. As stated above, they'll play Toledo twice, but they also have that extra game on Wednesday against the Indy Fuel in betweeen the two Toledo games. If Fort Wayne wants to win the division, they'll need to beat their arch-rivals twice this week.

Remaining Schedule: @ Kalamazoo (Apr 11), vs Toledo (Apr 12), vs Indy (Apr 15), vs Toledo (Apr 16), vs Kalamazoo (Apr 19).

Team: Indy Fuel
Record: 31-26-10 (.544)
Games Remaining: 4

Indy's 74 points has them in third-place right now, but they're not guaranteed anything yet. They need to beat Iowa tonight and tomorrow to improve their chances at clinching a playoff spot, and that showdown with Fort Wayne on Wednesday looms large when it comes to Indy's playoff chances. Again, beating Iowa twice this weekend could very well be the difference between playing in the playoffs and watching them from home based on who else is playing whom in the division. With a little help, Indy should get in.

Remaining Schedule: @ Iowa (Apr 11), @ Iowa (Apr 12), @ Fort Wayne (Apr 15), @ Wheeling (Apr 18).

Team: Cincinnati Cylones
Record: 35-29-4 (.544)
Games Remaining: 4

Cincinnati did themselves a big favour with their overtime win over Toledo tonight to push them to 74 points, but they can't lose focus with a rematch tomorrow against the Walleye and two teams chasing them in standings. The Cyclones' season may hang in the balance with three-straight games against Kalamazoo to close out the season, so the playoffs for Cincinnati start on Sunday. If they win that three-game series, they're likely playing in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Remaining Schedule: vs Toledo (Apr 11), @ Kalamazoo (Apr 12), vs Kalamazoo (Apr 17), vs Kalamazoo (Apr 18).

Team: Kalamazoo Wings
Record: 33-28-6 (.537)
Games Remaining: 5

Kalamazoo enters the weekend with 72 points as they sit outside the playoff picture. Two teams stand in the way of the K-Wings making the playoffs in Fort Wayne and Cincinnati, and both of them are needing wins of their own. Unofficially, the playoffs start on Saturday for the K-Wings whether they like it or not. They have to win the three-game set against Cincinnati and, at worst, split with Fort Wayne to have a chance at postseason glory. Winning four of five games would go a long way towards locking down playoff dates.

Remaining Schedule: vs Fort Wayne (Apr 11), vs Cincinnati (Apr 12), @ Cincinnati (Apr 17), @ Cincinnati (Apr 18), @ Fort Wayne (Apr 19).

Team: Bloomington Bison
Record: 33-29-5 (.530)
Games Remaining: 5

Bloomington enters the weekend with 71 points, but they're the only team who doesn't play a potential playoff team in the Central Division. As such, they need to win AND get some help if they want to leap past a few teams. The good news is that they have a three-game set against already-eliminated Iowa to end the season. The bad news is that they'll likely have to win four of five games to close out the season, and then hope that the scoreboard results from oher games go in their favour. The Bison could make it, but they need help.

Remaining Schedule: @ Greenville (Apr 11), @ Greenville (Apr 12), @ Iowa (Apr 15), vs Iowa (Apr 17), vs Iowa (Apr 18).

One of Toledo and Fort Wayne will win the Central Division, and both have home-ice advantage in the opening round locked down. The ECHL plays a 2-3-2 series to save money on travel, so both the Walleye and Komets will be looking for two wins at home before heading out on the road no matter who they play when the playoffs begin. Their opponents will be determined over this last week.

If you're asking me which two of the remaining four teams in the race will make it, there is no easy answer. Bloomington needs the most help, so they likely won't get in unless all the stars align for them. Indy seems like they can make it thanks to their games against Iowa, but the Heartlanders may relish this opportunity to ruin Indy's playoff hopes. If Iowa can rise to the occasion, Indy's chances get lower.

What can't be avoided is that one of Cincinnati and Kalamazoo will miss the playoffs thanks to that three-game series to close out the season. Cincinnati is 5-3-1 against Kalamazoo this season, so it appears that the Cyclones have the advantage. The stakes for these three games are much higher than they were in February, though, so those stats may mean nothing when the pressure's on. What's certain is that one of the Cyclones or K-Wings will not make the playoffs.

Playoff hockey always happens in April, but this year's race in the ECHL's Central Division for playoff spots means the playoffs have started early for six teams. Who finishes in what spot may come down to the final seconds of the final period of play, but that's how a race for playoff spots should end! We'll know who is in next Sunday!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

The Hockey Show - Episode 707

The Hockey Show, Canada's only campus-produced radio show that strictly talks hockey, returns to the studio tonight with a couple of outstanding guests as we continue to shine light on Manitoba's hockey scene! As you may know, we committed to giving Sledge Hockey Manitoba and Team Manitoba parahockey more coverage than they've ever received, and we'll continue that effort tonight by welcoming two players to the studio to talk about recent events with their team and the Sledge Hockey Manitoba teams in general! We'll get the news, info, and results of the tournaments for all the Sledge Hockey Manitoba teams tonight on The Hockey Show at 5:30pm CT!

Tonight, Teebz and Jason are... proud, honoured, privileged, humbled, and pleased to welcome two of Team Manitoba's dynamic youth core to the show as Isaac Vint and Henry Bergen will join us! Both players took part in the recent Cross Border Classic that UMFM had the honour of calling, and both Isaac and Henry were in Montreal and Calgary for recent tournaments as Team Manitoba gears up for Nationals!... going at it alone tonight as Isaac and Henry battle colds! Our hosts have updates about and results from the Manitoba Express junior and intermediate teams in their recent tournaments, and they discuss we'll get Isaac's and Henry's thoughts on the Jets battling for their playoff lives, talk about Survivor: NHL Playoffs which starts next week, and more! It's going to be a busy show down at the UMFM studio tonight, so get settled in for some hockey chatter tonight on The Hockey Show at 5:30pm CT on one of 101.5 FM, Channel 718 on MTS TV, or via UMFM.com!

If you live outside Winnipeg and want to listen, we have options! The UMFM website's streaming player works well if you want to listen online. We also recommend Radio Garden if you need an easy-to-use online stream. If you're more of an app person, we recommend you use the TuneIn app found on the App Store or Google Play Store.

If you have questions, you can email all show queries and comments to hockeyshow@umfm.com! Tweet me anytime with questions you may have by hitting me up at @TeebzHBIC on Twitter! I'm here to listen to you, so make your voice heard! And because both Teebz and Jason are on the butterfly app where things are less noisy, you can find Teebz here and Jason here on Bluesky!

Tonight, Teebz and Jason chat with Isaac Vint and Henry Bergen about Team Manitoba, recent results, going to Nationals, scoring goals, throwing hits, having fun, and much more exclusively on 101.5 UMFM and on the UMFM.com web stream!

PODCAST: April 9, 2026: Episode 707

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

A Change At The Top

If anyone wanted a job working in hockey, this might be the year that jobs can be had. We already know the Nashville Predators are hunting for a general manager to replace the outgoing Barry Trotz, the Toronto Maple Leafs need someone for their general manager position, and the New Jersey Devils are looking for someone for their GM office as well. As of today after another somewhat shocking announcement, there's another high-ranking hockey job that will be available at the end of the season, so let's go back to the job board to see who is hiring.

According to the announcement today, Seattle Kraken president Ron Francis has decided to step down from his position after the season concludes next week as the 63 year-old leaves the organization after seven seasons in Seattle. Francis started his Kraken career as the general manager in July 2019, overseeing all of the early franchise decisions including the expansion draft, hiring the first coaches, and helping the Kraken reach the playoffs in their second season.

Francis was promoted to hockey operations president last April after four seasons as the general manager, helping the Kraken to a 142-153-33 record over those five seasons. In just one of the four completed seasons did Seattle post a record better than .500, and they only made the playoffs once. Not surprisingly, both of those happened in 2022-23 when they made the playoffs as the first wild card team, shocking the Colorado Avalanche in seven games before falling to the Dallas Stars in seven games in Round Two.

"Ron and I agreed that this is the right moment to make a thoughtful transition for both Ron and the organization, and move in a new direction," Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke said in a release highlighting Francis' contributions. He added, "We are grateful for his dedication and professionalism, and we wish Ron and his family the very best."

I'm not here to rain on Ron Francis, but he seemed to trade away more talent than he acquired as the GM of the Seattle Kraken. Outside of Kaapo Kaako, every player he traded for between 2021 and 2025 no longer plays for the Kraken. He acquired 21 draft picks in 13 trades, and none of the players selected with those picks have skated in the NHL. Seattle does have seven picks in the first two rounds over the next two drafts, so perhaps there will be better picks and an injection of youth into the Kraken lineup in the future.

The catch on this job vacancy, however, is that it seemingly has been filled as current GM Jason Botterill will remain in his role as general manager while adding the "executive vice president" title as he takes over the hockey operations for the Kraken. if you were prepping the résumé, the Kraken may not have the "Help Wanted" sign out.

I don't know if Francis will land with another franchise, and he may just want to take some time away from the game. He went from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Seattle Kraken in fairly quick fashion, so it might be time to recharge the batteries. Perhaps the Kraken were looking to make a change while seeking Francis's input, but it sounds like both sides determined that him stepping down was the right path for the franchise. The Kraken will move forward without him.

"It has been an honor to help launch and lead the Seattle Kraken over the past seven years," Francis stated in the Kraken press release today. "I am proud of the culture we built, the people we brought together, and the milestones we achieved, including our historic first playoff run. I want to thank our entire ownership group, everyone throughout the organization, and our incredible fans for their unwavering support. This organization has a bright future, and I'm grateful to have been part of its beginning."

That bright future will now be carried forward by someone else as Ron Francis's vision for the Kraken has come to an end. Where he goes after cleaning out his office next week will be up to him, but his future certainly is wide open for anything he wants to do.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!