Windsor Tomcats

The summer drags on and fans and players alike are already counting down the days left to return to the Kapusta Kow Palace.  Like waiting for Christmas, true fans know there are only 30 days left before the sounds of feet running up and down the Kapusta are heard and another season of highlight goals and saves are spoken of in awe around the water cooler.  True fans also religiously punch in “Windsor Tomcats” into thier computer search engines and are directed to one of the coolest looking web sites around.  A great place, regardless of the 70% or lower of blogs coming in, to keep up with your favourite players enjoying their summer time off.

Hockey must be close, because as I checked the web page today I was reminded to query the beer list and decided to take a look.  That look turned into a double take as hidden in the beer list was some VERY interesting Tomcats news.  It seems management has made some decisions which haven’t really made the headlines of late; like the full time status granted to Labamba, The Matador and a new player yet to be tagged with a nickname.  Until that happens I will call him “Ocho Ockle.”  I went back into the St Felix archives and could only find one remote mention of any roster changes.  Back in the St Felix summer issue there was an article entitled, “Some interesting tidbits of information.”  Reading further into the article one would find the mention of “Status of players” and I paraphrase the following:  “Tomcats are unsure of the return of Nick Lelyk, Youngblood is expected to return (Barring any issues with medical staff), another player remains the property of another club, and NO OTHER PLAYERS ARE NOT RETURNING; but management will do a survey in late August.  The next player to move up is The Matador (If he can commit), and Labamba (Could be part time player at best with work schedule conflicts).”

It appears Tomcats management has done away with the need for a survey, or to consult with their internal advisory board.  It also appears The Matador has committed, and Labamba’s work conflcits have been ironed out.  Thing is I don’t recall a press conference to announce any of this, or to welcome a new player (Ocho Ockle); nor does any article address Bundura trading in his stripes for a Tomcat white and dark tee.  In terms of seniority the addition of The  Matador and Labamba make sense, I’ve seen both play and both are solid guys, but adding a “new” player like Ocho Ockle into the mix?  I checked the most recent roster and counted 29 FULL TIME Tomcats, which doesn’t include thier goalie roster.  In past overheard locker room conversations I’ve heard more than one long time Tomcat comment on the amount of players the team is carrying.  The number has lead to a marked increase in “mini tournaments”, which some players have embraced and others have criticized.  That criticism may have reared its ugly head on the night a mini tournament was likely to happen, but only enough players showed up to save a cancelled night of hockey.

Adding fuel to the mix I caught up with part time/casual Tomcat players Nick Wilson and Deeds (Skippy’s Brother in Law).  Both were surprised at the news.  Wilson responded, “The Tomcats, when I did play, accepted me with full open arms and I thought I played well enough to warrant an invitation back.  I’m disappointed management hasn’t contacted me to clarify a few things with the season not too far off, but I will continue to work on my game and hope to get a call up soon.  Regarless of what happens this season, I am hopeful to participate again in the outdoor classic, and I look forward to a rematch of the Skipjacks and Tomcats for the Tilston Challenge Cup and of course I would love to play in the February Tournament”.

Plenty of unanswered questions, and maybe some new ones created when ‘Official’ word is released by Tomcats management.  With only 30 days remaining some decisions will have to be made.

Till the ball drops in both facilities, I will be busy letting Stevo (the non consulting manger) place his HANDZONMECAC.

Yurri

THE TOMCATS HAVE PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE: “As in the real world of hockey (NHL) rumours and player trades and moves are always discussed.  Players are sometimes signed before a team can officially announce that player being named to the team. (Physicals, Insurances, Housing etc)  The Tomcats are no different.  In assessing our needs for the upcoming season, we need to look at the bigger picture and make decisions based on needs of the organization, instead on of what some bloggers, friends of players and disgruntled players who may not be impressed by mini tournaments think. It is every Hockey Clubs responsibility to select the best possible players for their organization. Announcements, in due time, will be made in regards to the roster for the upcoming season.  The Windsor Tomcats encourage everyone to check the Tomcat Web Site for up to date information. The St. Felix still proves to be a valuable journalist tool and one that is filled with information that satisfies the Rapacious Tomcat Fan who has an appetite for Tomcat news and updates.

The Tomcats wish to thank their fans for their continued support.”