Rangers Rap

What's the holdup, Spotter?

Justin Sefton or Ryan Murphy.
Come on, Spotter, make up your mind.

Just two days till the draft.
Dan Catenacci goes to the Soo at No. 1
Alan Quine is targetted by Kingston at No. 2.
The OHL world is waiting for the Rangers to send out the white smoke signals on who they'll take at No. 3.

"The interesting thing is the number of people contacting me saying you're holding up the draft," Rangers coach-GM Steve Spott said.
"I didn't realize we had to submit our pick this early. That's been the biggest challenge, people wanting to know which way we're going to go."

"Obviously, when you are picking this high, you want to get it right."

Sefton or Murphy?

This is what it comes down to for the Kitchener Rangers and their 3rd overall pick in Saturday's OHL draft.

"We're looking to take a defenceman," coach-GM Steve Spott told me today.

He added -- without naming names -- that it comes down to two elite guys.

Those two guys are Justin Sefton, a big bruiser from T-Bay, and Ryan Murphy, a run-and-gun rover from the York Simcoe Express.

Head scout Mike Sadler will powwow with Spott on Thursday.

It'll be a happy Mother's Day in the Morin home

LuAnn Morin, Jeremy's mum, is back home from hospital in Auburn, N.Y.

She's recovering well from a scary bout of spinal meningitis, that struck during the under-18 worlds in Fargo.

Steve Morin, Jeremy's dad, says LuAnn will need 2-3 weeks of rest to get back to 100 per cent.

Mother's Day is May 10.

Sefton's Hounds win Telus

... It's gonna be an interesting call on Saturday.

Will the Rangers take Murphy or Sefton???

Yeah, Murph is the next Ellis.

But Sefton just helped his Hounds win the national midget title.

It's a no-win, no-lose decision for Steve Spott.

The Murph would love Kitchener

Here's why.

"I love fans," York Simcoe Express blueliner Ryan Murphy told me.

"I love the atmosphere."

Read more on the potential Rangers top pick in Saturday's Record.

Jerry D'Amigo is steadfast

Talked to the Rangers draft pick and college-bound winger today after classes in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Nothing has changed for D'Amigo, 18, after his team-leading 13 points for the US team which won the under-18 worlds in Fargo, N.D. last week.

Is the Binghamton, N.Y. kid still totally committed to RPI next season?

"Yeah," said D'Amigo.

D'Amigo doesn't anticipate any change in his stance should he go high in the June NHL draft.

Is there anything the Rangers can say to make him change his mind and come to Kitchener?

"I don't know. I haven't talked to them in a while. Maybe, but I don't think anything would."

Jet is down-to-earth these days . . .

 . . . ready why Jeremy Morin has more on his mind than hockey in Wednesday's Record.

Jeremy Morin is a Ranger

It's about to be made official

Belleville is BEST. . .

. . . for wings. No comparison. Tops in the Oh. Here are your OHL Top 10 chicken wing rankings as judged by your humble and hungry blogster:

1. Slapshot Bar and Grill in Belleville. Short drive up from the Yardmen. Lemon pepper, baby. You'll be hooked. Class of the league. Dozens of sauces.

2. Coch's Corner in the Soo. Right across from the rink. Not a fancy joint but they do their wings right.   Unique flavour. Walk down the stairs.

3. The Dog Pound in Sudbury. Nice and simple. No frills. None required.

4. The Black Bear in Ottawa. Up Bank Street, closer to Parliament in hotel district off Queen. Scottish bar. Live entertainment too. Wings are always piping hot.

5. Shakespeare Arms in Guelph. The wing's the thing. Shakey's is a bit of a drive from the rink but worth it. Cry havoc, release the wings of war....

6. Kingston Brew Pub, downtown. Do 'em up nice on the grill. Good for the grease-conscious.

7. TGI-Fridays on Tittabawasee in Saginaw. Saucy and good size.

8. Jack Astors in St. Kitt's, Ontario Street. Mild is medium. Medium is hot. Hot is...you get the idea.

9. Two Friends, Erie. Just up from the rink. Wings are good but mini-pizzas are best.

10. Kitchener stinks for wings. The Moose is overpriced. Stop off the 401 in Hespeler. Ernie's on Queen Street is the place to go. Ask for REVENGE wings.

Amazing I didn't put on more weight over the course of the season.

Who dares to block a Yannick a blast . . .

Yannick Weber always said he aimed to break the ankles of anyone who dared to block his 100 mile-an-hour slapper.

That's when he was a Kitchener Ranger.

Last night, he made his first NHL stop for the Habs in Boston.

Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron stepped in front of a Swiss missile.

Now, according to the Boston Globe, Bergeron is out for 2 games with a very sore foot.