Dundalk Bulls sign Trevor Blanchard

[MoNsToUr]

Taken from the bulls website http://www.dundalkbulls.com/

app they have signed trevor blanchard from the concordia stingers for the 2008/09 season must be trying to build a strong team for the CONTINENTAL CUP

[Steigs]

what worries me about this is that so far as I know the Bulls aren't yet confirmed to play anywhere but the IIHL, and this sounds suspiciously like a pro signing (which would be illegal by IIHL/IIHA rules last I checked)

[Trim]

Originally Posted by Steigs

what worries me about this is that so far as I know the Bulls aren't yet confirmed to play anywhere but the IIHL, and this sounds suspiciously like a pro signing (which would be illegal by IIHL/IIHA rules last I checked)

http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/c...ental-cup.html

Round 1, Group A in Novi Sad.

[Pan]

???

Originally Posted by Steigs

what worries me about this is that so far as I know the Bulls aren't yet confirmed to play anywhere but the IIHL, and this sounds suspiciously like a pro signing (which would be illegal by IIHL/IIHA rules last I checked)

[mlharris]

I think what he means is,since the League in Ireland is supposed to be semi pro(in terms of players not getting paid),for the team to bring a player over of that caliber they must have paid or worked out an agreement unlike what the rest of the players are getting. I hope that made sence. Again I am assuming that is what he means.

[Steigs]

Originally Posted by mlharris

I think what he means is,since the League in Ireland is supposed to be semi pro(in terms of players not getting paid),for the team to bring a player over of that caliber they must have paid or worked out an agreement unlike what the rest of the players are getting. I hope that made sence. Again I am assuming that is what he means.

actually, the league in Ireland is supposed to be purely amateur.
So for a team to be bringing in players from elsewhere to play hockey is already difficult to justify.
I can see "imports" who are in Ireland for other reasons (the Dublin Rams' goaltender, for example, was studying in Dublin and joined the club afterwards), but when an announcement is made that a player is coming to play hockey, and that an afterthought is made that he will also help with the junior development, makes the signing seem much closer to a pro/semi-pro contract than an amateur agreement.
And since I've yet to hear confirmation that the Bulls will indeed participate in the Scottish National League, one can only assume that the player is currently signed to play in the IIHL.

[mlharris]

I see. I thought I was told that there would be players in the league that were there strictly for hockey. A buddy of mine took a team from New York to play those teams last summer. And the word was that there would be players from other countries playing in the IIHL. they wouldn't be getting payed, but there would still be imports in the league strictly for hockey.

[Steigs]

Originally Posted by mlharris

I see. I thought I was told that there would be players in the league that were there strictly for hockey. A buddy of mine took a team from New York to play those teams last summer. And the word was that there would be players from other countries playing in the IIHL. they wouldn't be getting payed, but there would still be imports in the league strictly for hockey.

In other words, the players are there working, and playing hockey on the side.
The key is the $0 pay. And with a very few exceptions (most of them seemed to be on the Bulls roster, by all reports), all players in the IIHL were residents of Ireland with regular jobs.

[mlharris]

That is what I was told. All imports would be given a job to work in the day and then play hockey on the side. Maybe one day they will be a full time pro league.

[Pan]

Right now Steigs there is no details of any league for next year or any rules set up i am not sure who is feeding you your information the Dundalk bulls will play in the Scottish Cup and will wait to see the details of the Irish league. And your information is wrong about the Bulls trying to cover up the role Trevor is playing within the club and i would urge you to stop feeding miss information about the club.

Originally Posted by Steigs

In other words, the players are there working, and playing hockey on the side.
The key is the $0 pay. And with a very few exceptions (most of them seemed to be on the Bulls roster, by all reports), all players in the IIHL were residents of Ireland with regular jobs.

actually, the league in Ireland is supposed to be purely amateur.
So for a team to be bringing in players from elsewhere to play hockey is already difficult to justify.
I can see "imports" who are in Ireland for other reasons (the Dublin Rams' goaltender, for example, was studying in Dublin and joined the club afterwards), but when an announcement is made that a player is coming to play hockey, and that an afterthought is made that he will also help with the junior development, makes the signing seem much closer to a pro/semi-pro contract than an amateur agreement.
And since I've yet to hear confirmation that the Bulls will indeed participate in the Scottish National League, one can only assume that the player is currently signed to play in the IIHL.

[Steigs]

Originally Posted by mlharris

That is what I was told. All imports would be given a job to work in the day and then play hockey on the side. Maybe one day they will be a full time pro league.

if THAT ever happens, maybe our kids will get to see it.
Pro leagues don't just appear out of thin air, friend.

Originally Posted by dundalk bull

Right now Steigs there is no details of any league for next year or any rules set up i am not sure who is feeding you your information the Dundalk bulls will play in the Scottish Cup and will wait to see the details of the Irish league. And your information is wrong about the Bulls trying to cover up the role Trevor is playing within the club and i would urge you to stop feeding miss information about the club.

i'm not feeding Miss Information, whoever she might be. I'm sure she can feed herself.

I don't recall seeing where I said anything about the Bulls trying to cover anything up.

Irish boards had vague reports about the Bulls looking to have their top team play in the Scottsh National League (not the Scottish Cup), alongside the Giants' second team and a number of Scottish teams, because the strength of their team was so far above that of anybody else in the league.
Reading the notes that were made of Trevor's signing, it definitely gave me the impression that he was being brought in specifically to play hockey. If he was brought in as an employee of the club in its junior development division then by all means I'll retract my comments, but I've still to be told that this is the case.

[Pan]

Always best to learn the facts first and stop reading the forum as fact. The Dundalk Bulls will play in the Scottish Cup next year and ECC Cup and are waiting on more details about the IIHL league.

[B]if he was brought in as an employee of the club in its junior development division then by all means I'll retract my comments, but I've still to be told that this is the case.[/QUOTE]
I can tell you that is the case.

[Pan]

I don't recall seeing where I said anything about the Bulls trying to cover anything up.


but when an announcement is made that a player is coming to play hockey, and that an afterthought is made that he will also help with the junior development, makes the signing seem much closer to a pro/semi-pro contract than an amateur agreement.

This should explain.

[Steigs]

fair enough, i'll accept that.
though again, the wording when i read the announcement was that a player would help with development, not a new junior development coach who will also play. you can see where the differences come in. that was my only concern here.

Originally Posted by dundalk bull

Always best to learn the facts first and stop reading the forum as fact. The Dundalk Bulls will play in the Scottish Cup next year and ECC Cup and are waiting on more details about the IIHL league.

i don't read forums as fact. i read them for rumors and indications of which direction things might go in the future UNTIL official confirmation can be found.
I believe I had appropriately worded my first comment to reflect the fact that no confirmation was available and mentioned that i was inquiring as to a rumour. please be more careful in reading my posts and questions before attacking them.

[mlharris]

When I said maybe one day the league will become a full time pro league I wasn't trying to say it would ever become one. I was assuming that the league may wants to become a full time league at some point and if they progress maybe one day they will be.

[Steigs]

Originally Posted by mlharris

When I said maybe one day the league will become a full time pro league I wasn't trying to say it would ever become one. I was assuming that the league may wants to become a full time league at some point and if they progress maybe one day they will be.

For now, I'd rather watch the league and its clubs try to grow the game at the grassroots level (which, from all reports, has definitely been successful to this point), and once the hockey community grows to the point where it is able to support a semi-pro league, we could start seeing that. However, the country needs more than one rink, and it needs more than just one club to develop a youth program.

[mlharris]

I agree with that. I heard that the talent level is pretty good and the fan support is GREAT. So maybe one day.

[Steigs]

The talent level is pretty good indeed, and seems pretty even throughout the clubs, with the exception of the Bulls, who are far-and-away the best club.
Reminds me a bit of the Lithuanian championship before Energija left to play in Latvia. One team dominating everybody, and the rest at a fairly even level among them.

One of the reasons I was asking about the Bulls playing in the Scottish league was (aside from the fact that i'd heard unconfirmed rumors):
1. the fact that they really are so much better than the rest of the IIHL
2. the fact that they already have some of the best Irish players on their roster
3. the fact that the above two points combined would turn an Irish SNL club into a pretty strong base for the Irish national team.

Plus, I don't doubt that a Bulls "B" team in the IIHL would still be quite competitive (and a "C" team in the IIHDL likewise). The Bulls really do have the advantage of home ice, and they've done great things with it so far.


As it stands now though, looks like the Bulls are ramping up for a repeat of the championship, and their work on junior development and the two house leagues is the one really great thing that I'm loving to watch.

[Trevor B]

I am coming to Ireland to experience another part of the world and coach and play hockey at the same time. All those people thinking this is a pro deal should get there facts right before pointing the finger at our organization. The Dundalk bulls are just trying to make hockey in Ireland the best it can be. So settle down and sit back and watch wat transpires before u judge us.... Look forward to getting there and working with the Junior bulls and of course participating in the Continental Cup also....

[Steigs]

The facts were pretty unclear, and they lent themselves to a different situation than what i've been told is actually in place.
"settle down", considering that fact, is maybe a little bit out of place. I'm looking forward to seeing how the junior program progresses with a little Canadian experience coming in to help out.

Secondly, make sure to take the time and read the board rules (Specifically Point #10), post icons are in place for a reason and aren't supposed to be used at random.

[Trevor B]

Sorry Steigs, didnt know about the rule #10, i just figured i would add a Detroit Icon since they are the Champs and they are my team.....My bad, also yes it will be nice to work with the Junior program and help them get better and better. Thats my original goal. I also look forward to building the Irish program in order for them to move up on the Depth chart as far as hockey powers in the world such as Canada, USA, Sweden. I would like to see them jump a few spots from 43rd in the world after i am done with them. Hope to be in Ireland for a few years to come so its a big project.

[Steigs]

Starting a program up from scratch is a big project for sure.
I have to say I'm really impressed with the chutzpah the IIHA have shown to date, and the Bulls are not slouching either. You've got some good people to work with, that's a fact.
The way I've heard things, progress is being made, and if that continues, it shouldn't be long before Ireland reaches and remains in DivII. Depth is the biggest issue at the moment, but if you're working at the base, with the youth, that's a pretty good starting point.

[Davide]

Good news!

Dundalk Bulls, along with Latvian Hawks, will play in new Celtic Cup with Scottish clubs

Details here: http://forums.internationalhockey.ne...newpost&t=7045

[Pan]

Thank you David

Originally Posted by Davide

Good news!

Dundalk Bulls, along with Latvian Hawks, will play in new Celtic Cup with Scottish clubs

Details here: http://forums.internationalhockey.ne...newpost&t=7045

[Reggie_Hammon]

I'll give you some facts Dundalk Bull.

Certain Bulls players are receiving some kind of remuneration (unless the players I spoke to are bare faced liars.

We are supposed to be playing in an amateur league where guys like me work 50 hour weeks and then train as much as possible on/off ice and then are expected to compete against semi pro guys. It's totally ridiculous and un sportsmanlike.

I'd love to see you try it.

As a poster said on another forum - everyone know who and what you are but unlike that poster the majority of us don't like you.

Trevor B seems to be coming over with good intentions and the hockey community appreciates all help.

[MoNsToUr]

taken from the bulls website www.dundalkbulls.com

it seems that they are playing in a pre-season friendly against the belfast giants at the end of august seems to be good that they are playing against stronger teams

[Pan]

http://tihf.proboards105.com

[factual]

Originally Posted by dundalk bull

http://tihf.proboards105com

Did you set that forum up dundalk bull?

[Pan]

I wish i had the time. No

[factual]

Originally Posted by dundalk bull

I wish i had the time. No

Beware the buyer!


You must register to view the messageboard.

That means "whoever" set up the messageboard will have your ip address.

[Davide]

Blanchard leaved the Bulls after Continental Cup.
Tony Griffin, the Bulls director is looking at range of former Elite League players to replace Blanchard’s sudden departure.

[Steigs]

Blanchard apparently injured his shoulder, and went home to Canada to get it taken care of.