Hey all! Here is our feature running Monday through Friday that will bring you up to date on what’s going on in the media pertaining to the Winnipeg Jets and elsewhere in the NHL.
Ed. Note: Now that we are through with the Stanley Cup Finals, Altitude Check will only be running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Here's what's in the news for Friday, July 20, 2012:
UPDATE: Terrible news out of Colorado, as Avalanche correspondent Jessica Ghawi, whose professional name was Jessica Redfield, was among 12 killed in a shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. MHH has a post for information and to send condolences. [Mile High Hockey]
More fallout for Ondrej Pavelec’s DUI conviction as Paul Friesen asserts that the team should have been notified of the transgression sooner. Now the emphasis shifts to what Allan Walsh — Pavelec’s agent — knew about the situation. Said one player agent: “What I always tell my players is if something happens, the first person you call is your agent, the second is your wife. That’s extremely important. Not only to give legal advice. The agent should also be a friend.” Given what we know currently on the situation, we cannot speculate that Walsh openly knew and/or withheld information. Onus remains on the shoulders of Pavelec to have done the right thing. [Winnipeg Sun]
MADD Canada thinks that Pavelec should be punished further, but are unclear on what that punishment should be. The NFL's current DUI policy is a maximum $50,000.00 offence, with further reprimand for any DUI's there afterwards. Keep in mind that a DUI conviction is part of the NFL's substance abuse program as is. [WFP]
Furthermore, Pavelec has lost the right to drive in Manitoba, presumably for the full 20 month sentence of he was convicted. [CBC]
Jacob Trouba on heading to the University of Michigan: “I just got back from rookie camp in Winnipeg and the organization was very supportive about me going to Michigan. We will be in contact and when they want me and when I feel I am ready, then I will make the jump there and see what happens… I just want to take things year-by-year. I know that at 6-2, 195 pounds, I need to get bigger if I want to play my style of play at the next level. I just want to get stronger and improve my skills… I think the dream of any kid playing hockey is to win championships. I think Michigan is going to be a strong team next year and I want to win a national championship.” [MI Prep Zone]
To brighten your Friday, here is the best of Kyle Wellwood as a Winnipeg Jet. So many garbage goals. [Jets.com]
Shea Weber has been signed to a 14 year 110MM offer sheet by the Philadelphia Flyers and there’s plenty of coverage from our SB Nations Flyer site. [Broad Street Hockey]
Meanwhile, Sam Page of On the Forecheck believes that the Nashville Predators must match the offer, keeping their franchise defenseman for the remainder of his NHL career. The issue at hand is the 68MM in signing bonuses that Weber is due in the first year of the contract. [On the Forecheck]
An alternate opinion for the Predators is not to match Philadelphia’s offer; collect four first round draft picks and then coax PK Subban or John Carlson to an offer sheet for substantially less money. And hey, if they want some help at forward Evander Kane is still available! [NHL.com]
Can the freshly minted 18MM Mike Green regain his old form and begin making a case for the 2014 Canadian Olympic roster? [Backhand Shelf]
The Minnesota Wild have signed Matt Dumba to an Entry Level Contract. [Hockey Wilderness]
In case you didn't hear, Lenny Palumbo of the Niagara Falls Reporter (who apparently still use Geocities to run their web content) is a bigoted homophobe. Don't waste your time reading the article, just take me at my word. Our pals at Pension Plan Puppets wrote a letter to the editor of the Niagara Falls Reporter while The Battle of Cali took a more NSFW and hilarious approach. [PPP, Battle of Cali]
