JCVH60

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Fanshawe Grads Fuel Frenzied Toronto News Scene

Michelle Dube and Ken Shaw - CTV Toronto

Two things really struck me returning from a recent field trip to Toronto. Colleague Mike Stoparczyk and I accompanied 10 post-graduate TV news students to CBC, cp24 and CTV.

CTV Toronto News Director Steve Cassar

Here are my lasting thoughts:

1) The Fanshawe Broadcast Journalism graduates still have an affection for our college, for journalism and for telling our current college students about journalism.

2) Our TV News students are fine ambassadors for the college and young people generally.

FANSHAWE GRADS Michelle Dube (class of '07 MTP Fanshawe/UWO), Ian Caldwell (Class of '83) Steve Cassar (Class of '88), Pat Foran (Class of '86) Katie Simpson (class of '05), Stephanie Smyth (class of '88), Simon Ostler (class of '06) all greeted our students with enthusiastic advice about the TV News industry. We have always told our students that if you love broadcast journalism, you have automatic friends and mentors - even in high places. Many of our graduates have worked hard to get jobs in the very competitive Toronto news market. They are busy. Yet everyone on a recent field trip took time to make sure every question was answered, every picture taken. It was like a Masters class. Thanks to all for being so approachable, kind and helpful.

Simon Ostler and Stephanie Smyth - CP24

Stephanie Smyth, Simon Ostler and Katie Simpson help make CP24 the choice for breaking news in Toronto. Each stressed that students should develop Twitter skills as part of their training to be a broadcast journalist.
"You really have to be careful," said Stephanie Smyth from the CP24 breaking news desk. "It's a great tool for journalists, but it's a resource."
Simon Ostler has over 5,000 twitter followers who help give CP24 up to date on breaking news.

CTV Toronto Managing Editor Ian Caldwell speaks to Fanshawe students

At CTV Toronto in Agincourt, we were able to catch a busy noon hour newscast from the control room. This intense day featured three live 'hits' in a row, delivered flawlessly by Ken Shaw and Michelle Dube. While the two anchors smoothly gave the information the control room cooly handled the complex technical requirements to get a show to air. There were no glitches. What an opportunity for the students to get a real education on daily news.

Michelle Dube with Fanshawe students

The students soaked up all the advice and asked great questions. Their genuine interest made a professor proud. The concern showed by some of the biggest names in the Toronto news business was humbling and much appreciated. That it supported much of our teaching was a bonus.

As we were boarding the bus the receptionist at CTV noted "We get a lot of students here but not many present themselves better than yours.."

The best part of that comment is that the students were not told to dress properly or behave themselves. They did it on their own. The business of broadcast journalism is in great hands with the heart and commitment of those at the top of their game - and the next generation.

We also ran into a graduate from last year, Derrick DeBolster, now working with CTV News Channel as a chase producer. Other graduates at CTV include reporter Ashley Rowe, Canada AM chase producer Erin Gunnell, Discovery Channel producer Jenna McQuiggan.

Katie Simpson - Fanshawe/UWO class of '05

Sunday, 20 January 2013

Tennis Players Underrated

While we were sleeping on a windy, cold January Saturday night two wonderful athletes were putting on a show down under.
It is summer in Melbourne, Australia. Number one-ranked Novak Djokovic of Serbia and 15th seed Stanislav Warwinka of Switzerland were tied 1-1 in the fifth set when we checked on a smart phone.
"Put the coffee on dear, we're watching some tennis."
Djokovic and Warwinka battled into the fifth hour of their match before the worlds number one player finally won.
Tennis players are underrated athletes. There are few sports that isolate an athlete like singles tennis. The combination of mental toughness, speed, skill, endurance and strength make tennis unique. No teammates to rely on - or to blame. Tennis players are the most underrated athletes in sports today.

Sunday, 27 May 2012

Knights fall to Shawinigan

Knights console goalie Michael Houser

The London Knights had started to bounce back shortly after their devastating 2-1 overtime loss to the Shawinigan Cataractes in the Memorial Cup final game.

Michael Houser was able to smile. Same with the Ruperts at the team gathering after the game.

The game might have had a 'one that got away' feeling, but there was more admiration for Shawinigan than anything else. The Cats won while playing their fourth game in five days. They certainly earned the Knights respect.

The 96th game was certainly one of the best. The Knights were a whisker away from getting the game winning goal on several occasions.

2011-12 season ends in Shawinigan

The Memorial Cup winners.

Knights missed chances early while outshooting Shawinigan 13-4 in the first period

London had several chances in the third to tie

Shawinigan's Anton Zlobin scores with 2:09 to go in overtime.

Lafleur and Cournyer stand for anthem

2005 Memorial Cup champs welcome Knights

The London Knights have arrived at the Centre Bionest in Shawinigan. Knights fans lined the bus route into the arena to show their support.

The group included former Knights Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) and former Knights captain Danny Syvret (St.Louis Blues) Rob Schremp (Modo) and Kelly Thompson (London Nationals). All played for the 2005 Memorial Cup champions. They chartered a plane to be here today.

The game is likely to start closer to 7:30 p.m. after pre-game ceremonies.

Knights getting off bus for Memorial Cup game

Ollie Maatta and Max Domi

Rob Schremp talks with Dick Hunter

Corey Perry welcomes Knights

Corey Perry and Danny Syvret (white shirt)

Merci - Shawinigan and Trois Rivieres

Shawinigan is a perfect place to host the Memorial Cup.

The arena has a perfect junior hockey feel. Shawinigan is about 50,000 and Trois Rivieres is approximately 131,000. The Memorial Cup can't get lost in the area, but has enough interest to get 700 volunteers to help organize.

The downtown of Trois Rivieres is especially impressive. Restaurants, bars and cafes stretch for several city blocks starting at the St. Lawrence River. Seats extend onto sidewalks and even on a Sunday afternoon it has a busy feel. People of all ages take advantage of every chance to get outside in nice weather.

Merci Shawinigan. Merci Trois Rivieres.

The Last Practice

The Knights seemed relaxed at their last practice before the Memorial Cup final vs. Shawinigan. The team worked out in the usual game day gear of sweats, helmets, gloves.

By the count of Knights assistant general manager Misha Donskov, it was the 121st and final practice of the year. Today's Memorial Cup final will be the 96th game. That's a lot of hockey.

Tommy Hughes at the Knights pre-game skate

Knights defenceman Tommy Hughes skated today and looks ready to play tonight. Hughes is on the key second pairing with Ollie Maatta on the Knights blueline. He has certainly given the Knights solid minutes this season. The chemistry he has developed with Ollie Maatta has been one of the keys to the Knights stellar goals against numbers in the playoffs.

The team had lunch at 1:00 p.m. at the Trois Riviere Delta - which has been a great host. This is a beautiful region of the country and well worth a visit. If you like fishing, hiking, camping and being outdoors - It's wonderful. The downtown area of Trois Riviere would be a great model for any city. Many restaurants have tables on the sidewalk and it's a place for all ages.

Playing the host team doesn't always bring bad luck. Since the format began in 1983, the host team has been in 19 Memorial Cup finals with an 8-10 record.

Austin Watson and Scott Harrington

Bo Horvat

Dylan Hunter and Bob Martin

Ollie Maatta

Matt Rupert at pre-game skate

Colin Martin (L) and father Bob

Saturday, 26 May 2012

Houser Wins CHL Goalie of the Year

THE DAY BEFORE - Saturday May 26th

London Knights Michael Houser - CHL goalie of the year.

The CHL awards took centre stage today in Shawinigan. London Knights Michael Houser won the CHL goalie of the year.

Michael Houser - Memorial Cup vs. Edmonton

Houser just missed a grand slam of individual awards. He was first team all star goalie in the OHL. He was the goalie of the year in the OHL, Red Tilson trophy winner as Most Valuable Player in the OHL and now the CHL goaltender of the year. The only other trophy he could have won was the CHL player of the year which went to Brandon Shinnimin of the Tri Cities Americans.

Michael Houser vs. Niagara in OHL finals.

Houser could return as an overage but it certainly wouldn't be to prove anything else. His career regular season record stands at 93-28-7. He posted a save percentage of .900 or better every year, including .925 this season. He got better in each round of the 2012 playoffs. As the Knights needed him more, he was there to deliver.

Houser came to the Knights as a free agent. He was not drafted by an OHL team and has never been drafted by an NHL team. He must be the most decorated junior player in recent memory to never have been drafted - at any level.

Houser is a native of Wexford, Pennsylvania. He played minor hockey in Detroit while living with an uncle. He played in the USHL for a struggling team in Des Moines, Iowa. That's where Mark Hunter saw him and signed him as a free agent. Hunter was always impressed with Houser's competitive nature.

The two finalists for the Memorial Cup met the media today.

Michael Chaput had 12 points in 11 playoff games this year in the Q

Cataractes meet the media.

The Shawinigan Cataractes will play their fourth game in five nights. The Cataractes are a very explosive team and feed off the energy of probably the most influential crowd in the CHL.
On the ice, Michael Chaput has been an absolute force. He is a left shot centre with a strong work ethic and an excellent first 3 strides. He was a 3rd round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 but traded to Columbus for Tom Sestito. He was acquired by the Cataractes in a trade with Lewiston after being the MAINEiacs first round pick in the Q draft in 2008. You will be seeing him in a significant role in the NHL. A great 3rd line centre in the NHL at the least.