St. Albert news

• Edmonton Oilers 2018 draft review — Evan Bouchard the key addition; second round lands two more solid bets

  23-06-2018 23:46 via edmontonjournal.com
  Edmonton Oilers stuck with the script at the 2018 NHL Draft, addressing a key organizational weakness with their top selection, the first of several value picks.
  Bear in mind that on Draft Day, “value” is defined by comparing where a player was picked  to where he was generally ranked. Top pick Evan Bouchard, for example, was ranked #6 by ISS, #7 by McKeen’s, #7 by Bob McKenzie/TSN, #8 by Future Considerations, and #10 by Hockey Prospect, for an average ranking of 7.6. So
  
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• How many goalies are enough? Edmonton Oilers pull off late trade for Habs hopeful Hayden Hawkey

  23-06-2018 22:52 via edmontonjournal.com
  Hayden Hawkey. Now there’s a hockey name.
  Edmonton Oilers acquired the netminding prospect from Montreal in a post-draft deal that saw a 5th round pick from 2019 going the other way.Hawkey, 23, was a 6th round pick of the Habs back in 2014. Since then, the 6’2 stopper has moved on from the USHL (where he was named Goalie of the Year in 2013-14, then hurt his knee the following year) to Providence College, where he has just completed his junior season. Meaning that in one year at most
  
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• Sexual misconduct claims 'baseless,' former Africa Centre boss claims in lawsuit

  23-06-2018 22:35 via edmontonjournal.com
  The ousted executive director of Edmonton’s Africa Centre is suing his former employer, claiming an internal investigation cleared him of charges of abuse and sexual misconduct made by a former employee.
  Tesfaye Ayalew filed the lawsuit in Edmonton Court of Queen’s Bench June 4. In it, he claims his reputation was left in tatters after the non-profit that runs the Africa Centre — the Council for the Advancement of African Canadians in Alberta (CAAC) — publicly commented o
  
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• Lipscombe: Separating parents from children is an outrage that crosses borders

  23-06-2018 22:08 via edmontonjournal.com
  Separating parents from their children should horrify us all
  All week, I’ve been haunted by the family separations at the US border. The reports are chilling: Children taken screaming from their parents’ arms. The siblings separated in their camps and instructed not to hug or touch each other. The babies and toddlers taken to Tender Age shelters cared for by strangers. Who will help those babies sleep at night? I wondered. How can any of us sleep at night?
  Thinking about being separa
  
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• Cult of Hockey: The Edmonton Oilers pluck big, left-shot center Patrik Siikanen out of Finland at #195

  23-06-2018 22:02 via edmontonjournal.com
  With their top two picks, excellent prospects in Evan Bouchard and Ryan McLeod slid to the Oilers. Edmonton then also drafted the top ranked goalie in Olivier Rodrigue. Bruce McCurdy and David Staples of The Cult take time to gloat a bit.
  The Edmonton Oilers wrapped up what has to be considered a very successful 2018 NHL Draft by selecting Finnish teen Patrik Siikanen in the 7th Round, 195th over-all.
  The 18-year-old (younger birthday) was born in Espoo, Finland. A solidly-built kid, Siikanen m
  
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• Longest of shots for a late pick to make NHL, but Mike Kesselring will give it his best

  23-06-2018 20:40 via edmontonjournal.com
  In the 39 years NHL drafts from 1979 to 2018, the Edmonton Oilers have spent many a late round pick,
  but only seven of them have ever panned out as good NHLers.
  By “good” I mean a player who played (or projects to play) 400 NHL games. It’s a high bar, but a fair one I believe when it comes to what folks hope for out of the draft, a player who can actually help your team win.
  Today the Oilers took Michael Kesselring with the 164th pick in the draft. Will he defy the odds? We sha
  
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• Ryan McLeod was expected to be late first round pick, but falls to Edmonton Oilers

  23-06-2018 20:03 via edmontonjournal.com
  With the 40th overall pick in the 2018 draft the Edmonton Oilers selected Ryan McLeod of Mississauga in the OHL.
  Key fact: birthday 1999 Sep 21, one of oldest first-year eligibles.
  Edmonton may have got a steal of a pick here, at least if you go by how McLeod was rated heading into the draft.
  He was ranked 22nd overall by TSN’s Bob McKenzie, 29th overall by McKeen’s hockey, 30th by Chris Peters of ESPN, 23rd by Ryan Slawson of THW, 29th by Craig Button of TSN, 26th by ISS Hockey, 26t
  
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• Train from Alberta derails in Iowa leaking crude oil into floodwaters

  23-06-2018 19:10 via edmontonjournal.com
  DOON, Iowa — A freight train derailed in northwest Iowa on Friday, leaking crude oil from into flooded fields flanking the tracks and raising concerns about the possible contamination of residential water supplies downstream, officials said.
  BNSF railroad spokesman Andy Williams said no one was injured when 33 oil tanker cars from Alberta, Canada, derailed around 4:30 a.m. Friday just south of Doon in Lyon County. Some of the tankers were compromised, causing the oil to leak into floodwate
  
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• At The Cult of Hockey: The Edmonton Oilers trade up, to select highly ranked goalie Olivier Rodrigue at #62

  23-06-2018 17:45 via edmontonjournal.com
  The Edmonton Oilers wheeled and dealed, as the 3rd Round of the NHL Draft got underway.
  They traded “up” from #71 (along with pick #133, 5th Round) to the Montreal Canadians for #62. With it, they selected a lanky, much-sought-after goaltender.
  Olivier Rodrigue was the highest rated goaltender in North America, and had been anticipated to go late in the 2nd Round. He spent last year in Drummondville of the QMHL, playing in 53 games, posting a 2.54 GAA and a .903 SV%. He went 31-16-1,
  
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• Edmonton backs off decision to ban food trucks from Terwillegar Park

  23-06-2018 17:42 via edmontonjournal.com
  Treats for dogs and their humans will be on sale this year in Terwillegar Park after city officials reversed a new ban on some food trucks in park space.
  “It’s just phenomenal, and I will take it,” Terri Holgerson, co-owner of Tangent’s Treats, said Friday. “I’ll continue to work really hard for the next year.”
  Food truck owners were suddenly denied the ability to renew permits this year after city parks staff grew concerned at the possible impact t
  
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• Edmonton weather: Risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon

  23-06-2018 17:39 via edmontonjournal.com
  A look at today’s Edmonton weather by Environment Canada.
  Saturday morning temperatures at the Edmonton Blatchford station measure 18.4 C with a 17 km/h wind coming from the north. Unlike yesterday, there are no thunderstorm warnings in effect for the city, but forecasters say there is a risk of a thunderstorm later today so keep an eye out for that.
  Today: Mainly cloudy. 30 per cent chance of showers late this morning. A few showers beginning near noon. Risk of a thunderstorm late th
  
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• Edmonton Oilers pick Ryan McLeod in the second round, 40th overall

  23-06-2018 17:35 via edmontonjournal.com
  With the 40th overall pick in the 2018 draft the Edmonton Oilers selected Ryan McLeod of Mississauga in the OHL.
  McLeod is a 6-feet, 2-inch, 206 pound forward, know for his high skill and speed.
  Dave Reid of Sportsnet said of him: “He uses that speed to that advantage but sometimes instead of going through the piles he wants to use his feet and try to go around the piles. That’s what scouts have said, they want to see him be more assertive taking pucks to the net.”
  
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• Saturday's letters: Noise complaints quash charity car rides

  23-06-2018 14:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  The organizers of Racing for a Cure will be supporting the Kids With Cancer Society with events held in Edmonton this weekend.
  They have supported local children’s charities with donations of $2,270,000 over the past six years. A big component of this fundraising was volunteer owners of exotic cars offering rides to donors. These rides were offered on closed roads, on the weekend, during late-morning to early-afternoon hours.  The event is held in a central part of the city to draw in
  
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• Opinion: Blame Alberta's fiscal mess on overspending, not equalization

  23-06-2018 14:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, one of the conspirators encourages his ally not to blame fate for their misfortunes, but rather to recognize their own responsibility. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves,” said Cassius.
  When it comes to the state of Alberta’s finances and the role of Canada’s equalization program in the big deficits and rapid run-up in debt that Alberta is experiencing, the province’s political leadership would do wel
  
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• Tailor exercise to goals in cardio vs. weight training debate

  23-06-2018 11:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  When should I do cardio and when should I hit the weights?
  For many people, cardio is their default exercise. That’s why there are limited vacancies in the treadmill line at 5:30 pm. Treadmills are accessible and they have TVs!
  Popularity aside, is cardio the best way to become fit? Well, that all depends on your definition of fit.
  Too many exercisers adopt a one-size-fits-all approach, telling themselves “as long as I show up and jump on the elliptical trainer I’m building mus
  
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• Orchestra is on a mission to keep Latin jazz traditions alive

  23-06-2018 11:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  After 15 years the Spanish Harlem Orchestra‘s expertise and passion for tapping the exciting riffs and entrancing grooves of Latin jazz is unquestioned. When they make their Edmonton debut Wednesday, the only decision you may have to make is whether to sit or to dance.
  “That’s a huge dilemma for me,” admits Oscar Hernandez, the SHO’s founder-pianist, and most frequent composer-arranger. “We’re mostly playing concerts and that’s my preference, but u
  
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• Exciting international jazz permutations visiting the festival

  23-06-2018 11:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  Since high-technology has made the world a smaller place, you just never know where you might stumble across cutting edge musical invention.
  At this year’s jazz festival, two international imports stand out. There are the driving, minimalist chord patterns of Manchester, England’s trio Gogo Penguin, while another choice collaboration finds three Scandinavians working with Polish saxophonist Maciej Obara.
  Manchester’s Gogo Penguin trio caused enough of a stir over their initial
  
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• Emma The Musical combines local Filipino talent with Second World War tale of love and struggle

  23-06-2018 11:00 via edmontonjournal.com
  Quick, think of a love story set during the Second World War. Casablanca, right? Or maybe The English Patient?
  Actually, the story of note is Emma The Musical — a romantic tale set against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during the Second World War. If the musical’s local composer Erica Cawagas has anything to say about it, the show, debuting June 7 at the Myer Horowitz Theatre, will soon be on stages from here to the Philippines and back, and on the lips of every fan who ca
  
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• Severe thunderstorm watch ends for Edmonton

  23-06-2018 08:57 via edmontonjournal.com
  Environment Canada ended its severe thunderstorm watch for the Edmonton area late Friday night.
  The watch concluded shortly after 10:45 p.m. following an unsettled evening of weather. Severe thunderstorm watches ended at the same time for a swath of Alberta ranging from Medicine Hat to as far north as Peace River and Slave Lake. By early Saturday morning, thunderstorm watches had been lifted across the province. 
  Heat warnings remained in place for several northern communities including the
  
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• City publishes names, locations of hopeful Edmonton cannabis stores

  23-06-2018 06:03 via edmontonjournal.com
  Melissa Lavoie has mixed emotions.
  She is No. 82 on the city’s published list of cannabis store lottery locations.
  “I really want to be excited, but I’m still nervous,” she said Friday.
  As many as 242 stores have put their names forward for a licence during this “first wave” of interest. The city used a lottery to determine the order of applicants.
  It was meant to level the playing field as businesses jockey for prime locations and avoid city blackou
  
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• Severe thunderstorm watch for city of Edmonton

  23-06-2018 05:51 via edmontonjournal.com
  A severe thunderstorm is no longer an imminent threat to Edmonton.
  Environment Canada retracted a severe thunderstorm warning for the city at 8:21 Friday.
  Edmonton is back under a severe thunderstorm watch, meaning there may still be strong wind gusts, large hail and torrential rain.
  Environment Canada also downgraded the County of Wetaskiwin’s severe thunderstorm warning issued at 7:41 p.m. Friday to a severe thunderstorm watch.
  New warnings for severe thunderstor
  
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• Edmonton backs off decision to ban vendors from Terwillegar Park

  23-06-2018 04:28 via edmontonjournal.com
  Treats for dogs and their humans will be on sale this year in Terwillegar Park after city officials reversed a new ban on some food trucks in park space.
  “It’s just phenomenal, and I will take it,” Terri Holgerson, co-owner of Tangent’s Treats, said Friday. “I’ll continue to work really hard for the next year.”
  Food truck owners were suddenly denied the ability to renew permits this year after city parks staff grew concerned at the possible impact t
  
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• Edmonton Oilers hang on to their #10 draft pick, select high-scoring blueliner Evan Bouchard

  23-06-2018 03:25 via edmontonjournal.com
  Forget about all the crazy rumours, rampant speculation and idle chitchat about what Peter Chiarelli might do with the Edmonton Oilers’ first round draft pick. In the end the GM decided to hang on to it, selecting offensive defenceman Evan Bouchard from London Knights.
  After several teams above them went a little off the board, the Oilers were left with a choice of Bouchard, offensive blueliner Noah Dobson along with sniping right-winger Oliver Wahlstrom, all three of whom were projected i
  
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• Graham Thomson: 'Glue of Confederation' makes things sticky for Alberta politicians

  23-06-2018 02:30 via edmontonjournal.com
  It has been called the glue of Canada’s Confederation.
  It is also one of the major irritants in Canada’s Confederation.
  Say hello to the federal equalization program.
  Some provinces would love to say goodbye to it.
  At least, they’d love to say goodbye to the current equalization formula.
  It was ever thus.
  The federal equalization program creates a stink about once a decade.
  Or, more accurately, it’s politicians who create a stink about equalization every 10 years or so.
  V
  
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• Paula Simons: Rogue GMO wheat a threat to export markets

  23-06-2018 02:12 via edmontonjournal.com
  When the The Canadian Food Inspection Agency revealed last week that seven stalks of herbicide resistant wheat has been found in southern Alberta, Japan immediately closed its markets to Canadian wheat and South Korea followed suit this week.
  That could be a bit hit to Alberta’s economy. Last year, Japan bought about $203 million worth of Alberta wheat.
  Paula Simons
  
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• Paula Simons: Bad seed: The mystery of Alberta's rogue GMO wheat puts our reputation at risk

  23-06-2018 02:07 via edmontonjournal.com
  It’s a detective story. But it doesn’t start with a body. It starts last summer, with one observant employee of a private company hired to spray weeds beside a southern Alberta access road.
  A small patch of plants stubbornly refused to die. On July 17, the weed company informed the country. The county told Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. July 21, agriculture staff came to collect samples. Seven stalks of wheat.
  They were puzzled. Canada allows cultivation of soy beans, corn and can
  
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• Firefighters from three countries train for handling big rig crashes

  23-06-2018 01:54 via edmontonjournal.com
  On Alberta highways, big rigs traversing prairie highways are almost as familiar a sight as fields of golden canola.
  But when those metal behemoths cause havoc, firefighters are there to save lives and clear the wreckage.
  For the 11th year, Albertan firefighters shared their expertise in semi-truck rescue operations with their counterparts from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Utah and even far away Chile. The three-day Big Rig Hands-On Training Symposium, a partnersh
  
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• Oscar Klefbom & 10th overall pick to the Boston Bruins speculation heats up again

  23-06-2018 01:48 via edmontonjournal.com
  This just in from Boston hockey writer Jimmy Muphy: “Further to @HackswithHaggs report on #NHLBruins and #Oilers trade talks regarding Torey Krug and Oscar Klefbom, I am told right now one of Danton Heinen or Anders Bjork and 10th overall pick could be involved. Lots happening!”
  Hearing #NHLBruins are trying to move up right now to get @ThayerAthletics F Jay O'Brien. Would likely have a chance if not for Rick Nash trade. I'm not saying they made mistake but that's around where O'Brie
  
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• 'Impassioned plea gone horribly wrong': Accused sobs in court during trial for killing son-in-law

  23-06-2018 01:01 via edmontonjournal.com
  The man accused of killing his son-in-law in 2016 sat sobbing as his defence lawyer described the attack not as an act of second-degree murder, but as an “impassioned plea gone horribly wrong” in closing arguments Friday.
  Roberto Robles, dressed in a dark maroon dress shirt and black pants, patted away tears as his lawyer, Mike Danyluik, addressed the 12-member Court of Queen’s Bench jury for the first time, asking for them to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter.
  Danyliu
  
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• Sergeant Maynard (Val) Vallevand Park opens

  23-06-2018 00:37 via edmontonjournal.com
  Sergeant Maynard (Val) Vallevand Park in west Edmonton was officially opened on Friday, June 22, 2018. The park is named after Maynard Vallevand, the founder of the Edmonton Police Service Canine Unit.
  
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• Press Gallery podcast #235: The (Cabinet) Shuffle To The Top Of The Class edition

  23-06-2018 00:17 via edmontonjournal.com
  A tiny cabinet shuffle and a deep dive into class sizes by Postmedia’s Janet French are the focus of this week’s Alberta politics Press Gallery podcast.
  Join host Emma Graney with guests Janet French, Clare Clancy, Paula Simons and Graham Thomson to delve into the political fallout of all of that, as well as the NDP’s new attack ad and a new Indigenous training course for government workers.
  Good Stuff from the Gallery
  Graham’s pick: This phenomenal political ad by MJ Heg
  
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• Room to improve, says city auditor on Edmonton cybersecurity plans

  23-06-2018 00:07 via edmontonjournal.com
  Edmonton’s ability to recover from hackers still needs work, said city auditor David Wiun as cities around the world struggle with an increasing threat.
  Experts say cities are lucrative targets. Hackers break into municipal databases, ban access or simply corrupt the data until officials agree to pay a ransom. They’re vulnerable because water, transportation and security services matter so much to citizens.
  Edmonton hasn’t said how many small-scale breaches it’s alre
  
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