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We have it on good authority that after years of shunning the idea of a mascot, the Edmonton Oilers are about to unveil one this week.
The smart money on the outfit, which is being made in Calgary, says it will be representative of the Oilers' great hockey fans ... which is to say it will likely include a mullet, overalls, high-top runners and a handful of teeth.
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
Now more notes, quotes and anecdotes from a sports world wondering if anyone ever thought someone with a name like Sage Rosenfels would ever be successful in the NFL.
AROUND THE HORN
In a week where O.J. Simpson was found guilty of 12 offences and faces a lifetime in jail, another lowlife athlete -- one with ties to Calgary -- is also in the clink. Chronic female abuser Lawrence Phillips, who was brought in by Jim Barker to rush for the Stampeders in 2003, is now serving 10 years in jail for driving his car onto a Los Angeles field and striking three teenagers after being upset over losing a pickup football game. This while being wanted by two police departments for three separate domestic abuse allegations -- his specialty. The world is a better place with a scumbag like Phillips locked up ... Amazing how critical Mike Milbury is on Hockey Night in Canada considering his resume is filled with some of the most heinous mistakes in recent NHL lore ... All the best to longtime Stampede announcer Joe Carbury who is about to undergo throat surgery, which is not of the cancerous kind ... Great sign spotted rinkside: "Hey, ref -- are you pregnant? Because you missed two periods." ... The Flames' decision to send 19-year-old Mikael Backlund back to Sweden was an easy one. The next few decisions Darryl Sutter faces as he juggles to get under the salary cap aren't as simple.
PARTING GIFTS
After spending 24 years kicking in the NFL to become its second-leading scorer, Gary Anderson now spends his time fishing and golfing in Canmore. His son, Austin, is a rookie kicker with the McGill Redmen, where the 5-foot-10, 145-lb. Canmore Collegiate grad has impressed. "He went 5-for-5 his first game, and I said, 'Hey, I only did that a handful of times in my career,' " laughed Anderson before teeing it up at Stewart Creek last week ... Dinos LB Dylan Steenbergen is ranked the eighth-best CIS prospect by the CFL's Amateur Scouting Bureau, which is comprised of CFL scouts, player personnel directors and general managers ... Sutter when asked about the fitness level of his Flames: "The guys are all pretty incredible, but they're supposed to be," said Sutter, who added the team he inherited in 2002 has come a long way. "The first practice we couldn't finish because 10 of 'em (couldn't hack it.) You've got seven years (without playoffs) of good habits -- I found out in 10 minutes why." ... Teemu Selanne, 38, on his decision not to take out insurance while on a "tryout" with the Ducks: "I know the insurance company would say, 'OK, we can do that, but let's not include the knees or shoulders,' so there's not much left."
PARTING SHOTS
The publicity stunt anointing G Roberto Luongo the Canucks captain speaks volumes about the lack of leadership and direction in Vancouver ... Congrats to LW Vaclav Prospal, the first player ever to wear a shield apparently sponsored by Apple auto glass ... Quick, name the coach of the New York Islanders. Didn't think so ... Wayne Gretzky on sophomore W Daniel Carcillo, who led the league in penalty minutes last year. "He's koo-koo." ... OK, OK, the Islanders coach is Scott Gordon ... Both figure skating fans that read this column might be interested to know Emmanual Sandhu was one of the final cuts from the Top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Interestingly, he didn't fall during auditions. Don't ask how I know that.