“Things are excellent around here,” said McMillan, via telephone following the victory. “I am very happy with how things turned out. The kids played a heck of a game tonight versus La Ronge. It is just a happy time around here thanks to them.”

As you can see, Dwight is always the first to pass credit off to the others around him for his success. His friends, family and staff around him could tell that the excitement and anticipation was growing all week as the milestone approached for the man who has been coaching the team since 1972.

“There has been a capital D for determination in the dressing room lately,” said Weyburn Red Wings GM Ron Rumball. “We have a very determined bunch of players who wanted to get that win out of the way, they really wanted to get that first victory on Friday.”

“As for Dwight, there was a certain positive mood around him, well as much as he will allow. He tries to pass off the accolades onto the staff, volunteers and the players but his heart was ticking in there for win number 1000. But if you know Dwight, you could see that he was ready for the game. He just loves to win and he wants to get win number 1001.”

Although it was just hours ago that McMillan and the boys captured this milestone victory, there wasn’t much time for the Dwight and the boys to celebrate as they were preparing to get back on the road to face the Flin Flon Bombers the next evening in hopes of extending their first place lead in the Sherwood Conference. That is one of the reasons why Dwight isn’t content on just getting win number 1000 under his belt. There is still plenty more wins to rack up during the season as they head forward into the playoffs.

“The team is playing solid right now and everyone is helping out when they have to. With this win out of the way we can concentrate on taking on Flin Flon. I really think our win tonight puts us right where we want to be,” said McMillan.

It could be some time before McMillan sits down and takes a good hard look at what he has accomplished during his time with the club but with this almost unheard of milestone out of the way time will only tell what else Dwight can bring to the table. As for right now the hockey world is congratulating one of the greatest coaches in Junior A history.

“This is going to be one of those things that I will have to look at and appreciate when the season is over,” said McMillan. “Oh and I would definitely love to make it to another Royal Bank Cup and win that this year.”

The San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames are said to be the two most interested teams in acquiring Joseph’s services.

There is some history between Joseph and current Flames GM Mike Keenan. As GM of the St. Louis Blues, Keenan traded a number of big-name Blues fan favorites like Joseph and Brendan Shanahan back in the mid-90’s. Joseph was shipped off to the Oilers Edmonton, a team who “coincidentally expressed great interest in Joseph’s return to the Oilers prior to the start of this season.”

Keenan now publicly admits that he’s very interested in having Joseph play for the Flames.Just as the Flames, the Sharks want to bolster their back-up position by adding a veteran goalie who can step in and provide some consistent play behind starter Evgeni Nabokov, the only NHL goaltender who’s started every game this season.

Sources say the the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators have also explored the possibility of signing Joseph, with the Senators a “highly attractive fit for the veteran.”

However, sources indicate that the Senators are not willing to put in a bid for Joseph. So, unless Ottawa comes in with an offer at the last minute, don’t expect them to ink Joseph.

This could be a great deal for the Senators if they could unload goalie Ray Emery. He could easily grab a first round pick from the Los Angles Kings if they are looking for a goalie. The Sens seem as if they are asking a little too much for Emery’s services considering that the team already has a first string goalie in Martin Gerber.

* Courtesy of Brad McNeil from The Wing’s World Blog

TRANSACTIONS

FYI - Former Estevan Bruins goaltender Guillaume Perusse was dealt by the OCN Blizzard to the Winnipeg Saints of the MJHL. To make room for Perusse, the Saints dealt goaltender Eric Potvin, who had a cup of coffee with the Weyburn Red Wings a couple of years ago, to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the AJHL.

TRADE Jan 10/08 Melville Millionaires acquire 1987 F Chris Shudo from the Westside Warriors (BCHL) for future considerations. Shudo, from Surrey BC, had 30 points in 38 games played with the Warriors this season.

TRADE Jan 10/08Battlefords North Stars acquire 1989 F Alexandre Leclerc from the Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL) for future considerations . Leclerc, from St. Marc de Carriers, Quebec, had 7 points in 39 games with the Stampeders this season.

Jan 10/08 La Ronge Ice Wolves trade 1987 F Joe Cook to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) for future considerations.

La Ronge Ice Wolves sign 1989 F Niko Tenello of North Bay, Ontario.

TRADE Jan 10/08 Weyburn Red Wings acquire 1987 F Erick Ruud from the Merritt Centennials (BCHL) for future considerations. The Wings also acquire 1987 F Justin Crockatt from the Fort William First Nation North Stars (SIJHL) for future considerations.

TRADE Jan 10/08 Estevan Bruins acquire 1989 D Jorden MacSwain from the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) for future considerations. MacSwain had 3 assists and 14 penalty minutes in 24 games with the Oilers. MacSwain is from Calgary.

SIGNING Jan 10/08 Kindersley Klippers sign 1989 F Jordan Braid. Braid was assigned to the Klippers by the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades. Braid had one assist in 29 games played with the Blades this season. He is from Saskatoon.

SIGNING Jan 10/08 Nipawin Hawks sign 1991 F Kenton Miller. Miller started the season with the Regina Pat Canadians Midget AAA team. He is from Redvers and is a draft pick of the Regina Pats.

SIGNING Jan 10/08 Melfort Mustangs announce the signing of 1987 D Shane Gimas. Gimas previously played in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans before electing to take a baseball scholarship to an NCAA school. Gimas had been playing some senior hockey this winter before signing with the Mustangs. Gimas is from Weekes, Saskatchewan.

TRADE Jan 10/08 Flin Flon Bombers acquire 1987 F Matt Dyck from the Neepawa Natives (MJHL) for future considerations. Dyck had 14 goals and 14 assist in 37 games with the Natives.

TRADE Jan 8/08 Notre Dame Hounds acquire 1988 D Adam Abramov from the Schreiber Diesels (SIJHL) for future considerations.

McMillan has been a part of the organization since the inaugural season of the Weyburn Red Wings (1960-61) when he was a player for the team. He began his coaching career in the 1972-73 season and other than a few years in the middle where he took some time off, he has been behind the bench guiding the Red Wings to numerous Championships throughout the years, all without taking any of the credit.

“This isn’t just a major accomplishment for me, it is a major accomplishment for the organization as a whole. You have to remember that your not a one man show. There have been numerous managers, assistant coaches, board directors and players who have all passed through here that have helped this team succeed. No matter if they have only been here for one game or 1000 games every person counts when reaching something like this,” said McMillan. “It really is an incredible accomplishment,” he added.

He could reach this milestone as early as January 25 versus the Flin Flon Bombers in front of a hometown crowd. But even if this victory isn’t captured at home, Dwight will be more than happy to share it with his friends around the league.

Over the years coach McMillan has racked up these accomplishments.

SJHL Championships - 83-84, 93-94, 94-95, 96-97, 97-98,00-01

ANAVET Championships - 83-84, 93-94, 96-97, 97-98, 00-01,

RBC Royal Bank Cup Championships - 83-84, 04-05

Coach of the Year Awards - 84-85, 89-90, 96-97

World Junior ‘A’ Challenge assignments 05-06, 06-07

These are just a few of his accomplishments as an official list of achievements has yet to be developed and will be updated shortly by members of the SJHL and Red Wings staff. For more on this story and others you can head on over to www.weyburnredwings.ca