It's Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everybody. Here's what's happening....

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Today is June 28th, the 179th day of 2011. There are 186 days left in the year.

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NHL Net-U.S. to air live HHOF inductee announcement.

O'Ree scores in NHL's effort to diversify hockey.

Bieksa agrees to five-year deal to stay in Vancouver.

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Todays Birthdays: CIA director Leon Panetta is 73; actress Kathy Bates is 63; former NFL quarterback John Elway (played only for the Denver Broncos) is 51; actor John Cusack (2012, Grosse Point Blank) is 45; dancer Lacey Schwimmer (So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars) is 23.

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Sixty Americans Selected
at the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – Sixty American players were selected during the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minn., this past weekend, including five in the first round.

The 60 players chosen is the highest number of Americans selected in the NHL Entry Draft since a record 62 were picked in 2007.

Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (Boston, Mass.), selected 14th overall by the Dallas Stars, was the first American taken in the NHL Entry Draft. J.T. Miller (East Palestine, Ohio), who played at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, was taken with the next pick by the New York Rangers.

Eight players with ties to the NTDP, a member of the United States Hockey League, were chosen in the first two rounds of the NHL Entry Draft, including Miller, Connor Murphy (Dublin, Ohio/20th overall/Phoenix Coyotes), Tyler Biggs (Cincinnati, Ohio/22nd overall/Toronto Maple Leafs), Rocco Grimaldi (Rossmoor, Calif./33rd overall/Florida Panthers), Adam Clendening (Niagara Falls, N.Y./36th overall/Chicago Blackhawks), John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa./39th overall/Anaheim Ducks), Brandon Saad (Gibsonia, Pa./43rd overall/Chicago Blackhawks), and Matthew Nieto (Long Beach, Calif./47th overall/San Jose Sharks).

For the full list of Americans selected in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, see below.

NOTES: Twenty-five American players that played in the USHL in 2010-11 were chosen … Seventeen players with ties to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program were selected … Eight American players who played NCAA Division I hockey in 2010-11 were drafted … Fifteen players who skated for high schools or prep schools in 2010-11 were selected … Players drafted represented 17 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin … For a complete round-by-round recap of the NHL draft, click here … A total of 59 Americans were selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, with 51 in 2009, 46 in 2008 and a record 62 in 2007.

Americans Selected in the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft

Rd. Pick Name NHL Team 2010-11 Team (League)
1 14 Jamie Oleksiak Dallas Stars Northeastern University (HEA)
1 15 J.T. Miller New York Rangers U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
1 20 Connor Murphy Phoenix Coyotes U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
1 21 Stefan Noesen Ottawa Senators Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
1 22 Tyler Biggs Toronto Maple Leafs U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
2 33 Rocco Grimaldi Florida Panthers U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
2 34 Scott Mayfield New York Islanders Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
2 36 Adam Clendening Chicago Blackhawks Boston University (HEA)
2 39 John Gibson Anaheim Ducks U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
2 43 Brandon Saad Chicago Blackhawks Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
2 47 Matthew Nieto San Jose Sharks Boston University (HEA)
2 60 Mario Lucia Minnesota Wild Wayzata (Minn.) High School
2 61 Shane Prince Ottawa Senators Ottawa 67's (OHL)
3 64 Vincent Trocheck Florida Panthers Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
3 66 T.J. Tynan Columbus Blue Jackets University of Notre Dame (CCHA)
3 70 Michael Paliotta Chicago Blackhawks U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
3 72 Steven Fogarty New York Rangers Edina (Minn.) High School
3 73 Keegan Lowe Carolina Hurricanes Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
3 75 Blake Coleman New Jersey Devils Indiana Ice (USHL)
3 82 Nick Shore Los Angeles Kings University of Denver (WCHA)
3 83 Andy Welinski Anaheim Ducks Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
3 91 Kyle Rau Florida Panthers Eden Prairie (Minn.) High School
4 95 Robbie Russo New York Islanders U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
4 97 Josiah Didier Montreal Canadiens Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
4 98 Mike Reilly Columbus Blue Jackets Shattuck-St. Mary's (Minn.)
4 99 Reid Boucher New Jersey Devils U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
4 101 Joseph Labate Vancouver Canucks Holy Angels (Minn.) High School
4 104 John Gaudreau Calgary Flames Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
4 107 Colin Jacobs Buffalo Sabres Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
4 110 Michael Mersch Los Angeles Kings Univ. of Wisconsin (WCHA)
4 112 Garrett Noonan Nashville Predators Boston University (HEA)
4 116 Colin Suellentrop Philadelphia Flyers Oshawa Generals (OHL)
4 121 Brian Ferlin Boston Bruins Indiana Ice (USHL)
5 128 Seth Ambroz Columbus Blue Jackets Omaha Lancers (USHL)
5 129 Blake Pietila New Jersey Devils U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
5 130 Tony Cameranesi Toronto Maple Leafs Wayzata (Minn.) High School
5 131 Nick Seeler Minnesota Wild Eden Prairie (Minn.) High School
5 133 Sean Kuraly San Jose Sharks Indiana Ice (USHL)
5 134 Shane McColgan New York Rangers Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
5 135 Troy Vance Dallas Stars Victoriaville Tigers (QMJHL)
5 137 Alex Lepkowski Buffalo Sabres Barrie Colts (OHL)
5 151 Rob O'Gara Boston Bruins Milton (Mass.) Academy
6 154 Edward Wittchow Florida Panthers Burnsville (Minn.) High School
6 161 Stephen Michalek Minnesota Wild Loomis-Chaffee (Conn.)
6 163 Matt Mahalak Carolina Hurricanes Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
6 170 Chase Balisy Nashville Predators Western Michigan University (CCHA)
6 171 Max McCormick Ottawa Senators Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
6 177 Travis Boyd Washington Capitals U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
6 178 Adam Wilcox Tampa Bay Lightning Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
7 187 Aaron Harstad Winnipeg Jets Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
7 189 Patrick Daly New Jersey Devils Benilde-St. Margaret's (Minn.) High School
7 190 Garret Sparks Toronto Maple Leafs Guelph Storm (OHL)
7 194 Colin Blackwell San Jose Sharks St. John's (Mass.) Prep
7 196 Zac Larraza Phoenix Coyotes U.S. National Under-18 Team (USHL)
7 197 Brad Navin Buffalo Sabres Waupaca (Wis.) High School
7 198 Colin Sullivan Montreal Canadiens Avon Old Farms (Conn.)
7 199 Alex Broadhurst Chicago Blackhawks Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
7 203 Max Everson Toronto Maple Leafs Edina (Minn.) High School
7 204 Ryan Dzingel Ottawa Senators Lincoln Stars (USHL)
7 207 Garrett Haar Washington Capitals Fargo Force (USHL)

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Today is National Columnists Day.

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Pedersen: Roughriders still have issues.

Rider DB Eddie Russ proving to be a true returner.

Riders struck a fine balance on cutdown day.

Visit the team's official website at http://www.riderville.com/.

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ON DVD TODAY _ The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended Edition + Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]; Warrior's Way (Dong-Gun Jang, Kate Bosworth); Hell's Kitchen: Seasons 1-4; Law & Order Criminal Intent: Season 6; Rizzoli & Isles: The Complete First Season.

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2011 Pre-season CFL power rankings.

Road to the Show Part 2: John Surla.

2011 CFL Schedule is here.

Donate to the Tony Proudfoot Fund.

Visit the leagues' official website, http://www.cfl.ca/.

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Whatever it is, I like it!

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One out of every 10 people in the entire planet is now on Facebook. If that doesn't sound like a lot, keep in mind that that there are currently more than 7 billion people in the world.

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ST PETERSBURG --  What seemed like a statistical fluke to begin the season is becoming more alarming by the game.

Fresh off scoring nearly seven runs per contest during its six-game road trip, Tampa Bay's hitting woes at Tropicana Field continued as it fell, 5-0, to Cincinnati on Monday night in front of 19,891.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1778, Mary "Molly Pitcher" Hays McCauley, wife of an American artilleryman, carried water to the soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth and, supposedly, took her husband's place at his gun after he was overcome with heat.

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CHICAGO --  The San Francisco Giants, off yesterday, are back in action this afternoon with a doubleheader at the Chicago Cubs. I Game One, Ryan Voglesong starts for the Giants, Doug Davis for Chicago. First pitch is at 2:20pm EDT. In Game Two, Barry Zito toes the hill for San Francisco, Rodrigo Lopez for the Cubs. First pitch is at 8:05pm EDT.

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Today in Elvis History:

1973 - The album "Elvis - That's The Way It Is" was certified gold by the RIAA.

2004 - SIRIUS, a satellite radio provider, announced the launch of Elvis Radio. The radio channel debuted on July 2.

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The U.S. Congress made Labor Day a U.S. national holiday on this date in 1894.

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Today in Beatles History:

1991 - "Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio" debuted at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.

1999 - George Harrison disclosed that he had a cancerous lump removed from his neck the previous summer.

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Last year, during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, there was a lot of confusion as to whether the athletes could tweet, blog or otherwise use social media. This time around, at next year's London games, those athletes will have all but free rein. The International Olympic Committee, which governs the Olympics, has posted a new set of social media guidelines for athletes. The biggest part? Tweet away.

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Today in Sports History:

1971 - The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the draft evasion conviction of Muhammad Ali.

1997 - Mike Tyson was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield's ear after three rounds of their WBA heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas, NV.

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In an appearance on a British TV show Monday to discuss his latest film, Larry Crowne, Tom Hanks may have prematurely spilled the beans on a fourth Toy Story movie. When asked if there will be a Toy Story 4 for his granddaughter to see, Tom replied, "I think there will be, yeah. I think they're working on it now."

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Coming Up: 

Tonight --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs 2:20pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Cincinnati Reds 7:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs 8:05pm EDT

Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs Cincinnati Reds 12:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs 8:05pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs 2:20pm EDT

Friday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Detroit Tigers 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs St. Louis Cardinals 7:10pm EDT

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway 7:30pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Detroit Tigers 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs St. Louis Cardinals 7:10pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway 7:30pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- San Francisco Giants at Detroit Tigers 1:05pm EDT

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays vs St. Louis Cardinals 1:40pm EDT

Monday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins 2:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 5:05pm EDT

Tuesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins 8:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 10:15pm EDT


Wednesday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins 1:10pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 10:15pm EDT

Thursday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees 7:05pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 10:15pm EDT

Friday --
 
MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees 7:05pm EDT
 
Nascar Nationwide Series -- Feed The Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway 7:30pm EDT
 
MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs New York Mets 10:15pm EDT

Saturday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees 1:05pm EDT

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway 7:30pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs New York Mets 9:05pm EDT

Sunday --

MLB -- Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees 1:05pm EDT

Izod Indy Car Series -- Honda Indy Toronto at Streets of Toronto 2:00pm EDT

MLB -- San Francisco Giants vs New York Mets 8:05pm EDT

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, be sure to tell your friends about this blog. See you tomorrow.