Regeln » coming off a solid season that saw him hit .289

The last six months have been a whirlwind for Kevin Dineen. In October he was coaching the NHLs Florida Panthers. But after being fired in November, he was named the Canadian womens team coach and guided the squad to a stirring fourth straight Olympic title in Sochi, Russia. Dineen is now with a third team, preparing the Canadian under-18 mens squad to defend its world title in Finland. "Its been (a whirlwind) but you know what, its a hockey life," Dineen said. "You have tough times with the lows, you get fired and its an emotional deal. "As I told the women before the gold medal game, I knew the day I was hired I had to be on my toes and it was kind of like someone lit a match under my fanny. I just really enjoyed that whole process. You never know how those things are going to end. "Just like this one, you dont know. Weve got to have some luck and have some things work in our favour but its not always about the ending. Its about the ride youre on, it really is." The 50-year-old Quebec City native will have plenty of international experience at his disposal when Canada begins its title defence Thursday against Sweden in Imatra, Finland. Thirteen players on the roster participated in last years under-17 World Hockey Challenge in Quebec while eight skated in this years under-17 event in Cape Breton, N.S. And nine players helped Canada win gold at the Ivan Hlinka tournament last summer. However, Dineens biggest challenge is quickly moulding his players into a tightly knit team. "Yes there are challenges like having to gel and find some chemistry in a timely manner," he said. "A lot of the European teams have been together for a while and the Americans are centralized all year so those teams have an advantage. "But thats what makes it fun putting this team together. These boys are really excited to represent Canada and that works in our favour. Theyre sharp kids." And big, with 14 players being six feet or taller. But its still a team, Dineen says, that can excel on the larger international ice surface. "Even though I talk about our size, that does not in any way take away from our skill," Dineen said. "I think were a team that has some skill and I believe we can compete with any team. "That makes it enjoyable to have those guys who can play the game anyway we need to play to have success." Dineen is familiar with international hockey. He played for Canada six times, claiming world championship silver medals in 85 and 89 and winning the 87 Canada Cup. The 19-year NHL veteran also wore the Maple Leaf at the 84 Winter Games. In December, he joined a national womens program stinging from coach Dan Churchs sudden resignation and having lost four straight pre-Olympic tuneups to the archrival United States. In Russia, Canada beat the Americans twice, including a thrilling 3-2 overtime decision in the gold medal game after trailing 2-0 late in regulation. "If you were going to ride a roller-coaster and go the top, I couldnt have done better than that," Dineen said. "I had a pretty good buzz for about three weeks after Sochi, just enjoying it and the enjoyment people got out of that tournament. "Thats a special moment for Canada and you can compound that a lot for me and the players as well." Since Sochi, Dineen has been overwhelmed by people anxious to share their Olympic experience. That includes former NHL goalie Fred Brathwaite, now an assistant coach on the under-18 squad. "He was telling me he was on Highway 401 driving to a game and couldnt watch but found it on the radio," Dineen said. "After we scored in overtime, there was like 50 people around him all honking their horns. "A fireman from Hamilton told me how they were so mad they had to leave on a call during the game and when they returned there was skiing on TV. They thought theyd missed it but it was just the holdover until overtime. The next thing you know, the whole firehouse was watching and went bonkers. "When you hear those stories -- and Ive heard literally hundreds and will never tire of anybodys story -- its pretty special. Im not afraid to share those experiences with these boys." Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Point, a late cut from last years team, said Dineen has quickly made an impression on his young players. "Hes an awesome guy," said the 18-year-old Calgary native. " Hes got real good systems and hes really good with the players. "Everyone respects him a ton and its real easy to learn from him." Kingston Frontenacs defenceman Roland McKeown, a returnee from last years squad, said Dineens message is a simple one. "Hes preaching the Canadian way," McKeown said. "At the Olympics you saw how dominant the mens and womens teams were and that was doing it the Canadian way with hard work, that two-way game and everyone buying into a role. "Thats what were going to do." The six-foot-one 195-pound McKeown, an 18-year-old native of Listowel, Ont., hopes last years experience helps him become a key contributor this time. "Last year proved every guy has to take a role and buy in to win a championship," he said. "I gained a lot of experience from the guys who were here last year and want to use that to take a leadership role with this team." Dineen has taken an unplanned detour to land behind the under-18 teams bench, but hes a better coach because of it. "I coached six years in the American Hockey League and always took pride in being able to work with either veterans or young players but these guys are all young," Dineen said. "That really makes it enjoyable because theyre a good bunch. "To me, thats one of the advantages, just coming here and working with these players. Youre getting better every day and thats a good thing for me." Cheap Saucony Running Shoes . -- Ben Bishop had a milestone game against one of the NHLs greatest goalies. Cheap Saucony Sneakers . - John Elways philosophy is to address immediate needs in free agency, even though some of his own veterans may prove too pricey to keep around. http://www.wholesalesaucony.com/ . Gorges is believed to have suffered the injury while blocking a shot with a hand during Montreals win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Canadiens added to their defensive depth this week by acquiring veteran Mike Weaver from the Florida Panthers. Saucony Shoes Outlet Online . It was a day that saw England slump off a World Cup field once again battered and bruised. This time there was no red card to wonder about, no goalkeeping error or individual mistake. They were thoroughly beaten by something they have nothing of – genuine world class ability. Saucony Shoes Clearance . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value.San Diego, CA - The Los Angeles Dodgers continued to wheel and deal on Wednesday at Major League Baseballs Winter Meetings, as they reportedly made two more significant moves. First, Los Angeles shipped infielder Dee Gordon and veteran right-hander Dan Haren to the Miami Marlins for a four-player package that included prized pitching prospect Andrew Heaney. But Heaney was only a Dodger for hours before he was sent across town to the Angels in a straight swap for second baseman Howie Kendrick. This deal comes on the heels of the Dodgers apparently picking up shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Philadelphia Phillies. Gordon is coming off a solid season that saw him hit .289 over 148 games while leading the majors with 64 stolen bases and 12 triples. However, he posted a miserable 47/4 K/BB ratio with a .648 OPS during the second half. Gordon stole six more bases than the entire Marlins team last season. Haren recently exercised a $10 million option for the upcoming season, but has also stated that if he was dealt anywhere other than to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim that he would retire. He made 32 starts for the Dodgers last season and produced a 13-11 record with a 4.dddddddddddd02 ERA. However, he was not used in the Dodgers National League Division Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Heaney, meanwhile, was the ninth overall pick in 2012, but struggled in limited big league action last season, pitching to a 5.83 ERA in five starts in place of the injured Jose Fernandez. The 23-year-old left-hander bounced back in the minors and posted a 3.28 ERA with 143 strikeouts over 137 1/3 innings. Over 259 2/3 career minor league innings Heaney has compiled a 2.77 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 262/68 K/BB ratio. Kendrick has been one of the most consistent second basemen in baseball over the last couple of seasons. The nine-year vet has spent his entire career with the Angels, compiling a .292 batting average with 78 home runs and 501 RBI. Kendrick was an All-Star in 2011 and posted the best WAR of his career, 5.4, last season. The Marlins also sent righty Chris Hatcher, infeilder Kike Hernandez and catcher Austin Barnes to the Dodgers. Shortstop Miguel Rojas went from the Dodgers to Miami. ' ' '