This seasons newest reality TV show, CBC's "Making the Cut" (although it sounds like a reality TV show based on finding the best Rabbi out there), enters the relatively untouched real of sports-related reality themed shows, as players compete for the chance to attend an NHL camp.

Who knew that even THIS show would have one of those crazy twists in it? What could this aforementioned twist be you ask? Well, maybe it's just me but I think that it's pretty damn funny not to mention overly ironic that the first year they decide to make this show is a year that there aren't even any NHL camps to attend, nor is there any NHL action planned for quite possibly a long time. What's next, an NFL sponsored show where the winner gets a tryout with the Saskatchewan RoughRiders?

The lockout seems to be faring well for junior leagues with the absense of professional hockey, but it's also helping out the minor leagues quite a bit too with a lot of NHLers taking their show down to the AHL until the season begins. Curtis Joseph must be pissed that it's now a fashionable trend to play in the minors, with even Hasek doing it! I guess in a world where John Deere hats and accessories are most popular among non-agriculturally dependant youth, this sort of thing was just bound to happen.

Lots of other players have decided to make like a Jim Kerr and take their show overseas as well, but stopping just short of Australia and sticking in Europe. Unfortunately although they're mostly closer to me now, I don't know anyone with Finnish, Swedish, Russian or Slovakian satellite so I still can't see any hockey. Some players, like Peter Forsberg, have gone out and said that they're staying in Europe all season regardless of the NHL's CBA situation. That's sweet because Colorado kind of sucks without him and I'm a Red Wings fan. I hope more of those mile-high mountain dwelling Avalanche follow his lead.

How about the WHA eh? Selling the league to another group of investors, terminated a team or two. Still hoping to start in November. Come on fellas, give it up. Hell hasn't frozen over yet so don't try and skate on it...actually you know what, give it a shot let us know how it goes. I think I've worn wheel-less inline skates that had a better chance of gettin' rolling than these jokers.

Then there's that Original Stars league in Ontario. I haven't heard much from them lately but the first weekend after having scores like 15-7 and 14-12 I'm not surprised their fan base went from a few thousand to a couple hundred. It must have gone from looking like NCAA to CIS. I think they're sucking enough for the WHA and themselves. They only play the all-star game once a year for a reason. Probably something along the lines of: that kind of hockey isn't fun to watch every night!

Moral of the Story: I knew there was something fishy about that Making the Cut show.

One more thing, I just wanna make a quick shoutout to all the boys back home that are startin up their junior seasons this year like my bud Chorny playin out in Kamloops and the rest of my buds. Good luck fellas.