Tom Renney is a hockey man, not a businessman. Hydro Flask Cena . He once ran a clothing store in Trail, B.C., along with his wife but since then his life has been immersed in coaching. So when Hockey Canada was searching for a new president and CEO and Renney emerged as serious candidate, the 59-year-old didnt put on a masquerade. "(Business is) not where his passion lies," Team Canada coach Mike Babcock said. "And its not where his expertise lies. One thing about Tom: He knows what he is and he knows what hes not." Renney above all else is a respected hockey man, and his decades of experience at the amateur, international and professional levels ultimately made him Hockey Canadas choice to replace Bob Nicholson. What separated Renney from other candidates, board of directors chairman Jim Hornell said, was his values base, connections throughout the sport and passion to grow the game. "Hes a people person, he connects well, he communicates well with people and certainly hes recognized not only in Canada but throughout the hockey world, and thats important," Hornell said on a conference call Tuesday. "Its important that we have someone who is knowledgeable in hockey but who is also recognized in hockey and can bring a team together." Around the NHL, where Renney has worked in various coaching and player personnel jobs for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and Detroit Red Wings, the Cranbook, B.C., native is lauded for his ability to bridge gaps and build a consensus. "Hes as well-connected as anybody in hockey, for starters, which really helps," Rangers general manager Glen Sather said in a phone interview. "I dont think theres anyone in the hockey business who would have a bad thing to say about Tom." Renney most recently worked as an associate coach on Babcocks staff in Detroit. Red Wings GM Ken Holland said that hire was a "no-brainer" and felt the same about his hiring by Hockey Canada because of his wealth of experience. Babcock, who has led Team Canada to back-to-back Olympic gold medals, said Hockey Canada "absolutely hit it out of the park" by hiring Renney. "Tom Renney treats people right, a hundred per cent integrity. When hes wrong, he owns his own garbage," Babcock said in a phone interview. "I was happy for Canadian hockey, because to me they got themselves a real good man whos been through all the steps, can speak to people and knows whats important in the game. Hes going to help grow our game again, and I think thats so important." The Hockey Canada that Renney inherits in 2014 is one that Hornell emphasized is "on a very solid foundation" thanks to work done since 1998 by Nicholson, who resigned in April. Among Renneys new challenges is to make hockey a more affordable sport for Canadian children and to maintain interest in it beyond the youth level. "I want to pay particular attention to development, I want to pay particular attention to grassroots hockey," Renney said at a news conference in Calgary. "I want people to participate in the game for the right reasons, and that means doing the right thing. Little people have to want to play this game, older people have to want to continue to play it, and when you get to that great old age of whatever it is, you want to play it as a lifetime sport." Hockey has been a lifetime endeavour for Renney, who began coaching in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League before moving on to win two WHL titles and a Memorial Cup with the Kamloops Blazers in the early 1990s. He was the coach of Canadas national team for two years after that, including at the 1994 Olympics. Renneys NHL experience included being head coach of the Canucks, Rangers and Oilers. While with New York, he also served as director of player personnel and vice-president of player development. If there was any doubt Renney was just a coach, he quashed it. "Hes one of the most analytical guys that I know and well-organized, persistent," Sather said. "Ive always looked to hire somebody thats smarter than me. He was one of those guys that I was quite sure that he was." In the decade since, Renney went from associate coach of the Oilers to head coach to an associate for the past two seasons with the Red Wings. Even though he never led a team beyond the conference final, his strengths kept him as a hot commodity in the game. "Hes coached our Olympic team, he started in grassroots hockey, he played college hockey," Babcock said. "Hes just flat-out done it all, and he doesnt get tired. All he thinks about is hockey. Hes 24/7 hockey, thats what he loves." On the international stage, Renney was vice-president of hockey operations for Hockey Canada from 1997 to 1999 and on three occasions was on the coaching staff at world championships. Holland recalled presentations Renney made to international coaches, too, as even more evidence of experience and his stature within hockey circles. "Hes going to respect people, hes going to respect the game and in return he gets that respect back," Holland said in a phone interview. "He knows everybody in the game, and if he doesnt know them, as soon as he introduces himself because of what hes accomplished and because of his experiences, because hes a classy, first-class person, hes very comfortable in talking to people." Renney is not arrogant but confident about his business background, even if its restricted to a clothing shop in Trail with his wife, Glenda, where he dealt with the ebb and flow of pricing and learned how to balance budgets and maintain relationships with customers. "There isnt a lot that can get done in this day and age without a good business plan, so I very much have my head around that," Renney said. "I know that I come into a situation that has enormous capital in terms of its people potential here and the work thats been done in the past. Im thankful for that quite honestly because as you can appreciate as more of an operations/coach background, this is really important to me to be surrounded by terrific people, which I am, to help push forward our business plan, if you will, and enhance it." Renney, who will get help from chief operation officer Scott Smith, isnt as business savvy as Nicholson, who last month became vice-chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group. Through an Oilers spokesman, Nicholson deferred comment until later in the week so as not to interfere with Renneys big day. The expectations on Renney are much different. "Weve done great work in the past and Toms job is to take us into a new era," Hornell said. "His passion for the game came through through the entire process and were just looking for him now to hit the ground running and will take Hockey Canada to the next level." Hydro Flask Cz . But San Diego had even more trouble against right-hander Tanner Roark, who pitched a three-hitter for the first complete game of his career as the Nationals shut out the Padres 4-0. The 27-year-old set down the first 16 batters before San Diego catcher Rene Rivera, an . Hydro Flask Termoska . "First, I would like to offer my deepest and sincerest apologies for any harm I have inflicted on University of Missouri defensive lineman, Michael Sam," the statement read. http://www.hydroflasklahev.cz/ . The injury could land Machado on the 15-day disabled list, but its not as serious as it looked on Monday night, when the third baseman crumpled in a heap at the plate after taking an awkward swing in a game against the New York Yankees.ANAHEIM – Teemu Selanne wanted to do something nice for Sami Vatanen. His fellow Finn, 21 years his junior, had just arrived in Anaheim and was hoping to stick with the Ducks. The way Selanne saw it, if Vatanen was going to make it in southern California, he needed to have his own wheels. So the future Hall of Famer, an avid car collector, decided to lend Vatanen, a smooth-skating defenceman, one of his. A Mercedes CLK to be precise. "I havent seen it in a year-and-a-half," Selanne said with a chuckle. "I dont know if I like that car actually," Vatanen said with a big smile, "but its free." Selanne and Saku Koivu, another Finnish veteran, have mentored Vatanen, Anaheims fourth round pick in 2009, over the last couple of years. Koivu and his wife Hanna, for example, helped Vatanen get his apartment set up. "You can tell that both of them have taken Sami under their wing," said Ducks defenceman Ben Lovejoy. "Hes not even their little brother, hes sort of their son." Told of that statement, the 43-year-old Selanne doesnt miss a beat noting, "He could be." The groundwork laid by Selanne and Koivu paid dividends in the regular season as Vatanen was the third leading scorer among Ducks defencemen picking up 21 points in just 48 games. "Its a big thing," said Vatanen. "Ive been watching those guys for a while. It was fun to get a chance to play with them and its more fun even in the playoffs." Vatanen played in just nine of Anaheims final 32 regular-season games and started the playoffs in the minors with Norfolk in the American Hockey League. He was recalled in time for Game 3 of the series with the Los Angeles Kings making an immediate impact. Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau even went so far as to label the youngster the best player on the ice on either team on Thursday night. Vatanen didnt slow downn in his second career NHL playoff game on Saturday night, picking up his first post-season point, an assist on Ryan Getzlafs power play goal. Hydro Flask Lilac. He was also on the ice for Devante Smith-Pellys goal earlier in the period. "Just some confidence on the back end," said Lovejoy when asked what Vatanen brings to the table. "Getting offence against the Kings is difficult and having another smart puck mover back there is only going to put our forwards in better position to create offence." It is the 5-foot-10, 183-pound Vatanens gutsy play, which impresses Selanne the most. "Hes a warrior out there," said Selanne. "Hes not the biggest guy out there, but he doesnt avoid the traffic. Hes putting himself in a situation where hes going to get hit and give hits. Its fun to watch when young guys and small guys can do that. And obviously the way he can see the game and pass. He can make a huge difference." Selanne is nearing the end of his decorated career and takes great pride in being able to help an up-and-coming Finnish player find his way. After all, it was Teppo Numminen who helped a young Selanne navigate some early-career growing pains in Winnipeg. "I remember how much he helped me and thats why I want to do my job as well. And its fun and you see how much they appreciate it and how life is easier when you have help here and there," Selanne said. "Thats what we have done for years. Its so much easier for a young guy when theres a countryman who wants to help and makes things easier and gets you settled down. Thats a very important part of our job." In a way, Selannes career has come full circle as he passes the torch to the next rising Finnish star on the Ducks. So, did Numminen lend Selanne a car back in the day? "Actually, I let him drive my car," Selanne said with a grin. Some things never change. ' ' '