My casting call to replace Randy Tieman on TSN 690

With the NHL's abbreviated season set to begin on January 19, TSN 690 has a big decision to make. Who will replace Randy Tieman as co-host of the Intermission weekdays from Noon to 1 p.m. and as host of what was called the Tieman Show from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Tieman left his post in late December after several years of basically pulling a double shift. Not only does he live just past the Quebec border in Ontario, he also works full-time for CTV News. It was only a matter of time before he would drop one of them and you just know it would not be the marquee CTV gig.

I already miss Tieman's chemistry with Tony Marinaro, his easy going banter with callers and of course his long list of contacts who would come on the air live with him.

Who is in line to replace him? Here is my crack at program director:

-Simon Tsalikis has been a pretty regular substitute for Tieman and might finally get a full-time gig.

-Connor McKenna is one talented jock talk host. But does he want to be a regular?

-Five Shaun Starr his own show and replace him in the mornings with Robin Flynn, who has shown promise in her part-time role.

-How about two females who really know their sports? Jessica Rusnak and Amanda Stein are already in house.

Bobby Dollas

-Former NHLer Bobby Dollas is no longer the colour commentator for Habs radio broadcasts. He is a Montreal boy who knows his sports, very articulate and well connected. I would love to see him get his own show.

-Would Andie Bennett, currently doing a great job on CBC Radio and TV, come back to the station which launched her career?

-Rod Francis, in my opinion, is ready to step in and host his own show. Opinionated and a man with a good sense of humour, this would not be a bad choice.

-Paul Graif does weekend sports for CTV Montreal and currently does the morning news and sports at K103 FM. A veteran reporter who knows his stuff;

-Randy Phillips retired from The Montreal Gazette Sports Department last summer. Perhaps he is ready to get back in the game?

Randy Phillips

-Would Warren Cromartie move back here full-time if they gave him his own show?

-Dave Kaufman, Matthew Ross and  Sean Campbell each deserve consideration. 

-Joey Elias hosts the Comedy Show on CJAD, but this man knows his sports. And laughs this man delivers.

-Regular caller Jerry from Rosemount would be a star. But Jerry is a senior with a visual impairment whose greatest joy in life is calling Marinaro.

Momesso and Dollas get nods for Habs colour commentary

It was no big surprise to learn today that THE TEAM 990 has hired former NHL players Sergio Momesso (above) and Bobby Dollas (below) to provide colour commentary for the station’s full season coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, working alongside play-by-play voice John Bartlett.

A native of Madison Avenue in NDG, Momesso was drafted 27^th overall in the 1983 NHL entry draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He went on to win a Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986, one of the highlights of an NHL career that spanned 13 seasons. Momesso also worked under former Habs General Manager Bob Gainey for two seasons in player development for the team, and served as an assistant coach with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

“I’m thrilled to be on board THE TEAM 990’s coverage of the Canadiens,” said Momesso. “Becoming a part of the Habs’ radio team has brought me full circle from the days I laced up my skates with the team – it’s truly something special for me.”

Dollas, who also hails from Chateauguay, was a first round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 1983. His 16-season NHL career included stops in Quebec, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa. Dollas has also represented Canada internationally, winning a gold medal at the 1985 IIHF World Junior Championships.

“As a proud Montrealer, I can’t wait to be on the frontlines of THE TEAM 990’s coverage of the Habs,” said Dollas. “With the addition of Erik Cole, the stability in goal with Carey Price, the emergence of PK Subban and the healthy return of Andrei Markov, fans have an incredible season to look forward to.”

Momesso did an excellent job alongside Rick Moffat on CJAD last year. Dollas has been a regular contributor to THE TEAM 990 for a few years. They will work games on a rotating basis, which should bring an interesting perspective.

THE TEAM 990 became the home of the Habs earlier this year when it acquired exclusive English radio broadcast rights to all of the Montreal Canadiens games in a landmark seven-year deal.

We are still awaiting word on plans for a pre-game show. Tony Marinaro will handle post-game duties. It will also be interesting to see what role former Habs tough guy Chris Nilan plays. He recently relocated here from Boston on a permanent basis and settled down in Dorval with his girlfriend. James Davidson, who serves as his Montreal representative, expects Nilan to be very busy on radio and making public appearances. He is presently at the Toronto International Film Festival to promote a documentary called The Last Gladiators in which he is prominently featured.