WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are taking that first letter in CFL very seriously, naming Canadian Mike OShea as their new head coach on Wednesday. He was recruited by former University of Guelph teammate and fellow Canadian Kyle Walters, Winnipegs new general manager. "Being Canadian is extremely important to me," OShea said after he was introduced as the teams 30th head coach. But he admitted his nationality hadnt really crossed his mind as he accepted his first head coaching job. He was special teams co-ordinator with the Toronto Argonauts, also his home for most of his 16 years in the league as a middle linebacker. "Do I think it can help in certain situations? Absolutely. . . I am an extremely proud Canadian." OShea succeeds Tim Burke, who was sacked after Winnipeg tied its worst record ever in the 18-game CFL this season at 3-15. Burke replaced Paul LaPolice in mid-2012 and no one has been able to hold the job for long in recent years. It was a point not lost on OShea, 43. How much time will he have to build a winner? "Thats one of the first questions I asked them," he said. "I wanted to find out what their commitment level was. They are committed to this town, this province, this organization and theyre committed to winning. To me it was an easy choice." Its been a busy week for the Bombers. On Tuesday they also named former quarterback Danny McManus and Ted Goveia as new assistant GMs to join Walters in rebuilding the team. Not that OShea likes to think of this as a rebuilding effort, which suggests a process that might take some time. He got a round of applause from the fans in the room when he made that clear. "I know what I believe and the only reason you start a season is to win a Grey Cup, so its my job as a coach (much clapping ensues) its my job as a coach to get people to buy into that." Not long removed from his playing days, some may see OShea as to young and inexperienced to take on the role of head coach. That notion was quickly refuted by Argonauts safety and special teams player Matt Black, who played under OShea for the past four seasons in Toronto. "These people that dont think OShea is qualified are sorely mistaken," Black posted on his Twitter account. "His players will sacrifice their bodies for him. Mark my words..." The Bombers havent won a Grey Cup since 1990, although their last appearance at the final isnt that long ago -- 2011. One of the remaining big pieces to put in place is a starting quarterback for 2014 but OShea wouldnt comment at all on any suggestion Zach Collaros might be a candidate. The Argos backup is under contract and off limits as such. OShea did say he was a great guy. The Argos are having a pre-Christmas sale it seems with defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones named head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos just last week. The Bombers have now pretty well cleaned house after the Joe Mack as GM era, replacing their president, general manager and coach. OShea, a native of North Bay, Ont., spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Argonauts. He was part of four Grey Cup winning teams, three as a player (1996, 1997 and 2004) and his first as a coach in 2012, leading a stalwart special teams unit for the Argos. OShea also won the CFLs Most Outstanding Canadian award in 1999. He described the kind of team he hopes to put on the field next season. "If I were going to envision how were going to win games, its gong to be defence and special teams. Its going to be hard-nosed but disciplined football. Theyre going to be hard-working guys, character players. Were going to do it the old-fashioned way." Walters says like OShea, he wants the Bombers to become a team that wins consistently and the work starts right now. "Our No. 1 priority is to put a process in place that can ensure sustainable winning. And as Mike said you dont start the year with any other goal than winning the Grey Cup . . . and that will be our goal." Several key members of the Argos took to Twitter to wish their former coach well in Manitobas capital. "Just found out that our Special Teams Ace is moving on and up!" posted star receiver and kick returner Chad Owens. "Proud and Blessed to have battled for you Osh! Def wont be the same!" Added receiver Andre Durie: "It has been a true honour to have played with and Developed under Coach OShea ...wish him all the best in the Peg....except against us." Custom Miami Marlins Jerseys . Venus Williams advanced to the ASB Classic final in Auckland on a walkover when fellow American Jamie Hampton withdrew from their semifinal Friday with a right hip injury. Miami Marlins Store .com) - Lloyd Sam struck in stoppage time on Wednesday as Red Bull New York hung on for a crucial 1-0 win over Atlantic Cup rivals D. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/. -- Chad Labelle scored the winner 17:36 into the third period to give Medicine Hat a 2-1 victory over the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday and lift the Tigers into the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs. Wholesale Marlins Jerseys . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Cheap Marlins Jerseys . Bale has had a successful debut season in Spain, and Ancelotti appears ready to reward him with a starting role on Saturday. Ancelotti says "Gareth had some problems at the beginning (of the season) but when he found good physical condition he scored a lot of goals, he had a good impact on the team.BROSSARD, Que. -- Goalie Carey Price and defencemen Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin werent on the flight when the Montreal Canadiens left Tuesday to face the Blackhawks in Chicago. Coach Michel Therrien said he will give the three players a rest ahead of the NHL playoffs. The Canadiens play Wednesday night in Chicago and return home to face the New York Islanders on Thursday night before ending the regular season Saturday against the New York Rangers. "At this stage, a lot of players are dealing with little bumps," said Therrien. "Markov and Emelin play a lot of difficult minutes against the other teams best players. They kill penalties. They block shots and get involved physically. This will give some young players a chance to play." Therrien did not say whether backup goalie Peter Budaj will start in Chicago. Dustin Tokarski was recalled from AHL Hamilton. Price will start against the two New York teams. Therrien also would not say if other veterans will be rested this week. "Most players would rather play than sit out,&qquot; he said, adding that there is a fine line between giving players rest and to risking to lose the momentum the team has had in the last three weeks.dddddddddddd Markovs team-leading run of 137 consecutive games played will end. P.K. Subban will become the new team leader at 122 games. Subbans defence partner Josh Gorges is expected to return after missing 15 games following surgery on his left hand, and rookies Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi will both play. Despite resting key veterans, Therrien said the team was going to Chicago "to win." The Canadiens have clinched a playoff spot, but are still battling for home-ice advantage in the first round. "It gets downplayed before the playoffs, but if it goes to a Game 7, we prefer to play it at home," said forward Daniel Briere. "With two more wins, we should be OK." Injured forwards Brandon Prust and Travis Moen are also out, as is defenceman Douglas Murray who will sit out the last of a three-game suspension for a check to the head. ' ' '
