Eurasia: A Place For Defencemen

I'm surprised I missed this tidbit that flew under the radar since he was a noted enemy while suiting for the Philadelphia Flyers. With word that longtime stand-out defenceman Sergei Zubov had signed a deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, an offensive defenceman comes back the other way as the Detroit Red Wings signed 32 year-old Andy Delmore after he spent the last two seasons with the Hamburg Freezers in the German Elite League. Both of these moves are a little surprising considering each player's circumstance.

First off, I have always been a Sergei Zubov fan. The man was a magician with the puck during his early days with the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. During his time under Ken Hitchcock and Dave Tippett in Dallas, he became a much more rounded defenceman, playing larger roles defensively while still putting up decent point totals.

With age catching up to him, however, arthroscopic surgery on his hip at the start of the 2008-09 season limited Zubov to a mere ten games last season. While his vision and hands haven't left him, there were large question marks about his skating and mobility after the surgery. And those question marks were simply the reason why the Dallas Stars couldn't re-sign him at the $5.35 million per season deal he had the previous season. With Dallas in a youth movement, Zubov looked elsewhere.

The "elsewhere" that came about was a deal from SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, marking the return of another Russian NHL star to the overseas league. While there have been no dollar figures announced, it is expected that Zubov's deal would be worth $1 million or more for the season. Zubov will make St. Petersburg's blueline immediately better if his hip is 100%.

Zubov was one of my favorite Russian defencemen of all-time, and I'm glad he found a home for this upcoming season to continue his work. I wish Zubov the best in St. Petersburg, and, of course, HBIC will keep an eye on the KHL standings all season long in 2009-10.

On the other hand, the man coming back to North America was a pretty big deal when he came out of the OHL. Andy Delmore recorded 18 goals and 60 assists in his final year with the Sarnia Sting in 1996-97, and looked like a promising talent. Except he went undrafted as there were questions about his defensive play.

After bouncing around the NHL and AHL, Delmore found a home with the Freezers over the last two seasons and showed some better defensive play. The Red Wings' scouts must see some potential ability as Delmore was inked to a one-year deal. It is expected that he'll challenge for the fourth defensive spot at best, and also see some time on the powerplay.

The reason I always disliked Delmore? 2000 NHL Playoffs, Game Three in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Andy Delmore scores the overtime winner to give the Flyers the 4-3 win. After Pittsburgh had won Games One and Two, the overtime loss completely shifted the series as the Flyers rallied to win the series 4-2.

Overall, though, Delmore is a decent player who just needed to improve the play within his own zone. Playing for a coach like Mike Babcock should help his game immensely, and he may earn himself another contract in the 2010-11 season if he works his butt off.

A couple of offensive defencemen going in opposite directions across the ocean. It's always interesting to see some of the names that are dug up in the off-season. Zubov leaves as one of the best Russian blueliners of all-time, and Andy Delmore gets a second/third/whatever chance with the Red Wings.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Getting Ready For A New Season

As the pages on the calendar turn to August in a couple of days, the dog days of summer will soon be upon us. Another summer for me spent on softball diamonds, another summer of me soaking up the sun, and another summer where hockey news is slow. However, like the leaves in the autumn air, things are changing here on HBIC. I'm updating, I'm re-arranging, I'm deleting, and I'm making things better for you, the readers, in your quest to get your hockey news. Is this the best site out there? No. I'd be a fool to claim that, especially with guys like Mirtle, Wyshynski, and Kukla doing phenomenal jobs bringing you the latest news. But there are things happening behind the scenes here at HBIC for another magical hockey season.

First, I've changed the layout on the right-hand side. The "Feed" options are now below the "Buttons To Click". I also moved the "Broken Link" notice down as well since I've received almost no emails regarding that.

You may notice a new button to click as well. The "Home" button has been added and programmed to allow you, the reader, to get back to the general site. Basically, if you click it, it will open a new window to the HBIC page so you can navigate the site while remaining on your entry page in case you want to use it for reference. I had a few readers ask me about adding it, and I finally got off my lazy butt to do that. Thanks for the suggestion, Connie and Mike. I really think this may help readers who want to read more than just one linked article.

Secondly, I removed blogs from the "Hockey Blogs" list that hadn't been updated more than once per month in the last two months. There are some still on the drop-down list that haven't been updated frequently, but that's because they have contacted me regarding this. If you'd like to see your blog added, please send me an email.

Moving on... you may see more of a dedication to minor-pro hockey on this blog in the near future. Without letting the cat out of the bag, my focus may change slightly. You'll still get lots of NHL chatter, but there will be an increased amount of AHL, ECHL, and other minor-pro league talk. There is a reason for this, and, when the time is appropriate, I'll tell you why. For now, just know that the wheels are in motion, and I'd prefer to keep the shroud of secrecy up until everything becomes official.

Huge disappointment out of the New York Islanders' camp yesterday - which is nothing new if you've been an Islanders fan for the last 15 years. But yesterday, Chris Botta, who writes the amazingly-intelligent and always-honest NYI Point Blank, was cut loose by the Islanders. I've left Chris a comment on his post letting him know he'll be welcomed here as a guest blogger if he likes, but I'm almost certain he needs a paying job to support his family. Head over to his site and say a few kind words. The man was, and still is, an inspiration to me, and everything I want to be as a blogger.

Chris, if you happen to read this, chin up, man. You're a great writer, and the Islanders may have lost their best marketing mind with this move.

I hope to have another book review up within the next week. Look for that shortly. This one should be a good one.

That's all for tonight, kids. If there's anything else you want to see added to this blog, please let me know. I'm open to suggestions, and I'll consider anything you'd like to see added.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

A Matter of Trust

Billy Joel, who has banners hanging in Madison Square Garden for sold-out shows with 12, wrote a song in 1986 called "A Matter of Trust". In it, he explains why a relationship is nothing more than a lie when it comes to matters of trust. After the meeting conducted by the NHL's Board of Governors in regards to the new applications for ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes, it appears that the only issue separating Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie from owning the Phoenix Coyotes is trust. It has nothing to do with his wealth, his application, his team, or his dream of placing a team in Hamilton. Instead, from everything that Gary Bettman said today, it appears that the NHL Board of Governors made is clear that they don't trust Jim Balsillie, and that his application, while sound financially, doesn't meet the standards of character than the NHL is searching for in an owner.

The NHL Board of Governors met today in a special meeting to consider the three applications in front of the NHL for the Coyotes' ownership. The applications were from Mr. Balsillie, Mr. Jerry Reinsdorf of Chicago, and a group led by Mr. Anthony Leblanc of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The goal was to find an application that satisfied the criteria outlined by the NHL's constitution and bylaws and by the bankruptcy findings as set out by Judge Redfield T. Baum.

The findings of the NHL Board of Governors were as follows:

• The application submitted by Jerry Reinsdorf for $148 million, which included keeping the franchise in Phoenix, Arizona, was unanimously approved by the NHL Board of Governors.
• The application by Jim Balsillie for $212.5 million, which included a proposal for moving the franchise to Hamilton, Ontario, was unanimously rejected by the NHL Board of Governors.
• The application by Anthony Leblanc, which included a proposal for having the Coyotes play in various cities across North America, was deemed "incomplete" by the NHL, but Mr. Leblanc's group was encouraged to continue on the application process.

Now, there may be some serious backlash towards the NHL for shooting down the Balsillie application when it would mean a better cash windfall in terms of the sale. However, Gary Bettman made it very clear that all three applications were based upon some very vital criteria.

"The criteria set forth in the constitution and bylaws relates to financial wherewithal, character, integrity and the view whether or not the other owners would deem you a good partner," Bettman told a group of reporters.

Clearly, Jim Balsillie's "financial wherewithal" is not in question as he is the CEO of Research-In-Motion which owns the Blackberry and its related technologies. With the Blackberry earning more and more of the cellular and smartphone markets, Balsillie's financial backing is rock solid.

However, the last three criteria points raise a major concern if you're an owner. Character, integrity, and good partner are major issues when you're working in a partnership.

In circumventing the rules twice to try to gain ownership in the NHL, Balsillie's character and integrity should be called into question. Why does he feel the need to do things differently than the other 29 owners who followed the rules? If you're going to enter into a business partnership with him, would you feel comfortable if he feels he's above the rules?

PSE spokesman Bill Walker offered a rebuttal statement to the NHL's findings: "We do not think that Jim Balsillie's qualification to be an NHL owner is an issue in this case given his 2006 approval as an NHL owner".

The problem is that Balsillie didn't try to skirt very clear rules about becoming an NHL owner in 2006. The problem is that Balsillie didn't enter into an agreement with an NHL owner to pull the rug out from under the Board of Governors' feet in 2006. The problem is that Jim Balsillie's business tactics seem to have changed since 2006. His qualification to be an owner in terms of the financial side have not changed - he's still got the cash to be an owner. The problem is that the way he has approached the opportunity gets sleazier each time.

As a businessman, you would expect Jim Balsillie to understand business ethics when it comes to a large-scale, global company like the NHL. You would hope that he would understand that there is a process in the transfer of ownership in a business like the NHL, and expect that he would respect that process. It's not like trading hockey cards; rather, there is a long process of due diligence that needs to be conducted on both sides of the ledger.

It's time for PSE Sports and Jim Balsillie to stop crying over spilled milk as in the picture above. Just as in hockey, you win some and you lose some. When you lose, you go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan to find a way to win. Sometimes, however, you have to do things a certain way. And you have to trust your teammates - in this case, the other 29 owners.

But if they don't trust you, why should they want you on their team?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Campbell: President and Legend

Hockey Blog In Canada has been running its examination of how the NHL trophies came to be for most of the summer thus far. We've seen former players, former coaches, former managers, and former owners honoured with a major NHL trophy for the work that they have done to build and better the game of hockey through their efforts. Today's trophy takes a look at one of the key men who shaped the NHL as we look at the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy. The trophy is currently awarded annually to the to the Western Conference playoff champions. Essentially, if you represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final, you've earned this trophy. So how did this trophy come about? Who was Clarence S. Campbell? Is there anything interesting about this trophy and its winners?

Clarence Sutherland Campbell was born on July 9, 1905 in Fleming, Saskatchewan. The young man grew up playing hockey before enrolling at the University of Alberta as a teenager. He graduated in 1924 from the University of Alberta with a double-major in law and arts, and decided to further his studies at the famous Oxford University in England where he was a Rhodes Scholar. It was at Oxford where he took up a serious interest in playing hockey again as he joined the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club.

After his university career ended, Campbell began officiating in the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. His notoriety for being a strict but fair referee caught the eye of NHL President Frank Calder. Campbell joined the NHL as a referee in 1933. Campbell was a favorite referee of President Frank Calder, and Calder assigned him to many important games. Campbell was the referee on the night that Howie Morenz broke his leg on January 28, 1937, ending Morenz's career. Campbell was routinely assigned to the toughest playoff series as well. He was the referee on the ice when Bruins defenceman Dit Clapper struck a Montreal Canadiens player with his stick. After Campbell said some unsavoury things to Clapper, Clapper punched Campbell in the face, sending the referee sprawling across the ice. Campbell, realizing that he was in the wrong, sumbitted a report to Calder on the events of the games, and only spoke of the stick-swinging incident. This resulted in Clapper only being fined and not suspended for his actions in the game.

His refereeing career ended in 1939 after a controversial call in Toronto. Maple Leafs captain Red Horner was high-sticked and cut open, but Campbell only assessed a two-minute minor penalty for the infraction despite the blood evidence on Horner's face. Maple Leafs President Conn Smythe was outraged by Campbell's call, and asked for his removal as a referee. The other owners chimed in with their thoughts about his removal, and NHL President Frank Calder was forced to remove Campbell as a referee after 155 regular season games and 12 playoff games of service.

Calder, however, saw more in Campbell and asked him to join the league offices where he would work directly for Calder. This was short-lived as the outbreak of World War II in 1940 began, and Campbell decided to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces. He moved through the ranks to the post of Lieutenant Major, and was eventually appointed to Queen's Council where he successfully prosecuted several high-profile Nazis for their crimes against humanity during the war.

During Campbell's time overseas, Frank Calder had passed away. Red Dutton stepped into the role of NHL President, but it was one he had no interest in keeping. When Campbell returned to Canada in 1946, Dutton encouraged him to follow in the path that Calder was making for him. Campbell agreed, prompting Dutton to resign, and Campbell became the new President of the NHL.

Campbell earned the respect of the NHL's Board of Governors as they all wanted to make more money. Campbell decided to increase the number of games player so that each team could increase its gate revenue. During his time as President, the NHL teams would eventually play 70 games per season, up from the 48 they were playing when he took over. The players also saw benefits as he spearheaded the movement for the NHL Pension Plan to which both the players and the league would contribute monies.

In 1950, he decided that the broad expanse of territory and minor-league teams that the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs held would be controlled. He introduced the Inter-League Draft after the Bruins and Black Hawks were struggling mightily as they had no minor-league system setup like the Canadiens and Maple Leafs had. These systems, of course, was due to Frank J. Selke as he had worked tirelessly in building a talent pool for both the Leafs and Canadiens during his time with those teams. Campbell decided that more talent in the league would be beneficial, and he created a dispersal draft system in which teams could cherry-pick talent off other teams' unprotected rosters. A good example of how the Inter-League Draft was a successful talent dispersal tool was how goaltender Tony Esposito became a Black Hawk after being property of the Montreal Canadiens. Esposito was left unprotected in 1969 during the draft, and the Black Hawks selected him in the draft. Esposito, of course, went on to have an extremely successful career with the Black Hawks.

In 1955, Campbell's most (in)famous act as President came to be as he suspended Montreal Canadiens superstar Maurice "The Rocket" Richard for the remaining three games in the season and the entire playoffs for abusing an official. Richard punched linesman Cliff Thompson during a melée between the Canadiens and Bruins on March 13, 1955. Fans in Montreal were calling for his death shortly after the announcement. With Campbell in attendance on March 17, he was insulted throughout the evening by Montreal patrons, attacked by fans, and was pelted with all sorts of items thrown by the Canadiens' fans as they saw Campbell as English-Canada's representative in trying to hold down the Montreal Canadiens. Campbell wisely left the Forum during the first intermission after he had been pelted by eggs. After a tear gas bomb was set off in the Montreal Forum, fans poured onto the streets surrounding the Forum and started a riot. Because of the actions of the fans, the game was awarded to the Detroit Red Wings, and this set off the powder keg. After all was said and done, the "Richard Riot" resulted in some 60 people being arrested, and an estimated $500,000 in damages to properties.

While it was said that Richard would never forgive Campbell for his actions that day, photographic evidence shows that the two men were at least civil towards one another. Perhaps this was more a sign of respect for one another than anything else. In 1956, however, Richard and Campbell were present for Maurice Richard's signing of the guest book in the Mayor of Toronto's seat. Cooler heads definitely prevailed in out of this situation as photographers showing that Campbell took the time to greet Richard in 1976 at the Montreal Forum.

After 20 years as NHL President, Campbell was elected the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1966. In 1967, he was instrumental in doubling the NHL's size when six expansion teams began play in 1968. Because of his work in the expansion effort, the NHL teams decided to highlight his achievements by presenting the NHL with the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy, which would be awarded to the regular season winner of the newly-formed West Division that had all six expansion teams as members.

With the announcement of a "rogue" league, called the World Hockey Association, beginning play in 1972, Campbell was swift to hem in the WHA's efforts in competing with the NHL. 1970 saw the NHL welcome the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks into the NHL as expansion teams. 1972 sees the NHL include the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Flames as expansion teams. All four cities were targeted by the WHA for franchises, and Campbell and the Board of Governors moved swiftly to prevent them from occupying large population bases in those cities. The Kansas City Scouts and Washington Capitals are awarded expansion franchises in 1974 as the WHA's popularity was beginning to open new opportunities to them. In seven years, Campbell had tripled the size of the NHL, and put serious strain on the WHA.

Campbell also outlawed players not under NHL contracts from playing in international events. The 1972 Summit Series saw players such as Bobby Hull, Derek Sanderson, and Gordie Howe banned from participating in the historic series against the USSR because of their defection to the WHA. This move was specifically designed to crush any sort of marketability of the WHA's stars while highlighting the NHL's stars. Campbell's moves into new, large markets combined with his tactical moves against the WHA saw the WHA suffer financially. Several WHA teams were forced to fold or relocate within the first year of the WHA's existence because of the NHL's pressure and/or competition.

In 1974, with the NHL sitting at its highest number of teams ever in 18, the league decided to split into four divisions under two conferences. The Clarence S. Campbell Conference, made up of the Conn Smythe and James Norris Divisions, was created to honour Campbell, and the winner of the conference would earn the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy.

In 1976, Campbell was charged with a crime as he was found guilty of bribing an airline executive. While the NHL paid his fine, the embarrassment he caused both himself and the league would weigh heavily on him. After the 1976-77 season, Campbell announced he was stepping down as NHL President after holding the position for 31 years. It is still the longest tenure of a President of the NHL to this date, and one that more recent NHL Presidents have been compared to in terms of accomplishments and achievements.

During his last few years as NHL President, Campbell had begun having respiratory problems. With his announcement, he no longer had the extra stress of running a major sports league. Campbell fought his respiratory problems for another seven years before time caught up to him. Campbell passed away on June 24, 1984.

In 1981, the NHL changed how they award the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy. Instead of it going to the regular season conference winner, it would now be awarded to the winner of the NHL Conference Playoff Series. This winner, of course, represented the Campbell Conference in the Stanley Cup Final. With the change in 1993 to geographical conferences, the winner of the Western Conference in the NHL Playoffs now receives the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy.

So there's your history on how this trophy came to be. Mr. Campbell's record as NHL President is extremely impressive despite his obvious blemishes with the criminal charge and the Richard Riot.

Here are some facts about the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy winners:

• The first team to win the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy was the 1967-68 Philadelphia Flyers.
• In the 41 years the trophy has been awarded, only 12 teams have won it.
• The Edmonton Oilers sit first place in NHL history with seven Campbell Trophy wins. Detroit and Philadelphia sit second all-time with six victories each. Chicago sits third in NHL history with four Campbell Trophy wins in their history.
• The 1973-74 Philadelphia Flyers were the first Campbell Trophy winners to capture the Stanley Cup in the same season.
• The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders are the only teams from the current Eastern Conference to have won the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy. Philly, as stated above, won six times, and the New York Islanders have won three times.
• The Dallas Stars are the only team to have won the Campbell Trophy after having won the award in a previous location. The Minnesota North Stars franchise won the Campbell Trophy in 1990-91, and the Dallas Stars have since won the award in both 1998-99 and 1999-2000.
• The Clarence S. Campbell Trophy winner has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup only 17 times in the same season in NHL history. Since the change to awarding the trophy to the conference playoff winner in 1981, the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy winners have won the Campbell Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season 14 times in 28 years.

There's your history on the Clarence S. Campbell Trophy, the man behind the trophy, and some trivia on the winners. Without a doubt, Campbell should be considered as the greatest NHL President in NHL history. In his 31 years of running the league, no one did more for the game to date.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Earning the WIN

I had mentioned a few days ago that I was planning on putting some laundry detergent through a vigorous test. WIN High Performance Sport Detergent was supposed to lay the smack-down on bad smells and horrific odors brought on by sports. Well, I found a way to ensure that the final exam planned for testing the WIN Detergent would be absolutely fool-proof. In other words, I was designing a test that would redefine the term "stank". The test would be one for the ages, and I would put the little team of molecules in WIN Detergent against their toughest challenge.

DISCLAIMER: I want to make a clear statement here. I am not here to plug companies and sell out this blog to the highest bidder. I have always worked to maintain integrity with my blog in order to help you, the readers, when it comes to products. Basically, if I wouldn't use a product, there's no way I'm going to tell you to use it. So when I tell you that this product test was done impartially, and the results are posted with integrity, I'll hope you'll believe me. Thanks for letting me take the time to post this disclaimer.

Now before we get to the results, I need to describe the test. This first test was simply a "stank" test. It has nothing to do with stains or marks on clothing, nor does it have anything to do with removing stains or marks. It is simply "stank" test - that is, a test dealing with smell only. Because of this, the pictures are entirely underwhelming in that they don't conduct smell. So I didn't bother with pictures. I will simply give it to you straight.

First off, I needed to find something that would not only absorb sweat and perspiration readily, but allow it to hold that sweat and perspiration for a period of time. I looked at my old jerseys and current jerseys, and decided they would work... except that they are designed to wick away water and sweat from the body. So I took to the internet to find out which fibre would be best for absorbing and holding water, particularly that from the body.

Because one needs heat to generate sweat, I thought of several pieces of clothing: fleece jackets, cotton t-shirts, polyester shirts, and wool hats. And honestly, the wool hats I play baseball in seem to hold the smell of sweat the best. Therefore, I decided that if the wool in my hats do the job well, a large amount of wool would do me wonders for this test.

To the science! Wool takes up moisture in vapor form. Tiny pores in the wool make the fibre semi-permeable, allowing vapor to pass through to the heart of the fibre. Wool can easily absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp or clammy. Once it begins to smell, wool should be washed thoroughly to remove the odor.

Nice, eh? In essence, wool is nothing more than a breeding ground for stank. Now, one has to be insane to participate in a sporting endeavour in the summer in wool. It's hot, it will stink, and it doesn't haven't have the same ability to cool the body. I'm a bigger dude, so I need to be cool when I play sports. A woolen sweater was not an option.

Instead, I did the next best thing. I brought a knitted, wool blanket with me to a Friday night double-header baseball game that I was playing in. The looks from my teammates were, in a word, priceless as they watched me wipe the sweat away from face and arms with a blanket on a night that saw the temperature near 27 degrees Centigrade. Several asked me why I was doing what I was doing, and all I could give them was an answer of "it's for science".

However, I wasn't done there. I also wrapped my jersey in the blanket on the ride home, allowing the smell and sweat from my jersey to permeate the wool blanket as well. I enclosed the blanket-jersey combination in a plastic container and placed it in the remaining sunlight on the deck for continued building of the stank while I cut the lawn.

After cutting the lawn, I unpackaged the blanket-jersey and proceeded to wipe the sweat off me again. And, rather than wash away all the good work that I did in the shower, I proceeded to head to bed with the slightly damp, beginning-to-stink blanket that I had used as a towel for most of the day. There's your commitment to science, kids: me, sweaty and stinky, wrapped in a sweaty and stinky wool blanket, in bed with the air conditioning off. I was more than ripe, and this test was starting to show its ugly face.

I began the next day by replacing the now-dry, unwashed jersey and the overly-soiled blanket into the plastic container again as I stripped down my bed and threw the sheets and pillow cases into the wash. A shower for me followed shortly thereafter. As the container sat in the Saturday sun, I went ahead and stained the deck. As you know, working in the sun with the sun being reflected off a darker-coloured deck will make you sweat. Again, I added a new shirt to the mixture in the plastic container after four hours of work. I left the mixture outside for the remainder of the afternoon in the sun to percolate nicely. After dinner, I would get the smell test from members of my family.

The smell test went flawlessly.

• Mom: "Oh my god... that nearly made me gag."
• Brother: "Holy $#@!, that stinks. What's wrong with you?"
  
• Dad: "You better wash that separately. Or burn it."
  

Dad always has the best suggestions. Needless to say, the blanket stunk. Badly. It smelled like a combination of body odor and sweat that could have had skunks saying that it stunk. It was awful.

As a test, I grabbed the two shirts that I had in the mix and threw them in their own wash cycle with some regular Gain Detergent as the baseline. The shirts came out smelling just ok. There wasn't anything overly great about them - despite Gain's claims of how great it is - and the baseball jersey still had a slight odor to it.

Into the wash went the blanket with a half-cap of the liquid WIN Detergent. I waited. I'll give you this info, though. WIN Detergent, when I opened the cap, has a strong smell. It's not a bad smell, but it kind of smells like a new public, indoor pool - like a fresh, chlorine-y smell. I know that isn't a great description, but if you get some and smell it, you'll probably be like "yeah, it does smell like that". But let me stress this: IT DOESN'T SMELL BAD. I like the scent of it. It smells like it is sterilized clean.

After running it through the dryer, and then hanging it outside on Sunday while I fixed an old fence, I brought it in Sunday night. It smelled clean! And not just clean, but there was no odor of sweat or stank at all! My mom dropped by today, and I jokingly threw the blanket at her and asked her to smell it. Even she was quite surprised that the smell was gone.

What does this have to do with hockey? Well, that stench that hockey players get in their hockey bags that permeates and lives on hockey socks, undershirts, gloves, and breezers can now be defeated! I am quite aware of the scent with my hockey gear, and I'm quite hopeful that WIN Detergent will be able to defeat the stank.

So here's my unabashed, unbiased, non-corporate rating towards WIN Detergent in terms of how it tackles the challenge of stink:

If you're looking for an effective detergent that can essentially eliminate nasty odors, WIN Detergent is the detergent for you. If you want to locate a retailer who is selling WIN Detergent, check out this page and enter your ZIP code. If you're in Canada, head down to your local Shopper's Drug Mart and get WIN Detergent there.

WIN Detergent is endorsed by the US Olympic Team. HBIC rarely endorses a product, but it will endorse WIN Detergent simply due to the fact that it does what it says it does. And when it comes to corporate rhetoric, sales pitches, and slogans, it's nice to find a product that backs up its claims. WIN Detergent has a customer in me.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Charitable Donations: A Contest!

It's been a while since I've written a piece on the work that NHL players are doing within out communities to make the lives of people better, but today seemed like a great day for this after receiving an email from a lady named Natalie. Natalie wrote me so that I could bring to light a contest involving an NHL player who was diagnosed with a serious disease at the start of the 2007-08 NHL season. Fernando Pisani of the Edmonton Oilers missed 26 games to start that season after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and is now championing the fight against this disease. Today, HBIC wants to bring to you the foundation that Pisani has partnered with, and the contest they are offering for children aged 10 to 12 across Canada who want a chance to skate with Mr. Pisani in camp designed for them.

Mission Statement: The Canadian Society of Intestinal Research is a registered charity that was founded on October 18, 1976. CSIR is dedicated to funding education and research regarding gastrointestinal diseases and disorders, and relies on fees, donations, and funds from special events to help their cause. With these funds, CSIR helps scientists and doctors search for cures for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, such as Crohn's Disease and colitis, by providing grants for research initiatives.

How Did CSIR Start?: According to their website, "the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research (CSIR) arose as the first charity in Canada to enhance public awareness by covering the widest array of GI diseases and disorders and by funding medical research" in 1976.

Statistically, the number of people suffering from the various Inflammatory Bowel Diseases is staggering. According to the CSIR website, "as many as 6 million Canadians with irritable bowel syndrome, more than 9 million with functional dyspepsia, almost 8 million with chronic acid reflux (GERD), and a further 165,000 suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's and ulcerative colitis)". And, of course, Fernando Pisani is one of those suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Thanks to Mr. Pisani and CSIR, a contest, called the Score for Colitis and Crohn's Contest, is being run for children to take part in a hockey camp run by Mr. Pisani in Edmonton, Alberta. Children that want to enter must be between the ages of 10 and 12, and are required to send in a one-page essay on one of the following three topics:

• What it is like to have someone close to them living with the inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC).
• What it is like to have Crohn's or ulcerative colitis.
• what it would mean to them to help raise funds for people living with these diseases and to be coached by NHL hockey player Fernando Pisani.

The deadline for this contest is August 7, 2009 at 6pm. There are three ways to get your essay in for consideration.

1. Email your essay to them at ScoreForColitisandCrohns@sixdegreesmed.com.
2. Fax your essay to them at 416-643-8572.
3. Snail mail your essay to the following address:

Score for Colitis and Crohn's
c/o Six Degrees Medical Consulting
10 Bay Street - 16th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2S3

Honestly, this is a pretty cool contest being run by CSIR in association with Fernando Pisani. The best news? There are TWO winners per province! The hockey camp will take place on August 29, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta, and each winner will be accompanied by one parent or guardian if selected. Included in the package are round-trip, economy flights for each winner and his or her parent/guardian, and one-night accommodation in Edmonton.

What may make this even better is that the game played by the contest winners will be sponsored by Schering-Plough Canada. Schering-Plough Canada has committed to donating $500 per goal scored for "each of four patient associations dedicated to raising public awareness and helping Canadians who suffer from these various gastrointestinal and digestive diseases". Those four associations are the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada, and the March IBD Care Foundation.

If you're reading this and you have a youngster at home between the ages of 10 and 12, have them sign up. This sounds like a great contest, and it's an excellent opportunity to bring to light those who may suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It really puts things into perspective, especially when you see Fernando Pisani's young family.

Thanks for the heads-up on this great contest, Natalie!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Bags Are Packed But Nowhere To Go

After a busy day that saw me put in a good day's work staining a deck, I was hoping to come inside and find that some teams have spent wisely with the number of decent free agent players out there. Alas, nothing major went down outside of Jason Spezza's weddings which, I'm happy to report, went off without a hitch. Or a Heatley. But that's another story altogether. My heartfelt congratulations go out to Jason Spezza and Jennifer Snell on their happy ceremony today, and I wish them all the best in the future.

Back to why I'm here, it seems that there are a number of excellent free agents still out there waiting for a contract offer. And the names aren't just your average run-of-the-mill third-liners. There are players who, put into the right situation, could actually be game-breaking players. Let's take a look at who might fit where.

Maxim Afinoganov: At 29, Afinoganov isn't getting any younger. He still has world-class speed, and shows flashes of brilliance when he plays. Which is part of the problem. Since the lockout, Afinoganov played 77, 56, 56, and 48 games in the four seasons that followed. He put up career numbers in the 77-game 2005-06 season which saw him tally 22 goals and 51 assists. If a team can convince him to sign an incentive-laden contract, he could be a steal if he has another career year. Otherwise, the risk may be high for a base salary anywhere over $1.5 million per year.

Teams that could use him: Atlanta Thrashers, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes.

Marc-Andre Bergeron: The 28 year-old defenceman brings a solid offensive game to the blueline. He won't overwhelm anyone with his skating nor will he put up gaudy point totals, but he does have a solid breakout pass, and can skate the puck out of his own zone. For a team looking for a transition defensive player, Bergeron would come a lot cheaper than players like Brian Campbell or Dan Boyle.

Teams that could use him: Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes.

Steve Eminger: Eminger is a former first-round pick in 2002, and, in this writer's opinion, has gotten better since he broke into the league. He's not the fastest skater, but he has good vision and plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Eminger's game uses his big body presence, and his physical play down low rarely allows an opponent to gain the edge. To me, he's a poor man's Willie Mitchell or Brooks Orpik. You may be able to get him for cheap if he's given a top-four spot on the blueline.

Teams that could use him: Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks.

Mike Grier: Grier is a rugged, hard-working forward who never takes a shift off. The 34 year-old hasn't played less than 61 games in his career, a sign of his durability. He kills penalties, he's a dressing room leader, and he skates against the opposition's top line. I'm not sure why no one has approached him yet as he would fill a major need for most teams - a guy who battles every shift, doesn't take penalties, and fills whatever role he's asked to fill.

Teams that could use him: Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs.

Josh Harding: The 25 year-old restricted free agent goaltender is looking for a new home after the Wild signed veteran Wade Dubielewicz. Harding has gone on record that he feels he could be a starting goaltender in the NHL, and his numbers don't lie. He hasn't posted a GAA over 3.00 in any season including his time with the Regina Pats in the WHL. He is fundamentally sound, and his youth combined with his drive should make him an attractive free agent for any team willing to pick up a capable goaltender with an offer sheet.

Teams that could use him: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks.

Joey MacDonald: MacDonald spent last season in hockey purgatory, posting a record of 14-26-6 with a 3.37 GAA on Long Island. The 29 year-old has spent most of his career in the AHL where he continually posted solid numbers, but his time seeing more rubber than a Goodyear factory last year should make him an attractive, fairly inexpensive goaltender. Perhaps the one thing that MacDonald does better than the other goaltenders out there is his ability to work hard. MacDonald never quits on a play, and he routinely bailed out his team last season.

Teams that could use him: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks.

Drew MacIntyre: Another goaltender who has seen incredible success in the AHL, MacIntyre would be a fabulous compliment to any current NHL starter. The 26 year-old, like MacDonald, never quits on a play, and, in my estimation, should have gotten a better shot in Nashville last year after leading the Milwaukee Admirals to the second-best record in the AHL. As a back-up goaltender, MacIntyre would be a great option if any starter faltered.

Teams that could use him: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks.

Brendan Shanahan: This future Hall-of-Fame candidate is still on the market. Yes, there's some concern about his age as he's 40 years-old, but there's no doubt that he can still bring his game while providing some valuable leadership. He's probably only going to sign near his New York home, so there won't be many options, but he doesn't need a monsterous contract. From his comments, it sounds like he'll play simply for the love of the game at this point.

Teams that could use him: Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders.

Mats Sundin: Personally, I don't care if anyone doesn't sign him. He was a waste of money for the Vancouver Canucks last season after holding out for half the year. If he's not willing to play in September pre-season games, there's no sense in talking dollars and cents. While Vancouver has expressed an interest, my list of teams below should tell you a lot of who I think should sign him.

Teams that could use him: None. Please retire. You're not even close to playing at the same level you did in Toronto.

Alex Tanguay: Alex is an interesting case. He puts up decent point totals, yet everyone seems to shy away from the winger. At only 29 years-old, it would appear that the veteran would be in the prime of his career, but he remains in talks at this point of the free agency period. There are views that is he is a player who only plays as well as the centerman he's lined up with, meaning he isn't a game-breaker himself. I think that if Tanguay is given the chance, he could rebound in a big way this season.

Teams that could use him: Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, New York Islanders.

There are some other impact players still out there, but, if I were building an NHL team, these players would be on my list of "must talk to" free agents. Ok, every one of them except Sundin. All of them have shown that they can play at the NHL level, and none of them should be overly expensive if a team has the cap room. Personally, the young goaltenders are particularly interesting as every team is looking for that "next great goaltender", yet the three men listed above seemingly aren't getting a look.

Maybe I should talk to Balsillie about his expansion team. I could build a pretty solid team through free agency this season.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

What Is This Sweet-Stick?

I know that skate sharpening is a personal preference for all hockey players. Some like their blades to be razor-sharp while others will go days, weeks, or even a month without sharpening their edges. It's always interesting to see when an NHL player runs down the ramp to go get their skates sharpened as the speculation of injury creeps in. Announcers keep their eyes on the bench, and if a guy heads down the ramp, it's either an injury or an equipment adjustment. The problem, though, is that there is no sharpening instrument that one can use on the bench to reclaim the edge on their skate blades... or so I thought.

I hadn't heard of the Sweet-Stick until a friend sent me a YouTube video of Kelly Hrudey and Roberto Luongo talking. He sent it because he was surprised that Hrudey commented that Mike Vernon got his skates sharpened only once a month. To me, like James, it seems incredible that a guy can go that long without improving the edge on his skates at the NHL level. However, what caught my attention was Luongo's accidental commercial for this Sweet-Stick product. Take a look:

So what is this Sweet-Stick thing?

According to the website, it is a plastic handle containing two ceramic pieces that, when applied to the skate blade, "roll the edges in slightly which maintains the same sharpness and BITE angle". Because the ceramic does all the work, little pressure is needed for the Sweet-Stick to do its thing. The flat side of the Sweet-Stick also removes burrs on the blade, giving the skater an even better edge.

This seems to be almost too good to be true, but the Sweet-Stick website claims that "a player loses between 15-25% of their edge efficiency for every hour on the ice". I would imagine that players who make harder turns wear down their edges faster, so this seems reasonable. For goaltenders like Roberto Luongo, edges mean everything when pushing laterally across the ice.

While I have never once seen a professional hockey team employ the Sweet-Stick, it would seem that the Canucks do have one on their bench. I can't comment on how many other teams use it as I couldn't find any evidence of any other team employing this tool. While the cost isn't that high for a Sweet-Stick - coming in around $19 USD - it seems that it would make sense for equipment managers to have one of these handy.

And it would seem a lot more practical than having a superstar run down the ramp into the dressing room area, have him remove his skate, run it through the sharpener, and then have him back on the bench. Not only would he miss one or two shifts at minimum, but it would also tie up the equipment manager for that period of time. If the Sweet-Stick was used, the player could sit at the end of the bench and have the equipment manager simply run the tool over his skate blade a few times. It's faster and more practical... something that every player and equipment manager would want, I would assume.

The Sweet-Stick does not replace proper sharpenings, though. It is simply a tool to increase the edge of the blades during a game. If you regularly have your skates sharpened once a week, please continue to do so. The Sweet-Stick should only be used for 4-6 swipes on the skate blade before a regular sharpening is needed. Let me repeat this: IT DOES NOT REPLACE SKATE SHARPENINGS. Sweet-Stick recommends using the tool after 8-10 hours of skating, and to have your skates sharpened regularly.

So my question to you, readers and fans: have any of you used this product? Does it do what they claim it does? Is it worth the $20? Let me know in the comments. I'm interested to see exactly how effective this product is.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Memo From The Prez

Hockey Blog In Canada pushes forward with another trophy today, although this one has less history simply because it isn't named for any one person. The President's Trophy is awarded annually to the best regular season team in the NHL with points accumulated over the course of the 82-game schedule. If there is a tie for the highest point total, the tie-breaker is games won. There is a significant cash bonus that comes along with winning the President's Trophy, so the motivation to be the best team can be very enticing. What's the purpose of the President's Trophy? How did it come to be? Are there any interesting facts that one should know about the trophy?

The trophy was presented to the NHL by the league's Board of Governors at the start of the 1985-86 season. It comes with a $350,000 CDN cash bonus which is normally divided amongst the team and the franchise. Another added bonus for the regular season champions is the guarantee of home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs due to having the season's best record.

Before 1968, the Prince of Wales Trophy was awarded to the regular season champions. The Prince of Wales Trophy, which has been a part of the NHL since 1925, was awarded to the regular season NHL champions from 1938 until 1968 as the NHL was a single division of six teams.

Upon expansion to two divisions in 1968, no trophy was awarded to the regular season champions, but a cash award was still given to the team with the best record. The Prince of Wales Trophy was given to the Eastern Division representative in the Stanley Cup Final instead of the league's regular season champions. Teams normally elected to have banners made to recognize this accomplishment as it was still largely regarded as a major award. However, in 1985, the NHL's Board of Governors added the President's Trophy to the cash award that the best regular season team receives.

There's how the trophy came to be. The first team to receive the President's Trophy in 1986 was the Edmonton Oilers who finished the season atop the NHL standings with 119 points. Here are some interesting facts about the President's Trophy and its winners:

• In the 23 years it has been awarded, only 13 teams have won the President's Trophy.
• The Detroit Red Wings are way out in front of all the other NHL teams with six President's Trophy wins. The Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche sit in second with two wins each.
• The Detroit Red Wings hold the record for most points in one season to win the President's Trophy with 131 points. They accomplished this in 1995-96.
• Not counting the strike-shortened season of 1995, three teams share the lowest point total to win the President's Trophy. The 1986-87 Edmonton Oilers, the 1987-88 Calgary Flames, and the 1991-92 New York Rangers all recorded 105 points to win the President's Trophy in their respective years.
• The strike-shortened season saw the Detroit Red Wings win the President's Trophy for the first time with 70 points on the reduced schedule.
  
• While Montreal has finished first overall 21 times in the NHL, they have not won the President's Trophy to date.
• Of the 23 times the President's Trophy has been awarded, only seven of those teams have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. They include the Edmonton Oilers ('86-87), the Calgary Flames ('88-89), the New York Rangers ('93-94), the Dallas Stars ('98-99), the Colorado Avalanche (2000-01) and the Detroit Red Wings ('01-02 and '07-08).
• Of those winners above, none of them won the Stanley Cup after winning their first President's Trophy. With the exception of Detroit, all of them won the Stanley Cup after winning their second President's Trophy. Detroit won the Stanley Cup after their third and sixth President's Trophy wins. Perhaps experience speaks louder than regular season success?
• Only twice have President's Trophy winners advanced to the Stanley Cup Final after winning their first President's Trophy. Both the 1989-90 Boston Bruins and the 1994-95 Detroit Red Wings lost in their respective Stanley Cup Final series.
• On four occasions, the President's Trophy winners have been knocked out of the NHL Playoffs in the first round. The 1990-91 Chicago Blackhawks were the first team, losing to the Minnesota North Stars. The 1999-2000 St. Louis Blues bowed out to the San Jose Sharks. The 2005-06 Detroit Red Wings went home after losing to the Edmonton Oilers. And the 2008-09 San Jose Sharks lost to the Anaheim Ducks.
• Since the NHL moved to the six-division alignment in 1998, the Atlantic and Southeast Divisions have not had a President's Trophy winner. The Central Division has had five winners, the Pacific and Northeast Divisions had two winners each, and the Northwest Division has won once.
• If the divisions were aligned as they are now back through the NHL's history, the Southeast Division would still produce no President's Trophy winners.

So there's a little history and some interesting facts about the President's Trophy and its winners. I think the fact that no NHL team has won the Stanley Cup after winning their first President's Trophy is an amazing stat. After all the success those teams have in the regular season, it's hard to believe it doesn't carry over into the playoffs. Yet all of the teams who have won the President's Trophy multiple times have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. Will the trend continue?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

162 Days And Counting

Add a little snow, two feisty teams, several television networks, and about 30,000 people. Looks pretty good, doesn't it? I'm excited for it.

The NHL Winter Classic should be another beauty. And with both Boston and Philly retooling for an extended playoff run in 2009-10, you know that this game will reach intense levels of excitement.

January 1, 2010 says if you're not at Fenway Park, you'll probably be in front of a television set. And if you're doing neither, I'm not sure what excuse you can give.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Reader Email

I got an email today from a good friend in Mr. Michael Elves. Michael runs a blog call Ear To The Sound, a fantastic music blog that features a lot of independent and lesser-known musical tidbits. Michael is the program director at UMFM 101.5, the University of Manitoba's student-run radio station. He is also a huge hockey fan, and regularly reads my blog... so he tells me. Mike is a new dad - congratulations, buddy! - so his time is limited, but he sent me a great hockey article today via email about the New York Islanders' plight on Long Island when it comes to getting Charles Wang's Lighthouse Project off the ground.

Scott Reeves, a writer at Minyanville.com, penned a sobering view as to why the Islanders might be doomed when it comes to even buying a box of black pens for their accountants. Reeves lists the Islanders as an "At Risk Team" in his article, and he may be right based on a number of factors.

First off, the $3.7 billion price tag hanging on the Lighthouse Project in this day of closing banks, foreclosures, and stimulus packages might be a little on the outrageous side. While Charles Wang has committed to paying half of the cost of this out of his own pocket, that leaves the three levels of government with a $1.85 billion bill. And I'm not too sure that anyone in the state of New York or in Washington, DC is too excited about that invoice.

Secondly, there aren't that many fans on or around Long Island that care about the Islanders. This is a team that last won a Stanley Cup in 1983 - 26 years ago. The last won an NHL Playoff series in 1993 - 16 years ago. They've traded away talent over and over again, and have little to nothing to show for it. If you're an Islanders fan - and there aren't many left - it's been a long time since you have something to be positive about. And this problem starts at the top of the management hierarchy.

However, there are some positives amongst all the dark clouds. John Tavares is your first highlight and the new cornerstone of the Islanders. Let me be clear, though: he's not going to right this ship in one season. Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, and Bruno Gervais are the foundation of this team. If GM Garth Snow is serious about rebuilding the Islanders, this is Year One of the Five-Year Rebuilding Plan. The youthful talent is starting to come around. Much like the building Los Angeles Kings and now-successful Pittsburgh Penguins, it will take time to mold these youngsters into a competitive, successful team.

Secondly, Chris Botta of the fantastic Islanders Point Blank blog reports that New York State Governor David A. Paterson is throwing his support behind the Lighthouse Project as the August 4 hearing with the Town of Hempstead nears. This is a huge boost for the Wang-Rechler team as they get the support from the state government in their project. While there is no guarantee that this will push the project through, his support does carry significant weight for the proceedings.

Islanders fans have had many reasons to hang their heads over the last 15 years. However, it appears there may be sunlight peeking over the horizon after seeing this franchise stuck in what seemed like eternal darkness. While I'm not suggesting that the Islanders are out of the woods yet in their fight to become profitable, there are breaks in the trees.

If there is still hope in Islanders fans, there is a chance that the Islanders can be moved off the endangered species list. But it will take time to right the ship.

How much longer are the fans of the Islanders willing to wait?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Giving It To You Straight

This article contains no paragraphs of filler... besides this opening, I suppose. With the off-season being so slow for hockey, I understand that people are taking vacations and some time away from the game to compose themselves for the 2009-10 NHL/AHL/ECHL/WhateverHL season they're following. However, the lean times are often when some of the best writing comes out, so I want to draw some attention to a few articles that I've read recently. So this article comes straight down the pipe at you. It's a point blank look at the sites I stop at because of the writers who are working overtime this summer. I'll have some news mixed in these articles, so we'll see you at the end.

• Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski had his radio on today, listening to Wayne Gretzky talk about how he'd like to see the Coyotes built into a team in the same way that Pittsburgh has built their team. While I admire Gretzky's idea, there are serious flaws with his dream. The biggest one is believing that NOT having a downtown arena in a major city is a good idea.
  
• Adam Proteau of The Hockey News brings an interesting perspective to the forefront in the examination of the cliché. Pretty funny, and it certainly calls Brian Burke's vocabulary at press conferences into question.
• Paul Lukas of UniWatch Blog discovers the NHL Patches site, and falls in love with the database. While I'm not removing Paul from any Christmas card list because he's a solid dude, I will say that the author of the NHL Patches site and I have discussed patches via email. The result? He's a great guy, runs a fabulous site, and it really deserves to be linked to every blog out there as a reference source.
• Strange and unsettling news coming out of America where the American Needle clothing manufacturing company is taking the NFL to the US Supreme Court. ESPN's Lester Munson has written, in my opinion, one of the best articles of the summer - maybe even the year - in regards to the future of sports as we know it if the NFL is allowed to circumvent the anti-trust rules in the US. And to think that this all started over American Needle's claim that the NFL was preventing them from making more money by operating as a single entity. Now, American Needle's claim could essentially shift the balance of sports in an unrepairable manner of the NFL wins. Cross your fingers, kids. This fight could affect us all in ways you can't even imagine.
• To the bloggers on my drop-down list on the right: you have until Saturday to post something. If there has been nothing written within a month, you're taking up space. Sorry to those who do get deleted, but if you can't post anything in 30 days, you're not helping hockey's new media effort, nor are you giving me anything to read.
  
• My test load of laundry using the new WIN High Performance Sport Detergent was fairly successful. All my clothes came out smelling good, and none had any noticeable marks or stains on them. I'll be doing the major tests this weekend. Get ready for grass stains, mud, various sports drink stains, and me sweating it up in the heat for some serious odor. Ok, you don't have to put up with any of that. That would be bad. But the shirts will, and they'll get run through the WIN High Performance Test... as conducted by moi.

There are a few things that are keeping me occupied today and, with the laundry tests, for the weekend. If you want to see me add anything to the tests, hit me up in the comments. Basically, I was looking for common sports situations that clothes get involved with, so don't come up with motor oil or something. It has to be a sports-related situation. Ok? Ok.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Jennings: Owner and Trophy-Maker

There are trophies for all sorts of things in the NHL, but the more recent trophies that the NHL has begun awarding to players deal specifically with individual statistics aside from points. The Maurice Richard Trophy, for example, is given to the player who scores the most goals in the regular season, and the tradition of handing out that award started in 1999. The William M. Jennings Trophy was the first trophy to be awarded for specific goaltender statistics. It is awarded annually to "the goalkeeper(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it". Previously, this statistic normally lent its weight to the voting for the Vezina Trophy, but the NHL created the William M. Jennings Trophy to specifically reward those who kept the red light off behind them. So who was William M. Jennings? Why does he have a trophy named after him? Are there any interesting facts about the trophy and its winners?

William M. Jennings' history really is incomplete as far as I could find on the Internet. He was born on December 14, 1920 in New York City, New York. He attended Princeton University as a law student, and, upon his passing of the bar exam, began practicing law in New York City. As his stock rose in the world of law, he eventually became a senior partner of the New York City law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Because of his position with the firm, he was able to branch out into other ventures. He was a director or member of the Board of Directors for a number of companies and corporations in New York City. He served as the honorary chairman of United Hospital in Port Chester, New York. Due to his love of sports, Mr. Jennings became the owner of the New York Rangers in 1959, and moved into the role of President of 1961.

The Rangers were a ridiculously bad team at the start of the 1960-61 season, having finished the previous season with an embarrassing record of 17-38-15. Mr. Jennings' move into ownership didn't help the Rangers' fortunes as they compiled a record of 160-251-79 over seven seasons from 1960-61 until 1966-67. The only season above .500 that they posted in those years was in 1966-67 when the Rangers went 30-28-12.

However, Mr. Jennings was working on a number of other NHL initiatives during this period. In 1964, he was instrumental in having the NHL Offices relocated to New York City. He also worked tirelessly to start up the Metropolitan Junior Hockey Association, as well as assisting other minor-hockey leagues in whatever capacity he could to help the game grow. He also was a major part of the new Madison Square Garden opening in 1968 as the Rangers, and other attractions, moved from 17 blocks downtown from the old Garden on 33rd Avenue into their new home on 50th Avenue.

In 1966, Jennings initiated the Lester Patrick Award Dinner, which annually honours persons for "outstanding service to hockey in the United States". The Lester Patrick Trophy is presented to these persons by the NHL and USA Hockey. The Lester Patrick Trophy has been awarded to some impressive names over the years, including legends such as Jack Adams, Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, and the entire 1980 US Olympic hockey team. Mr. Jennings, coincidentally, won the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1971.

One of the major undertakings that Jennings was involved with was the expansion of the NHL from six to twelve teams in the summer of 1967. He was voted in as the Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors in 1968 for his work with the NHL in doubling the league's size, and remained in that position until 1970. With the league growing, the Rangers also began to see their fortunes change as they finally posted their first 100-point season in 1970-71.

The National Hockey League inducted Jennings into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976, and the United States Hockey Hall of Fame inducted him in 1981. Unfortunately, Mr. Jennings passed away on August 17, 1981 at the age of 61.

While Jennings was certainly less controversial than some of the other names associated with NHL trophies, he certainly left his mark on the NHL with the 1967 expansion and by bringing the Lester Patrick Trophy to reality.

The first William M. Jennings Trophy was awarded in 1982, one year after Mr. Jennings' passing. It was presented to the Montreal Canadiens' goaltending tandem of Rick Wamsley and Denis Herron after they allowed a league-low 223 goals in the 1981-82 season. Here are some other facts associated with the William M. Jennings Trophy:

• In the 25 years it has been awarded, 27 different goaltenders have earned the award.
• Patrick Roy has won the most Jennings Trophies in NHL history with five wins. Martin Brodeur and Ed Belfour sit second with four wins each.
• Only six goaltenders have earned the Jennings Trophy and the Vezina Trophy in the same year. They are Patrick Roy ('88-89 and '91-92), Ed Belfour ('90-91 and '92-93), Dominik Hasek ('93-94 and 2000-01), Martin Brodeur ('02-03 and '03-04), Miikka Kiprusoff ('05-06) and Tim Thomas ('08-09).
• Only five goalies have changed teams after winning the Jennings Trophy and earned it again. They are Patrick Roy (MTL/COL), Ed Belfour (CHI/DAL), Roman Turek (DAL/STL), Dominik Hasek (BUF/DET), and Manny Fernandez (MIN/BOS).
• The Montreal Canadiens have won the award five times, most in the NHL. The New Jersey Devils are second with four wins, and the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks sit third with three wins each.
• The Montreal Canadiens hold the record for consecutive wins with three. This was done from 1986 until 1989, and all three wins were split between Patrick Roy and Brian Hayward.
• Roy and Hayward hold the individual record for most consecutive trophies as well as stated above.
  
• The highest number of goals allowed to win the award was 241. This was done twice. 1985-86 saw the Philadelphia Flyers' tandem of Bob Froese and Darren Jensen win the Jennings with 241 goals-against. The following season saw the Montreal Canadiens' tandem of Patrick Roy and Brian Hayward win the award with 241 goals-against.
• The lowest number of goals allowed to win the award was 164. New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur set that mark in 2003-04 in winning the award.
• In 2002-03, there was a tie between two teams - the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers. Both teams allowed a league-low 166 goals-against, so Martin Brodeur, Roman Cechmanek, and Robert Esche shared the award. It's the only time there has been a tie in the history of the trophy.
  
• Only 14 teams are represented on the William M. Jennings Trophy.

So there's a little history on the William M. Jennings Trophy and the man behind the trophy. While I would say this is more of a team trophy, it still takes that last man guarding the net to keep the puck out, so the goaltenders do deserve this trophy as much as the NHL likes to reward the goal scorers with the Richard Trophy.

I just find it a little odd that the NHL can't get the name of their trophy right on their website. According to their website, they awarded the William J. Jennings Trophy to Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek. Oops!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Games That Interest Me

I've spent the day out and about, doing a number of fantastic things, but there was something bothering me: I hadn't really examined the NHL schedule for games I want to watch this upcoming season. Other bloggers and media outlets have talked about the "Top Ten" games to watch this season and the likes, but there have to some games that interest people personally. Whether it be a star who returns to the city where he shone the brightest or long-brewing rivalry between two teams, there are always those games that stand out on the calendar for me as "must-see" games.

This is not a scientific breakdown by any means, and this entire schedule is purely a subjective, selfish view on games I want to watch this season. Take it for what you will, but after examining the schedule, I'm pretty sure these are going to be the ones that interest me the most.

1. October 3 and October 24, 2009. All 30 teams play on those nights, so it will make for some serious hockey fodder the next day. It normally only happens once in a season, so having it done twice is twice as nice.
2. Penguins-Rangers on October 2, 2009. I'm not going to say how sweet it will be for me as a Penguins fan watching them add "2008-09" banner amongst the "1990-91" and "1991-92" banners, but it'll be pretty sweet. The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins begin their title defence against the Rangers.
3. Flyers-Bruins on January 1, 2010. Fenway Park. The Green Monster. Milan Lucic. Scott Hartnell. Zdeno Chara. Chris Pronger. Tim Thomas. Ray Emery. I'm already pumped about this game, and it's still five months away.
4. Six games between Chicago and Detroit. If you didn't know the story behind this one, check last season for "Detroit vs. Pittsburgh". The star of that show was Marian Hossa and his leaving for greener pastures in the off-season. This time, he brought a sidekick in Tomas Kopecky. These games could be explosive, especially since neither team really likes the other.
   
5. Penguins-Capitals on January 21, 2010. After playing in an epic seven-game series this past season, the Capitals and Penguins will tangle for the first time nearly four months into the schedule. No one should be able to say they weren't ready for this matchup at that point in the season. It should be a beauty!
6. The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics in February 2010. Canada plays on home soil, looking for redemption after a horrific showing in 2006 at Torino, Italy. If you didn't think there was pressure already, wait until the games start on February 15. "Powder keg" might be the only way to describe this event.
7. Hockey Day in Minnesota on January 23, 2010. I might make the trek to Minneapolis for this day. Essentially, everyone in the state of Minnesota becomes hockey-mad for the week leading up to the weekend, and then goes completely bonkers for hockey on the weekend.
8. Hockey Day in Canada on January 30, 2010. All six Canadian teams play. CBC features all three games, plus about 3000 hours of additional hockey programming. It's like hockey heaven for those of us with a slight passion.
9. Islanders-Lightning on December 5, 2009. Some people might be laughing that I included this game in here, but this essentially pits the two rookies that everyone wants to see this season against one another. "Tavares-Hedman Round One" probably won't be all that spectacular, but it will be interesting to see if they get matched against one another.
10. Senators-TheTeamHeatleyGetsTradedTo. Now, this may never happen. However, the drama that would unfold may not happen until after March 4. That day is the 2009-10 trade deadline, and GM Bryan Murray has already said he'd try to trade Heatley out west. If that's the case, the only Western Conference teams the Senators face before the end of the season are Calgary, Vancouver, Dallas, and - surprise, surprise - the Edmonton Oilers.

Again, these are simply some of the games I want to see this year. Like any die-hard hockey fan, I'll be logging a lot of hours watching televised broadcasts and listening to the radio, so I expect to be busy once the season kicks off.

It's good to have something to look forward to, eh?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Friday Animated Fun

I won't lie when I tell you that I have a slight movie obsession. I tend to watch movies more often than I watch regular television programs. Because of this movie insanity, I have a lot of Disney movies on DVD. They range from the classics like Pinocchio (1940), Cinderella (1950), and The Lion King (1994) to some lesser known titles like The Three Caballeros (1944) and The Brave Little Toaster (1987). In viewing some of these titles, it occurred to me that Walt Disney must have done something in regards to hockey with all the animation shorts that he's put together over the years. And sure enough, there are some shorts that he's done.

The first one that I found is entitled "Hockey Homicide" with Goofy as the star. While this is clearly a humourous and exaggerated look at hockey, this is a good examination of hockey in this seven-minute animated clip from 1945.

While there's no doubt that some of the aspects of hockey are hyperbolized in this animated short, there is a lot of hockey knowledge that is displayed by Walt Disney's animators and by the narrator/play-by-play man.

"Hockey Homicide" is actually Walt Disney's second animation based upon hockey. In 1939, Disney animators featured Donald Duck and his nephews, Huey, Duey, and Louie, in a comical look at pond hockey in a short called "The Hockey Champ".

Of course, Walt Disney got into the NHL business by obtaining an expansion franchise based in Anaheim, California, and named their expansion franchise as the Mighty Ducks. Using their half-hour "after school" cartoon slots, called The Disney Afternoon, Disney created the "Mighty Ducks" animated TV series and it aired in 1996.

Overall, the series wasn't received well, and only 26 episodes were produced. It was last officially aired in 2004, and hasn't appeared on television since. It was a far-fetched story to say the least, and it didn't attract many young fans as it was less about hockey and more about the heroes - aptly named Wildwing, Nosedive, Tanya, Duke, Mallory and Grin - who battled the evil Saurians. Needless to say, I didn't watch this show.

In any case, I think it's kind of neat that Walt Disney jumped into the hockey world with his very early cartoons. The cartoons feature excellent knowledge of the game, so it appears that someone in the animation studios at Walt Disney had a good grasp of the game by the late-1930s. Essentially, Disney was ahead of the curve in terms of American corporations with their looks at hockey. They even beat some of the larger sports media outlets to the punch!

In 1959, Sports Illustrated ran a nine-page, in-depth look at the game of hockey. Calling it a "strange, violent sport", they attempted to breakdown the game for people who had no or little exposure to the game. With some of the bigger stars in hockey attracting nation-wide interest, players like Jean Béliveau and Gordie Howe were on the verge of being household NHL names in places like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Vancouver even with the NHL not being in those cities at that time. But in order for the casual fan to understand the game, they needed a basic guide in helping them the understand the game.

Sports Illustrated's William Leggett and artist Robert Riger collaborated together to come up with an article called "The Violent Skills of Ice Hockey" that ran in December 1959. I have pieced together the articles, and are presenting them to you here. I encourage you to read through each page. It's a pretty comprehensive, albeit rudimentary, look at hockey.

• Page One - introduction.
• Page Two - explaining the attack.
• Page Three - continuation of the attack.
• Page Four - explaining defense.
• Page Five - continuation of defense.
• Page Six - explaining the goal and goaltending.
• Page Seven - continuation of goaltending.
• Page Eight - explaining how the game is played.
• Page Nine - continuation of how the game is played.

Pretty neat, eh? So there's a little Friday fun for you. Some cartoons, some historical Sports Illustrated documents, and a little laughter. Isn't that what Fridays are all about?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Jack Adams: Bench Legend

It's usually the players that get the credit when a team experiences a large degree of success, and, for the most part, it's credit that is well-deserved. After all, they score goals and stop pucks, and that's entirely how games are won and lost. However, putting the players on the ice on compatible lines is entirely up to the man behind the bench, and the head coach usually shies away from the limelight when it comes to accepting credit for his team's success. However, the NHL doesn't allow the best coach each season to avoid the limelight. The NHL awards the Jack Adams Trophy annually to the NHL coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success". So who was this Jack Adams fellow? What did he do to warrant a trophy named after him? And what interesting facts are there about this award?

John James "Jack" Adams was born on June 14, 1895 in Fort William, Ontario. Adams was a solid young hockey player as a child, and eventually joined his hometown Fort William Maple Leafs by age 14. A year later in 1910, he was playing for the Calumet Miners. He spent five years with the Miners before joining the Peterborough 247th Battalion of the Ontario Hockey Association. By 1917, Adams was playing for the Sarnia Sailors.

By age 22, Adams was signed by the Toronto franchise, later called the "Arenas", of the newly-formed National Hockey League. Adams earned the reputation as a bruising, hard-hitting forward who didn't shy away from playing rough. The Arenas battled hard all season long, and made the playoffs. Toronto defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the first NHL Final in a two-game, total-goals series by a 10-7 count. This allowed Toronto to advance to the Stanley Cup Championship against the PCHA Champion Vancouver Millionaires.

Adams was the third centerman on the depth chart for Toronto, so he didn't see the ice in the Stanley Cup Championship due to the teams carrying only enough players as necessary. However, Jack Adams is listed on the Stanley Cup as a member of that Toronto team that won the first Stanley Cup in the newly-formed NHL.

Adams was lured west to the Vancouver Millionaires, and signed with the club in December 1919. It was in Vancouver where Adams really came on as a player. His success was highlighted by his leading the league in scoring in 1921-22. In the Stanley Cup Championship in 1922, Adams scored six goals in five games, leading all players in goals during that series.

He moved back east in 1922, however, and joined the Toronto St. Pats. Adams played alongside legendary St. Pats' forward Babe Dye, and led the NHL in scoring in 1925-26. He played four seasons with the St. Pats before joining the Ottawa Senators for the 1926-27 season and won his second Stanley Cup as the Senators captured the NHL Championship. The Stanley Cup Championship would be his last NHL game as he retired at the age of 32. He scored 83 goals and added 32 assists in 173 career NHL games.

Frank Calder, President of the NHL, suggested that the Detroit Falcons hire Jack Adams to be their general manager in 1927-28. Adams had little management experience, but it was thought that his hockey playing experience would benefit him as he could bring in talented players. However, the limited budget of the Cougars proved to be a major stumbling block in bringing in talent. Adams, unhappy with head coach Duke Keats, fired him after only 11 games as the Cougars sat at a mediocre 5-5-1 record. They finished the season with 44 points, and missed the playoffs. This didn't sit well with Adams, but his hands were tied in terms of attracting talent with money.

Adams did an admirable job despite the handicap he had. A name change to the "Falcons" in 1930 didn't do anything to help them in the standings, but things changed considerably when James Norris bought the Detroit Falcons in 1932 and renamed them as the Detroit Red Wings. Norris poured money into the franchise, and Adams was allowed to pursue and retain talent with money. Being a coach allowed him a rinkside seat for scouting, and this combination made the Red Wings a powerhouse for years to come.

Adams won three Stanley Cups as the coach of the Red Wings - 1935-36, 1936-37, and 1942-43 - before stepping down to concentrate on his general manager's duties in 1947. Adams' coaching career ended with 413 wins, 390 losses, and 161 ties. He is still the winningest coach in Detroit Red Wings history. He was the first coach to be suspended in the Stanley Cup Final after his rage bubbled over in what he thought was biased penalty calls against his team, and a referee was punched in Game Three of the 1942 Final. However, his greatest achievements had yet to been seen.

Much like what Frank Selke had done in building an amazing feeder system for players in both Toronto and Montreal, Adams had built a phenomenal system for the Red Wings. Players like Alex Delvecchio, Ted Lindsay, Red Kelly, and Terry Sawchuk made their way through this system. After the New York Rangers passed on a young player named Gordie Howe, it was Jack Adams who went out and signed the rugged winger to a deal and brought him into the Red Wings family.

Thanks to his incredible eye for talent and the feeder system he built for the Red Wings, Adams and the Wings went on to win four more Stanley Cups while finishing first overall in the NHL from 1948 until 1955. Because of these Stanley Cups wins, Jack Adams became the only man to have his name on the Stanley Cup as a player, as a coach, and as a general manager in NHL history. That still stands today.

Adams, however, was from the old-school ways of doing things, and he continually moved players in and out of the lineup via trades and demotions to the minors in order for them to avoid complacency. Because of his penchant for trading players who he thought had gotten too comfortable, he earned the nickname of "Trader Jack". This was certainly an accurate nickname considering the number of moves he made.

In fact, one of those moves caused significant friction between himself and a number of players. Ted Lindsay was involved in a movement in 1957 to get a players' union organized. This angered Adams beyond belief as he saw it as a rebellion by players. He traded Ted Lindsay to Chicago in order to curb the union movement. He told the media that the trade was necessary because Lindsay had been critical of his teammates, and Adams wouldn't stand for that. Adams discovered that there were a number of players in his dressing room who were onboard with Lindsay and the union movement, and, rather than trading them all, he demoted them to minor-league teams as punishment.

His actions were viewed as reprehensible by the affected players, and they began to leave the Red Wings as soon as their contracts had ended. Because of the mass exodus of players due to Adams' punishments, he was fired in 1963 - 36 years after he first moved into the role of general manager. His 36-year tenure is still the longest employment by one team in NHL history.

After being fired by the Red Wings, Adams founded the Central Hockey League, serving as its first President. Adams held that position until he passed away on May 1, 1968 at the age of 73. Adams was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1959 as a builder due to his work with the Red Wings. The NHL created a trophy in his memory in 1973, and first awarded the Jack Adams Trophy at the conclusion of the 1973-74 season. Fred Shero, head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, was the first coach to receive the honour.

Adams was clearly an interesting man, and there are a number of interesting facts about his trophy. Here are some of those facts:

• The Jack Adams Award has been awarded 35 times since its introduction to 30 individuals.
• Pat Burns has won the Jack Adams Trophy three times, earning the award in 1988-89 with Montreal, 1992-93 with Toronto, and 1997-98 with Boston. His three wins are the most by any coach in NHL history.
• Burns is also the only coach in NHL history to win the award with three different teams.
• Four coaches have won the award twice with two different teams. Pat Burns, as stated above, did it; Jacques Lemaire won it twice with the New Jersey Devils ('93-94) and Minnesota Wild ('02-03); Pat Quinn won it twice with the Philadelphia Flyers ('79-80) and Vancouver Canucks ('93-94); and Scotty Bowman won it twice with the Montreal Canadiens ('76-77) and Detroit Red Wings ('95-96).
  
• Jacques Demers is the only coach to have won the trophy in consecutive seasons, winning it in 1986-87 and 1987-88 with the Detroit Red Wings.
• The Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings have had the most Jack Adams Trophy winners with four each. St. Louis and Phoenix/Winnipeg follow with three winners each.
• There have only been two winners of the Jack Adams Trophy who didn't start the season as an NHL head coach. Bill Barber replaced Craig Ramsay in Philadelphia in 2000-01, and went on to win the trophy. Bruce Boudreau replaced Glen Hanlon in Washington in 2007-08, and went on to win the Jack Adams Trophy.
• 19 franchises are represented on the Jack Adams Trophy since it was first awarded. The only Original Six team without a Jack Adams Trophy winner? The New York Rangers.
• Only three coaches have won a Stanley Cup in the same season that they earned the Jack Adams Trophy. Fred Shero and the Philadelphia Flyers did it in 1973-74. Scotty Bowman did it in 1976-77 with the Montreal Canadiens. John Tortorella did it with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2003-04.

There's the history about Jack Adams, the trophy named after him, and the trivia you may want to know about this trophy. While Adams was the face of the Red Wings for nearly four decades, his legacy will live on forever with the trophy named after him.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

No News Is Good News... I Guess

With the announcement today that the 2010 NHL Winter Classic will be officially played on January 1, 2010 in Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts between the hometown Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers, my interest was more geared towards the television side of the NHL. Of course, it should be no surprise that fans in Canada are flooded with hockey telecasts all season long thanks to the combined efforts of every Canadian-based television station across the Great White North. The American landscape, however, is a much different place, and Versus is the only real national station delivering hockey on a regular basis. NBC's contract was up for renewal, and they always begin their NHL broadcasts with the Winter Classic game. So it was with some serious intent that I awaited the announcement regarding NBC's participation in broadcasting the NHL this season.

Gary Bettman announced today that the NHL and NBC had indeed reached an agreement that will keep the NHL on NBC for national broadcasts until the end of the 2010-11 season. The two-year pact will resume once again this year with the Winter Classic from Fenway Park.

According to reports, the deal is "basically" the same in terms of the profit-sharing agreement that both sides receive, essentially mirroring the deal that was originally signed in 2008. The NHL and NBC first entered into this profit-sharing agreement in January of 2006, and have extended the deal each year since then. NBC has also committed to broadcasting five games of the Stanley Cup Final in both years of this new deal.

"We are both very happy with the relationship we have," Bettman said at the press conference this afternoon from Fenway Park. "We're delighted with the coverage NBC has given us, and we know that NBC is happy to have us in their stable of sports properties."

NBC has to be happy with the viewership they've received, particularly with the Winter Classic games. Last season's Winter Classic game from Wrigley Field between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings was the most-watched regular season game for the NHL in 34 years, and NBC won a Sports Emmy for their promotion of the 2009 Winter Classic. Game Seven of this past season's Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings was the most-watched NHL game in the last 36 years. Needless to say, advertising dollars should be easy to attract with those kinds of numbers.

"We're thrilled to be able to continue our relationship with the NHL and build on all the positive momentum on and off the ice," NBC Sports president Ken Schanzer said at the press conference. "Together, we have attained viewership milestones not seen in more than three decades. And the Winter Classic, in just two years, has become one of the highlights of the sports calendar."

NBC has pioneered some pretty cool ideas in its short partnership with the NHL. The "Inside The Glass" feature is now used by several hockey outlets during their broadcasts. They devised an innovative advertising method of showing advertisements on the glass - something that does bother me, but doesn't necessarily take away from the game.

Unfortunately, NBC still has Pierre McGuire on and that's a major drawback, but there is no denying that employing the services of the legendary Mike "Doc" Emrick as their featured play-by-play guy is one of the reasons that the NHL on NBC has been so popular.

Overall, I am happy with this new agreement. It means I get one more channel with hockey, and that's never a bad thing. Kudos to Gary Bettman and to NBC for continuing this partnership. It will only help hockey grow in the United States, and that's an excellent outlook.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Conn Smythe: Toronto's Best Man

In the continuing series of looking back at the trophies of the NHL and how they came to be, we push forward today with another major individual trophy. The Conn Smythe Trophy is presented "annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup Playoffs". This trophy doesn't necessarily go to the leading scorer in the playoffs, nor does it always go to a player of the winning team. It legitimately will go to the player who helped his team get to the Stanley Cup Final. It is awarded to the winning player at the conclusion of Game Seven in the Stanley Cup Final right before the Stanley Cup is presented. So who is this Conn Smythe guy? Why was he so important? What kind of trivia is there to know about the Conn Smythe Trophy?

Constantine Falkland Cary Smythe was born on February 1, 1895 in Toronto, Ontario. His father, Albert Smythe, was a journalist who emigrated to Canada in 1889 with his wife, Amelia Constantine, from Ireland. Amelia died in 1906, and her legacy was one of a drinker and a bit of a loose cannon in terms of her attitude. Conn, who was never fond of his given name of "Constantine", was christened in 1906 and shortened his name to "Conn" after Irish ruler King Conn who fought in over 100 battles during his lifetime.

After spending some time in Toronto as a student, Albert Smythe had plans for Conn Smythe to take up studying law. Smythe left Toronto after defying his father, and moved onto a farm near Cochrane, Ontario. His move out of town didn't last long as he enrolled at the University of Toronto in 1912 to study engineering. He suited up for the Toronto Varsity Blues as a centerman, and led them to the Ontario Hockey Association Final in 1914 before leading them to the championship in 1915.

After winning the OHA Championship in 1915, Smythe, along with eight teammates, enlisted in the Canadian military for the start of World War I. He joined the 40th Battery of Hamilton as Lieutenant, and was sent overseas in February 1916. After his commanding officer died in 1917, Smythe transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He was shot down by the Germans and captured on October 14, 1917, leading to his imprisonment as a prisoner-of-war. He tried twice to escape but failed, and was put into solitary confinement until the end of the war.

Smythe returned to Toronto upon the conclusion of World War I, and finished his civil engineering degree at the University of Toronto in 1920. He married Irene Sands, his long-time love who he had known since he was 16, in 1921 at the age of 26. During his evenings, he would coach the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, and occasionally took them to games in Boston against amateur teams in and around the Massachusetts city. Because of these trips, he was noticed by Charles Adams, owner of the NHL's Boston Bruins, and Adams recommended Smythe to John S. Hammond, the representative of the owners of the New York Rangers, in 1926. Hammond hired Smythe to be the first coach and general manager in the history of the Rangers, but Smythe was fired before the team even played their first game. According to Smythe, he was fired for refusing to sign Babe Dye who, in Smythe's estimation, was far too old. The New York Rangers went on to hire Frank Patrick who kept a number of players signed by Smythe. In 1928, just two years after Smythe began building the Rangers, they won their first Stanley Cup.

After Smythe was fired by the Rangers, he went back to Toronto and coached the Varsity Graduates to an Allan Cup Championship. After winning the Allan Cup, the Varsity Graduates went to the 1928 St. Moritz Olympic Games, and won the gold medal. Smythe, however, refused to join the team at the Olympics after two University of Toronto players were denied joining the Olympic squad by two Graduate players in order to have the Graduates' relatives on the team. Smythe was unimpressed by this rather selfish move, and stayed in Toronto while the Varsity Graduates went to the Winter Olympics.

Smythe was busy with other interests over this time. With his severance pay and some gambling winnings off the horses he owned, he and a few partners bought the Toronto St. Pats hockey club in the NHL. The team was renamed as the "Maple Leafs" shortly after the group had closed the sale. Smythe became coach of the Maple Leafs, and was named as general manager shortly thereafter. The start of the 1927-28 season saw the Toronto Maple Leafs drop their old colours of green-and-white that the St. Pats wore, and adopt their new colours of blue-and-white. Smythe also created one of the most dynamic lines in hockey history when he paired Harvey "Busher" Jackson and Charlie Conacher with Joe Primeau to make the famous "Kid Line" in Toronto. Jackson would actually affect Smythe's career over 40 years later as well, but we'll get to that shortly.

By 1931-32, Smythe had the team in their new arena, aptly named the Maple Leaf Gardens. The Maple Leafs swept the New York Rangers, Smythe's old team, in the Stanley Cup Final to win the Stanley Cup in their first year in their new building. He hired a young man named Frank J. Selke as his assistant to run the Maple Leafs. With World War II beginning in the summer of 1939, Smythe turned control of the Leafs over to Selke, and Maple Leaf Gardens to a committee.

After serving in World War II, Smythe returned to Canada to find Maple Leaf Gardens Limited, the company that controlled both the Maple Leafs and the Gardens, in turmoil. One of his partners, Bill MacBrien, was suspected of trying to takeover as President from Ed Bickle, and to replace Smythe with Frank J. Selke. Smythe countered with a powerplay of his own, and asked for Selke's support. When Selke balked at the offer, the friendship that had developed between the two men soured. Selke eventually resigned in 1946 as the relationship deteriorated completely.

Smythe took control of Maple Leaf Gardens Limited by becoming the largest stakeholder after purchasing $300,000 of stock in 1947. On November 19 of that year, he installed himself as President of Maple Leaf Gardens Limited, thus giving him full control of the Maple Leafs and the Gardens. He essentially oversaw the greatest period of success in the Maple Leafs' history from 1942 until 1951 where the Leafs won six Stanley Cups in ten seasons. For all the success that the Leafs have seen since that 1942 season, they didn't post a 100-point season until 1999-2000, two decades after Conn Smythe had passed away. If anyone doesn't believe that the Leafs were in it for the money, one didn't know Conn Smythe.

In 1957, Conn Smythe resigned as the Maple Leafs General Manager, his team suffering through a plague of mediocrity. Smythe turned the team over to a committee of people, including his son, Stafford Smythe, who would eventually earn the moniker of "the Silver Seven". Smythe was the Chairman of the Board, and would continually fight with his son over various affairs involving the team. In 1964, he sold 45,000 of his 50,000 shares in Maple Leaf Gardens Limited to John Bassett and his son for a reported $2.3 million. Bassett became the new Chairman of the Board, and Smythe was all but done with the Maple Leafs at the age of 69.

Smythe did some questionable things besides owning the Maple Leafs. In 1964, three years before Canada's 100th Anniversary, there was talk that Lester B. Pearson's government was toying with an idea to replace the Canadian Ensign flag with a new design. Smythe wrote to the Prime Minister with the intent of keeping the Canadian Ensign instead of the new flag, and all but begged Pearson not to change the flag. He was unsuccessful in swaying Pearson, however, as the new Canadian flag became the iconic look that we all know.

In March 1966, he sold his last 5000 remaining shares in Maple Leaf Gardens Limited and resigned from the Board of Directors after the Gardens successfully negotiated a deal to host a Muhammad Ali boxing match. Smythe was furious that the Gardens would allow a man who refused to serve his country in the Vietnam War, and said that the owners of Maple Leaf Gardens had "put cash ahead of class".

Smythe also accomplished many good things outside of hockey. He was in charge of the construction of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in 1961, and served as the HHOF's Chairman until 1971 when he resigned after Harvey "Busher" Jackson was inducted to the Hall of Fame. After Jackson's scoring dropped off in 1939, Smythe traded Jackson to the New York Americans. Jackson was extremely unhappy with this treatment after having spent ten years as a Maple Leaf, and he and Smythe had a serious falling out. When Jackson was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Smythe resigned as he felt that Jackson's character was not worthy of the Hall of Fame.

Maple Leaf Gardens Limited presented a trophy to the NHL to celebrate all of Smythe's accomplishments in hockey in 1964. In 1965, the NHL named their newest trophy after him, and awarded it for the first time. The design features the arena he helped to build in Maple Leaf Gardens with a botanically-correct maple leaf behind the iconic arena.

Smythe passed away on November 18, 1980 in Caledon, Ontario at the age of 85. The Conn Smythe Trophy was renamed as the Conn Smythe Memorial Trophy in memory of Mr. Smythe.

The first player to receive the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs was Jean Béliveau of the Montreal Canadiens. It has been awarded to 38 different players in the 44 times it has been presented, and the voting is done by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association (PHWA).

Here are some interesting facts about the Conn Smythe Trophy winners since it was first awarded in 1965:

• The Montreal Canadiens have had nine Conn Smythe Trophy winners - the most of all the teams in the NHL. Detroit has had five winners, while third place is occupied by Philadelphia, Edmonton, and the New York Islanders who have four Conn Smythe Trophy winners each.
• Only one player has won the Conn Smythe Trophy three separate times. That player is goaltender Patrick Roy. Goaltender Bernie Parent, forwards Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, and defenceman Bobby Orr are the only other multiple winners. Those four latter players have won the Conn Smythe twice each.
• Patrick Roy is the only player in NHL history to have won the Conn Smythe Trophy for two teams. He won with the Montreal Canadiens in 1985-86 and 1992-93, and also won with the Colorado Avalanche in 2000-01.
• Montreal's Jean Béliveau was the first centerman to win the Conn Smythe in 1965.
• Detroit's Roger Crozier was the first goaltender to win the Conn Smythe. He won it in 1965-66.
• Montreal's Serge Savard was the first defenceman to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy. He won the award in 1968-69.
• Montreal's Yvon Cournoyer was the first right winger to win the Conn Smythe Trophy when he won in 1972-73.
• Philadelphia's Reggie Leach was the first left winger to win the Conn Smythe Trophy after earning it in 1975-76.
• Centermen have earned the trophy a total of 15 times. Goalies are next with 14 wins. Defencemen have nine wins. Right wingers have four wins. And left wingers have only won twice in 44 years.
• There have been only five players who have earned the Conn Smythe Trophy while playing for the losing team in the Stanley Cup Final. They include Detroit's Roger Crozier (1965-66), St. Louis' Glenn Hall (1967-68), Philadelphia's Reggie Leach (1975-76), Philadelphia's Ron Hextall (1986-87), and Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere (2003-04).
• Of the five players above, the only player who was not a goaltender to have won a Conn Smythe Trophy while losing in the Stanley Cup Final was Reggie Leach.
• The first, and only, American-born player to have won a Conn Smythe Trophy thus far was defenceman Brian Leetch of New York Rangers. He won the award in 1993-94.
• The first European-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy was defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings. He won the award in 2001-02.
• The first, and only, Russian-born player to have won the Conn Smythe Trophy was centerman Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Malkin won the award in 2008-09.
• Only 16 teams are represented on the Conn Smythe Trophy over the 44 years it has been awarded.
• Of the Original Six teams, only the Chicago Blackhawks have not had a Conn Smythe Trophy winner in their franchise history.

So there's a look back at the history of Conn Smythe, one of the most powerful men in hockey, and the trophy that was named in his honour. While some may say that Smythe ruled with an iron fist over the Maple Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens, it is very clear that he was committed to the game with all that he did for it.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Pulled In All Directions

Do you ever feel like you're being pulled in a bazillion directions? Has it ever felt like you need about four extra hours in the day? It seems like my days are all like that lately. And part of the problem is me trying to fulfill all these responsibilities. Kids, if you're reading this, don't grow up. Life just gets complicated. In all seriousness, though, you have to keep a good head on your shoulders, and the only way to do that is to keep that noggin of yours protected. Hockey, of course, requires all players to wear a helmet, and I think it's important that HBIC not only be a source of informative and entertaining articles, but also articles that help hockey players, hockey parents, and hockey coaches.

The very first thing that is more important in keeping your head protected is finding a helmet that fits you properly. I went digging into through the Youtube Archives of Hockey to see if I could find any visual help, and the Archives came through. Let's start with getting a helmet that fits.

Of course, not every helmet is designed to fit every single noggin out there. Let's take a look at how you can adjust the helmet for a better fit.

Once you get the fit and sizing just right, it's all about protecting your head at all costs, so please don't be like some NHL players and have the strap all loose. That's a bad idea, kids. Tighten it up just enough that two fingers can fit snugly under your chin with the strap done up. We don't need any brain injuries through carelessness after you've gone and bought a good helmet and had it sized properly.

Once you've got yourself set, hit the ice and have some fun!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Western Conference Pick

Ok, readers. It's up to you once again. I'm an unabashed Pittsburgh Penguins fan. I have been since 1984, and there's no swaying me to another team under any circumstance. I was, and still am, a huge Mario Lemieux fan, and nearly suffered a stroke when the Penguins pulled off the greatest robbery in history in getting Ron Francis and Ulf Samuelsson from the Hartford Whalers. However, I live nowhere near Pittsburgh, and I routinely find myself looking for a team to cheer for once the Eastern Conference games are over for the night. Because I have no strong affinity to any Western Conference team, I need help in picking a team to follow this season. That's where you come in.

I have several jerseys from Western Conference teams due to players I like on those teams. However, that doesn't quite seal the deal for me when it comes to following a team all season long. I'll run down a few teams who I will never cheer for, but I want serious reasons to cheer for the team you select.

Here are the teams that are already ruled out:

• Detroit Red Wings: I love their talent, but they are the most dangerous team in the West. I refuse to cheer for Detroit simply due to having four friends in high school who used to think that the Red Wings could do no wrong ever. That experience alone has me off the Red Wings for any considerable period of time.
• Calgary Flames: I have never liked the Flames. Ever. I think Jarome Iginla is an amazing talent, but I hated their black jerseys, I hated Gary Suter, I hated the flaming horse, and I still don't like Olli Jokinen.
• Vancouver Canucks: This is a team with no identity aside from Luongo. I refuse to cheer for the Sedins mainly because they play soft. This is also a team that is still interested in Mats Sundin, and any team that likes to waste money is off the list.

With those three teams out of the way, I've worked to narrow down my selection to five choices of which I feel would be good teams to follow this off-season. Your job is to suggest a team with a short reason as to why it would be in my best interest to follow said team. The five teams, in no particular order, are:

1. Los Angeles Kings: Love the youthful talent. Love the rebuilding from the ground up that Lombardi is doing. Love the draft picks made by Lombardi. The one negative might be the lack of playoffs again this spring. With all that youth, it may be tough to crack the Top-8 in the Western Conference.
2. Columbus Blue Jackets: Again, another great team that is young and exciting. Sure, they make mistakes and play in one of the toughest divisions in hockey, but the Jackets have speed, scoring, and goaltending to make the playoffs again this season.
3. Dallas Stars: Mike Modano is still one of the all-time greats in the NHL. I absolutely loved watching James Neal and Marc Fistric with the Manitoba Moose last year, and both players will fit in nicely with the Stars this season. While Marty Turco killed my fantasy pool last season with his abysmal play, he's still world-class if he's on. But it's a big IF.
4. Nashville Predators: I am a huge Shea Weber fan, and loved his work at the World Championships last season. Steve Sullivan has been a favorite player of mine since his time in Toronto. While there is some dislike for the way that Jordan Tootoo plays the game, the rest of the team, in its youthful approach to the game, make the Predators appealing.
5. Anaheim Ducks: As soon as they got rid of Pronger, they became a much easier team to like. Getzlaf is a thoroughbred, Perry is a lights-out scoring machine, and Bobby Ryan looks like he's the real deal. While I'll miss Beauchemin on the back-end for the Ducks, this team should be alright for the coming season.

Of course, I am open to suggestions for other teams as well, so don't think that I'm limiting your choices. Let me know what team you think I should follow from the Western Conference, and I'll take your suggestions under advisement before making a decision. Hit me up in the comments with your team!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Lady Byng: The Lady Loves Hockey

In continuing with our look at how NHL trophies came to be, we need to examine the origins of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, perhaps the only trophy opposite of what we think hockey players should be when on the ice. The Lady Byng Trophy is awarded annually to "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability" in the NHL. While sportsmanship is highly encouraged, the trophy annually goes to a player with an amazingly low total of penalty minutes - opposite of the tough hombres that generate headlines and highlights with their aggressive play. So how did such a trophy come about? Who is Lady Byng? What is interesting about this trophy?

The trophy itself is named after Marie Evelyn Moreton, known as Lady Byng, who was the wife of the 12th Governor General of Canada, Lord Julian Hedworth George Byng. Lady Byng was born on August 11, 1870 in London, England to parents Sir Richard Charles Reynolds-Moreton and Janie Ralli. Sir Richard Charles Reynolds-Moreton was comptroller at Rideau Hall, the residence of the Governor General in Canada.

In 1897, Miss Moreton met Major The Honourable Julian Byng who, in Moreton's words, seemed to have different depending on the day,

"When we met of a morning out riding, if he was free, the fun began – though it wasn't always fun for me because I was bewildered, as he was never the same two days running. Talk of women being mutable – he could have given points and a beating to any one of them! On Monday he would be in his most enchanting mood; Tuesday he would treat me as a pal and a man; Wednesday he would hardly remember that I existed; Thursday he would be icily polite; Friday he would thaw a little and by Saturday be back in Monday's delightful mood! What could anybody make of such vagaries?"

The Byngs would travel extensively due to Major The Honourable Byng's military service, spending periods of time in places such as South Africa, India, England, Egypt, and France - the latter where he led the Canadian forces in battle to victory at Vimy Ridge.

On August 2, 1921, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George appointed then-retired General Byng (official title of General The Right Honourable The Lord Byng of Vimy) as his representative in Canada, thus making him the Governor General of Canada. Byng's position allowed he and Lady Byng the privilege to travel across Canada, meeting the people and immersing themselves in the culture of the country. It was here where the Byngs developed a passion for the game of hockey, particularly for the hometown Ottawa Senators. It is said that the Byngs never missed a Senators game, enjoying the fast-paced action of the early NHL.

After falling in love with the game in the early years of their living in Canada, Lady Byng donated a trophy in 1925 to the NHL which would be called the Lady Byng Trophy in her honour. She awarded the first Lady Byng Trophy to Ottawa Senator Frank Nighbor at Rideau Hall where she presented him the newest trophy in the NHL's collection for being the NHL's most gentlemanly player. Nighbor accepted, and the tradition of awarding it annually began.

The original Lady Byng Trophy was given to Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers by Lady Byng after she was inpressed with him winning it seven times in eight years from 1928-35. The only year he lost it in that span was in 1931-32 when Joe Primeau of the Toronto Maple Leafs won the trophy. Because Boucher was given the trophy, Lady Byng donated another trophy to replace the first one. Lady Byng continued to award the trophy to NHL players annually until she passed away on June 20, 1949.

With Lady Byng passing, the NHL created another trophy and began awarding the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy - the trophy that the players receive today. The original trophy given to Frank Boucher was lost in a fire at Boucher's home in 1962. The second trophy now resides in the vault at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Now that you know how the trophy came to be, let's take a look at some of the interesting facts about the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. The winners are determined through voting by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA):

• The Lady Byng Trophy has been awarded 84 times to 50 different players since 1925.
• Frank Boucher of the Rangers has won the most times, with seven wins under his belt. Wayne Gretzky won five times, and Red Kelly and Pavel Datsyuk have won four times each.
• The New York Rangers, paced by Boucher, have won the award 15 times, the most in NHL history. The Detroit Red Wings have 14 Lady Byng Trophy winners, and Toronto sits third all-time with nine Lady Byng Trophy winners.
• Only two defencemen have ever won the Lady Byng Trophy, and both players played for the Detroit Red Wings. Defenceman Bill Quackenbush (1948-49) was the first blueliner to earn the trophy, and Red Kelly was the other. Kelly won the Lady Byng Trophy three times - 1950-51, 1952-53, and 1953-54.
• No goaltender has ever won the Lady Byng Trophy in NHL history.
• Frank Nighbor of the Ottawa Senators was the first centerman to win the Lady Byng Trophy in 1924-25, the first time it was ever awarded.
• Gordie Drillon of the Toronto Maple Leafs was the first right winger to win the award. He earned the trophy in 1937-38.
• Toe Blake of the Montreal Canadiens was the first left winger to win the award. He earned his trophy in 1945-46.
• Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk and New York's Frank Boucher share the record for most consecutive Lady Byng Trophy wins with four wins each.
• Only five players have won the Hart Trophy and the Lady Byng Trophy in the same season - New York Ranger Buddy O'Connor ('47-48), Chicago's Bobby Hull ('64-65), Chicago's Stan Mikita ('66-67 and '67-68), Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky ('79-80), and Colorado's Joe Sakic (2000-01).
• Wayne Gretzky is the only player in history to have won the award with three different teams - Edmonton, Los Angeles, and the New York Rangers.
• Billy Burch was the first American-born player to win the Lady Byng Trophy. The New York Americans centerman did so in 1926-27.
• Stan Mikita, despite having Canadian citizenship and having trained in Canada, was the first non-North American player to win the Lady Byng Trophy. The Slovakian-born centerman won his first Lady Byng Trophy in 1966-67.
• The first European-born and European-trained player to win the Lady Byng Trophy was Montreal's Mats Naslund. Naslund, born and trained in Sweden, earned his award in 1987-88.
• Bobby and Brett Hull are the only father-son tandem to win the Lady Byng Trophy. Bobby won his in 1964-65, while Brett picked his up in 1989-90.
• The highest total of penalty minutes for any winner was 40 PIMs. This total was reached by two winners - Ottawa's Frank Nighbor in 1925-26, and New York Americans' Billy Burch in 1926-27.

Now that you know how the Lady Byng Trophy came about, along with some interesting facts about the winners, you can see why gentlemanly play is encouraged by coaches. While we look for tough hockey players, these men who have won the Lady Byng Trophy also score points at an extremely high rate. By not spending a lot of time in the penalty box, this allows them to score more often.

And isn't that what all coaches preach?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

My Thoughts On Sakic

Ok, so I'm a day late to the tribute party for retiring NHL legend Joe Sakic, but I wanted to be sure that I didn't miss anything when writing this piece. After all, no one wants to offend greatness by omitting achievements, especially when that greatness lasted for two decades in one of the most grueling sports on the planet. Much like Steve Yzerman and Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic was the face of the Quebec Nordiques-Colorado Avalanche franchise, and he should be remembered as one of the greatest NHL players of all-time.

• CHL Player of the Year in 1987 with the WHL's Swift Current Broncos.
• World Junior Champion with Team Canada in 1988.
• Selected 15th overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques.
• Wore #88 during his rookie season in 1988-89 as Alain Cote wore #19.
• Switched to #19 in 1989-90.
• Became captain of the Quebec Nordiques in 1992.
• Won a gold medal at the IIHF World Championships in 1994.
  
• 1995-96, as a member of the Avalanche, saw Sakic score his highest single-season point total with 120.
• Led all playoff scorers in 1995-96 with 18 goals and 34 points.
• Led the Colorado Avalanche to their first Stanley Cup.
• Won the 1995-96 Conn Smythe Trophy.
• Broke Peter Stastny's franchise scoring mark on March 23, 2000 of 1049 points.
• Led the Colorado Avalanche to the 2000-01 Stanley Cup.
• Won the 2000-01 Hart Trophy.
• Won the 2000-01 Lady Byng Trophy.
• Won the 2000-01 Lester B. Pearson Trophy.
• Won an Olympic Gold Medal with Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
• Named Tournament MVP at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
• Won a gold medal at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
• Was the NHL All-Star Game MVP in 2004 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Finished 14th overall all-time in goals with 625.
• Finished 11th overall all-time in assists with 1016.
• Finished 8th overall all-time in points with 1641.
• Played in NHL All-Star 12 times, but named to 13 NHL All-Star teams.
• Has the most assists all-time in All-Star Games with 16.
• Is third all-time in NHL All-Star Game scoring with 22 points.
  
• Scored 84 NHL playoff goals, including 18 game-winning goals.
  
• Scored 8 overtime goals in the playoffs - the most by any player.
• Recorded 188 career NHL Playoff points.

Clearly, "Burnaby Joe" was a magical player and a marvelous scorer. However, there have been too many memorable goals to describe, particularly due to his laser-like wrist shot with his amazingly quick release. Here are Joe Sakic's Top Ten moments, according to TSN's SportsCentre:

My thoughts? Hall-of-Fame numbers plus success at every level of hockey he played. A genuinely great guy off the ice with his charitable efforts and community initiatives, he was an incredible leader on the ice as well, most often leading by example rather than by words. Joe Sakic is one of the best all-time, and I wish him well in his life after hockey. He may not have been the best sound byte for reporters, but he always gave them something to talk about with his play.

And isn't that the definition of "greatness" in hockey?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Masterton: Gone Too Soon

Hockey Blog In Canada continues its look at the major awards given out by the NHL today by examining the history and interesting facts surrounding the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The Masterton Memorial Trophy is given out annually to the NHL player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey". The definition is open to many interpretations of what "perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication" is, but, since 1991, the award has annually gone to a player who has overcome a major, career-threatening injury or defeated a disease that may have shortened his career. The major fact about this trophy is that a player can only win it once during his career, ensuring that there will be no repeat or multiple Masterton Memorial Trophy winners. So had did the NHL create this trophy? Who was Bill Masterton? Are there any interesting facts?

William "Bill" John Masterton was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 16, 1938. He took to hockey as a young boy on the prairies while attending Miles MacDonell Collegiate and eventually was good enough to join the St. Boniface Canadiens in 1956-57, part of the sprawling junior system that NHL teams had created before expansion to twelve teams. He wasn't signed by the Canadiens at that point, so he was off to play NCAA hockey with the University of Denver in 1957.

It was at the University of Denver that the young man became a hockey player. He won three NCAA Championships with Denver in 1958, 1960, and 1961. He earned All-American status in both 1960 and 1961, grabbing the attention of the Montreal Canadiens after scoring 24 goals and 56 assists in being named NCAA Tournament MVP and leading the Pioneers to the 1961 NCAA Championship. Montreal signed Masterton after he graduated from Denver, and he was assigned to the minor-leagues by the Canadiens.

His first assignment took him to the Hull-Ottawa Canadiens for the 1961-62 season in the Eastern Professional Hockey League. In 65 games there, he recorded 31 goals and 35 assists, prompting him to be promoted to the AHL's Cleveland Barons for the 1962-63 season. In 72 games with the Barons, Masterton showed off his scoring talents by netting 27 goals and 55 assists. However, with the Montreal Canadiens loaded in talent, Masterton's efforts with the AHL squad wouldn't garner him another promotion. Rather than traveling the countryside by bus, Masterton retired from hockey, disappointed in the roadblock standing in his path to the NHL. He went back to the University of Denver where he obtained his Masters Degree in Finance by 1964.

This led Masterton to a job with the Honeywell Corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the 1963-64 season. He couldn't shake the hockey bug, however, and joined the St. Paul Steers of the USHL for the 1964-65 season. In his first season with the Steers, he scored 23 goals and added 23 assists. The 1965-66 season saw Masterton notch 27 goals and 40 assists in only 28 games - a torrid scoring pace. Masterton applied for American citizenship and was made an American citizen early into 1967. Being an American citizen with no international hockey experience allowed him the opportunity to join the US National Team. In his only season with Team USA, Masterton scored a respectable 10 goals and 29 assists in 23 games with the US Nationals, the USHL team run by Team USA.

With the announcement that the NHL was expanding from six to twelve teams for the 1967-68 season, there were hundreds of new jobs opening up for players. Masterton, having scored at a high rate in the minor-leagues since 1961, was on the radar for a few teams, especially the hometown Minnesota North Stars. He was signed by the North Stars at the age of 28 before the start of the 1967 season, and his dream of one day playing in the NHL had come true.

Unfortunately, Masterton's season, and ultimately his life, would be cut short due to an on-ice incident. In his 38th game of the season against the Oakland Seals at the Metropolitan Sports Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 13, 1968, Masterton suffered a horrific injury four minutes into the game that would cause his passing. While reports vary as to how the injury occurred, this account from the Dallas News gives a brief overview:

"He liked to carry the puck through the middle of the neutral zone, then veer left or right after crossing the opponent's blue line. He would then wait for his wingers and feed one as they came speeding into the offensive zone.

"Masterton made his typical play, but Seals defensemen Larry Cahan and Ron Harris read Masterton and tried to force him to give up the puck. Masterton fell backward, and the back of his bare head struck the ice."

Again, there is some debate as to how he was injured. Some have suggested that he was tripped. Others have suggested that he was pushed backwards by the two Seals defencemen. There is no known video of what may have occurred, so there is room for speculation.

Where there is no room for speculation is what happened to Masterton after his head struck the ice. As he lay upon the ice, he was bleeding from his mouth and nose. He was unconscious, and the trainers immediately called for the paramedics. He was wheeled off the ice on a stretcher, and taken to a nearby hospital. Doctors worked to fix the massive brain hemorrhage that had occurred in the pons - the area that relays sensory info between the cerebellum and cerebrum and controls respiration.

On January 15, 1968, the 29 year-old Masterton was pronounced dead by doctors. He had not regained consciousness in the 30 hours he had been in the hospital. It was only the second death related to an on-ice injury that the NHL had seen in its history after Howie Morenz succumbed to his injury nearly 50 years earlier. Because of his death, there was an intense effort by players and fans to make helmets mandatory in order to avoid a tragedy like Masterton's. By 1979, the NHL made helmets mandatory for all players who were entering the NHL from that point forward. His NHL career ended with four goals and eight assists to his name in 38 games.

Masterton's #19 was not worn by another Minnesota North Stars player after his passing, and it was officially retired by the team in 1987. Upon their move to Dallas, the North Stars franchise chose to take the banner with them, and it now hangs above the ice in the American Airlines Arena in Dallas.

In order to honour the fallen Masterton, the NHL created the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in order to honour his perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game of hockey. It was first awarded after the 1967-68 season to Claude Provost of the Montreal Canadiens as he "embodied the definition of perseverance and dedication to hockey" over his 15-year career.

Here are some interesting facts about the winners of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award is voted upon by the members of the Professional Hockey Writer' Association (PHWA):

• The Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers have had four winners each for the Masterton Trophy. The Los Angeles Kings are second with three winners.
• Philadelphia's Bobby Clarke won the 1971-72 Masterton trophy for overcoming difficulties involved with diabetes. Clarke is a Type-1 diabetic.
• Montreal's Henri Richard won in 1973-74 for his dedication to hockey after winning eleven Stanley Cups. Serge Savard also won for the same reason in 1978-79 after winning his eighth Stanley Cup.
  
• Al MacAdam of the Minnesota North Stars won in 1979-80, the first and only player from the North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise to win the award. He received the honour after posting a career-high 42 goals and 51 assists.
• Montreal's Doug Jarvis won the Masterton Trophy in 1986-87 after he eclipsed Gary Unger's record for consecutive games player by appearing in his 914th straight game.
• There have been a number of players who have received the award after battling cancer. Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux defeated non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1992-93; Tampa Bay's John Cullen defeated non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1998-99; Montreal's Saku Koivu defeated non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2001-02; Boston's Phil Kessel returned to the NHL after battling testicular cancer in 2006-07; and Toronto's Jason Blake was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in 2007-08 and played all 82 games.
• New Jersey's Ken Daneyko received his Masterton Trophy after overcoming an addiction to alcohol in 1999-2000.

Clearly, the NHL lost Bill Masterton far too soon. His legacy lives on, however, and the perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey that he showed is memorialized by this award. In 1997, Bill Masterton was named to the NCAA All-Time Team - an honour bestowed only on those who have accomplished greatness in the collegiate game.

There's a little history on who Mr. Masterton was, what happened in his unfortunate story, and the legacy he has left on the NHL. Rest eternally in peace, Mr. Masterton. Your accident in the game of hockey made the game safer, but you were gone far too soon.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Freebies and Contests

The old inbox connected to this blog has been overflowing with mail, and it's high time that I go through and clear some of it out. I've been lucky enough to receive some very good email with interesting articles and comments, and I'm grateful to have these people emailing me. After all, this blog would be nothing without its readers, so thank you to all those who emailed over the past few weeks. Today is all about recognizing those who sent me stuff, and for those who want me to chat up some stuff. Basically, I'm turning this blog over to the readers today.

I received an email from a lady by the name of Lyndsey. Lyndsey works for a public relations firm in New York City, New York, and she wanted to know if I smelled. Ok, she really didn't ask that, but she wanted to know if my hockey gear does. Being that I wear it regularly over the winter, it normally spends some time in the spring airing out in the backyard.

Thankfully, she offered me a test sample of a new product called WIN High Performance Detergent. According to WIN's website, the science is oxygen: "Win Detergent's scientifically designed super oxygenated system directly targets offensive odors and stains. This powerful oxy cleaning technology eliminates the embedded sweat molecules and odors that overwhelm the fabric".

I'm all about finding products that can kill my offensive odors after sports. I won't lie - sometimes, I stink after a long, hard game of hockey. Thanks to Lyndsey, however, I'll be test-driving this product in the near future, and you'll get a full review on WIN High Performance Detergent. If you're interested in the product, you can find it in Canada exclusively at Shopper’s Drug Mart, and it retails for $7.99 for a 32 oz. bottle. It comes in normal WIN formula, and an eco-friendly formula entitled WIN Green. Look for this review in the coming weeks!

I also received an email from Jeff. Jeff is the promotional manager for Wholesalekeychain.com, an officially-licensed business that sells keychains in a variety of styles and themes. One is NHL-themed keychains, and I was kind of interested in seeing what Jeff had to offer after he had contacted me.

Granted, there isn't a lot of explanation needed when it comes to keychains, they have a fairly decent selection of NHL-themed keychains. These Colorado Avalanche keychains are pretty decent, and it appears that all the styles of keychain are available in all 30 NHL teams.

However, if you're a fan of the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, or the Washington Capitals, you may have to be content with the old logo. It could be that the website simply hasn't been updated, but it appears that the old logos are all that are available for those teams.

Not to worry, though, because I've requested a sample, and I will be offering up these NHL-themed keychains in my next contest. You, the readers, will have the opportunity to win a keychain along with other prizes in the next contest, compliments of Jeff and the good people at Wholesalekeychain.com.

In a third email, I received a message from Sean McDonald who wanted to know if I was remarkable. I can tell you that I am not remarkable in any way. In all seriousness, though, Sean wanted me to know that Guinness Canada was celebrating its 250th Anniversary, and they are running a remarkable contest!

The "Be Remarkable" contest essentially lets you do what you've always dreamed of: go into space, visit the Guinness brewery in Ireland, help out a charity of choice by providing them with some much needed time and money... literally, anything you can dream of is the grand prize in this contest.

So how does Guinness determine a winner? According to their rules and information, "[e]ntries will be judged and fulfilled based on the levels of inspiration, dedication, ingenuity and effort. All of which are characteristics of Guinness and its founder, Arthur Guinness". Click on the "Enter Now" option, and get your dream filfilled!

After all, watching an exciting hockey game works up my thirst, and I appreciate a sophisticated beverage to quench that thirst. And maybe Guinness isn't your beverage of choice. That's ok, too. You can still have your dream fulfilled simply by entering! And just to keep you entertained, here are a pile of Guinness advertisements (each word is a different advertisement). Because good advertising isn't lost on this writer. And I always love the old-time feel in those first five ads. Very pub-like.

I would like to thank Lyndsey, Jeff, and Sean for providing me these opportunities and samples. As stated, you, the reader, will get a full review of both samples being sent, and I will offer up the keychains as prizes in the next contest. That's my "thank you" to you for stopping by and checking out this blog on a daily/weekly/monthly/whenever-you-have-time basis.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Pigs Won't Feed Ducks

Sorry, ladies. There will be no hockey in Mudville this season. The AHL announced today that the Iowa Chops franchise has been involuntarily suspended for the 2009-10 season after failing certain AHL by-laws and stipulations. I was fairly harsh towards the Chops when they debuted their team name last season, but I clarified in a second article what I was trying to convey after feeling the rage coming from the Hawkeye State. With today's news, however, it has become very apparent that professional hockey in Iowa might be a lost cause. Especially if owned by Schlegel Sports.

Let's go back to May 8, 2009 where some devastating news was dropped on Des Moines. The Anaheim Ducks notified the AHL team that they were terminating the agreement signed by the two franchises based upon the Chops failing to meet financial commitments set out in their agreement. I'm not exactly sure what the agreement stated, but clearly the Chops did not meet financial benchmarks set out by the agreement, and this gave the Ducks the opportunity to walk away. As an AHL franchise with no NHL affiliation, the Chops were behind the eight-ball for this upcoming summer.

There were cryptic messages posted on the Chops' website regarding the work that was going on behind-the-scenes to keep the Chops in Des Moines. Steve Nitzel, President of the Iowa Chops, posted this message on the site on May 11, 2009:

"I would like to let our fans... make that our best fans, our season ticketholders, feel at ease about the recent news regarding our affliation[sic] situation. I believe it’s the fans who take the biggest blow and that hurts me personally as I consider myself one of the biggest fans on the planet. In a move to show our commitment to customer service, the Iowa Chops have put a 30-day hold on the season ticket renewal deadline (was June 15th, now July 15th). I want to assure all of our fans that we are working feverishly to solve our current situation as quickly as possible. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 515-564-8700 or myself directly at 515-564-8720. Thank you for your support of the Iowa Chops!"

Working feverishly? There was no NHL affiliation on the horizon, there were some obvious emerging financial issues after the deal with the Ducks fell through, and the Chops were 17th out of 29 teams in AHL attendance after the 2008-09 season, averaging 4322 fans per game. I'm not sure how Mr. Nitzel was "working feverishly" to correct these problems when he cut off the only cashflow the Chops had over the summer.

However, I'll give the Chops the benefit of the doubt. I'll assume they worked their tails off to keep AHL hockey in Des Moines. I'm sure they were contacting the two NHL teams who didn't have an AHL affiliation - Edmonton and Dallas - in an attempt to try to forge an agreement with those franchises to continue their AHL battle. Except that the Dallas Stars pulled up roots after the Iowa Stars failed. And the Edmonton Oilers still own the rights to a suspended franchise in the Edmonton Roadrunners. Essentially, there was no team to contact in the NHL for an affiliation. So what work were the Chops doing? How were they working to save hockey in Des Moines?

On June 3, Aaron Artman, Vice-President of Teams for Schlegel Sports, posted this statement on the Chops' website:

"Schlegel Sports continues to work toward a solution for what we hope is a win-win for Polk County, Global Spectrum, and the hockey fans of Des Moines. The company is having conversations with the parties involved and we are working toward the best end result, with the best of intentions, and hope to have a clearer picture on a solution later this month."

A clearer picture? This is as clear as mud right now. No NHL agreement. No season ticket sales. No resolution to the financial problems that they experienced with the Ducks. What exactly was this franchise doing in the previous month after Mr. Nitzel's unofficial guarantee that he would do all he could to save hockey in Des Moines because he is "one of the biggest fans on the planet"?

This almost appears to be a public relations campaign for Schlegel Sports where the owners "did everything possible", as the rhetoric goes, despite facing all these obstacles.

13 days later, on June 16, there is another cryptic statement placed on the Chops' website, only this one is missing an author:

We’d like to remain patient as The County works through the options we’ve presented them with regard to the Iowa Chops. And while not getting too specific – as again, our intent is to remain patient while they evaluate the next steps – we’ve provided a few options that save professional hockey in Des Moines.

"Our intent behind this is to maintain not only the important revenue streams during hockey season to Global Spectrum and Polk County, but to also ensure that downtown businesses, bars and restaurants benefit from a hockey team, their fans, and their corporate partners. Regarding the scenario where we bring in a local partner and Central Hockey League team at our cost, we would ensure that fans and businesses can rely on the stewardship and relationships that a Des Moines area partner brings to the region and the operation.

"These solutions we’ve provided also ensure quick payment to all vendors both in Des Moines and within the broader hockey and business community."

Hold on a second. Did you catch that statement? "Regarding the scenario where we bring in a local partner and Central Hockey League team at our cost"?

On June 16, 2009, the Chops issued a statement that there would be no AHL in Des Moines, Iowa for the 2009-10 season. Not only that, but they have explored the possibility of (A) finding a new owner, and (B) bringing in a CHL team! Do you really believe that the Schlegel Sports group was interested in keeping the team at all? Remember, this was a team that, 13 days earlier, told everyone that they were working on a solution that was win-win for everyone involved. Not only that, but Mr. Nitzel told everyone that they were working on a solution. Was the solution to undercut the community by replacing the AHL franchise with a CHL franchise, and not tell your most important assets in your fans?

Speaking of which, June 22 saw another message posted to the Chops' website. Again, no name attached, but this one was directed right at those who were doing their part to support their AHL franchise:

"The Iowa Chops would like to inform their season ticket holders, who have made a financial commitment toward tickets for the 2009-10 season, that their payment and/or deposit has been transferred to the offices of Global Spectrum. Global Spectrum is the management company of the Iowa Events Center and the Wells Fargo Arena."

And it's become very apparent that the dream of keeping the Chops in the AHL in Des Moines was all but over. Schlegel Sports, "working feverishly" to remedy the AHL situation, fixed the problem by essentially screwing everyone over - the fans, the arena, the employees, the businesses near the arena, and the sponsors.

Remember when I said that "Iowa's New Team Stinks"? I was wrong. It was simply the ownership that stunk. And to the fans of the AHL in Iowa, I'm sorry that this had to happen. Over 170,000 people went to the Fargo Wells Arena last year to watch the Chops battle their AHL opposition, and Schlegel Sports basically is giving them all the finger.

Maybe it's just me, but, after this saga, does anyone else think that the Chops stink?

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Signing Kovalev Vs. Trading Heatley

Hours after Bob Gainey broke the news on live radio in Montreal that forward Alexei Kovalev wouldn't be back, Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray backed up the dump truck full of Canadian money, pouring out the contents to the tune of $10 million at the doorstep of the enigmatic Russian. While there is some debate to be had over whether or not such money is deserved by Kovalev - whose career is approaching twilight status - it is interesting to see if this may be the lynch pin that turns the tide for Dany "Get Me Outta Here" Heatley. Heatley, for all intents and purposes, sounds like he'll be a Senator for the upcoming season, but having Kovalev in town should take some of the burden off Heatley when it comes to scoring. That is, if Kovalev is worth all the pennies that Murray is throwing at him.

Kovalev's stats have been up and down more than an elevator during his four seasons in Montreal. He started 2005-06 with 65 points, dropped to 47 points the following season, ramped his play up to an 84-point campaign in 2007-08, and followed that up by going back to where he started with 65 points last season. Not bad over the four seasons, but nowhere close to where he was when he was playing with Pittsburgh.

The problem that now appears for Ottawa is that moving Heatley becomes an academic practice until Heatley waives his no-movement clause. The Senators appear to be over the NHL salary cap upper limit, meaning that some salary will need to be shed. Heatley's $7.5 million cap hit would be the obvious choice, but there has been no team outside of Edmonton that has offered Bryan Murray anything he would deem as acceptable.

Murray still needs to find the dollars and cap room to sign a second-line centerman, goaltender Brian Elliott, and pick up a serviceable defenceman who can eat some minutes. The first two are fairly important for Ottawa's success while the latter would provide some stability. With $7.5 million to play with, Murray's life would become a lot easier when it comes to filling those holes.

I'm not here to vilify Dany Heatley any more than he already has been. The people in Ottawa clearly find him toxic to their team, and they want him purged from the city as soon as humanly possible. I get that they feel betrayed after they had poured their hearts out towards him, cheering him on after every goal and booing those that slowed him down. I get that Heatley metaphorically ripped their hearts out after going public with his trade demands.

However, the people of Ottawa need to view his trade as being beneficial for the Senators as a whole now, rather than projecting their hatred towards him. Much like the Chris Pronger trade from Anaheim at the draft, the Dany Heatley trade saga now becomes a matter of dollars and sense, not a matter of spurned love and trampled adoration.

The Senators need to move Heatley in order to fill holes elsewhere. Whether or not they get Andrew Cogliano, Ladislav Smid, and Dustin Penner is irrelevant at this point. What they need is cap space. If I were GM Bryan Murray right now, I would forgo picking up Cogliano, and just deal for Penner and Smid with a draft pick thrown in. Penner and Smid give you a second-line centerman - potentially - and a serviceable defenceman. The draft pick gives you a future asset. The cap room allows you to sign Elliott. Done, done, and done.

Whether or not you get full value back for Dany Heatley means nothing at this point. What the Senators need is cap relief. Dealing Heatley for anything less than $7.5 million in returning players will offer more than holding onto him for greater returns, especially if he doesn't want to play for the Senators and head coach Cory Clouston.

While I have no clue what other teams are offering for Heatley, it is apparent that he wants no part of landing in Edmonton. Murray needs to be smart about this deal. He needs to go to a Western Conference team with decent assets coming back. There are few teams that have those options right now, but Murray needs to make a deal for his team to be on the right side of the ledger. And he needs to fill holes sooner rather than later.

Signing Kovalev gives Jason Spezza a solid, credible winger who can put pucks in the net. This was an excellent move by Murray to stabilize his scoring and add some veteran leadership. Holding on to Dany Heatley for what seems to be "the impossible deal" only hurts the Senators in the long-term.

If you're going to vilify anyone in this scenario, shouldn't it be the guy holding back the entire team because of his wish to get "market value" for a player whose value is plummeting each and every day? A second-line centerman, a serviceable defenceman, a draft pick, and cap room. It's not that hard to make a deal involving Heatley with those conditions, is it?

In other news, don't forget to submit your favorite hockey song that gets your blood pumping while watching a game! Details here on this reader survey!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Reader Response: Music

Ok, readers. There comes a time and place where I want your opinion. Today is one of those days. If there's one thing that can get a crowd rocking at a hockey game, it's the music played by the DJ sitting in the press box above. Some of the music is great while other songs make us want to get up and leave. Every single rink has their own sound, so I'm not looking for the best song from a particular arena. Montreal has the "Olé" thing that they do, Detroit has much love for Journey, and everyone else has their own musical claim. That's fine, and I'm not suggesting anyone change those songs or remove them from the playlists. What I am looking for are suggestions of songs that you like to hear at hockey games because it gets your blood pumping.

Whether it be something traditional like Europe's Final Countdown or something that is generally despised like Ram Jam's Black Betty, this is purely a subjective view on something that I, as a hockey fan, would like to know about those who stop in here. There are no right or wrong answers, but I'm always hunting for the next great hockey song.

Maybe it's something I haven't heard from an NCAA game or a CHL game, or maybe it's a song that doesn't get played at games that you feel should be played, but this is a curiosity to me. What song, when played in the arena, gets you pumped when you're sitting in your seat?

Perhaps it's an epic battle song? That tune is used by a hockey team as they line-up for a powerplay face-off right after a penalty is called on the visiting team.

Perhaps it's a classic rock song? The guitar introduction has some good riffs.

Maybe it's something lesser known? Sloan's Money City Maniacs has the sirens and build-up for a good entrance theme as the home team makes its way onto the ice.

Heck, maybe it's just a chilling rendition of the national anthem?

As hockey fans, what song is your "song of songs"? What song gets you pumped as you sit in your seat, anticipating big things from the home team? Post your songs in the comments, and I'll start running down a list. I'll be linking back to this for the next week, so give it some thought, and we'll see what kind of list we can compile.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

TBC: As The Puck Turns

Teebz's Book Club returns today with some summer reading material that you may enjoy. I know I did. Today, TBC is proud to bring to you a story of life in hockey, life surrounding hockey, and life after hockey in Brian Conacher's As The Puck Turns, published by Wiley. Mr. Conacher puts his career in hockey on paper in this book, and brings to light a lot of the untold stories around certain situations in hockey folklore. From his time with the Maple Leafs to his work in international hockey to managing and running a variety of minor-pro teams, Mr. Conacher's life has taken him all over the country, and brought a myriad of stories to light. These small, overlooked details are one of the best parts of the book, and As The Puck Turns really deserves a look if you enjoy hockey history and stories.

First, a little about the author. Brian Kennedy Conacher, on the right, is the son of NHL legend and athlete extraordinaire Lionel Conacher. Brian Conacher played for Team Canada at the 1964 Winter Olympics before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons. He won a Stanley Cup with the Leafs in 1967, but wasn't kept in Toronto. He was sent to the minors, and eventually was signed by the Detroit Red Wings. He retired shortly into that season, and instead moved on to broadcasting, working with CBC Sports and Foster Hewitt for the 1972 Summit Series. Conacher would go on to coach a number of minor-league teams before becoming the General Manager of the WHA's Indianapolis Racers and, later, the Edmonton Oilers. He also managed a number of arenas, including Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton and Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. Even when Mr. Conacher was out of hockey, he wasn't far away from it.

While this autobiography of Conacher's life is richly detailed, it seems like a shame that the recollection of events starts in 1967 after winning the Stanley Cup with the Maple Leafs. I would have loved to hear about growing up in the Conacher family, with his dad, two of his uncles, and two cousins all playing in the NHL at one point or another. It would have also been very interesting to hear about his time under Father Bauer with the Canadian National Team, but that part is also omitted. While I'm not complaining about what is included, omitting these portions of his life, and downplaying others, is disappointing. However, this is truly the only negative that I can say about Mr. Conacher's book.

Mr. Conacher clearly has a passion for international hockey, and was involved in some way or another for nearly 40 years with Hockey Canada. He shows some disappointment with the Nationals withdrawing from international play over a dispute with the IOC and IIHF regarding professional players. However, this door opened a new one, and we get to see the 1972 Summit Series from a perspective of a former player and broadcaster. And Mr. Conacher's telling of the games is incredible. He doesn't beat the drum for Canada in his descriptions. Instead, he tells the story of Canada-vs-USSR as an objective third-party for the most part.

Later on, he speaks of his time as a player in the upstart WHA before moving on to his time running the Clinton Comets in the Eastern Hockey League. With the EHL struggling, the league became the North American Hockey League, and Clinton Comets became the Mohawk Valley Comets. Conacher spares no detail when describing the operations of the team - ticket sales, bus routes, players, community involvement, and the circus of the NAHL are all described with as much detail as possible.

Conacher explains how the NAHL becomes the league that inspired the movie Slap Shot, starring Paul Newman, is based on. Bill Goldthorpe, a goon in the NAHL, is the basis for the character Ogie Oglethorpe, and the Carlson brothers became the Hanson brothers in the movie. Goldthorpe, a Syracuse Blazer, was feared throughout the league due to his apparent love of fighting, and the Johnstown Jets' trio of brothers - Steve, Jack, and Jeff, aka the Carlsons - were just as insane with their intimidation tactics. The chapter entitled "Hollywood Comes to the Mohawk Valley" might be the best in the book with all the information that Conacher spills about the movie and how the NAHL played a huge part in helping it get to the silver screen. It might be the best reason to pick up the book, even if the rest of the history doesn't interest you.

After getting through the NAHL, Conacher goes on to speak about his time managing the Indianapolis Racers, and provides his thoughts on the WHA as a whole. The information that Conacher tells in those chapters really shows how the WHA was a league built on pillars of sand. Conacher would manage the Racers to respectability, and move on to manage the Edmonton Oilers before their jump to the NHL. After encountering a power struggle in Edmonton between himself and Glen Sather, he ends up managing Northlands Coliseum, now called Rexall Place. After successfully managing that arena, he is offered the job of managing Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. And soon after, he was knee-deep in managing Maple Leaf Gardens, watching the gong show known as the Maple Leafs from the sidelines.

What I really enjoyed about Mr. Conacher's writing was all the small details that get overlooked. Mr. Conacher, it seems, remembers everything, and that makes for a really good story. For example, Mr. Conacher recounts a story with the Comets' bus after the filming of Slap Shot that, if you've seen the movie, you can recall vividly:

"Later that summer, I got a call from our bus company saying that the 101 Beauty had been returned that night and that I might want to come over and look at it. One of the luggage doors had been badly damaged. It looked like someone had taken a large can opener and punched holes in it. I made several futile efforts to contact Universal Pictures, to ask them to pay for the repairs. I realized that the $6,000 I had received was all-inclusive. (When Slap Shot came into theatres in 1977, I finally found out the luggage door had been damaged by one of the players in yet another absurd hockey scene.)"

If you wanted a book that delves deep into hockey history while pulling no punches, Brian Conacher's As The Puck Turns is the book you want to pick up. His writing style is like listening to an old broadcaster paint a picture of life riding the buses, but he doesn't apologize for his beliefs or his values that he feels were important to him throughout his hockey-related careers. Because of this style, the book flows nicely along Mr. Conacher's timeline, and, as stated above, his attention to detail in all situations brings real feeling to the stories. Brian Conacher's As The Puck Turns is entirely worthy of the Teebz's Book Club Seal of Approval, and I encourage everyone to pick up his book.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

The Shuffle Continues

The free agent signings continue, contract re-negotiations are ongoing, and we even have a trade to talk about today. It's not surprising that the NHL Free Agency season causes some eyebrows to be raised, but I'm not convinced that some teams are making themselves better by jumping into the pool head first. However, I don't run an NHL team, nor am I qualified to, so I just bring you the news on the players who are shuffling off to new locales. After all, if I was running a team, I'd probably just Twitter my activities all day.

As a sidenote, I'm not on Twitter, nor will I be. As far as I'm concerned, it's Facebook-lite, and I never jumped on the Facebook wagon either. My status right now? Sitting in front of my computer, shaking my head over a couple of transactions. And now? Scratching my arm because it's itchy. And now? You get the point. So yeah, um, let's look at those player moves, shall we?

• The biggest news out of the NHL today was the trade between the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings. The Avalanche sent winger Ryan Smyth to Los Angeles for defenceman Tom Preissing, defenceman Kyle Quincey, and a fifth-round draft pick in 2010. The Kings get a solid power forward with decent hands and play-making skills. The Avalanche get Quincey, who can move the puck, and a couple of spare parts. Are the Avalanche trying to shed contracts in an effort to sign LaBron James in 2010? Why would they make this deal?
  
• In continuing with the trade examination, the Avs get Preissing, who only appeared in 22 games last season, recording three goals and four assists with a -7 rating. Quincey played in 72 games, scoring four goals and picking up 34 assists while posting a -5 rating. Going to Los Angeles, Ryan Smyth played in 77 games, recording 26 goals and 33 assists with a -15 rating. Smyth has a big price tag, but the Kings have a ton of cap space, and gave up almost nothing with the emergence of their young blueliners. I'm still shaking my head over this trade. Colorado trades their leading scorer for a decent young defenceman, a pylon, and a garbage draft pick. They couldn't pry a third-rounder out of Lombardi? Why did they make this trade?
  
• BREAKING NEWS: Colorado, solidifying their "rebuild" status by trading Ryan Smyth, have now officially been mathematically-eliminated from the 2010 NHL Playoffs.
• In sticking with the Kings, they signed defenceman Rob Scuderi to a four-year, $13.6 million contract. Yes, they overpaid, but they are getting a no-nonsense, defensive defenceman who will lead by example. Scuderi's season last year earned him the pay increase, and, if he continues his fine play, will be worth every penny that the Kings spent on him.
  
• The Columbus Blue Jackets and Rick Nash have agreed on a new deal that will keep the emerging superstar in Ohio for the foreseeable future. The Jackets and Nash agreed on an eight-year deal worth a reported $62.4 million, resulting in a cap hit of $7.8 million annually. Nash essentially is getting superstar-type money now, so he'll be expected to carry his team to the playoffs again this season. When comparing his play to others making this kind of ridiculous - Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Luongo - it will be interesting to see if he can take his game to a new level. I have all the respect in the world for Nash, but he needs to find that next level of his game for that kind of dough.
• The Vancouver Canucks dipped into the free agent market and signed former Detroit Red Wing forward Mikael Samuelsson to a three-year, $7.5 million deal. Samuelsson admittedly said that the reason he signed on the Left Coast was the money that Vancouver threw at him. Samuelsson scored 19 goals and 21 assists last season, along with an even plus/minus, and will be counted on for more offence in Vancouver. Like Detroit's love of the Swedes, Vancouver seems to be building a colony of Sweden with the Sedins, Samuelsson, and Edler under contract while still pursuing Mats Sundin.
• Ruslan Fedotenko is returning to Pittsburgh to defend the Stanley Cup after signing a one-year deal worth $1.8 million. Fedotenko took a pay cut to return to the Penguins for a chance at his third Stanley Cup. Honestly, this is a great signing at a good price tag. No complaints over this deal, especially if Fedotenko can get his season rolling early alongside Malkin.
• Glen Sather continues his strong push for Mismanagement of the Year. Sather signed perennial underachiever Tyler Arnason to a two-way deal. Arnason, who has disappointed fans in Denver, Chicago and Ottawa, moves to the biggest stage in the hopes that he can discover some sort of offensive ability. Honestly, people complained of Isiah Thomas' time in New York City after his questionable and ridiculous moves while leading the Knicks, yet no one is complaining about Sather vocally. Really, Ranger fans, has it come to this - an acceptance of mediocrity?
• The Minnesota Wild went out and got a little tougher after signing defenceman Shane Hnidy to a one-year deal. Hnidy won't change the dynamics of the Minnesota offence, but he brings a bit of a mean streak to the Twin Cities, and will certainly head into battle as a willing foot soldier. No complaints about that kind of player.

That's all I have for tonight, but I leave you with this question: if NHL teams are building for now and the future, why are there so many players taking contracts worth more than $7 million per season? That's 1/8th of a team's entire salary cap! Would it not be prudent for GMs to model their salary structure similar to Detroit - give the stars big money over the long-term, and sign the depth guys to lower salaries for shorter terms in order to guarantee success?

Seems almost elementary to me, but maybe it is true that money is more important that loyalty.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Selke: Builder and Shadow

We've taken a look at a few trophies that have centered around the offensive side of the puck. We've covered the Norris Trophy which goes to the best all-around defenceman in the regular season. We've also talked about the Vezina Trophy that goes to the best goaltender in the regular season. But what about the guys who shadow the scoring threats? What about the forwards who drop in front of a point shot and risk life and livelihood? For those great defensive forwards, the NHL hasn't forgotten them. In amongst all the offensive trophies is the Frank J. Selke Trophy, "awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game". While there is less glitz and glamour associated with this award, the guys that have won this award have been just as important to their teams' successes as the guys putting pucks in the net. So how did the Selke Trophy come to be? Who is this Frank J. Selke? Is there anything interesting we should know about the trophy?

Francis Joseph Aloysius Selke was born in Berlin, Ontario on May 7, 1893. Berlin, in case you're wondering, is now Kitchener, Ontario. Selke was a hockey player, but he enjoyed the administrative side of hockey. By age 14, he was managing the Iroquois Bantems hockey team. Five years later in 1912, he was coaching the Berlin Union Jacks junior hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association. By 1915, Selke had led the Union Jacks to their first OHA Final. By 1919, Selke had reached the pinnacle of junior hockey in Canada when he coached the University of Toronto Schools, a private secondary school in Toronto, to a Memorial Cup Championship.

Selke bounced around in junior hockey, but victories continued to follow him. By 1929, Selke had helped the Toronto Marlboros to another Memorial Cup Championship. With the Toronto Maple Leafs owning the Marlboros junior team, Selke's success was noticed by Leafs' owner, Conn Stafford Smythe, and was hired to be Smythe's assistant. Selke was a key factor in raising funds for the building of Maple Leaf Gardens in 1931. When Smythe was sent over seas to serve in the Canadian military during World War II, Selke was appointed as acting manager for both the Maple Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens. Ownership was so impressed with Selke during his time as the man in charge that they requested Selke remain in his position after Smythe returned.

The first major strain on Selke's and Smythe's relationship came when Selke traded Frank Eddolls to the Montreal Canadiens for Ted Kennedy in 1943. Eddolls was a favorite player of Smythe, and he was angry that Selke hadn't consulted him first before making the deal despite Smythe being overseas with the military still. Upon his return, their relationship was frosty at best. After Selke wouldn't support Smythe in his bid to become the President of Maple Leaf Gardens, their working relationship was essentially over. Selke resigned from his position with the Leafs in May of 1946.

Selke wasn't out of work for long, however. By July of 1946, Selke was hired as the manager of the Montreal Forum, and soon became the General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens. Selke was taking over a Canadiens team in some financial trouble, but he began building the Canadiens from the ground up. He went out and created an excellent farm system, covering most of Quebec and reaching as far west as Manitoba. He also signed a number of players to bolster their current line-up in an effort to draw fans.

While results weren't immediate, the dividends paid off in spades. In 1953, Selke won his first Stanley Cup with the Canadiens, led by played like Maurice Richard, Elmer Lach, and Jacques Plante. By developing his extensive farm system, players like Jean Béliveau, Henri Richard, Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, and Doug Harvey made their way to the Canadiens dressing room and helped Les Habitants to five consecutive Stanley Cup Championships from 1955-60. Selke's hard work at the start of his career with the Canadiens was producing amazing results.

Selke was getting older, being 67 when the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1960. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in that same year as a builder. Frank J. Selke finally hung up his coat and tie after the 1963-64 season at the age of 71, turning the team over to Sam Pollock. He was a member of nine Stanley Cup-winning teams - three with the Maple Leafs and six with the Canadiens.

It took some time, but the NHL honoured Mr. Selke with a trophy in 1978 to be given annually to the best defensive forward in the NHL. Also, the QMJHL created the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1969 to be given to the most gentlemanly player in the QMJHL during the regular season.

Mr. Selke passed away in 1985 at the age of 92 in Riguad, Quebec. Upon his passing, the QMJHL's Frank J. Selke Trophy was renamed as the Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy to remember the work that Mr. Selke did. In 2003, Frank J. Selke was honoured posthumously as a builder by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2003 due to his second passion of horse racing.

So there's a little history about the man behind the trophy's name. The first recipient of the Frank J. Selke Trophy was Bob Gainey in 1978. Gainey was a part of the Montreal Canadiens dynasty of the 1970s, and was a key piece of the Canadiens' success as he routinely shadowed the opposition's best player. Here are some of the more interesting facts about the Frank J. Selke Trophy:

• Bob Gainey won the Frank J. Selke Trophy the most times since it was first awarded in 1978. He won the Selke for four consecutive years, from 1977 until 1981. His four consecutive trophies is a record, and his four Selkes in total is also a record.
• Behind Gainey are former Canadiens-and-Stars forward Guy Carbonneau and Stars forward Jere Lehtinen. Both Carbonneau and Lehtinen have won the award three times. Only Lehtinen is still active so there's a chance he could tie Gainey.
  
• The Montreal Canadiens have won the Selke Trophy a total of seven times, although only two players have won the award in those seven occasions. Detroit is second with six Selke wins, and Dallas is third with three Selke wins.
• Of the six Selke wins by Detroit players, they have the best representation with four different players winning the award. Sergei Fedorov won twice, Pavel Datsyuk won twice, and Steve Yzerman and Kris Draper have won once.
• The only player in NHL history to win both the Hart Trophy, as regular-season MVP, and the Selke is Sergei Fedorov. He turned the trick in 1993-94. No player has won the Art Ross and Selke in the same year.
• In terms of positions, the best chance to win a Selke Trophy comes if you play as a centreman. Centremen have won 22 Selke Trophies, while left wingers have won five times and right wingers have won four times. Bob Gainey was the first left winger to win. Boston's Steve Kasper was the first centreman to win, earning his in 1982. Chicago's Dirk Graham was the first right winger to win a Selke Trophy, doing so in 1991.
  
• In total, there are 13 teams represented on the Selke Trophy. No team west of Dallas has won a Selke Trophy. The Northeast Division and Atlantic Division have four teams on the Selke Trophy each. The only team missing from the Northeast thus far is the Ottawa Senators, while the Atlantic Division hasn't had a winner from the New York Rangers. The Northwest Division has no winners thus far, the only division without representation.
• Sergei Fedorov was the first player not born in Canada to win the Selke. He did it in 1994. Fedorov, Pavel Datsyuk, and Jere Lehtinen are the only non-Canadian players to have won the Selke. There has not been an American-born player who has won the trophy yet.

As much as goal-scoring and offence is viewed as glamourous in the NHL, the defensive side of the puck also gets noticed when it comes to the hardware given out. While the winners of the Selke don't always light up the scoreboard, it's their selfless play that keeps other teams off the scoreboard as well.

Sometimes, the best offence needs a great defensive forward to compliment the guys putting pucks into the cages. And it's the Selke winners who always seem to be great leaders as well.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!

Free Agent Frenzy

It is a gorgeous day in my neighbourhood, and July 1st means one thing in Canada: NHL Free Agency opens! Ok, I kid. It's actually Canada Day, and I'm preparing for a night of fireworks as I join the family around the bonfire for some marshmallows. Canada turns 142 years-old today, the Canadian Football League opens its season, and there are more dollars and cents being tossed around the NHL than the stock market. There have been some absolutely insane deals, and some very good ones. Surprisingly, there were a lot of dollars dumped at the doorsteps of players by the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers, and the Chicago Blackhawks. But I'll run through each teams' acquisitions individually, and post my thoughts below.

Re-signed defenceman Scott Niedermayer.
Teebz: They need Niedermayer after trading away Pronger, and got confirmation of his return at the draft. They really need to go out and re-sign Beauchemin, but nothing on that front yet.

Traded for defenceman Pavel Kubina (TOR) and forward Tim Stapleton (TOR).
Teebz: For a team that is struggling to put fans in the seats, you'd think they would have gone out and tried to improve their team with the signing of a major star, right? Wrong. Kubina is now a Thrasher, and he's not going to put people in the seats. Or pucks in the net.

Re-signed forward Byron Bitz, and signed forward Steve Begin (DAL).
Teebz: Boston adds some more grit up front, signing a couple of guys who have never shied away from hard work.

Signed defenceman Steve Montador (BOS).
Teebz: This move is simply a depth move. After losing Jaroslav Spacek through free agency, Montador will be expected to absorb some of his ice-time.

Re-signed defenceman Adam Pardy, signed forward Fredrik Sjostrom (PHO).
Teebz: After signing Jay Bouwmeester earlier this week, there wasn't a lot of cash to throw around in Cow-town. Pardy was re-signed as a gritty, physical defenceman. Sjostrom is a strange signing considering the Flames' forward lines.

Re-signed forward Erik Cole.
Teebz: Cole took the offer that Carolina gave him mainly because he seems unable to score goals anywhere but in North Carolina. Why ruin a career by moving? Ignore his time in Edmonton. That was an aberration.

Signed forward Marian Hossa (DET), signed forward Tomas Kopecky (DET), signed forward John Madden (NJD).
Teebz: I find it impossible to believe that Chicago was willing to give Marian Hossa a 12-year deal. The price tag of $5.23 million per season isn't bad, but 12 years? Really? Kopecky is a good depth player, and Madden is someone who can step into Sami Pahlsson's shoes after Pahlsson left for greener pastures. Chicago's penalty kill should be better next year with Kopecky and Madden.

Signed goaltender Craig Anderson (FLA), signed forward David Koci (TBL).
Teebz: Is Colorado looking for another top-five draft pick next season? Anderson is decent, but he is not going to turn this team around. Koci was signed to bring an element of toughness after Ian Laperriere left for more greenbacks elsewhere.

Signed forward Samuel Pahlsson (CHI), signed goaltender Mathieu Garon (PIT).
Teebz: Nothing major here, but adding a good leader and a couple of Stanley Cup Champions will help the dressing room in Columbus. Pahlsson should improve the Blue Jackets' penalty kill.

No moves on July 1.
Teebz: The Stars re-signed Jere Lehtinen before July 1, but there was a real opportunity for them to get some younger talent in their organization today. However, they stood still, and added no one.

No moves on July 1.
Teebz: Detroit already said that they wouldn't be doing a lot of work come July 1, and GM Ken Holland held true to his word. Losing Hossa is a lot of goals gone, but Detroit is deep in talent, so I'm sure Holland will come up with something.

Re-signed defenceman Jason Strudwick, signed goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (CHI).
Teebz: Major upgrade in goal for the Oilers if Khabibulin can stay healthy. Strudwick is a physical defenceman who signed for cheap, so there's no complaints there.

Re-signed forward David Booth, re-signed forward Radek Dvorak, signed goaltender Scott Clemmensen (NJD).
Teebz: I like the re-signing of Booth, and adding Clemmensen gives Florida another capable backup behind Tomas Vokoun. I would suspect that Clemmensen will get more starts in Florida than he would behind Martin Brodeur, so this is a good move for Clemmensen as well.

No moves on July 1.
Teebz: This is surprising. GM Dean Lombardi has a ton of cap space to use, and he's made no moves yet. With the major stars disappearing, the lack of activity from Lombardi is shocking.

Signed defenceman Greg Zanon (NAS), signed forward Martin Havlat (CHI).
Teebz: Zanon is a quality defenceman. He's steady, but won't do much for the offensive side of the coin in Minnesota. Havlat, on the other hand, is a perfect replacement for Marian Gaborik, and tends to be a little more durable as well. He should be able to help the offence produce more than 0.6 goals per game. I kid, Wild fans. I kid.

Signed defenceman Jaroslav Spacek (BUF), signed defenceman Hal Gill (PIT), signed forward Mike Cammalleri (CAL), signed forward Brian Gionta (NJD).
Teebz: Montreal opened up the vault and starting dumping money all over the place. They shored up their blueline by adding Spacek and Gill after losing Komisarek, and they added some goal-scoring with Cammalleri and Gionta. Montreal didn't take a giant step forward, but it's progress.

Re-signed forward Joel Ward, re-signed forward Steve Sullivan.
Teebz: Nashville really didn't move from where they were before July 1. Re-signing Sullivan is an excellent move as Sullivan is a fan favourite and a decent scoring threat.

Re-signed defenceman Andy Greene.
Teebz: Viewing the losses of Gionta, Madden, and Clemmensen, the Devils' talent level plummets. Greene is a capable defenceman, but the Devils already struggle to score goals. Lou Lamoriello has a lot of work to do.

Signed goaltender Dwayne Roloson (EDM).
Teebz: With the signing of Roloson, it appears that Rick DiPietro is either still hurt or is willing to share the goaltending duties. I'm going with my instincts here and saying that DiPietro is still seriously hurt. Thankfully, he has that 15-year contract. He might play in Year 12 at this rate.

Signed forward Donald Brashear (WAS), signed forward Marian Gaborik (MIN).
Teebz: After trading away the albatross contract of Scott Gomez, Glen Sather goes right back out and drops $7.5 million per season for five years on the oft-injured Marian Gaborik. And he laughed when Nik Antropov asked for $5 million per season. Is it just me or is Glen Sather needing a padded cell and a straight-jacket?

Re-signed forward Chris Neil.
Teebz: This deal finally got done. Bryan Murray would likely have been working the phones overtime with Edmonton on the apparent Dany Heatley trade, but nothing else has come out of the Ottawa camp. Which is surprising since this team was so bad defensively last season.

Signed goaltender Brian Boucher (SJS), signed forward Ian Laperriere (COL).
Teebz: Laperriere makes Philly tougher up front, and gives them an agitator to help play against Ovechkin and Crosby or Malkin. Boucher will provide some stable backup goaltending for Ray Emery with his second stop in Philly.

Signed forward Vernon Fiddler (NAS), signed goaltender Jason LaBarbera (VAN).
Teebz: With no apparent owner and no budget set, the Coyotes are more or less in a holding pattern. Fiddler is a decent forward who will most likely play second- or third-line, but he's not going to propel the Coyotes into the playoffs alone. LaBarbera will serve as a capable backup goalie behind Ilya Bryzgalov.

Signed forward Michael Rupp (NJD).
Teebz: Pittsburgh did some solid signing before July 1 in re-signing Bill Guerin and Craig Adams - two guys who were key in their Stanley Cup win this season. Adding Rupp makes them a little bigger and a little tougher, something every team can use.

Re-signed defenceman Kent Huskins.
Teebz: Rob Blake was signed before July 1, but re-signing Huskins gives them a physical defenceman on their blueline again. Huskins won't give you many points, but he is a willing foot soldier in battle.

Signed goaltender Ty Conklin (DET).
Teebz: With Mason platooned in St. Louis as the starter, St. Louis needed a proven journeyman to sit the bench. Ty Conklin has done that the last two seasons for the Stanley Cup runner-ups, and he'll do it again in St. Louis this season.

Re-signed defenceman Lukas Krajicek, signed defenceman Mattias Ohlund (VAN), signed defenceman Matt Walker (CHI).
Teebz: How many defencemen are under contract with the Lightning now? A dozen? 15? 20? We know they were terrible defensively last season, but signing two more defencemen won't help. Ohlund, I assume, was signed to play defence and mentor Victor Hedman through his first few years.

Signed defenceman Mike Komisarek (MTL), signed forward Colton Orr (NYR), traded for defenceman Garnet Exelby (ATL), traded for forward Colin Stuart (ATL).
Teebz: Toronto gets tougher and meaner, something that Brian Burke has to like. While I'm not sold on these moves helping Toronto's anemic offence, they should help the defensive zone coverage. And Toronto can use that help desperately.

Re-signed forward Henrik Sedin, re-signed forward Daniel Sedin, signed defenceman Aaron Rome (CBJ).
Teebz: I am relieved that both the Sedins and Canucks avoided the 12-year scenario for a five-year deal. That seems reasonable, especially when there's no guarantee on production. Rome is a serviceable defenceman, but he'll most likely end up in Manitoba to start the season.

Signed forward Mike Knuble (PHI).
Teebz: Washington desperately needed a quality power forward in their series against Pittsburgh, and they went out and got one in Knuble. Knuble scores goals consistently, and this should open some ice for Ovechkin, Semin, and Backstrom with Knuble heading to the net.

I'm not saying who is a winner on July 1 yet as there is still time for things to play out. However, I'm baffled by the Blackhawks, Canadiens, and Rangers. In particular, the Marian Gaborik deal is one of complete idiocy.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!