HBIC YIR - Part Two

We're back with Part Two of the HBIC Year-In-Review. We have a number of topics that dominated the news in hockey during the second half of the year, and HBIC touched on a number of them. From head shots and concussions to the return of the Winnipeg Jets to historical looks back at the NHL, there were a ton of stories that made headlines on HBIC this year. These are the stories that I found most notable from July 1, 2011 until December 31, 2011. Starting tomorrow, HBIC will introduce something fun for readers to have a little fun with, and, in turn, a chance for me to have you direct this blog in a bigger way. We'll look at that tomorrow, but here's the second half of the HBIC Year-In-Review. Enjoy!

JULY

• Independence (Missouri) Day - I look at the CHL's Missouri Mavericks based out of Independence, Missouri on Independence Day.
• Directions In 1967 - I look at the local hockey hangouts identified in 1967 for the six new teams. Most of these places are no more, unfortunately.
• Before They Hit The Ice - Some great news about the origins of some of the WHA teams.
• Helluva One-Dollar Deal - I look back on Kris Draper's excellent NHL career.

AUGUST

• More NHL-WHA History - Another fascinating look at the 1970s when two leagues battled for territory and players.
• Membership Dues - I take a long look at the exorbitant NHL expansions fees being charged, and track the increase through the years.
• NCAA Defeats UND Sioux - The NCAA forces one of the most iconic college teams in history to change its identity because of a rule. I'm not impressed.
• Where The Shirts Have No Names - I take a look back at when the Maple Leafs wore blue lettering on blue jerseys, making their names invisible!
• POTUS He Was Not - More fascinating WHA stories. This league was crazy!
• 1991 Was A Barometer - I uncover more info on the ballooning expansion fees charged by the NHL through the 1990s.

SEPTEMBER

• I'll Miss Him - After losing Rick Rypien and Derek Boogaard, Wade Belak's life is cut short as well as he took his life.
• Less Violence = More Players - Along with a number of examples, I make a case that Canadian hockey is actually suffering because of how we play in Canada.
• Hockey's Darkest Day - Just days after Belak's death, the plane crash in Russia occurs, killing all members of the KHL's Yaroslavl Lokomotiv hockey team.
• When Reality Outcosts Fantasy - I am shocked and appalled by the cost for attending the Mario Lemieux Fantasy Camp.
• Easterbrook Gets It - I commend ESPN columnist Gregg Easterbrook for his look at head shots and how they should be punished heavily.

OCTOBER

• Flipping Through The Newspaper - Some crazy articles from newspapers of yesteryear.
• Why Shanahan Is Right - According to popular opinion, Canadians believe that most checks to the head are, in fact, intentional. Shanahan celebrates.
• The Last Days Of The WHA - I look back at the final days of the WHA along with some interesting facts about the rival "rebel league".
• He Was Called "Brinks" - A look at Wayne Gretzky's first professional hockey season in the WHA. Yes, he had a nickname.
• It Sounds Like A Nice Place - A look at Cherry Hill where the WHA's New Jersey Knights played. Reserve your judgment until you read this.
• Rome Wasn't Built In A Day - I look at Stanley Cup-winning teams and the average age of their players. It's a bit of an eye-opening article.
• The Vultures Circled - A great look at the last few weeks of the Cleveland Barons.
• Oregon? Ohio? Ottawa? Oh... Oakland! - We get to see Charles Finley's prototype jersey in a photograph he's holding. Almost unheard of in today's day and age.

NOVEMBER

• No Penalty For Interfering - A look back at Harold Ballard's tumultuous run as the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Old Headlines - I always find interesting articles in old newspapers.
• How Things Unfolded - A chronological look at how the Barons died a slow death in Cleveland.
• Smith Find New Lease On Career - I like stories like this, and it's great to see a player like Mike Smith getting another chance to stand out in the NHL.

DECEMBER

• Meow Mix Didn't Deliver Blues - A detailed look at how the St. Louis Blues almost left for greener pasture in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
• My Early Pulitzer Choice - John Branch's look at Derek Boogaard's life in hockey is simply amazing. Mr. Branch needs to be recognized for this effort.
• Baron Von North Star - The story of how the Cleveland Barons became part of the Minnesota North Stars.
• Eagles Abandon Nest - The story about how the St. Louis Eagles played all of one season in St. Louis before flying the coop.
• Cam Ward Help Himself - Ward becomes the tenth goalie in NHL history to be credited with a goal after the Devils help him out.

Ok, so there are my favorite stories from 2011 on HBIC. You may differ, and that's completely cool. Discussions are great, and I really want to encourage you to speak your mind in the comments or via email. Historical articles will continue in the new year, and I'll have something fun so that you can have more fun on this blog.

Until 2012, Happy New Year, readers!