NHL Draft Stories at KING 5

Posted several hockey stories over at the KING 5 site.

NHL Draft Wrap Up (focusing on WHL players taken in the draft)

First Round Wrap Up

NHL Draft Prospect: Calvin Pickard Interview

NHL Draft Prospect: Kent Simpson Interview

Weekend in LA, Day One

I can’t work in the media workroom – there’s no space available. So, I’m sitting in a waiting area near the guest elevators, lounging on a comfy couch and smiling at everyone who walks by while I type. The sightseeing’s been a bit interesting so far. As Steve Yzerman walked across the open area toward the elevators, he spotted my credentials and smiled. What could I do but smile back?

LA is crazy right now and it seems that this sprawling plaza that surrounds Staples Center is “Ground Zero” for a number of events, including the NHL Draft and a star-studded, red-carpet premiere of the final “Twilight” movie. As I wandered from the Marriott Hotel and around a maze of barricades toward the Staples Center, I passed hundreds of “Twilight” fans already lined up to catch a glimpse of their favorite star (Team Edward or Team Jacob, anyone?). The NHL folks set up a little construction trailer outside one of the entrances to SC. It’s a pretty unassuming little set-up, until you see the big blue sign that reads, “Credentials,” and two doors. One door reads “Enter.” The other says “Exit.”  Pretty self-explanatory. I climbed the steps, pulled open the “Enter” door and came face to face with Mark Fischel, who helped me navigate the credential process and told me very nicely that my photographer request had been denied because the “photog” in question was not affiliated with a major newspaper or a photo agency, like Getty Images. Made sense.

Mark and I shook hands and he handed over a nice, big plastic credential with my picture grinning out at me, and a nice NHL Draft lanyard to which I could affix it and hang it around my neck, thus labeling me to anyone passing by that I am a member of the MEDIA, in town to cover the NHL DRAFT. Talk about feeling official. Newly credentialed, I made my way back to the Marriott and the overcrowded media workroom, where I chatted with John Fontana from Raw Charge for a few minutes, looked for a place to plug in my dead laptop (it died midflight), then decided to go somewhere else to write as I could not find anywhere to plug in. Which brought be to the lounge-type area between the meeting rooms and the guest elevators and my smile exchange with Mr. Stevie Y. He looks tan, fit and thinner than he does on TV (Yes, the camera DOES add weight!). I don’t know if he was surprised to see a woman of my age (40-something) and build (NOT a skinny-minnie) with an NHL Draft credential and a laptop. If he was, he didn’t show it. The smile he bestowed as he strode by was kind, and knowing (as in, he knows that I know who he is).

So, here I sit. As of this writing, it’s 4:20pm and I’m tired and hungry, but not as sweaty as I was after that hike to SC to get my creds. A cool, air conditioned breeze is wafting through and I’m quite comfy on this couch, watching people walk by.

John texted me that they’re closing up the media workroom so I rushed over to grab my bag, then decided to continue writing down in the lobby. Talk about sightseeing! Hockey prospects, women dressed to the nines, waiting to walk the red carpet at the “Twilight” premiere and a host of conventioneers (there seem to be a couple taking place at the hotel).  As I sat, trading texts with friends and people watching, Stevie Y moseyed into the lobby. While he was chatting with two enthralled young men, he glanced over, spotted me and waved. I’m sorry, folks, but you can’t fake that kind of attentive kindness. This man is the real deal.

I chatted with two glittery women who were waiting for a guy to show up with their red carpet tickets (tickets to walk the red carpet? Now I’ve heard everything!) I asked them if they followed hockey at all. They both shook their heads, then one piped up, “My husband loves hockey. He’s a Buffalo Sabres fan.” I pointed over at Stevie Y and said, “That’s a hockey legend over there.” She looked over, then asked, “Is that Wayne Gretzky?”

*FACE PALM*

I explained who Stevie Y was, and she nodded enthusiastically but I could tell she couldn’t care less. The guy with the red carpet tickets showed up and they wandered off to get in place. Not long after that, top prospects Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin appeared in the lobby, dressed in suits. They joined Stevie Y and someone told me they were going to the premiere as well. I’m sure they didn’t need tickets to walk the red carpet, though.

My sightseeing venture ended when my friend Justine arrived to ferry me to her lovely home in Brentwood. Tomorrow, the real excitement begins. My first NHL draft. I really hope our local guys: Calvin Pickard, Kent Simpson, Radko Gudas and Alex Theriau go quickly—and to awesome teams. Well, whoever gets those guys will be awesome just by virtue of drafting them, but I guess that’s my homerism talking.

Good luck to all the prospects.

2010 NHL Draft - Mock Drafts = Learning Experience

Last weekend, we dedicated most of our CCPT radio show to the Draft. I must confess, I'm fascinated by all the "mock" drafts leading up to the real deal. I never really thought about trying to predict which teams will take which players (aside from the top picks, of course). As guest Nick Giglia from Hockey Independent talked about strategy surrounding the draft, then shared his own mock draft, I realized I'm more than ignorant about the process, I'm downright clueless. How much skill does it take to boldly predict that the team with the #1 pick will pick the #1 prospect (or the #2, as the case may be). I was more fascinated with the projected wheelings and dealings of teams picking 10th or lower. And what about these supposed trades and other strategies? I know there are hockey experts who spend a great deal of time researching all the nuances and delve into the mindsets of those who hold the futures of more than 200 hopeful players in their hands.

My interest in this year's draft lies solely in the fact that 4 players from our local WHL teams are eligible: Goalie Calvin Pickard from the Seattle Thunderbirds, and goalie Kent Simpson and D-men Radko Gudas and Alex Theriau from the Everett Silvertips. I'm also interested to see where Nino Neiderreiter (Portland Winterhawks) and Brooks Macek (Tri City Americans) end up, as well as which young players the Pens and Kings will pick.

Hearing Nick's picks (and reading up about the various teams that may take Calvin Pickard) intrigued me so much, I ordered a copy of McKeen's NHL Hockey Draft Guide and read the scouting reports on the top 90 prospects. Here's a LINK to more info about the guide. I also delved into the various mock drafts posted online by various hockey bloggers and writers. I've linked some below. See how your picks match up, then let's meet back here after the draft to see whose mock draft came closest to the real thing!

B.D. Gallof & the Isles blogosphere - Hockey Independent
Scotty Wazz - The Strangest One of All
SB Nation's mock draft (submitted by John Fontana of Raw Charge)
Joe Correia - Bleacher Report
NHL.com Staffers
The Hockey Guys
PHT on NBC

Hockey Off-Season Survival Guide.... Sorta

If you listen very closely, you can hear the tumbleweeds rolling across the once ice-covered surfaces of arenas across the country. Or maybe you hear the sound of crews setting up RV shows, monster truck rallies or concerts where pucks once flew and bodies slammed bodies into the boards.

Yes, the dreaded off season is here. The Stanley Cup has been paraded through the streets of Chicago and even made an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The Calder Cup has been lifted in Hershey, as the Caps' minor league team achieves what has eluded its parent team - a national championship. Well not only a national championship, but back-to-back championships.

So, Blackhawks and Bears fans are still celebrating; still riding the cloud of euphoria that comes with seeing their team capture that golden ring - or rather, that silver cup. The rest of us have been twiddling our thumbs, half-heartedly cheering friends whose teams were still in the running, and trying not to think about just how many days, weeks, months must creep by before the roar of Zamboni engines ushers in a new season.

But while many people twiddle their thumbs, set reminder countdowns to pre-season, or try to lose themselves in baseball to pass the time, a number of hearty hockey souls are working hard to help feed your puck-lust until training camps get underway.  I'm including a few websites and online radio shows that should get you through the dog days of summer. I also have a crazy long list of blogs and sites on my blogroll elsewhere on this site. Grab a snack, an icy cold drink and click away to your heart's content. And if you have a minute, let us know which sites really strike your fancy. Have a blog you want to see included? Leave a comment telling us about the site. Please provide a link, too.

Preds On The Glass - Buddy & Jackson Oakes plan to keep us informed about all things Nashville, on their website and internet radio show. (Note: They will be sporadic until after July 4, because of travel)

The View from 111 -  Mark Willoughby waxes poetic about the Preds and other topics.


The Hockey Guys - Anthony, Brandon, Dustin and Joe cover a wide variety of hockey-related topics. They also host an online radio show by the same name. (Note: The guys say they’ll post and broadcast all summer, but not always on a weekly basis.)

Lightning Shout, Raw Charge – Tampa Bay fans will find all kinds of Tampa Bay coverage, courtesy of Bill at Lightning Shout and Cassie & John at Raw Charge. This is good to know, since the Lightning are undergoing some major changes under new GM Steve Yzerman’s tutelage.

7^th Woman – Dee is an Islanders fan of the first degree and her blogs are top notch.

Chicks Who Give A Puck – A group of women who really know their hockey.

Oshie’s MN Section 8A Hockey – TJ’s dad, Coach Timothy Oshie runs this site that’s a must for any hockey fan remotely interested in the talent being developed in Minnesota.

Cup Crazy’s National Hockey League – Paul is a regular on CCPT Radio, updating listeners on the situation surrounding the Phoenix Coyotes.  His website offers much more.

Hockey Independent – the brainchild of Islanders fan and writer B.D. Gallof, HI features a number of writers covering just about every team in the league.

Pine Tree Pucks – Hockey talk from the heart of Maine.

NHL Hot Stove – A veritable “who’s who” of hockey minds cook up a feast to appease any appetite.(Writers include: Dave Strehle <- @PhilaDAVEia on Twitter, and the boys from The Hockey Guys)

Opiated Sherpa – One of our favorite Twitter names has a website. We approve.

Flyers Faithful, Flyer Flies – All Philly, all the time.

The Program BTR – Chris, Rick, Kevin, Bob and others cover all kinds of hockey topics on their website and online radio show.

Hockey Broad – This girl loves the Blackhawks, but that’s not all she writes about.

Scotty Wazz – He’s one of the most creative hockey minds out there. If you don’t know his work, you’re missing out.

Miles Davis Exploration – Don’t let the name fool you. Noah mixes jazz and hockey like nobody’s business.

Talking Hockey today!

My friend Cassie and I are taking to the airwaves again this afternoon to talk hockey. Today, we'll be joined by Flyers fan/writer David Strehle (@PhilaDAVEia on Twitter). We can't wait to talk about the SCF with him! Paul Gheduzzi (@scoobydoozi on Twitter) will also be here to update us on the situation surrounding the Phoenix Coyotes. And... I'll put Cassie on the hot seat for our "3 Questions" segment!

Join us at 3pm Pacific/6pm Eastern/11pm in the UK, or download the podcast later.
Here's the link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/connectpucktalk/2010/06/06/connect-community-puck-talk

Interview with former T-Bird/current Marlie: Greg Scott

This interview was originally published online at the KING 5 sports site. However, when the station switched to a new server, a lot of old stories were blown out. So... to keep my stuff from vanishing into the ether, I'm re-posting all stories lost by KING5.com.  This is one of them: an interview with former Seattle Thunderbird Greg Scott, who is now with the Toronto Marlies, in the Maple Leafs organization. (The interview was originally published in summer of 2009). ~ Su R.

 Greg Scott (Photo: Toronto Marlies)

We continue our conversations with Seattle Thunderbirds and Everett Silvertips players who have graduated out of the WHL, and are taking their next steps on the path to make their hockey dreams come true.  Today, we catch up with T-Bird winger Greg Scott, who is just as well known for his sense of humor and friendliness off the ice, as his ability to not only score goals, but set up scoring chances for his line mates.

Greg wrapped up his fourth year with the T-Birds with a stellar season. He led the in goals (32) and assists (44) for 76 points. His plus/minus rating was a whopping +14. He registered 6 assists in 5 post season games, as Seattle fell to a strong Spokane Chiefs team in the first round.  Immediately after the T-Birds’ season ended, Greg headed to Toronto, to join the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate Marlies. He didn’t play in any games, but practiced and worked out with the team and watched them advance to the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, where they lost in 6 games to eventual Calder Cup finalists, Manitoba Moose.

When I caught up with Greg a couple of weeks ago, he was home in Victoria, BC, preparing to move to Toronto. You see, the Maple Leafs have invited him and several other players to spend the summer training intensively with the Leafs.  However, he jovially took a few minutes to chat about his time with the T-Birds, how he caught the eye of Toronto’s GM without even realizing it, the teammate he says may just be funnier than he is, and the yearly team project he calls a “win-win” situation for players and the children at Seattle’s Ronald McDonald House.

KING:  What’s the difference between the Marlies and Thunderbirds?

GS: Well, the WHL is a lot younger. The WHL is 16 to 20 year olds and the AHL is 20 to however old. The guys are a lot stronger. Everyone was real friendly and the guys were a lot stronger and bigger and faster.  It’s quite a big step but it was good to get experience there.

It’s a big step.  Of course, everyone wants to go to the NHL; that’s their main goal. And the AHL is just one step away.  It takes a lot of hard work and determination to get there. In the end, we want to make it to the NHL, obviously but the step from the WHL to the AHL is still a pretty big step.

KING: I was reading up about you and I did not know that you did not get drafted as a Bantam, nor were you drafted by the NHL, but yet here you are.  How did you end up on the T-Birds?

GS: I was passed up on the Bantam draft. To be honest with you, I didn’t even know what the Bantam draft was.  I wasn’t familiar with it. I was passed up and some person I knew got drafted and I was like, “what’s that? What’s this Bantam draft?”  And when I was 16 and playing for the Peninsula Panthers Junior B team, Bryan Bridges played goalie on the Seattle Thunderbirds. His dad was my coach. So he kinda told the Thunderbirds about me and the Thunderbirds came and scouted me and they listed me when they came and saw me so, it was good. I went and tried out for the Thunderbirds and played four years there so it worked out pretty good.

KING:  I recently interviewed Bud Holloway and he said the most awesome line he was part of (with the T-Birds) was a line with you and Lindsay Nielsen.  I thought you did a great job with Prab Rai and Jim O’Brien last season. I think that rivals it. How do you feel about that?

GS Any line that I play on, I’m just gonna go and work hard, but last year, me, Bud and Nielsen, we had really good chemistry. We got put together and we just took off, I guess. Neely did his job, he was the center on our line and he played really well for us and Bud, he can score anywhere on the ice, it seemed. That was just good chemistry right there, but also with Prab Rai, he’s got unbelievable speed so if I give him the puck and he’s going down the wing, he can make a lot of chances out of nothing.

Me, Jim and Prab only played on a line for about 10 games, roughly.  I think it was right after Jim O’Brien got back from World Juniors. But then we were put on a line with me, Prab and Jon Parker, who’s a rookie and he did really well for us. He’s got a great shot, good hands; a pretty quick little guy. Playing with Prab, he’s so fast, so smart and smooth skating, it’s just an honor to play on his line. He’s such a tremendous player.

KING: Well, you seem like the type of guy who could pretty much adapt to any line and just really make it a lot better.  Bud really misses playing on a line with you.

GS: Me, Bud and Neely definitely had great chemistry. I loved playing with Neely. I loved playing with Bud. Bud’s got such great skill. You give him the puck and he’s gonna do good things. I’m just in the right spot at the right time and got put on a line with him. We just connected and it was awesome.

KING: You didn’t get drafted by the NHL but you got signed by Toronto. How did that come about?

GS: I got passed over in the NHL draft and I was pretty upset, but my first two years I really didn’t have good enough numbers to get drafted. That didn’t really get me down. I kept working and I think it was playoffs against Kelowna when I was 19, the Maple Leafs were there to watch Luke Schenn (current defenseman/Toronto Maple Leafs).  I think me and Schenn, we were going at it pretty good against each other and GM of the Maple Leafs t the time, Cliff Fletcher, was there scouting Schenn and he asked who I was, and that all started from there, so yeah, it worked out.

I had a rookie tournament at the middle of September. We played that then we went to the Toronto Maple Leafs main camp and I got sent down to the AHL team (Toronto Marlies). They kept me all the way until just before their first regular season game, then said I’d probably develop more if I played in the WHL since I’ll get more playing time. It actually worked out good. I think I gained a lot more experience playing in the WHL one more season.

KING: How old were you when you started playing hockey?

GS:  I was 5 years old, I think. My brother started playing first. He’s two years older than me. I guess I looked up to him at the time and I wanted to play hockey too.  I don’t remember this too well but my dad says that the first time I tried on skates, I was the worst skater he’s ever seen. He said it was like I was running on ice. But he said, ‘I’ll keep him in hockey as long he’s having fun.’ And eventually I guess I got it, got how to skate and stuff.

KING: It‘s really is important when you first start that it is about fun, isn’t it?

GS: Yeah, it is. I was just going out there in minor (youth) hockey just because my brother did it, I wanted to do it and met a lot of friends through hockey and then I just kept on doing it. I always dreamed of playing in the NHL but I didn’t know if I could do it. As the years go on, you start gaining a lot of confidence.  I got scouted by Seattle. That was a big step for me and then I got signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s just one step at a time. It is all about fun at the very start but there’s a point where it is fun but it’s also business, too.

KING: How old are you when you moved into a higher skilled league?

GS: When I was 16, I was playing for a Junior B team just outside of Victoria and that was decently competitive and back when I was 16 I thought that was the NHL almost, and just thought that was the best league there is.  I did pretty well there and eventually, Seattle took me and I went to Seattle. I thought Junior B was serious, then I went to Seattle and found out just how serious it was there.  From Junior B to the WHL it’s bigger guys, faster, better players, all that, but you learn to adapt pretty quickly. After the first few games, I wasn’t sure. I was almost doubting myself, wondering if I should have just gone to play Junior A and gotten a scholarship or something. I doubted myself a little bit, but then everything worked out.

KING: How long did it take you to get your feet under you here?

GS: I’d almost say two seasons, in a way.  That’s when I really started to take off. There were games when I’d have good games and I felt like I belonged but it really took me about two years to mentally think I’m good enough to play in this league.  I wish I could have wrapped my mind around it that it’s just hockey, as long as you compete and battle as hard as anyone else competes.

KING: You were also transitioning from living at home and moving to Seattle. It was almost like changing your life.

GS:  That’s actually a pretty big factor in a way.  I tried not to make it that big but you’re still pretty young. You’re 16, 17, moving out into someone else’s house and playing for a different team, meeting all new guys, because I didn’t know one guy coming into the league except for the goalie, Bryan Bridges, who I’d played with my 17 year old year. But when I was 16, you’d get home from school with the guys you’d been going to school with your whole life and it’s just comfort at home. When you move to Seattle it might be awkward for a little bit but the billets are unbelievable, the billets I’ve had over the years.

KING: Did you have one billet family for your four years there?

GS: No, I actually had four billets in all four of my years.  Every year I had a different billet. I think I might have made a record.  I got to meet four families and live in their houses but it was a good experience.  My first year, I had a roommate. His name was Clayton Barthel and he’s playing hockey in Germany right now. He was two years older than me so he knew the ropes of the league.  It was good to have him because he’s been around the league and knew what to expect.  He would kind of take me under his wing and I really appreciated it.  The next two years I went solo and lived on my own, which was nice, but in my fourth year I roomed with Steve Chaffin. He’s a really great guy. He’s young but he was already on the team; he wasn’t a rookie and we got along great.  He’s a pretty funny guy. I enjoy the odd joke here and there.

KING: I interviewed several players and they all say you are the guy who keeps things loose on the bench or is good for a joke or a prank. How does it feel to know you have the reputation for making your buddies laugh when things are tense?

GS: I’ve had that reputation almost my whole life. I was the class clown. But I could say almost the exact thing about Bud Holloway because Bud Holloway is one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. He always has a smile on his face. Everyone got along great so it was easy to make the odd joke here and there.

KING: I heard there’s one joker coming up the ranks this year: Calvin Pickard.

GS: Oh yeah, Calvin’s gonna be there, if he isn’t already there. He’s a funny guy. He’s a great guy too.

KING: How did playing all four years of your WHL career with the T-Bird help you develop as a player?

GS: It helped me develop a lot. I owe pretty much all I know to the coaches there: Rob Sumner, Turner Stevenson, all those guys. They coached me for the past four seasons on a pretty high level. There were guys who bounced around here and there were about four or five of us who stuck around since we were rookies: me, David Richard, Thomas Hickey, Lindsay Nielsen and Jeremy Schappert.  I think that’s everyone. We played all our years together so we got pretty close.  At first, we were the younger guys getting helped out, then after a couple of years, you’ve gotta kinda take that role because you’re the older guys. It all happened so quickly.   I think we handled it pretty well. Oh, I can’t forget Bud Holloway! I only played three seasons with him but he was there too.

KING: How is it going to the same school with your teammates?

GS: When I went to Lake Washington High School, I went in not knowing anybody except the guys that I’d just met, like Thomas Hickey, Bud Holloway, David Richard, all those guys. I’d just met them and now I’m going to school with a bunch of random kids that I’ve never seen before and in another country. Even though Canada and the US are almost the same, it’s definitely different.

KING: You’re dealing with so many different things at the same time: a new level of hockey, living with a strange family, going to school with people you don’t know.

GS: It’s a great life experience. How many kids from my hometown can say they went to high school in the US? It’s definitely a great experience and I met a lot of great people along the way.

KING: We’ve kind of touched upon it a little, but how would you say this whole experience has helped you grow as a person?

GS: Well, when you move away at such a young age, it almost makes you grow up a bit faster than everyone else, because not too many kids move out of their parents’ house when they’re 16 or 17 years old.  So, it definitely helps you mature as a person. Along with experiences, you have to deal with a lot of pressure that most people don’t deal with at that age. But it definitely helped me along the way. I probably wouldn’t be the person that I am today without Seattle, without the experience that I gained from there.

KING: The Thunderbirds team up with the Seattle Ronald McDonald House every year for a celebrity hockey classic fundraiser.  But players also take time to visit with the kids living at the Ronald McDonald House.   This year, you were the focal point of the promotion campaign. (The team spoofed the popular “CSI” series, with Greg Scott and Devon LeBlanc in the lead)

GS: I did “GSI: Greg Scott Investigates” with Devon LeBlanc. Ian Henry asked us to do it and we said sure. We went to the Ronald McDonald House to shoot. It was fun to interview little kids but it was tough because they only gave one-word answers, but you expect that from little kids. But it was awesome. The team loves going there. They’re (the children) going through a lot. Their families are going through a lot and anything we can do to put a smile on their face, it brightens our day- it brightens their day. It’s a win-win situation. The kids wear us out a lot of the time, playing tag and stuff. It’s just fun, seeing the smiles on their faces because you know how hard it is for them right now. Anything we can do to help them forget about it is a bonus.

KING: Will go back to Leafs training camp this year?

GS: I’m actually moving there June first. I’m gonna live there and train there this year. They want me to do that. I think that will help me get used to the city and the workouts that they’re doing.  That’s exactly what they want me to do.

KING: How different is Toronto from Seattle?

GS: They’re both huge cities. I hear Toronto gets cold in the winter. I’ve never been there in the winter but I hear it gets pretty cold. I love Toronto, though, it’s big. It’s the “New York” of Canada; I guess you could call it.

KING: It seems that they’re pretty serious about you if they want you to go there and immerse yourself in their culture.

GS: Yeah. I hope so, anyway.  They’ve got six or seven of us that are gonna move there from Boston, Newfoundland, Sweden, all those places.  They’re having us move there and train there with their staff there.

KING: You spent some time with (former Everett Silvertip d-man) Taylor Ellington when the Marlies and Moose met up in the Calder Cup playoffs.

GS: We played Manitoba in the first round. Taylor Ellington and I grew up playing hockey against each other because he’s from Victoria, too. We actually hung out together when we (Toronto & Manitoba) were playing each other, because we both weren’t playing at the time. (Neither was on his team’s playoff roster).

KING: Now for some fun questions:

Favorite movie:  I love comedy and right now it would have to be “Pineapple Express” or “Superbad.”

Favorite player growing up: Joe Sakic. I just loved the Colorado Avalanche growing up. And also Trevor Linden, because I’m a pretty big Canucks fan as well.

Who do you like to watch now? I like to watch the Maple Leafs, of course, and the Canucks. I wish they went further. I like watching Pavel Datsyuk on Detroit. He’s got the best hands I’ve ever seen, or Kovalev on Montreal.

What do you like to do when you’re not playing hockey? I play a lot of video games, but when it’s nice out I like to go to the beach or tubing down this river that’s an hour outside of Victoria.  Just hang out and go to the gym.

Music or bands get you pumped up for a game: Well, me and Steve Chaffin, when we lived together, we’d drive together to the game and we’d always play songs that get us pumped up. We always had a random mix. We’d play Eminem, lots of rock, Nickelback’s pretty big. I like listening to Nickelback before a game. It always gets me pumped up.

KING: So, do you like the music Mitch (Brotherton) plays during the game?

GS: Yeah, I do. Mitch plays pretty good music during the game. I wish he would change my goal song, though, but, it’s over now. I don’t even know what it’s called. I asked him to change it but he wouldn’t. I think I requested a couple of songs but he never put them on.

A lot of the guys on the team like country. We have a lot of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta guys. They all love the country. The guys from the west coast like rap and all that.

KING: Did you guys ever argue in the locker room about music?

GS: Yes. Some guys don’t like country music. Others did. There would be a few fights, I guess. Not fights but arguments.

You should ask Bud about his dancing, by the way. He’s an unbelievable dancer. He’s the best dancer I’ve ever seen. 

So, by now, Greg is firmly ensconced in Toronto, learning the team’s system and working out with the trainers. Seattle fans have no doubt that he will see his NHL dream come true, hopefully sooner rather than later.  The fact that the Maple Leafs invited him to spend the summer working out with the team, is pretty good sign. We’ll check in with him after training camp to see how things are going.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Greg Scott in our short conversation, it’s that he will always do his best, on the ice and off.  And he’ll do it with a smile… and the odd joke.

Talking Hockey on the Radio

My friend Cassie ("Raw Charge" writer & @dagmar27 on Twitter) and I decided to take over a radio show that sprang up last season among some friends of ours. The show had helped us spend a fun Sunday evening chatting and calling in to banter about hockey and other topics. Justine, the show's original host, couldn't make it one night, so we volunteered to guest-host. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and with Justine's blessing, decided to continue and see where we can take it.

We've just wrapped up the 4th episode of "Connect Community Puck Talk," and are having a blast. Cassie and I have been lucky to snag some great guests, like Chelsea Alexander, a Sharks and Caps fan who's a regular contributor for The Hockey Writers, Paul Gheduzzi, a Rangers fan who is up to date on the dealings involving his West team, the Phoenix Coyotes, Nate from FlyerFlies.com, a blog devoted to all things Philly, Buddy Oakes, a Preds fan who runs the blog and radio show, "Preds On the Glass," Mark Willoughby, another Preds fan who runs the blog "The View from 111," and is spearheading an NHL Tweetup on Tuesday, June 6 to benefit flood relief efforts in Nashville, Clayton Hansler, an avid Leafs fan who works with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, Alix Wright, a Canucks blogger who has new reason to start following the Lightning in the East, and renowned Tampa Bay blogger John Fontana, who along with Cassie, run the blog "Raw Charge" over at SB Nation. Our good friend Super Dave has called in to chat about a wide range of hockey topics, along with our good friend Mike Chiconsky. 

We've had switchboard problems, awkward pauses and abrupt endings. But with each show, we're finding that we're having more fun. The ad libs are starting to come a little easier (for me, it's because I take notes so I can refer to them when my mind goes blank!), the guests are getting easier to line up and we're ready to take this show as far as we can. Hopefully, folks decide to continue tuning in and downloading the show, giving us feedback and suggesting topics and guests.

Here's the link to our last show:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/connectpucktalk/2010/05/30/ccpt--connect-community-puck-talk

And... here's the link to our show page, should you wish to tune in!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/connectpucktalk

Sunday Puckpourri: Prospects and Flyers and Bears, oh my!

There's a lot going on right now in the hockey world, but on the other hand, we're heading into the final laps of the race for glory that signifies the end to another season. 2460 regular season games have been played. 83 playoffs games are in the books.


Photo courtesy: Associated Press

The Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks just wrapped up a high-scoring Game 1 last night, with Chicago prevailing, 6-5. Game 2 gets underway Monday night at 8pm Eastern. There's a bunch of Game 1 coverage, including video clips of interviews, on the NHL's website: www.nhl.com.


Calder Cup Underdogs: Texas Stars (photo: Texas Stars Hockey)

The Calder Cup race is also down to the final two teams: the reigning champion Hershey Bears and the Texas Stars, who join the 2002 Chicago Wolves and Bridgeport Sound Tigers in reaching the Calder Cup finals in their first season. According to the AHL's website: "Texas won a pair of Game 7’s on the road – just the fifth time in AHL history that feat has been accomplished. The Stars, who initially fell into a 2-0 series hole, also became the 21st AHL team to win a best-of-7 series after dropping the first two games." Not even the return of leading scorer P.K. Subban, who had a tremendous showing for the Canadiens in the playoffs before Montreal folded to Philadelphia, could help Hamilton overcome the upstart Stars. You can read more about Texas' amazing comeback by clicking here.


Defending Calder Cup champs: Hershey Bears (Photo: Hershey Bears)

The Hershey Bears were their dominating selves, knocking off the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in 5 games, sweeping the Albany River Rats in the second round, then dispatching the Manchester Monarchs in 6 hard-fought games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 of the Calder Cup Finals gets underway on Thursday, June 3. According to the AHL's website, you can listen to all the games live on XM Radio. For more information, check out www.theahl.com. I'm cheering for the upstart Texas Stars. They've shown grit all season long. I hope they have what it takes to pull off a Calder Cup victory.


Neuvirth & Bernier: Two stellar goaltenders (Photo: Hershey Bears)

Now, to the prospects.  The NHL invited 100 18-year-olds to take part in a pre-draft combine, undergoing a battery of physical and psychological tests, as well as one on one interviews with NHL GM's and other team officials. All eyes are, of course, on Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall. Hall drew attention by not taking part in the physical tests. He's apparently healing from a number of injuries suffered in post-season play culminating in helping his Windsor Spitfires win the Memorial Cup in Brandon last weekend. Seguin took part in all aspects of the Combine and was reportedly impressive on all counts. I'm still looking for updates on T-Birds goalie Calvin Pickard and Silvertips goalie Kent Simpson. The best Combine coverage I could find was up at TSN's website. Here's the link: http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/

That's it for now. I'm off to prepare for today's radio show. But that's another story.

History Will Be Made: Marc-Andre Fleury

The NHL Network created a HWBM ad featuring Flower.
I approve. Click here to see it.

"IRON MAN" Jordan Staal skates in full pads

Talk about a REAL Iron Man. Jordan Staal had surgery Friday night to repair a tendon, following an ugly collision on the ice with Montreal D-man P.K. Subban. Yesterday, he skated for a few minutes in sweats at practice. This morning, he skated in FULL PADS.

Click here for more from the Pens' website.
Aaaand.... click here for the video!

NHL, AHL, WHL & NAHL playoffs, plus TWO former T-Birds doing well

Last night, while I was watching the San Jose/Detroit game go into overtime, I commented on Twitter, "I hope Clowe or Marleau scores for the Sharks in OT." Several minutes later, Patty Marleau did just that, surprising the HECK out of me and making me wish that I could have the same effect on winning Lotto numbers.

I have friends who are Red Wings fans and I feel bad for them that Detroit is now down 3 games to 0. But seeing Patty put one past Jimmy Howard filled me with pride. Marleau is one of the Seattle Thunderbirds' biggest success stories, and even though I didn't go to many games when he played (just the 2 or 3 games a season at which I sang the anthem), I still join with other T-Birds fans at fawning over him like proud parents.

Another former T-Bird is having a heck of a post-season. Bud Holloway leads the Manchester Monarchs with 5 goals and 4 assists for 9 points in the playoffs. He's scored 5 game-winning goals and has been en fuego all season since he joined the Monarchs from the Ontario Reign of the ECHL. Hopes are also high for another former T-Bird, Thomas Hickey, to dominate the D-line once he fully recovers from shoulder surgery.

A recap of the latest NHL, AHL, WHL and NAHL action is posted over at the big KING 5. Click here to read it.

NAHL: Wenatchee Wild host Robertson Cup Tournament

There's a lot of hockey being played this week in Wenatchee - as the Wild host the NAHL Championship Tournament. The Wild will take on the likes of the Bismarck Bobcats, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, 3-time reigning champs St. Louis Bandits, and the Traverse City North Stars for the Robertson Cup.

CLICK HERE for a link to a bigger story I wrote about the tournament for the big KING 5:

Silvertips, T-Birds add talent at WHL Bantam Draft

Just posted over at the big KING 5 site- a rundown of players selected by the Everett Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds at the WHL Bantam Draft. Everett picked 12 players: 6 forwards, 4 defensemen and 2 goalies. Among their draftees: Ryan Chynoweth son of Kootenay Ice GM Jeff Chynoweth and grandson of late WHL Commissioner Ed Chynoweth. The T-Birds selected 9 players: 4 defensemen, 2 right wingers, 2 centers and 1 goalie. Among their draftees: Brad LeLievre from Mill Creek, just outside Seattle! You can read more about all the players you could see sporting the green and white or blue and white by clicking here.

Then tell me, do you agree with the selections?

Talkin' hockey on the radio!

I co-hosted my first hockey radio show tonight, with my friends Cassie and Jojo. We had a good response for those who listened and took part in the live chat. Here's the podcast if you want to take a listen and weigh in with your thoughts.

AHL playoffs feature WHL names, including former T-Birds & Silvertips

The 16 teams are set for the Calder Cup playoffs and when I pored over team rosters, I found many familiar names. So, for all you WHL fans out there looking to keep track of your favorite (or not so favorite) players, I've made a list of guys and teams. Just click here to link to my story over at the big KING 5 site.

And since DailySu is my own personal space, let me just say this: GO MONARCHS!!!! (which features former T-Birds stars Bud Holloway and Thomas Hickey).

Pickard, Simpson invited to NHL Combine; Korea's NHL Legend

                                          Calvin Pickard (Photo: David Pitcher/Seattle Thunderbirds)

I just posted a short story about Calvin Pickard (T-Birds) and Kent Simpson (Silvertips) being invited to the NHL Scouting Combine next month in Toronto, ahead of the draft in June. Pretty impressive credentials by both goalies. Talk is heating up that Calvin will go high in the first round.

                                               Kent Simpson (Photo: Frank Deines III/Everett Silvertips)
I hope Kent goes pretty high, as well. Goodness knows there are some NHL teams that SORELY need help between the pipes! Anyway, if you want to read more about Calvin & Kent, click here.

                                                      Chisun (Jim) Paek, NHL Legend

The terrific guys over at THE HOCKEY GUYS invited me to contribute to their "Stuff of Legends" series. I chose to write about JIM PAEK, the first Korean-born player in the NHL. The story is dear to my heart for two reasons: 1. My favorite team (Penguins) drafted Paek in 1985, then called him up in 1991 for a date with destiny. 2. I'm half-Korean and very proud of anyone from my culture who succeeds. They are great role models, especially those succeeding in a career that's not traditionally bursting with Asian talent. If you want to read my story about Mr. Chisun (Jim) Paek, just click here.  Special thanks to ANTHONY CURATOLO for inviting me to take part. If you want to follow him on Twitter, his handle is: HockeyGuys_AC

'Tips out of playoffs, Ams & Winterhawks advance; Shane Harper leaps to AHL

                                               Shane Harper (Photo Courtesy: Frank Dienes III/Everett Silvertips)

We begin this week with a big CONGRATULATIONS to Everett Silvertips forward SHANE HARPER, who just joined the Adirondack Phantoms, after signing an entry-level contract with the Phantoms' NHL team, the Philadelphia Flyers. Shane flew to Adirondack after the Silvertips lost Game 7 in the first round of the WHL playoffs to the Kelowna Rockets.  The Phantoms are excited to have Harps in their lineup, as they well should be! He finished the regular season with a whopping 42 goals and 38 assists for 80 points, then continued to light a fire under the 'Tips in the playoffs with 6 goals and 4 assists. You can read the Phantoms' news release about acquiring Harper & D-man Erik Gustafsson from Northern Michigan University. Just click here.

Speaking of WHL playoffs, round 2 is set and two US Division teams are still in the fight. The Tri City Americans take on Kelowna in Games 1 and 2 tonight and tomorrow night in Kennewick. The puck drops at 7:05pm both nights. Tickets are available and I've made it easy for you to get them. Just click here to be linked to the Ams homepage!

 
The Portland Winterhawks will host the Vancouver Giants tomorrow and Sunday at Memorial Coliseum in the Rose City. Game 1 starts at 7pm. Game 2 starts at 5pm. To get tickets, just click here to be linked to the Winterhawks' website.

You can watch these and ALL WHL playoff games online at the WHL's website. Just click here to check it out.

Tuesday Puckpourri: Silvertips, WHL Playoffs, UAH and a guy named Calvin

                                            Everett Silvertips (Photo: Su Ring)

The Everett Silvertips are in Kelowna, BC for Games 3 and 4 of first round WHL playoff action. The 'Tips ride a 2-game lead into Kelowna, winning the first game 5-4 in overtime and the second game by a decisive 5-2 score over the Rockets. I wrote up the first two games for a story on the big KING 5 website. Click here and you can read the whole thing. I went to Game 2 Saturday night and sat with my friend Brynna in the nosebleed section (Section 217 to those of you familiar with the seating at the Cable Box). I think my favorite parts of the game (aside from the scoring) was watching play by play guy Jon Rosen lean out of the broadcast room each time the game got exciting. I was kind of worried that he'd actually topple over the ledge, but luckily, he kept his balance. Tonight's game starts at 7. The pre-game show starts at 6:35, I think, over on KRKO-AM (NorthSound 1380). Or, you can listen online at the Silvertips' website. Just click here. Or, you can watch the game live online, at the WHL's website. Just click here. (See how easy I make it for you to keep up?)

Other WHL teams in action tonight:

Tri City Americans v. Chilliwack Bruins:  7pm Pacific time. Tri City manhandled Chilliwack in Games 1 and 2. The Ams won Game 2 by a score of 8-1. 8-1! Brendan Shinnimin had a hat trick in that game. Todd Kennedy had 2. Eric Mestery and Jordan Messier also added to the Ams blowout. Justin Feser had 3 assists. Can we call that a "hat trick" of assists? Why not! Young goalie Drew Owlsey had a shootout going. Well, technically, he kind of still has a shootout in this game, as Chilliwack scored on Alexander Pechurskiy late in the 3rd. I know, it doesn't count on the scoresheet. So what.

Calgary Hitmen v. Kamloops Blazers: 7pm Mountain time (please don't make me break it down by time zone). Calgary's actually down 2 games to 1, which is surprising to most and shocking to some. But don't count the Hitmen out. They're not one of the league's top teams for nothing.

Brandon Wheat Kings v. Swift Current Broncos: 7pm Mountain time. Brandon won the first two games at home. Matt Calvert scored two goals for the Wheat Kings and assisted on 2 other goals in Game 1. A guy named Schenn (Brayden) also scored for Brandon in Game 1. Schenn also scored in Game 2, along with 4 other guys. Swift Current scored 2 in the first game and 3 in the second, so don't count them out either, especially in front of  a home crowd.

Vancouver Giants v. Kamloops Blazers: 7pm Pacific time. One useful thing I learned from the "Today" show during the Olympics is that crooner Michael Buble is one of the Giants' owners. I may be the only hockey fan on the PLANET who didn't know that, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I did not know, until he and Matt Lauer suited up and fired some shots during one contrived segment. I think I like Buble a little more, knowing that he's a hockey fan. Anyway... Vancouver won Games 1 and 2 before a home crowd. (Game 1 went to OT). Now, they're in Kamloops, hoping to keep their winning ways going. Craig Cunningham factored majorly for Vancouver in both games. We'll see if he continues his scoring streak. Meanwhile, here's that segment featuring Michael Buble, Matt Lauer, and a few Giants:



Kootenay Ice v. Medicine Hat Tigers: 7pm Mountain time. Kootenay won the first two games at home. (Am I sensing a trend here?). Now, they have to show they can do it on the road, blah blah blah, just like I wrote for every team above. I just checked out the sheet for Game 2 and noticed 21 PENALTIES, including 3 10-minute misconducts. Do these teams not like each other or what? I also noticed several "checking from behinds" and 2 "unsportsmanlike conduct" calls. Hmm... these two teams might be worth going to see in person, if you're anywhere near Kootenay or Medicine Hat. I'm not, but I might be willing to pay for the live streaming video on the WHL's website. Once again, if you're interested in any of these games, you can follow the score tracker or watch online at the WHL's website. Just click here. If you'd rather watch or listen via a specific team's website, go to the WHL's site anyway-- you can click on any team logo to visit their site.

The other WHL US Division match-up I'm following pits the Portland Winterhawks against the Spokane Chiefs. The Chiefs won the first two games - IN PORTLAND - and drop the puck tomorrow night at home for Game 3. Kyle Beach scored twice in Game 1, including the game winner late in the 3rd period. He didn't score in Game 2, but went to the box several times. It's worth it to watch the streaming video just to see what he'll do next.

UAH: An undeserved honor?

                                CHA Champs! (Photo: UAH Chargers)

Several blogs have taken aim at my would-be alma mater, the University of Alabama Huntsville (I say "would-be" alma mater because I did not graduate).  Late last week, an article appeared in Puck Daddy's column suggesting that UAH didn't deserve to be in the NCAA tournament. You can read it for yourself by clicking here.  Today, our friends at From the Rink took a slightly different view of UAH's CHA championship and seeding in the NCAA tourney. Click here to read that story. For those of you interested in watching the Chargers, they play Saturday at 1pm Pacific (figure out the other time zones for yourself) on ESPNU.  They'll take on Miami (OH), a CCHA team. I know people who have kids at Miami, but I hope that UAH just crushes them, and gives the CCHA a face wash while doing it. Sorry, I'm still choked about all the stupid happenings from last August. Want to follow the team? The best way to do it is to support the group SAVE UAH Hockey. Click here to visit their wonderful site!

CONGRATULATIONS go out to Seattle Thunderbirds Head Coach Rob Sumner, who's been selected as an Assistant Coach for Team Canada's Under-18 team heading overseas to compete next month. I wrote something up about this for the KING 5 site. Click here to read it. Good Luck, Coach!

And last, but certainly not least! 

                                                 Calvin Pickard (Photo: Mick White/Kent Valley Sports)


CONGRATULATIONS go out to T-Birds goalie Calvin Pickard for being named the Western Conference finalist for the WHL Goaltender of the Year award. (His brother Chet is a past winner of this very same award). Calvin's also been named a Western Conference First Team All Star. His teammate, the very talented Prab Rai (a Vancouver Canucks prospect), has been named a Second Team All Star.  Calvin is currently the top ranked goalie by NHL Central Scouting for the 2010 NHL Draft. I wrote a nice story about Calvin, his brother Chet and their dad Bill a few months back. Since there may be some of you who have not read this story yet, I've linked it again. Just click here. I'm quite proud of it-- and thank the Pickard family again for such candid interviews and cute pix of their boys as budding young hockey stars.

I guess that's it for now. As always, I welcome your feedback. Happy Tuesday!

Tuesday Puck Talk: Chargers, 'Tips, buzz cuts, Bertuzzday Award... and Tokarski

Chargers Wait

The UAH Chargers are waiting to hear where they'll head to kick off the NCAA Division I hockey tournament, after beating the Niagara Purple Eagles 3-2 in overtime in the final championship game of the CHA division, which is now no more. The Chargers could play in Albany, NY, St. Paul, MN, Fort Wayne, IN or Worcester, MA. I know I'm not the only UAH fan who hopes the Chargers meet a CCHA team in the first round-- and just creams them! Eh. I know it's sour grapes at this point to still be upset that the CCHA denied UAH's application to join the division, but it still rankles to feel like the odd man out, after Niagara and Robert Morris went to the Atlantic Division and the WCHA took in Bemidji. It's not even that the CCHA had no room - it DID, because UNO decided to move from the CCHA to the WCHA. Again, it's water under the bridge, but still. GO CHARGERS! Follow the NCAA tourney by clicking here. Follow the Chargers and re-live all the goals from the CHA Championship on SAVE UAH Hockey's website. Just click here. In the meantime, here's a great shot of a victorious Chargers team posing again with the CHA trophy back home in Huntsville.

                                 Chargers Victorious! (Photo: UAH Chargers)

BTW, I wrote a passionate (well, I think so, anyway!) blog about the Chargers' cloudy future back in August, when news broke of CCHA's rejection of UAH. It mentions a bit of history, especially during my years at UAH. If you want to check it out, click here.

Silvertips prepare.

                                            Silvertips (photo: Su Ring)

The Everett Silvertips are preparing for a playoff run that many hope will end with the boys bringing the Memorial Cup home to Western Washington. Everett goes into the playoff with a 46-21-3-2 record; Kelowna has a 35-31-2-4 record. But when it comes to playoffs, records really don't matter, do they? Who's gonna have the heart and drive to make it to the next round? The Silvertips have played the entire season with lots of heart and great teamwork. Throw in Shane Harper's 42 goals and 38 assists, along with great work by Kellan Tochkin (28G/48A), Tyler Maxwell (33G/36A), Byron Froese (29G/32A), some great defense by Radko Gudas and company, and steller netminding from Kent Simpson and San Jose prospect Thomas Heemskerk. Kelowna will bring power from the likes of Brandon McMillan (25G/42A), Tyson Barrie (19G/53A), Shane McColgan (25G/44A) and goaltender Adam Brown.  If you're anywhere within driving distance of either city, I suggest you take in a game (or 3). You won't be disappointed. You can follow all the WHL playoff action by clicking here. And if you have any doubt as to who I'm cheering for in the Memorial Cup run: GO 'TIPS GO!

'Tips ready to bare... their heads

Speaking of playoff runs, the Silvertips are shaving their heads to prepare for the post-season. In fact, a few will get buzzcuts LIVE, tonight during the Silvertips weekly radio show on KRKO NorthSound 1380. Among those getting shorn are play by play guys Jon Rosen & Al Kinisky, and LW Scott MacDonald. Wanna watch? Go to Sporty's Beef & Brew in Everett tonight before 6:05 (that's what time the show starts). Click here for more info.

Bertuzzday Award!

In my last post, I lashed out at the Penguins' Matt Cooke over his nasty hit on Marc Savard last week. By now, we've all heard the rant by Don Cherry (see my last post if you haven't). Now, the good folks at NBC's Pro Hockey Talk have named Cooke as the recipient of its first ever "Bertuzzday Award."  Good stuff. You can read more by clicking here. Many kudos to writer James O'Brien. If his name sounds familiar, you may know him from his other blog, "Cycle Like Sedins." He's over on my blogroll so check him out!

Tokarski talks!

                                 Dustin Tokarski (Photo: Mike Carlson-AP)

I don't know if I'm saving the best for last, or if this is just how it turned out, but my good friend Cassie McClellan from "Raw Charge" just interviewed Norfolk Admirals (former Spokane Chiefs) goalie Dustin Tokarski. If you follow the WHL at all, you know the name. In addition to helping lead Spokane to the Memorial Cup in 2008, he also backstopped Team Canada to its 5th straight gold medal in the World Juniors last year. (Another WHL star, Thomas Hickey [Seattle T-Birds/Manchester Monarchs] was Captain of that glorious team!). 

Anyway-- here's a link to Cassie's interview with awesome Tampa Bay prospect Dustin. Awesome stuff.

Tuesday Talk: Chargers, 'Tips and some cool links

The UAH Chargers are waiting to hear where they'll head to kick off the NCAA Division I hockey tournament, after beating the Niagara Purple Eagles 3-2 in overtime in the final championship game of the CHA division, which is now no more. The Chargers could play in Albany, NY, St. Paul, MN, Fort Wayne, IN or Worcester, MA. I know I'm not the only UAH fan who hopes the Chargers meet a CCHA team in the first round-- and just creams them! Eh. I know it's sour grapes at this point to still be upset that the CCHA denied UAH's application to join the division, but it still rankles to feel like the odd man out, after Niagara and Robert Morris went to the Atlantic Division and the WCHA took in Bemidji. It's not even that the CCHA had no room - it DID, because UNO decided to move from the CCHA to the WCHA. Again, it's water under the bridge, but still. GO CHARGERS! Follow the NCAA tourney by clicking here. Follow the Chargers and re-live all the goals from the CHA Championship on SAVE UAH Hockey's website. Just click here. In the meantime, here's a great shot of a victorious Chargers team posing again with the CHA trophy back home in Huntsville.

                                 Chargers Victorious! (Photo: UAH Chargers)

BTW, I wrote a passionate (well, I think so, anyway!) blog about the Chargers' cloudy future back in August, when news broke of CCHA's rejection of UAH. It mentions a bit of history, especially during my years at UAH. If you want to check it out, click here.

Now, on to exciting post-season hockey in the WHL. The Everett Silvertips are preparing for a playoff run that many hope will end with the boys bringing the Memorial Cup home to Western Washington. They kick off a "best of seven"-game series against the Kelowna Rockets this Friday (March 19) at Comcast Arena, more affectionately known as the "Cable Box."

Weekend Puck-Pourri: UAH, Silvertips, T-Birds & ONE BAD COOKIE

Three cheers go out this weekend-- and one very loud, resounding BOO.

First Cheer: University of Alabama Huntsville Chargers hockey team

                                Your 2010 CHA Champs: UAH Chargers (Photo: UAH)

UAH beat Niagara last night 3-2 in overtime to claim the CHA Championship crown and a berth in the NCAA Division I hockey tournament. This is the second CHA trophy for the team from Huntsville and an amazing way to cap a season that began under a cloud of uncertainty. The CHA was dissolving and other divisions were absorbing teams into their folds. UAH requested to join the CCHA, which had an opening, but the CCHA declined, leaving UAH with two options at the end of the season: continue as an independent or fold. We still don't know exactly what's going to happen, but the group SAVE UAH HOCKEY has been working hard all season to keep us updated and also offer up ways to support the team and the program that made UAH the "Hockey Capital of the South" for a more than a quarter of a century. Click here to catch up on SAVE UAH HOCKEY's great works. And: GO CHARGERS GO!!!!

Second Cheer: Everett Silvertips (WHL)

                                Everett Silvertips (Photo: Frank Deines III/Everett Silvertips)
                   
The Silvertips are one win away from claiming the US Division and Western Conference championships, after shutting out the Chilliwack Bruins 5-0 in their last home game of the regular season last night. Shane Harper opened the scoring in the first, with his 41st goal. I lost count, but I think this is also something like the 20th game in which he's scored the first goal. Harper scored again in the third, notching his 100th career goal. Chris Langkow, Byron Froese and Captain Zack Dailey also scored, while goalie (and San Jose signee) Thomas Heemskerk stopped all 25 Chilliwack shots for the shutout. For a more complete play by play, click here for an "official" recap. I don't know who wrote it, but they did a very thorough job. The Silvertips could clinch the abovementioned championships with a win tonight in Spokane. 'Tips fans should also thank the Chiefs, because Spokane knocked off Tri City 5-4 last night, thus toppling the mighty Americans out of the top spot and opening the door for Everett to sneak through.  You can listen to the game on the radio at KRKO-AM, NorthSound 1380.  Jon Rosen is sure to provide the exciting play by play. If you're a Chiefs fan, you will no doubt tune in to Mike Boyle on Sports Radio 1510 KGA.

Third Cheer: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

                                Seattle Thunderbirds (Photo: Mick White/Kent Valley Sports)

The Seattle Thunderbirds deserve a big cheer for pushing through a very tough season. They'll close out the season tonight against the Vancouver Giants and salute their supporters with Fan Appreciation Night.  As of right now, the T-Birds' record is: 18-41-7-5 and 41 points. The team is heavy on youngsters, including about half a dozen 16-year-olds.  Star Goalie Calvin Pickard is 17 years old. Anyone who's been to even a handful of games knows how heartbreakingly close some of the losses were and should be confident that the team can only go up from here. Think about all those youngsters who now have a full season under their belts; a full season of life away from home, a grueling 72 games, travel and personal growth. Things can only look up for this young team! Want to cheer them on tonight? The game starts at 5:05pm at ShoWare Center in Kent. Click here to access the T-Birds' website and buy a ticket! This may be your last chance to see veterans Prab Rai, Jeremy Schappert and Lindsay Nielsen on the ice. To re-live the high points of the season through photos, click here to check out Mick White/Kent Valley Sports' amazing photo galleries!

Now, to the resounding BOO.

It pains me to criticize any player from one of my favorite teams, but I cannot be a good hockey fan if I don't. I'm talking about that vicious hit by Penguins' Matt Cooke that knocked Boston's Marc Savard out indefinitely with a serious concussion. If that wasn't bad enough, the NHL decided NOT TO PUNISH HIM FOR IT. I've been a Pens fan since the late 80's, but I wholeheartedly disagree with this. Matt Cooke should have been suspended and for more than a few games. The league needs to crack down on this kind of viciousness or someone is going to get killed. That sounds dramatic, but it's true. And in case you missed it, Don Cherry tackled the subject (and showed the hit) last night on HNIC. Here's the video. Go ahead and watch it, I'll wait.



The part that really gets me is that Cooke doesn't seem to care. That makes him more than a dirty player. It makes him downright dangerous. Even his own teammate Bill Guerin thinks he should have been suspended. Click here to read the story.

The thing that bothers me even more is the chatter that flooded Twitter after the NHL decided not to punish Cooke. A good number of people think a fitting retaliation is to have teams try to take Sidney Crosby out; in short, to hurt a player who had NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ORIGINAL HIT. How is that fitting retribution? What is this, the code of Hammurabi, hockey-style? (A star for a star, instead of an eye for an eye?).

Just as I said I would not be a good hockey fan if I didn't call out crappy & dangerous plays by members of a team I love, I say this:  Anyone who thinks hurting Crosby would make up for Cooke not being punished, DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE A HOCKEY FAN. You are stupid and ignorant if you believe this is a good idea, and even if you are my best friend, I do not want to know you.

Please - place the blame where blame truly goes: to Matt Cooke for being a dangerous punk and to the NHL for not being strong enough to stand up and do what's right.

That's all for this week. As always, I welcome your comments.