Here's the link from the podcast:
http://ccpthockey.blogspot.com/2015/05/sunday-may-17-special-guest-lyle.html
Happy 9th Anniversary, Spector's Hockey!!!!
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Fun with Lyle Richardson on today's CCPT Hockey Show
Those of you who know me, know I co-host a hockey podcast (CCPT Hockey Show) with my friend Cassie. I'd say we do it weekly, but sometimes we skip a week or 3 for various reasons. Today, we were joined by great hockey mind and good friend Lyle Richardson from Spector's Hockey.
Here's the link from the podcast:
http://ccpthockey.blogspot.com/2015/05/sunday-may-17-special-guest-lyle.html
Happy 9th Anniversary, Spector's Hockey!!!!
Here's the link from the podcast:
http://ccpthockey.blogspot.com/2015/05/sunday-may-17-special-guest-lyle.html
Happy 9th Anniversary, Spector's Hockey!!!!
Friday, March 14, 2014
Heartbreaking week for hockey
It's been a heavy week for hockey fans, as tragedy struck players from four teams. Fans pushed rivalries aside to unite on Twitter and other social media, offering prayers, support, sharing tears and comfort. Meanwhile, four players' families, friends and teammates struggle to make sense of the heartbreak in their midst.
Saturday, March 1, 2014 - TIM BOZON
Tim Bozon, a forward with the Kootenay ICE (WHL), was rushed to a hospital in Saskatoon, the day after helping the ICE beat the Blades 4-2 the night before. Doctors determined Tim was suffering from Neisseria Meningitis, a serious inflammation of the tissue around the brain and spine, and placed him in a coma earlier this week to help him heal. His parents flew in from Switzerland and have been constantly at his side.
The WHL has set up a fund to help Tim and his family with expenses during his recovery process. Fans in Canada can donate at any BMO Bank of Montreal branch in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Fans in the U.S. can mail donations to:
Tim Bozon Fund
c/o Western Hockey League
Father David Bauer Arena
2424 University Dr. NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 3Y9
CANADA
Anyone looking to send get well wishes to Tim can either send them to the above address, or directly to the team:
The Kootenay ICE Hockey Club
c/o Western Financial Place
#2 - 1777 - 2nd Street North
Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G9
CANADA
Monday, March 3, 2014 - MATT STAJAN
On Monday, March 3, Calgary Flames center Matt Stajan and his wife Katie welcomed their son Emerson into the world, then grieved as the newborn passed away a short time later. Matt has taken a leave of absence from the team to be with this wife, but the Calgary Sun reports, teammates and their wives have rallied around the heartbroken couple in a show of love and support.
Fans who want to show love and support for Matt and Katie Stajan can send cards to:
Matt & Katie Stajan
c/o Calgary Flames
PO Box 1540 Stn. M.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 3B9
CANADA
Friday, March 7, 2014 - RYAN FISCHER
17-year-old Ryan Fischer was found unresponsive in his bed on the morning of Friday, March 7. It was later determined he had died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart). His team, the Grandville High School Bulldogs, were scheduled to play in the Michigan State semi-finals that evening. According to a story in The United State of Hockey blog, Ryan's parents, Scott and Roni, visited the team and urged the players to play that night. (They lost to Detroit Catholic 3-0 in an arena filled with emotional fans from both teams supporting Ryan and his teammates).
Ryan was laid to rest on Wednesday, March 12, following a memorial service where he was remembered as kind, passionate and dedicated to doing "what's right." He had been accepted to both the US Naval Academy and West Point (he had decided to attend West Point), and dreamed of serving his country.
Fans wanting to send condolences to Ryan's family (parents Scott and Roni, siblings Kelsea and Connor) can mail them to:
The Fischer Family
c/o Grandville High School
4700 Canal Ave. SW
Grandville, MI 49418
Monday, March 10 - RICH PEVERLEY
Six minutes into the game between the Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets, Rich Peverley skated to the Stars bench following a shift... then collapsed. Teammates quickly carried him into the tunnel as head coach Lindy Ruff screamed for a doctor - the entire drama broadcast live on TV. We later learned emergency crews treated Rich for a racing heartbeat and a stopped heart before rushing him to the hospital.
Now, we learn Rich will miss the rest of the season as he undergoes surgery for atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an irregular and rapid heartbeat that makes it difficult to send blood throughout the body. He missed the preseason because of heart issues, but had been given the green light to play following treatment - and worked with team doctors to monitor his heart and took medication regularly.
A return to the ice remains unclear.
Fans wanting to send Rich encouragement and "get well" cards can mail them to:
Rich Peverley
c/o Dallas Stars
2601 Avenue of the Stars
Frisco, TX 75034
Many people have tweeted well-wishes to/about all of the players mentioned above, but sometimes, a good old "snail mail" letter or card can brighten things up even more. Or am I really old fashioned?
Saturday, March 1, 2014 - TIM BOZON
The WHL has set up a fund to help Tim and his family with expenses during his recovery process. Fans in Canada can donate at any BMO Bank of Montreal branch in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Fans in the U.S. can mail donations to:
Tim Bozon Fund
c/o Western Hockey League
Father David Bauer Arena
2424 University Dr. NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 3Y9
CANADA
Anyone looking to send get well wishes to Tim can either send them to the above address, or directly to the team:
The Kootenay ICE Hockey Club
c/o Western Financial Place
#2 - 1777 - 2nd Street North
Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G9
CANADA
Monday, March 3, 2014 - MATT STAJAN
Fans who want to show love and support for Matt and Katie Stajan can send cards to:
Matt & Katie Stajan
c/o Calgary Flames
PO Box 1540 Stn. M.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 3B9
CANADA
Friday, March 7, 2014 - RYAN FISCHER
Ryan was laid to rest on Wednesday, March 12, following a memorial service where he was remembered as kind, passionate and dedicated to doing "what's right." He had been accepted to both the US Naval Academy and West Point (he had decided to attend West Point), and dreamed of serving his country.
Fans wanting to send condolences to Ryan's family (parents Scott and Roni, siblings Kelsea and Connor) can mail them to:
The Fischer Family
c/o Grandville High School
4700 Canal Ave. SW
Grandville, MI 49418
Monday, March 10 - RICH PEVERLEY
Now, we learn Rich will miss the rest of the season as he undergoes surgery for atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an irregular and rapid heartbeat that makes it difficult to send blood throughout the body. He missed the preseason because of heart issues, but had been given the green light to play following treatment - and worked with team doctors to monitor his heart and took medication regularly.
A return to the ice remains unclear.
Fans wanting to send Rich encouragement and "get well" cards can mail them to:
Rich Peverley
c/o Dallas Stars
2601 Avenue of the Stars
Frisco, TX 75034
Many people have tweeted well-wishes to/about all of the players mentioned above, but sometimes, a good old "snail mail" letter or card can brighten things up even more. Or am I really old fashioned?
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Puckpourri for Sunday, March 8: Prayers, playoffs and a whole lotta pride
This is a drive-by entry filled with links to stories that have caught my eye, gathered in one spot for you. I don't have time lately to write long and thoughtful posts, but still want to share what's making my brain hum and heart sing. Think of it as a many-course meal that's chock-full of flavor but doesn't fill you up and leaves room for that wafer-thin mint at the end...
First: Prayers (positive thoughts, healing energy, chants or whatever means through which you express yourselves):
1. Tim Bozon from the Kootenay Ice (WHL), who is in critical condition at a Saskatoon hospital, fighting a nasty bout of bacterial meningitis. We understand his parents have flown from Switzerland to be with him and that all players who came in contact with him are being treated with antibiotics and booster shots. Our thoughts are with Tim, his family, friends and teammates. If you live in a city with a WHL team, see if your team has a get well card on hand for fans to sign. The regular season ends this weekend, so hurry. If you don't live in a city with a WHL team, you can send your get well wishes to Tim via Twitter: @WHLKootenayIce - use the hashtag #GetWellTim
2. Ryan Fischer from Grandville High School, Michigan, who passed away Friday, on the eve of the state semi-finals. According to reports, Ryan was found "unresponsive" in his bed Friday morning. It was later determined he died from hyperthotic cardiomyopathy. His parents met with his teammates and urged them to go ahead and play. You can read the full account written by Chris Peters (@ChrisMPeters) on The United States of Hockey blog.
(NOTE: Those of you who follow CCPT Hockey Show will notice this part of the post reads exactly like the one I wrote for the show's website. It's called "streamlining" (aka, I'm too busy/lazy to write different posts about the same subjects today)
NHL Trades:
1. Martin St. Louis - it was widely known that there were issues between Marty and the powers-that-be in Tampa Bay. I'd heard trade request rumors since Team Canada's hockey team roster was announced and his name wasn't on it. But... in chatting with Clark Brooks and my co-host Cassie McClellan on this weekend's CCPT Hockey Show, I learned those trade rumors have been swirling since 2009, making for some very unhappy fans who showed their displeasure in a myriad of ways, from canceling season tickets to more visual displays, like this photo, submitted to Puck Daddy's "Jersey Fouls" column.
2. Roberto Luongo - Confession time. I knew nothing of Roberto's NHL history prior to him joining the Canucks. I thought he had sprung, fully-formed and in uniform, ready to play from Day One. A little on-air lesson from my CCPT Hockey Show co-host Cassie McClellan and a visit to hockeydb.com revealed Luongo's full history - from his junior days in the Q, to being drafted #4 overall to the Islanders, then his stint in Florida before making that cross-country trip to Vancouver, BC during the 2006-2007 season. The return to Miami seems to have done Roberto a bit of good as he's off to a good start. However, veteran commentator (and flashy fashion guru) Don Cherry is all hot under the collar about a snarky comment tweeted out under his @Strombone1 account.
3. Michael Del Zotto - This story lit up my "feel good" radar, not because of his trade from the Rangers to Predators (back in January), but what happened last week. Seems Michael befriended a young fan with cerebral palsy several years ago. The two texted and talked daily, as well as spending time together when they could, playing video games and chatting. Young Liam didn't take the trade news too well, and Michael was also a bit bereft at leaving his little buddy. What happened next has been beautifully captured by James Murphy on NHL.com.
WHL PLAYOFFS:
We're heading into the final week of regular season play across the WHL and a number of teams have already clinched playoff spots (more so in the Western Conference than in the East):
Eastern Conference teams that have clinched playoff spots:
Edmonton Oil Kings
Regina Pats
Calgary Hitmen
Medicine Hat Tigers
Kootenay Ice
Western Conference teams that have clinched playoff spots:
Kelowna Rockets
Portland Winterhawks
Victoria Royals
Seattle Thunderbirds
Spokane Chiefs
Everett Silvertips
Vancouver Giants
Stay tuned for playoff brackets....
CHARGER PRIDE:
Those of you who know me know I attended the University of Alabama Huntsville in the early 90's and developed my love of hockey by cheering on the Chargers (and serving as the school's "official" national anthem singer). If you follow college hockey, you may also be aware of the rocky road the Chargers hockey program has traversed over the past few years, as well as being cancelled, resurrected (following a tidal wave of backlash) and finding a home with the WCHA. UAH wrapped up its current season yesterday with a 2-35-1 record, which may look dismal. Okay, it is dismal. Hopefully, the coaching staff can recruit some great talent and move on from here on firmer footing.
On a positive note, the Chargers were featured in the New York Times, in a story about the team traveling to play teams in Alaska for the first time since I was at UAH.
First: Prayers (positive thoughts, healing energy, chants or whatever means through which you express yourselves):
1. Tim Bozon from the Kootenay Ice (WHL), who is in critical condition at a Saskatoon hospital, fighting a nasty bout of bacterial meningitis. We understand his parents have flown from Switzerland to be with him and that all players who came in contact with him are being treated with antibiotics and booster shots. Our thoughts are with Tim, his family, friends and teammates. If you live in a city with a WHL team, see if your team has a get well card on hand for fans to sign. The regular season ends this weekend, so hurry. If you don't live in a city with a WHL team, you can send your get well wishes to Tim via Twitter: @WHLKootenayIce - use the hashtag #GetWellTim
(Tim Bozon #20/Photo: Kootenay Ice)
2. Ryan Fischer from Grandville High School, Michigan, who passed away Friday, on the eve of the state semi-finals. According to reports, Ryan was found "unresponsive" in his bed Friday morning. It was later determined he died from hyperthotic cardiomyopathy. His parents met with his teammates and urged them to go ahead and play. You can read the full account written by Chris Peters (@ChrisMPeters) on The United States of Hockey blog.
(Ryan Fischer/Photo: Jenn Bellgraph Photography)
NHL Trades:
1. Martin St. Louis - it was widely known that there were issues between Marty and the powers-that-be in Tampa Bay. I'd heard trade request rumors since Team Canada's hockey team roster was announced and his name wasn't on it. But... in chatting with Clark Brooks and my co-host Cassie McClellan on this weekend's CCPT Hockey Show, I learned those trade rumors have been swirling since 2009, making for some very unhappy fans who showed their displeasure in a myriad of ways, from canceling season tickets to more visual displays, like this photo, submitted to Puck Daddy's "Jersey Fouls" column.
(Marty's new gig/Photo: New York Rangers)
2. Roberto Luongo - Confession time. I knew nothing of Roberto's NHL history prior to him joining the Canucks. I thought he had sprung, fully-formed and in uniform, ready to play from Day One. A little on-air lesson from my CCPT Hockey Show co-host Cassie McClellan and a visit to hockeydb.com revealed Luongo's full history - from his junior days in the Q, to being drafted #4 overall to the Islanders, then his stint in Florida before making that cross-country trip to Vancouver, BC during the 2006-2007 season. The return to Miami seems to have done Roberto a bit of good as he's off to a good start. However, veteran commentator (and flashy fashion guru) Don Cherry is all hot under the collar about a snarky comment tweeted out under his @Strombone1 account.
(Roberto's new gig/Photo: Florida Panthers)
3. Michael Del Zotto - This story lit up my "feel good" radar, not because of his trade from the Rangers to Predators (back in January), but what happened last week. Seems Michael befriended a young fan with cerebral palsy several years ago. The two texted and talked daily, as well as spending time together when they could, playing video games and chatting. Young Liam didn't take the trade news too well, and Michael was also a bit bereft at leaving his little buddy. What happened next has been beautifully captured by James Murphy on NHL.com.
(Michael Del Zotto & his pal Liam)
WHL PLAYOFFS:
We're heading into the final week of regular season play across the WHL and a number of teams have already clinched playoff spots (more so in the Western Conference than in the East):
Eastern Conference teams that have clinched playoff spots:
Edmonton Oil Kings
Regina Pats
Calgary Hitmen
Medicine Hat Tigers
Kootenay Ice
Western Conference teams that have clinched playoff spots:
Kelowna Rockets
Portland Winterhawks
Victoria Royals
Seattle Thunderbirds
Spokane Chiefs
Everett Silvertips
Vancouver Giants
Stay tuned for playoff brackets....
CHARGER PRIDE:
Those of you who know me know I attended the University of Alabama Huntsville in the early 90's and developed my love of hockey by cheering on the Chargers (and serving as the school's "official" national anthem singer). If you follow college hockey, you may also be aware of the rocky road the Chargers hockey program has traversed over the past few years, as well as being cancelled, resurrected (following a tidal wave of backlash) and finding a home with the WCHA. UAH wrapped up its current season yesterday with a 2-35-1 record, which may look dismal. Okay, it is dismal. Hopefully, the coaching staff can recruit some great talent and move on from here on firmer footing.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
NHL Calendar
Found this on the AP wires this morning. Pretty useful.
JANUARY:
25 -- NHL Stadium Series: Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings at Dodger Stadium.
26 -- NHL Stadium Series: New YorkRangers vs. New Jersey Devils at Yankee Stadium.
29 -- NHL Stadium Series: New YorkRangers vs. New York Islanders at Yankee Stadium.
FEBRUARY:
9 -- Olympic break begins.
12 -- Olympic men's hockey tournament
begins: Sochi, Russia.
23 -- Olympic men's hockey gold-medal
game: Sochi, Russia.
26 -- NHL regular season resumes.
MARCH:
1 -- NHL Stadium Series: PittsburghPenguins at Chicago Blackhawks, Soldier Field.
2 -- NHL Heritage Classic: Ottawa Senators at Vancouver Canucks, BC Place
5 -- Trade deadline, 3 p.m., EST.
10-12 -- NHL general managers meeting,
Boca Raton, Fla.
APRIL:
13 -- Last day of regular season.
16 -- Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.
MAY:
25-31 -- NHL combine, Toronto.
JUNE:
18 -- Last possible day for Stanley Cup
finals.
25 -- NHL awards, Las Vegas.
27-28 -- NHL Entry Draft, Philadelphia.
JULY:
1 -- Free agency begins.
5 -- Deadline for player-elected salary
arbitration notification.
6 -- Deadline for club-elected salary
arbitration notification.
20-Aug. 6 -- Salary arbitration
hearings held.
AUGUST:
8 -- Deadline for salary arbitration
decisions.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Hockey Talk.. or... Talking Hockey...
I like to talk about hockey.
I like to hear others talk about hockey.
It's a good thing, then, that I get to co-host a weekly show about... hockey.
My friend Cassie McClellan, who writes for the Tampa Bay Lightning blog Raw Charge (and other websites) and I kicked off the fourth season of our weekly radio show "CCPT Hockey" today, with a fun chat about the season so far and a look at PIM leaders (players and teams).
Logistical issues prevented us from starting the season in August like most other hockey radio shows, but we're really not stressed about it. Our show is more a live chat than a "show" in the "official" sense of the word. We have the occasional guest and even the occasional "high profile" guest, but for the most part, we have a fun group of people who take part in the live, interactive chat that takes place while our show's on the air, and have our hockey loving friends call in to praise or bitch about their teams.
Don't get me wrong. Cassie and I can talk stats like everyone else, but why would we want to? How boring is it to tune in every week for STATS. Seriously. How many of you with college educations really *enjoy* your statistics class? Okay, I know some of you still enjoy statistics. Otherwise, we wouldn't have statistics to talk about, right? I mean, it takes a special mind to come up with the number of times a player has scored on a Saturday night in November where there happened to be a three-quarters moon in the sky.
I kid. I respect all of you statistically-minded hockey fans out there. The world needs you. I mean it. I really do.
I also digress.
When Cassie promoted our first show on Facebook, someone asked her why our show was named CCPT Hockey Show - and what's up with the Russian-looking logo? If you listened to today's show, you'd know the answer to both questions. If you haven't listened to the podcast version yet, here you go:
"CCPT" stands for CONNECT COMMUNITY PUCK TALK. The show was created a number of years ago by our friend Justine (aka "Juice in LA") as a gathering place for hockey fans who became friends on NHL.com's (now pretty defunct) fan site: NHL Connect. In its heyday, NHL Connect was a breeding ground for fans who expressed their hockey love via essays, stories, limericks and more. I stumbled onto the site in 2008, while licking the wounds left by the Pittsburgh Penguins' heartbreaking SCF loss to Detroit. Juice and others welcomed me warmly, and quickly became my family away from home. Looking back, it's funny how most of my early Connect friends were Red Wings fans... I did some of my best writing while a member of that site, including my ode to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team (and my dad), which was featured on NHL.com's homepage for several days (I wish I had saved a screen grab).
A handful of Connectors even managed to meet up in San Jose for a German dinner and game between the Sharks and Red Wings (Juice, JoJo, Al, Shannon, Kevin - did I leave anyone out?). Ahh... those were the days!
Alas, as so often happens in many Utopian societies, TROLLS discovered NHL Connect and tromped all over our thriving community, testing friendships, creating alliances, and basically shitting all over the place. A small group of us took our leave and our Flyers friend Matt told us about BlogTalkRadio.com. Juice created the show and we all happily joined in. When Juice's schedule became too hectic to continue, Cassie and I took over. We tried to make it an "official" show for a while, but reverted back to our carefree hosting style when we realized we weren't really having a lot of fun trying to be "official."
Which brings us to today.
Season 4 of the CCPT Hockey Show launched at 6pm ET/3pm ET on BlogTalkRadio.com. Cassie and I managed to fly through an hour of talking about standings, divisions, wild card (huh?), the incomprehensible, early implosion of the Flyers, the unbelievably great play of the Avs, Coyotes and a TEAM-THAT-SHALL-NOT-BE-NAMED (but whose initials are TBL). We also discussed PIM leaders so far:
Players:
1. Derek Dorsett (NYR) - 73 PIM in 17 games (fmr. Medicine Hat Tigers/WHL)
2. Radko Gudas (TBL) - 57 PIM in 16 games (fmr. Everett Silvertips/WHL)
3. Steve Downie (COL, PHI) - 53 PIM in 12 games (fmr.Kitchener/Peterborough/Windsor/OHL)
4. Antoine Roussel (DAL) - 52 PIM in 17 games (fmr. Chicoutimi Sagueneens/QMJHL)
5. Erik Gudbranson (FLA) - 51 PIM in 18 games (fmr. Kingston Frontenace/OHL)
Teams:
1. Flyers - 311 PIM in 16 games
2. Blues - 274 PIM in 15 games
3. Leafs - 279 PIM in 17 games
4. Caps - 273 PIM in 18 games
5. Rangers - 252 PIM in 17 games
Well, I seem to have encapsulated a lot of what we talked about on today's show, which means you have absolutely no reason to listen to it. In the event you do, here's the link to a story on CCPT Hockey Show's website that includes the podcast, and a few more statistics that are blowing our minds right now: http://ccpthockey.blogspot.com/2013/11/were-back.html
If you find yourself with nothing to do next Sunday at 6pm ET/3pm ET (or the Sunday after that, or the... you get the idea), join us on the air or in the chat room. Here's our show page: CCPT Hockey Show
You can also follow the show on Twitter: @CCPTHockey
Here's Cassie's Twitter handle: @dagmar27
And here's mine: @Motley_Su
I like to hear others talk about hockey.
It's a good thing, then, that I get to co-host a weekly show about... hockey.
My friend Cassie McClellan, who writes for the Tampa Bay Lightning blog Raw Charge (and other websites) and I kicked off the fourth season of our weekly radio show "CCPT Hockey" today, with a fun chat about the season so far and a look at PIM leaders (players and teams).
Logistical issues prevented us from starting the season in August like most other hockey radio shows, but we're really not stressed about it. Our show is more a live chat than a "show" in the "official" sense of the word. We have the occasional guest and even the occasional "high profile" guest, but for the most part, we have a fun group of people who take part in the live, interactive chat that takes place while our show's on the air, and have our hockey loving friends call in to praise or bitch about their teams.
Don't get me wrong. Cassie and I can talk stats like everyone else, but why would we want to? How boring is it to tune in every week for STATS. Seriously. How many of you with college educations really *enjoy* your statistics class? Okay, I know some of you still enjoy statistics. Otherwise, we wouldn't have statistics to talk about, right? I mean, it takes a special mind to come up with the number of times a player has scored on a Saturday night in November where there happened to be a three-quarters moon in the sky.
I kid. I respect all of you statistically-minded hockey fans out there. The world needs you. I mean it. I really do.
I also digress.
When Cassie promoted our first show on Facebook, someone asked her why our show was named CCPT Hockey Show - and what's up with the Russian-looking logo? If you listened to today's show, you'd know the answer to both questions. If you haven't listened to the podcast version yet, here you go:
"CCPT" stands for CONNECT COMMUNITY PUCK TALK. The show was created a number of years ago by our friend Justine (aka "Juice in LA") as a gathering place for hockey fans who became friends on NHL.com's (now pretty defunct) fan site: NHL Connect. In its heyday, NHL Connect was a breeding ground for fans who expressed their hockey love via essays, stories, limericks and more. I stumbled onto the site in 2008, while licking the wounds left by the Pittsburgh Penguins' heartbreaking SCF loss to Detroit. Juice and others welcomed me warmly, and quickly became my family away from home. Looking back, it's funny how most of my early Connect friends were Red Wings fans... I did some of my best writing while a member of that site, including my ode to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team (and my dad), which was featured on NHL.com's homepage for several days (I wish I had saved a screen grab).
A handful of Connectors even managed to meet up in San Jose for a German dinner and game between the Sharks and Red Wings (Juice, JoJo, Al, Shannon, Kevin - did I leave anyone out?). Ahh... those were the days!
Alas, as so often happens in many Utopian societies, TROLLS discovered NHL Connect and tromped all over our thriving community, testing friendships, creating alliances, and basically shitting all over the place. A small group of us took our leave and our Flyers friend Matt told us about BlogTalkRadio.com. Juice created the show and we all happily joined in. When Juice's schedule became too hectic to continue, Cassie and I took over. We tried to make it an "official" show for a while, but reverted back to our carefree hosting style when we realized we weren't really having a lot of fun trying to be "official."
Which brings us to today.
Season 4 of the CCPT Hockey Show launched at 6pm ET/3pm ET on BlogTalkRadio.com. Cassie and I managed to fly through an hour of talking about standings, divisions, wild card (huh?), the incomprehensible, early implosion of the Flyers, the unbelievably great play of the Avs, Coyotes and a TEAM-THAT-SHALL-NOT-BE-NAMED (but whose initials are TBL). We also discussed PIM leaders so far:
Players:
1. Derek Dorsett (NYR) - 73 PIM in 17 games (fmr. Medicine Hat Tigers/WHL)
2. Radko Gudas (TBL) - 57 PIM in 16 games (fmr. Everett Silvertips/WHL)
3. Steve Downie (COL, PHI) - 53 PIM in 12 games (fmr.Kitchener/Peterborough/Windsor/OHL)
4. Antoine Roussel (DAL) - 52 PIM in 17 games (fmr. Chicoutimi Sagueneens/QMJHL)
5. Erik Gudbranson (FLA) - 51 PIM in 18 games (fmr. Kingston Frontenace/OHL)
Teams:
1. Flyers - 311 PIM in 16 games
2. Blues - 274 PIM in 15 games
3. Leafs - 279 PIM in 17 games
4. Caps - 273 PIM in 18 games
5. Rangers - 252 PIM in 17 games
Well, I seem to have encapsulated a lot of what we talked about on today's show, which means you have absolutely no reason to listen to it. In the event you do, here's the link to a story on CCPT Hockey Show's website that includes the podcast, and a few more statistics that are blowing our minds right now: http://ccpthockey.blogspot.com/2013/11/were-back.html
If you find yourself with nothing to do next Sunday at 6pm ET/3pm ET (or the Sunday after that, or the... you get the idea), join us on the air or in the chat room. Here's our show page: CCPT Hockey Show
You can also follow the show on Twitter: @CCPTHockey
Here's Cassie's Twitter handle: @dagmar27
And here's mine: @Motley_Su
Friday, August 30, 2013
Hockey in Seattle... and Everett... and Spokane... and Wenatchee... etc.
There's been a lot of talk lately
about Seattle getting an NHL team. Some people have gone on and on about how
much they miss going to hockey games and an NHL team can't come soon enough
because it's too much of a hassle to drive up to Vancouver to watch the
Canucks, not to mention the ticket prices.
*AHEM*
Hockey is alive and well in
Seattle... and Everett... and Spokane... and the Tri Cities... and Wenatchee...
and even across the border in Oregon (Portland, to be exact). Okay, in
all fairness, these are major junior teams comprised of players who are 16 to
20 years old. Some of the so-called "hockey" fans I've chatted with
say they have no time to watch kids - bring on the big guys, the pros. Other
fans I've chatted with talk excitedly about being able to watch NHL players
like Marian Hossa (Portland Winterhawks), Patrick Marleau
(Seattle Thunderbirds), Zdeno Chara (Prince George Cougars) and Carey
Price (Tri City Americans) (to name JUST a few) hone their skills in
the Western Hockey League, then watching those "kids" go on to have
successful NHL careers. (For a complete list of WHL alumni - players AND
coaches - currently in the NHL, visit WHL Network’s Prospect Central)
Here’s a list of teams within
driving distance of Seattle:
Everett
Silvertips (WHL, home arena: Comcast Arena)
Seattle
Thunderbirds (WHL, home arena: ShoWare Center)
Spokane Chiefs (WHL, home arena: Spokane Arena)
Tri City Americans (WHL, home arena: Toyota Center)
Portland Winterhawks (WHL, home arenas: Memorial Coliseum, Rose Garden)
Wenatchee
Wild (NAHL, home arena: Town Toyota
Center)
There are a number of reasons to
drive to Everett, Kent or take a road trip to Wenatchee, Spokane, the Tri
Cities and Portland - or even a ferry over to Victoria or cross the border to
Vancouver and support major junior hockey:
- Games are affordable! You can score a ticket for as little as $10
- There's not a bad seat in the house... err.. arena
- You'll meet some awesome fans, many who also double as billet (host) families, giving players a "home" away from home.
- You can help support these kids on their quest to attain NHL careers by showing up and cheering loudly.
- You can bask in the satisfaction of saying on NHL Draft day, "I knew _______ would make it!"
- You can watch NHL games with your buddies and say, "I watched ________ come up in the WHL. I knew he'd make it."
- Did I mention games are affordable?
- Snacks and drinks are a lot cheaper than at NHL arenas (and a mere pittance when compared to food sold at Safeco & CenturyLink Fields)
- You can join your team's Booster Club and take part in special events, meet and greets, and get special deals and promotions or sponsor a player as their "Secret Pal"
- Without leagues like the WHL (and OHL, QMJL, NAHL, USHL, NCAA and others), there might not be an NHL - or an NHL filled with players from such diverse backgrounds. I mean, how many frozen ponds are there in Canada for up and coming players to hone their skills? (Just kidding, I know all Canadian boys are born with skates strapped to their feet and hockey skills embedded in their brains.
If this hasn't convinced you to
plunk down $10 to check out a game, maybe the following people will. They're
the men and women who cover the teams, driving to every home game (and even
some away games), interviewing coaches and players, breaking down plays and
offering their skilled analysis of the team they cover, as well as every
opponent who comes to town. They know their stuff and are more than happy to
chat with you should you happen to run into them at a game (or on
Twitter).
Let me introduce the writers who
cover teams in Washington and Oregon, along with their Twitter handles (click
on their names to visit their websites):
Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Tri City Americans (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild (NAHL)
Want to know what life is like as a
major junior hockey player? I can help you with that, too! Chris Rumble, who
played with the Wenatchee Wild from 2009-2011 and now attends Canisius College
on a hockey scholarship, filmed a documentary during his final year with the
Wild. It’s called Into the Ice and is
available on DVD. (Side note: if the name Chris Rumble sounds familiar, he’s
the mastermind behind the “Stronger”
video shot at Seattle Children’s Hospital that went viral)
So, you’ve been prepped. Now, sit
back and think about what turned you into a hockey fan. Think about the amazing
plays you’ve seen, the players who defied description, the players you
believed in, even if others had already written them off. Did you wish you
could have seen The Great One as a kid player? Super Mario? Bobby Hull? This is
your chance to watch for the next generation of “Great Ones.” The challenge to
you is to go to your local arena and see whether you can spot the next NHL star
in the making.
If you see me there, come say hi. I’ll
buy you a beer.
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