Fantasy hockey time again!

Another NHL season is finally underway, which means another fantasy hockey season. Some friends from the old "NHL Connect" days and I held our draft last night. I love these guys and gals because we have so much fun! Some of my friends are pretty serious about this and out to win the league, but most of us use this as an excuse to socialize a little more during the season.

I've drafted teams based on a variety of criteria (where they played juniors, how players look in suits, etc.). This year, I decided to draft on age. My plan didn't succeed entirely, because others grabbed certain players before I could, but all in all, I think I came up with a pretty interesting team.

Without further ado, I give you: OLD DOGS, YOUNG PUPS

T.J. Oshie













Brooks Laich













Pascal Dupuis












Benoit Pouliot (picture him in a TBL uniform)



















Jaromir Jagr

















Teemu Selanne



















Brooks Orpik

Jack "JMFJ" Johnson

Ryan Whitney

Thomas Hickey (picture him in a NYI uniform)

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins



















Mike Smith

Evgeni Nabokov

Brayden Schenn

Steve Sullivan

Max Talbot

Ryan Kesler

NHL 2013 schedule, team by team

The NHL season gets underway next weekend, following months of quibbling over a new CBA. I don't have much to say about this- it's been thoroughly covered from all sides by much better writers than I.

Here's my meager offering - links to every team's schedule:

Anaheim Ducks

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Calgary Flames

Carolina Hurricanes

Chicago Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars

Detroit Red Wings

Edmonton Oilers

Florida Panthers

Los Angeles Kings

Minnesota Wild

Montreal Canadiens

Nashville Predators

New Jersey Devils

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Ottawa Senators

Philadelphia Flyers

Phoenix Coyotes

Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose Sharks

St. Louis Blues

Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver Canucks

Washington Capitals

Winnipeg Jets

Great message to NHL/NHLPA

GREAT message to the NHL/NHLPA - look past the lockout to see hockey thriving at many levels

An open letter to hockey fans

Dear Hockey Friends,

If there's a youth, junior or minor league hockey team in your area, please give them your support. It's great to see young people working hard to not just win for their team, but building toward a future in the sport. They're enthusiastic, passionate and will eagerly welcome you to their venue.

On the other hand, it's pretty safe to say that the NHL DOES NOT CARE for its fans. So why not give your support to youngsters who have not yet been jaded by things like "collective bargaining agreements?"

Here in the greater Seattle area alone, we're blessed with two WHL teams, one NAHL team, one NORPAC team, and a number of youth hockey leagues from Bellingham to Vancouver (with many more throughout WA state and into Oregon and up in British Columbia!)

Go cheer on the stars of tomorrow, since the stars of today seem to be stuck on the bench.

(Photo: Mick White)

Fun WHL fans to tweet with during the season!

Just wrapped up a story for the KING 5 website spotlighting Twitter handles of all the WHL teams and some of the more high-profile writers/bloggers for each team. You can check out that list by clicking here.

I love following teams and "official" writers as much as anyone, but during hockey season, I find I have the most fun chatting with other fans on Twitter. Most of my online WHL friends are within the US Division, although each and every one will give you a run for your money when talking about pretty much anything hockey related.

If you're looking for smart, witty and passionate hockey fans to connect with this winter, start following these people (and let me know who else I should follow for fun WHL chatter!)

Everett Silvertips fans:
@thenwchica (Amy is passionate about the 'Tips, Canucks, Pens and Ducks)
@walkbyfaith1970 (Christine will chat hockey + more with you)
@kirabby44 (Jodie wants more cowbells!)
@rmarcham (Ray will talk 'Tips & other teams. He knows WHL history like the back of his hand. And if you're an Edmonton Oilers fan, you're all right in his book)
@StephNewsNow (She's a news anchor in Boise, but the 'Tips are #1 in her heart)

Seattle Thunderbirds fans:
@naultybits (Sheena moved away from the Seattle area, but her T-Birds passion burns strong)
@RealmofHelm (Tom is also the AWESOME music/PA guy at @ShoWareCenter)
@iankorzeniecki (Ian is a realistic fan - he'll tweet the bad along with the good) 
@lorilinnm (Lori is awesome! A mom and a passionate hockey fan!)

Portland Winterhawks fans:
@TerranceNorman (Terrance is a passionate hockey & Winterhawks fan. You can also talk Iron Maiden with him anytime!)
@KNorman_ (Terrance's better half - awesome friend and Winterhawks fan)

Tri City Americans fans:
@imeanwegotguys (She pulls no punches and is extremely witty to boot)

Spokane Chiefs fans:
@Rhaen_ (I got to take in a 'Tips/Chiefs game once with Rhaen. Cool chick. Great hockey mind)
@AgateShadow (Susie will talk hockey and you will like it!)
@wraparoundcurl (I want to be her when I grow up. Seriously, great with hockey - and just about anything else under the sun)

Hockey's in the air! (at least, it is for the WHL... )

Training camp is underway in the WHL and other leagues.

While you wait for the NHL CBA talks to come to SOME kind of fruitful end, you can check out (and support!) your local team. 

Here's the schedule breakdown for US Division teams. If you don't follow the US Division, you can find a breakdown of training camp schedules at the WHL's website (www.whl.ca). Or, check out your local team's website.

 Everett Silvertips (www.everettsilvertips.com)

Training Camp Schedule at Comcast Community Rink/Comcast Arena

Thursday, August 23:
8:00am – 2:00 pm   Practices (each team individual practice, plus goalie session)
3:45 pm Team Grey vs. Team Green
5:30 pm Team Blue vs. Team Red
 

Friday, August 24:
8:00am – 2:00 pm Practices
3:45 pm Team Green vs. Team Blue
5:30 pm Team Grey vs. Team Red
 

Saturday, August 25:
8:00am – 2:00 pm Practices
3:45 pm Team Green vs. Team Red
5:30 pm Team Grey vs. Team Blue
 

Sunday, August 26:
8:00am 3rd place team vs. 4th place team
9:15 am 1st place team vs. 2nd place team
2:00 pm Green vs. Grey Game

Seattle Thunderbirds (www.seattlethunderbirds.com)

Training Camp Schedule at ShoWare Center
Thursday, August 23
9:00am Team Blue vs. Team White
4:30pm Team Blue vs. Team White

Friday, August 24
9:00am Team Blue vs. Team White
4:30pm Team Blue vs. Team White

Saturday, August 25
3:00pm Team Blue vs. Team White vs. Team Grey

Sunday, August 26
9:00am Team Blue vs. Team White vs. Team Grey
4:30pm Team Blue vs. Team White vs. Team Grey

Monday, August 27
5:30pm Team Blue vs. Team White

Tri City Americans (www.amshockey.com)

Training Camp Schedule at Toyota Center

Thursday, August 23
9:00am to 10:15 am – Practice (Team Gold)
10:30am to 11:45am – Practice (Team Grey)
5:45pm to 6:45pm – Goaltenders Session
7:00pm to 9:00pm – Scrimmage (Gold vs. Grey)

Friday, August 24
9:00am to 10:15 am – Practice (Team Grey)
10:30am to 11:45am – Practice (Team Gold)
5:45pm to 6:45pm – Goaltenders Session
7:00pm to 9:00pm – Scrimmage (Gold vs. Grey)

Saturday, August 25
9:00am to 10:15 am – Power Skating Session (Team Gold)
10:30am to 11:45am – Power Skating Session (Team Grey)
5:45pm to 6:45pm – Goaltenders Session
7:00pm to 9:00pm – Scrimmage (Gold vs. Grey)

Sunday, August 26
10:00am – Blue vs. White Game (*New teams selected)

Spokane Chiefs (www.spokanechiefs.com)

Training Camp Schedule at Spokane Arena

Thursday, August 23rd
10:30am to 12:15pm - Klemm vs. Bruton
1:00pm to 2:45pm - Klemm vs. Sawyer
3:30pm to 5:15pm - Bruton vs. Sawyer

Friday, August 24th
11:00am to 12:45pm - Bruton vs. Sawyer
1:30pm to 3:15pm - Bruton vs. Klemm
4:00pm to5:45pm - Klemm vs. Sawyer

Saturday, August 25th
10:00am to 11:45am - Sawyer vs. Klemm
12:30pm to 2:15pm - Sawyer vs. Bruton
5:45pm to 7:00pm - Bruton vs. Klemm

Sunday, August 26th
Red-White Scrimmage - 1:00 p.m.

SOUVENIR STAND
Thursday through Saturday - 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.
Sunday - 12:00pm - end of game

Portland Winterhawks (www.winterhawks.com)

Training Camp Schedule at Winter Garden

Thursday, August 23rd                     
4:00pm to 5:30pm – Heath vs. Mick           
5:45pm to 7:15pm – Holland vs. Yaremchuk    

Friday, August 24th
4:00pm to 5:30pm – Yaremchuk vs. Mick
5:45pm to 7:15pm – Holland vs. Heath

Saturday, August 25th                   
4:00pm to 5:30pm – Holland vs. Mick     
5:45pm to 7:15pm – Heath vs. Yaremchuk 

Sunday, August 26th
9:00am to 10:30am – Teams TBD – Third place game
10:45am to 12:15pm – Teams TBD – First place game