Archive for January, 2010
Posted on January 25, 2010 by admin
I had to pass on this article from Michael Russo at StarTribune.com
“The coach [Pete Horachek] is kicking over the Gatorade and screaming,” Richards said. “I’m sitting there and look across the room and here’s our goalie … reading a book!”
As goalie, he took a novel approach
The Wild’s director of hockey administration was famous — or infamous — in one minor league season for reading between periods.
By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
Shep Harder was a minor league journeyman — a one-year minor league journeyman.
There were cups of coffee that had longer stays in one city.
In 2000-01, Harder — the Wild’s now-33-year-old director of hockey administration — bounced around the East Coast and International Hockey leagues, playing 15 games for five teams.
“It became pretty clear I was a marginal minor league goaltender at best and I was 25 years old by the end of it all, so I think the writing was on the wall that it wasn’t going to happen for me,” said Harder, who grew up in Wayzata and made a name for himself at Blake by being the goalie who snapped powerhouse Bloomington Jefferson’s 60-game win streak in 1994.
After playing at Colgate University, Harder’s minor league career was such a blip on the radar, he figured there was no way Todd Richards would remember being teammates with him.
So at Richards’ news conference last June, Harder tiptoed up to the new Wild coach to reintroduce himself.
“I played 13 years, and you play with a lot of different players and guys come up to me all the time and say, ‘Remember, I played with you’ here,” Richards said. “Usually, I say, ‘Gosh, I’m sorry, I don’t remember.’”
Read on
Posted on January 17, 2010 by admin
I got frustrated just reading this, I feel that consistency is necessary when handing out suspensions, a cheap hit is a cheap hit regardless who is behind it.
Discipline czar Colin Campbell applies uneven standards when he should be outlawing all dangerous head shots.
By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune
t used to bother me that NHL Senior VP and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell — aka the discipline czar — doesn’t explain how he does or doesn’t come up with suspensions.
How does the Wild’s Derek Boogaard get five games on a first-offense elbow last season but Phoenix’s Ed Jovanovski gets two on a third blow to the head in two years — and second in a month — just a week ago?
How does one man arbitrarily render discipline based seemingly on no criteria?
Critics joke that Campbell must have a dartboard in his office, although as a blog commenter said on “Russo’s Rants” the other day, it’s more like “Wheel of Fortune” because eventually Campbell would get good at throwing darts.
By dodging transparency and then showing zero candor, Campbell leaves the league open to criticism.
But after hearing Campbell on the radio Thursday justify why he didn’t suspend Pittsburgh’s Sergei Gonchar for his blow to the head of the Wild’s Cal Clutterbuck, it’s probably best he keeps muzzling himself.
Read on
Posted on January 11, 2010 by admin
Yes, the Blackhawks are in the midst of a short cold patch having lost to the Wild Saturday is crazy, no excuse fashion, but they’re still the hottest team in town in Chicago — and one of the best in the league. And President John McDonough is seeing the benefits of success.
McDonough, in the third year of a five-year contract got an extension Monday through 2016. The man who helped bring the Blackhawks back to TV after many dark years – and who helped make the Cubs a nationwide brand name – will continue to improve momentum for the once moribund Original Six team.
“(McDonough’s) commitment, insight and guidance have led the organization to record attendance, unprecedented season ticket sales, new sponsorships and partnerships with WGN Radio and WGN-TV,” team owner Rocky Wirtz said in a memo Monday to executives of Wirtz Corp., which owns the Blackhawks and other businesses.
“Recently we sent a message that we were serious about the future and about winning the Stanley Cup by signing a key group of players to long-term contracts,” Mr. Wirtz wrote in the memo. “Having a front office second to none will be critical to that success.”
Talk about a turn around — remember only a few years ago when they stunk every year and they couldn’t pay Chicagoan’s to watch or attend a game. He’s earned it. They have years of success ahead of them.
Posted on January 7, 2010 by admin
NHL.com gives us their midseason report in the form of top 5’s.
Blackhawks, Devils emerge as best of first half
By Dan Rosen – NHL.com Staff Writer
We’re about halfway there. Heck, some teams have already sped past the midpoint of the 2009-10 NHL season. In fact, the Montreal Canadiens lead the League with 45 games played.
But now that we’re out of the fog created by the simply fantastic 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, it’s time for NHL.com to look back at the first half of the season before we jet off to the Olympics. So, here we go, in Top 5 form.
Read on
Posted on January 7, 2010 by admin
Rocket race, Kovy’s future and loonies
By Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun
ESPN.com
We are midway through the 2009-10 season, so what should puckheads keep an eye on in the second half? Here are 10 burning questions from our experts:
1. Which of these teams will most likely fade out of the playoff picture: Colorado, Phoenix or Nashville?
Burnside: I’m not sure any of them will, but I think the Preds are most susceptible to falling just below the Mendoza Line when the dust clears in mid-April. They currently are dealing with the loss of team goal-scoring leader Martin Erat and historically have struggled to score.
LeBrun: Keep an eye on the Avs. Hopefully I’m wrong, because I love the way coach Joe Sacco has this team playing, but I worry about the durability of 18-year-old centers Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly. Sacco’s system asks a lot of the centers. Craig Anderson’s numbers have dipped a bit after a torrid opening two months, and I think it’s because he’s been a little overtaxed. The rest during the Olympic break should be beneficial to him.
2. Who will win the “Rocket” Richard Trophy for most goals?
Burnside: Ilya Kovalchuk. We’re not sure with which team (see below), but we’re looking for a big second half from the big Russian not named Ovechkin.
LeBrun: Alex Ovechkin. He’d be running away with it at the midpoint had he not gotten hurt and suspended. He’ll leave everyone in the dust by April and collect another Rocket, which means another trip to Las Vegas for the NHL awards show. Fun times!
3. Who is your dark horse to win the Hart Trophy?
Burnside: Henrik Sedin. The Vancouver Canucks forward hit the halfway point tied with San Jose’s Joe Thornton for the NHL lead in points and proved he can play without his twin brother, Daniel. He is the straw that stirs the Canucks’ drink.
LeBrun: Marian Gaborik. Look at the true definition of MVP and ask yourself whether the New York Rangers would have won a single game this season without the NHL’s leading goal scorer.
4. What jersey will Ilya Kovalchuk be wearing at the end of the regular season?
Burnside: We’re guessing now it won’t be an Atlanta Thrashers jersey, so we’ll go with a dark horse, the Philadelphia Flyers. Second choice? Chicago Blackhawks.
LeBrun: Just for kicks, how about the Montreal Canadiens? They’re a surprising eighth in the East at the midway point, and GM Bob Gainey was ready to sell the farm for Vincent Lecavalier last season. Why not Kovalchuk?
Read on
Posted on January 6, 2010 by admin
In this helpful article for youth sports parents, Dr. Patrick J. Cohn, a leading youth sports psychology expert, discusses 7 steps parents can take to help their child perform with more confidence.
7 Steps to Helping Your Athlete Play with More Confidence – Hockey competition can be both mentally and physically challenging for young athletes. Kids may feel nervous, unsettled, or feel more pressure to play their best. Young athletes may experience excitement or nervous jitters before and during competition. Athletes who feel jitters are the players who may under perform.
Some young athletes may have a fear of embarrassment or fear of making mistakes. Some athletes make comparisons with other athletes, which is not always healthy for kids’ confidence. Some young hockey players are worried about impressing a coach or parent. Some athletes are held back because they lack confidence and have doubts. Other athletes may try to perform perfectly and tie themselves up in knots doing so.
Check it out
Posted on January 5, 2010 by admin
Team USA an unconventional success story
By Damien Cox Sports Columnist
It’s become fashionable for Canadians to suggest hockey has failed as a sport in the southern United States.
The pathetic plight of the Phoenix Coyotes, on top of the troubles experienced by teams in Florida, Atlanta and Nashville, have made it easy to make that argument.
Problem is, it’s only partially correct. The sport itself, you see, has deeper roots in those regions than ever.
When Canada takes on the U.S. in Tuesday night’s much anticipated gold medal game at the 2010 world junior hockey championship, there will be evidence on both teams that areas once regarded as non-hockey territories are now producing world-class players.
You’ll be witnessing, to some degree, the Gretzky Effect.
Read on