All-purpose hockey thread...

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Or HB could simply rename this thread, which there's nothing really wrong with.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Can we get rid of the poll? If so, I'm for keeping this one. But otherwise, I'd prefer to start over just for the added screen space.

 

Sirs, Madames,

Re Kessel and others.

The thing that's most amazing about Crosby's rookie season (and presents the stiffest challenge for Kessel) is simply showing up for all the games. The incidence of injury for 18-year-olds stepping into the men's league is very high. Thornton was protected because he hardly played. Big players like Nash or Kovalchuk who take a regular shift generally don't make it through without injury. (Kessel, tho,' is a late birthday so he's 19, a bit of an advantage).

YHS, etc

 

I'm happy to report that the Battalion overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat the Petes in their season opener last night.

 

Agreed. Another vote in favor of this one.

Of course, if everyone keeps using this one, that would settle the issue.

 

Didn't that Charlie Brown thread cause some technical problems for the board once it grew too big?

I'd like to keep this thread, but if it would crash the board, start a new one.

 

That was my motive, but fuck all y'all, keep your drafty old barn while the rest of us go hang out in the new penthouse.

(Kidding)

(Also, GO WHEAT KINGS)

 

The letter of the day in the Toronto Sun's sports section craps all over Toronto's self-appointed status as "centre of the hockey universe." Good on the paper for not only printing this but for highlighting it.

http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/FanFare/2006/09/22/1878553-sun.html

While I was reading Lance Hornby's article (CBC doc shows roots of hockey, Sept. 12) something struck me. His one line, "And though Toronto is considered the centre of the hockey universe today." By whom? A statement like that is nothing more than a self-proclamation. People outside of the GTA don't necessarily share this arrogant and unwarranted view. Let's observe the various levels of hockey in Toronto. The AHL Marlies finished 19th in attendance (out of 28 clubs). The St. Michael's Majors (OHL) rarely have a capacity crowd at a 1,500-seat facility and will be moving to Mississauga in 2007. During the 2004 World Cup of Hockey several hundred seats remained unsold at the ACC for a Canada-Slovakia playoff game. Ticket prices at Maple Leafs games are geared toward corporate clientele. Thus, many Maple Leafs fans find themselves travelling to Buffalo and/or Montreal to simply watch a team that hasn't won a Stanley Cup in almost 40 years. Who was the last Toronto-born NHLer who reached star status? "Centre of the Hockey Universe?" I think not.

MIKE STOJAKOVIC,

BURLINGTON

 

Knew the Majors were getting a new building, didn't realize it was in the Saug. Whither Ice Dogs?

 

Both teams are now owned by Eugene Melnyk, who also owns the Ottawa Senators. He is to divest himself of the Ice Dogs within a year and they will then move to another city. Then the Majors will move into the Mississauga rink. Pretty screwed up but that's life in the Ontario Hockey League.

 

Wow, what a jackass. And to do that to a fairly young expansion team, too. The staff must be thrilled.

 

Melnyk's not to blame here. Maybe the other 18 owners are for allowing this to happen, but Melnyk's making a pretty smart move I think.

And DoubleJ, Mike Stojakovich has a call-in show on Cogeco23 in Burlington. I have to assume that's the same Mike Stojakovich that wrote that letter. He's a very good guy and a very good broadcaster and I can't figure out why he's stuck on community access (I know you weren't saying any different, I'm just saying). Unless that's all he wants to do, I suppose.