Why the hell would the Blue Jackets want Kiprusoff when they own this year’s Vezina Trophy winner?!
No, Kyp, this Kip is done.
Kiprusoff was selected in the 5th round of the 1995 NHL entry draft and started his career with the San Jose Sharks. He made his debut in Calgary in the 2005-2006 where he has played ever since. It hasn’t been an easy road with the Flames. Rumors were constant every year of if he would stay or ask to be traded. With the team he’s had in front of him the past few years, I can’t blame him.
Kipper. (Photo: Scotmandu. flickr)
A native of Finland I could see Kiprusoff heading back over there and landing a spot with the national team. Maybe not playing but goalie coach or otherwise. This won’t be the last you’ll hear of him that’s for sure. Watch out Sochi.
His NHL Career saw him play in 599 games with 311 wins and 44 shutouts. Not too shabby if I don’t say so myself.
Unless you’re the Ottawa Senators (cause banning Toronto fans into the Crappy Tire Centre can’t be too far behind.), fans from the opposing team in that evening’s game might be scarce. Sure there might be a couple of fans who live in town or a few might make a road trip down but there a few things to consider if you decide to head down this road.
1. Don’t Be A Drunken Loud Mouth Idiot This is just asking for it. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen away fans lose their mind and get into people’s faces when their team scores only to be heckled even worse by the home fans surrounding them. Being a loud mouth in general is stupid but in certain arenas, this isn’t taken too lightly. Sit down, shut up, fist pump and scream a couple “Woohoo!” if you must but relax. You’re a visitor. (Toronto fans in Ottawa disregard this as I actually think it’s funny.)
2. Do Not Flaunt Your Jersey
Really Rihanna?! Really?! Sigh.
I’m not saying don’t wear it. In fact, I recommended every fan in every sport to wear their jerseys with pride. Just don’t flaunt it. You’ve already been spotted with it on and mentally noted as the enemy. For some reason, this is worse in places like Montreal and I hate to it, Boston. Personal story time: A few years ago my cousin, a Leafs fan, took in a regular season game in Montreal. He got up and did the occasional high fives and woohoo’s after every Leaf goal but was very tame. The Leafs ended up winning and on the way out, with him flaunting around his jersey got stabbed in the leg. Yes, it was stupidity on both parts but for future reference, just don’t do this. Granted, some people are just complete morons, hence this video:
3. Do Not Get Into The Home Town Fans Faces
This ties in with statement number 1 and it should be a given. There is nothing worse than know it all idiots who do nothing but rub the score in all game. News flash for you buddy, you’re outnumbered. If you’re gonna debate hockey stats, make sure you know your stuff buddy. Make one wrong move and it’s lights out for you.
4. Respect The Home Town Team
I don’t care how much you hate them. I don’t care how intense this “hatred” is. Respect the home team. You’re in their arena; their home. You’d want to be shown the same respect from visiting fans in your rink wouldn’t you? Furthermore, the players on your team are under just as much scrutiny as you are.
Oh…..and don’t be this guy. Goes for both home and away fans.
John Tortorella is expected to be sworn in as coach today in a Vancouver press conference at 4pm. Lots of speculation had been swimming the past couple weeks on who would be head manning the team since Vigneault was let go.
This could be fun my friends. Can you imagine fiery Tortorella lashing out at the Canadian media? Luongo might even want to continue to play there! Torts is a take no nosense, old school style coach who I think will strive with a veteran team in Vancouver.
Torts does indeed have a championship ring which he earned with Tampa Bay in 2004. Maybe this is what Vancouver needs to keep their winning ways in the post season. Well, that obviously remains to be seen but it will be damn fun to watch in the meantime.
In a phenomenal game 6, the Stanley Cup was won in the final minute of the third period. As a team who held a 24 game winning streak during the season, they deserve every minute of this moment.
(Photo: totalprosports.com)
Their 2 Cup in 4 years, Dave Bolland sealed the deal on a sprawling Tuukka Rask after the game being tied up twice. The tying and winning goal game came 17 seconds apart from each other. Patrick Kane picked up the Conn Smythe.
Chicago spent a few years building up their team with young players such as Kane, Toews, Keith among others. Toews was drafted first overall in 06 and Kane followed suit in 07. This core is going to be scary for a long time.
Congratulations to your 2013 Stanley Cup champions!
The Olympics are not far away so it’s time to brush up on our international hockey teams.Team Finland has not been very strong in their national department of defence on the ice. That being said, their dynamite offensive forwards make up for a lot of that.
Although the roster’s won’t be finalized for a while there are a few players that we can speculate on. Two big names that play in their favour are Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu. The fire power on these two and veteran sense can come a long way in a tournament like the Olympic games. Also, god bless Teemu.
Koivu’s younger brother Mikko and Valtteri Flippula are also two big strong offensive pieces to their puzzle. And then there’s Olli Jokinen….
How to draw Olli Jokinen.
Goaltending. You want to talk about depth. The top 3 goaltenders the Fins have are Pekka Rinne, Antti Niemi and hot flavour of the moment Tuukka Rask. My god the Flyers would invade for that kind of lineup.
Timonen.
The defensive line is old and speaking of the Flyers, leading the way is Kimmo Timonen. Along with Sammi Salo, they both provide leadership and veteran qualities to help out young pups like Sami Lepisto.
Finland is apart of the ‘Big 7’ and won bronze in Vancouver but nobody ever seems to remember that. Well, I do and I’m these guys could shock a few people.
Thought I’d take a minute to direct you guys to an article I did for Blackout Dallas. BD is an entirely fan written site associated with Sports Illustrated.
In honour of the Stanley Cup Finals, I took a look back at one of the most controversial games in NHL history. Go take a read for yourself, just click the logo.
Next team up in our look at the 2013 LNAH Draft is the Cool FM from St. Georges.
Parenteau in the white. (Photo: theguardian.pe.ca)
St. Georges have lost a few veteran players due to various reasons so they were looking to beef up their roster. Their first pick came in the form of forward Guillaume Parenteau. Parenteau just finished off his collegiate career with the University Of Moncton amassing a total of 224 points in his 5 years.
Next player of note is Kevin Dupont who spent 7 years in the QMJHL. A left handed two way defenceman, he just finished up last season with McGill University.
Goaltender Bobby Nadeau is another notable draft. Spending some time in the ‘Q’, he just finished up his studies at Halifax’s Dalhousie University. Name sound familiar? He’s the one Patrick Roy’s son literally dismantled in a 2008 brawl.
In all St.Georges drafted 11 players, 6 forwards, 3 defenceman and 2 goaltenders. A few of them are definately looking at signing with the team.
The late 80’s, early 90’s were arguably a rough time for hockey. After Gretzky took off for Los Angeles it seemed everything went slightly down hill. Although the league was trying to expand it’s talent pool, they let in some dandys. On Mediocre Monday, we take a look at some of those!
1. Peter Popovic: Montreal Canadians, NY Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins.
Chara: eat your heart out.
Popovic was a Swedish defenceman who was drafted in the 5th round of the 1988 Draft to Montreal. After playing 5 seasons in Sweden, he made his NHL debut in the 1993-94 season. For the next 5 years, he played in 485 games with the teams I stated above and accumulated a dimal 73 point. 73 POINTS IN 485 GAMES. At 6’5 he did cover a lot of ground though and did his job in front of the crease. He’s currently an Assistant Coach with the Swedish Men’s National Team.
2. Jim Kyte: Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, San Joe Sharks
Big Jim Kyte started his junior career out with my hometown Cornwall Royals and actually didn’t fair out too badly. His stats though are a little more depressive then Popovic’s. Kyte played in 598 games and tallied 66 points. Although he’s ranked here for being mediocre, you have to commend the guy. Kyte holds the record for being the first (and only) legally deaf player to play professional hockey. In that regard, he is indeed an inspiration.
3. Enrico Ciccone, Minnesota North Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadians.
Saving the best for last. A career long minus player, Ciccone was drafted by Minnesota in the 5th round in 1990. He never played a full season anywhere. 374 NHL games amassed with 28 points. One stat he was a leader in was penalty minutes. Over his career he punched up a total of 1,469. Not bad for an Italian Canadian.
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