Today would be the day 20 years ago that Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. On August 9, 1988 the blockbuster deal is hockey's equivalent to Babe Ruth's trade from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees (there was a curse involved and I am not about to draw direct paralells as baseball purists will rip me apart).
If you want several outlets are using this lull in hockey news to dwell on a trade that pretty much gave any GM for any team to use the phrase, "If they can trade Gretzky..." for any situation when moving talent. Let's just hope George McPhee doesn't say it any time soon about a certian player locked up for several years. The trade also made Gretzky an American icon instead of just a Canadian one.
For news on this very special day you can check out the following links:
TSN.ca
6:00 pm EDT, NHL Network will air Frozen In Time: Wayne Gretzky Trade
Edmonton Oilers Heritage Website
ESPN.com - Scott Burnside
USA Today
LA Times
Edmonton Sun
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Friday, August 08, 2008
Are You Excited For The Olympics?
It only happens every 4 years, how could you not? I was in the process of dumping every program out of my Tivo to catch all the Olympic goodness that will be spewing across my screen over the next couple of weeks as the XXIX games of the Olympiad will be held in Beijing China.
I know that many of my fellow countrymen (and women) will be more interested in the medal count. Which is fine for the United States, Russia, China and other big countries (albeit a bit shallow). But the real excitement for me will be the story lines behind the action and the drama of a good competition.
Like in 1992, when Derek Redmond pulled a muscle but he and his dad finished the race. Who didn't shed a tear for that? Or Kerri Strug's improbable stuck landing on a bum ankle, Olympic magic. Those are the kinds of events that move me to tune in every 4 years and geeking out about gymnastics, track and field and even fencing.
It doesn't have to result in a gold medal, but it does show how big a heart an athlete has to compete and overcome whatever challenges face them.
I know that many of my fellow countrymen (and women) will be more interested in the medal count. Which is fine for the United States, Russia, China and other big countries (albeit a bit shallow). But the real excitement for me will be the story lines behind the action and the drama of a good competition.
Like in 1992, when Derek Redmond pulled a muscle but he and his dad finished the race. Who didn't shed a tear for that? Or Kerri Strug's improbable stuck landing on a bum ankle, Olympic magic. Those are the kinds of events that move me to tune in every 4 years and geeking out about gymnastics, track and field and even fencing.
It doesn't have to result in a gold medal, but it does show how big a heart an athlete has to compete and overcome whatever challenges face them.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
USA Hockey U-20
USA Hockey is holding their under 20 evaluation camp over the next week or so. So far it seems a pretty good start. Playing in Lake Placid NY, the two squads (blue and white) split their games with Finland and Sweden on Tuesday. Blue squad beat Finland 4-1 in the first game and the white squad lost to Sweden 2-3 in the second game.
Ryan Bourque (whose brother Chris, as you know, is playing in Hershey) scored a couple of goals and impressed in the first games. Both of his goals in the win against Finland on Tuesday were on the powerplay. At 5'7" and 170 lbs., he is not much bigger than his brother, but he did play in all 7 games at the Junior World Championship in Russia and netted an impressive 2 goals and 5 points.
If you want to find out more about USA Hockey and camp, check out their 2008 U.S. NJEC Blog.
Ryan Bourque (whose brother Chris, as you know, is playing in Hershey) scored a couple of goals and impressed in the first games. Both of his goals in the win against Finland on Tuesday were on the powerplay. At 5'7" and 170 lbs., he is not much bigger than his brother, but he did play in all 7 games at the Junior World Championship in Russia and netted an impressive 2 goals and 5 points.
If you want to find out more about USA Hockey and camp, check out their 2008 U.S. NJEC Blog.
Steckel Signs, I Have Internet Once More
Comcast is my favorite company in the whole world (sarcasm alert). I have been with out internet/tv/lifeblood of information for the past 48 hours or so. Which means I missed the news that the Capitals have signed David Steckel to a year extension.
Steckel's signing makes a lot of sense, he has been solid addition to the line up and seems on the verge of a break out year. He was good to go for this season, so esentially this is a 2 year deal that will keep him a Capital until the '09-'10 season. But looking at the roster and keeping an eye on the salary cap, the Capitals are going to be pretty tight to start this season. It should be interesting to see how all this plays out.
Steckel's signing makes a lot of sense, he has been solid addition to the line up and seems on the verge of a break out year. He was good to go for this season, so esentially this is a 2 year deal that will keep him a Capital until the '09-'10 season. But looking at the roster and keeping an eye on the salary cap, the Capitals are going to be pretty tight to start this season. It should be interesting to see how all this plays out.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
NHL Grab Bag
What is more frustrating than not getting news in the slowest stretch of the off season is not hearing from your friendly bloggers.
The NHL is celebrating the 20th year anniversary of the Wayne Gretzky trade from Edmonton to Los Angeles. Apparently this trade changed the landscape of hockey forever. But mostly it added the vernacular "If they can trade Gretzky..." to GM's cliche bag. An easy way to explain off big player trades for sure. From what I can remember about this trade was the big press conference in LA when Gretzky stepped down some stairs and waived at the masses of Kings' fans. It was also the start of the black and silver look that just about every one adored at the time. Hey, even I had a Kings t-shirt for awhile after that. Of course I was still in jr. high. My, how time flies.
I don't think that Mats Sundin will ever come to a decision on what he wants to do. His August 1st deadline came and went and I think more people are more confused now then ever before. Does he want to stay in Toronto? Will he sign up with the Canadiens? Are the Canucks a viable option? If a guy states an opinion in the middle of the woods with no women around, is he still wrong?
Chris Clark may look to be back in the saddle by September. Tarik caught up with the injured Capital forward in the post today. Sounds like he is progressing nicely.
Finally, from of the files of "Do we really care? No, probably not"... Rick DiPietro is now free of his knee brace which is good news for Islander fans.
Want to beat the heat? Go ice skating at your local rink! It's gonna be fun!
The NHL is celebrating the 20th year anniversary of the Wayne Gretzky trade from Edmonton to Los Angeles. Apparently this trade changed the landscape of hockey forever. But mostly it added the vernacular "If they can trade Gretzky..." to GM's cliche bag. An easy way to explain off big player trades for sure. From what I can remember about this trade was the big press conference in LA when Gretzky stepped down some stairs and waived at the masses of Kings' fans. It was also the start of the black and silver look that just about every one adored at the time. Hey, even I had a Kings t-shirt for awhile after that. Of course I was still in jr. high. My, how time flies.
I don't think that Mats Sundin will ever come to a decision on what he wants to do. His August 1st deadline came and went and I think more people are more confused now then ever before. Does he want to stay in Toronto? Will he sign up with the Canadiens? Are the Canucks a viable option? If a guy states an opinion in the middle of the woods with no women around, is he still wrong?
Chris Clark may look to be back in the saddle by September. Tarik caught up with the injured Capital forward in the post today. Sounds like he is progressing nicely.
Finally, from of the files of "Do we really care? No, probably not"... Rick DiPietro is now free of his knee brace which is good news for Islander fans.
Want to beat the heat? Go ice skating at your local rink! It's gonna be fun!
Friday, August 01, 2008
Take'n A Break
Happy summer break! I am taking a little break unless some thing inspires me to write more. I will leave you with a little video I watched that totally astonished me.
I will see you when I see you, enjoy the hot humid summer.
I will see you when I see you, enjoy the hot humid summer.
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