One of the great things about the Christmas season is spending time with family and friends. It's a cliche, but it's true. Squeezing in a game or two of hockey with old buddies fits nicely into this category. For those of us lucky enough to have kids who play the game as well, Christmas sometimes …
Author: Rich Crowley
Letting Amateurs Play For The Stanley Cup
As was the case in 2004 when the NHL season was scuppered completely, the idea is again being floated that if this season is shot completely that perhaps we should find some way to allow amateurs to compete for old Lord Stanley's beaker. Some would argue this woul taint it but I'm firmly in the …
2013
When I was younger, I could list off the team that had won the Stanley Cup for every year starting in the early 70's when I was a wee lad. I can't do that anymore without thinking awful hard. Maybe it was easier in the old days because there were a handful of teams …
1975 Hab’s vs. Soviet Red Army Team
I remember it well. I was a kid too young to be out with buddies celebrating but instead was dialed into hockey pretty tight. This wasn't New Year's eve, this was Canada vs. Russia. Here's a great clip from the post-game interview with Howie Meeker interviewing Pete Mahovolich. Gotta love Meeker's lead into one question …
Warm Rink, Cold Rink
I visited my dad this weekend and there is always some wonderful old hockey stories offered up during such visits. This time was no exception. He told me about the old Keene arena that had wooden boards and on winter nights where they had games that drew decent crowds, the inside of the arena would …
Russians and Canadians
I watched a wonderful show on W5 recently hosted by Glenn Anderson, the former Oiler. It gave a fabulous overview of the Soviet hockey system from the early 50's through the 90's. I knew Anatoli Tarasov was somewhat the father-figure of the Soviet game but didn't realize he was appointed by Stalin's son to …
The Draft
Blue is back. The second-half draft for the W was held this afternoon and after much sniping and trading of scouting information the way fishermen trade info about where the fish are biting (hint: fisherman don't do this), the four teams were divied up. After studying Blue's success from the first half carefully, I spotted …
The Love Affair That Is A Rink
There is something wonderful about building a rink. It's one of those must-do things in life if you love winter and your kids. I've built (or helped build) many and have come to the conclusion that there is a dual zen for the rink builder in this life - the passion and emotion that bubbles …
Pucks in Snowbanks
There aren't many sports where the central piece of sporting equipment goes missing mid-game, especially in pickup / amateur versions of a game. Footballs, volleyballs, soccer balls and basketballs rarely disappear during a game. Horses don't usually run away during equestrian events and shotputs and javelins don't get tossed that far. However in some sports, the …
My Christmas List
For Sid the kid, somewhere to play. Anywhere. Europe or perhaps even Woolwich's own WOHL - just let the poor guy play so we can all watch him in his prime. New shoulder pads 'cuz my old pair from high school are clearly in their victory lap season A Harry-Potter-like wand that cures ailing stick …
Rink Tales 