I jumped off the bus with a Starbucks in hand and entered one of my favourite hockey buildings, the HP Pavillion in San Jose. A nice, compact new version of many older buildings.
I have enjoyed coming here for many reasons, but today there was an empty feeling for me.
I love watching practices. Thats how you learn about the players. You watch them. You can see passion. You can't fake that. You can see good hockey drills. You can feel the speed and the skill. For me though, its about the goalies and what drills they are doing. Are they on a roll? making it look effortless? Is the goalie coach "connecting with them?" You can see it by sitting in the stands.
Here's what I miss. I miss seeing the late Warren Strelow on the ice in his "spikes" attached to his shoes. I miss seeing him not say much, but somehow say alot to his goalies in only a way Warren could. No coach knew more about positioning, patience, stance, athleticism and hand position like Warren did. I miss his drills. The explosion from post to top of crease. The hands in a good position. The calmness of a good save that doesn't get much credit. All of it.
He was the 1st goalie coach hired full time in the NHL. It was by the Washington Capitals in the 1983 season.
He won gold for his best friend, Herb Brooks in the 1980 Olympics and did so by selecting young Jim Craig to be the #1 guy.
He won National Championships for the U of Minnesota with Herb and also a Silver at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake, again with Herb.
Evgeni Nabokov had him on speed dial on his cell phone. Every day they spoke. Every day Nabby misses his dear friend now, as does the entire Sharks staff.
He influenced many NHLer's like Pat Riggin, Al Jensen, Bob Mason, Pete Peeters, Martin Brodeur, Chris Tererri, Mikka Kipprusoff, Nabokov, Vesa Toskala, to name a few of his students.
He is a member of the US Hockey Hall of Fame.
I would like to see the commitee of the Lester Patrick Award to find the late, great Warren Strelow on the nominated list for next year. I can't think of anyone in hockey that would disagree. Can you?
Panger
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