In hockey parlance, to call a guy a "suitcase" to say that he's well traveled.
Its a term of endearment.
Jaro Spacek should have an endorsement with Samsonite, considering all of the teams that he played with in his esteemed NHL career. Spacek, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, played for the Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.
According to isport.blesk.cz, "Spacho" is hanging up his skates. He has two young sons and a wife that he wishes to spend more time with while the NHL lockout flips to day #66.
I'm happy that I had the opportunity to spend time around Spacek for the three seasons that he played in Buffalo.Never once did he deny an interview request of mine. Wino or lose, there he was in his locker stall, waiting to face the media. I don't think I've ever met a more self-depricating humorist than I have in Spacek. When he played great in a game he'd never gloat. When he made mistakes that led to goals, he'd goof on himself and draw attention to his shortcomings. He had to work harder because he wasn't blessed with blazing speed. He was a grinder.
To call "Spacho" a journeyman, would be an understatement. The guy was a hired gun. When one door closed in his career, another one opened for him. He was hardly the best defender on any team he ever played for. However, he was an exceptional team mate, especially to the youngsters on his teams. He had a profound effect on the D group in Buffalo. Spacho was a de facto coach on the ice, and he helped caulk together a D corps that was comprised of vets Campbell, Numminen, Lydman, Tallinder, Kalinin, Rivet and kids Sekera, Paetsch, and Weber.
In his 13 seasons, "Spacho" scored 82 goals and chipped 273 assists, while spending 618 minutes in the sin bin.
880 NHL games. Stick tap.
His trademark low, hard clapper from the point made him an excellent power play weapon.
Spacek played with an edge and a nasty mean streak. He never met a guy who he would not spear or slash across the wrists. He wasn't the biggest guy in the scrum, however, he was one tough S.O.B who never backed down from the rough stuff. Spacek always put his teammates before himself, thats why he was so well liked by the guys in every NHL room that he was a part of.
No hockey means no job. Too bad Spacho couldn't go out on his terms.
A NHLPA game to benefit local charities is being organized for Dec. 8 at the WFCU Centre. An official announcement of the game is expected to be made today.
Sabres Son Of Anarchy and former Windsor Spitfires wrecking ball, Steve Ott, will join forces with Detroit Red Wings forward Dan Cleary and Shawn Horcoff of the Edmonton Oilers to create an NHLPA game that will benefit Windsor area charities. The game with be played at Windsor's WFCU Centre on 12/8/12. That is of course if the NHL lockout remains unresolved.
Other NHLers who are committed to play:
Red Wings Todd Bertuzzi, Justin Abdelkader, Jimmy Howard, Johan Franzen, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Ian White, Cory Emmerton, Darren Helm and Jonas Gustavsson, Colorado Avalanche defenceman Ryan Wilson of Windsor, Oilers forward Eric Belanger and defenceman Jeff Petry, Chicago Blackhawks forward Jamal Mayers, Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal, Phoenix Coyotes defenceman Keith Yandle, Dallas Stars forward Brenden Morrow, and former Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins forward Sergei Samsonov.
More players are expected to be added to this list prior to game night.
The game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. start and will consist of three 20-minute stop-time periods. Ticket prices and purchase locations will be revealed later this week.
Thanks, Windsor Star
_________________________________________________________________________
Sabres power forward of the future, Joel Armia, is suffering from concussion symptoms. Not great news for the silky smooth sniper.
Armia was cranked with a nasty head shot by Ramzi Abid in Saturday's win over JYP.
thanks, sabresprospects.com
Sabresprospects.com reports that Armia missed one game in October after getting his bell rung, and Sabres fans are now forced to hope that this isn't a recurring issue for the budding 19-year old sniper.
Abid wasn't penalized on the play but was given a four-game suspension Monday by SM-Liiga disciplinary officials.
Armia has 9 goals and 4 assists in 22 games this season.
Join the Discussion:
»