1. I was involved in the first ever intermission promotion at the first ever Thrashers (preseason) game. I did karaoke to "Friends in Low Places". My pic was in the paper the day after the game, getting none other than Norm Maracle's autograph, perhaps the worst goalie to make the NHL.

2. I attended the first ever Central Hockey League All-Star game (and got in the paper while at the skills comp the morning prior, which got me in trouble for missing school).

3. My family has had season tickets for the Columbus Cottonmouths since their first season in 1996, and my grandmother attended every game until her death earlier this year. As the mascot for the team, I wear a black armband with her name on it every game now. I never got to take her to a Thrashers game, but I would call her on my way home from every game, and having watched on tv the first thing she would do would tell me how many Kovalchuk scored.

4. I collect game worn jerseys (like most crazy hockey fans) and am probably proudest of owning 3 of Dean Sylvester's jerseys (he scored the Thrashers first ever hat trick).

5. Speaking of Dean Sylvester, one of his sticks is probably my most prized possession. He gave it to me at the first Thrashers practice I ever attended as a kid, which is probably what got me so hooked on the NHL.

6. I never got to see Gretzky play, but we ended up at the same Baltimore Orioles game a few summers ago.

7. I grew up a huge Penguins fan, and seeing Mario play in ATL after coming out of retirement is something I will never forget. I don't imagine I will ever see a big man dominate the game the way he did.

8. While most students spend their student loans on beer and clothes, I spend mine on Thrashers season tickets. There are many nights I get back to Auburn around midnight after a game, and don’t sleep at all because I have a test at 8AM to prepare for.

9. I attended the 2008 NHL All-Star game, and volunteered as a player stand in. That means I pretended to be different players and got constantly introduced while skating through pyro. Being announced as an NHL All-Star and skating on the ice of my favorite team is one of the highlights of my life.

10. The skates that I have were Shane Hnidy’s, but since he didn’t return to the Thrashers after the lockout, he never got them, so I did at a huge discount. It’s definitely cool having skates that would have cost over $600, but I got them for $50.

11. I’m probably the biggest non-Latvian fan of team Latvia that there is. The craziness of their fans makes me love them.

12. After spending 2 years on the ticket wait list, I’m going to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver next February. I’ll be seeing Norway vs. Switzerland, LATVIA vs. Slovakia, Germany vs. Belarus, Russia vs. Czech Republic, Sweden Vs. Finland, and USA vs. Canada (6 games in 2 days will probably require the purchase of about 6 new jerseys). While in Vancouver, I’ll be staying with someone who used to play for the Cottonmouths, so having that hockey family can be very beneficial.

13. In 2007 I made the dreaded mistake of touching the SPHL regular season championship trophy, needless to say my team was eliminated by the last seed shortly after.

14. I’ve been in the same place as the Stanley Cup several times, but every time I see it, I turn and go the other way. I’m hoping to use my management degree to work in hockey, so I don’t want anything to do with that trophy until I feel like I’ve earned it.

15. Hanging from the ceiling of my apartment is a replica of the Thrashers only division championship banner. It’s pretty lonely, and looks ridiculously out of place since it is by itself. In other words, I need my team to start winning.
16. The first authentic Thrashers jersey I bought was the true blue 3rd from the 5th season. It was customized as a Heatley shirt, but once he decided to be a jackass, my mom was able to convert it to a Kovy jersey.

17. Slava Kozlov signed a 3 year deal to return to Atlanta as a free agent the week after I bought my 2008 season tickets. I still believe that my investment is what brought him back to Atlanta.

18. Since I did grow up as a Pens fan, Johan Hedberg will always be one of my favorite players, and I have the jersey he wore when he got the Thrashers their first win of 2008. He is a class act, has always signed autographs any time I have seen him, and is probably one of the greatest men in the game of hockey.

19. I was signed up to play hockey as a kid, but not enough people showed up on draft day so the league was cancelled, which means I never really got to play in organized games other than the pickup league.

20. I have Eric Belanger’s jersey that he was wearing when he scored the first playoff goal in Thrashers history. I’ll never forget that game, goal, or series, and am proud to say I didn’t cry until Jeff Odgers said, “Good Night” on the radio. If the Thrashers had won a game and pushed the series to 5 games, I was prepared to quit my job to be able to attend. Luckily, for my finances, they were swept.
- ColumbusMascot

great writing. want to be my Thrashers blogger, love the personality!

Man I'd be so pissed if I paid for this website
- jsr1034

your employer would be pissed if he knew how much HE paid you to be on this website!

your employer would be pissed if he knew how much HE paid you to be on this website!
- pengal

way to kill it

your employer would be pissed if he knew how much HE paid you to be on this website!
- pengal

Pow 4: A New Hope

1. My wife and I were married on 04/04/04 since Bobby Orr wore #4

2. I recieved a wedding present from Bobby Orr. My wedding invitation was signed by him, and he also sent me a black and white copy of him flying through the air.

3. The wedding date/Bobby Orr Story made it into the Boston Globe a week before the wedding.

4. I am an X-ray tech/MRI tech, and I have scanned a number of hockey players throughout my life. UNH players, Manchester Monarchs, and even Brett Hulls linemate from college when I was on a contract in Minnesota.

5. I wanted to name my dog Cheevers, but my wife got dibbs, and named him Dugan

6. I was always a Bruins fan, even when we moved to Hartford for a year. I got to see gordie Howe play when I was about 6 years old

7. I remember the 1980 USA team when they beat the Russians. My mother was crying. I was too young to understand why. She said she didn't hate the players, just who they played for.

8. I didn't start playing hockey until I got out of college in 1996.

9. I have a friend who used to work for Bauer in Greenland NH. He had Eddie Belfours's Old Chicago pads, and I have John Casey's old St. Louis pads. Oh, and Tommy Salo used a junior sized jock strap(Not kidding)

10. My favorite arena in which to watch a hockey game is the The United Center in Chicago

11. In 1999, I went to 5 NHL hockey games, and I only saw Original 6 teams. All of them.

12. I once met Kyle McLaren at a Goo Goo Dolls concert. He was loaded, and with a bunch of strippers from Tens Club. None of them were his new wife. This was when he was holding out from the Bruins.

13. I refuse to touch the Stanley Cup.

14. I met Rick Bonus at Canobie Lake Park in Salem NH. I gave his daughter my Ski Ball Tickets. This was between getting canned by the Bruins, and hired by Ottawa.

15. I was a HUGE Dave Poulin fan

16. Bruinsbeer is a game we played in college. You pick a Bruin, and when they announcer says his name, you drink.

17. I had a chance to meet most of the Bruins before a Hockey East game at the old Garden, they had just lost to Detroit, I shook several hands, but refused to go near Glen Wesley.

18. I have 4 Ty Conklin jersey's. He needs to stop moving around.

19. Mark Conrforth shot a puck at me in the stands during warmups at a Merrimack/UNH game.

20. Everything you just read is 100% true.
- bruinsbeer1969

newfound respect after reading the 04/04/04 wedding. what an outstanding hockey thing to do!

Might as well throw mine in there ...

1 - Grew up/still am/always will be deep down an Isles fan. (Bolts Nation understands this and has forgiven me.)
2 - Charter member of the NYI Blog Box, despite having lived in Florida since the age of seven.
3 - Proud owner of four Islander Stanley Cup commemorative beer mugs, one for each season, which will remain dry until the next Isles Cup. (If they move before then, I'll drink from all of them at the same time and then smash them on the street.)
4 - Treated very well by the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, making the separation of tradition/fandom and professionalism very easy.
5 - Nearly stepped on the Lightning logo my first time in the locker room. (Reminded nicely by member of the training staff to watch my step.) Doh!
6 - Fought in the stands of The St. Pete Times Forum (then The Ice Palace) at the age of 20 when two old drunkards accosted my father.
7 - Questioned a guest speaker at the age of 16 at a hockey school in Syracuse, NY, who kept using Joe Nieuwendyk as an example for a great professional. "Isn't Nieuwendyk holding out for a new contract right now?" was met with an evil stare and effectively dodged.
8 - Knows a guy who lived with Bill "Goldie" Goldthorpe in his North American League days and was an extra in Slap Shot.
9 - Was on the bench with the Syracuse Stars in the Newmarket Showcase Tournament in January of 2004 and laughed out loud at the face made by now-Colorado Avalanche prospect Kevin Montgomery when he was told to "Bite your f*ckin' lip!" to draw an extra penalty after a high stick.
10 - Scored the overtime goal (on a deflection off my ass) for Florida State University against the arch rival Florida Gators in a tournament in the 1997/1998 season (exact dates escape me).
11 - Broke the same bone in the same hand twice in a six-month period in college, costing me about three months of playing time.
12 - Played with this guy, briefly, in pickup leagues in Tallahassee, FL. You know you're in trouble when a guy with pro stats like his is, by far, the best player on your team.
13 - Played with a guy who took out his false teeth for games (and kept them in his sneakers).
14 - Same guy had a fake eye that would pop out from time to time. Once, he picked it up off the ice, put it in his mouth and finished his shift.
15 - Couldn't help but watch RHI and Pro Beach Hockey when ESPN2 would put them on air at 3:00 am.
16 - Would kill for an original, working copy of NHLPA '93.
17 - Knows to stay far away from Marty St. Louis after a Lightning loss.
18 - Wonders why there is a full keg in the press box at every Tampa home game (but nobody drinks from it).
19 - Still slightly intimidated to share the same space as a legend like Phil Esposito on a regular basis.
20 - Thinks Punch Imlach's drafting of "Taro Tsujimoto" is friggin' hilarious.

And on and on .... thinks this list could go on for days ... (Maybe that was Ek's plan?)

JJ

your employer would be pissed if he knew how much HE paid you to be on this website!
- pengal

I don't get paid on my lunch break

1. I met most of the Maple Leafs roster last year after their annual blue and white game in Oshawa Ontario.

2. I felt bad when everybody was calling players over to sign jerseys and stuff but Ben Ondrus just jumped in Ian White’s SUV and waited cause nobody wanted his signature.

3. I have seen 15 NHL games, 6 AHL, and countless OHL/WHL games (lived in Ontario growing up but live in Alberta now.)

4. I was at the 2003/2004 Game 6 on 5.19.2004 @ Calgary: San Jose 1, Calgary 3 (not a fan of either team but it was an amazing game)

5. My Uncle’s brother is Keith Crowder played for LA with Gretzky

6. When I met Antropov in real life I had a whole new respect for him, but he still sucks.

7. I have tried to love another team besides TML but can’t, it’s a curse.

8. I have only missed 3 TML games in 4 years ..PVR’s are a must for hockey fans

9. I have never had a favourite player until this year, Luuuuuuuuuuuke!

10. I believe if someone can bring the cup to Toronto it will be Burke and Wilson, but it will take at least 4 years to start competing.

11. I don’t believe that there is a “best player in the NHL” and that’s why hockey is the best sport on the face of the planet.

12. I do believe there is a MVP each year for the league and every team but he could play on the second or third line.

13. I wish and believe that the ACC could be the loudest building to play at

14. I still have the Coke Zero fans pre season game between Buffalo and Toronto on my PVR.

15. I make my American wife stand for the HNIC theme song.

16. I WILL cry if the Leafs win the Stanley Cup in my life time.

17. I know for a fact that Eklund has SOME great sources and I think I have seen him on HNIC about a year ago.

18. Is there really anything sexier than a hot girl in a Hockey Jersey........... I think not!

19. I think EA Sport is and will always the best hockey games

20. I believe most leaf fans act like abused children, getting mad at everyone, lashing out frequently, will beat up their brother but if someone else touching them they will freak, and will eventually have a victim mentality.

but can you really blame us?
- jonnyb_bass

LOVE 15

I love 99.999% of my patrons, but I am sorry if I don't love the ones who live their lives to be negative and walk around with their beer muscles on spouting off lies about me. Am I supposed to love them as well? There is a respect rule around here and there are also basic societal norms. This is a fantastic thread, and I am getting deluged with emails to ban some of these people for life so that a dozen people don't ruin what thousands are enjoying. Last I will say. I know that you should never feed a troll, but for you to make a statement that I HATE my patrons is the most ludicrous statement imaginable. I should ignore it, but it is just so ridiculous.
- Eklund

fair enough... hate was not the right word.

the simple fact is, I was literally about to buy a season ticket before I read your post where you pretty clearly pointed out what your stance on your patrons was. pretty harsh generalizations that put a real sour taste in my mouth, so the only thing I can do about it is NOT buy a season ticket.

"There is a respect rule around here and there are also basic societal norms"

i didn't need to be insulted, but hey its your site you can do whatever you want... just dont expect people to pony up dollars out of respect for the site.

1. As a kid I was #88, because nobody wore it. Then Eric Lindros came around, and I was pissed - he stole my number.

2. I changed it to #95 for the same reason. And all was good for a few years.

3. Then Michel Petit and Alexei Morozov started wearing it. But by then, I liked the number too much, so I said the hell with changing it - I had it first.

4. My second greatest NHL hockey memory ever happened when I was 11. I had been to a few games at Buffalo's old Memorial Auditorium, always in the cheap blue or orange seats. A friend of mine called me the day of a Sabres-Bruins game, and said he had an extra ticket for the game, and his mom would drive us. He didn't tell me that the seats were in the lower golds, the second row behind the Sabres bench - it was absolutely incredible to see a game from that close for the first time!

5. My greatest NHL memory was a few years ago, when I took my then 3 year-old son to his first game, Sabres vs. Penguins. Despite being only 3, he was riveted the entire game - I loved every minute of sharing it with him!

6. I still have my first stick ever.......a white Canadien model that is to this day the heaviest stick I've ever used regularly, despite being an intermediate model.

7. Despite playing hockey in one form or another from the age of 7, it took my until 2007, at the age of 32, to score my first hat trick in a competitive game.

8. I recently became a regular goaltender again after ten years of being out of the crease.

9. I separated my left and right shoulders in consecutive seasons back in the late 90s, missing a combined total of 4 shifts with the two injuries.

10. I have shoulder pain to this day because I was young and stupid enough to miss only 4 shifts with the injuries.

11. In my team's only championship game appearance, I hit a goalpost on a breakaway in the second overtime in a game which my team ultimately lost three minutes later.

12. My all time favorite NHL player is Mike Foligno.

13. My nose even looks like Foligno's.

14. I thought it was awesome that Foligno's son Nick of the Ottawa Senators celebrated his first NHL goal with an imitation of his father's "monkey jump" goal celebration.

15. I met former Sabres and Islanders great Pat LaFontaine......and if you didn't know who he was, you'd never guess - one of the most unassuming and down-to-earth athletes I've ever seen.

16. I get a lot of questions from opposing players and referees who don't know me about my jersey, which has three different numbers on it - 95 on the back, and 16 and 96 on the left and right sleeves respectively.

17. The 16 and 96 represent my late brothers - those were the numbers they wore when they played.

18. I recently set an unofficial record in my league for number of shots to hit a goalie in the face. The opposing team rang 8 shots off my mask (all in the first two periods, actually), including two on consecutive shots in the first minute of the game. The longtime ref said he couldn't remember anyone ever being hit more than three times.

19. I think it's a travesty that places like Phoenix, Carolina and Nashville have NHL teams, while Winnipeg and Quebec don't.

20. There is never a day where I am not thinking, talking or writing about, or playing, hockey. Breathing, eating, hockey. Not necessarily in that order.

http://hockey-sense.today.com
- DamageInc95

great stuff. #5 I completely relate to. There is NOTHING like seeing your own flesh and blood get into a hockey game they are watching.

Here is another one of my favorite hockey moments... though it wasn't hockey at all, but took place at an arena and also involved a hockey logo...

Queen rocking Montreal at the Forum in 1981.

Get a load of Freddie prancing around in the Hab hat. (Like all Hab fans must do...)

Awesome!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIdV4Y56gYM

1. My avatar here says I'm from Montreal, but it's not true at all. I'm really from Jersey, but I call Montreal "home".

2. I've been to 17 Habs games in Montreal, Jersey, MSG, Long Island, and Philly. I've seen 3 wins. Two came this year, and I've NEVER seen them beat the Devils or Leafs (8 total games). Offically, it's 3-11-2-1.. yep.. a tie. And I've seen the Habs be ELIMINATED from the playoffs, TWICE. Carolina in 2002 and Philly last year.

3. When I go to games in the US, I speak English with a strong french accent and tell people I'm from Montreal. I've been told to "go back to f-ing France" by an 8 year old at an Islander game.

4. I speak French with a Joual accent. I address the customs agents in French, and tell them I'm what Montreal got back from Jersey for Brodeur.

5. I've been adopted as "Quebecois" by a bartender at McKibbin's and a receptionist at Hotel du Fort.

6. I screamed so much at a Habs-Leafs game (that went deep into the shootout... we lost, of course) that I lost my voice for 6 months and had to go to speech therapy to reduce the calluses on my vocal chords.

7. I invented a drink at McKibbins. Go ahead, ask for a "French Canadian".

8. My name is Schwartz, and, tabarnak!, smoked meat is in my blood!

9. I own about 15 hockey sweaters, including a Sokol Kiev home jersey with my mother's maiden name (she's ukrainian by descent) written in cyrillic.

10. I'm moved to tears when Michel Lacroix says "Accueilons Nos Canadiens!". I don't even cry at funerals.

11. Crud, now I have "Fix You" stuck in my head.

12. Un-friggn'-defeated at NHL 95 for Genesis. My college roommate once had me down 1 with 8 seconds to go, but it was Captain Kirk Muller to the rescue at the horn!!!

13. Four Habs Fans isn't vulgar.. it's CORRECT.

14. I correspond with Jack Todd. And I've read his books.

15. I beg CenterIce to play more RDS games.

16. I sing O Canada! en francais, loudly (and poorly!) at every game, no matter where I am. Even if I'm in my living room. If I'm on the couch, I stand up, hand on heart. In Montreal, I sing the last verse in French, even though everyone else sings it in English.

17. My mother volunteers to teach English to recent immigrants in our community. As one of her exercises, I made her have them memorize In Flanders' Fields, just for the "to you from failing hands, we throw the torch" part.

18. I was interviewed on Ste. Catherine street last year, by RDS, in French, while I was in town for game 5 vs. the Flyers, because the field reporter saw that I was wearing a "J'y Crois!" t-shirt.

That's about it for now. Wasted enough work time as it is. Thankfully, my boss is a Flyer fan, and is thus oblivious as can be.

LOVE 15
- Eklund

Refering to the old one i assume.

I like the new one, it seems more TV Themey, but definetly won't become as loved.

Might as well throw mine in there ...

1 - Grew up/still am/always will be deep down an Isles fan. (Bolts Nation understands this and has forgiven me.)2 - Charter member of the NYI Blog Box, despite having lived in Florida since the age of seven.
3 - Proud owner of four Islander Stanley Cup commemorative beer mugs, one for each season, which will remain dry until the next Isles Cup. (If they move before then, I'll drink from all of them at the same time and then smash them on the street.)
4 - Treated very well by the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, making the separation of tradition/fandom and professionalism very easy.
5 - Nearly stepped on the Lightning logo my first time in the locker room. (Reminded nicely by member of the training staff to watch my step.) Doh!
6 - Fought in the stands of The St. Pete Times Forum (then The Ice Palace) at the age of 20 when two old drunkards accosted my father.
7 - Questioned a guest speaker at the age of 16 at a hockey school in Syracuse, NY, who kept using Joe Nieuwendyk as an example for a great professional. "Isn't Nieuwendyk holding out for a new contract right now?" was met with an evil stare and effectively dodged.
8 - Knows a guy who lived with Bill "Goldie" Goldthorpe in his North American League days and was an extra in Slap Shot.
9 - Was on the bench with the Syracuse Stars in the Newmarket Showcase Tournament in January of 2004 and laughed out loud at the face made by now-Colorado Avalanche prospect Kevin Montgomery when he was told to "Bite your f*ckin' lip!" to draw an extra penalty after a high stick.
10 - Scored the overtime goal (on a deflection off my ass) for Florida State University against the arch rival Florida Gators in a tournament in the 1997/1998 season (exact dates escape me).
11 - Broke the same bone in the same hand twice in a six-month period in college, costing me about three months of playing time.
12 - Played with this guy, briefly, in pickup leagues in Tallahassee, FL. You know you're in trouble when a guy with pro stats like his is, by far, the best player on your team.
13 - Played with a guy who took out his false teeth for games (and kept them in his sneakers).
14 - Same guy had a fake eye that would pop out from time to time. Once, he picked it up off the ice, put it in his mouth and finished his shift.
15 - Couldn't help but watch RHI and Pro Beach Hockey when ESPN2 would put them on air at 3:00 am.
16 - Would kill for an original, working copy of NHLPA '93.
17 - Knows to stay far away from Marty St. Louis after a Lightning loss.
18 - Wonders why there is a full keg in the press box at every Tampa home game (but nobody drinks from it).
19 - Still slightly intimidated to share the same space as a legend like Phil Esposito on a regular basis.
20 - Thinks Punch Imlach's drafting of "Taro Tsujimoto" is friggin' hilarious.

And on and on .... thinks this list could go on for days ... (Maybe that was Ek's plan?)

JJ
- Jon Jordan

Than you better help Tampa to find a way to win... Its too close for comfort right now in last place

15. I beg CenterIce to play more RDS games.

- potassium51

i agree, i am from montreal but in ontario for school got centre ice and have to hear other teams annoucers call habs games. Buffalo announcers give me a headache, CBC announcers pure crap and columbus announcers know nothing

why do you have to one up us

21. Toskala hit on my wife hard at a club last year as we had tables next to each other.
22. I was a suit at the ACC for three years, but always kept my jersey in my desk on game day and wore it over my jacket out of principal.
23. I think they should carve out section 103 at the ACC and turn it into a fan area for regular fans.
24. I have been in larry tanenbaums G2. it has the leafs and raptors logo on its tail
25. I buy my season tickets from a season ticket holder because I am about a million on the waiting list.
- danielmacd

Ok I see that and raise you this...

26. I travelled for 27 straight hours through 6 connections to all because of a Fernando Pisani goal.

1. I remember the Flames winning the Cup in '89 and I was jumping around like an excited kid...which I was. My younger brother the Oilers fan didn't appreciate my enthusiasm.

2. I have two Fleury jerseys from my youth. As a small kid, I was a big Fleury fan, despite all his problems.

3. I truly believe Fleury would be considered for the Hall of Fame if not for the aforementioned problems.

4. I was at Kipper's first game as a Flame. Didn't realize at the time how important he was gonna be at the time...

5. Some of my favorite memories are skipping class (usually Chemistry) to head to the pond and play some hockey...regardless of the weather!

6. I bought season tickets in 2003-04...the first year they made the playoffs in 7 years, and came within 1 win of the Cup. That was pretty good timing!!

7. I split my season tickets with 3 friends, as I could never afford to go to 40+ games!

8. I was at the game where they handed Fleury a sliver stick after he became the All Times Flames scoring leader. He was traded a week later to Colorado because we simply couldn't afford him. I think all concerned would think it was mistake for him to leave.

9. I was at Game 6 of the STF in 2004 when the Flames could have won the Cup on home ice against Tampa. My friend cried when we lost. I wanted to...but didn't. Damn St. Louis anyway!!

10. I have a picture of me with the Stanley Cup as I got to "party" with Darryl Sydor at his cabin in BC in 2004. I was told not to put my Flames jersey on. [laughs] (I have a picture of the two of us with the Cup too...class act, he is).

11. I played organized hockey until I was about 14...I had to give it up when it became obvious I was far too small to take all the hits...and far too untalented to overcome it. :-p

12. I was at the Tampa game last week when Iginla became the new All Time Flames scoring leader. Never thought I'd be happy to see someone pass Fleury. But how can you not cheer for Iggy?! Iggy Iggy Iggy - Oi - Oi -Oi!!!

13. I didn't know it at the time, but that was Gary Roberts last game as well. Glad he got to play his last game in Calgary. Seems fitting somehow.

14. I was at the game when the Flames knocked off Detroit in 2004. My friend had a supermodel sitting behind him give him a huge hug. I had a big fat sweaty guy give me a bear hug and jump up and down. So not fair!!

15. That same friend and I both bought two pucks for charity, randomly autographed by Flames players. My friend got Iggy and Kipper. I got Mike Leclerc and Marchment. So not fair!!!

16. I was at Phaneuf's first pre-season game. He was making pretty bad rookie mistakes. "Ah well," I thought. "Didn't expect much from his this year anyway." I've never seen a player improve so much so fast. By game 30, he looked like he'd been around for 10 years.

17. I have more Flames junk than I care to admit. From action figures to signed cards to pins to flags to pucks to posters. Probably don't want to think about how much I've spent on Flames crap...

18. My Iggy jersey doesn't have a "C" for some reason. He was definitely captain when I bought it. Not sure why it's missing. Have never got one put on now, as it has become part of it's charm.

19. I've had people point at my jersey and tell me "I'm a real fan" as it is a Koho...and the Flames made the playoffs after 7 years when the jerseys switched to CCM...so I bought mine before the "bandwagon" fans came on. I would never have known that had it not been pointed out to me.

20. Er...um...I like the Flames?

i agree, i am from montreal but in ontario for school got centre ice and have to hear other teams annoucers call habs games. Buffalo announcers give me a headache, CBC announcers pure crap and columbus announcers know nothing
- habbies

I wish centerice would stop showing hd broadcasts on regular channels. They don't understand it doesn't come through as hd that way. And before you say it, yes I understand that hd is on the -1 channels, they are just screwing up.

Steady as she goes...

1. I have a puck from a Philadelphia/Boston game from 1993

2.I met Ovechkin and Zherdev randomly here in Sydney at a local shopping mall during the 2003 World JRs that were co-held by Halifax and Sydney. Ovechkin didn't speak English, but was still really pleasant, as was Zherdev.

3.I met Grant Fuhr and Fred Brathewaite at the Holiday INN, also here in Sydney. Cape Breton used to be the farm team of the Oilers, and Fuhr was here on a condiotional stint after returning from injury.

4.lol. Bobby Hull used to have a clothing line at Zellers of all places, and I got his Autograph and talked with him from a few moments.

5.The Captain of Team Canada from the 1994 and 1992 Olymipics Fabian Joseph is from Sydney, and I Graduated from High school and am good freinds with his neice. Also played a few pick up games with him.

6. My number in Hockey was #77 after my favorite player Ray Bourque regardless to the fact that I was a Center.

7. Scored a goal on M.Fleury at a Screaming Eagles training camp, also suffered a broken nose in a fight the same mini game.

8.Graduated with a guy who's brother is currently signed with the Penguins and is in their development sysem.

9. Bought James Sheppard a beer back in December when he was in town during the quick break to be honored for being the Eagles captain, also cursed him for beating my Bruins around the same time.

10.Play pick up games with Mike McPhee's brother. Mcphee won the Cup with the Habs and even wore the "C" for a while during a injury. His brother wears his old Habs gear to the games.

11.Switched my number to #8 after the Bourque trade.

12. "The Missing Lynk" Gates lived in my neighborhood and can be seen with a very terrifying look on his face around town.

13. Met Ray Bourque and Cam Neely back in 92 when they were in town for a Bruins/Oilers pre season game.

14.Met Willie O'Ree at a local bar and got his remade rookie card autographed.

15. Shared English class in high school with Steve Dixon.

16. Mooned by Steve Begin(with the rest of the crowd) at the c200 during a brawl game.

17. Witnessed one of the "biggest hockey brawls" according to TSN. It was 96 I think and the Cape Breton Islanders got in a stick swinging, Gatorade Jug smashing, puck throwing brawl that lasted for 30 minutes with the Antigonish Bulldogs on Junior A.

18. Yell at Patrick Roy everytime he visits with the Quebec Ramparts for beating my Bruins. But also point out that the Bruins took 4 straight series from them in the early 90's, late 80's.

19. Saw Gretzky,Hull and Sakic at a golf tourny in the Cape Breton highlands, apparently just missed them in the bar, where Wayne told stories and bought the guys that were their a couple rounds of beer

20. Got in a Fight(play fight) with my Dad at the Father/Sons game in Atom A.lol. Still watch the every now and then on video...I pushed him at center ice, and dropped my gloves, everyone there had a pretty good laugh. He promptly pulled my jersey over my head and held me down on the ice, while the fathers took the puck up the ice and scored a goal.

1. My first hockey stick was an unfinished, straight-bladed Victoriaville...the kind that breaks the very first slapshot tried.
2. Gilbert Perreault was the first player name I officially mispronounced....I thought his name was 'Joe Pro'.
3. I always enjoyed playing hockey in the basement of a particular friend whose father would provide exciting play-by-play (Rangers fan!)
4. My mother would not let me join organized house hockey until I had an entire year of figure skating lessons (!)
5. My parents didn't realize that buying me that first Victoriaville would lead to an endless string of broken windows.
6. I really thought that once I got my first pair of Lange skates I'd finally make the travel team.
7. Denis Potvin was my favorite defenseman despite not being an Islanders fan.
8. Rick Martin was my favorite forward - loved the windup and the blast.
9. I wished Bernie Parent had the flu during the 1975 Stanley Cup Final.
10. My friends and I would routinely play pond hockey right after school. The pond was only 2 blocks away, right behind homes where we had easy access to shovels left in the yard.
11. The first goal I scored in organized (house) hockey was a one-timer from the top of the crease - a perfect pass converted. It was the only goal I scored that year.
12. High school hockey did not seem all that fun at the time. Probably because the coach was also our social studies/science teacher. Familiarity breeds contempt.
13. I once had to leave a game and go to the emergency room because of a slapshot that hit me right on one of the shoulder pad snaps. The shot broke a blood vessel in my lung and I was 'breathing' out some blood. Very scary, but apparently harmless.
14. I still have a dark discoloration on my right eyeball from a high stick I took there when I was 12, just before cages became mandatory.
15. Can-Am hockey school was always a summer treat. Week-long with long days spent chasing that little black disk around...I remember finding it hard to walk after some skating sessions.
16. The first beer league championship team I was a member of was sponsored by a prominent funeral home.
17. The second beer league championship team was sponsored by an Irish pub.
18. I once scored 6 goals in a beer league game, all of them on the stick side.
19. I once (once!) 'came to the defense' of a team mate that was being mauled by a 6'4" guy....I had him pinned against the glass for about 2 seconds before the situation was reversed and I suddenly grew taller.
20. I have participated in the last 2 Labatt pond hockey tourneys in Eagle River, Wisconsin. I highly recommend it. It is the perfect triumvirate of friends, beer and hockey (not always in that order).

I broke Eklund's Beck hat trick record approx 5 years after he got it (36 seconds)

20. Got in a Fight(play fight) with my Dad at the Father/Sons game in Atom A.lol. Still watch the every now and then on video...I pushed him at center ice, and dropped my gloves, everyone there had a pretty good laugh. He promptly pulled my jersey over my head and held me down on the ice, while the fathers took the puck up the ice and scored a goal.
- Cape Breton Bruins

I did that with my brother-in-law at a shinny game. I used to tape my jersey to my wrists to keep the sleves from rising up (the arms are too short for me) so when we got in our fight (he was my goalie and I took scored on him) he jerseyed me but it wouldn't come off so I was pretty much lying on the ice topless stuck in my jersey.

I guess I'll cave.

1. First game I ever went to was a Kelowna Rockets game when I was 3 years old. Don't remember who they played.

2. I was only 6 at the time, but still vividly remember watching the Nucks vs. Rangers SCF. Like all 7 games. Kinda creepy honestly.

3. In minor hockey I blocked a shot at the point and the puck bounced off my shinguards and out to the neutral zone and I had a breakaway against an empty net. I hit the post.

4. I used to throw a large rubber ball against the wall and play goalie as it bounced back too me. I wish I could still amuse myself so easily

5. Most shining moment of my house league career was when my coach told me I was going to be used to shadow the best player in the league. Kid was HUGE and had great hands for our age group (peewee). He didn't touch the scoresheet.

6. Played high school hockey here in Ohio. Made the varsity team my freshman year, then got cut my sophmore year. A new high school opened up and the JV coach was getting promoted to be head coach there. I open-enrolled to the new high school to spite the old team and was named an assistant captain. After I rough first season, we won the league championship against that other school!

7. I broke my collarbone twice my senior year. Came back too early from it to play in the year end tourney.

8. I coached my younger brother 3 years in minor hockey. One year back in BC and 2 in Ohio.

9. Got my first real coaching gig this season as an assistant for one of the now two JV teams here in Dublin, OH. We had an up and down first season but got it all together and lost in the semi-finals of the year end championship by 1 goal as the 10 seed. Beat our huge rival in the quarter finals in a shootout.

10. My brother was on that team too. Pretty cool.

11. My Aunt and Uncle both used to work for Orca Bay and my brother and I got too be part of a small group of kids that talked about and voted on new mascot choices for the Canucks. Obviously we ended up giving our vote to Fin (There were some weird choice)

12. First year playing varsity and the new high school (Grade 11) my assistant coach was Scott Levins who played about a 100 games in the NHL.

13. Levy got banned from Germany after he got thrown out of a hockey game while playing in a German league and giving the Nazi salute to the crowd as he was escorted off. It's hilarious because he's nicest guy ever!

14. I can't wait for the Jackets to make the playoffs this year. Since I've moved here they were my 2nd favorite team and I had no problem cheering for them since they weren't a real threat to the Canucks

15. I play on an adult league team here with my dad so it's a lower teer league and they won't let me score until we're down by 2 goals.

16. I have 3 Canucks jerseys and I just ordered my first CBJ jersey.

17. I went to elementary school with and played hockey with/against Colton Gilles, recent Wild draft pick. Definitely cheering him on even if he is wearing that hideous jersey.

18. I have an autographed picture of Ohlund, Ruutu, Naslund, and Jovo all standing in their Olympic jerseys from the '02 games.

19. I talked with a Devils scout at the South Surrey Eagles game when he was there scouting a goalie and happened to notice a kid named Gomez tearing it up.

20. My family was walking on White Rock beach 2 summers ago when we were home visiting and my little cousin got way in front of us and we realized that he was talking to some guy. We got closer and we could hear him saying how it was such a shame that people were polluting the ocean and what not (little 5 year old chatterbox) and we got a little closer still and my dad knudged me and said "Is that Joe Sakic?" Sure enough...

great writing. want to be my Thrashers blogger, love the personality!
- Eklund

Hey Ek, what about your offer to me to be Cane's blogger?

I did that with my brother-in-law at a shinny game. I used to tape my jersey to my wrists to keep the sleves from rising up (the arms are too short for me) so when we got in our fight (he was my goalie and I took scored on him) he jerseyed me but it wouldn't come off so I was pretty much lying on the ice topless stuck in my jersey.
- selvig

hahahahaha

Bonus 21. I can destroy anyone in NHL 94 with my goalie pulled the entire games, as long as I can be the Bruins.

22.hahaha I know, Went to the HHOF and I TOUCHED THE CUP about 100 times, my logic was, you never know what can happen in life, and that it may be my only chance, so I took full advantage.