OMG I remember watching Moose Cholak. They used to announce him as being from Moosehead, Maine (I don't remember a Yukon reference). For a kid in Ontario we were totally fascinated by wrestling from Chicago - supposedly it was from Merrigold Arena in Chicago. Probably a fictious place but we believed it.
- RickJ

My favorites were Bruiser and Crusher. My brother and I would put our twin beds together and wrestle until one time I drove my brother's head into the wall and put a big hole in the drywall ... after that, there was no more wrestling in the apartment.

My favorites were Bruiser and Crusher. My brother and I would put our twin beds together and wrestle until one time I drove my brother's head into the wall and put a big hole in the drywall ... after that, there was no more wrestling in the apartment.

- EbonyRaptor

Professional wrestling - most entertaining sport of all. (and completely believable too).

I loved the Iron Sheik, Johnny Valentine, Moose Cholak, Killer Kowalski and Waldo and Fritz Von Erich.

I have no issues with bigger players and I understand what you're getting at but successful teams draft the best available player, not the best available player who is big, or is a centerman, or is American, or plays in the WHL. The only concern I see is Russian players because they can be unpredictable. You can trade for size or specific need, you can draft in later rounds for size or specific need. If two guys are very close you can draft for need otherwise in the first round, and especially in the top 5 or 10, you draft the best player.
- paulr

On this we agree!!!!

If we were drafting #1 or #2, I would go with Hughes or Kappo. BUT...at #3 there are 3-4 all pretty close, at least in my opinion. And in such a case, I like Cozens. Because, I think they are all similar upside, so I will go with the size.

Huge Zegras fan and think the Hawks could move down to get him. But I'm just a Keyboard GM....enjoying these thorough blogs!

OMG I remember watching Moose Cholak. They used to announce him as being from Moosehead, Maine (I don't remember a Yukon reference). For a kid in Ontario we were totally fascinated by wrestling from Chicago - supposedly it was from Merrigold Arena in Chicago. Probably a fictious place but we believed it.
- RickJ

Ben's Auto Sales
5858 S Western Avenue - Home of Credit man!

On this we agree!!!!

If we were drafting #1 or #2, I would go with Hughes or Kappo. BUT...at #3 there are 3-4 all pretty close, at least in my opinion. And in such a case, I like Cozens. Because, I think they are all similar upside, so I will go with the size.
- hawk35

I have seen Cozens, Dachs and Byram play on TV numerous times. I haven't seen the rest. Cozens appears to be a straight ahead player who plays in the middle of the ice and doesn't shy away from the tough areas, he also has a great shot and release. Dachs is more cerebral, and while he doesn't shy away from the tough areas he looks for open areas in the ice and does his work from there. Byram is a very good puck mover who isn't afraid to join the attack and while his defense is pretty good he can also get out of position on occasion.

I have no idea how close they are and I can't compare them to the guys on the U.S National program because I haven't seen them play. Whatever Bowman decides is good by me.

Do you think the Hawks have to factor when their draft pick will be ready in regards to the urgency of bolstering the lineup to take advantage of Kane and Toews still being strong contributers?
- paulr

That’s why I’m all for trading the pick for 1 or 2 guys that are playing in the NHL right now. Someone that can make a positive impact next season.

The clock is ticking, and Kane, Toews & Keith don’t have 2-4 years to wait until this year’s #3 is ready to contribute in the NHL.

Hopefully Stan is listening to offers for the pick.

Huge Zegras fan and think the Hawks could move down to get him. But I'm just a Keyboard GM....enjoying these thorough blogs!
- phantasmo

I like Zegras as well but am with Tyler in that I wouldn't select him with the #3 pick. If the Hawks had another pick in the 5-10 range, I would select between him, Krebs and Boldy. If an additional pick could be had in the early teens, Broberg is more and more intriguing. I like Newhook in that range, too.

On the old Bob Luce, AWA wrestling we had Yukon Moose Cholak


- Rota's Rooter

Richard The Bruiser & The Crusher wee the absolute best.

OMG I remember watching Moose Cholak. They used to announce him as being from Moosehead, Maine (I don't remember a Yukon reference). For a kid in Ontario we were totally fascinated by wrestling from Chicago - supposedly it was from Merrigold Arena in Chicago. Probably a fictious place but we believed it.
- RickJ

He had several ring names over his career including Eddie Cholak, Moose Cholak, Yukon Moose and the Golden Moose.

Nice memory on the Marigold. I had to look it up, it was a real place on the SE corner of Halsted and Grace.

Traveling to STL for work and having lots of customers there, I am pulling hard for the Blues.....the city and fans have been waiting a long time. watching that game proved how badly I miss meaningful playoff hockey here.

Rip me all you want for pulling for the "Blows: but I hate Boston. can't stand them, the city, the fans, the players, the organization.

Having the cup champ in your division you would think would raise the urgency at 1901 w Madison.

I have no idea who they may or may not draft, who may be a bust, who may be good, as we wont' see that player for year(s) unless the top 2, Hughes or the finnish kid, drop down.

Instead, I want to see how the hell Bowman is going to fix his dumpster fire of a defense and stop bringing back the same players.

BTW the casual fan is losing interest in this organization. I have lots of friends, co-workers etc who have lost the pulse on the Hawks as they have started to slip back into the shadows.

While you think that doesn't matter, it does. Ad revenue, tv revenue, secondary markets, merchandise sales, all come into play. Bears and Cubs have leaped in front of them, and the Bulls have a loyal (moronic) fan base. God bless the Sox for sucking....

Curious to see how much attendance is down at the convention in 2 months......

Mad Dog Vachon and The Missing Link.

BTW the casual fan is losing interest in this organization. I have lots of friends, co-workers etc who have lost the pulse on the Hawks as they have started to slip back into the shadows.

While you think that doesn't matter, it does. Ad revenue, tv revenue, secondary markets, merchandise sales, all come into play. Bears and Cubs have leaped in front of them, and the Bulls have a loyal (moronic) fan base. God bless the Sox for sucking....

Curious to see how much attendance is down at the convention in 2 months......
- SteveRain

Hey Now, the Sox are in 3rd. they suck less than the Tigers AND the Royals!

Hey Now, the Sox are in 3rd. they suck less than the Tigers AND the Royals!
- gnosox1986

HAHHA


Very true....time for Cooper to go. ...hes destroying all their pitching with the recent tommy john epidemic.

Sure. Close enough.
- GPHawksfan

How far away are you from there?

BTW the casual fan is losing interest in this organization. I have lots of friends, co-workers etc who have lost the pulse on the Hawks as they have started to slip back into the shadows.

While you think that doesn't matter, it does. Ad revenue, tv revenue, secondary markets, merchandise sales, all come into play. Bears and Cubs have leaped in front of them, and the Bulls have a loyal (moronic) fan base. God bless the Sox for sucking....

Curious to see how much attendance is down at the convention in 2 months......
- SteveRain

You'll always lose the casual fan unless the team is winning. The key isn't to entice them back with a team that can be competative but by making the team a contender. Building a contender will take time.

HAHHA


Very true....time for Cooper to go. ...hes destroying all their pitching with the recent tommy john epidemic.
- SteveRain

Add Renteria to that list. I think we need a new bench boss to get this team into contention. This team is inconsistent just like our Hawks

I have no issues with bigger players and I understand what you're getting at but successful teams draft the best available player, not the best available player who is big, or is a centerman, or is American, or plays in the WHL. The only concern I see is Russian players because they can be unpredictable. You can trade for size or specific need, you can draft in later rounds for size or specific need. If two guys are very close you can draft for need otherwise in the first round, and especially in the top 5 or 10, you draft the best player.
- paulr

I noticed that Bowman has found the gritty and larger size forwards who had that physical checking part of their game, in second or later rounds. I also know from speaking to wiz that M Kelly and Bowman are totally cognizant of trends in the game. We saw from on high command the force feed of Forsling - with U Samurlsson around, too -to play or take advantage of the new age skills of a dman. Obviously Forsling overall game was not ready for prime time and frankly he did not have good support often from his defense pair and forwards

All that just to point out that Colliton voice is probably ringing. Even resounding that the team needs a top six physical forward. Regular season and playoff usage would help the compete level. So i feel it is close if Cozens is the best talented at #3.

But you cannot ignore - all you Byram fans - that dmen take around 350 games to ripen once they get to the show. And how do you play all the prospects. Each with a veteran? Nope isn"t happening. Byram too much uncertaity for #3.

Jokiharju and Carlsson could play as rookies and then be the veteran a youngster pairs with btw. Because Murphy won't be here long term. Debateable if Keith stays after one more season. If he plays reasonably well the next trade deadline. May be last time the aging veteran brings a descent return via trade. Finding a home he grees to is maybe the trickiest part whether he changes address.

While you may still not be sold on Cozens as the best talented available, you can bet McDonough would love this kid's background and would promote him. Chew on that.

OMG I remember watching Moose Cholak. They used to announce him as being from Moosehead, Maine (I don't remember a Yukon reference). For a kid in Ontario we were totally fascinated by wrestling from Chicago - supposedly it was from Merrigold Arena in Chicago. Probably a fictious place but we believed it.
- RickJ

I loved Moose Choilak too, he was the character that -peaked my wrestling interest more than any others. My friends told me years ago, he opened a bar in Indiana and was at the bar a lot.

I noticed that Bowman has found the gritty and larger size forwards who had that physical checking part of their game, in second or later rounds. I also know from speaking to wiz that M Kelly and Bowman are totally cognizant of trends in the game. We saw from on high command the force feed of Forsling - with U Samurlsson around, too -to play or take advantage of the new age skills of a dman. Obviously Forsling overall game was not ready for prime time and frankly he did not have good support often from his defense pair and forwards

All that just to point out that Colliton voice is probably ringing. Even resounding that the team needs a top six physical forward. Regular season and playoff usage would help the compete level. So i feel it is close if Cozens is the best talented at #3.

But you cannot ignore - all you Byram fans - that dmen take around 350 games to ripen once they get to the show. And how do you play all the prospects. Each with a veteran? Nope isn"t happening. Byram too much uncertaity for #3.

Jokiharju and Carlsson could play as rookies and then be the veteran a youngster pairs with btw. Because Murphy won't be here long term. Debateable if Keith stays after one more season. If he plays reasonably well the next trade deadline. May be last time the aging veteran brings a descent return via trade. Finding a home he grees to is maybe the trickiest part whether he changes address.

While you may still not be sold on Cozens as the best talented available, you can bet McDonough would love this kid's background and would promote him. Chew on that.
- jhawk59

There is no certainty for any player including Cozens. If the GM feels the best prospect, in the long run is Byram, they will choose Byram. If they feel it is Cozens they will choose Cozens. If they feel it is Caufield, they will choose Caufield, etc..

And all this talk about him playing away from home as a young kid, you do realize this isn't a new story? Many, many, many kids leave home as young as 14 and somethimes younger, live with Billets and play hockey in another, town, Province, State and even country. Cozens' background isn't a factor in any way. While he may be more mature from that experience it will be mainly hockey ability and projection that will be what Bowman is looking for,

HAHHA


Very true....time for Cooper to go. ...hes destroying all their pitching with the recent tommy john epidemic.
- SteveRain

the owner is the problem needs to sell the sox ad bulls because neither franchise have done nothing in the last 10 years and same people have been around forever and have accomplished nothing its pretty sad. I get loyalty but at some point need to cut the cord and start fresh.

There is no certainty for any player including Cozens. If the GM feels the best prospect, in the long run is Byram, they will choose Byram. If they feel it is Cozens they will choose Cozens. If they feel it is Caufield, they will choose Caufield, etc..

And all this talk about him playing away from home as a young kid, you do realize this isn't a new story? Many, many, many kids leave home as young as 14 and somethimes younger, live with Billets and play hockey in another, town, Province, State and even country. Cozens' background isn't a factor in any way. While he may be more mature from that experience it will be mainly hockey ability and projection that will be what Bowman is looking for,
- paulr

I understand that playing away from home at a young age is not that astonishing for kids these days . I think it more that he was noticed so far off the beaten path .And he was noticed because of his determination to find real competition he had to travel great distances ,and then he excelled . Backyard rinks in minus 30 or 40 degrees weather .Playing in a men's league at the age of 12 are all great stories but they don't pay the bills . I think this kid has shown his willingness to sacrifice for his craft to a high extend .And that bolds well for future growth in a young player .

Bring Moose Vasko out of retirement
- LAHawk

Moose died about 20 years ago. I miss him and his big mitts. He had an ever bigger heart and was great to my sister and me when we were kids.

Posted to the last thread not long before the new blog went up, so copying over:

Whomever the Hawks take is likely a year or two away from the NHL. Development is critical. Which coach do you trust more?

Tony Granato with Turcotte?
Michael Dyck with Byram? (He’s coached him since 2015 on and off)
Kisio the younger with Cozens?