No other aspect of hockey encompasses the intensity, insanity and individuality of the goaltender like the goalie mask. Unless you have suited up between the pipes yourself it is difficult to gain insight into the mind of these unique individuals. Even if you have spent the seemingly endless minutes putting on all that equipment, one can almost guarantee that your mind works entirely different than anyone else who plays the same position. For those of you fascinated with the history of the goalie mask, the design, or the motivation behind some of the artistic decisions, you are in luck.
To celebrate the anniversary of Jacques Plante becoming the first NHL goalie to regularly wear face protection, the NHL has compiled a collection of information and imagery to salute these popular padded protectors.
Featuring a brief explanation about the design along with some rich visual imagery the NHL has compiled an impressive collection that any goalie enthusiast will relish.
DISCLAIMER: Insight into the mind of a goaltender may result in confusion, disorientation, night terrors, overheating, and in extreme cases could possibly lead to a fear of Jonathan Toews.
The notable philosopher George Santayana once said that "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." And for the first time since coincidental penalties were reverted back to a 4 on 4 affair, the NHL it seems like the it has recognized that the present may not be an improvement over the past. While many of the post-lockout changes have clearly improved the quality of the NHL product, the current, regionally-intense schedule has been a topic of debate since its initial inception. Feedback from fans and players alike has prompted the league to change the format for next year's 2008-2009 NHL season, which will adopt the following structure:
24 divisional games (3 home/3 away vs. each team in division) 40 in-conference games, but outside division (2 home/2away vs. other 10 teams) 15 non-conference games (1 game vs. each team, alternating home/away yearly) 3 non-conference "at-large" games
The new NHL Players' Association executive director Paul Kelly explains the motivation behind the new scheduling format as reported by tsn.ca:
"The reason the players feel this is one; they're tired of seeing the same guys week after week," Kelly explained to reporters on Thursday. "(And) two; they believe the fans in their buildings want to see the star players in other teams and they themselves would like to like to see other cities."
The current schedule, its third and final year, will go the way of the Dodo, the Cuban Spider Monkey and the Emperor rat. It seems unlikely that anyone will miss the schedule as much as those extinct animals but one never knows. Maybe New York area residents have enjoyed the ability to see so many Devils, Rangers and Isles games in such close proximity. Although, on second thought, it might be easier to fly from Newark to Chicago as it would be to drive from Newark to Uniondale for an after work game.
For those of you that eat and drink hockey, you can finally complete the icy trifecta: eating, drinking, and now sleeping hockey.
At long last PBteen (Pottery Barn Teen, for those less hip) have released their line of NHL Bedding. While hundreds of teens will be receiving these pillow covers and blankets as holiday gifts I can't help but lament over the fact that no such items were available during my teenage years. Is it possible that my awkwardness and angst could've been assuaged by a simple yet fashionable duvet cover? How different would my life be if I had been able to score with Debbie Mendez on my Capitals sham? Oh the possibilities.
It does provide some solace to know that I can go home tonight, turn off my PuckHead Lamp, and go to sleep on my Eastern Conference Pillow Case. If only I knew what had happened to Debbie Mendez.
Tis the season. The All-Star season that is. That time when all the kids gather round the computer and submit their votes for the starting five (plus a goalie) in each conference. Back in the day, before hanging chads were an issue, I remember going to the games and filling in Don Beaupre over and over as a write-in vote. No longer is that the case; and not simply because Beaupre is no longer in the league.
Now we live in an online world. No, I don't mean Second-life. I mean a world where ten clicks of the mouse determine the starting lineup and no longer ten punches with a golf pencil.
So take up your mice, click ten times and see if your vote determined the All-Stars.
Beginning tonight, Monday, October 29th, the NHL will launch a new advertising campaign featuring the new tagline, "Live Every Shift".
According to NHL.com:
The first of the TV spots features NHL stars asking “Is This The Year?” that various milestones are reached. Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabresand Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins askif the Stanley Cup will land in their respective city. Phoenix Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky asks if this is the year “that someone scores 93” goals in one season, breaking his record of 92. Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes asks if this is the year we “finally figure out who is dad’s favorite,” in reference to his hockey-playing brothers.
The second spot promotes Shop.NHL.com and features the new Rbk EDGE jerseys as NHL stars make hockey-related pledges. In it, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals vows “to make one-timers happen, way more than once,” while Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning assures that his team “will scrap for every point on the schedule.” Finally, Sidney Crosbypromises to “play for the logo on the front, not the name on the back,” of his jersey.
You can view both spots by following the links below:
Even if you arrived here because you thought you were coming to an extermination site you need to take a look at this goal by Chicago Blackhawk's phenom rookie Jonathan Toews (TAYVES, JAWN-ah-thuhn).
It is an absolutely unforgettable goal by the 3rd overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft that is on par with 'the goal' scored by Alex Ovechkin against Phoenix.
You know you have an opinion regarding the new NHL jerseys. I know you do. With hockey fans, it's just to be expected. It doesn't mean that you like fashion, which doesn't insinuate that you like figure skating, which doesn't mean you should put a toe pick on your hockey skates. Not that there is anything wrong with that [see Brown, Bobby - My Prerogative]. Just like there is nothing wrong with ending a sentence with a preposition, right?
If you do have an opinion on jerseys and aren't afraid to admit it then I suggest you check out the jersey critiques written up by EKay: The Guy (Spin Columnist) and his gang of jersey junkies. Yes, I just busted out the term "jersey junkies". And, yes, I'm trademarking that shit.
EKay and the "Jersey Junkies"TMcritiques are broken down by conference, but even more exciting is the bracketed format being used to determine the eventual winner. I hate to admit it, but I'm a sucker for brackets.
The current schedule, its third and final year, will go the way of the Dodo, the Cuban Spider Monkey and the Emperor rat. It seems unlikely that anyone will miss the schedule as much as those extinct animals but one never knows. Maybe New York area residents have enjoyed the ability to see so many Devils, Rangers and Isles games in such close proximity. Although, on second thought, it might be easier to fly from Newark to Chicago as it would be to drive from Newark to Uniondale for an after work game.
