17 Years Later

It is an interesting, self-psychological experiment to observe my own demeanour in response to the outcome of a particular sporting event. In other words: it’s kind of weird to see how I react to the fortunes of the Habs. It has been 17 years since the only professional team that I have an almost unhealthy allegiance to has gone this deep into the play-offs. There is part of me that cannot quite believe what they have done, and yet part of me that has always felt they could always do this. In all the years that they have struggled between 1993 and now, there has been a nagging feeling that they would return at least this far before too long. While I know full well that my happiness is not actually linked to what 20 or so grown men do on a rink half a continent away, there is a link to a past, a reminder of my childhood, of dreams, and of escapism.

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Bob Gainey, and as this team does more than most people expected, it is exactly what he has always expected of them since he began the job that he stepped down from a short time ago. This is his team, and I would love to see them do well for him, for themselves, and for the unexplainable mystique of it all. This current squad shows similarities to 1993, but it is also quite different. They have bought into a system, and they believe and play as a team. As much as there is a great deal riding on one Jaroslav Halak, they could not have pulled of two of the biggest upsets of all-time if they did not come together as a complete unit. Regardless of who they are, I admire that in a sports team. There are life lessons there as well – at least I hope.

The self-experiment had an interesting twist today. The sport team I was coaching lost today, eliminating us from contending for the league championship. A person, who heard the result of my game, and knows I am a Canadiens fan remarked that “at least the Habs win balances off your team’s loss.” Without even thinking I replied, “I would pass up the Habs winning if it meant [this team I'm currently coaching] could find success.” I think I really meant it too. Their childhood is now, their challenges and mine are real, their learning of life is in real time. I stand by my response.

Still… Go Habs Go!!!

Go Canada Go!

Amongst the fervor it is sometimes difficult to remember that it is just a game…. Okay, niceties aside for a change: it’s the greatest game going, so why not get caught up, and jump into the fervor! Congratulations to the women, the task is now left to the men. Two great Canadian teams, no matter what happens, no matter what anyone says.

So well coached against the Russians, a thing of beauty really. A well executed effort that should have shown anyone how this game is supposed to be played, and that the right players were selected for this team from the beginning. From big plays by the kids, right down to the subtleties that the veteran #27 controls the flow with, it has consistently looked like a good squad, that is only getting better. All that’s left to say at this point:

Heimspiel

A couple of nights ago I finally got to see a Pepe Danquart documentary that I’ve been trying to find for a few years. It was playing as a part of a limited special run at the VIFC, and it turned out to be well worth the wait. Heimspiel is amazingly well shot and edited. The on-ice action is captured in a unique quality that displays both the beauty and the speed of ice hockey. This film truly wins you over though with its examination of East vs. West in Early 21st century Berlin.

I will write more later, but just wanted to put a quick post out there, and say there is one more showing of this film. Check out the VIFC website for the details

Black Mark

Considering things, it seems a bit odd that I rarely blog about hockey matters, but the time has come to go public with a certain sentiment.

I was just watching OTR on TSN – a program that I do not generally enjoy, or watch for that matter. However, I was flipping channels when I noticed a somber mood in the shows intro. Michael Sanderson, father of recently deceased Don Sanderson, was being interviewed. I have been around the game for a long time, and known many people who have been around the game even longer, and involved even deeper, but this man’s words about where we should go with fighting were the first I’ve heard to echo my own thoughts exactly.

Fighting no longer belongs in hockey. Mr. Sanderson outright said that it cannot be banned, and that there will never be a way to completely eliminate it. However, for the good of the game, and the decency to recognize where our culture and values need to go, we should make the consequences match the disgrace that is the choice to fight. Even when a player feels he has to, and I’ll sadly agree that there are situations where a player does feel this need – real or not it is felt – it is still a disgrace. I do not feel there is much argument that needs to be made that it is a black mark on the game. Some of the key characteristics of hockey are speed, safe physical play, scoring, tactics, intensity, determination, intelligence. Fighting actually detracts from these. Fighting is a one-on-one confrontation taking away from a team game requiring cooperation in order to compete. For those who say it is a part of the game, and “necessary”, there are three easily observable points:

-the consistently best teams in modern hockey rarely fight (Detroit, San Jose).
-fighting practically disappears come play-off time, and play-offs are commonly referred to as the best hockey.
-the World Junior Hockey Tournament is one of the most watched sporting events in all of hockey crazed Canada. In this tournament fighting results in expulsion and is rarely, if ever, seen.

Expulsions, fines, extra penalities to be served by other players, more rules around equipment – these are all measures that just seem like common sense. There are many quick responses to these suggested changes including: increased stick-work would result, entertainment value drops, self-policing is necessary, and others. Quite frankly I am tired of these arguments. They seem to me to be nothing more than weak offerings to avoid making the difficult, and probably unpopular decision, of instituting and enforcing  heavy penalties for fighting. Just because something is difficult, or unpopular, is not reasons enough to avoid it, especially when sense leads one to see that it is the only right thing to do. Just because it might have been socially acceptable at a different time, does not make it right at this point in time. When we try to grasp to outdated social norms that are simply wrong, just because they are comfortable, we appear foolish and prejudice. Doing what is right means thinking about where we are at right now.

Fighting’s time in hockey is passed. Unfortunatley it was too late for Don Sanderson.

T. Linden

On Wednesday evening, the professional athlete who has had the most powerful impact on the city of Vancouver will be honoured. The Canucks will raise Trevor Linden’s number 16, and pay respect to a player who is more than deserving. It should be noted that I am well aware that professional hockey players are professional entertainers, not automatic role models or legends. Additionally, I never was, am not now, nor will I be a Canuck fan. However, Trevor Linden made me respect the Canuck franchise. Because of Linden I now wish the Canucks well, even if I am not a fan. I am a Trevor Linden fan.

It is inexplicable the connection that Linden has with Vancouver. I remember him joining that Canucks when I was in my youth, they were in yellow, and my gosh were they a bad hockey club. The Collesium was known as the mausoleum. Yet, an 18 year old began to change all that, and a city got behind him. He seemed to personify the classic Canadian hockey work ethic, and for Vancouver hockey fans it was a long time coming. It is apparent that every other Canadian professional team had their legend, or legends prior to 1988. Vancouver had to wait, but in the end they got all and more. Trevor has been, and will be, an example of exemplary sportsmanship, leadership, respect, responsibility, and caring. Yes, I am aware there are thousands of people that live up to these high standards in Vancover every day. But, I am also aware as a society and community we still look to athletes as leaders, and Linden was a true leader, off the ice even more so than on it. He lead by placing the priorities first. A whole hard shift rather than one flashy move. Representing all the players before himself. Taking the time to work with numerous charities rather than jet away. Meeting with kids after a game rather than heading to the Roxy. Doing all the little things that create balance even when the big things go off kilter. That is Trevor.

I was there the night he became the Canuck’s all-time points leader (latter eclipsed by Naslund). It was an assist. The arena would not go quiet. I remember the linesman pretending to fix a hole in the ice so he could delay the puck drop. I remember Sakic, the hometown boy, congratulating him, and I remember the infamy of that night being stolen from him by a then team-mate’s inexcusable actions. Linden has never once publicly noted how the other incident completely overshadowed what he achieved that night. Simply, he is class.

One is hard pressed to find a play of his generation that has meant more to the city he played in, and not just from a hockey standpoint. Linden is a leader in the community. When he speaks, people listen, where he goes, they follow. How did this happen? Trevor never got a Stanley Cup, never got an Olympic Gold, never got a World Cup, and was once chased from the city he loved. He fell short of all the top achievements in his sport, and wrongly branded an outsider for a period. Yet, he came back, always put the team first, and never once lamented falling short of the huge milestones in hockey. We all watched this happen. We saw how a hard working teenager grew up under our gaze, giving his all to never quite reach the pinnacle of his sport, and yet never became bitter or corrupted. Instead he only grew more noble and responsible. Perhaps we see him as a leader, because we see in him what we hope for ourselves in this regard, and hope for our children. He achieved this balance of playing the game he loved at a high level, but keeping it all in perspective, regardless of the outcome. He became bigger than the sport, because he realized it wasn’t about him being big, it was about being a better person. He kept it balanced.

Thanks Trevor.

HNIC Song

Is it just a song? Articles, editorials, and interviews on the street suggest that it is more than just a simple tune. Many cite it as being “iconic” or “cultural”. With words like these being tossed around CTV has boldly claimed that it has “saved the song” for Canada. Today, the private network purchased the rights in perpetuity to the Hockey Night in Canada Theme. A few days earlier, CBC, a public network, had announced that they were unable to renew their contract with the composer Dolores Claman. She claims to have been underpaid by the national broadcaster in recent years. In news stories published today she appears to be quite happy with the agreement she has reached with CTV, and feels they have respected her and her music.

No doubt some will lament this transfer of the song as an example of our national culture being sold off. However, it should be considered that the song was a mainstay of marketing for the CBC – and ultimately the private for-profit companies that advertised on the CBC benefited as well. There is no mistaking that it is a catchy tune, and that it elicits memories that span decades. However, the draw of the song is part of the marketing package to bring you in and have you watch the show and the ads. Had the song not been “saved” by the CTV our culture would have endured. The game would have gone on – as would have all the other current commercial aspects of it. CBC’s coverage needs to change to stay current. Maybe this is something that needed to happen?

Is it just a song?

Melting Interest

Some friends gathered Saturday evening for BBQ, chatting, drinks, bocce, and general relaxation. It was a great get together and I was able to see some people that I had not connected with for some time. Saturday was also the evening for game two of the Senators-Sabres series. While the game was on, those of one sex were fixated on the television, while those of another sex were circled in the living room. However, as the game went on, and eventually slipped into overtime, my interest completely waned. I was much more keen to kick around the football, play a little bocce and engage in conversation. This drew questioning from one of the hosts. He mentioned, of everyone assembled he thought I would be the most keen on watching the game, given my background. I responded that my background in hockey is in fact the reason I begin to avoid it this time of year. After spending years of thinking and being involved in hockey year round it now seems unbalanced to be focused on the ice once May rolls around. Admittedly I do not engage in full-on abstinence once the days grow longer. Rather, I merely keep in touch with the latest on-ice information, and then engage in activities, conversations and relationships that bring a lot more joy and balance to my life in the spring and summer months. A few weeks ago I had a conversation with an old friend (one I never would have met if not for hockey) about how little we now see the rink in comparison to the past. Quite frankly, I never thought I would reach this casual interest in something like the Stanley Cup play-offs. Yet now that I have, it seems like the only way to go. Hockey is fantastic, it brings me joy, pain, smiles, frustration, exertion, and relaxation. These aspects are so very important to my balanced life. There is nothing that I engage in that frees my mind and body so completely at the same time. At the same time, it’s only balanced to realize that hockey’s not that important, it’s the ingredients.

Get out and enjoy the sun.

Renege Cup Claim

In 1994 when the Vancouver Canucks were making their drive towards the Stanely Cup, and the province was being whipped into a fervor, I calmly claimed that Montreal would win the cup again (for the 25th time) before Vancouver would hoist their first. Vancouver fell short then, and it was as though a stigma lay upon the club, and my claim was not to be lifted. While Vancouver has assembled some talented players, and put forth some great regular seasons – and the Habs have had some dismal years – I have never felt any inkling to waver from my claim. That is, until now. While I will always be a Canadiens fan, my attitude towards the Canucks has softened. This is partly due to my more balanced and far less fanatical outlook towards hockey in general, as compared to my sentiments many years ago. Also, it’s nice to see people happy about their team. I have been surrounded by Canucks fans for my entire life and for once I guess I would like to have them experience what Habs fans took for granted for so long. However, the primary reason I will now take back my statement (and hopefully any negativity that it brews) is for Trevor Linden.

T. Linden easily ranks in the top 3 of professional athletes to have had a positive impact while playing in British Columbia. I see tykes stare in wonder at number 16 now, the same way tykes looked up to him nearly twenty years ago. He has poured his heart into the Canuck club, the city of Vancouver, and has given his all to make the game of hockey better for all those involved. He comes across as a class act, a gentlemanly competitor, and a taskmaster for hard work. On the ice, off the ice, in the public eye, in his private efforts, through his words, and most importantly in his actions, Linden sets an example for everyone that watches him. Hopefully what people see is more than a professional hockey player, because in the grand scheme of things hockey doesn’t matter all that much. Ideally, people should see Linden as the embodiment of dedication, perseverance, and responsibility – it just so happens he showcases those in the public arena. So my claim (which inwardly was always a bit of a twisted curse and wish) that Vancouver waits for their first cup until Montreal gets their 25th, is lifted. I am pulling for the Canucks so Linden can have a chance at the cup – he deserves it more than anyone else playing in the show right now. Let’s go #16!

Shootout Stupidity

The Canadian Junior team captured a win in an undeserving fashion today. I am a fan of the Canadian team (yet I try to instill objectivity), and a full on supporter of the junior program. However, to advance to a world championship final on a shootout is a discredit to the game of ice hockey. Further, to have a shootout where one player can shoot three times in seven rounds is simply stupid. If the objective of the tournament is to provide an opportunity for the best young players in the world to develop in competition, and the objective of the game is for one team to score more goals than the other team than there is no balance in having a shootout to end a tournament semi-final game.

I do not want to put down the efforts of the young athletes, who are still teenagers. They won in the format they were placed in and deserve congratulations for their hard work. The coaching staff made the right decision to use one player over and over if the rules allowed. The fault for this stupid situation rests with the IIHF. Their format took a team game and reduced it to a one skill repetition by a handful of players. If the objective of the tournament and its games is to provide entertainment, well then they filled the bill. I just don’t see that as a very worthwhile objective for hockey at the world junior level.

Best of luck to the juniors in the final, Russia should be a difficult test.

Arrival of the Gold Eagles

“Why are we all called the Eagles?”

While I had contemplated a few topics for my first entry post-arrival, yesterday’s experience could not pass without comment. There are a number of stories within Sunday’s little adventure, but the focus for now will hold on the main premise. Quite simply, I hitched a ride thinking I would get the chance just to skate a bit, yet wound up playing in a tournament for the Daejon Gold Eagles Ice Hockey Club Team – en route to helping them capture 3rd place. Depth to many aspects of this story (including ages of the different teams and number of cigarettes smoked by our team) are for another time and place. The important factor here is the memory I will have of being embraced with open arms by the Daejon Gold Eagles Ice Hockey Club Team. These gentlemen played with grins no mouth-guard could possibly contain. Their love of hockey, coupled with their enthusiasm and generosity, made for a spectacular day. With some minor exceptions – that for my own conscience I did act to rectify and ultimately balance (hopefully) – I had good clean fun. One might say: “like I was a kid again?”. No, the type of fun of yesterday was different from that of hockey as a kid. This event was a reminder of what a tournament could be. It would be worthwhile to get back into hockey if there were more tournaments like yesterday’s. Thanks to Mark for inviting me.
Every team was a different coloured Eagle. Our loss to the Red Eagles (who went on to defeat the Blue Eagles in the finals) put is into the bronze game where we defeated the Orange Eagles. There were other Eagles. But there was only one bunch of guys known as the Daejon Gold Eagles Ice Hockey Club Team. Never forget that name.

Note-ables:
-Yes, it is a little warm.
-Acorn is my new favourite food.
-Props to Canadian Women’s Rugby team for battling and scoring against the powerhouse New Zealand side in the Word Cup opener.
-How ’bout my boy Vino with back to back stage wins at la Vuelta!