Behind the Blog: So Very Obsessed
Welcome to the fourth edition of Behind the Blog. After learning about the bloggers behind On the Wings, Off Wing Opinion, and Canucks Hockey Blog, it is time to get to know Heather Creegan who owns and operates, SoVeryObsessed.com. Personally, I’m a big fan of her blog because she has content. While most blogs cover the latest news or game summaries, So Very Obsessed does that and much more. You can read Heather’s frustrations about a game or player or her delight in how a player is performing. Her strong opinions are what make her blog such a great read. Interested in being featured in the next Behind the Blog? Drop me an email!
Q.1 - When did you first create your hockey blog and why did you choose the domain, soveryobsessed.com?
I’d been posting pictures online since Dec 2002, but somewhere around April 2003 I realized that a) they (and the hockey talk) were taking over my personal site, and b) I needed to have a separate place to yammer about hockey, lest I bore off my 3 readers talking incessantly about something they cared very little about. I chose soveryobsessed because it was the first thing that came to mind when I was sitting in front of the domain registration screen, and I think it aptly defines the site.
Q.2 - Why are you so very obsessed with hockey, especially the Boston Bruins?
I honestly do not know. Hockey is the first sport that ever “took” with me. (I am not athletic. Or coordinated.) I went to a live game first, and was just utterly captivated from the first drop of the puck. I wanted to know everything about it- the rules, the players, the history, etc. When I realized that I could go to games just about once a week, I about blissed out in joy. Concerts had been my thing before, and they’re not as often as hockey. Couple that with the fact that my best friend and cohort in concert-going had just become a mother, and I was looking for something new to love. Boston became my team because they were the closest NHL team, and they were the first pro team I went to see. When I discovered the AHL hotbed that New England is (and the NHL/AHL connection), it blew my mind I could go see pro guys play hockey down the street from where I went to high school. It’s still something that will blow my mind from time to time.
Q.3 - I love reading your blog because you cover what’s going on with the team (both NHL & AHL), but you also vent your frustrations or excitedly talk about a big win that happened. You really personalize your blog. Has your blog always been like that?
Yes. There’s no way to say this without sounding snotty, but I try to talk with people instead of at them. The site is so fun for me because so many other people interact with it, and some people have told me that in person I’m just like the way I am on my site. That’s one of the best things they can say to me, next to, “here is a big box of millions of real dollars for you to keep and spend.” Or, y’know, any other kind of site compliment.
Q.4 - You are also really into photography and you have a gallery with tons of quality pictures featuring both the Boston’s NHL and AHL team. When did you start photographing at games and/or start posting them online?
The first game I ever took pictures at was my second NHL game - Dec. 21, 2002. I was so scared, and several rows back from the ice. I was so sure the boys were watching and I was so sure I was going to get yelled at. When I got comfortable, that’s when I started pushing my limits with zooms and such. I’m not exactly sure when I started putting them online. Possibly shortly after that first game, because it was an easy way for me to share them with distant friends.
Q.5 - During the lockout, you followed the Providence Bruins very closely. Now that the NHL is back, how will you divide your time between the two teams?
This is a question I have asked myself a lot. The short answer: I haven’t a clue. Right now, I have a couple tickets for Boston, and I have plans for Providence. While I’m excited about Boston, I’m still hopped up on the love affair I had with the AHL last season, so I’m even MORE excited about Providence. (Right now, I’m all cool, all, “I’m just playing it by ear,” but come the end of December, start of January, I’ll be all, “MMMHOCKEYGIVEMEMOREICANNOTGETENOUGH!” and will thusly be at every single game between Boston and Providence.)
Q.6 - You use a lot of programs like Movable Type, Gallery, PHPBB, etc. All of which, I believe, you self-taught yourself how to use. What was it like using trial and error just to get your website up and running?
I originally did everything except the blog and gallery manually. I’d been self-teaching myself HTML for years, and had figured out Blogger and Gallery by the time I started SVO, so it wasn’t too nervewracking. It wasn’t as scary as going from 0 to 60, but there have been many long, curse-filled nights lit by the glow of a computer monitor when something sneezes and I haven’t a clue what to do about it. (This is one of the reasons I make friends with people smarter then me.)
Q.7 - How do you think the Bruins will do in the NHL this year? The AHL?
Boston, I think, will do well. I’m particularly excited about the goaltending tandem because of Hannu. If Joe Thornton steps up, they’ll be unstoppable. Providence … I don’t know. All the guys I’m most excited about seeing there are the ones that will be called up when there are injuries. However, I know they have it in them to go just as far as last year’s squad did (third round of the Calder Cup playoffs) and beyond.
Q.8 - Who is your favorite hockey player? Why?
I’ve almost always got a list going of favorite players, and they all jockey for position depending on the day. The top three right now are defenseman Jonathan Girard, goalie Jordan Sigalet, and forward Jason Spezza. Girard has been a favorite the longest; since my first game. He just has this incredible concentration that I find fascinating, and his skating speed just … it makes me want to put on skates and get fast, just so I can race him. Spezza has been a favorite since I met him last season, and he’s just so disarmingly charming, so humble, so smart, and so offensively gifted that I cannot help but root for him. Sigalet made The List early this preseason, mostly for the same reasons that Jason Spezza made the list. Jordan has one of my all-time favorite spectacular save stories. Very odd reasons to like players, I know (I have taken much heat for liking/disliking players based on their off-ice demeanors and attitudes), but this is who I am, this is what I pay attention to. It’s easy to like players because of their fantastic stats or their hype, but that will only get you so far with me, and I tire of hype quickly.
Q.9 - How much does it bother you when other major Boston sports teams (like the Red Sox for example) get the headlines and the Bruins don’t?
Doesn’t, really, because I am selective with what I read. I skip to what I want to read, and that’s that. The papers, I think, are quite fair. I don’t watch sports shows much, but when I’m watching a Bruins pregame, I want to hear about the Bruins. Not how the Red Sox were ousted from the playoffs (complete with 20 minutes of video coverage), or about how spring training started and the Sox are working off the offseason beer guts, or about how OHMYGOSH, a Red Sox player SNEEZED! and NO ONE was there to catch the boogers in a tissue, so he had to wipe them on his SLEEVE! Oh, the humanity! (Yeah… I’m just a wee bit Soxed out.) But by local media not devoting much time or ink, they leave open a niche market for people like me. It’s easy to write about teams that won championships when they win them, but the journey to that championship is what makes it so sweet. Good thing I have always liked traveling…
Q.10 - What do you think of the NHL’s marketing job so far? What would you do to improve it?
I think they started it too late. And I think they lost a lot of ground during the lockout. I know that with no set return date, it made advertising to come see them a bit difficult, but so many people didn’t know it was on hiatus. The AHL lost out too. So many people hadn’t heard of the AHL when they discovered it was why I wasn’t mourning the loss of the NHL. There was so much incredible talent in that league last year. Had they done some more advertising, and had they joined hands with the NHL come this past offseason and when the NHL had a return date, there’d be a lot more people a lot more excited about the younger players this season.
To improve it, I’d probably just do more of it. I think this vignetted ad they’ve got going is pretty good - minus the silliness of the first one (candles? a woman helping them dress? C’mon now.) - but it would have been better if they’d started with it sooner. I also think that locally, teams should be advertising their players.
Q.11 - What team and/or player do you think will have a breakout year this season?
That’s a tough question, and it’s so early in the season. I’m biased towards just about any player I saw last season in the minors, like… Alright, I have typed and deleted names for about twenty minutes now. I can’t pick one, and you can’t make me.
Q.12 - Do you think the current salary cap structure will benefit the league in the long term? I’m not talking players vs. owners, but more about will it make the NHL a better league in general compared to what it was like before the lockout?
I think the league is only as good as the talent they attract, and that will be determined by the way the GMs spend those cap dollars. They have certainly created their own competition with the leagues in Russia and Europe, because they’ve really leveled the financial playing field. And with money being tax free across that ocean… I think it’s going to be tougher for them to get international talent, and tougher for them to keep talent here. I also think it will be an interesting long-term study in who uses their money wisely, and it’ll be interesting to see what happens with this escrow account the players are kicking into.
Q.13 - What advice would you give to fellow hockey bloggers, especially the newcomers?
Participate in other sites but don’t be a linkwhoring pest, don’t be afraid to be wrong or have a differing opinion, just because you can make your text flash on your site doesn’t mean you SHOULD, and always, always, always use spellcheck. Also, don’t be intimidated. Keep up with the site, and don’t half-ass it. All or nothing, baby. (There is nothing sadder then abandoned blogs.)
Q.14 - Where do you see the Bruins and/or the NHL in 10 years?
Hoisting the Cup down Causeway in a championship parade for the 10th consecutive year. HA! I jest. (9th time. We’ll let someone else win it for one year. Maybe.)
I would like to see the Bruins with a Cup win or several, because I would like a championship parade I’d play hooky from work for (the Pats are not enough; the Sox… uh, no thanks). I would like to see attendance up, and I would like to see the NHL get hip to the jive that you have to be nice to fans to get them to love you more. Aww, hell, I’ll say it- I’d like to see me as the boss of everything. Step aside, Bettman, Heather’s got some work to do.
I just realized that was a giant wish list. Dear Santa: In addition to all that, I would also like a pony! Milk, cookies, and some carrots for your reindeer, Heather
Q.15 - Is there a hockey blog or site that you look up to for inspiration?
I try to keep myself in line with what I like to read, and what I’d want to read if I was the mama of one of these players, but other then that, no, not really. I try to do my own thing.
Wings 5, Blackhawks 2
Detroit goes to 10-1-0
In the first game of three straight, the Detroit Red Wings defeat the Chicago Blackhawks at home, 5-2, to earn their tenth win of the season.
First Period
10:02 minutes into the first period, Chicago Blackhawks rookie Matt Ellison beats Manny Legace off of a rebound by banking it off the far left goalpost. Ellison now has five points in ten games played this season (two goals and three assists). With 7:40ish left in the first period, while the Wings were on a powerplay, Lidstrom took his typical near-the-blueline shot causing a massive rush to get the multiple rebounds. Unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities, but it was a gripping, on the edge of your seats, type of moment. With 28 seconds left in that same powerplay, Mathieu Schneider sent a rocket from close to the blueline to the back of the Blackhawks net. Robert Lang and Mikael Samuelsson both earned an assist for that goal. Captain Steve Yzerman played around three minutes in his first game back from his groin injury. The Wings were outshot, 12-6, by the Blackhawks in the first period. [ Score: 1-1 ]
Second Period
With 12:33 left in the second period, Martin Lapointe brought the puck behind the net, passed it to Jaroslav Spacek at the top of the circle (to the right of Legace), who proceeded to beat Legace to get his second goal of the season. Two minutes and one second later, Pavel Datsyuk brought the puck down the ice, passed it to Henrik Zetterberg, who quickly beat Nikolai Khabibulin to notch the Wings second goal of the game. There were five penalties in this period, three of them against Detroit (Holmstrom/high stick, Rivers/holding, and Williams/hooking). The Wings evenly matched the Blackhawks in shots during the second period with nine shots apiece. [ Score: 2-2 ]
Third Period
11:58 into the last period, Schneider sent another rocket past Khabibulin from pretty much the same spot as his last goal to put Detroit in the lead. Datsyuk and Samuelsson got the assists.
With 5:03 left in the game, Yzerman played the puck down the boards. Khabibulin went to the side of the net to get it and before he could even touch it, the puck just popped up in front of the net where Kris Draper was skating to. Let’s just say it was a pretty easy goal to make, the net being wide open and all. It’s nice to see the “visor line” being effective. Plus, my two favorite hockey players (of all time) are Yzerman and Draper so I thoroughly enjoyed that goal.
With 1:20 left in the game, Lang brings the puck down center ice and pushes the puck to his right where Brendan Shanahan takes a quick shot to score his seventh of the season. Williams also got in on the action with an assist to earn him his career high in points, and it only took eleven games into the season!
The Wings clearly outshot the Blackhawks, 13-2, in the final period of play. [ Score: 5-2 ]
Notes
Manny Legace made 21 saves to become the first goaltender to win 10 games in October. FSN Detroit had the microphone on Kris Draper for the whole game and they showed clips with sound bites throughout the game. He sounded encouraging and motivating (only constructive criticism). The Wings were 2/5 on the powerplay tonight while Chicago could not capitalize on any of their five powerplay opportunities. With seven straight wins, Detroit continues their franchise best season start.
In non-Hockeytown news, the Pittsburgh Penguins got their first win of the season after beating the Atlanta Thrashers tonight, 7-5. Halfway through the first period, the Penguins were already down by four goals and came from behind to win. Mario Lemieux had two goals and three assists. The Penguins tied a team record for six power play goals in a game. The Thrashers have now lost six games in the past seven. In the past 10 games, they’ve used five goaltenders.
Misc.
Recap Play by Play Shift Chart Boxscore
Detroit Red Wings Team Report - October
I have started writing a monthly team report on the Detroit Red Wings for FantasyHockey.com, an excellent website especially for you fantasy hockey fans. I’m not going to post my report here, but if you’d like to read it please do so here!
The Wings play the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at 7:30pm to start a three game series against them (home/away/home). If the Wings can keep their winning streak up, they can put some distance between them and the Nashville Predators (who suffered their first loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets).
Behind the Blog: Canucks Hockey Blog
This third installment of Behind the Blog, featuring J.J. Guerrero, follows Matt Saler at On the Wings and Eric McErlain at Off Wing Opinion. While J.J.’s blog, Canucks Hockey Blog, has only been up and running since this summer, he has amassed over 100 entries in that short period of time. He has an extensive blogroll, reviews the Canucks’ games and covers other hockey related news. For those of you who don’t know what Behind the Blog is, it’s an email interview conducted to allow you to get to know the writer behind the blog. I ask the blogger questions about his/her passion for hockey, their favorite team, their blog, and NHL questions.
Q.1 - What first attracted you to the sport of hockey? And why do you like it better than your hoops?
The fans. Even before I understood the game, it was easy to see how passionate hockey fans are. As a result, it’s so easy to get swept up in the game. Then when I went to my first live game - the first game in the first round of the Canucks’1994 playoff run - man, that was an unbelievable experience. The atmosphere, the excitement.
I still like hoops. I follow Shareef, Mike Bibby and Steve Nash (good Canadian kid). When the Grizzlies left town, I bought a ticket package for the Sonics. But hockey is definitely a different game. It’s amazing how fast hockey is and how much skill playing it requires. I also like the emphasis on the team game. In basketball, great players such as Jordan or Bird or Chauncey or Duncan can single handedly carry a team to the championship, which isn’t the case in hockey.
Q.2 - What made you take the passion you had for the game and put it all up on the web for anyone to see?
Plain and simple, I like to talk about hockey. I figured… what the heck… I might as well post my ramblings on the web and see if anyone out there agrees or disagrees with me.
Q.3 - Why did you name it the Canucks Hockey Blog and what do you hope to achieve through your blog over the next couple of years?
All the good names were taken? haha! Actually I didn’t put much thought to the name. I’m a Canucks fan, I’m a hockey fan. That’s really where the name came from. As for the blog itself, I just hope that in a couple of years, people are still interested in my random ramblings. 
Q.4 - You’ve only had this blog since July 2005 according to the archives, but have amassed over 100 entries thus far. What’s your secret?
My girlfriend is usually in bed by 10 pm, just when the sports highlights come on. I do most of my blogging then. 
Q.5 - Since you do write in a relatively new blog, how did you try to get the word out to the more popular blogs? And what did you think when they started to link to your blog?
At first, I started asking fellow bloggers to do a blog exchange, but being new,it’s sometimes really intimidating to ask someone who has been around for a while and already has a loyal following. Eventually, I decided to just add my favorite blogs to my blog roll and hope that they take notice. When they started linking to my blog, I was truly, honestly flattered.
The carnivals also help get the word out. It’s really cool how the carnival can bring multiple blogs together in one place.
Q.6 - Why are you a Canucks fan and have you always been one?
Always been a Canucks fan and will always be one.
Q.7 - Where do you see the Canucks and/or the NHL in 10 years?
On the ice, it’s hard to tell. The current team probably has a one or two year window to do some big things in the playoffs. After that, all bets are off.
Off the ice, the outlook hasn’t been better for the team. Season tickets are at an all-time high (4,000 on the waiting list) and the team is generating a lot of interest, especially from the business ssector. The Canucks are also committed to having a strong presence in the community. Not just in Vancouver, but in the entire province. It’s one of the things I like about them and it’s a big reason Canucks fans are attached to and identify with the team. As long as ownership stays true to this committment, I don’t see that changing.
I really think the NHL will do some big things in the next few years. So far, the games this season have been as entertaining as I can remember. If they can somehow translate this to TV (and thus, TV ratings) and ticket sales - especially in the US - they can re-establish themselves as one of the top 4 major sports.
Q.8 - What was your favorite hockey moment? Why?
My favorite hockey moment was when Team Canada won Olympic gold in 2002. It was our first hockey gold medal in 50 years. I was at GM Place with 10,000 people; the entire country paused for two-and-a-half hours to watch the game. When Team Canada won and they started playing ‘O Canada’ and everyone was singing along, I had tears in my eyes. Wait, are you going to write this? Can I just say that I was overcome with pride?
Q.9 - Who is your favorite hockey player? Why?
Two no. 19’s I admire - Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman. Both great players, both champions, both well-respected leaders. On the ice and off. Oh, and they’re both from BC.
Q.10 - What do you think of the NHL’s marketing campaign with my NHL? If you were marketing the league, what would you do?
I like the concept behind the campaign. If there is one character that identifies the heart and soul of a hockey player, it’s a warrior. I just really, really, really wished they used real players in the commercials. Maybe even have a local version for each market. Instead of Will Bryant preparing himself for battle, it’s Todd Bertuzzi or Jarome Iginla or Steve Yzerman.
If you ask any sports reporter, hockey players rank as one of the most personable and approachable in professional sports. Hockey players are some of the most active pro players in the community. Why would the league not want to market them? Can you imagine the NBA’s ads without Garnett, Shaq or Lebron? Can you imagine the Pistons’ ads without Tayshaun or Chauncey or Rip?
Q.11 - What team and/or player do you think will have a breakout year this season?
Nashville - They have a maturing core of players who should thrive in a more wide open NHL. Plus they have one of the best, young starting goalies in the league in Tomas Vokoun. Their playoff experience last season will also help them tremendously.
Jason Spezza - After a great season in the AHL in 04/05, he’s been thrust onto Ottawa’s top line. So far he hasn’t looked out of place.
Q.12 - What should the NHL do to get the fans back or even to attract new ones?
They’re on the right track by implementing changes to open up the game. The game resembled part rollerball and part wrestling the last couple of years. By opening up the game, it allows the skill players to show through. Play is in the offensive zone more than the neutral zone. It’s in front of the net more than along the boards. Games are more entertaining as a result.
The league also has to make the players more visible. Fans like to identify with the players (this applies to any sport). They like to see and feel the same emotions the players do. I think the league has to do a better job of showing them off.
Q.13 - What are your thoughts on Gretzky as a head coach for the Coyotes?
One word - gutsy.
Q.14 - What do you think of Sidney Crosby, supposedly the next “Great One,” thus far in the season?
Honestly, I’ve only seen him in highlights so I can’t really tell. I’ve heard his interviews however, and he is extremely well-spoken, especially for an 18-year old. The NHL is in good hands if he is to be their spokesman for years to come.
Q.15 - Is there a hockey blog or site that you look up to for inspiration?
Behind The Jersey, of course, is one of them. Your blog is one of the first ones I
started reading.
I also look up to veteran bloggers like Tom Benjamin (Canucks Corner), James Mirtle, PJ Swenson (Sharkspage), Eric McErlain (Off-Wing Opinion), Jes Golbez (Hockey Rants), Chris McMurty (Hockey Country), Paul Kukla (Kukla’s Corner), Heather Creegan(So Very Obsessed) and John Fontana (Bolts Mag) - I really enjoy their personalities and insights.
Wings 6, Blue Jackets 0
Wings defeat Blue Jackets in Columbus
Detroit easily beat the Blue Jackets in Nationwide Arena to bring their overall record to 8-1-0. Here’s a more detailed look into the game.
First Period
With 14:54 left in the first period, Jason Williams beat Columbus goaltender Marc Denis to notch his first goal after getting 8 assists already this season. Center Robert Lang took the face-off and Brendan Shanahan who pushed it over to Williams where he promptly put it in the back of the Blue Jackets’ net. This occurred right after the conclusion of a four on four play.
27 seconds later, Kris Draper pushes the puck up the ice when Columbus forward Mike Rupp steals the puck behind the net. He tries to pass it up the middle of the ice (to whom, I have no clue because the pass was so far off). Johan Franzen easily intercepts the puck and takes a nice quick shot to beat Denis and get his second goal of the year.
Williams scored again, this time on the power play, with 9:52 left in the first period. Datsyuk passed the puck to Williams who was at the top of the face-off circle to the left of Denis and then put a rocket past him in the top corner.
With 5:12 left in the first period, we peppered Denis with so many great shots, I just couldn’t see how we didn’t score in the bout. Thus far into the game, Denis has faced 16 shots from the Wings.
Tonight is Jason Williams night. With 4:06 left in the first period, Williams scored another goal to make it a hat trick for him. In the first period. Shanny made a nice pass to Williams who was wide open in the middle and again rocketed it past Denis. After Willy’s third goal, Martin Prusek replaced Denis in the net.
To view the interview I did with Jason Williams in November 2004 (when he was fighting to stay up in the NHL instead of being in Grand Rapids with the AHL team), click here.
Second Period
To be honest, nothing happened in this period of value. Sure, there were a couple penalties (Samuelsson for hooking and Fischer for a high stick) and both teams had some opportunities to score (although, Detroit controlled the puck for a majority of the time). Wings goalie, Manny Legace, remained strong in the net and looks like he plans to continue leading the NHL in net.
Third Period
6:40 into the third period, Henrik Zetterberg gets one past Prusek. However, the goal was reversed because Tomas Holmstrom had a foot in the crease. Less than a minute later, Jason Woolley makes a nice pass to Zetterberg, who easily puts the puck in the net. Holmstrom was on the ice but a comfortable distance outside the crease and the goal did count this time. In the middle of the period, Red Wings commentator Mickey Redmond made the following remark (well something close to this): “The Blue Jackets didn’t support the shootout. Because apparently, they like the tie to go with their Blue Jackets.†Haha. That was a pretty weak/lame joke Mickey. I’d hope you could come up with something better than that.
With 5:51 left in the game, Pavel Datsyuk scores off an uncontested rebound from Zetterberg’s shot to lift the Wings to a 6-0 score. His first goal of the game marks his fifth of the season.
Quote of the Game
This quote actually was said before the start of the game during FSN’s Red Wings Pregame. Broadcaster John Keating was interviewing Kris Draper and to end the interview, he said “Draper, you still look beautiful to me.†Draper gave a nervous/awkward laugh and then skated off. I definitely started laughing after I heard that one.
Reactions after the Game
After a scoring a hat trick in a great performance, Williams was pleased with his performance at Nationwide Arena.
“I do like playing here. It’s a great rink,” Williams said. “I remember the last time I was here I scored two goals. It was in the back of my mind…Everybody seems to be on the right page. When everybody’s working together, it makes it that much easier. We’re playing good as a team right now and hopefully we can keep it going.â€Â
Head coach Mike Babcock was also pleased with the teams’ performance tonight.
“Obviously our guys got prepared. You have to give our guys credit — they were real professional,†Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “We had our ‘A’ game early.â€Â
Wings’ Next Game
The Wings will face the Blue Jackets on Monday night at Nationwide Arena again before going on to face the Chicago Blackhawks in three straight games. “It’s probably a good thing that we get back at them in 48 hours,†Denis said. “We have a chance to make amends and redeem ourselves here. I remember two years ago we went to Detroit and got our lunches handed to us. We came back here and beat them at home.â€
Notes
The Wings are now 4-0 on the road and look to make it 5-0 in Columbus on Monday. Mathieu Schneider and Shanahan both have points in the last four games. Woolley kept his assists’ streak alive at five games after assisting Zetterberg’s goal. Legace notched his second shutout of the season and eighth in his career. The three stars for the game were Williams (#1), Legace (#2), and Datsyuk (#3).
Visit ESPN for a different summary of the game.
Final Score: Wings-6 Blue Jackets-0
Visors in Hockeytown
Between injuries of players like Kris Draper (Detroit) and Mat Sundin (Toronto) along with The Hockey News’ survey, hockey players and visors have become a major reason for debate among players, the league, and fans alike over the past week.
The Injuries
Hockeytown has had two distinct cases where a visor would’ve really helped over the past two seasons. One incident ended captain Steve Yzerman’s 2003-2004 season in the midst of the playoffs. The other took Kris Draper out of the game and to the hospital. Both had pucks deflected into their face causing injury. While Yzerman’s injury was much more serious, neither cases were something to blow off.
Yzerman’s injury resulted in an immediate four and a half hour surgery to repair a scratched cornea and numerous fractures of the orbital bone. Here’s what Yzerman had to say after the incident:
“I have a small tear in the iris, which controls how the pupil dilates. I have some eye drops that temporarily paralyze my pupils to keep them open. It acts as a cast to let that part of the eye heal. The only uncertainty is how much my pupil will expand and contract. Down the road, I don’t know how my eye will respond in bright light…I don’t think I’m going to have any significant permanent loss of eyesight. Both eyes were 20-20. My whole life, I never had an eye injury. I don’t know if it’ll get back to 20-20 in my left eye, but I don’t think it’s going to get to a point where I can’t play.
Sitting in the hospital that night, I really wished I’d been wearing a visor. I played 21 years and never had an eye injury…My cheekbone didn’t really hurt at the time. The first thing that went through my mind was, ‘I don’t want to lose my eyesight.’ I really believe guys should be wearing them. I didn’t say that a week ago.”
After getting hit in the face with a puck on Monday, Kris Draper already has his visor on. While Draper’s injury did not require surgery, he did have a lot of stitches, bruising, and retinal swelling and fluid buildup. Here’s what Draper had to say following his injury:
“I feel all right, lucky, from how it could have been. It was a freak thing. Sometimes the use of sticks, something happens and it’s accidental. This, all it was, I was backchecking and it (the puck) deflected off a stick and I never saw it coming…I know how lucky I was. It was pretty close. Talking to the doctors, they recommended it, as soon as I come back playing, I’d have to wear it anyways. It’s something that I’m going to give it a real strong effort.
It’s kind of different now. You wake up in the morning and the kids see you, and obviously it scares them, and it puts everything into perspective. This is different [regarding a previous eye injury a few years ago], it’s not just about me anymore. All of a sudden you look at your kids and they look back at you and they’re squinting and trying to find their dad behind the mask he’s wearing right now. It’s a little bit different, and puts a scare, not only in myself but my kids as well. That’s something that has hit home the last couple of days.
You have (players) like Pavel (Datsyuk) and Hank (Zetterberg), Joe Sakic and (Peter) Forsberg (all wear visors), it doesn’t seem to bother their game. There’s no reason I can’t get used to it.”
The Hockey News’ report
The Hockey News surveyed 640 hockey players in the NHL. Of that group, only 244 are wearing visors this season (38%). Before the lockout, 227 players (32%) wore visors. The average NHL team has 8.1 players wearing a visor. Colorado Avalanche leads the league with 14 players wearing visors while Chicago and Tampa Bay only have four players apiece wearing visors.
Players’ Thoughts
While playing in the Czech Republic during the lockout, Jiri Fischer was required to wear a visor.
“I got used to it, and at the end, it didn’t bother me at all. I wouldn’t mind it (wearing a visor) at all. It has its benefits, but there’s downsides to it, also. Everybody sees the pucks in the face, and getting hit around the eyes, and thinks it would prevent injuries. But if you get (hit) in the visor with a shoulder, easily it’ll smash your nose no matter what.”
Managements’ Thoughts
While head coach Mike Babcock believes that player should be able to make a personal decision in regards to wearing a visor, he also thinks that the decision should be changed once a player has kids. “When you have kids at home, you decide life would be better with my eyes than without them,” Babcock said. “Nobody plans on getting injuried. It’s an individual preference thing.”
Wings GM Holland wants to see more players wearing visors.
“I just believe it protects the players more,” he said. “The league has done a good job of keeping the sticks down (a significant source of trouble a few years ago). But nowadays, after you see what happened to Steve Yzerman, and Draper last night, and you look at Mats Sundin, the puck is just flying all over the place. I just think it (a visor) gives you a little more protection.”
My Thoughts
I understand why players don’t want to wear visors because it does affect their play to some degree. But without a visor, you’re at such a great risk to injure your eye that could cause permanent damage to prevent you from playing hockey, surgery, and it could cost you money as well for not being able to play. I personally believe that the risks totally outweigh the benefits to not wearing a visor. But then, I’m not a hockey player either.
What is your guys’ view on this whole visor issue?
10/17 Wings notes
A few Red Wings related comments…
Kris Draper injured
During the second period of tonight’s game against San Jose, a puck deflected off of Chris Chelios’ stick and hit Draper in the face. I couldn’t tell from the TV if the puck hit him in the eye or just close to it. It certainly did not look pretty let me tell you. What we do know is that he got stitched up and he’s going to the hospital for precautionary measures. It didn’t look and doesn’t appear to be an injury on the magnitude of Steve Yzerman’s, but it isn’t just a scratch. Tomas Holmstrom was also hit by the eyebrow with a puck in tonight’s game, but received stitches and was back on the ice by the third period. Update (10/18): “He’s cut around the eye,” head coach Mike Babcock said. “I guess the bones are fine. They sent him for a CAT scan or whatever, but it sounds like he’s just fine and everything’s precautionary, so that’s real positive.” Sounds like Draper will be alright and everything is just for precautionary measures.
Wings defeat Sharks in OT
The Detroit Red Wings beat the San Jose Sharks with 50 seconds left in OT with a goal by Jiri Fischer, his third of the year. Brendan Shanahan and Mikael Samuelsson both scored power play goals for the Wings. Legace made 26 saves in the game.
Yzerman helping teen
The Detroit Free Press ran a feature a few days ago about Steve Yzerman’s effort to help Peterborough teen, Tommy Garrett, and his family raise money for expensive treatment after complications from a bone marrow transplant Tommy went through for leukemia. In the early 1980s, Yzerman spent a couple seasons playing for the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Aside from the Peterborough connection, Yzerman is Tommy’s favorite hockey player. Yzerman teamed up with Peterborough artist, Murray Henderson, who created 19 prints of Yzerman ($1000 each) and four artist proofs ($1500 each), all of which Yzerman autographed. There are 8 prints left. To purchase one or see what they look like, visit Henderson’s website. All the proceeds from the sale of those prints and proofs will go to the family to help them cover the costs of Tommy’s treatments.
“I know there has been strong support for Tommy in Peterborough so I’m pleased I was asked to get involved. Murray Henderson did a great job on the painting so I hope it helps raise even more money to help cover the costs associated with Tommy’s treatments out in Calgary,” Yzerman said.Â
Game Give-Aways
Are any other NHL teams having more give-aways than normal at home games? From what I recall, the Wings don’t really give much out at games. Like every other opening night game, mini Stanley Cups were passed out to fans. At tonight’s game against San Jose, the Wings organization gave every person attending the game a free 2005-2006 Red Wings calendar. At Friday’s game against Anaheim, they will be passing out a Magnet Schedule courtesy of Belle Tire. I’m certainly not complaining, but where did this come from? I guess even the Wings believe they have to bring their fans back.
Around the NHL
My thoughts on a few happenings around the league (yes, I am talking about stories outside of Hockeytown - crazy, I know). Or just comments on things that aren’t directly about the Wings.
Brett Hull retires
Before the Phoenix Coyotes played the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, Brett Hull announced his retirement in front of former players, friends, his 3 kids, and fiance.
“I was probably more emotional today about him retiring than I was the day I retired,” friend and coach Wayne Gretzky said. “It’s a new beginning for him and his family. I told him today he’s going to look forward with a lot of great times with his kids and his fiance. His records speak for themselves. He’s a consummate professional. My dad told me today that I ran an 800 goal-scorer out of hockey.”Â
The emotional Hull was no different during the press conference where he choked up and wiped tears from his eyes numerous times. After playing only 8 minutes in his fifth game with the Coyotes, Hull realized that he no longer could keep up and play at the level he once could.
“I realized I wasn’t who I thought I was,” Hull said. “I wasn’t Brett Hull at 30 or 35 even. I was 41 years old and after a year and a half layoff, I didn’t have what it took to play in the new game that was so exciting.”Â
Hull finished his 20 year career with 741 goals placing him at #3 in all time scoring. During his career, he played for the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings before finishing with the Coyotes where they unretired his dad’s jersey number nine so he could wear it. Hull had two Stanley Cup wins, one with Dallas and the other with Detroit. He had one assist in the five games he played with the Coyotes.
“There’s an old expression, and I don’t know who said it - `The mind is willing but the body isn’t,”‘ Hull said. “I wish no one had to do this because it’s so hard, it’s hard because you never think you’re going to grow older and be unable to live up to the expectations you set for yourself.”Â
Apparently Hull will sign a Voluntarily Retired List league form to help the Coyotes receive some salary cap relief. If he does sign this list, he can’t return to the NHL for a year and his salary (except for what has already been paid to him) will no longer count toward the $39 million cap.
Personally, I was surprised and saddened to see Brett Hull retire. I really enjoyed his time spent in Detroit and he was a key player in our Stanley Cup win in 2002. While I didn’t always agree with his opinions, I enjoyed his sniper-like shot and humor. I wish him the best of luck in the future.
OLN
I’m not very happy with the NHL TV situation. I have yet to see a game outside of the Detroit Red Wings’ and I really want to. Why is that? Well as a freshman at the University of Michigan in the dorms, I have no control over my cable TV. Comcast is our cable provider, but I don’t get OLN which I find really weird. So now I have to watch ESPN’s Sportscenter just to get clips from other hockey games (which I hate). And of course the few times I’m actually home where I do have the OLN channel, there are no games playing that night. So frustrating. Secondly, I went to Comcast.net/sports to watch a game that was streaming live. But it wouldn’t show up for me and it wasn’t blacked out in my area and the game was going on. While I love my Red Wings, I want to watch some other hockey games as well and I’m struggling to accomplish this.
Calgary Flames
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I’m surprised with Calgary’s start this season. Like many, I thought the Flames would be finishing close to the top of the Western Conference and be a strong contender in the playoffs. While this still may be the case, their start to the season says otherwise. After being outscored 23-17 thus far in the season, they haven’t looked like the team who lost in the finals in game seven.
Fantasy Hockey
I’m sad and embarassed to say that I’ve never played fantasy hockey before this year. Now as a college student, I have some more free time on my hands. While I was invited to numerous leagues against other hockey bloggers, I figured I’d be blown away with my inexperience so I’m currently playing against my brother to learn the ropes. Now I’m not asking you to give your secrets away, but if you have any tips or suggestions for a newbie, please leave a comment or drop me an email!
Upper Deck Deal
The NHLPA just signed a five year deal with Upper Deck for $25 million to make trading cards. Each player will make about $6,000 yearly from this deal for the rights to use their image on the cards. Nice way to make some extra money if you ask me.
Behind the Blog: Off Wing Opinion
Back in August, Matt at On the Wings took part in Behind the Jersey’s new feature entitled Behind the Blog. Unfortunately, I started college in the beginning of September and it took some time to adjust before I continued running this feature. I finally have my act together and would like to continue the feature today. If anyone would like to partake in Behind the Blog, just send me an email and I’ll send you some questions. Otherwise, fellow hockey bloggers should keep a lookout in your inbox for some questions!
Today’s Behind the Blog features Eric McErlain at Off Wing Opinion. His blog covers all the top sports news and even uncovers the not so big news that so many of us sports fans can appreciate. Many bloggers, myself included, admire his hard work and dedication in the sport blogging media. Below, Eric answers 15 questions about Off Wing Opinion, his passion for hockey, and the NHL. Thanks to Eric for taking the time to answer all of these questions in such detail.
Q.1 - Off Wing Opinion is consistently one of the top sports blogs out there covering a whole variety of sports stories. Why is hockey so special to you?
A. I’ve been a sports fanatic for as long as I can remember — something that’s owed to being raised by a man (my Dad) who was an immigrant from Scotland with an interesting background. My grandfather worked in the auto business, so my Dad passed along a love of auto racing. Further, though my father was born in Scotland, my family background is Irish Catholic, and that comes part and parcel with a love of the Glasgow Celtic Football Club. But once my father got to America in 1948, he became a rabid Brooklyn Dodgers fan, and later, a fan of the Mets once the Dodgers were long gone. As you might expect, all of that was handed down to me.
But one reason that made hockey special was that it always seemed uniquely my own. My first practices were at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning, which always meant I had my father to myself from 6-Noon on Saturday. One of my greatest memories is of scoring my first goal (the goalie was in a Buffalo Sabres uni), and immediately looking up and seeing my father behind the glass with a wide grin on his face. His joy has stuck with me for 32 years.
It also helped that off all of the sports that I played, hockey was the one where I always felt I could hold my own — something I couldn’t say in baseball or basketball. As much as I loved sports, and as much as I played, I was never a star. And though I was never a hockey star either, I always felt like I belonged, and from time to time, was able to do something pretty cool.
As John Buccigross recently noted, hockey is a lot like golf in that it’s a hard sport to play. It requires mental and physical dexterity, toughness and heart (don’t confuse the last two). And whenever folks found out that I played, I always liked their reaction.
People looked at me different, and that was cool. In short, hockey gave me more than it ever took away, and I’ll always be grateful.
Q.2 - When did you start Off Wing Opinion and what made you do so?
A. This comes from my FAQ:
There was a time in my life when I wanted to be a journalist, and I guess I’ve never really lost the bug. While I was in college, I was editor of my school newspaper, and had a chance to work very closely with a senior editor at the Washington Post who served as our paper’s advisor. In many ways, I know that I owe much of my professional success to him and his influence.Â
Despite moving into public relations and corporate communications after college, at times I’ve worked as a freelance sportswriter (profits from which funded my return to ice hockey after a 14 year absence from the game) for America Online, the Washington Times, the Washington Post, and Pro Football Weekly. From September 1993 to August 1994, I wrote a fantasy sports column for the Washington Times, something that was a pretty big kick (I never got over watching someone read my column from across a crowded subway car).
Once the Internet boom took off in 1996, so did my career in the private sector. Working as a full-time speechwriter took care of my writing bug, and my freelance work went fallow for a number of years. But every boom has its bust, and the Internet bust of 2001 helped lead me to blogging. With the company I was working for spiralling into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, my speech writing work was drying up quickly. Part of me was afraid my writing skills were atrophying, and after stumbling across Virginia Postrel’s The Dynamist, I thought I’d give blogging a try on my own.
My first effort, The Route 7 Dispatch, came to life in June 2001, and lasted about 8 months. It was cobbled together with the help of a friend of mine, and while you’ll always remember your first girlfriend, it had plenty of limitations. In February 2002 I switched over to Blogger, where the easy-to-use interface took all of the drudgery out of writing for the Web. After one too many outages, I worked with Stacy Tabb to leave Blogspot for good and strike out on my own. I’ve been here ever since.
Q.3 - It seems hockey bloggers look to you for inspiration, do you feel a sort of pressure from all the attention directed towards you, your opinions, and your blog?
A. Hmmm, I’ve never really thought about that. If anyone takes inspiration from my work, it’s flattering. As I’ve said many times, I’m stunned at a certain level that anyone ever shows up in the first place, so any of the attention is welcome as far as I’m concerned.
Q.4 - What advice would you give to other hockey bloggers, especially the newcomers?
A. Just start writing and follow your passions wherever they take you. Blogging should be fun. If it isn’t, you’re doing it wrong.
Q.5 - Do you find it challenging to balance work, Off Wing, and just having a life?
A. Now that I have a second blog that I do for my employer, it sometimes can seem that I don’t live anywhere but online. Overall, blogging has helped me make a lot of new relationships, and enrich old ones. It’s a net positive personally and professionally.
Q.6 - Now that the lockout is over, do you believe the league will be better because of it? Or do you prefer the pre-lockout NHL more?
A. So far, I like what I see. But we need to give this half a season at least before coming to any conclusions.
As for the pre-lockout NHL, it was clear to me that the game had been bogging down for years, and that the folks in charge could have been charged with benign neglect. They had to do something, and as I said, so far what they’ve done looks like it’s working at one level or another.
Q.7 - Where do you see the Washington Capitals in comparison to the rest of the NHL?
A. A young and rebuilding squad that’s going to be knocking around the bottom of the league for at least a couple of seasons. There’s not enough offensive firepower to support Alex Ovechkin, and their defense will leave Olie Kolzig and Brent Johnson exposed on more nights than not. At times, youthful enthusiasm will help them keep games close, and Kolzig will may be able to steal a few games in the third period. But when that doesn’t happen (like it did on Wednesday night in Carolina) it’s going to be ugly.
Q.8 - Who is your favorite hockey player? Why?
A. Growing up on Long Island, I got to see some of the greatest ever to play the game up close. I still remember getting autographs from Bryan Trottier and Bobby Nystrom one night after practice, and Mike Bossy and Denis Potvin were always favorites of mine.
But funny enough, my favorite player of my youth was actually Terry O’Reilly of the Boston Bruins. When I was young, I played the game with a reckless abandon that my friends couldn’t help but notice. And I always thought, well, if I just play as hard as Terry O’Reilly, maybe one day I can play in the NHL.
I obviously didn’t make it, but I’ll always love O’Reilly’s game. It’s a shame he never won a Stanley Cup. Later in life, I became a devotee of Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull (I have an autrographed pic of both him and his Dad), and have always liked Brendan Shanahan’s game.
Q.9 - What made you start the Carnival of the NHL and are you at all surprised that it has become this popular?
A. Never hesitate to steal a good idea — which is exactly what I did with the Carnival of the NHL (in fact, I actually wrote for the Carnival of the NBA before I started the NHL Carnival). The Carnival of the Vanities was the first, and I thought the concept could easily be transported. I’m glad people enjoy it, and that new hockey bloggers can use it to get some attention for their work.
Q.10 - Do you think the NHL is doing enough to draw fans in? If not, what would you suggest?
A. How do you define, “enough”? Hockey is still one of the most popular sports in the world, and there will always be room for the NHL in the North American sports scene. Sometimes, I think NHL HQ could use a marketing brain transplant (the My NHL ad is just the tip of the iceburg), and some of the older owners seem married to business practices that didn’t make sense in 1975, never mind 2005 (hello Mr. Wirtz!).
I’m hoping that the league can use the latest CBA to launch a period of consolidation — especially for the franchises in untraditional markets. Expansion happened too quickly (I would have liked to have seen weaker franchises move into new markets ahead of the last spasm of expansion), and the league still needs time to digest the changes.
I think there’s lots of potential online — especially with the COMCAST/OLN relationship. COMCAST needs to do for the NHL what it’s already done for the NFL in terms of on-demand programming: put all of the goals from every night of the season online by the next morning and get the NHL network on U.S. cable as quickly as possible.
HDTV will be great when it happens, but it’s no cure-all.
Q.11 - What team and/or player do you think will have a breakout year this season?
A. I think Rick DiPietro is finally going to justify his status as a number one pick this year. Whether that’s enough to lift and Islanders team without a fixed identity (Let’s trade Mike Peca, keep his friends on board and make Alexi Yashin Captain. Yeah, that’s the ticket!) is another question entirely.
Q.12 - What’s your thought on Wayne Gretzky as a head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes?
A. We need to wait and see. He’s going to be given plenty of time to learn the ropes, unlike Bryan Trottier who the Rangers canned unmercifully during the last season before the lockout.
I know one thing: I want to see him succeed.
Q.13 - Do you think Sidney Crosby is worthy of the hype, or is all the media attention worthwhile because it’s putting the NHL in the spotlight?
A. I can’t imagine the kind of pressure this kid is under, essentially being asked to save the league at the age of 18. But we’ve all seen the numbers from Major Juniors. I saw the kid in the World Junior championships last year, and it’s clear he’s as special as advertised. It’s just a shame he wound up in Pittsburgh and not New York, Chicago or LA (I didn’t like the way they constructed the draft lottery. They should have kept it in the same order of finish from 2003-04).
Q.14 - Where do you see the NHL in 10 years?
A. I see a league run more competently, that is profitable and growing in terms of popularity. I see a global hockey community more intimately connected than ever before, as online conversation becomes a part of everday life and the need to develop programming to fill an ever-expanding universe of cable and satellite channels continues to be a priority for programmers.
In 10 years, life will be better for the fans than it ever has before, as many of the vehicles we now see as cutting edge (blogs, podcasts and video blogs) reach larger mainstream audiences. I’m looking forward to it.
Q.15 - Is there a hockey blog or site that you look up to for inspiration?
A. I list everybody that I read on my blog roll, but there are a few that I think deserve some extra attention.
Steve Ovadia at Puck Update has a unique sense of humor. I’ve been reading him for a while, and will continue to do so. I’m hooked on Jes Golbez for the same reasons.
Hockeybird and The Rodent always give me new insights.
Tom Benjamin can be a crank, but his arguments have merit and deserve to be taken seriously. There’s a depth of knowledge there of the game’s history, strategy and tactics that most other hockey bloggers can’t match.
Jim Mirtle has the potential to apply blogging directly to the NHL locker room and beyond. I hope the Globe and Mail give him plenty of room to run. And now that Ben Wright is actually inside an NHL organization, I have high hopes for what they do as well. I hope the folks who work for the Thrashers listen to Ben closely, and take a hard look at what he does.
Just who is Mikael Samuelsson?
Per request by the Predator’s Den’s Jason Kirk, I will uncover the deep secrets of Mikael Samuelsson. Who is he? Where did he come from? Why did the Wings pick him up? And what impact has he made thus far on the team?
The Basic Stats:
Name: Mikael Samuelsson
Age: 28
Hometown: Mariefred, Sweden
Height: 6-2
Weight: 211 lbs.
Pos: RW
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 5th Round pick in 1998 (145th overall) by San Jose
What’s his NHL background?
After being drafted by San Jose in 1998, he was eventually traded to the New York Rangers with Chris Gosselin in exchange for Adam Graves in June of 2001. Interestingly enough, his first two NHL goals were against the Avalanche. His first goal beat Patrick Roy and ended his shutout string of 192 minutes and 39 seconds. In February of 2003, the Rangers sent Samuelsson to Pittsburgh with 3 other players for Alexei Kovalev, Dan LaCouture, Janne Laukkanen, and Mike Wilson. Four months later, he was once again traded, this time to the Florida Panthers. While in Florida, he played 37 games and gained 9 points (3 goals, 6 assists). Fast forward to September 2005 when the Red Wings signed this unrestricted free agent. In the first four games of the regular season, Samuelsson has scored a goal in each game and notched an assist as well.
What did he do in the lockout?
During the lockout, Samuelsson returned to his native country, Sweden, where he played for Sodertalje SK. In 29 games, he notched 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists). He also played for HC Geneve-Servette, a team in the Swiss National League. There he brought in 2 goals and 4 assists in 12 games.
What are the scouting reports saying?
Well TSN’s reports say the following:
Assets: Has good size and excellent two-way ability. Plays a solid game in all three zones. Is willing and able in the penalty-killing department.Â
Flaws: Has to use his size more in order to maximize his value at the NHL level. Won’t ever put up huge scoring totals.
Career potential: Checking line winger.
Why the Wings?
Well, the Detroit Red Wings appear to have a growing fondness for Swedes. GM Holland says that this is “just a coincidence.” The Russian Five no longer exist in Hockeytown, but the Sweden Seven does. “There’s never been this many Swedes before,” Nicklas Lidstrom said. “It’s a different feeling.” Along with Holmstrom, Lidstrom, Kronwall, and Zetterberg, Detroit newcomers Andreas Lilja, Johan Franzen, and Samuelsson round up the seven Swedes. “It’s nice,” Tomas Holmstrom said. “There is a lot. I’m not sure what’s happening.”
Holland signed Samuelsson to add veteran depth to the third and fourth lines. “He’s played in the league, he has almost 200 games of experience (188), and we feel he can provide hard work and energy to this team,” Holland said.
Courtesy of DetroitRedWings.com
We’ll have to see how he does throughout the season but he seems to be a great addition to the Wings team thus far!