Behind the Blog: Double D(ion)
Our third Behind the Blog features the lovely Kriste (aka hockeygirl) at Double D(ion). It’s a pretty new blog covering the Calgary Flames, but it’s a fun read and creates a new perspective on the team that previously was not out here in the blogosphere.
Q.1 – Double D(ion) has only been active for a few months. What made you create your own hockey blog?
Well, it’s kind of funny story. My resident Flames fan had been talking about starting a Flames blog for the whole summer and was searching out hockey blogs. I started looking as well just to see what was out there and started looking for blogs by female hockey fans, coming across your site, Girls don’t love hockey, hot oil and so very obsessed. I didn’t find very many general Flames blogs and none by females. I started it as something fun to do and have been pleasantly surprised by the readership I’ve gained. I was also lucky to be linked to by Paul Kukla at NHL.com which brought over 250 visitors. Crazy!
Q.2 – When and why did you become a Calgary Flames fan?
I became aware of a love for the Flames during the 2003 draft when they picked up Dion Phaneuf. I had watched him play with the Red Deer Rebels and always have kept a watch on the WHL players as they move along. Like I mentioned on our hlog, I live with a Flames fan and it was hard not to start to like the team after hearing and watching them as they were always on. I admire Darryl Sutter’s style of hockey, respecting his no B.S. attitude. After watching the Flames during their 2004 playoff run, I found myself getting really excited about the games. We lived in Vancouver so it was super to watch the Flames stick it to the Canucks. We travelled to Calgary in hopes of getting tickets to the game 6 versus the Red Wings but were unable to so we watched on a huge screen at a sports bar. When Martin Gelinas scored, I think my heart was won over.
Q.3 – Many bloggers and media pundits have picked Calgary to top the Western Conference and at a bare minimum, win their division. Do you agree? Why?
It’s interesting. I’ve never given much thought to the end result. In the past, I’ve felt that I watch with too much emotion to make the prediction of the team winning the whole shebang because I don’t want to be crushed at the end of the season if they don’t. It’s been the same way when I watched the Kootenay Ice go to the Memorial Cup in 2000. I do agree that they will have a great season. I think the key to winning is having Jarome Iginla return to form and Alex Tanguay could be the new Craig Conroy, being a perfect linemate. It sounds like Tanguay did his homework on Iginla and I hope it pays off. The defence pairing of Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr on paper looks like a match made in hockey heaven, here’s hoping it works on the ice.
Q.4 – What do you hope to achieve with your blog over the next year?
Hmm, that’s a good question. Since I didn’t really have a goal at the beginning of the blog it’s hard to say. I’m hoping to continue posting from the heart, offering my perspective on the game, gaining knowledge of the game and improving my writing skills. I think being involved in a great hockey blogging community and being part of the hlog will help. I think it’s important to represent the female fans who enjoy the game and want to learn more but also want to have a good time.
Q.5 – What are your thoughts on the new NHL ads featuring Cheechoo and Forsberg?
They are certainly amusing. I don’t know how effective they are in bringing new fans to the game. I read an interesting piece by Linda Cohn at ESPN.com and she talks about how the NHL shouldn’t be aiming their ads at current fans but more at bringing new fans to the game. She mentions how hockey season starts just as the NFL is in the middle of the season and MLB playoffs are starting. It seems to me that the NHL is recognizing this and feels the need to remind people that hockey has started. I think in Canada it differs from the US as hockey seems to be everywhere and just about everyone you talk to knows its on, even if they don’t follow any team.
Q.6 – What do you think was the biggest move the Flames made over the summer?
As I mentioned earlier, picking up Tanguay was a good move. I don’t think I’ll miss Jordan Leopold, Brian Marchment and Shean Donovan. I think Chris Simon’s size will leave some space on the ice, but I don’t know if that will be good or bad. We were in Japan this summer and were constantly checking the transaction reports online and the Tanguay one seems to be the one that made us most excited.
Q.7 – I have to ask, what are your thoughts on former Wing and current member of the Calgary Flames, Darren McCarty?
I think he’s awesome. I love his passion for the game. He seems very genuine and loves playing the game. I respect his hard work on and off the ice with respect to his charity for cancer. He was traded to Calgary a few days before my grandpa passed away from a long battle from cancer and there was a story in the paper with a quote from McCarty talking about his time in Detroit and what it was like leaving and he said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” My grandpa loved hockey and those words offered comfort during that time.
Q.8 – If you had to pick the best signing or trade of the summer, which one would it be and why?
I think with the hype surrounding Ovechkin and Crosby last year, it will be interesting to see what Malkin can do once he gets healthy. Having a young Russian on the Penguins is kind of like having the two sophomores be one rookie called Croskin.
Q.9 – As your blog title suggests, why are you such a big Dion Phaneuf fan?
I started being a fan while he played for the Rebels and was impressed by his defensive skills. He was named to the CHL First All-Star Team in 03-04 and 04-05 and won the Top Defenseman award in 2004. He really stood out when he played on the Canadian team at the 2004 World Juniors where he was named to the Tournament All-Star Team and won the silver medal. In 2005, he played on the team again, this time winning the gold medal and picking up the award for Top Defenseman. He was also touted as the number two prospect behind Alexander Ovechkin in their draft year. I like his style of play, he can be a stay-at-home defenseman or he can drive to the net.
Q.10 - Is there any hockey blog or website that you look to for inspiration?
I am inspired by Girls don’t love hockey because Jordi writes with a lot of humour. I also turn to Scarlett Ice because Sherry follows the game closely and adds technical insights. I like Metrognome’s write-ups at Hello Hockey Fans. It’s like he’s my eyes in Calgary.
Any additional comments?
Thank you for profiling me on BtB. I am happy to be part of the female hockey blogosphere and think that we are going to bring new voices to the game. It’s important for women to be have a place where we can talk about the players and game without the macho-ness of the male sites. Women add a different perspective and more can be seen at our hlog.
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8 Responses to “Behind the Blog: Double D(ion)”
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October 9th, 2006 at 10:11 am
Christy - I don’t know if you’re aware of it but the Detroit Free Press has a very nice tribute book out for Yzerman. They are selling it at stores in the Michigan, but it didn’t seem like they had too many copies.
http://freepressbookstore.stores.yahoo.net/captain.html
October 9th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
I did hear about it last Thursday or Friday and bought it online, but I forgot to make a post about it. Thanks for the reminder!
October 9th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Haha, thanks for the plug. It’s sweet somebody actually thinks me following the game as obsessively as I do is a good thing, haha!
Always enjoy reading these columns!
October 9th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Christy - No problem. I’m sorry if I posted it in the wrong spot, but I wanted to make sure you saw it. I know you’re a Yzerman fan and wasn’t sure if you knew about it or not.
October 9th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Women do offer a different perspective than the macho guys do, and that IS a good thing. But don’t forget, it is a macho sport, so most of the time the 2 go hand in hand.
There are already some really great blogs out there that are run by females. So far, I really enjoy Vancouver Canucks Op Ed and Stick in Rink. Hot Oil…nah, that’s too girly. But I’ll go check on Double D(ion) right away!
October 9th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Wait a minute….it’s Hot Flames…..
October 9th, 2006 at 10:48 pm
But it’s more than that. I’m trying, I’m trying!
Christy: Thanks for the BtB!
Sherry: There’s nothing wrong with obsessiveness as long as you recognize it.
October 10th, 2006 at 8:48 am
I’m funny! Sweetness! Now lets see if I can take this to the streets and make some money!
*ahem* But I do love the range of perspectives. I mean everyone has a certain approach to the game. Whether you bring a pad and write down notes or you’re at the front screaming “OOIIILLLLEEERSSSS!”. It’s really nice to hear what people say about it. And uh, I do quite like that there aren’t any blogs (I think…) that are just listing players they want to sleep with.