Behind the Blog: Gloveside
Today’s Behind the Blog features the new blog, Gloveside, which covers the Detroit Red Wings as well as other hockey teams near Kalamazoo. Johnny and Brennan are the brains behind the operation and so there will be two answers for each of the ten questions.
Their logo:
Q.1 – Gloveside has started only just recently. Why did you decide to create this blog and why call it Gloveside?
Johnny: It was Brennan’s idea to start the blog; I think the catalyst was the longer than expected off-season for the Wings. We had both been frequent readers of blogs, and I (at least) had started to comment more and more. Then I began to start checking sources, which was fun for some reason. Brennan suggested starting the blog; we decided the beginning of training camp was a good time to launch.
We wanted the blog (which focuses mainly on the Wings) to be centered on hockey here in Michigan. We’re from Kalamazoo, and there is a lot of hockey in our general area. Michigan’s lower peninsula resembles a mitten (as anyone knows when asking for directions), so we thought Gloveside was fitting and we could tie it in with hockey in our logo (ala Brennan).
Brennan: I’ve been an avid reader of weblogs for many years. I’ve tried writing personal blogs a few times, but never really found myself that interesting. Last season, I started devouring as many hockey blogs as I could get my little mouse on, in addition to all the personal blogs I read, and realized that if I wrote about hockey, I’d almost always have something to write about.
We were looking for a name that reflected us being in Michigan, we thought about names w/Mitten in the title, but eventually it morphed into Gloveside, like Michiganside, but a sorta punny hockey theme.
Q.2 – What do you hope to achieve with your blog over the next year?
Johnny: I’d like to become better at researching, get some street cred, maybe some real creds! I’d also like to cover more of the local hockey: K-Wings, Griffons, WMU Hockey, and even the “beer” leagues, which I play on Friday nights.
Brennan: Hopefully we can get some more folks to come visit, maybe interact a bit w/our comment system, have a chuckle or two. Maybe hold up to our commitment to cover local hockey a bit more.
Q.3 – When and why did you become a Detroit Red Wings fan?
Johnny: When I was in high school I dated this girl, and if I wanted to hang out with her at her house, (her dad DID NOT TRUST BOYS) I had to hang out in the living room with her and the family. This was ‘86-’87 and more often than not her dad was watching the Red Wings. He started to warm to me and pointed out on the fuzzy screen the “kid” that was going to turn this team around, how he could score at will. I started listening less to him and watching the game more. Yzerman quickly became the first athlete that I would follow and he never flinched under my scrutiny. He just got better (as you all know) and I was sold.
Brennan: I’m a recent hockey convert. I’ve never been much of a sports fan, but I swear that’s because I wasn’t exposed to much hockey growing up. I became a hockey fan and a Wings fan at the same time. I mean, I’m from Michigan, who else am I gonna root for, the Thrashers?
Q.4 – The Wings had a rocky start, but are in the middle of an 8 game winning streak. Where in the league standings do you see the Red Wings finishing this season? Why?
Johnny: This season more than any before could drive a betting man nuts. I’d really like to hold off on that comment until they complete this Western Canada road trip. Saying that, I think they’ll be 2nd or 3rd in the western conference. It’s going to be really tight with the Ducks, Wild, Stars, and Sharks. The Wings have been all defense on this streak. If and when the offense starts firing on all cylinders they could take the top seed.
Brennan: I’d love to see them finish up near the top, not on it. Considering the trouble they’ve had in the playoffs when they’ve won the Presidents Trophy, I wouldn’t mind seeing them sitting a slot or two down from the top of the West.
Q.5 – Do you like the current NHL schedule or do you think it should be changed? If so, what schedule would you suggest?
Johnny: I would love to see the Wings in the East. I’m a working guy and suffer through the next day when they play out west. I really think they should see each team once. That doesn’t seem unreasonable.
Brennan: I’d love to see every team at least once. That being said, I don’t think the league can really do much in the way of schedule changing until we find out where the Penguins land. Kansas City is pushing hard for a team, as well has Southern Ontario. If a move is on the horizon, or expansion is a possibility — we need to wait. I’d really love anything that allows more than handful of original six games for the Wings.
Q.6 – What are your thoughts on the Red Wings relations with their fans? Do you agree with George’s article on the issue or do you have a differing opinion? If so, what is it?
Johnny: I have never even been to the JLA!! Because I work in construction and in the winter months I have to be prudent with my cash. Going to game on the other side of the state, paying what you have to for nose bleeders and driving all the way back hasn’t been possible. I also hate to see the lower corporate seats sitting empty.
Brennan: I don’t live in Detroit, so signings & what have you don’t affect me much, but I haven’t had trouble getting tickets the past few seasons. I think the franchise is run like a business, and like all businesses the bottom line is king. The way you make money is by doing as little as you can to get as much as you can. I’d love to see the Wings more involved in their community, and to make their organization more fan-friendly, but until they stop selling out tickets and making a killing on merchandise, I don’t think we can expect much of a change.
Q.7 – After a year of play, do you think the lockout hurt or helped the NHL?
Johnny: I enjoy the faster play, the parity is good…I just don’t know about supporting teams in places where no one cares about the sport.
Brennan: I think the lockout has at least as much to do with the state of the NHL as the change in rule enforcement. The year off seemed to give the league time to do their marketing and planning w/out having to keep up with current news and scandal. Maybe a few fans walked away, but I think in the long run the repackaging, and changes in marketing the lockout allowed will bring more and more fans into the fold.
Q.8 – Which team has surprised you with their start to this season? Disappointed you?
Johnny: The one two punch in Pittsburgh isn’t so much surprising as it is breathtaking. I’m afraid the term “you got Philadelphiaed!” is going to become quite the slam. All dark clouds converge over the Flyers…It’s surreal.
Brennan: The Penguins have come out strong, and incredibly fun to watch. A young, fast team could really go far with the new enforcement guidelines. The Flames, on the other hand, have just fallen apart. While I’ll never forgive them for escorting the Wings out in the second round, Kipper & Co. have found a place in my heart.
Q.9 – If you had to pick two teams to be in the Stanley Cup finals right now, which two teams would they be?
Johnny: Buffalo and…er…ahem….Detroit.
Brennan: I’m hoping the Sabres represent the Eastern Conference, I think they deserve it. If by some horrible awful twist of fate, the Wings don’t wind up in the rink for the West, then I’d love to see the Wild in there.
Q.10 - Is there any hockey blog or website that you look to for inspiration?
Johnny: I love A2Y and was lost for a while without it. I also love the antics at Covered in Oil.
Brennan: I love Abel to Yzerman, and I’m overjoyed at its return. I think Sidearm Delivery, as well as Orland Kurtenblog and Covered in Oil are way up towards the top of my list these days. There’s also this fantastic girl that writes a great wings blog… I can’t remember the name, but she’s got a slightly morbid fascination with ligaments and cartilage…
Any additional comments?
Johnny: Thanks for the interview, Christy, and thanks to any one else out there who reads Gloveside, were hoping to bring a little more humor there.
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November 13th, 2006 at 10:15 am
[…] Many thanks to Christy at Behind the Jersey for a great piece on yours truly (and Johnny Truly, I suppose). I know you’ve all been dying to get to know us better, so here’s your chance. […]