My favourite sports columnist, Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, writes about Blake Geoffrion, the first product of Nashville minor hockey to reach the NHL. Of course, his bloodlines had a lot to do with it. His grandfather from Mitchell, Ont., was the legendary Howie Morenz, one of the most driven hockey players in history. His grandfather, Boom Boom Georffrion, invented the slap shot.
Question is, how much better would Blake be if he had been nurtured in Canadian minor hockey?
Here is an exerpt from Steve's column. FYI, he also has a book being published about Mike Danton, the former St. Louis Blues player who was jailed for trying to have his controversial agent killed.
A first in Nashville
When Blake Geoffrion was called up by the Nashville Predators, it marked two different kinds of history well worth noting.
Not only is Geoffrion the first fourth-generation NHL player, and what bloodlines -- great grandfather, Howie Morenz; grandfather Boom Boom Geoffrion; dad Danny Geoffrion -- but maybe more significantly, he is the first graduate of the Nashville minor-hockey system to make it to the big leagues.
That is unique on its own.
And never mind just making it to the NHL.
He's playing for the home-town Predators.
Imagine what that feels like for kids playing hockey in and around Nashville.
The long-term affect (sic) of Geoffrion's rise could serve as wonderful motivation in a non-traditional hockey market.
Geoffrion is the first: Here's hoping we see many more.
Here is the full Steve Simmons column.
Question is, how much better would Blake be if he had been nurtured in Canadian minor hockey?
Here is an exerpt from Steve's column. FYI, he also has a book being published about Mike Danton, the former St. Louis Blues player who was jailed for trying to have his controversial agent killed.
A first in Nashville
When Blake Geoffrion was called up by the Nashville Predators, it marked two different kinds of history well worth noting.
Not only is Geoffrion the first fourth-generation NHL player, and what bloodlines -- great grandfather, Howie Morenz; grandfather Boom Boom Geoffrion; dad Danny Geoffrion -- but maybe more significantly, he is the first graduate of the Nashville minor-hockey system to make it to the big leagues.
That is unique on its own.
And never mind just making it to the NHL.
He's playing for the home-town Predators.
Imagine what that feels like for kids playing hockey in and around Nashville.
The long-term affect (sic) of Geoffrion's rise could serve as wonderful motivation in a non-traditional hockey market.
Geoffrion is the first: Here's hoping we see many more.
Here is the full Steve Simmons column.
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