American blogger JBM Thinks is a sports mom, coach's wife with interesting insights. Hockey parents can just substitute the word "rink" for field or court in her new Top 10 list of New Year's resolutions you can find here.
My resolution? To help get a chartered bus full of Canadian teenage hockey players to Nashville and back, well fed, homework done and in good weather driving. And with a championship trophy. Not that I'm overly competitive, just that we do intend to win.
Minor Hockey Moments
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
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Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Kitchener, Waterloo ready to marry AAA programs
Interesting times ahead for elite minor hockey families in Kitchener and Waterloo as the number of midget and bantam AAA teams in the Twin Cities may soon be cut in half.
Under the hand of the Major Junior Kitchener Rangers, the AAA programs are slated to be amalgamated, meaning better AAA teams but fewer spots for players, who will either filter down to AA hockey teams or drift to other sports.
What's more, according to the Waterloo Region Record, the wheels are in motion to loosen the geographical restrictions for competitive hockey in Ontario in preparation for a "Super Midget League".
Interesting times are ahead for K-W that'll make last summer's AA debate in London look like child's play.
Under the hand of the Major Junior Kitchener Rangers, the AAA programs are slated to be amalgamated, meaning better AAA teams but fewer spots for players, who will either filter down to AA hockey teams or drift to other sports.
What's more, according to the Waterloo Region Record, the wheels are in motion to loosen the geographical restrictions for competitive hockey in Ontario in preparation for a "Super Midget League".
Interesting times are ahead for K-W that'll make last summer's AA debate in London look like child's play.
Our tournament time goes south
The Christmas break is tournament time for thousands of minor hockey players and parents.
Mostly a week for house league events, we never had to do the travel/hotel thing during our Christmas years, unless you count going back and forth to Brantford for the annual Wayne Gretzky competitive tournament.
For those who've never been, the Gretzky tournament is a cut above most others in terms of the effort to make it a show of friendship and love of hockey. An Olympic-style opening ceremony at the Brantford Civic Centre, an historic old barn strategically located next to the city's casino, is an awesome experience.
Or at least it should be. The year our team played in Brantford, there was such a gap between games all but three players went back to London. It didn't leave much of a team representation to march onto the ice. But other teams were there, including some from far away, drawn by the fun of playing in the home town of hockey's greatest star.
Brantford has an arena and swimming pool complex named in honour of Gretzky and this year's tournament marks a milestone of sorts for that facility. It is undergoing extensive renovations and this is the last year will be played on the old ice pads.
Just by coincidence, the tournament has 99 teams entered this year. Another odd coincidence? It's 99 kilometres from our driveway to the Gretzky arena.
As for our current team, we're off the ice during the Christmas break. When we found out our own West London Minor Hockey Association had cancelled our midget division in a February tournament because only three teams had registered, I found a replacement tournament this week in Hespeler. But while I found a tournament, I lost a team with most families and our coach having made other plans.
Given that we played our most recent league game with only 10 players, entering a tournament would've been a disaster.
Meanwhile, the focus is on a mega-trip in January to Franklin, TN, a half-hour drive south of Nashville where we'll line up against the Huntsville Chargers, South Florida Golden Wolves and Houston Wild.
It's a day-long, two-driver, $7,000 chartered bus ride to get to this tournament, so it's a little different than scooting done to Western Fair or St. Thomas for a few games.
Our teenagers will appreciate it, right?
Mostly a week for house league events, we never had to do the travel/hotel thing during our Christmas years, unless you count going back and forth to Brantford for the annual Wayne Gretzky competitive tournament.
For those who've never been, the Gretzky tournament is a cut above most others in terms of the effort to make it a show of friendship and love of hockey. An Olympic-style opening ceremony at the Brantford Civic Centre, an historic old barn strategically located next to the city's casino, is an awesome experience.
Or at least it should be. The year our team played in Brantford, there was such a gap between games all but three players went back to London. It didn't leave much of a team representation to march onto the ice. But other teams were there, including some from far away, drawn by the fun of playing in the home town of hockey's greatest star.
Brantford has an arena and swimming pool complex named in honour of Gretzky and this year's tournament marks a milestone of sorts for that facility. It is undergoing extensive renovations and this is the last year will be played on the old ice pads.
Just by coincidence, the tournament has 99 teams entered this year. Another odd coincidence? It's 99 kilometres from our driveway to the Gretzky arena.
As for our current team, we're off the ice during the Christmas break. When we found out our own West London Minor Hockey Association had cancelled our midget division in a February tournament because only three teams had registered, I found a replacement tournament this week in Hespeler. But while I found a tournament, I lost a team with most families and our coach having made other plans.
Given that we played our most recent league game with only 10 players, entering a tournament would've been a disaster.
Meanwhile, the focus is on a mega-trip in January to Franklin, TN, a half-hour drive south of Nashville where we'll line up against the Huntsville Chargers, South Florida Golden Wolves and Houston Wild.
It's a day-long, two-driver, $7,000 chartered bus ride to get to this tournament, so it's a little different than scooting done to Western Fair or St. Thomas for a few games.
Our teenagers will appreciate it, right?
Whale of a time for London product
At age 30, Londoner Jason Williams is still plugging away at pro hockey. After five years in the NHL, he's signed a tryout contract with the AHL Connecticut Whale.
Wasn't it Eddie Shack who was asked why he kept playing even though he had little ice time? He replied, because a seat on the bench is cheaper than a seat in the stands.
Those who love the game and get paid for it never want to get a real job if they can help it.
Details are here, courtesy AHL.com
Wasn't it Eddie Shack who was asked why he kept playing even though he had little ice time? He replied, because a seat on the bench is cheaper than a seat in the stands.
Those who love the game and get paid for it never want to get a real job if they can help it.
Details are here, courtesy AHL.com
Monday, December 27, 2010
Windsor tournament re-named for Probert
Hockey officials in Windsor, Ont., have renamed that city's annual Christmas novice tournament in honour of Bob Probert, the former Detroit Red Wing and Chicago Blackhawk enforcer who died of a heart attack at age 45.
To those who think of Probert only as a feared NHL tough guy who had brushes with the law might find this curious. But Probert was much more than that to his hometown. His image was positive.
Still, it's likely best that it's a novice tournament carrying his name. No telling how midgets would act playing under the Probert moniker.
To those who think of Probert only as a feared NHL tough guy who had brushes with the law might find this curious. But Probert was much more than that to his hometown. His image was positive.
Still, it's likely best that it's a novice tournament carrying his name. No telling how midgets would act playing under the Probert moniker.
Debate rages over tournaments using city's best arena
When you travel to an out-of-town tournament, you expect to be treated royally. Welcome gifts for kids or player of the game awards are often part of the formula. Playing in the host community's best rink is a given.
Or not. At least if you're heading to Kingston, Ont., where a debate has erupted over whether or not hockey tournaments should be held in the city's spiffy new four-pad facility.
The local economic development department wants the new facility to be the headquarters for tournaments. Why not? Well, at least one minor hockey official says it's not fair because it bumps local players to lesser facilities.
Seriously. When you invite company, don't you clean up a bit and use the best china?
Tournaments, when well organized, are fantastic cash cows for local associations and a major boost for local hotels and restaurants. The economic development people see this.
To follow the Kingston debate, start with this story from the Whig-Standard and read through to the many comments posted at the bottom of the newspaper story.
Or not. At least if you're heading to Kingston, Ont., where a debate has erupted over whether or not hockey tournaments should be held in the city's spiffy new four-pad facility.
The local economic development department wants the new facility to be the headquarters for tournaments. Why not? Well, at least one minor hockey official says it's not fair because it bumps local players to lesser facilities.
Seriously. When you invite company, don't you clean up a bit and use the best china?
Tournaments, when well organized, are fantastic cash cows for local associations and a major boost for local hotels and restaurants. The economic development people see this.
To follow the Kingston debate, start with this story from the Whig-Standard and read through to the many comments posted at the bottom of the newspaper story.
Captain of US juniors has London ties
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made many odd moves over the years, among them naming Rob Ramage as captain even before he pulled on the jersey way back in the Harold Ballard era.
His impact on the franchise was insignificant - Ramage is remembered more as a defenceman with the Calgary Flame or St. Louis Blues. And, of course, the player who grew up in my neighbourhood in London is also remembered as the drunk driver who crashed a car and killed fellow retired NHL defenceman Keith Magnuson.
Rob Ramage, who starred with our local Major Junior London Knights, is in jail now, unable to watch live his American-born son captain Team USA at the World Juniors in Buffalo.
In today's Sun Media newspapers, the always excellent Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press tells the story of John Ramage and his rise to hockey prominence. John Ramage seems like the prototype team player who may very well have an excellent pro career ahead of him. Read Ryan's story as it was posted by the Toronto Sun by clicking here. (I couldn't find it posted by the London Free Press.)
Not that we're cheering for the Americans to win the World Juniors, despite the fact their captain is the son of a Londoner.
We're obligated to cheer for Canada and Brayden Schenn of Saskatoon - a player I wish could join his brother with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
And speaking of the Leafs, shouldn't Nazem Kadri, another of the many pro hockey players from London and area, be with the Canadian juniors instead of the Leafs?
His impact on the franchise was insignificant - Ramage is remembered more as a defenceman with the Calgary Flame or St. Louis Blues. And, of course, the player who grew up in my neighbourhood in London is also remembered as the drunk driver who crashed a car and killed fellow retired NHL defenceman Keith Magnuson.
Rob Ramage, who starred with our local Major Junior London Knights, is in jail now, unable to watch live his American-born son captain Team USA at the World Juniors in Buffalo.
In today's Sun Media newspapers, the always excellent Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press tells the story of John Ramage and his rise to hockey prominence. John Ramage seems like the prototype team player who may very well have an excellent pro career ahead of him. Read Ryan's story as it was posted by the Toronto Sun by clicking here. (I couldn't find it posted by the London Free Press.)
Not that we're cheering for the Americans to win the World Juniors, despite the fact their captain is the son of a Londoner.
We're obligated to cheer for Canada and Brayden Schenn of Saskatoon - a player I wish could join his brother with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
And speaking of the Leafs, shouldn't Nazem Kadri, another of the many pro hockey players from London and area, be with the Canadian juniors instead of the Leafs?
Friday, December 24, 2010
Minor hockey loses option for hurt kids
Hurt in a hockey game and looking for quick repairs in London? Don't turn to St. Joseph's hospital in London.
St. Joseph's, which is located to several city arenas, lost its emergency department years ago but now has a fantastic urgent care centre - fantastic, that is, when it's staffed and open.
It's been a destination of choice when minor hockey players - and others - have suffered bumps, bruises, strains, pains, suspected concussions and broken bones.
But now the urgent care centre is closing daily at 4 pm due to a lack of staff, John Miner of The London Free Press reports.
That'll leave hurting kids heading to the emergency department at Sick Children's Hospital of Western Ontario at the London Health Sciences Centre's Victoria campus or to University Hospital in the city's north end.
If it has to cut back hours, St. Joe's urgent care should be open evenings and closed afternoons.
Until staffing improves, now more than ever, play safe in London.
St. Joseph's, which is located to several city arenas, lost its emergency department years ago but now has a fantastic urgent care centre - fantastic, that is, when it's staffed and open.
It's been a destination of choice when minor hockey players - and others - have suffered bumps, bruises, strains, pains, suspected concussions and broken bones.
But now the urgent care centre is closing daily at 4 pm due to a lack of staff, John Miner of The London Free Press reports.
That'll leave hurting kids heading to the emergency department at Sick Children's Hospital of Western Ontario at the London Health Sciences Centre's Victoria campus or to University Hospital in the city's north end.
If it has to cut back hours, St. Joe's urgent care should be open evenings and closed afternoons.
Until staffing improves, now more than ever, play safe in London.
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