A Good Quiet

Another relatively quiet week in NHL news.  No refs were accused of trying to fix scores.  No one abusing animals.  No records being broken with the word steroids being mentioned every other sentence.  I’d say the NHL had itself a good week.

Videos added

Lyle Odelein vs Scott Pearson Mar 22, 1996
Craig Rivet vs Brent Hughes Mar 22, 1996
Donald Brashear vs Rob Ray Mar 22, 1996
(three above same vid)
Greg Smyth vs Stu Grimson Feb 21, 1993
Ronnie Stern vs Cam Russell Feb 21, 1993
(two above same vid)
Basil McRae vs Alan May Feb 21, 1993
Rob Brown vs Sylvain Lefebvre Dec 5, 1992

Site note

The first of the 2007-08 schedules has been added with the QMJHL preseason. More schedules will be added this week.

Some reads

Wild prospect really can mix it up
30 Seconds : With Patrick Kane
He’s not just playing enforcer
Rats reign over Florida again
Ducks GM: Oilers’ offer sheet to Penner ‘gutless’
Rocky does his part

A Midsummer’s Update

The summer is flying by.  While work is being done on some new features for the site, it’s time to roll out more videos.

Recently at hockeyfights.com

Report: Chris Simon Re-Signs With Islanders
John Ferguson Loses Battle With Cancer
Barnaby Retiring
Brawling With Boogaard for Beginners
Jared Aulin Hurt in Non-Contact Game

Videos added

Link Gaetz vs Joey Kocur Jan 9, 1990
Bob Probert vs Darin Kimble Mar 10, 1991
Dennis Vial vs Darin Kimble Mar 10, 1991
Dave Scatchard vs Joe Thornton Nov 28, 1997
Chris McAllister vs Ken Baumgartner Nov 28, 1997

Some reads

A lasting trauma
I came to like the Fergie I once hated
Veteran confident Coyotes can rebuild
New job fits his career path
Sharks unveil new logo

Report: Chris Simon Re-Signs With Islanders

Chris Simon has re-signed with the New York Islanders according to his NHLPA page.

His 2007-08 salary is reported as $475k.  He is also listed on Isles roster on their official website.

Simon still has five games left on his 25-game suspension for slashing Ryan Hollweg.

Simon’s signing was expected after Islanders GM Garth Snow said, “Chris should be back in an Islanders uniform shortly” at the beginning of the month.

Update Jul 23 230pm: TSN is reporting that in addition to his base salary, Simon also has a $325k games played bonus.  No further details were given.

Barnaby Retiring

RDS is reporting that Matt Barnaby is retiring.

Barnaby missed about half of last season due to post concussion syndrome.

John Ferguson Loses Battle With Cancer

John Ferguson Sr., the NHL and Montreal Canadiens legend, has passed away, losing his last fight, one with prostate cancer.

His son, current Maple Leafs General Manager John Ferguson Jr. said, “My father battled cancer with the same spirit in which he played the game of hockey.”

I have absolutely no doubt he did.

Known as the NHL’s first enforcer, Legends of Hockey quotes Ferguson, saying he wanted to be “the meanest, rottenest, most miserable cuss ever to play in the NHL.”

Ferguson built that reputation while earning 145 goals, 303 points and 1214 PIMs in 500 games for the Habs.  He was part of five Stanley Cup champion teams.

A nice collection of pictures and some older articles is available at Habs Inside/Out. (via KK)

The NHL and NHLPA founded Hockey Fights Cancer in 1998 to help raise money for cancer organizations.

Ferguson vs Douglas 1965

More Ferguson-related stories

Tough guy loses his final battle
Ferguson was a fighter to the end
Sharks lose a hockey legend as consultant dies from cancer
Tough exterior, soft heart
Remembering John Ferguson
San Jose Sharks Organization Saddened by the Passing of NHL Legend John Ferguson

Another video after the jump.

Continue reading "John Ferguson Loses Battle With Cancer"

Brawling With Boogaard for Beginners

The hockey Boogaards, Derek of the Minnesota Wild, and younger brother Aaron of the Pittsburgh Penguins, have their own hockey camp specializing in fighting:

“The main thing is I’m not teaching them how to hurt each other,” Derek insists. “I’m showing them how to protect themselves - where to hold, where to grab and, if you’re in trouble, what to do.

“I’m not saying they’re not going to get hurt if they fight. It’s just a little insurance to help them out.”

There are quotes from parents who enrolled their children in the camp, a mention of mostly negative local reaction, and Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press lets us know that the other Boogaard brother, forum regular Ryan, is the little one in the family, standing at “only” 6’2”.

Derek goes on to make a prediction about the direction of fighting in the NHL:

“The way the league’s going, they’re signing everyone back that fought before because they saw what Anaheim did all year long and in the playoffs,” Derek said. “They just pushed everyone around. Fans were excited after the lockout because it was such a fast game. It was, but then it got boring.

“(Fighting) is coming back. I’m excited for the season.”

Update: Michael Russo, of the Star Tribune, also has a piece on the Boogaards fight camp:

Two years into his NHL career, Wild enforcer Derek Boogaard is already a phenomenon.

Boogaard’s YouTube fight clips are legendary and have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. Fans flock to hockeyfights.com to vote on the outcome of his brouhahas.

Jared Aulin Hurt in Non-Contact Game

Jared Aulin (hockeydb) has been hurt playing in a summer league:

Eight games into a stint in the Non Contact Hockey League’s top division, the 25-year-old says he’s likely played his last hockey game following a stick-swinging incident that landed him in the hospital with a concussion, swollen carotid artery and a pail full of painkillers.

...

Witnesses say midway through a 9-4 loss last Tuesday between the Nordiques and Aulin’s TH Pirates, a scrum developed that drew the 6-ft., 192-lb. forward into the pack after a teammate allegedly received a Tomahawk chop over the head/shoulder by opponent Quinn Risdon.

As Aulin intervened, Risdon allegedly wielded his stick like a baseball bat and struck Aulin in the neck, sending him to the ice unconscious.

Aulin played 17 games for the Kings in 2002-03 and has been in the AHL since.

A quote from one of Aulin’s summer league teammates focuses on the reality of the situation:

“When I used to see incidents in the NHL like this I used to figure they should, handle it within the league itself,” said Kissel.

“But after watching that, it’s pretty hard not to charge him. Guys who have to get up for work the next morning are out there for a good time and then this happens. When he swings at three guys, you’d have to think there’s some thought involved there. Ogie Oglethorpe (of Slap Shot fame) is what it reminded me of.

“It isn’t like (Aulin) is some hack from the NHL who is looking to fight—he’s leading the league in points.”

We all like a good scrap at the pro-level, but leagues like this are filled with people who have to get to their jobs the next day or week and help support themselves and their families.  Competition and intensity can remain high at any level, but when you’re not playing for a living, everything else should take a backseat to the realities of life.

Summertime

Just a little something before the weekend…

Videos added

Darren McCarty vs Paul Kruse Mar 9, 1994
Keith Redmond vs Adam Bennett Feb 25, 1994
Kevin Dineen vs Rob Ray Nov 10, 1993
Dave Brown vs Rob Ray Nov 10, 1993

Some reads

Then and now: Hockey like old times
Flyers search in-house for new enforcer
Shanahan Keeps His Word and Stays
Brent Sutter leaves Rebels, likely for NHL

Eric Godard Back in Calgary

hockeyfights.com has learned Eric Godard has re-signed with the Calgary Flames.

It is a one-way contract, other terms are currently unknown.

Godard was a restricted free agent who originally filed for an arbitration hearing.

Update Jul 12 330pm: Godard’s NHLPA page lists his 2007-08 salary as $475k.

The Slowdown

When Paul Kukla isn’t posting any hockey news, you know things have slowed down.

The past week definitely had some interesting stories though, and Kevin Allen has a good recap of the Tomas Vanek offer sheet story.

Tom K a welcome addition anywhere

The Habs signed Tom Kostopoulos for two years.  Tom K’s a heart player, willing to do whatever it takes, including the occassional scrap.  When Kostopoulos pointed that, The Gazette was quick to point out the voting results from his log here:

While he’s not a heavyweight, Kostopoulos will drop the gloves.

“I’ll stand up for my teammates,” said Kostopoulos, who was involved in nine fights last season, although http://www.hockeyfights.com reported that he lost most of them.

Tom Kostopoulos may not be a player you bring in to intimidate the other team, but his willingness and energy are why he’s brought in.  He’ll chip in a goal here and there too.

I uploaded a few more Kostopoulos vids.  All good displays of heart.  Kostopoulos had a well-seen win over Steve Ott on Oct 28, 2006 of last season.

Videos added

Bob Probert vs Ken Baumgartner Feb 15, 1994
Stu Grimson vs Tony Twist Jan 31, 1995
Sergei Bautin vs Micah Aivazoff Jan 29, 1994
Tom Kostopoulos vs Arron Asham Feb 18, 2004
Tom Kostopoulos vs Aaron Ward Dec 18, 2003
Kyle Rossiter vs Tom Kostopoulos Nov 15, 2003

Some reads

Coyotes top prospects hit the ice
Ducks fans split on signing of Bertuzzi
AHL, PHPA ratify new agreement

Murphy Moves Into the Ring

Chris Murphy will step into the ring tonight at the Dover Boxing Club:

Also on the card is Chris Murphy, or “The Hit Man,” as he is known around the Dover Boxing Club. The punishing righty out of Sparta, in just his seventh-career fight, will step up into the open division and fight long-time amateur Andy Tamchek of New Brunswick.

“I’m fighting a kid with 70 amateur fights and is about to turn pro,” Murphy said. “But I’ve got no problem with that. I’m up for the challenge.”

Murphy played in the CHL last season for the Austin Ice Bats and Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

July Shift

UFA Day started slow, and almost continued into Monday with a slew of signings.  The big money came from the big markets.  Big spending under a cap system might not be what many consider ideal, but the cap is up and the money is out.  What is ideal is big markets performing well.  The league thrives when teams like Philly and the Rangers do well.

Our news section is packed with all the latest signings and player movement.  Thanks to everyone who helped out in the forums.  It’s been a couple of busy days.

Videos added

Kelly Chase vs Stu Grimson Dec 26, 1992
Lee Norwood vs Stephane Matteau Dec 26, 1992
Garth Butcher vs Brent Sutter Dec 26, 1992
Martin Lapointe vs Trent Yawney Apr 9, 1994

All for the money

Angela Busch has a great piece in the Bonita Daily News about Florida Everblades (ECHL) players leaving to play in Europe.  More money for less games and no one minds saying it.  It’s a different perspective than you normally get with the multi-million dollar NHLers and a good reinforcement that everything is relative.

Viewing material

Flyers, Rangers prove money still talks in new NHL
Rangers to be power players
Big, bad Rangers are back - and that’s good
Offseason Heats Up in the NHL (ESPN video)
Bruins have too many men in the crease (with video)
Stars lack wiggle room
Sakic the salesman
Leafs get boost with Blake
Smyth trade was a mistake
Smyth, Blake lead mass exodus off Long Island
New-look Flyers will be big, physical
Capitals Raid the Islanders

Scott Gomez interview

Also, a Chris Drury Interview