Starting Soon

The summer’s winding down and the preseason is right around the corner.  To those who have it: enjoy the long weekend.

Site favorite George Parros has been making sure to get the Cup out there, from the school to the farm.

Videos added

We’ve added a good amount of minors and juniors videos.  Be sure to check out some of Aaron Boogaard’s last season (just look for the tv icons) courtesy of his brother Ryan.

Some reads

Elisha Dumps Avery?
Capitals Re-Sign John Erskine
Goal judges uprooted; seats become available
Stars use boards to rough up NFL, NBA
Answer to future not coming easy for Scott Niedermayer

Boogaard Fight Camp Still Debated

The Boogaards fight camp, which made news a month ago when it was announced they were going to teach kids how to fight on skates, is still getting ink.

CTV adds to the chatter about the camp with an article accompanied by a few videos.

It has the normal “it’s defensive” vs “it’s thuggery” quotes, plus a little something from the Great One:

“If they’re there teaching kids at the ages of 12, 13, 14 to defend themselves, that’s fine,” said Wayne Gretzky. “I took boxing classes when I was 10. It didn’t pay off for me.”

Sarah Schorno of The Huffington Post chimes in with a positive outlook:

The purpose of the camp is to teach the attendees, who range in age from 12 to 18, to learn how to effectively handle the inevitable on-ice fight. If the camp stays true to its cause, which is self defense, then it’s not entirely a bad idea.

Even on this site, where fighting is clearly not frowned upon, there was debate on whether or not the Boogaards should be teaching kids the ins and outs of on-ice fisticuffs.  One thing that is clear is that the controversy surrounding it generated enough publicity for them to easily fill-up next year’s camp.

Sharp Update

Something to put on your summer reading list: Wes and Patrick, better known as Wes McSnipes and Humpzilla in the forums interviewed Andrew Sharp.

Andrew Sharp played ten games in the LNAH last season, and eleven in the SPHL the two seasons before that.  Below is his 2006-07 preseason fight against Ken Patzack:

Vote!

Videos added

Dennis Vial vs Darin Kimble Mar 20, 1993
Mike Keane vs Steve Leach Mar 11, 1993
Mario Roberge vs Darin Kimble Mar 11, 1993
Rob Ray vs Mick Vukota Apr 1, 1995
Darren Langdon vs Jim Cummins Feb 20, 1995
Reid Simpson vs Dennis Vial Mar 2, 1996
Ken Belanger vs Darren Langdon Oct 3, 1997

Schedules added

Many 2007-08 schedules have been added to the site.  If you notice any game dates or times that need to be changed, please let me know.  One note about the NHL preseason: the Kings have two games scheduled in Austria.  One opponent is still undecided.  When the Kings’ opponent is picked both games will be added to our schedule here.

Some reads

Arbitration hard to judge
Avoiding arbitration at all costs
NHL shouldn’t let Tocchet return
The NHL’s cheat sheet
Mike Ricci retires from NHL

Close Already

In just a little over five weeks the NHL preseason begins.  The offseason just seems to be disappearing.

Videos added

Brad Ference vs Tyler Bouck Mar 29, 2004
Jeff Cowan vs Chris Simon Mar 27, 2004
Dan Kordic vs Eric Cairns Jan 22, 1998
Daniel Lacroix vs P.J. Stock Jan 22, 1998
(two above same clip)
Eric Cairns vs Grant Marshall Mar 28, 2004
Stu Grimson vs Bob Probert Apr 7, 1996
Vladimir Konstantinov vs Jim Cummins Apr 7, 1996
Bob Errey vs Eric Weinrich Apr 7, 1996

Some reads

Tough act sure to follow
Remenda returns as Sharks analyst
Lidstrom’s revealing Q and A
Avery deal reveals dark side of arbitration
Buchberger to coach Oilers affiliate