The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Monday that GM Jarmo Kekalainen has accepted the position of Assistant GM for Team Finland in Sochi, Russia for the Olympic Games this February. Kekalainen will join Team Finland’s current GM and hockey Hall of Famer, Jari Kurri, along with Head Coach Erkka Westerlund.
Of his involvement with Team Finland, Kekalainen said, “Representing your country at the Olympics is a tremendous honor, so this is a very proud moment for my family and I.”
Kekalainen was only named GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets in February 2013 , but spent years prior as manager of Jokerit and IFK Helsinki in the Finnish Elite League. In the NHL, Kekalainen played for the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators, where he later worked in the front office as Director of Player Personnel. He is the first European-born GM in NHL history.
We have two copies of the new Bobby Orr book, Orr: My Story up for grabs – just in time for the holidays! We will pick two winners on November 30th and will ship the first week of December. You can enter to win daily, so how do you win? Click the “Pink Giveaways” Link below and tell us your name, email address and in the message box, your all-time favorite retired player.
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A fantastic hockey player, 8x winner of the Norris Trophy and a 2x winner of the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins is back! He is back not as a player, but this time as a writer. Do you know who he is so far?? Need more clues?
Born in Parry Sound Ontario, Canada, he learned to skate like most kids, on a frozen outdoor patch of ice. He played defense and is considered one of the best players of all time. He had to end his career partly due to knee problems. Know who he is now? He considers Gordie Howe a great player. He thinks that Don Cherry should be put into the Hockey Hall of Fame for his coaching and his ‘Coach’s Corner’ lectures.
His wife’s name is Peggy and this player is around 65-years-old today. Do you recall his name yet? I guess I can give you some more clues if you need them still! In the book he never held back his criticism of Alan Eagleson. A man, agent and head of the hockey player’s association who took money from the player’s pension fund.
After his time on the ice, he became an agent for different hockey players in 1996. His company represents some of the greatest skaters today. This includes: Eric Staal, Marc Staal, Taylor Hall and Ryan Ellis to name a few.
In his 300 page book, he writes about his life experiences and yes, he also gives out some hockey advice.
His name is Bobby Orr, his book is called: “Orr” My Story, and it’s a must read for any fan of the game.
Hockey is seeing a resurgence among the youth of the United States and it is no longer limited to those who live in northern states where the climates are colder. With NHL teams in states like Florida, California, Texas and Tennessee, children all over the country are more aware of the sport. However, they may not be as aware of youth hockey opportunities nearby.
Begun three year’s ago as part of the National Hockey League’s Come Play Hockey Month, in conjunction with its NHL member clubs, they and others helped support USA Hockey’s Try Hockey for Free as a way to help youth hockey associations introduce new kids to the sport. Those children who participated in the first event in 430 rinks clearly had a good time.
http://youtu.be/rO7rqDGmktc&w=300&h=199
According to USA Hockey, more than 10,000 kids got a chance to try hockey last year in the 454 rinks representing 47 states. This year through the official sponsors, Total Hockey and Liberty Mutual Insurance Responsible Sports, nearly 500 rinks in 48 states will offer free events this Saturday, November 2, 2013, to boys and girls ages four to nine.
All necessary equipment will be provided for children attending and absolutely no experience is required to participate. Each location will have USA Hockey certified coaches instructing.
“Youth hockey has seen tremendous growth in recent years by introducing new kids to the game,” said Pat Kelleher, assistant executive director of development for USA Hockey. “Thanks to the support of the NHL and the outstanding work of local volunteers, thousands of families will enjoy their first youth hockey experience during Try Hockey For Free events on Saturday.”
For those interested in registering for the event, full details and local participating ice rinks can be found at TryHockeyForFree.com.
The Ontario Reign, back-to-back Pacific Division Champions and proud affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets, have announced that forward Mario Lamoureux has been called up to the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons on a professional tryout agreement.
In just four games, Lamoureux, 25, has scored three goals and has a plus-minus rating of +2. In his rookie year last season, the Grand Forks, ND native finished as the leading rookie scorer with 65 points (25g, 40a) and had a team-high +30. Lamoureux was named to the ECHL All-Rookie squad at the end of the 2013-14 season and missed just one game in the 72-game season.
Prior to the Reign, Lamoureux played for the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota University for four years where he racked up 46 points (17g, 29a) in 148 appearances. As a junior, the 5-foot-8 forward skated with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL for four seasons. In 236 games he recorded 129 points (44g, 85a) and 454 penalty minutes.
Birthday boy, er, man Brandon Saad knows how to celebrate turning 21. He logged a beautiful Spin-o-rama assist and a goal in the Blackhawks’ 5-1 victory against the Wild Monday.
Perhaps fitting for the Minnesota Wild’s every-game-is-Christmas-and-every-player-an-elf sweaters, I used my Blackhawks wish list as a guide for Monday’s rematch game.
- Shots. Get the puck on net. There are no flair points in the NHL. Shoot, shoot, shoot. It doesn’t matter who the goalie is, with enough shots, eventually some pucks will slip by him. Patrick Sharp is trying. He’s in the top 15 of the league with 45 shots on goal this season, but he’s only managed to score once. Bryan Bickell has scored four in four games after a slow start. They haven’t all been pretty, but he’s been shooting.
The Hawks had 27 shots to the Wild’s 30. Honestly, I’d like to see even more. However, players were there for rebounds. They were firing from the blue line. When they had they puck, they were shooting it, making this the among their highest-scoring games this season–with the widest margin. Saad had four shots, with one goal and one assist. Kane had three shots, with one goal and one assist. Sharp broke his slump to score a goal.
- Power Play POWER. This has been problematic for the past few seasons. They managed to get by in spite of a poor Power Play showing last year. But with an inability to maintain leads this year, they need to capitalize on every advantage. Saturday’s Power Play was one for seven.
Nick Leddy scored while the Wild’s Marco Scandella served a holding penalty in the second period, making a Power Play play!
- Penalty Killing. Last in the league?! Again, last year, the Hawks could score goals down a man. The Wild Saturday scored five seconds into their Power Play. They Blackhawks have allowed two that early into the Penalty Kill. Three others came less than 36 into the PK. Now they can’t win faceoffs, they can’t get control of the puck, and they aren’t giving their goalie any help.
No PK goals Monday night. The Hawks helped Crawford’s fantastic game by protecting their net, even when shorthanded.
- Not getting bad penalties to begin with… Toews has served 12 penalty minutes this season. Marian Hossa, another successful penalty killer, has served plenty of time in the box as well. He had two penalties Saturday. And many of the team’s shorthanded minutes are the result of lazy plays–hooks, high sticks, trips. They need to play smarter and with more speed.
The Blackhawks and Wild were evenly-matched at six penalties Monday. Chicago was called for holding, interference, unsportsmanlike conduct, and a game misconduct. While fewer would be preferred, they weren’t taking as many desperation or lazy penalties.
- Star Power. Patrick Kane has scored six goals so far this season, but is currently a -9, the lowest on the team. The team’s captain is racking penalty minutes and losing faceoffs.
Patrick Sharp scored the lone goal of the first period at 17:33 to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. The goal, Sharp’s second of the year, snapped a personal five-game goal drought. Kane tallied a goal and an assist.
- Chemistry. They need to get in the swing of things. The Hawks are missing passes, not seeing each other, and looking sloppy. All that said, this isn’t a 48-game season. There’s time to get it together.
Saad, Kane, and Brandon Pirri had a stellar game playing on the second line together.
“We’ve had a couple of shifts together this year, a couple looks, but to play a full game, that’s the first time,” Saad said. “Communication was huge. We got each other the puck and played well.
“It’s a different look for our team. [We] had never been together, and we jelled well. That’s big for our team.”
With Saad, Kane, Leddy, Brookbank, and Sharp all lighting the lamp Saturday, and Bickell scoring a goal in each of the four previous games, it’s apparent the skill set is available. It just needs to come out–and stay out for all 60 minutes (or more) of play.”In all zones, in all areas, we didn’t play like we did the other day,” said Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. “I thought we were very loose in our last couple, three games, and I thought the approach today was good and the consistency was what we were looking for in our team game. I thought we may have had the most consistent game we’ve had.”Hopefully they’ll keep this up. They’re back home tonight (Tuesday) against the Ottawa Senators and off to Winnipeg Saturday to take on the Jets.
By Ariel Carron
Well, hello ladies and gents, recently the lovely Winter Adams and I were perusing a drink menu at a local watering hole just chatting up the Pink Puck when we found ourselves in the company of the most glorious drink you have ever tasted. Being the cheerful, celebratory people we are, Winter and I had chosen a festive Apple flavored drink. With an overall apple flavor, cinnamon, and sweetness, it was like a kicked up apple pie–in a glass. We decided that such a lovely piece of drink seasonal finery had to be shared with our fellow hockey fans. Thus, I took it upon myself to find out the ingredients and correct proportions to duplicate this wonderful concoction. So, when you’re planning your next hockey get together–keep this in mind!
Ingredients:
-1 shot Fire Cinnamon Whisky
– 1 bottle Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider
-1 teaspoon Lime Juice
-1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
-1 teaspoon Agave Nectar
Instructions:
To duplicate this drink without it tasting too cinnamon-y or not at all like the drink we had envisioned, I had to mess with the ingredient proportions. First, I added the whisky to my glass, along with the lime juice, lemon juice, and agave nectar. I stirred this all together with a spoon. Then, I added my Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider (and surprise!) I had the yummiest seasonal drink ever. If you want to add a cinnamon and sugar rim to your glass before you mix, go for it! Though my drink was probably made slightly different from the one Winter and I originally had, it was still delicious. You can even add ice if you’d like! Enjoy!
Monday morning started on a somber note for Buffalo Sabres fans as news spread quickly that Thomas Vanek had been traded. He was one of only a few players left on the Sabres who was considered a veteran and he was the captain, no one thought he would have been traded so early in the season. He went to the New York Islanders in return for draft picks and a player named Matt Moulson. The struggling Sabres needed something to change so management thought this would be it. Just by him coming here, Moulson had the most goals so far this season with 6.
On a happier note for Buffalo fans was the return of long time coach and player Lindy Ruff. Ruff was fired last February and found a home in Dallas. He was honored for his play and memorable coaching moments during the first intermission and drew a standing ovation, the first one this season for the Sabres faithful.
The first period looked promising for the Sabres as they seemed to be playing their best game so far this season. They were skating well and keeping pace with Dallas, something that has not been seen often. Dallas was able to get on the board first with a goal by Vernon Fiddler at 2:59. This one goal advantage would be short lived as newcomer Moulson would get the opportunity to score his first as a Sabres just 27 seconds later. That would be the end for the Sabres in the first period however, as they let Dallas score two more goals, one from Alex Goligoski and the other from Tyler Seguin, late in the first to go up 3-1.
The second period started just as bad as the first one ended and the Sabres let in yet another goal putting them down 4-1 with half the second period and half the game gone. Dallas captain Jamie Benn would be the one to deliver the final blow this game, or so we Sabres fans thought. Just two minutes later, a power play goal would be scored by Sabres captain Steve Ott and pull them within 2. With his second goal of the night, Moulson was able to bring the Sabres within one towards the end of the second.
The third period would see many chances for both teams with neither being able to get the puck behind the goalies. This period would see the most penalty minutes though with penalties assessed for fighting and roughing as the teams started getting tired of just hitting each other. Dallas was able to hold on to the one goal lead and went on to win 4-3.
Buffalo’s heads to New York to take on the Rangers on Halloween night and Dallas continues their road trip with a game against the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow night.
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