During Reading Week I covered the 2013 Female World Sport School Challenge. I blogged about it and basically was taken back by the level of skill, speed, and size of girls hockey at the high school level.
Well, I would be stupid if I didn't mention the silver medal won by the Canadian Women's National team last week. I know that it's not what they were looking for. It's gold or bust for that team but give credit where it's due, the Americans played fantastic and earned the top prize.
I actually know two players on the Canadian squad. I played high school hockey with #3 Jocelyne Larocque. When we played back in 2004, she was our best defenseman - as a grade 10 girl. It's no surprise she's reached the highest level. I also know #17 Bailey Bram. I went to high school with her and I'm pretty sure she schooled me on the outdoor once or twice.
Both girls are from Ste. Anne, Manitoba, where I currently play senior hockey. There must be something in the water because Ste. Anne continues to produces unbelievable female hockey players. On top of Larocque and Bram, Ste. Anne is home to other female greats like Mel Gagnon (played 6 years for Team Canada U-22 and played in the NCAA Frozen Four in 2009 alongside Larocque and Bram) and up-and-comer Shelby Bram, Bailey's younger sister, who might just crack the National Team lineup in a few years.
It was a privilege to play with Jocelyne for that one season, and against her in many years of minor hockey in some classic Ste. Anne VS. Lorette battles. I know that she will crack the 2014 Sochi line-up, as will Bailey, and hopefully they can reclaim what's rightfully theirs - a gold medal!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Hop (off) on the bandwagon!
I'm getting sick and tired of a lot of so-called Jets fans lately. You know, those people who predicted the Jets would miss the playoffs at the beginning of the season, hailed them as potential Cup contenders when they sat comfortably atop the Southeast Division two weeks ago, and now say that we will miss the playoffs.
I get it. The Jets are an inconsistent bunch and the roller coaster ride of emotion that is their season is tough to deal with. But if we take a step back and realize who this team truly is, then maybe we can get a grip.
I predicted the Jets would miss the playoffs at the beginning of the year. I did so because they are very young, unpredictable, and have not proved themselves to this point. I also thought Carolina would be the powerhouse of the SE. When I went to the 6-1 loss against Washington last week, I was texting my friend Adam throughout and after the game. Admittedly, I probably sounded like one of the people I'm describing above. I said we didn't deserve to make the playoffs after losing like that (twice!) to a divisional rival on home ice. I said we would lose 6-7 games in a row. I said I wouldn't go to my last game against Buffalo on April 9th, because I am 0-3 at the MTS Centre this year and a lowly 3-6 overall. To say I was a little dramatic is an understatement, but I think the beer and the way we lost that game gave me good reason to be upset. Either way, I was back cheering for the team the next game, hopeful we could rebound but mindful of my initial prediction.
It appears that 6-7 game skid is here like I thought. Regardless, if you would have told me at the beginning of the season that with 10 games remaining, the Jets would sit in 3rd place in the East, two points up on Washington, four up on Carolina and 1 point out of 8th, I would have been extremely surprised and excited. Is the Winnipeg sports media excited right now? Are "fans" excited? Not at all... We've dropped 6 of our last 8 and seem to be sinking out of the playoff picture. Everyone is pressing the panic button. Is this really all that surprising? Did we honestly expect to win the Southeast this year? Let's face it, the Jets overachieved for the majority of this season. They won games they probably shouldn't have, and they lost games they should have won (similar to last season). They are who we thought they were and that's not a terrible thing. The future is bright with guys like Kane, Schiefele, Trouba, Enstrom, Redmond, and Wheeler all with their best hockey ahead of them.
The good thing about this predicament is that we can still make the playoffs! Win 6 or 7 of those 10 and we're in. Unlikely at this point, but hey it could happen. What's more likely though is the Jets will just miss the post-season and it will be viewed as a "collapse" by fans and media alike. While factually it's correct to say the Jets nose-dived at the end of the season to miss the playoffs, the reality is no one had this team to make it in the first place. Those who did, I commend you for having faith in a young team with loads of potential - and to those people - you have every right to be mad about the Jets missing the playoffs. But to the rest, which I'm sure is the majority, I say shame on you! You never believed this squad would make the post season. Just because we played a good stretch of hockey and put ourselves in a good spot, doesn't guarantee a playoff berth. You have no right to write this team off as failures, you never gave them a shot in the first place.
I get it. The Jets are an inconsistent bunch and the roller coaster ride of emotion that is their season is tough to deal with. But if we take a step back and realize who this team truly is, then maybe we can get a grip.
I predicted the Jets would miss the playoffs at the beginning of the year. I did so because they are very young, unpredictable, and have not proved themselves to this point. I also thought Carolina would be the powerhouse of the SE. When I went to the 6-1 loss against Washington last week, I was texting my friend Adam throughout and after the game. Admittedly, I probably sounded like one of the people I'm describing above. I said we didn't deserve to make the playoffs after losing like that (twice!) to a divisional rival on home ice. I said we would lose 6-7 games in a row. I said I wouldn't go to my last game against Buffalo on April 9th, because I am 0-3 at the MTS Centre this year and a lowly 3-6 overall. To say I was a little dramatic is an understatement, but I think the beer and the way we lost that game gave me good reason to be upset. Either way, I was back cheering for the team the next game, hopeful we could rebound but mindful of my initial prediction.
It appears that 6-7 game skid is here like I thought. Regardless, if you would have told me at the beginning of the season that with 10 games remaining, the Jets would sit in 3rd place in the East, two points up on Washington, four up on Carolina and 1 point out of 8th, I would have been extremely surprised and excited. Is the Winnipeg sports media excited right now? Are "fans" excited? Not at all... We've dropped 6 of our last 8 and seem to be sinking out of the playoff picture. Everyone is pressing the panic button. Is this really all that surprising? Did we honestly expect to win the Southeast this year? Let's face it, the Jets overachieved for the majority of this season. They won games they probably shouldn't have, and they lost games they should have won (similar to last season). They are who we thought they were and that's not a terrible thing. The future is bright with guys like Kane, Schiefele, Trouba, Enstrom, Redmond, and Wheeler all with their best hockey ahead of them.
The good thing about this predicament is that we can still make the playoffs! Win 6 or 7 of those 10 and we're in. Unlikely at this point, but hey it could happen. What's more likely though is the Jets will just miss the post-season and it will be viewed as a "collapse" by fans and media alike. While factually it's correct to say the Jets nose-dived at the end of the season to miss the playoffs, the reality is no one had this team to make it in the first place. Those who did, I commend you for having faith in a young team with loads of potential - and to those people - you have every right to be mad about the Jets missing the playoffs. But to the rest, which I'm sure is the majority, I say shame on you! You never believed this squad would make the post season. Just because we played a good stretch of hockey and put ourselves in a good spot, doesn't guarantee a playoff berth. You have no right to write this team off as failures, you never gave them a shot in the first place.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Billy Talent: Dead Silence Tour
On Thursday, March 28 - Billy Talent returned to Winnipeg. The last time they toured in Canada was 2010, and I had to miss that show because of a playoff hockey game. Nevertheless, the boys from Toronto came back and what a show it was!
They opened with Lonely Road to Absolution, the into track to Dead Silence. Ian and Ben stood in front of a huge black curtain and played the slow, rhythmic tune in perfect harmony. Then the curtain falls to the floor (a subtle reference to Cut the Curtains, a song from their first album) and Jon and Aaron come into sight as they kick off Viking Death March. The crowd instantly energized, the mosh pit started to swirl, and the building began to ROCK HARD.
Behind the band, another large curtain featured the artwork from Dead Silence, a massive skull with a large snake circling in and around the skull. Midway through the show, that curtain fell to the floor, and a vintage curtain with BILLY TALENT in large white ink replaced it. The band isn't flashy. No pyrotechnics, no laser shows or costume changes. They rely on Ben, who literally runs around the stage, screams his lungs out, and simply puts on the show of his life, every time he's out there. There's nothing like seeing these guys live. The crowd knows every word to every song and they interact with the the masses as much as they can. One cool addition to the show was two large video screens on the side of the stage. Occasionally, Ben would grab a portable camera and show what his view was like from the stage. The crowd would roar in approval.
Every show I've seen prior to this one, Ben would always rant about how we should have an NHL team. With the Jets back, Ben actually wasn't too pleased! He was angry that we've beat the Leafs in the last two outings. He went so far as to bet the crowd that if the Jets beat the Leafs in the playoffs, Billy Talent would play a free show in Winnipeg. Ian, Jon and Aaron didn't look too impressed.
The band stuck to its roots, playing three tracks from its debut album - Try Honesty, River Below and This is How it Goes and they left the Winnipeg crowd happy with a four-song encore featuring Fallen Leaves, Devil on My Shoulder, Surprise Surprise and Red Flag.
For a band that's been together for 20 years and has four releases, I wonder how much longer they have. Even though they exude what it means to be a band - they care about their music and their fans - you can't go forever. That being said, if Billy Talent rolls through town one more time in the next few years, I suggest you go check them out. They are one of Canada's best.
They opened with Lonely Road to Absolution, the into track to Dead Silence. Ian and Ben stood in front of a huge black curtain and played the slow, rhythmic tune in perfect harmony. Then the curtain falls to the floor (a subtle reference to Cut the Curtains, a song from their first album) and Jon and Aaron come into sight as they kick off Viking Death March. The crowd instantly energized, the mosh pit started to swirl, and the building began to ROCK HARD.
Behind the band, another large curtain featured the artwork from Dead Silence, a massive skull with a large snake circling in and around the skull. Midway through the show, that curtain fell to the floor, and a vintage curtain with BILLY TALENT in large white ink replaced it. The band isn't flashy. No pyrotechnics, no laser shows or costume changes. They rely on Ben, who literally runs around the stage, screams his lungs out, and simply puts on the show of his life, every time he's out there. There's nothing like seeing these guys live. The crowd knows every word to every song and they interact with the the masses as much as they can. One cool addition to the show was two large video screens on the side of the stage. Occasionally, Ben would grab a portable camera and show what his view was like from the stage. The crowd would roar in approval.
Every show I've seen prior to this one, Ben would always rant about how we should have an NHL team. With the Jets back, Ben actually wasn't too pleased! He was angry that we've beat the Leafs in the last two outings. He went so far as to bet the crowd that if the Jets beat the Leafs in the playoffs, Billy Talent would play a free show in Winnipeg. Ian, Jon and Aaron didn't look too impressed.
The band stuck to its roots, playing three tracks from its debut album - Try Honesty, River Below and This is How it Goes and they left the Winnipeg crowd happy with a four-song encore featuring Fallen Leaves, Devil on My Shoulder, Surprise Surprise and Red Flag.
For a band that's been together for 20 years and has four releases, I wonder how much longer they have. Even though they exude what it means to be a band - they care about their music and their fans - you can't go forever. That being said, if Billy Talent rolls through town one more time in the next few years, I suggest you go check them out. They are one of Canada's best.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Inspiration from all around
In light of some recent events, I thought I'd share with you some people who are giving me inspiration in my daily life right now.
1 - Andrew Ladd, captain of the Winnipeg Jets. This guy is a BEAST right now for the Jets who are surging, hopefully into a solidified playoff position for the post-season. His grit, determination, and hard work on the ice is a delight to watch every Jets game and it's no wonder he wears the C for the 'Peg.
2 - The 2nd year CreComm students. This past week we first years had the opportunity to watch the Independent Personal Projects at the Convention Centre and let me tell you... What an inspirational group of students. Some of the work showcased was truly amazing and it's making me want to aim a little higher for my own IPP next year.
3 - My parents. Both retired in their mid fifties and fresh off a two-month stint in Mesa, Arizona, my parents serve as inspiration to work hard and get a career already so I, too, can retire by 55. Is that going to happen? Not a snowball's chance in hell.
4 - My magazine group. After months of hard work, our magazine project is finally wrapping up this week. Our group has put in some hefty hours of research, interviews, designing, and editing to make it all happen and we're so excited for DEADWAX to hit the Magazine Fair on March 26th.
Who's inspiring you right now? Sound off in the comments and let it be known.
1 - Andrew Ladd, captain of the Winnipeg Jets. This guy is a BEAST right now for the Jets who are surging, hopefully into a solidified playoff position for the post-season. His grit, determination, and hard work on the ice is a delight to watch every Jets game and it's no wonder he wears the C for the 'Peg.
2 - The 2nd year CreComm students. This past week we first years had the opportunity to watch the Independent Personal Projects at the Convention Centre and let me tell you... What an inspirational group of students. Some of the work showcased was truly amazing and it's making me want to aim a little higher for my own IPP next year.
3 - My parents. Both retired in their mid fifties and fresh off a two-month stint in Mesa, Arizona, my parents serve as inspiration to work hard and get a career already so I, too, can retire by 55. Is that going to happen? Not a snowball's chance in hell.
4 - My magazine group. After months of hard work, our magazine project is finally wrapping up this week. Our group has put in some hefty hours of research, interviews, designing, and editing to make it all happen and we're so excited for DEADWAX to hit the Magazine Fair on March 26th.
Who's inspiring you right now? Sound off in the comments and let it be known.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
A Thousand Farewells by Nahla Ayed
A Thousand Farewells by Nahla Ayed is an eye-opening read that can't help but get your emotions going. It's the true story of Ayed, a Canadian-born journalist who currently works for the CBC. In it, she revisits her childhood - both in Canada and the Middle East - and then the trials and tribulations she faces covering wars in Iraq, and Afghanistan to uprisings and revolutions in Syria and Egypt.
The first four chapters were my favourite because Ayed paints a good picture of what her life was like growing up in Winnipeg. It was especially neat to read because Ayed, just as I did, grew up in St. Boniface as a child. It took me back to my days as a kid living in that area and the similarities are striking. She refers to a park that she played in on Archibald Street. I played in the exact same park. I couldn't help but find myself smiling as I read those first four chapters.
After that, the story shifts gears significantly when we learn that at the age of 7, Ayed's parents decide to uproot the family and move back to the Middle East. They were worried that their children would lose their roots, forgetting their culture and where the family came from. They spent the next eight years in the Middle East.
The remainder of the book follows Ayed through tumultuous times, after she becomes a journalist and returns to the Middle East.
Overall, this book works because it's as real as it gets. Ayed tells us about the harsh living conditions she endured living in the Middle East, like having no running water, sleeping with cockroaches, and having little to eat. Similarly, we learn about the dangerous conditions she faced as a journalist, like getting beat up, hearing and Feeling bombs going off not far away, and witnessing countless deaths and injuries to the people around her. This is the reality for so many living there and other places around the world so it's a reality check for those accustomed to Western standards of living. You forget about your mundane first-world problems pretty quickly.
What doesn't work is minor stuff like not knowing who she is referring to. There are a lot of names, many with Arabic origins that are not familiar and so it does get confusing at times. There were also a few times when I was confused about where she was and when. She jumps around quite a bit and so you have to pay close attention if you want to know exactly what's going on.
Journalists can learn a lot from this book such as knowing when and when not to look for an interview. For example, Ayed encounters a woman who is kneeling, facing a mass-grave that was discovered shortly after Saddam Hussein was removed from power. She chooses not to look for an interview and instead finds a man who is willing to tell his story. Another important aspect of Ayed work, and a point she makes throughout the book, is that at the end of the day, your stories are about people. Sure, there are often geo-political, historical, and contextual elements that you need to get across in certain stories but you shouldn't let those elements cloud the foundation of what stories are supposed to be about: people.
This book is quite similar to another non-fiction book I've read recently, The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Wolf. It's Wolf's follow up to the hugely-popular No Logo. Although Wolf's work is much more political and controversial but they are similar in their analysis of the Iraq war and it's raison d'etre.
The first four chapters were my favourite because Ayed paints a good picture of what her life was like growing up in Winnipeg. It was especially neat to read because Ayed, just as I did, grew up in St. Boniface as a child. It took me back to my days as a kid living in that area and the similarities are striking. She refers to a park that she played in on Archibald Street. I played in the exact same park. I couldn't help but find myself smiling as I read those first four chapters.
After that, the story shifts gears significantly when we learn that at the age of 7, Ayed's parents decide to uproot the family and move back to the Middle East. They were worried that their children would lose their roots, forgetting their culture and where the family came from. They spent the next eight years in the Middle East.
The remainder of the book follows Ayed through tumultuous times, after she becomes a journalist and returns to the Middle East.
Overall, this book works because it's as real as it gets. Ayed tells us about the harsh living conditions she endured living in the Middle East, like having no running water, sleeping with cockroaches, and having little to eat. Similarly, we learn about the dangerous conditions she faced as a journalist, like getting beat up, hearing and Feeling bombs going off not far away, and witnessing countless deaths and injuries to the people around her. This is the reality for so many living there and other places around the world so it's a reality check for those accustomed to Western standards of living. You forget about your mundane first-world problems pretty quickly.
What doesn't work is minor stuff like not knowing who she is referring to. There are a lot of names, many with Arabic origins that are not familiar and so it does get confusing at times. There were also a few times when I was confused about where she was and when. She jumps around quite a bit and so you have to pay close attention if you want to know exactly what's going on.
Journalists can learn a lot from this book such as knowing when and when not to look for an interview. For example, Ayed encounters a woman who is kneeling, facing a mass-grave that was discovered shortly after Saddam Hussein was removed from power. She chooses not to look for an interview and instead finds a man who is willing to tell his story. Another important aspect of Ayed work, and a point she makes throughout the book, is that at the end of the day, your stories are about people. Sure, there are often geo-political, historical, and contextual elements that you need to get across in certain stories but you shouldn't let those elements cloud the foundation of what stories are supposed to be about: people.
This book is quite similar to another non-fiction book I've read recently, The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Wolf. It's Wolf's follow up to the hugely-popular No Logo. Although Wolf's work is much more political and controversial but they are similar in their analysis of the Iraq war and it's raison d'etre.
Monday, February 25, 2013
MTS Iceplex and Girls Hockey
I covered the 2013 Female World Sport School Challenge this past weekend. It was the first of its kind - featuring some of the top female high schools in the country. In the end, the Edge School for Athletes from Calgary, Alberta won Gold. Coming in second place was the Okanagan Hockey Academy out of Penticton, B.C. Two Winnipeg teams were also in the tournament: St. Mary's Hockey Academy and the Shaftesbury Titans Hockey Academy. Shaftesbury lost in the Bronze game while St. Mary's placed 5th.
It was showcase of all the young talent that exists across our great nation. I was surprised at the high-level of play. It was really exciting hockey! Some of these girls will grow up to challenge for places on the National and Olympic teams, I'm sure of it.
In all, I covered four games, including the Gold Medal game. You can check out my write-ups at hockeycanada.ca
All games were held at the MTS Iceplex, just on the outskirts of Winnipeg, beside Asinaboia Downs. Great venue but I did have one issue with the whole thing... Getting there! It's not that I didn't like the long ride from St. Boniface to the Iceplex, that's to be expected. But what I didn't like is that Winnipeg Transit does not offer any routes directly to the Iceplex. That means I twice (I found a ride once) had to bus to the end of Portage Ave. and then walk the remainder of the way. No problem, right? Well normally, a 20-minute walk to get somewhere after a long bus ride is not worrisome at all, in fact, it's also to be expected in Winnipeg. The problem is that, as I mentioned, the Iceplex sits outside the perimeter and there are no designated walkways or paths. I had to walk underneath the overpass, with traffic whizzing by at 90 km/h. And judging by the footprints I saw, I'm not the only one who has to make that extremely dangerous trip.
My other option would have been to call a cab or hitchhike. I didn't like either of those options because 1) I'm broke and 2) who hitchhikes these days? I found it very weird that not one bus makes its way to the Iceplex. I mean, it's such a busy place and it's literally two minutes outside the perimeter. St. Norbert, which is technically outside the perimeter, but apart of Winnipeg, get bus service so why not the Iceplex? What if little Billy wants to go watch his friends play their playoff game on the weekend, only to find out he can only get within a 20 minute walk (and a treacherous one to boot!).
I think it's vital that the City, or the Iceplex deal with this issue. Either a shuttle service of some kind, or at least one designated route that goes to the Iceplex. It would bring more traffic to the venue, and it eliminates the risk of people walking across a busy highway in order to get there (or to other businesses in the area).
It was showcase of all the young talent that exists across our great nation. I was surprised at the high-level of play. It was really exciting hockey! Some of these girls will grow up to challenge for places on the National and Olympic teams, I'm sure of it.
In all, I covered four games, including the Gold Medal game. You can check out my write-ups at hockeycanada.ca
All games were held at the MTS Iceplex, just on the outskirts of Winnipeg, beside Asinaboia Downs. Great venue but I did have one issue with the whole thing... Getting there! It's not that I didn't like the long ride from St. Boniface to the Iceplex, that's to be expected. But what I didn't like is that Winnipeg Transit does not offer any routes directly to the Iceplex. That means I twice (I found a ride once) had to bus to the end of Portage Ave. and then walk the remainder of the way. No problem, right? Well normally, a 20-minute walk to get somewhere after a long bus ride is not worrisome at all, in fact, it's also to be expected in Winnipeg. The problem is that, as I mentioned, the Iceplex sits outside the perimeter and there are no designated walkways or paths. I had to walk underneath the overpass, with traffic whizzing by at 90 km/h. And judging by the footprints I saw, I'm not the only one who has to make that extremely dangerous trip.
My other option would have been to call a cab or hitchhike. I didn't like either of those options because 1) I'm broke and 2) who hitchhikes these days? I found it very weird that not one bus makes its way to the Iceplex. I mean, it's such a busy place and it's literally two minutes outside the perimeter. St. Norbert, which is technically outside the perimeter, but apart of Winnipeg, get bus service so why not the Iceplex? What if little Billy wants to go watch his friends play their playoff game on the weekend, only to find out he can only get within a 20 minute walk (and a treacherous one to boot!).
I think it's vital that the City, or the Iceplex deal with this issue. Either a shuttle service of some kind, or at least one designated route that goes to the Iceplex. It would bring more traffic to the venue, and it eliminates the risk of people walking across a busy highway in order to get there (or to other businesses in the area).
Friday, February 8, 2013
Sochi 2014
Well folks, the NHL season is well underway and the lockout is a thing of the past. Did fans come back? Of course they did. We're Canadians and we're suckers for the game we love. As for Americans... They don't really start paying attention to the NHL (other than a few exceptions, i.e. Boston, New York Rangers, Philly, and Minnesota) until the NCAA is over. But Canadians on the other hand are out full swing, supporting the same organizations who just a month ago were holding out on making a deal. But I digress.
I realize it's only February 2013 and the NHL is still yet to officially announce their commitment to the Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 but from what I understand, it's all but a foregone conclusion. So, in one year's time, we can assume that the best in the world will square off yet again to see who reigns supreme as the best hockey nation in the world. Feels like Vancouver 2010 was just yesterday, doesn't it? Sid the Kid, scoring the Golden Goal from that beautiful Iggy pass... What a moment.
Anyway, since I'm all fired up on the subject, why don't we get a little ahead of ourselves and take a look at what the Canadian roster might look like in a years time.
2010
Before we look ahead though, let's look back at the 2010 roster.
Forwards:
Brendan Morrow, Patrick Marleau, Jarome Iginla, Dany Heatley, Johnathan Toews, Michael Richards, Joe Thornton, Eric Staal, Corey Perry, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Getzlaf, Rick Nash, and Sidney Crosby.
Defense:
Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Brent Seabrook, Drew Doughty, Chris Pronger, Dan Boyle, and Scott Neidermayer
Goaltenders:
Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Martin Brodeur.
This roster had a nice balance of youth skill and experienced veterans: Brodeur the oldest at 38 and Doughty the youngest at 21.
Going forward, I think youth will be key because as the NHL currently demonstrates: It's a young man's game.
2014
There are certain names that pop into your head that are basically locks for making this team, barring injury, of course. They are:
Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Eric Staal, Rick Nash, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf all seem pretty safe bets for me. Although the SJ boys are having one heck of a start (Marleau and Thornton) and Morrow is also doing well in Dallas, all three will be 35 next year which leaves me wondering if they are getting just a tad too old. Same goes for Iggy and Heatley who will be 37 and 33 respectively. Richards and Bergeron just made the roster in 2010 so they will be bubble guys next year.
So, that leaves roughly 5-7 spots opening at the forward position. Cleary, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares and Claude Giroux instantly jump to mind. All three carry their teams and will surely skate for Canada next year. Speaking of Stamkos, St. Louis and Lacavellier were both left off the 2010 roster to the ire of many and me thinks the same thing will happen (think age). And how can we forget about the Edmonton Boys. I think Jordon Eberle and Taylor Hall both have a good chance at cracking the lineup (Hey, maybe even the NUGE as well). Others challenging for spots may be Tyler Seguin from Boston, Jamie Benn from Dallas, Jordan Staal from Carolina, and heck I'll even throw in Evander Kane so a Winnipeg Jet has a chance of making the Canadian team.
As for defense, looking back at 2010, it's clear Steve Yzerman and company looked for experience when selecting their team. I don't see Pronger (injured, too old), Neidermayer (retired), or Boyle (too old) returning to this team. Weber, Doughty and possibly Keith and Seabrook will be the returnees, leaving a few spots open. I think Kris Letang has showed enough in his game to merit a spot, as has Marc Staal and Alex Pietrangelo. Other hopefuls may include Brayden Coburn, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, PK Subban, and Tyler Myers.
And finally, the ever-important goaltender. Luongo was unreal in the Olympics so it's tough not to have him on the list. Brodeur will be 42... Really? He's having an unreal start so don't count this legend out just yet. Fleury, other than his playoff performance last spring, has been solid and he could very well be the starter. But what about Carey Price, Cam Ward and maybe even... Mike Smith? Hey, it's a long shot but you never know. Smith was lights out in the playoffs last year.
So, as is always the case, it will be challenging to put this team together. I don't envy Stevey Y for one second. What do you think? Did I miss anyone? Or include someone who shouldn't be there? Comment and share!
I realize it's only February 2013 and the NHL is still yet to officially announce their commitment to the Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 but from what I understand, it's all but a foregone conclusion. So, in one year's time, we can assume that the best in the world will square off yet again to see who reigns supreme as the best hockey nation in the world. Feels like Vancouver 2010 was just yesterday, doesn't it? Sid the Kid, scoring the Golden Goal from that beautiful Iggy pass... What a moment.
Anyway, since I'm all fired up on the subject, why don't we get a little ahead of ourselves and take a look at what the Canadian roster might look like in a years time.
2010
Before we look ahead though, let's look back at the 2010 roster.
Forwards:
Brendan Morrow, Patrick Marleau, Jarome Iginla, Dany Heatley, Johnathan Toews, Michael Richards, Joe Thornton, Eric Staal, Corey Perry, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Getzlaf, Rick Nash, and Sidney Crosby.
Defense:
Duncan Keith, Shea Weber, Brent Seabrook, Drew Doughty, Chris Pronger, Dan Boyle, and Scott Neidermayer
Goaltenders:
Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Martin Brodeur.
This roster had a nice balance of youth skill and experienced veterans: Brodeur the oldest at 38 and Doughty the youngest at 21.
Going forward, I think youth will be key because as the NHL currently demonstrates: It's a young man's game.
2014
There are certain names that pop into your head that are basically locks for making this team, barring injury, of course. They are:
Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Eric Staal, Rick Nash, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf all seem pretty safe bets for me. Although the SJ boys are having one heck of a start (Marleau and Thornton) and Morrow is also doing well in Dallas, all three will be 35 next year which leaves me wondering if they are getting just a tad too old. Same goes for Iggy and Heatley who will be 37 and 33 respectively. Richards and Bergeron just made the roster in 2010 so they will be bubble guys next year.
So, that leaves roughly 5-7 spots opening at the forward position. Cleary, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares and Claude Giroux instantly jump to mind. All three carry their teams and will surely skate for Canada next year. Speaking of Stamkos, St. Louis and Lacavellier were both left off the 2010 roster to the ire of many and me thinks the same thing will happen (think age). And how can we forget about the Edmonton Boys. I think Jordon Eberle and Taylor Hall both have a good chance at cracking the lineup (Hey, maybe even the NUGE as well). Others challenging for spots may be Tyler Seguin from Boston, Jamie Benn from Dallas, Jordan Staal from Carolina, and heck I'll even throw in Evander Kane so a Winnipeg Jet has a chance of making the Canadian team.
As for defense, looking back at 2010, it's clear Steve Yzerman and company looked for experience when selecting their team. I don't see Pronger (injured, too old), Neidermayer (retired), or Boyle (too old) returning to this team. Weber, Doughty and possibly Keith and Seabrook will be the returnees, leaving a few spots open. I think Kris Letang has showed enough in his game to merit a spot, as has Marc Staal and Alex Pietrangelo. Other hopefuls may include Brayden Coburn, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, PK Subban, and Tyler Myers.
And finally, the ever-important goaltender. Luongo was unreal in the Olympics so it's tough not to have him on the list. Brodeur will be 42... Really? He's having an unreal start so don't count this legend out just yet. Fleury, other than his playoff performance last spring, has been solid and he could very well be the starter. But what about Carey Price, Cam Ward and maybe even... Mike Smith? Hey, it's a long shot but you never know. Smith was lights out in the playoffs last year.
So, as is always the case, it will be challenging to put this team together. I don't envy Stevey Y for one second. What do you think? Did I miss anyone? Or include someone who shouldn't be there? Comment and share!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Waiting Room
Last Saturday, I headed to Cinematheque to check out The Waiting Room, a documentary that takes you through a day in the emergency room in a US public hospital. As you may expect, it gets a little crazy and the film introduces us to some unbelievable people. Most importantly, there is no narrative during the film. The director tells his story with images only and I feel that is important when focusing on such a highly politicized issue as the US healthcare system.
As I mentioned, the film has some very interesting people in it. No more so than a female triage nurse who is featured throughout the documentary. Her spirit and energy in a place where many people are down and out is truly inspirational to watch. She has this demeanor about her that is infectious and she manages to keep a smile on her face throughout what seems like a 12 hour (or more) shift.
The film also follows patients who wait hours upon hours before they're able to see a doctor. We meet a carpet layer in his 50's who suffers from chronic back pain, a young man who's waiting to get a testicular tumor removed, and a young girl who has a bad case of strep throat.
Overall, the film does a good job of showing the inner workings of an emergency room; showing us both the frustrated public in the waiting room and the behind-the-scenes stuff like doctors and nurses chatting together- trying to shift patients around to different rooms to accommodate the people anxiously waiting. I don't think the film offers anything new to the general public. We all know that waiting times are ridiculous in ER's (both in Canada and the US) and that the US system is a failed one - with so many people without insurance and unable to get the care they need, and deserve. What the film does accomplish though, for me anyway, is a reminder that there are in fact wonderful people working in the ER and they do the best they can to provide service to those in need. Unfortunately, they are often stuck behind policies that they must oblige by. The film also reminded me of how lucky we are here in Canada to have the system that we do. While not perfect, it still beats paying for healthcare.
As I mentioned, the film has some very interesting people in it. No more so than a female triage nurse who is featured throughout the documentary. Her spirit and energy in a place where many people are down and out is truly inspirational to watch. She has this demeanor about her that is infectious and she manages to keep a smile on her face throughout what seems like a 12 hour (or more) shift.
The film also follows patients who wait hours upon hours before they're able to see a doctor. We meet a carpet layer in his 50's who suffers from chronic back pain, a young man who's waiting to get a testicular tumor removed, and a young girl who has a bad case of strep throat.
Overall, the film does a good job of showing the inner workings of an emergency room; showing us both the frustrated public in the waiting room and the behind-the-scenes stuff like doctors and nurses chatting together- trying to shift patients around to different rooms to accommodate the people anxiously waiting. I don't think the film offers anything new to the general public. We all know that waiting times are ridiculous in ER's (both in Canada and the US) and that the US system is a failed one - with so many people without insurance and unable to get the care they need, and deserve. What the film does accomplish though, for me anyway, is a reminder that there are in fact wonderful people working in the ER and they do the best they can to provide service to those in need. Unfortunately, they are often stuck behind policies that they must oblige by. The film also reminded me of how lucky we are here in Canada to have the system that we do. While not perfect, it still beats paying for healthcare.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Bruno Mars: Unorthodox Jukebox
So my friend Derek downloaded the new Bruno Mars album a few weeks ago and since then, I've probably listened to it at least 10 times in its entirety. I'm as shocked as you are. I don't really like pop music and I never really liked anything from Bruno before but this album is a gem.
The album begins with Young Wild Girls - a tribute to all those girls who lure you in with those bright, innocent looking eyes and send you packing quicker than you can say 'Can I buy you dinner?' It's catchy and there's something about his voice that leaves you wanting more. In fact, that's how I would describe the entire album: catchy.
No more so than the #2 track, the hit single, Locked Out of Heaven. It sounds like a riff from the Police but I'm cool with that. Tons of bands have adapted Roxanne into their own pop-rock songs.
Next is Gorilla and it's a modern day Barry White tune in that if it doesn't make you want to get down and get funky... I don't know what will. Speaking of funky, Treasure is next and it's an extremely intoxicating tune with a fun baseline and cool lyrics about cherishing that special girl. If you haven't noticed, pretty much every song is either about having sex, or loving/hating a certain someone. They say love songs are the most easy to relate to.
There are a few other hidden gems on this album, especially on the Deluxe version which has one bonus track and four different versions of other songs on the album. The bonus track, Old and Crazy feat. Esperanza Spalding is right out of 1950 and it's refreshing to hear something different. It features a neat, little piano number and Spalding complements Bruno nicely.
Album favourites: Gorilla, Treasure, Moonshine. 8.5/10
The album begins with Young Wild Girls - a tribute to all those girls who lure you in with those bright, innocent looking eyes and send you packing quicker than you can say 'Can I buy you dinner?' It's catchy and there's something about his voice that leaves you wanting more. In fact, that's how I would describe the entire album: catchy.
No more so than the #2 track, the hit single, Locked Out of Heaven. It sounds like a riff from the Police but I'm cool with that. Tons of bands have adapted Roxanne into their own pop-rock songs.
Next is Gorilla and it's a modern day Barry White tune in that if it doesn't make you want to get down and get funky... I don't know what will. Speaking of funky, Treasure is next and it's an extremely intoxicating tune with a fun baseline and cool lyrics about cherishing that special girl. If you haven't noticed, pretty much every song is either about having sex, or loving/hating a certain someone. They say love songs are the most easy to relate to.
There are a few other hidden gems on this album, especially on the Deluxe version which has one bonus track and four different versions of other songs on the album. The bonus track, Old and Crazy feat. Esperanza Spalding is right out of 1950 and it's refreshing to hear something different. It features a neat, little piano number and Spalding complements Bruno nicely.
Album favourites: Gorilla, Treasure, Moonshine. 8.5/10
Friday, January 18, 2013
Jay. E. Tee. Ess. JETS JETS JETS!!
"Ladies and gentlemen... YOUR WINNIPEG JETS!"
I cannot express how excited I am to hear those six words tomorrow afternoon when - after months of debating, negotiating, and outright lunacy - the NHL will finally drop the puck to start a shortened 48-game season. The Sens are in town and the Jets have completed training camp. All that's left is a morning skate and the announcement of starting rosters.
Will Schiefele stick? With only 5 games to show his worth, I think finishing the season with the Barrie Colts of the OHL (and possibly another run in the AHL playoffs) will do the 19-year old some good.
Will Jokinen gel with Kane & Wellwood? The big centre is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Jets but whether he can create some chemistry with his linemates remains to be seen. He's been saying nothing but the right things entering the season and says his best hockey is still ahead of him... So hopefully he's right.
Can we play good D? We gave up 246 goals last season, something exhaustively documented, yet its importance cannot be undermined. The focus is all on keeping the shots to the outside, thereby giving Pavelec the opportunity to solidify himself as the #1 netminder he's supposed to be (not to mention his salary implies he's an elite-level goaltender in NHL).
Health concerns. Already without Miettinen, Bogosian and potentially Antropov for the opener, the shortened season might pose a problem when it comes to injuries. Time will tell whether playing six games in 8 nights will take its toll on some players. Interestingly, the Jets addressed some critics who said the Jets were too small last season. This week, the Jets claimed Anthony Peluso (6'3'' , 235 lbs.) and James Wright (6'4'', 200 lbs.) off waivers. Both aren't known for their scoring touch but bring size and a physical element that could go a long way if called upon.
Will the stars shine? In order for the Jets to make the playoffs, Big Buff, Ladd, Kane, Wheeler et. al will have to be at the top of their game. No time for 2-week lulls in this short season. That being said, secondary scoring will have to flourish if the big guns take a night off (I'm looking in your direction Burmistrov, Little, Wellwood and Jokinen).
On another note...
I, along with classmates Jared Gauthier and Brendan Macgranachan started a weekly hockey show that I highly recommend you to check out. The Sin Bin airs every Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Red River Radio. radio.rrc.ca Follow us on Twitter too! @TheSinBin
As mentioned above, I will be in attendance for the home opener tomorrow. I also have the Feb. 7 game vs. the Leafs, the Mar. 22 game vs. the Caps (the second of a back-to-back w/ the Caps) and close out with the Apr. 9 game vs. the Sabres. Looking forward to them all but let's start if off with a big win tomorrow, eh Jets?
Go Jets Go!
I cannot express how excited I am to hear those six words tomorrow afternoon when - after months of debating, negotiating, and outright lunacy - the NHL will finally drop the puck to start a shortened 48-game season. The Sens are in town and the Jets have completed training camp. All that's left is a morning skate and the announcement of starting rosters.
Will Schiefele stick? With only 5 games to show his worth, I think finishing the season with the Barrie Colts of the OHL (and possibly another run in the AHL playoffs) will do the 19-year old some good.
Will Jokinen gel with Kane & Wellwood? The big centre is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Jets but whether he can create some chemistry with his linemates remains to be seen. He's been saying nothing but the right things entering the season and says his best hockey is still ahead of him... So hopefully he's right.
Can we play good D? We gave up 246 goals last season, something exhaustively documented, yet its importance cannot be undermined. The focus is all on keeping the shots to the outside, thereby giving Pavelec the opportunity to solidify himself as the #1 netminder he's supposed to be (not to mention his salary implies he's an elite-level goaltender in NHL).
Health concerns. Already without Miettinen, Bogosian and potentially Antropov for the opener, the shortened season might pose a problem when it comes to injuries. Time will tell whether playing six games in 8 nights will take its toll on some players. Interestingly, the Jets addressed some critics who said the Jets were too small last season. This week, the Jets claimed Anthony Peluso (6'3'' , 235 lbs.) and James Wright (6'4'', 200 lbs.) off waivers. Both aren't known for their scoring touch but bring size and a physical element that could go a long way if called upon.
Will the stars shine? In order for the Jets to make the playoffs, Big Buff, Ladd, Kane, Wheeler et. al will have to be at the top of their game. No time for 2-week lulls in this short season. That being said, secondary scoring will have to flourish if the big guns take a night off (I'm looking in your direction Burmistrov, Little, Wellwood and Jokinen).
On another note...
I, along with classmates Jared Gauthier and Brendan Macgranachan started a weekly hockey show that I highly recommend you to check out. The Sin Bin airs every Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Red River Radio. radio.rrc.ca Follow us on Twitter too! @TheSinBin
As mentioned above, I will be in attendance for the home opener tomorrow. I also have the Feb. 7 game vs. the Leafs, the Mar. 22 game vs. the Caps (the second of a back-to-back w/ the Caps) and close out with the Apr. 9 game vs. the Sabres. Looking forward to them all but let's start if off with a big win tomorrow, eh Jets?
Go Jets Go!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Gun-control: Where do you stand?
So... The world didn't end on December 21st, the fiscal cliff was apparently resolved, and the Canadian World Juniors put together an abysmal performance against the Americans in the semi-finals and lost the bronze to the Russians 6-5 in overtime, ending a 14-year medal streak.
These events are what cross my mind 11 days into 2013. By the way, happy new year to all readers of this blog. I thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read my posts. I've actually received more feedback than I thought I would - from co-workers, friends, and family - who all say that they've enjoyed reading my blog. So, thanks again and all the best to you and yours in 2013.
For the purpose of this post, I'm electing to write about the tragic events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Adam Lanza, the 24 year old gunman entered the school on December 14th, killing 20 students and six staff members. He also killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, earlier that morning in her home before eventually taking his own life after the horrific shootings. It was the second-largest school shooting in American history.
This event sent shock waves around the world and opened the gun-control debate yet again in the US. It's a very heated subject as pro-gun/Second Amendment proponents argue in favour of maintaining the status quo - even going as far to say that armed police should be in every American school (the National Rifle Association [NRA] stated this in their press conference on December 21, 2012). On the other side of things, many Americans and people worldwide are asking for stricter gun-control laws or demanding the outright ban of semi-automatic weapons.
There are so many aspects to this debate. For one, anti-gun folk state that the Second Amendment (which gives Americans the right to bear arms) is out of touch with modern-day America. They're right. Thomas Jefferson never envisaged the types of deadly weapons that exist today when he drafted the Constitution. Those weapons should never have been invented in the first place, let alone be available in abundance like they are today. But they were invented and do exist and there's no going back now. Anti-gun advocates say strict gun laws or the outright ban of weapons will save lives. But I don't buy it.
I will state a pretty obvious fact; that is, criminals are the people who break the law. Speeders speed, thieves steal, and unfortunately, murderers kill people. That's something that hasn't changed since the dawn of time. Instituting gun control measures will not stop these tragic events from happening because the people committing the crimes will just do it anyway. It's already illegal for someone to kill another person but that doesn't stop it from happening. Making it near impossible to acquire a gun or banning them outright will not stop deranged lunatics from committing crimes. They will still get the guns on the black market (like many criminals do already) and will still commit their crimes. Drugs like cocaine and heroin are illegal to produce, sell, and consume yet there is still a massive black market for these drugs. Making something illegal to possess does not stop people from getting their hands on it. Of course, law-abiding citizens will comply with gun-control measures. They are law-abiding citizens. It's not those people who commit outlandish crimes such as the one in Sandy Hook. It's criminals, who don't usually obey laws to begin with.
Also relevant is the fact that the Second Amendment grants Americans the right to bear arms. Granted, ordinary citizens do not need semi-automatic weapons (no one does) but that's not the point. The intent of the Amendment was to ensure that Americans have a means to legally defend themselves against tyrannical governments. While the idea of the American military turning on the people of the USA may seem like a ridiculous idea, one only needs to look at the history books to see democracies turn into nasty dictatorships/fascists states (i.e. Italy and Germany in the 1930's).
So let me be clear. I don't own any guns. I don't think anyone should own guns... They are dangerous. But I do completely support a person's right to own a gun, especially in the United States where it is one of their most fundamental rights. I do not trust governments very much; especially one with a tract record as bad as the US Federal Government. That being said, people have every right to defend themselves and their families against enemies, both foreign and domestic (to borrow a common American term). Just because some psycho goes into a public place and shoots a bunch of people does not take away Americans rights. It's a sad reality, but these events are unavoidable. Banning guns may seem to limit or eliminate the problem but in my eyes, it will only stir up more issues with adamant Constitutionalists who will only give up their guns by having them pried out of their cold, dead hands.
These events are what cross my mind 11 days into 2013. By the way, happy new year to all readers of this blog. I thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read my posts. I've actually received more feedback than I thought I would - from co-workers, friends, and family - who all say that they've enjoyed reading my blog. So, thanks again and all the best to you and yours in 2013.
For the purpose of this post, I'm electing to write about the tragic events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. Adam Lanza, the 24 year old gunman entered the school on December 14th, killing 20 students and six staff members. He also killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, earlier that morning in her home before eventually taking his own life after the horrific shootings. It was the second-largest school shooting in American history.
This event sent shock waves around the world and opened the gun-control debate yet again in the US. It's a very heated subject as pro-gun/Second Amendment proponents argue in favour of maintaining the status quo - even going as far to say that armed police should be in every American school (the National Rifle Association [NRA] stated this in their press conference on December 21, 2012). On the other side of things, many Americans and people worldwide are asking for stricter gun-control laws or demanding the outright ban of semi-automatic weapons.
There are so many aspects to this debate. For one, anti-gun folk state that the Second Amendment (which gives Americans the right to bear arms) is out of touch with modern-day America. They're right. Thomas Jefferson never envisaged the types of deadly weapons that exist today when he drafted the Constitution. Those weapons should never have been invented in the first place, let alone be available in abundance like they are today. But they were invented and do exist and there's no going back now. Anti-gun advocates say strict gun laws or the outright ban of weapons will save lives. But I don't buy it.
I will state a pretty obvious fact; that is, criminals are the people who break the law. Speeders speed, thieves steal, and unfortunately, murderers kill people. That's something that hasn't changed since the dawn of time. Instituting gun control measures will not stop these tragic events from happening because the people committing the crimes will just do it anyway. It's already illegal for someone to kill another person but that doesn't stop it from happening. Making it near impossible to acquire a gun or banning them outright will not stop deranged lunatics from committing crimes. They will still get the guns on the black market (like many criminals do already) and will still commit their crimes. Drugs like cocaine and heroin are illegal to produce, sell, and consume yet there is still a massive black market for these drugs. Making something illegal to possess does not stop people from getting their hands on it. Of course, law-abiding citizens will comply with gun-control measures. They are law-abiding citizens. It's not those people who commit outlandish crimes such as the one in Sandy Hook. It's criminals, who don't usually obey laws to begin with.
Also relevant is the fact that the Second Amendment grants Americans the right to bear arms. Granted, ordinary citizens do not need semi-automatic weapons (no one does) but that's not the point. The intent of the Amendment was to ensure that Americans have a means to legally defend themselves against tyrannical governments. While the idea of the American military turning on the people of the USA may seem like a ridiculous idea, one only needs to look at the history books to see democracies turn into nasty dictatorships/fascists states (i.e. Italy and Germany in the 1930's).
So let me be clear. I don't own any guns. I don't think anyone should own guns... They are dangerous. But I do completely support a person's right to own a gun, especially in the United States where it is one of their most fundamental rights. I do not trust governments very much; especially one with a tract record as bad as the US Federal Government. That being said, people have every right to defend themselves and their families against enemies, both foreign and domestic (to borrow a common American term). Just because some psycho goes into a public place and shoots a bunch of people does not take away Americans rights. It's a sad reality, but these events are unavoidable. Banning guns may seem to limit or eliminate the problem but in my eyes, it will only stir up more issues with adamant Constitutionalists who will only give up their guns by having them pried out of their cold, dead hands.
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