Rival Radio Station turns to Hockey on ESPN

Okay.. I'm torn.

On a mission to the College [Chinese] Buffet to feed a friend and I during late night working at WRSC studios... I was listening to our competitors in my car... just to spy and see what they were up to. While a commercial spot was running, they aired a local promo for ESPN Radio saying that they are the home for next Sunday's NHL all star games and games for the rest of the season. So, you know how much I love the game of hockey, but can it overcome my guilty feeling to listen to my competitors? If Nielson calls, I won't be eligible so I guess me listening doesn't count!

Tonight also marks the NHL debut of Konstantin Koltzov, the Belarussian player that they drafted in the first round in 1999 and had trouble signing. He spent most of the year in Scranton minors.

Also, I learned today that my hero Mario Lemieux would not play in the All-Star game because of a lingering groin injury.

New Suggestions for NHL Awards Trophies??

A good question was posed to the pundits at ESPN recently...

Hey! Of all the currently active players, who do you think would be the most deserving/likely to have a trophy named for them in the future? I'd say Ron Francis, Patrick Roy, or Lemieux. And do you think there will ever be a Gretzky Trophy?

My response..... I think there should be a Mario Lemieux Ambassador of the Game of Hockey Award someday.

Broadcasting Hockey Quotes

From a correspondant Kayla (Thanks, KayKayHoliday)... here is a few quotes from Gary Thorne and Bill Clement... the two biggest boneheads in the ESPN Hockey Broadcasting crew!

"I wonder why Martin Straka went over to his teammates Josef Stumpel before the faceoff"

Geez!! Since when are they teammates? Stumpel plays for Boston!

"Ian Moran and his little friends almost didn't play tonight, him, Dan LaCouture and Keith Primeau almost didn't play tonight cause of whiplash because of a fender bender on the way to the arena."

Keith Primeau plays in Philadelphia. I think he got confused with his brother Wayne who is in Pittsburgh. And I would like to know who the hell Ian Moran's little friends are!!!

Fleury Involved in Columbus Bar Fight

Well, it couldn't have lasted for Theo Fleury.

As reported from a Columbus strip club, Theo Fleury was involved in a fight suffering a black eye and bloody lip. Apparently, the NHL thinks he should get another chance since being on Stage 3 of the NHL's substance abuse policy. It is basically on probation status. The Blackhawks signed Theo in hopes to turn his act around after the NY Rangers (of all teams) dumped his sorry ass this past summer.

I am not surprised at this decision that NHL will allow Fleury to play after he blatantly broke his probation status. After what happened to Peter Worrell the other day (see blog entry dated 12/3/02) that athletes get special treatment when it comes to breaking the law.

PSU's Batista in Italy and Icers Lose Rare Games

As Penn State misses their Head coach and several of their big star players... Team USA is down in the dumps over in Taraviso, Italy for the World University games.

Team USA lost to their rivals to the north in Team Canada 5-1. The lone goal from Team USA came from Neal Price... a PSU player.

World University Games Update

Okay, just to give you guys an update on the World University Games in Italy... the Team USA is not doing very well.

Coached by my friend and Penn State Icers head man, Joe Batista, the USA squad comprised of Junior Hockey status players from Universities all over the country. They unfortunately lost today against team Finland 3-2 and are now winless in the first 2 qalifying rounds. They are set to play rivals Team Canada on Saturday.

On this Date in History

The Ottawa Senators team scored 23 goals (the most goals scored in one NHL game) was played many years ago. Final Score 23-2.

Colorado Names Assistant Coach

Rick Tocchett was named as a assistant coach to the NHL's Colorado Avalanche yesterday. Congratulations to him!

Iron Man of Hockey?

The NHL's longest active consecutive games played streak has just come to an end.

Tony Amonte sat out during the Coyotes game vs. the Nashville Predators due to a rib injury suffered at the previous game. The 8.5 year NHL veteran's streak lasted 453 games. Before that span, Amonte has only missed 2 other games in his career.

Talk about loving what you do for a living! On a personal note, I have never really needed to take a day off during my jobs. I commend him for his work ethic and dedication.

Now, the record for consecutive games stands at 964 games by Doug Jarvis running from 1975 to 1987. The next closest guy to that is Maple Leafs defenseman, Robert Svehla at 343 games.

European Players Concern Exchange Rates

I can't remember where I saw it last, but I once read over this article online about the state of hockey with regards to paying European players. Most European imports to the NHL perfer to be paid in American dollars (along with "smart" Canadians who know that our dollar is worth more). With the upcomming labor agreement... it is a posibility that a more feasable way to pay European players is to pay them in Euros with garunteed money.

I don't know what effect it will have on the hockey market, but it sounds like an interesting plan.

AOL IM Away Message Fantasy

To keep up with a few friends online through instant messenger... I sent out this line to them...

While you were sleeping, I married Canadian fitness model Trish Stratus, traveled the continent attending hockey games and own/general manage a little junior league team in Regina, Saskatchewan. Oh... wait... that was while I was sleeping

I thought it was funny! Hey, it might happen!!

WRSC and Penn State Icers @ Pittsburgh

Tonight, the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh is host to the University Div. I Ice Hockey Series. My Penn State Nittany Lion Icers are playing Washington and Jefferson College. They are going to be aired on my station 1390 AM WRSC at 8 PM.
Earlier, Ohio State's Division I team also played Princeton University. (I was rooting for Princeton.)

Larry Wigge.... you are a true idiot!!!!

(from his column on NHL.com)

"Big-name stars like Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux... aren't likely to dealt before the deadline."

Yea... the owner of his own team is going to trade himself so he could play against the team he owns! Good one, Wigge!! Way to go out on a limb! Take a risk here! This is an example of cutting edge journalism that the world needs!

Happy New Year................ 2003!!!