Amanda Kessel Drinks From Stanley Cup - And We're Okay With It.

Credit: The Score

It's an unwritten rule of honor (or "code") that only those NHL players who actually WIN the Stanley Cup may lift it over their heads or drink beverages from it. I was previously made aware of the "rule" when the Stanley Cup had made it's way through my local area in 2009. But Amanda Kessel's time with the Stanley Cup accompanied her brother Phil, also included a sip from the hallowed trophy even though she didn't play for the Penguins.

I'm curious as to find out just how scandalous this really is around the hockey community. She is a star player for the USA women's national team and a great player in her own right, but does she get to do what only elite players who earn the Cup do?

I think it's the simple reason that she's already a professional player in the NWHL's New York team that isn't designated to play for the Cup championship. Since it's not the same as a male NHL equivalent, Amanda here has been given the pass from criticism. But does this mean I'm allowed to do this because I, too, will never get to know what it's like to play for the Stanley Cup? Do heads-of-State get to lift the Cup over their heads in salute to the team's success?

I suppose it's of little matter regarding scandal when the Cup has been in Mario's pool twice.

Where do you stand on this issue? Does Amanda get a pass because she's allowed to celebrate with her brother? Or should she have stayed away from the Cup leaving only those who have earned the drink as a special privilege?

Bourne to Be a Writer-Blogger

Justin Bourne is not a player name that I was familiar with until I decided to read a featured blog article on The Hockey News website. Bourne is a journeyman ECHL player who has only cracked the AHL lineup once. But if the hockey career doesn't work out for him, I do believe he has a journalism career in the works.

This blog article featured in the website exposes fans to the real nature of athletes and the processes they go through during their season. I enjoyed Bourne's style as the reader can watch his emotions take shape. It is written in a free-flowing "stream of consiousness" that builds into a passionate understanding of what it means to bond as a team.

So I got to thinking…how important is team chemistry? Our team in Utah was about an “OK” out of ten on the talent scale, but managed to go deep into playoffs as a scrappy, hard-working team. We had a great leader and liked each other.

I have been trying to find lots of great articles honestly written from hockey players which opens up their realities so that I could continue working on a fiction novel that has been in the works for years.

Check out the link below and read the rest of the article for yourself.

[Via: The Hockey News]

Mainstream Media Copies Blogging Sensation

With more and more people disenfranchised with the mainstream drive-by media and turning to alternative sources, the mainstream media has to steal great ideas from bloggers. I know this because I know of somebody who has stolen content from my blog on occasion.

But the most blatant obvious attempt at stealing ideas comes to us from the once respected source The Hockey News. Their newest poll suggests a tournament of logos. However, I happen to be a reader of a blog who has already come up with that very idea years before and run numerous contests where fans vote on hockey team logos pitted head-to-head. Icethetics, formerly NHL Tournament of Logos, created on it's own a dynamic readership and continued with news about the latest uniform ideas and logos.

If we bloggers aren't careful, they can lose a lot of ground by not being able to protect their intellectual property. What do my readers who are also bloggers think? Please leave your comments down on the designated section.

[Via: THN Logo Rankings & Icethetics]