Project For Awesome 2014 - USA Hockey Foundation "It Starts With A Stick"

For this giving season's featured charity video in the ongoing project #P4A Project for Awesome, I wanted to call to attention a little funding project initiative for USA Hockey. Their latest program to grow the game of hockey to future generations of kids as well as needier kids is called "It Starts with A Stick". Click on the links at the Project for Awesome 2014 page and the the official USA Hockey Foundation page can take you to a donation page. 

The USA Hockey Foundation’s goal is to get 12,000 sticks into the hands of the next generation of hockey stars during February’s Hockey Weekend Across America.

To do this, and to provide an opportunity for thousands of kids to fall in love with the game, we need to raise $150,000 in the month of December.

I, of course, have given several times to the project as a gift donation in my friends names. You can check out the video featured right here. Even though I don't really get into the specifics of the plan in the video - you can see them here in the blog.

Unfortunately, there is no PayPal link to help people who aren't as adept at giving credit card numbers or those who want the extra security that PayPal provides. I'll have to let them know in future projects.

Angela Ruggiero Retires

There comes the time in the players career that the time to recognize that it's over. For Angela Ruggiero, that time is now. Today, she's decided to retire from USA Hockey and most likely pursue other interests. If that means finding a job as a coach or in a front office somewhere... it's no doubt that the outspoken and driven role model will be successful.

She competed 16 years for the United States and has played more games (256) in a Team USA uniform than any other ice hockey player in the country's history. In total, she finished her career with the U.S. Women's National Team Program having recorded 208 points, including 67 goals and 141 assists.

She is a very gifted personal speaker and the reports say that she came prepared to Team USA's camp to declare herself retired from hockey at the age of 31. She also is recovering from recent shoulder surgery. She first released her decision to retire at her twitter account @AngelaRuggiero.
In my opinion, she is also one of the modern pioneers in women's hockey short history. She's achieved so much in her 16 year career with a Harvard cum laude degree, numerous International medals, and even more storybook noteworthy is her 1 game credited playing for the CHL's Tulsa Oilers with her brother Bill in goal. They are the only brother-sister tandem to play a game together.
Angela's influence and popularity will be missed along with the veteran presence she has on the Team USA roster. Hopefully, the program will continue development of other young women with her elite caliber.

[Via: USA Hockey and ESPN W]

Hockey Is Awesome Episode 1

If you were at Podcamp Pittsburgh 6 this weekend, then you got to see this video premier before it was published here on the page. But for the rest of you here that either couldn't attend or missed the lecture I gave, please enjoy my latest YouTube production. It took a fairly good amount of time to both produce and shoot the video. I couldn't have done it without the cooperation of my brother David of Hustlebot. Major thanks to him also.

It's a step forward as far as what I wanted to get accomplished with my youtube hockey channel. There's a lot of new tricks here so please tell me which ones you liked in the comments below as well as something else you may want to talk about.

So, who actually does have the better talent in hockey? Team USA is really catching up to Team Canada as far as holding their own in national championships and Olympic play? Do the USA players have to develop even more hockey superstar talent to be considered on par with Canada's program?

USA Hockey Releases USA Hockey Hall of Fame Honorees

The USA Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota have announced their latest inductees. Art Berglund, Derian Hatcher, Kevin Hatcher, Dr. V. George Nagobads and Jeremy Roenick.

I have often commented to my other hockey friends that it was making me feel old to start to see some of the players that I grew up watching retire and then get their place in the hall of fame. Such is the case here with the Hatcher brothers and Roenick.

I remember Kevin when he worked the blue line for a short time in Pittsburgh. He was a good stopgap in a time when the Pens were looking like they were going to slide back down the power rankings when their dominating hockey dynasty was closing. Derian also was a mainstay in for the Stars, Wings, and Flyers. As much as Canada have had many famous families making a legacy on the game, the Hatchers have been a benchmark for a lot of other developing hockey talent in the USA. This is just my opinion, but they also may have set the benchmark for size.

Jeremy Roenick was also a great player for many years who was not only great for the game, but made the call for the USA Hockey organization each time. He was a young star in the Chicago during their quick appearance in the Stanley Cup finals and never got back. He is remembered lately for crying during in the broadcast booth when the Blackhawks won the Cup.

[Via: USA Hockey Official Page]

United States Fall Short of Olympic Gold

In what is sure to be talked about for very many years to come, the USA and Canada gold medal game went down to the wire. Unfortunately, the game could not end in a tie, the most diplomatic result, and they played one nail-biting OT.

Team USA was feeling confident that the All-World goalie Ryan Miller was once again standing tall in the first period keeping them at a 1-0 deficit. And by the second half of the first period, Edzo noticed that the more the Americans got the puck to the net, "Bobby Lou" Roberto Luongo was unsure of the rebound or where the puck went. Surely, the Americans would feel as they were still in this contest.

But the Americans' backs were to the wall when the second Canada goal slipped by tournament hero Ryan Miller.

"No one knew our names. People know our names now," said Chris Drury, one of two holdovers from the 2002 U.S. team that also lost to Canada in the gold-medal game.

The Herculean efforts continued to the third period where the U.S. team decided to make their final stand against a juggernaut Canada team that had 4 lines of scoring.

"Our team worked so unbelievably hard," Crosby said. "Today was really tough, especially when they got a goal late in regulation. But we came back and got it in overtime."

A few seconds later after the puck had crossed the goal line, I was okay with it. If the Canadians had to win, Crosby was 1 of 2 players I would be okay with getting that goal.

The rematch in Sochi, Russia countdown has begun.

[Via: NBC Olympics]

Do you believe in 30 Year old Miracles?

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the event known as the "miracle on ice". The tributes have been made, the documentaries have been filmed, and the stories continue to be written.

I don't remember where or when I was around during this moment in time, but each segment that portrays this tremendous feat, it never fails to deliver the exciting thrill. What is it about this moment in time that continues to stand the test of time? Is it the nationalism? The good vs evil? Underdog success?

I think it is one of those moments that was able to be caught on real-time film that can be analyzed accurately and within context. But as we continue to re-live this moment, it perpetuates the very thing that made it so successful in the first place. A nation that needed a rallying point can tangibly hold this memory of proof that America can conquer the insurmountable odds.

USA Olympic Team Develops Social Media Site

Once again, because I am a very influential member of the media, Team USA has asked me to let you know where and how you can get up to date information by going to a special website called Team USA News.

TEAM USA NEWS.org looks legit to me and if you, my loyal readers are of a similar mind to get their one stop shopping done all in one place, then get your up to date Olympic news from the widgets and other social media networking help that they provide!

USA Hockey Hall of Fame Welcomes New Players

Last year, Cammi Granato was welcomed into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame and this year the 1998 entire Olympic team was voted into the Hall. Their feat of winning the gold medal by beating Canada and raising the program to another level. Could this have been the start to gaining more interest in womens sports?

"We decided we were going to come together as one and let go of our individuality," Granato said. "It's hard to do that on a team where everyone had been a star on their team before they came to the U.S. program. It's hard to take a backseat sometimes."

But for the male players who were inducted as singles Tony Amonte, Tom Barrasso, John LeClair were honored. It's starting to make me feel old when I remember the entire careers of each player. The end of LeClair's career wasn't of a Hall of Fame quality, but the entire longevity of it as well as the early commitment to the national team program. Tom Barrasso has been a controversial figure to the local media and constantly debate weather Barrasso had a Hall of Fame worthy career. But that assumes the Toronto Hall. Barrasso paved the way for other current American born goalies. In a time when all elite goalies were still considered to come from Quebec, Barrasso proved his critics wrong by finally winning 2 Stanley Cups in the beginning of the 90s. Amonte was a bit of a journeyman in his career wearing 3 different sweaters in the last 5 years of his career. He reached the 11th ranked US born player in career points.

Frank J. Zamboni, in my opinion, should have been honored long ago for his invention in 1949 that now bears his name. Just as shocking, Frank is not even listed in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Frank died in 1988, but perhaps somewhere in the afterlife there is a hockey rink that is maintained by Frank's invention too.

[Via: USA Today]

Slovakia Stuns US At World Junior Tournament

"So, do you like me now?" quipped Janus after spotting Erie GM Sherry Bassin in the mixed zone after Slovakia's 5-3 quarterfinal win.

I liked that Janus is showing some real signs of confidence in a young goalie. Despite not really been exposed to the media hype-machine, due to playing behind a underachieving Otters squad, Janus may now have the eyes of a few pro draft scouts bearing down on him in North Eastern Pennsylvania.

Blowing a three-goal lead and losing to Team Canada on New Year's Eve, as it turns out, wasn't the low moment for the Americans. They were supposed to have an easy time with Slovakia, a team slaughtered by Canada in a pre-tournament game and 8-1 losers to the Russians in the round robin portion of this tournament.

I am really glad to see that the Slovakian hockey programs have arrived on the national scene. Sure, the victory against Team USA is bitter-sweet, but the Americans will enjoy plenty more tournaments in the future.

"It's unreal," said Janus. "It was the best game in my life. I think its one of the biggest moments in Slovakia's history. It's unbelievable."

I hope he meant in Slovakia's sports history and not forgotten about the rich history that the Slovak people have struggled and survived through.

[Via: Toronto Star]

USA Hockey Hall of Fame Inducts Four

Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter, and Cammi Granato have all taken their rightful place in the USA Hockey Hall of Fame. They were selected today as announced by the Hall located in Minnesota.

It is times like this that make me feel a little old, but at the same time, a little proud to have seen these generational players make their mark on the game first hand. When I listen to older pundits and hockey experts, they talk with fond memories of older iconic players that I never got to see play. Each player in this 2008 class deservedly gets to go there in my opinion as each player was significantly influential to this current 25-30 year old USA hockey players and fans.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

NHL Network American Version

As the NHL and the "four letter network" talk about making amends, there is an interesting sub-story to this as the NHL may finally get a clue and just broadcast their own games where they can control their content.

Some well-placed cable sources were skeptical that the league would be able to launch a 24-hour U.S. channel by this fall, given that the NHL hasn't appointed anybody to run the channel yet and the NHL season begins in just three months.

Sources close to the league say that will not be a problem because it will rely heavily on an NHL Network that already exists — Canada’s version. The U.S. channel will have a look and feel similar to the Canadian one. The planned channel will have 50 live games in 2007-08. Most of the content will be identical to what appears in Canada, although it will be repackaged with some U.S.-based programming, sources said.

Well... It's a start. They also need to get this thing available to every cable and dish subscriber or they will be subject to the same jeers and jokes that OLN/VS received. Once they talk to Hollywood producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, I am sure they can get him to produce something that would really get people talking.

The league has hired Ascent Media Network Services to manage and distribute the channel. A subsidiary of publicly traded Ascent Media Group, the company has offices in Stamford, Conn., from which it will maintain the new network’s satellite signal, advertising insertions and other aspects of NHL Network. The company currently works with YES Network and the NFL Network.

You know what else is HQ'ed in Stamford? WWE. If there is anybody that can promote violence and sports, it is them!

[Via: SportsBusiness Journal]

Happy Birthday, Angela

I would just like to take a moment to wish Angela Ruggiero a very happy birthday. I wish her nothing but the best in all her personal endeavors including those with Team USA.

Hockey is full of role model athletes and Angela's story is no exception.

I hope that in this coming month, Angela never hears the words "You're fired!"

USA v. Slovakia - Who am I rooting for??

After disappointing losses to the Canadians, the two smarting clubs America and Slovakia faced one another tonight at the Xcell Energy Center in St. Paul, MN.

I don't make it secret, I'm very proud of my ethnic background and I root for the Slovaks when I can, but tonight, I was truly prepared for a night of great hockey. I was not at all disappointed.

I was however upset at the "team B" broadcasters that they got out for the game. Both Mike Emrick and Darren Pang (former goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks) insisted the entire night to mispronounce them as "slow-vack-ee-ah". I wondered if this game was covered by the CBC at all.

In addition to that, the announcer Mike Emrick had reported on air about goaltender Jan Lasak not being in the Nashville Predators system. "He's a soft shelled taco in a hard taco world," repeated Emrick from a Predators scout. I couldn't help it as to take a comment like that personally. The Slovak people are a proud honorable people. When our heart or courage is challenged, it's considered a serious issue.

Of course, the Predators are serious with Tomas Vokoun, their Czech-born goaltender. It would be best for Lasak to find work somewhere else.

The game was played with more emotion from a desperate Team USA. They knew they had to win, or wind up facing the invincible Team Canada in Toronto for the semi-finals. Team Slovakia held their own through most of the game. They kept it 2-1 up until the last few moments of the 3rd period. The winning goal was a fluke as NY Islander forward Jason Blake went into the net along with the puck. Since they didn't see him hit it with an arm or leg, they counted the goal. Cheap goal.

The funniest portion of the ESPN coverage was the reaction that Darren Pang gave to Coach Barry Melrose who was safely secure in the ESPN Bristol, CT studios. Barry praised the Americans, but Darren Pang added later, "He'll say nice things when they're winning, but he'll throw them under the bus when they start losing".

I'm glad I taped the game on the VCR.

IIHF World Championships

If once wasn't enough, USA and Slovakia lock horns once again in the Czech Republic for the IIHF World Championships of Hockey, but this time it's for the Bronze Medal and Third Place in the tournament.

Andy Roach scored the games only goal as Team USA came out on top to shut out Team Slovakia 1-0.

Canada won the Tournament's top honor by defeating Sweden.

Miracle

Well,.. the long wait is over.. I can now tell you what I thought of the movie, "Miracle"!

First of all, let me get some of the negatives out of the way. I suspected that since Disney produced it, they must have some sort of slant. Nevertheless, they included a voiceover of President Carter claiming in a old speech "our country's goals aren't always the best." Yea, like the recent Iraq war. Subtle slam on America. But I wasn't fooled. Again, a banner that read, "Hey Russia, get the puck out of Afghanistan" was shown in the movie. I believe that history was correct in this instance Russia did in fact invade Afghanistan, but who's in Afghanistan right now fighting the Taliban and Al Queida? Subtle Disney-Liberal dis to the Red, White, and Blue.

With that aside, Kurt Russell playing the late coach Herb Brooks deserves an Oscar nomination. He really showed the driven nature of "Herbie" and fought to keep a bunch of college amateurs playing as a team. My favorite scene is when he made the entire team run wind sprints after a game until they realized that they represented a cause larger than themselves.

Go see the film or go read my review at The College Press in greater detail.