The Montreal Canadiens:100 Years of Glory Book Review

The Following is a guest post by Hockey history author, Joe Pelletier, of Greatest Hockey Legends.com and Hockey Book Reviews.com.  Joe knows we have a soft spot for Les Canadiens here at NHL Digest and offered up a review of the following book…Enjoy!

As the Montreal Canadiens embark on their centennial season, it comes as no surprise that 2008 will see a number of titles about Les Habitants hitting bookstore shelves.

The Montreal Canadiens are unquestionably hockey’s most celebrated team, including in the literary world. Over the years there are several significant volumes that have not only captured the Canadiens mystique, but contributed to it.

I’m thinking of books like The Montreal Canadiens by Claude Mouton, or Lions In Winter by Allan Turowetz and Chris Goyens or The Habs by Dick Irvin. And the absolute best of the best - The Game by Ken Dryden, My Life In Hockey By Jean Beliveau and The Hockey Sweater and Our Life With The Rocket, both my Roch Carrier.

Can this oncoming onslaught of Canadiens books really offer us anything new?

We will have to judge each book on it’s own merits. But I can confidently say that The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory by D’arcy Jenish does a great job of telling us the story of the Montreal Canadiens. And in doing so he offers us a new look at that history.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

Jenish is an exhaustive researcher, spending four years souring through literally miles and miles of microfilm at archives and libraries. Why? Because he believes that too much of Montreal’s glorified history has been passed on has been retold and skewed by wonderful nostalgia. By accessing the long forgotten work of the sports journalists who were reporting the moment history actually happened Jenish believes, rightfully, that his book captures the spirit of history as it unfolded.

By doing so Jenish captures the true history of the Montreal Canadiens, warts and all. He looks at the team’s formation and near failing 100 years ago. He looks at how the team survived two World Wars and the Great Depression, barely, before becoming, some 40 years later, the greatest hockey team ever. He carries us through the glory years of the 1950s through the end of the 1970s, when the team unthinkably won 15 Stanley Cups in 23 seasons. Jenish then looks at the past 30 years of relative quiet, where fans have had to learn to be patient and have lowered expectations.

Along the way Jenish, a personal friend of Montreal Canadiens boss Bob Gainey, writes about many key figures in Montreal’s history, correcting nostalgic misconceptions about many while remembering some of the more overlooked.

And he does this all largely through the work of the talented newspaper writers of yesteryear.

The book, published by Doubleday Canada, is a great read, and certainly a must for any true fan of the bleu, blanc et rouge. If you don’t rush out and get it right away, make sure Santa knows it is on your Christmas list.

Colton Orr Vs. Eric Boulton Fight Video

Colton Orr is fast becoming one of the premiere heavyweights in the NHL.

Just last season he one-punched Todd Fedoruk to signal his arrival as a contender and tonight he took on Atlanta’s Eric Boulton in one of the best toe-toe fights ever witnessed in the National Hockey League!

In this nearly 2-minute tilt (an eternity by hockey fight standards) Orr began by delivering a fury of right hands to the back of Boulton’s head.  While Boulton delivered fewer punches, he did sting Orr a few times with shrot jabs.  Orr seemed to be most effective when he switched to his left hand after missing with an wild right upper-cut that left Boulton temporarily off-balance.

Orr and Boulton also fought each other last season as seen here.

Interview With NHL Director of Corporate Communications Mike DiLorenzo

What does the National Hockey League have to do with Social Media website applications such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and online video marketing?

Find out in our exclusive interview with the Director of Corporate Communications for the National Hockey League, Mike DiLorenzo.

That’s Mike in the picture with Brian Burke and Lord Stanley.

NHL Digest took this excellent opportunity to ask many questions that readers have been wanting legitimate responses, from a credible source, for a long time.  Mr. DiLorenzo was very candid and provided excellent food for thought on many communications issues facing the National Hockey League today.

Enjoy.

As Director of Corporate Communications for the NHL, what are your major responsibilities?

Communications and media/analyst relations with a specific focus on business and technology themes.

We have heard Gary Bettman stress the technological savvy of Hockey fans.  In that light, how much emphasis would you say that the NHL is placing on new media marketing?

For fans, digital is the front door to the National Hockey League.  Not only are our fans technically sophisticated, but approximately 50% of our fans are “displaced,” meaning they live in a different market than their favorite team.  Displaced fans have a significant access constraint, and digital is filling that void … particularly for live video.

What are your thoughts on some teams granting press credentials to bloggers?  Does this align with the league’s vision for penetrating the new media marketplace?

There are many responsible New Media outlets that deserve the same billing and treatment as the so-called traditional media.  However, I personally believe that New Media outlets first must establish their credibility, authenticity and intention as a news organization in order to earn a credential.

I feel it would be a mistake to have the press box and the player dressing rooms become the “Wild West” of journalism.

Does the league have any specific plans to leverage online social networking application such as Facebook?

As you’ve already pointed out, our fans are technically savvy.  I think moving forward you’ll see the League taking the game to even more places online where thousands of our fans are already congregating, and specifically programming to fans on those platforms.  A good example is the NHL’s YouTube page.

Personally, I actively use Twitter to post NHL news and engage with fans, and I know a number of players and teams are doing the same there.  Also note, we enable fans to take the video from NHL Network Online and link or embed it wherever it is they live on the Web.
Get Mike’s Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/umassdilo

Over the past year we have seen an increase in audio and video content on the NHL.com website.  Is this a natural progression, or is this part of a concerted planning effort?

It is definitely part of the strategic business plan.  NHL.com is one of our central platforms for growth, and video is definitively a big driver of high quality traffic to the site.  There are a few key factors driving this; including what we already talked about in terms of the tech-savvy fan base, and the high instances of fan displacement and access constraint.  But there are other considerations.

First, we have some unique and inherent advantages in digital media that allow us to leverage video in numerous ways.  What we also have that’s unique is access - the League can get behind the scenes with the teams and players.

So we’re programming NHL.com to be a personalized, all-access pass to the NHL - on the ice and off.  A really good example of the approach is The Hockey Show, which is one of the channels on NHL Network Online.  The Hockey Show is “E!” meets “ESPN”.

Is there a key factor from your market research about the NHL’s fan base that might be surprising to the average fan?

I do think people would be surprised to know that about 50% of our fans are displaced.  For example, approximately 10% of Red Wings fans live in California.

Some might also be surprised to know that there are actually more avid fans in the USA than in Canada (though a higher % of Canada’s population can be considered avid).

Does the NHL have any plans to increase the online presence specifically with regard to the history of the league?

Over time you will see more original programming - both online and on NHL Network - dedicated to the visual history of the NHL.  A good example is the original documentary series called, “Days That Changed The Game” on NHL Network.  The first one aired in August and covered the 20th anniversary of Gretzky’s trade to LA.  There will be 11 more of those.

How is the NHL encouraging fan development from the grassroots level in the United States?

NHL Youth Development.  Also, programs such as Hockey Is For Everyone.  Hockey is for Everyone is a part of the NHL Foundation, the National Hockey League’s charitable and community relations organization, and a major component of the League’s youth hockey programming.

Hockey is for Everyone provides support and unique programming to non-profit youth hockey organizations across North America that are committed to offering children, of all backgrounds, opportunities to play hockey. Since its inception, Hockey is for Everyone has exposed more than 45,000 boys and girls to unique hockey experiences.

With respect to rumors regarding expansion and/or re-location of teams in the league, what is the best avenue for fans to determine if there is legitimacy to these stories?

Commissioner Bettman is frequently asked by the media to address these issues.

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment since becoming the NHL’s Director of Corporate Communications?

Company-wide, I believe the NHL is doing a good job of positioning itself at the forefront of the New Media revolution.  That said, I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.  We have a really compelling story to tell, and I think over time we’ll continue to move the needle forward at a pretty healthy clip.

What would you say is the league’s biggest obstacle when it comes to marketing and communications?

Right now, we’re competing for time with the global economic story.  From a perception standpoint, we’re out there showing the marketplace that the NHL is a growth and innovation story.

Finally, are you the same Mike DiLorenzo who toiled in the Central Hockey League a couple seasons ago for Memphis, Loredo and Odessa?

I’m not, though that Mike DiLorenzo might be upset to learn that he toiled!  I spent 32 years in the Boston area before coming to NYC last January to work at the NHL.
P.S - Our apologies to “the other” Mike DiLorenzo if we offended you - none intended.

A big thank you goes out to Mr. DiLorenzo for agreeing to take part in this interview.

If you have any questions or comments for him, please leave a comment at the bottom of the article or feel free to chat with Mike via his Twitter.com feed (www.twitter.com/umassdilo).  While you are at Twitter.com, please add our NHL Digest feed as well - www.twitter.com/nhldigest.

Blade Tape Back For Another Season

When I first wrote about the story of Blade Tape and the company Blade Pro Products after doing an interview with founder Richard Findlay, I had a sneaking suspicion that I would hear more and more about the product and company in years to come.

What a difference a year makes!

Last season, Blade Tape was endorsed by Willie Mitchell of the Vancouver Canucks and with the advent of Goalie Blade Tape and NHL Team Branded Blade Tape, St. Louis net minder Chis Mason (See below) has joined the ranks of “Blade Tape Believers“.  Blade Tape also received a glowing testimonial from Matt Cooke, now of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The folks at Blade Pro Products wanted to let NHL Digest readers know that along with their great prices on standard and custom designed Blade Tape, they are also having a limited time Factory Seconds Sale offering even lower prices!

Check out their Online Store here and search through the Factory Seconds Sale here.

Avalanche vs. Sabres Preview (10/25/08)

Shane Giroux Submits:

It’s a battle of offensive juggernauts when the Buffaslugs make their way to Denver to face the Avalanche as part of the NHL’s Super Saturday.

If you’re a betting person, you might want to line up to place some cash on the over for this game. Colorado and Buffalo are two of the highest scoring teams in the league with 28 and 26 goals respectively in their first seven games.

A crucial difference is that while Colorado given up 23  goals so far, Buffalo has only allowed 13. With a 1.74 GAA and .935 save percentage, it appears Ryan Miller isn’t suffering from any post-contract performance issues while Patrick Lalime is being all the backup he can be with a 1.44 GAA and .953 save percentage. Lalime is the likely candidate in the Sabres goal tonight according to the Buffalo News.

Peter Budaj will be the man at the other end of the rink as he gets his second straight start. After giving up just one goal - a rather lucky powerplay goal no less - against Edmonton, it appears Budaj may be hitting his stride after a shaky start to the season.

If the defense can apply pressure down low while utilizing a newfound ability to clear the puck, it will go a long way to helping Budaj’s cause. Which is to vindicate the faithful while disproving the pundits. If he wins hockey games along the way, so be it.

David Jones is ready to go but it’s questionable whether Granato will insert him into the lineup. Ben Guite took his spot on Thursday and played a whale of a game, making it hard to argue for sitting Guite.

Buffalo is undefeated in regulation after 7 games while the Avalanche have reeled off four straight wins. One of those is likely to give tonight and it just might be in highlight-reel fashion.

I’m not sure yet if I’ll be getting the Altitude or MSG feed but either way there will be some excitable announcers calling this one.

Milan Lucic Hits Mike Van Ryn Through The Glass

The following is the video of Milan Lucic hitting Toronto’s Mike Van Ryn through the glass.

…best highlight video of the season bar none. Enjoy.

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