Fighting in hockey is always a hot topic.  However, due to some recent injuries and an unfortunate death last season, attention has been turned to whether or not players should be allowed to remove their helmets during fights.

I have my opinions on fighting in hockey, but rather than ramble on with my thoughts, why not ask one of the legends of the game?

So, I asked Mark Messier about his thoughts on the subject.

Messier fought no less than 19 times over the course of his career in the National Hockey League.  In addition, his son Lyon had a couple of fights last season as professional player in the Central Hockey League. This gives Mark, what I believe is, a unique perspective on the topic – addressing the subject from the view of both a player and a parent.

In addition, Messier also has first hand experience on the topic considering one of the first NHL fights of his career was with Dennis Ververgaert in 1980.  In this fight Messier was wearing a helmet, while Ververgaert was not. Messier landed several hard left hands, taking Ververgaert to the ice.  Fortunately, they were both okay.

However, if you watch the video , you will see that there is not much difference in the way that Ververgert fell compared to how Columbus’  Tommy Sestito hit the ice and was injured following a fight with Jordin Tootoo this pre-season.

Without any further adieu.

Messier On Fighting

NHL Digest: Do you have a position on fighting in the NHL?  In particular, what is your reaction to taking helmets off during fights?

Messier: Fighting in hockey has been debated for many years by team officials, players, experts, and fans. The one constant in all the discussions is that there are no easy answers or solutions. As a former player, fighting was an accepted aspect of the game. Of course when I first started, very few games were televised around the country, and every move the league or teams made was not scrutinized by millions of viewers.

Over the last few decades, fighting in hockey has changed tremendously. In the 70’s fighting really hit its peak, being lead by the Broad Street Bullies in Philadelphia. The Flyers were the Stanley Cup Champions and played a very aggressive in-your-face game, which often lead to fisticuffs on the ice. Bench clearing brawls were the norm, and of course, all this trickled down to the minor leagues and even into the grass roots level.

The 80’s followed with an invasion of highly skilled European players that started to make their way over to play in the NHL. And soon after came the games Greatest player ever in Wayne Gretzky, who possessed a game of skill and awareness that had never been seen before. Led by Wayne, the Edmonton Oilers became the benchmark for success, adopting a highly skilled, fast skating game, which forced the rest of the league to change their philosophy from a grinding up and down your wing, to a skating, interweaving game that resembled a more European style.

The league took tremendous steps to reduce fighting and eliminate bench clearing brawls. Requiring players to return to their benches as soon as a fight broke out and the institution of many other new rules greatly reduced the number of fights that took place in any particular game.

While the focus now is on a more skilled, high tempo game, fighting is still a topic of conversation, particularly when a player is hurt as a result of the fight. Players are bigger and stronger than ever, and have taken the skill of fighting to a new level. Hockey is a great game of passion, skill, discipline, courage and heart. However, in addition to these great attributes, intimidation has always played and will continue to play a part in the game.

One of the latest problems associated with fighting is players taking their helmets off before engaging in a fight. One of the reasons for this was the mandatory visor rule that was implemented in amateur hockey, much like the hockey helmet was back in 1979. Because of the shields and full cages, taking the helmets off became a way of showing respect and bravado.

Hockey, like life, is ever changing and evolving. We as a league must always have the best interests in our minds and hearts for the players, teams and fans. The changes that have taken place over the last 30 years have made our game better than ever. We will continue to make the necessary changes to ensure we not only protect our players, but provide the fans with the best product and entertainment possible.

Fighting has always been a part of hockey, and I personally believe that it will continue to be one aspect of our game. Part of what makes hockey so entertaining is that it requires physical and mental toughness. But as the game continues to evolve, I believe that player safety and better protection need to be our top priority. If that means instituting a rule – like Hockey Canada – that makes it mandatory to keep your helmet on in a fight, I would support it.

Messier On Head Protection

The Messier Project, my new collaboration with Cascade Sports, is committed to elevating head protection in hockey and we are working to change priorities in the sport. A helmet and its protective technology are just as important – if not more important – than the skates you wear or the stick you use.

In developing the M11, I worked very closely with the innovators at Cascade Sports to bring a player’s perspective to the design. One of the features I am most proud of is the ProFit system, which I think ties into this conversation.

During game play and especially if a player engages in a fight, it is extremely important that the helmet stays on to prevent potential head injury due to a blow to the head or the more serious threat of a player’s head hitting the ice.

The Pro Fit system creates a 360 degree fit- tapering the entire helmet in around the head for a snug, “toque” feel. When your helmet fits right, it is safer on impact and when adjusted properly, a good fit increases the level of protection the helmet offers. From a performance perspective, the M11 ProFit allows a player to fine-tune the fit and adjust it on the fly based on the situation and environment.

Thank you for your question. It is conversations and questions like these that are so important to the evolution and continued success of our game.

With respect,
Mark Messier

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Mark’s take on fighting in hockey is not simplistic. He is certainly passionate about the game and his venture with the Messier Project really is about protecting players.

He mentions that he would support a rule to keep helmets on during a fight.  This makes sense, but if that were the case, I certainly wouldn’t want to fight anyone with a Dany Heatley sized visor!

Maybe a quick-release visor could be developed?  That would be sure to appease both the “no fighting with a visor crowd” and the “keep your helmet on during a fight” crowd.

Hmmmm…maybe I just gave Mark and Cascade Sports an idea for the next big thing in hockey? I’m sure my check is in the mail!

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

Talking With Messier About Fighting In Hockey

Recently I had the opportunity and privilege to interview the strength and conditioning coach for the Washington Capitals, Mark Nemish.

Mark is renowned by the Capitals players as being one of the reasons that they have had so much success and personal accomplishment over the past few seasons.  Most often, Capitals players cite post-exercise recovery as one particular area where Mark excels above all others.

Now that we are in the off-season, Mark has generously agreed to share a few of his theories on strength and conditioning for hockey players.  If you’re a parent, player, or coach – be prepared to take notes!

Enjoy.

Thank you very much for the interview. Why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about yourself, your training business and position with the Capitals?

I am originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.  I left Winnipeg in ’93 to complete my Masters Degree work at the University of North Dakota while working as a strength coach for the Athletic department.

After completing my degree, I left North Dakota and had stints as a strength coach at the University of Richmond, Middle Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt.

In 1998 I was hired by the Nashville Predators as their first strength coach and held that position for 6 years before moving to Northern Virginia to open my own training business known as Dynamic Sports Performance.  A couple years ago I became the Washington Capitals strength & conditioning coach and hold that position today along with still owning and running my training business.

When players come to you for training, what’s the first thing you do with them?

The first thing we do is test them whether with my business or with the Caps.  We hold testing with the Caps at our summer conditioning camp in July held for draft picks and prospects and then again at the main training camp in September where we test all of our players, including veterans.

Could you list the 3 top tips you could give to a hockey player that is just beginning an off-ice conditioning program?

1.      Make sure that you are being coached in performing the exercises in the program correctly…

2.      Make the clear distinction between activity and accomplishment…too many athletes perform the activity of training but don’t progress at the rate they should because they don’t train hard or smart enough.

3.      Nutrition plays a huge role in training gains or adaptations…your composition and timing of nutrition is very important.

What are the most common mistakes that you see hockey players make with regard to strength and conditioning?

Players don’t train hard enough at times and also don’t know when to listen to their bodies and back off at the right times.  Also, many players do not pay enough attention to some very important, but overlooked, training variables such as length of rest periods, speed of the repetition, and restoration techniques.

What tips and tricks can you share that will improve a hockey player’s off-season conditioning program?

I don’t know if there are any tricks, but one very important variable for improving power is to intend to move loads as quickly as possible especially with regards to training the legs.  Speed kills in this sport and taking advantage of sound training principles to enhance leg power is important.  In addition to intending to move loads quickly, regardless of whether they are light or very heavy loads, improving one’s off-ice sprint speed is important as well.  Sprinting for 10-30 yards while pulling loads on a sled will help accomplish that.  Finally, don’t do too much on-ice training or conditioning too soon in the summer.  I don’t like to see players get on the ice much sooner than the beginning of August.

What are the most glaring weaknesses you find when training hockey players?

Abdominal strength and balance about the core and hips (ie flexibility and strength).  This leads to trouble down the road in the form of lower abdominal tears and frequent groin tears.

Are there any exercises that you feel every athlete, regardless of sport, should do?

All athletes need to be doing sound abdominal training that is functional in nature.  Too many athletes of all sports seem to think that performing crunches and sit ups at nauseum will help build their core strength & endurance.  What they need to do is learn to recruit or fire their abs and glutes together and then perform many different exercises that groove the motor patterns of abdominal recruitment.  This will help stabilize their spine and keep their pelvis correct position so other larger muscles can work together to perform the gross motors skills such as running, skating, etc. efficiently.

How do you explain your system/program to your athletes so that they understand why they are following your program?

My system is not too complex.  Everything is written down on workout cards along with the speed to perform each repetition and rest periods.  It’s all in how you coach the program.  For the summer conditioning manual, I accompany the training book with a couple DVD’s that shows every exercise so the players can see what they are supposed to do.

Can you give us some insight on nutrition advice for the typical hockey player (pre-game/post game meals etc.)?

Pre game meal should not be too large…some lean protein like chicken, fish or steak (fillet or very lean strip) that is grilled or broiled, some carbohydrates (brown rice, pasta, baked potatoes) and vegetables (greens or other colorful veggies).  If you eat too much at pre-game, your legs may feel heavy in the first period because you are still digesting a big meal.  Eat enough to satisfy but not feel full.  For post game you want to get in about 0.7 – 1.0 grams of carbs/kg bodyweight along with some protein within 30 minutes of your last shift.  This will help build up the glycogen (muscle fuel) that you burned during the game.  About 1-1.5 hours later have a good sit down meal with a lean protein and more carbohydrates.  Drink plenty of water as well.

What post game recovery techniques are most important for hockey players?

See above for post-game shake or meal.  In addition, players need to sit in a cold tub for 10-15 minutes after a game, especially if they played a lot of minutes.  This does several things with the main goal of starting the recovery process going by slowing down the player’s metabolism and reducing the heat that was built up in the body during the game.

How do you monitor training intensity – specifically with regard to in-season vs. off-season training?

Training intensity is correctly defined as the % of 1 rep max lifted for a particular exercise.  Since I test bench press, I express their training loads as percentages of their 1RM be it in season or off…of course they are lifting much bigger %’s of their 1RM’s in the off-season.  I also have devices which measure the power produced with any given load so I can see what sort of power they are producing on a particular exercise.

What is the biggest obstacle you have to face as a strength coach or trainer?

At the professional level it is the control I don’t have during the off season when the players are on their own to lift, especially those who are overseas.  The other one would be striking the balance between the right amount of training and rest during the in-season.

How do you deal with hesitant and/or stubborn players/coaches that don’t agree with your program?

At the NHL level, you must approach each player as if you are working with him, not against him.  You first need to listen to what the player is complaining about and properly explain your rationale for doing things.  Allowing the player direct feedback and perceived control can do wonders in reaching compromises regarding training obstacles.  Trust is a big thing…they need to feel as though they can trust you…results is the biggest motivator…if others on the team are getting great results, then you hope some of the other stubborn players will jump on the band wagon.

News was released at the end of the season making accusations that some Capitals players have used performance enhancing substances – what’s your take on that?

Since we were tested 3 times this year and 4 times the previous year (random), I can say with 100% confidence that the Washington Capitals are 100% drug free.  Also, with the type of weights our guys lift, the zero signs of side effects that accompany illegal performance drugs, no one on our team is on anything.

Is there somewhere that readers can learn more about your theories and programs?

On my business website www.dspashburn.com, I have numerous articles posted that they can read in addition to my training philosophies.

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

Washington Capitals Strength Coach Mark Nemish

The National Hockey League is a staple of Canadian Television both on CBC and on TSN.  However, in the United States VERSUS continues to build its presence as network to be reckoned with and currently enjoys a strong relationship with the NHL.

Within this interview, we have asked some tough questions of VERSUS Director of Marketing Meier Raivich.  Many of the questions were responded to by Katie Bradshaw who is the Senior Publicist at VERSUS.  You will notice that they were not able to comment on some parts of certain questions.

Enjoy!

There has been some concern as to the availability of VERSUS in certain markets and from certain providers. For example, with Dish Network a premium subscription is required to have access to Versus. Of course, options vary from provider to provider, but does Versus have any leverage over providers with regard to how the channel is offered?

Availability of VERSUS is continuing to grow. The network is now in more than 75 million U.S. homes and is available on every major cable and satellite provider in the U.S., making VERSUS accessible to anyone and everyone in the country.

With respect to High Definition hockey broadcasts, can fans expect to see more HD broadcasts from VERSUS next season? And, are their any plans to implement a nightly NHL highlights/recap show?

VERSUS launched its dedicated HD channel in December 2008 and each and every one of VERSUS’ NHL telecasts are produced and presented in HD. VERSUS’ HD channel is rapidly gaining distribution and is currently in more than 16 million U.S. homes.
While there aren’t currently any plans for the network to air a nightly NHL show, VERSUS airs its dedicated NHL studio show, Hockey Central, each night the network televises a game throughout the regular season and playoffs.

Is there a possibility that we might see some growth in the number of VERSUS broadcasts picked up by other networks (ie. TSN) during the 2009-2010 season?

We do not have any plans in place for Canadian networks to pick up VERSUS’ NHL telecasts in the 2009-10 season. However, throughout the 2009 postseason, as in past playoffs, VERSUS will simulcast several games from Canadian networks to give viewers bonus NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs action to ensure the hockey fans in this country get as much postseason coverage as possible.

Has VERSUS entertained any plans to incorporate flexibility into the coverage and television schedule for next year, especially late in the season with consideration for games with playoff implications etc.?

VERSUS has the option to take advantage of flexible scheduling following the All-Star break which allows the network to replace a select number of games from the ones originally scheduled. The network has exercised this option the last couple seasons and will continue to explore ways to present viewers with the best match-ups featuring the most nationally appealing games throughout the regular season.

What has been the reaction of Coaches to having VERSUS reporters visit the players bench during play?

VERSUS strives to give viewers the most in-depth live game coverage; whether it is putting microphones on players during key games or having reporters visit the bench during game action. VERSUS institutes these type of production features to bring viewers as close to the action as possible so that they feel like they’re part of the game and the reaction from coaches and players has been extremely positive and well-received by everyone involved with the NHL.

Could you provide comparative growth numbers from last year to this year with regard to average viewership of NHL games broadcast on VERSUS?

VERSUS is entering the 2009 postseason with double-digit viewership growth for the 2008/09 regular season as compared to last season. Total viewership showed an increase of 21 percent and household impressions were up 23 percent, while viewership for all key male demographics also showed substantial increases: Men 18-34 (up 51%), Men 18-49 (up 43%) and Men 25-54 (up 41%). The network’s coverage of the 2008/09 NHL regular season reached 32.9 million total viewers, the most ever for an NHL on VERSUS regular season (up 13% from last season).

When the re-branding/re-organization from OLN occurred, what were the major goals of the marketing team with regard to positioning Versus in the marketplace? And, how does that strategy relate to Versus’ partnership with the National hockey League?

Two and half years ago the network was OLN, a mid-sized network focusing on hunting/fishing and other outdoor related programming. Today, VERSUS is in more than 75 million homes and is the fastest growing cable sports network in the country. All of VERSUS’ marketing campaigns surrounding the re-brand were conceptualized and executed with the ultimate goal of establishing credibility and awareness for the VERSUS brand.
Employing this type of creative thought, the network created marketing and ad campaigns that sought to establish VERSUS as the home of hockey in the U.S. among both casual and hardcore fans and did this by giving a voice to the athlete and making them the central piece of each and every campaign.

We’d like to thank VERSUS for the opportunity to learn more about the VERSUS channel and the relationship with the National Hockey League.

Also, thank you to the NHL Digest Twitter followers for sumitting some great questions!

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

Getting Behind NHL on VERSUS

This week NHL Digest was honored to have interviewed hockey journalist, Dan Rosen, from NHL.com.  Dan grew up in Northern New Jersey and studied journalism at the University of Arizona.  He worked at various papers as journalist for 7 years prior to joining the NHL last October.  Please enjoy getting to know the man behind the keyboard at NHL.com!

Do you think Sundin has a shot at winning a Stanley Cup with the Canucks? And, how do you think the Canucks feel about being Sundin’s second choice to the Rangers?

I’ll actually answer the second part first. I don’t think the Canucks feel much, if anything in regards to that because it has never been stated as a fact that Sundin did in fact favor the Rangers over them. I know it can be construed that way because Sundin didn’t immediately take a huge sum of money from Vancouver on July 1 and that he waited and waited and waited to find out what the Rangers plans were going to be to acquire him. Believe me, I see that side of the argument. However, why would the players on the Canucks care? They have him now and they know Sundin wouldn’t be there if his heart wasn’t in it.

In a way, he has a lot to prove, which leads to the first part of your question. Yes, I think he has a shot at winning the Cup with the Canucks. You always have a shot if Roberto Luongo is your goalie. That being said, I can’t sit here today and tell you that he will win the Cup with Vancouver. I still think the Red Wings are the favorite. I mean, how can they not be? I do think Vancouver is better off with Sundin than without him, which of course means he has a shot.

Did the Dallas Stars do the right thing by ridding themselves of Sean Avery? And, do you think Sean Avery will ever play in the National Hockey League again?

The answer to both questions is yes. For one, I think it was pretty obvious that Avery had a negative influence on the players in that dressing room. You have some established vets in there like Mike Modano, Brenden Morrow, Stephane Robidas, Brad Richards, Sergei Zubov, Marty Turco, Jere Lehtinen and Mike Ribiero. They didn’t need or want the sideshow that Avery brings wherever he goes. So, by taking Avery out of the mix, the Stars can now become a close knit group again. It’s showing. They beat Toronto, 8-2, in their last game before Christmas. Prior to the holiday, they had gone four straight without losing in regulation. I see it turning around there.

And, secondly, yes I do think Avery will find his way back into the League, probably next year provided the Stars can figure out what to do with his contract. I do not think he will play in Dallas and it will have to be a team in need of a jolt or a spark. I’m thinking Columbus, Atlanta, the New York Islanders, if you can believe that, or perhaps the Colorado Avalanche. I can’t say for sure this will happen. I do wonder if and when he comes back if he will put on the good boy behavior or will he be the same Sean. If he toes the line, I’m fine with that. Bad boys can be good for the game, too. If he jumps over the line, he needs to be disciplined. There’s no place in the sport for that.

What is your opinion of Sidney Crosby’s “low blows” on Boris Valabik of the Atlanta Thrashers? Do you think he should be punished by the league?

Tough question. Is it heat of the moment, wailing away with no disregard? Or, was it pre-meditated? I’m going to have to say it was heat of the moment and Crosby was wailing away with no disregard, but that doesn’t make it any better. There are certain body parts that should be, um, off limits. I think we know that is one of them. Every guy can attest to that. Every girl should attest to that or guys should run away from them. I don’t think Crosby should be punished by the League for the infraction, but I do agree with the roughing penalty. He was the third guy in to the melee. I don’t like it. It hurts to watch it. But, is it finable or suspendable? I’m not too sure about that.

Who do you think is the favorite to win the Calder trophy in 2008-2009?

Derick Brassard was at or near the top of my list for most of the season until now. Poor guy dislocated his shoulder in a fight with James Neal of Dallas and will be out for the year. Why was he fighting? I don’t know. However, I don’t see how you can overlook Drew Doughty in Los Angeles. Aren’t defenseman supposed to be late bloomers? Aren’t they supposed to take a while to develop? Doughty looks like he’s been in the League for five years already. He’s the Kings’ ice time leader by more than a minute. I mean, that’s unbelievable. It’s incredible. He’s been excellent despite being thrown right into the fire. I think Doughty is the guy to watch from here on out, but of course don’t take your eyes off of Columbus goalie Steve Mason either. He may struggle because of the Jackets’ defense, but Mason is the real deal.

Growing up in Northern New Jersey, have you always been a hockey fan?

Absolutely. My first hockey game I ever went to was on Feb. 28, 1988, the day before my 10th birthday, at what was then called Brendan Byrne Arena and later re-named Continental Airlines Arena. The New Jersey Devils beat the Minnesota North Stars, 8-6. It was my birthday party and it was awesome. I was already a Devils fan at the time, but after going to that game I was hooked. I went to Game 6 of the 1988 Patrick Division Semifinals at the Byrne Arena with my dad to see the Devils win the series over the Islanders with a 6-5 victory. Again, it was amazing. I remember seeing Wayne Gretzky come to town with the Los Angeles Kings. I also remember screaming a profanity his way – I was maybe 12 or 13 years old – and my mom told me to sit down and shut up. Of course, she said it in a motherly, very nice way. I grew up a Devils fan and I still root for them, but it’s a little different working in this field now. The good thing is that in my office we have a great group of hockey guys, some of which are Flyers’ fans. That sparks up a good rivalry between the Devils fans and the Flyers fans. It brings the passion for my team back. It’s great stuff.

Of all of the hockey articles you have written, which one(s) has been your favorite?

I may think I have written a lot, but then I look at guys like John Dellapina, who used to cover the Rangers for the New York Daily News and now works for the NHL as the media relations director, and Tom Gulitti of The Record (Hackensack, NJ) and I think I have a long way to go. I’ve gotten to know guys like Pierre Lebrun, Scott Burnside, Jim Matheson, Mark Spector, Dave Stubbs, etc. Those guys have done way more than me. I’m only 30 years old. I’ve got a long way to go.

However, to answer your question, I’d have to say I have a few favorites. The first article I ever wrote relating to the NHL was back in the 2002-03 season when I was still at The Record and I filled in for Tom Gulitti on a Devils’ practice. I wrote about Scott Gomez and the sports editor at the time liked it enough to give me a few more shots filling in for Tom. I ended up covering the Devils’ entire run to the 2003 Stanley Cup championship alongside Tom, traveling to Boston, Tampa, Ottawa and Anaheim. It was an incredible experience. Two more of my favorites came last season when I wrote about Alex Ovechkin, who is presently my favorite professional athlete. I wrote about Ovechkin using his late brother, Sergei, as his inspiration to get to the NHL. I also wrote about Ovechkin the day before he made his playoff debut. I was at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex for practice that Thursday morning and Alex was the first guy on the ice, taking a twirl and shooting the puck into the boards because the goals weren’t even out yet. The Zamboni was still on the ice. He was so restless. He was so ready. Those are some of my favorites, but of course covering the Winter Classic and Stanley Cup Final last year was amazing, too.

As a journalist, what are your thoughts on Bloggers being awarded press credentials?

It’s a really tough call because sometimes bloggers can do everything they do from their own couch. Sometimes there is simply no need for them to be in the locker room. It’s a muddy area, though. If a blogger is reporting the news and has established a business for himself or herself in doing so, then I think he or she has the right to be there. They have to show proof of that, though. They have to show that they aren’t just there to slam on the coach or a few players, or they aren’t just there to play favorites. That’s just not journalism, at least not good journalism, and it ruins it for us real journalists.
The Rangers credential Dubi Silverstein of Blueshirt Bulletin. I know Dubi well and he’s a great guy. What’s great about Dubi is he’s objective even though the Rangers are clearly his favorite team, and he also puts out a newsletter for fans every month. So, while he may just be blogging off the games, he is contributing in another way, too.

If a blogger is going to enhance the coverage of the team and the sport like Dubi, I’m all for it. However, that blogger has to show proof of legitimate journalism.

Do you use social media to interact with hockey fans and/or get ideas for columns?

I get e-mails all the time and I always make it a point to respond unless the e-mailer has some nasty things to say about me. That has happened on more than one occasion, believe me. So, I talk to fans via e-mail and we also have a social interacting web-site on NHL.com called NHL Connect. It’s a place for fans to talk via their own blogs. I have a blog on NHL Connect as well. Hey, I’m a fan, right? I’m not on Connect all the time, but I certainly check it out and can get pertinent information or story ideas from it. Nobody knows more about their team than the fans. They are the ones that are intimately involved with their favorite club. I need to be listening to them considering I write for them. They are my audience.

Who is your favorite hockey player of all time and why?

The guys I work with would say it’s Ovechkin, but he’s not quite there yet. He’s  close, but I’d still have to say it’s Scott Stevens for how he played the game and respected the game. If you know the story of Stevens, you know that he was a hot shot youngster with the Washington Capitals who liked to pile up the points without caring too much about how many penalty minutes came with them.

He learned over time that is not the way he was going to last a long time in this League, so when he got to New Jersey he changed with the system and became arguably the best, if not one of the best, shutdown, physical blue-liners in the history of the game. I loved his tenacity. I loved his physicality. I will always remember him crushing Slava Kozlov and then warning Dino Ciccarelli, “You’re next.” People will say his hits weren’t legal. They were. They were just really hard and really good. Eric Lindros knows.

If you could sit down for dinner and talk hockey with anyone, who would it be and why?

It wouldn’t be a player, a coach, or a manager. I would want to sit down with Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick and talk puck over a good meal. To me, there is nobody in the game with a better knowledge of its history. He’s basically an encyclopedia for names, dates, goals, games, championships, etc. I have talked hockey with Doc before, but not to the extent I would like to. He is one of the nicest men in the business and always willing to share stories. He’s seen so much from the broadcaster’s booth so to me there is no better brain to pick than his. Of course, if I wanted to talk strategy I would have said Gretzky or Scotty Bowman or Bobby Orr. I don’t want to talk strategy. I want to talk about the game, the stories within the game, the history of the game, the current state of the game, etc. Doc’s my man, plus I get to listen to his voice and that’s pretty darn cool, too.

I would personally like to thank Dan Rosen and NHL.com for thier cooperation in with this interview.  Please check out Dan’s blog on NHL Connect and his feature columns on NHL.com.

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

Up Close and Personal With Dan Rosen of NHL.com

This week Neil Bristow sits down with former NHL player and Manitoba Moose Head Coach Scott Arniel.

Neil Bristow – You are now in your third season as Head Coach of the Manitoba Moose. You spent 4 seasons as an assistant coach of the Buffalo Sabres. Do you see yourself going after vacant NHL coaching positions in the near future or would you like some more time in the AHL?

Scott Arniel – I still think I have lots to learn and experience as a Head Coach and I’m in no rush to get back. In saying that I will certainly look at any and all opportunities that are out there. I think it is very important that you align yourself with a G.M. that you have a history with and someone that has a lot of the same beliefs on the type of team and style of play that you want to play. Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff were a great example of that in Buffalo.

Neil Bristow – What are some of your greatest memories from your time as assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres?

Scott Arniel – The biggest highlight for me was coming out of the lock-out year and being ahead of the curve compared to a lot of teams in the N.H.L. We as an organization prepared for the salary cap that we thought was coming and also all the new rule changes that were going to be in effect. We built our team into a high tempo, skating team with some good veterans plus a good mix of youth. It’s great to watch them play today and still see a competitive, youthful, exciting team. Also, the opportunity to coach some great players that helped me to improve on my Coaching abilities.

Neil Bristow – Being from Winnipeg myself, I was quite surprised when Winnipeg built the MTS Centre at such a small seating capacity even under NHL seating capacity standards. Do you feel the city could support a NHL franchise? Do you think Winnipeg will see NHL Hockey again?

Scott Arniel- Actually I think the MTS Center does fit the size standards for venues in the NHL, and yes if given another opportunity like Minnesota and Colorado I think the fans and the corporate community would do everything they could to make it work here. In saying all that I don’t think it could work right now under the current salary cap, I feel that number would have to drastically be reduced for it to be feasible, but yes one day I do see the NHL back in Winnipeg.

Neil Bristow- What have been your highlights of being a head coach for the Manitoba Moose and what have been the low lights of the position?

Scott Arniel – Every day coming to work and the challenges that are brought forth from each day makes doing this job a highlight in itself. Winning games and seeing players improve on a daily basis is very gratifying, but I get big thrill when watching players get called up to the NHL and have success and see them fulfill there dreams. Certainly losing in the play-offs is a huge disappointment, but it’s what drives you to improve as a coach to be better the following year.

Neil Bristow – You have had the opportunity to coach some world class players in your time in the NHL and the AHL. Who do you say is the most talented player you have had the chance to coach and why?

Scott Arniel – Chris Drury, I’m not sure if he was the most talented of all the players I’ve coached but he was the most determined and driven player that I’ve had the pleasure of being around. His leadership qualities are second to none and a large reason why the teams he’s been associated with have had great success.

Neil Bristow – You played in 730 NHL games in your career with the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins. What would be the “greatest moment” from your playing days?

Scott Arniel – I’m sure like a lot of players it’s playing that 1st. NHL game, of finally having all the sacrifice and hard work pay-off and to have the opportunity to play with great players and friends along the way.

Neil Bristow – Out of all the players on your current roster on the Moose, who do you see making the biggest impact in the near future with the parent club the Vancouver Canucks?
And what should fans expect from this player?

Scott Arniel – It’s tough to pick one, but to have Edler, Hansen, Brown, Raymond, Schneider and Jaffray all play roles with the Canucks and help them have success is great to see.

Neil Bristow -With every job there is always mistakes on the job when you go into something new. Becoming the Head Coach of the Manitoba Moose do you have any stories you can share with our readers of any learning mistakes you made as you adjusted to the role of Head Coach of an AHL Franchise?

Scott Arniel- The first couple of months on the job with the Moose was a real eye opener as a coach. You come into the job thinking you have all the right tactics and strategy to instantly have success, but I soon realized certain things wouldn’t work with that team or I didn’t have the type of team needed to play the way I envisioned. I learned very quickly that I had to make adjustments and figure out what worked best with group of players that I had at that particular time.

Neil Bristow – The Dallas Stars have a partial affiliation with the Manitoba Moose. What are your thoughts on Sean Avery ever possibly playing for your club? How would you as a head coach handle a player like Sean Avery in the dressing room if it was ever to happen?

Scott Arniel – I don’t see Sean Avery ever playing for the Moose. He is a good NHL player that has a problem that he is going to have to rectify and, until he does, will have a hard time finding a team to play for. In saying that I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Sean in the NHL. As a coach you can never allow one individual to become larger than the group, and if the individual doesn’t buy into the team concept then he loses his right to be on the team. Good teams make good people, good people make good teams.

Neil Bristow – You played on the Gold medal winning Canadian Junior Hockey team in 1982.
What are some of your best memories from that tournament that you can share?

Scott Arniel – It was the first year that Hockey Canada put in the National Program bringing players in from all over Canada, so it was special to part of something new. Winning the first gold medal ever for Canada was a tremendous experience but my fondest memory was singing the National Anthem after we won because some-one had forgotten to have it available. It is great to see that tradition continue today when ever Canada wins.

Neil Bristow – Every kid grows up thinking of scoring a goal in the NHL. Can you tell us about scoring your first NHL goal and how you did it and against whom?

Scott Arniel – My 1st. goal was against the Detroit Red Wings, a Dave Christian shot that I deflected by Eddie Mio.

Neil Bristow – Goal or No Goal in the 1999 Stanley Cup Final?

Scott Arniel – “No Goal” foot in the crease.
(Re: Brett Hull)

NHL Digest would like to say thanks to Scott and wish him and the Manitoba Moose nothing but success this season and beyond.

http://www.moosehockey.com/

If you are in or around Winnipeg, we encourage you to take in a Moose game at the new MTS Centre.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to reach Neil at theneilshow (at) shaw (dot) ca

I encourage feedback on interviews in the comments section as well.

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

From Player to Coach With Scott Arniel

This week Neil Bristow talks with Kevin Dineen . Dineen is a former National Hockey League Player and current Head Coach of the Portland Pirates – the American Hockey League affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres.

Neil Bristow – If you were to compare Nathan Gerbe to a current NHL player, who does he remind you of?

Kevin Dineen – Nathan is a very unique player.  High skill set great set of hands and speed to go with it.  He goes to the hard places and is fearless.  Andy McDonald would be a good comparison or Brian Gionta.

Neil Bristow – Marek Zagrapan has been in the Sabres system for a few years now. Marek hasn’t played all that much up with the big club. What does Marek need to do to make the push and get into a Sabres uniform?

Kevin Dineen – Marek is still working on rounding out his complete game.  Playing hard at both ends, defensive responsibilities including face-offs, and taking advantage of his high offensive skill set.

Neil Bristow – You represented the NHL in 1987 in the Rendez-Vous ‘87 against the Soviet Union. What was favorite memory from that historic series?

Kevin Dineen – Representing the NHL in the Quebec series was an incredible experience as this was the first time I had been part of a team that had the best players in the NHL playing against the Soviet Union.  A great memory.

Neil Bristow – You spent a incredible 18 seasons in the NHL with The Blue Jackets,Ottawa,Philly and Carolina/Hartford Whalers then got your coaching start in Portland in the American Hockey League. What has been your biggest transition from being a NHL player to a head coach?

Kevin Dineen – I was able to work with the Bluejackets in player development for two years so this gave me a great advantage to look at the game through the eyes of management as Doug McLean included me in many decisions and made my transition to coaching much easier.

Neil Bristow – Jhonas Enroth is a highly touted goalie prospect playing for you in Portland. Can you tell us some of Jhonas’s strengths in net and will Sabres fans see him in Buffalo within the next two years backing up Ryan Miller?

Kevin Dineen- Jhonas will play in the NHL at some time given his game readiness, meaning he practices hard, is strong under pressure and is a big save goalie.

Neil Bristow – You scored 355 times at the NHL level, out of those 355 which goal stands out in your mind the most and could you tell is a little bit about it?

Kevin Dineen – Your first and last are always big but I had two in overtime in two playoff series. One, a deflection vs. Andy Moog and the Boston Bruins and the other against Patrick Roy with Montreal.  Both great memories.

Neil Bristow – What are your thoughts on the Buffalo Sabres using video as a scouting process and in your mind is it working this far? Or do you prefer the “older” scouting process?

Kevin Dineen- I have learned so much and been exposed to Buffalos scouting and the easy availability to seeing players in different strengths throughout both the NHL and AHL.  You have thorough knowledge of the league and are a good balance to having actual scouts at the games.

Neil Bristow -Who taught you the most on becoming a successful coach and why?

Kevin Dineen – I grew up around a successful coach with my dad’s WHA teams in Houston and the Hartford Whalers ; so he set a great example to get the most out of each player.

Neil Bristow – Portland is off to a good start considering the affiliate change with the Sabres. In 27 games, you have a 15-9-1-2 record this far. Is there any area in your team’s play you would like to improve?

Kevin Dineen – Every day we try to improve in some area.  Some days it is the power play and others it is Defensive Zone coverage.  So it varies and important to keep a proper balance between system and individual teaching

Neil Bristow – From your playing days to the NHL game now. What are the biggest changes in players today from what you saw in your NHL career?

Kevin Dineen- Players conditioning and preparation is maximized now.  Buffalo employs a strength and conditioning coach both in Buffalo and Portland.

Neil Bristow – Thomas Vanek is lighting up the NHL with goals and is on a torrent pace and is a major talent. Of the players on the Portland roster right now, is there another player close to having “Vanek like” upside?

Kevin Dineen -Mark Mancari has gotten off to a great start and has a heavy shot where he can score from most places on the offensive zone.

I would personally  like to thank Kevin for speaking with us at NHL Digest.

Please check up on Kevin and the Pirates at  their website http://www.portlandpirates.com/

If you have any comments or questions on this interview feel free to reach Neil at- theneilshow  (at) shaw (dot) ca.

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

From Player to Coach With Kevin Dineen

NHL Digest recently had the honor of picking the mind of the man responsible for all of the great communication strategies from the National Hockey League.  Schuyler Baehman is the Manger of Communications for the NHL and one of the minds behind the great marketing and communications that we are witnessing from the league this season.

Mr. Baehman has taken a great amount of time and effort to provide us with some very insightful and revealing commentary on the National Hockey League, so please enjoy the interview.

As Manager of Communications for the NHL, what have been your main priorities for the 2008-2009 season?

My job remains the same every day of every season – to raise awareness of the National Hockey League and its players through media relations.  The amazing men who play the game at its highest level, and the legion of men and women off the ice, be they fans, family, team/League employees or otherwise make it enjoyable job.

We have seen vast improvements in terms of the NHL.com website, what have been the analytical results of those changes in terms of visitors, page views and length of time on the site?

We have seen an increase in virtually every key metric of fan engagement.  However, beyond the traditional metrics, the new site enables us to super-serve fans, particularly displaced ones, by learning more about them and personalizing their experience on the site both actively (serving content based on their favorite team) and passively (over time, serving content based on their behavior).

Fans have heard that the NHL will be promoting another free night of NHL GameCenter Live at the start of January.  Do you have any information on when exactly that might be and if there will be an opportunity to purchase a partial season package at that time?

My sources tell me that the free trial will be in early January and that there is likely to be promotions around partial season plans.  It will be announced shortly.

Speaking of January, the Winter Classic is set for New Years day in Chicago between the Blackhawks and the Red Wings.  What can fans expect from the NHL as far as the events and promotion leading up to the game?

You mean the Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day at 1 p.m.  ET on NBC in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada?

Promotion is already well underway, across all of our platforms.  The Winter Classic celebrates what hockey is all about.  This event brings us back to the way hockey was born.  And we want as many people as possible to share in the experience, be it at the game or on television.

As far as promotion, the Winter Classic campaign, which debuted on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” on Nov. 30 is in heavy rotation.  My colleague Mike DiLorenzo just completed a very successful first phase of “The road to the NHL Winter Classic” truck tour (which you can read about here).

NHL.com has a microsite dedicated to the Winter Classic, NHL Network will televise the practices on Dec. 31 live beginning at Noon ET, NHL Radio will have scores of interviews leading up to the game, The Hockey Show will be in Chicago for about a week leading up to the game.  I could go on and on.

Fans outside of Chicago and Detroit are not being left out.  They are already seeing promotions and giveaways in their own buildings.  The other 28 teams recognize that as hockey fans the Winter Classic is our game, our history and goes beyond the two teams playing.

You can tell the players are really starting to get into it as well as evidenced by the wearing of the Winter Classic team toques in the warm-ups of the Dec. 6^th Blackhawks-Red Wings game.

Reebok is running a unique contest for both U.S. television viewers and in-stadium attendees that challenges fans to find the NHL player who is missing the Reebok logo from his jersey.   Each winner will receive a Stanley Cup trip for four, including airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and tickets to a Stanley Cup Final Game.

I have only scratched the surface on all of the things being done for this game.

With last season’s Winter Classic drawing 70,000 plus fans, ending with a shootout, and snowfall adding to the “Holiday pond-hockey” feel of the game, is there any way the 2009 Winter Classic could be even better?

Yes, but it’s not really about being better.  The Winter Classic is all about hockey fans – fans of every team – coming together on New Year’s Day and celebrating the game we love.

No matter the weather or the outcome, I expect NHL Winter Classic 2009 to be every bit the celebration of hockey that last year’s was.

It was originally thought that this season’s edition of the Winter Classic would be held in New York.  However, it was recently learned that Chicago, led by former Cubs President John McDonough, made a serious and persistent pitch to the league beginning last January in order for Wrigley field to acquire this game.  What were the determining factors for hosting the game in Chicago?

There is no shortage of factors that contribute to the selection of Chicago as the site for NHL Winter Classic 2009.

You touched on one very important factor: John McDonough.  He is a case study on effective leadership and someone I have been admiring professionally from afar for quite a while.

More than that, Chicago is a bastion of passionate sports fans, passionate Blackhawks fans, a great city that rallies around great events.

The renaissance of the entire Blackhawks franchise is an incredible story and one that continues to resonate.  Coming from where they were just 2 seasons ago to currently leading the League in attendance in remarkable.  Having the Winter Classic play a role in that transformation was attractive.

Additionally, the opportunity to play the game in a facility as iconic as Wrigley Field was very appealing.  That is sacred sports real estate.

In his comments this summer, Commissioner Bettman acknowledged the interest and efforts of the New York Yankees and the City of New York of hosting the event.  He has stated publicly that discussions will continue regarding the possibility of playing a future Winter Classic at Yankee Stadium.  Weather that is next year, or the year after or the year after remains to be seen.

One other note on Chicago:  I have read/heard some misguided and uninformed comments about the game being at Wrigley Field and not Soldier Field.  Considerable resources and time were spent examining the possibility of playing the Winter Classic at Soldier Field.   The fact that New Year’s Day is on a Thursday this year precluded the Winter Classic from being played at Soldier Field.  Per NFL rules, teams must make their stadium available to host a first-round playoff game on Saturday, January 3^rd (Remember, the NFL schedule was set well in advance of the selection process).

Again, after lengthy discussion, it was agreed by all parties involved that it was too great a risk that Soldier Field would not be in proper condition to host a playoff game two days after the Winter Classic.

As it is, an NHL game played at Wrigley Field will be a once-in-a-lifetime event.

With respect to next season’s Winter Classic and the media build up to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, do you anticipate any detraction from the excitement that has been generated around the NHL’s event?

Anyone who tells you that they have information on NHL Winter Classic 2010 is lying to you.  No decisions have been made if in fact there will even be an event next season.  Like this year, the League will wait to see how the Winter Classic goes this year and determine what is in the best interests of the entire NHL going forward.

Players who have commented about participation in the Winter Classic often mention the experience that their friends and family have while attending the game. How has that aided the NHL’s positioning of the game as a holiday family event?

At its core, the Winter Classic is the ultimate shared experience among hockey fans.   The Winter Classic reminds us of the underlying spirit of the sport – it’s our weather, our challenges, even our hardships.  Who better to share that with than those who have been behind you since you first laced up your skates?

In a recent NHL.com column several Chicago Cubs have expressed their excitement about attending the game.  Are you aware of any other confirmed celebrity attendees for the Winter Classic?

These things are always subject to change because of busy schedules, but needless to say the magnitude of this event is drawing interest from boldface names around the country, including:

Vince Vaughn, Denis Leary, Billy Corrigan, Taylor Kitsch, Pat Sajak (big Caps fan: Read about Sajak’s Love for the Caps), William Petersen and the director John Hughes, among others.

Also, plans are in the works for a number of Chicago legends who have called Wrigley Field home to be at the Winter Classic.  I’ll withhold the names as not to ruin the surprise

What are some of the newer developments from the NHL’s Communications Department that fans might not yet know about?

Every new development we implement is designed to bring our fans closer to our players and the League than they have ever been before.

Like the entire League, we are being more aggressive in a number of different areas.  Not only are we using platforms such as Twitter and others to communicate directly with fans, but we are working closely with all of the content providers here at the NHL to deliver the type of stories, video and images that are fans are craving.   Here are some great video  examples of what I am talking about:

http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?&id=23719
http://www.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?&id=27979

This season we will be offering content around the All-Star Game and Stanley Cup Playoffs usually reserved for the media in the form of static guides to dynamic Web sites open to the public.  We beta tested this last year and are confident that it will be well received.

Last season we completely changed the way we approach the media availability of both the NHL All-Star Game and the Stanley Cup Final.  Fans for the first time saw live programming on NHL Network of each of those events.  Our redesign also allowed for live content for every outlet present, be they print, radio, television, online or whatever to better deliver our players to our fans.  The players involved in each event had high praise for how each was conducted.

One last new initiative that I don’t believe many fans are aware of was our successful Player Media Tour we had this summer.  As always, the goal is getting more exposure for our players.  So we gathered 14 top players in New York City for 2 days of commercial shoots, print interviews, television interviews, radio interviews, promotions, photo sessions and even a little bit of fun.

Fans likely have seen some of the things that resulted from the tour, such as the great “pictures come alive” marketing campaign that our marketing people came up with.  We also filmed the digital television PSA that has been running on NHL Network, took photos that were included in NHL Shop’s recent catalogs, shot the features where a player recalls his first goal that many fans saw across various platforms and even captured footage and interviews being used to promote the NHL Winter Classic.  I know I am leaving off a bunch of things, but I think you get the picture.

That was a big step forward for us, with larger steps to come in the future. I encourage fans to remain engaged with the NHL – it is a great time to be a hockey fan.

NHL Digest would like to sincerely thank the National Hockey League Communications department and Schuyler Baehman for the opportunity to share these insights with our readers.  For those who are interested, please leave your thoughts or questions in the comments.  Alternatively, you are able to contact Schuyler at the following:

Schuyler Baehman
Manager of Communications
National Hockey League
1185 Avenue of the Americas, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10036
sbaehman@nhl.com
twitter: @schuylerb

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

The Winter Classic With NHL’s Schuyler Baehman

In this week’s behind the scenes installment of theneilshow Neil Bristow delves into the mind of Tampa Bay Lightning play by play personality Dave Mishkin.

Neil Bristow – Recently Former Tampa coach Barry Melrose said on a Toronto Radio Station that he didn’t think rookie Steven Stamkos (3-8-11 minus 11) wasn’t “ready” for the NHL.

What are your thoughts on the statements Melrose made?

Dave Mishkin – Like most of the people who have responded to Melrose’s comments, both within and outside the organization (I heard Bobby Clarke and former Lightning coach John Tortorella express their objections to his statements), I disagree with his assessment.

Stamkos is a tremendous skater and has an “NHL shot”.  Like a lot of young players, he is learning to play the game at the NHL level.  He has made mistakes, but his mistakes have been no more egregious than any other mistakes a young, talented player might make.

Furthermore, he is showing improvement from game to game, especially as his ice time has increased.  Specifically, I disagree with Barry’s comment about how Steven wasn’t “strong” enough”.  I’ve seen Stamkos fearlessly go into the corners and win pucks from opposing defensemen.  He will get stronger, no doubt, but I don’t think his size prohibits him from playing in the NHL.

Neil Bristow – With the recent economy talk at the GM meetings, there were reports that the Coyotes could lose up to 35 million this season. In your mind, will the Lightning be ok?

Dave Mishkin – Obviously, I don’t deal with the financial side of things with the team, but I can state that the fan base in the Tampa Bay area is quite strong.  New owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie (and six other minority owners) were drawn to the Tampa Bay area in large part because of that strong fan base.

Neil Bristow – Since the Lightning let Barry Melrose walk, the Tampa Bay Lightning were 5-7-4.With new coach Rick Tocchet has only one win since taking over the reins. Where do the problems begin with this once Juggernaut Tampa Bay Lightning team?

Dave Mishkin – The interesting part about the last few weeks is that the record somewhat belies how the guys are playing.  Lightning coaches have commented that the players are starting to learn the team concept and are improving in certain areas that needed work.  For instance, the Lightning has cut down on scoring chances against in recent games and that was a big problem earlier in the year.  Still, the Bolts hadn’t been able to translate better play into victories, at least until last night’s win in Montreal.

Neil Bristow – If the season keeps going the way it’s going for Tampa Bay, Do you see them asking Marty St.Louis to waive his no trade clause and move him and get some younger kids and go at it again next season?

Dave Mishkin – I don’t see that happening.  Marty, along with Vinny Lecavalier, is one of the faces of the franchise, and the organization recognizes that.  Furthermore, he is a very productive player — with two goals last night, he now has points in 10 of his last 11 games.  The Lightning has struggled to score goals this year so Marty’s hot streak is certainly welcomed!

Neil Bristow – Who has been the biggest bright spot on the Tampa roster this far? How Come?

Dave Mishkin – From the start of the season, Mike Smith has been the Lightning’s most consistent player.  He was facing a lot of shots early in the season and his stellar play kept those games close.  I am hard-pressed to recall even one “bad goal”, so to speak, that he has allowed this year.

Neil Bristow – Zenon Konopka has been recalled to help out Tampa and their injury problems.

What should Lightning fans expect out of Konopka?

Dave Mishkin – To be honest, I haven’t seen Konopka play more than just a handful of games.  We didn’t see much of him when he was with Anaheim and Columbus.  So I may not be the best source for an in-depth scouting report.  But I do know that he is a consummate team player (he is the captain of Norfolk) and plays with an edge.  He will fight anybody (we saw that in training camp) and he also is capable of providing some offense.  I think the Lightning fans will enjoy watching him play.

Neil Bristow – With what has happened with Sean Avery this last little while, do you think the 6 games he was suspended is justice for his actions? Any thoughts on the Avery issue?

Dave Mishkin – To me, it sounded as if Avery knew he crossed the line and now he wants to make amends.  As far as the six-game suspension is concerned, I’m not sure the league had a lot of precedent to draw on for a situation like that one.  From what I heard, nobody around the league seemed to have a problem with the number of games, though.

Neil Bristow – Still with Avery…. Do you think the Lightning would have any interest in Mr.Avery?

Dave Mishkin – Right now, it seems that no teams, even minor league clubs, want to bring Sean Avery on board.

Neil Bristow – I was watching the game between the Lightning and the Sabres the other night and I saw Lecavalier exchanging punches with Jochen Hecht. What are your thoughts on superstars fighting risking injury? Should they or shouldn’t they be allowed?

Dave Mishkin – Of course, superstars can be “allowed” (to use your word) to fight.  Frankly, I don’t know how anyone could stop a willing player from dropping the gloves.  Hockey is an emotional and passionate game.  That’s a good thing!  Sometimes, the by-product of that emotion and passion is a fight.

In Lecavalier’s case, he has fought before, so it’s not as if he was in unchartered territory.  He even fought Jarome Iginla in the 2004 Finals.  It’s true that someone might get hurt in a fight, but nobody wants to take the passion and emotion away from a player, whether he’s a top line guy or a fourth-liner.

I don’t think a coach wants one of his top players regularly sitting in the penalty box for long periods of time, but if anyone understands how fights can happen, it’s Rick Tocchet!

Neil Bristow – Can the Lightning move forward and get back into the playoff picture in your eyes?

Dave Mishkin – The Lightning has a tall mountain to climb at this point, but there’s certainly still time for Tampa Bay to get back in the playoff race.  That’s a long-term vision, though.  The coaches and players are more concerned with their short-term goals: continuing to improve their play so that they start winning games more regularly.

Neil Bristow – Tampa Bay played the Flyers a little while ago and I seen something I have never witnessed before. Scotty Hartnell throwing his glove at Ryan Malone on a breakaway. Being a play by play announcer I am sure you have seen some whacky stuff. In your time as voice of the Tampa Bay Lightning what is the craziest thing you have witnessed during a Lightning game?

Dave Mishkin-That Hartnell play was one of the craziest, that’s for sure!  But the NHL game is so polished that wacky stuff doesn’t often occur.  Such things happen with more frequency at the minor league or college level.  For example, when I was in school, I was calling an ECAC playoff game between Yale and Colgate.  Colgate is located in upstate New York and is in a rural area.

After the first period, the zamboni broke down on the ice and was stuck there.  After a couple of hours, somebody found a tractor, brought it onto the ice, hitched the zamboni on and hauled it off.  The patch of ice underneath where the zamboni was stuck had essentially melted through though, so they postponed the game until the next day.

I would like to personally say thanks to Dave Mishkin for taking the time to talk with nhldigest.com

He is clearly one of the nicest guys in the business; not to mention one of the best play by play guys in the NHL.

To Hear Mr.Mishkin in action check this clip out:

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to reach me at theneilshow (at) shaw (dot) ca

I encourage feedback on interviews in the comments section as well.

Till next time for nhldigest.com…I’m Neil Bristow

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

Behind The Tampa Bay Lightning With Dave Mishkin

NHL Digest correspondent Neil Bristow recently had a chance to sit down with Nashville Predator goaltender, Pekka Rinne, for a one-on-one interview.

You made your NHL debut Dec.15th 2005. Can you share with us a little of what that was like? What was going through your mind at that time?

Pekka Rinne – It was something that I had always been dreaming of. At that time both Tomas Vokoun and Chris Mason were hurt and I got the call. Everything happened pretty fast and I didn`t have time to stress about the game, we won the game and it was just amazing experience I`ll remember for rest of my life.

You played with Karpat Oulu (FNL) before coming over to North America. Is playing goalie over here different than in Finland? If so, why? And did you have to make adjustments to your game at all?

Pekka Rinne – The game is little different in Finland mostly because of the bigger ice surface..Players have more time to use their skills. In North America game is more north-south style of play. That`s why I had to change my game more aggressive to challenge the shooter and cut down the angles. I really like the North American style of game.

What were some of your goals this year coming in to Camp in Nashville?

Pekka Rinne -  My goal was to have a good summer and strong training camp and make the team. Also prove that I can play in NHL and that I belong.

What is your biggest moment so far in your career and why?

Pekka Rinne -  When I played in Finland we won two championships in a row 2004 and 2005. It was pretty special because I played for my hometown team in front of my family and friends. Other great moment was when we made it to Calder Cup finals with Milwaukee on 2006. We had a great team but unfortunately we came short and Hershey won the Cup.

With players like Jaromir Jagr going over to play in the Kontinental league in Russia for the same money they would make in the NHL, the Russian  league has stated in the past, that they will pay NHL-like salaries for players  in their league.  Do you see this becoming a realistic problem for the NHL, losing great European talent to Russia?

Pekka Rinne – Maybe in the future, but I don`t think it`s a problem right now. NHL is such a respected league around the world that every kid in Europe wants to play in NHL someday.

Who did you look up to growing up, goaltender -wise?

Pekka Rinne -  My cousin used to play goalie growing up and he had a big influence on me. He is the biggest reason why I started to play goalie. In NHL I used watch Patrick Roy and John Vanbiesbrouck play when growing up.

Who is one player that you have faced before, that you wouldn’t want coming in on you in a shootout? And why?

Pekka Rinne – Back in AHL I think Darren Haydar is a player that I don`t like to face too many times.  I played with him in Milwaukee ´06-07 and you would think that I know his moves, but he`s just so smart and skilled player that he reads goalies and forces them to make the first move.

The NHL is once again started the season over in Europe this year with the Lightning and Rangers battling in Prague and the Sens and Pens in Stockholm.  What are your thoughts on NHL teams starting a long season over there with all the travel and scheduling? Are you in favour of that?

Pekka Rinne – As a European and knowing European hockey fans I think it`s great thing that they are able to see and watch their favorite players and teams. Also it`s a good way to showcase the whole NHL and it`s unbelievable players. And also for players I think it`s nice to see some new countries and cities. Obviously the schedule is hard but there`s more gain than harm, teams playing in Europe.

What NHL city, other than Nashville, do you most looking forward to playing in? And why?

Pekka Rinne –  Before the season, beside Nashville, I had not visited too many NHL cities, but I really like all Canadian NHL cities because hockey is just so big in Canada. I have to say it`s a privilege to play for the Nashville organization, we have such a great fans and hockey is getting bigger in South.

The NHL has thrown around the idea of maybe changing the size of the NHL nets or maybe altering goaltender’s equipment.  What are your thoughts and ideas on that topic?

Pekka Rinne –  It`s a topic that everybody has different opinion. I think that if people decide to change the size of the nets, would be a mistake. All the records and games played before would lose their meaning and new era of hockey would begin. But I`m fine with altering goalie gear as long as it`s safe for goalies.

Have you had any embarrassing on- ice moments in your career so far? If so, could you share a story with our readers?

Pekka Rinne – There`s couple moments that I try to forget.. This one happened when playing in Finland. We played against Ilves Tampere and were leading 3-2, there was only 3 seconds left in the game and I started almost celebrating when somebody just threw the puck to net and it went in off my skate and at the same time buzzer went off. We ended up losing the game in overtime.

It was the final game of the regular season and we would have finished first if we would have won that game. I wasn`t happy tell you that much. Luckily we were able to win the Finnish Championship that year so I could laugh about it with the guys afterwards.

If you had the power to make changes in the NHL game, would you change anything? If so what would you change?

Pekka Rinne -  I think NHL have done a great job with some changes in the game last few years. It has made the game faster and more interesting for the fans and also for the players. I don`t have any new suggestions, I just try to work on things that I can control. Thanks!!

I would like to say thank you to Pekka Rinne for giving his time and sharing his thoughts with our readers.

Until next time, I’m Neil Bristow for nhldigest.com

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

Interview With Nashville’s Pekka Rinne

Your pick for a player to watch from last year, Alex Ovechkin, was right on the money. While Ovechkin is currently struggling, who do you think will be the player to watch as this season unfolds?

I have a head start this season, so it would be too easy to point at Semin and Malkin and predict they’ll surpass their more famous teammates.

Instead I’ll turn my focus to the West and shine the light on Corey Perry in Anaheim.  Playing on that line, and with any kind of creative freedom, he’s capable of being a top 10 scorer this season and beyond.  I so wanted to say Jason Spezza, but the inconsistency is too consistent.

We’ve seen the Rangers actually get the on ice results from a team that looks fantastic on paper – what is the secret in NYC this year?

I suppose if you want to point at something, it would be that some distractions have disappeared, and the players can concentrate on hockey. Jaromir Jagr was their best player and still seemed to be a beacon of controversy.  Brendan Shanahan’s future was another story-line, and then of course there was Shawn Avery.  I’m not saying its addition by subtraction, but I will let you do the math.

Any chance we’ll see Mats Sundin in New York City for his retirement year a la Wayne Gretzky?

Naw.  There are 10 million reasons for Mats to take his hockey tack to Vancouver.  And now that it looks like the Canucks can be a playoff team, he can say it wasn’t for the money and actually keep a straight face.   And he’ll be good there too, so play-by-play broadcasters better take heed:  Sedin, Sundin and Sedin are coming to a barn near you.

With Brian Burke finished in Anaheim, where to you see him landing?  Any chance he’ll end up in Toronto?

Rumors have connected Brian Burke to a half dozen teams already, and all seem to have legitimate reasons for the hook-up, including family considerations, but none make as much sense as the Leafs.  It’s been talked about for too long and just fits on too many levels.  The confusing Toronto organization, who not too long ago allowed Pat Quinn to pick his own boss, has one shot to get it right.  It’s a six inch putt – even these guys can’t get the yips bad enough to miss this gimme.  Can they?

With Melrose being let go in Tampa Bay, do you think Rick Tocchet will complete the season as Head Coach of the Lightning?  If not, who is the most likely candidate?

Why not Tochett, a guy who has zero experience as a head coach to go along with everything else that’s happened in Tampa?  The team bus should be one of those miniature circus cars bursting with clowns.  Listen, Rick Tochett might be the best coach since Toe Blake, who knows, but this ownership has been an embarrassment of biblical proportions.  I could go on, but then you’d all miss dinner.

Is, or could, the Kontinental Hockey League a legitimate threat to the National Hockey League and its position as the premiere hockey league in the world?

Nyet, nyet Soviet.  I was once sitting between two former players – one who had spent his career in the minors, and the other who had played for years in the NHL.  In the middle of some glory days chatter, the minor leaguer announced rather proudly that there were some “great places to play in the American Hockey League”.  The National Hockey Leaguer stayed silent for a moment, slowly took a sip of beer and then replied, with perfect timing,…”Yeah.  There are some great places to play in the NHL too.”   The National Hockey League – accept no substitutes.

What is one thing about XM Radio and your National Hockey League coverage that may surprise hockey fans?

Hell, we’re just like they are: hockey fans who are privileged to be able to shoot off our mouths.  Sure, some of us have extensive media backgrounds and are proud professionals of sports broadcasting, but guys like Mick Kern and Boomer Gordon, two of my more popular personalities, are doing this on-air nonsense for the first time.  Know your stuff, have a valid opinion, be passionate and don’t be intimidated by the microphone.  You’ll be fine.

How do you view XM Radio with regard to the company’s position in bringing NHL news and commentary to the fan base? ie. What is your unique value proposition?

30 teams, no waiting.  While radio stations still hang onto that ridiculous argument that sports is local, we’re serving listeners from San Jose to Halifax.  And we get as much positive feedback from players and management right across North America as we do from our subscriber base.  Sports is local.  Right!  And Gordie Howe was a flash in the pan.

Is there anything that XM Radio has found through your market research that would be surprising to the average hockey fan?

It surprised me.  Statistics show that over 80% of sports fans in a particular city actually cheer for an out-of-town team.  That’s why our play by play is so important.  If you’re a Philly fan living in Dallas, we’ve got you covered.  And vice versa.

Can you tell our readers a little bit about what you do and about upcoming programming or features on XM Radio and Home Ice Channel 204?

I’ve been with XM Canada since the very beginning and oversee all the sports, talk and comedy channels while Jeff Leake looks after the music.  NHL Home Ice is truly my baby though.  I even named it.  So if you have a beef, you can blame me (joe.thistel@xmradio.ca).

I have been in broadcasting 30 years now, and if I could write my own job description, I wouldn’t change a thing. We have some excellent programming on the horizon too, including the World Jr Championships over the holidays, plus an exciting new partnership agreement with The Hockey News to announce in the very near future.   For me, its the quintessential labor of love.

NHL Digest would like to thank Joe Thistel for taking time to provide us with this interview.  If you haven’t yet had a chance to check out what XM Radio has to offer hockey fans, please visit XM Radio’s Home Ice channel.  They are even offering a Free trial, so you really have no excuse not to check them out!

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Post from: NHL Digest- Hockey News and Equipment Reviews

Interview With XM Radio’s Joe Thistel