About this Blog...
The Old School Hockey blogs are meant to provide a glimpse into the lives of elite hockey players and coaches who live and breathe hockey every day. Livin the dream has its ups and downs and these blogs will share all the details. From life on the road, to inside the locker room, and all the way to their lives away from the rink, you will be able to get a glimpse inside it all. These players and coaches have opened up their lives to Old School Hockey. Read, ask them questions, and learn what it takes to become a real beauty and take your game to the next level.
Blog
June 14th, 2010
Living in Chicago the past five years and being able to witness first hand the transition of the ‘Hawks from cellar dwellers to Stanley Cup Champions is truly inspiring. I have definitely been missing the Windy City the past few weeks as the Cup Crazy town has reached new heights of pandemonium. It is awesome to see that hockey is back in Chicago and has taken over as the life blood of the city. I will never forget my first couple years in Chicago going to tons of games because I could get a ticket for $8 a night and sit anywhere I wanted in the United Center.
Then the dynamic rookie sensations, Toews and Kane, graced the city and began a new chapter in the history of Chicago Blackhawk hockey. They not only spawned new talent to the city but, more importantly, started winning hockey games. The man behind it all though, Rocky Wirtz, truly is a hero in Chicago (as he should be) because the transformation that he brought to the team is a thing of nearly mythical proportions. He brought a new attitude to the organization and got away from the stone age methods of his late father. He put the fans first and made being a Blackhawks fan something that people from all around wanted to be a part of. The fans themselves have been rejuvenated and brought a new life to the city and make the Madhouse on Madison one of the most raucous sports atmospheres on Earth. Usually, I think that it is kind of a shame that the owners get so much recognition when their teams win, because in most cases, they are merely really rich people who don’t have much involvement with the actual team. Mr. Wirtz couldn’t be further from this. He is completely dedicated to the team and the fans. How many other owners sit with the fans at every home game? Not many. He is truly a great man and it is very satisfying to see him get the love and attention that he so greatly deserves.
This years ‘Hawks team has been one of destiny. From the very beginning you just knew that there was something special about these group of guys. Check back tomorrow for part 2 of blog that will further analyze this years Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks…
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June 1st, 2010
Make a difference...
I wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for their support of the 24 Hours of Hockey charity event. The event, while extremely grueling, was a huge success in that we raised over $28,000 for the Children’s Hospital. A lot of needy children will definitely be directly effected because of people’s willing contributions. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support of this amazing cause.
We are also looking for an additional graphic designer to join our team. Skilled in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are a must. Obviously, an understanding and passion for hockey would be a great attribute along with a knowledge and understanding of current fashion trends. For more information please submit a portfolio of your work to info@oldschoolhockey.com
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May 19th, 2010
Make a difference...
The 24 Hours of Hockey charity event is only a few days away and we need the donations to keep rolling in. For those of you in Colorado, you can come check out the event this Saturday at the Edge Ice Arena down in Littleton. Come support a great cause and get some free gear. We will have a booth there with gear for sale and will also being giving away a bunch of shirts.
I know that money is tight for everyone right now, myself included, and that philanthropy is often an easy thing to push to the side. However, take a second and think of what a privileged, or fortunate, life you have and think about how much your life would be different if you were sick and battling a tough disease. I think that when it gets down to it, finding a few extra dollars to help support kids and giving them the opportunity of life is not really something that should be passed on. So give up that Starbucks for a day and donate whatever you can to this great cause. Whether its $5 or $500, it all makes a difference and all goes to help the cause. Click on this link to make a donation…it truly only takes a minute.
Old School Hockey Donation Page
In other exciting news, you can now purchase Old School Hockey gear at Impact Sports Performance in Broomfield, CO. Impact Sports is a state of the art training facility for serious athletes looking to improve their strength and skills with customized training programs from a highly experienced staff. At Old School Hockey, we really pride ourselves on making sure that any place that sells, or supports our gear, follows our ideals. We only want people that are going to show real heart and work ethic representing our company and rocking our gear. Impact Sports definitely fits that bill. So get on over there and check it out….
Impact Sports Performance
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May 12th, 2010
With game 7 looming a mere hours away for the Penguins and Canadiens, it is hard not to wonder if the Canadiens can keep there improbable streak alive. If they win tonight they will arguably gone through the two toughest teams in the east, in Presidents Trophy winner Washington and reigning Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh. Montreal has proved that a hot goaltender and a team that is completely committed to one another and on the same page can be incredibly hard to beat. Montreal, not only was the eighth seed in the West, but has also suffered a few key injuries to top defensemen. In response to this, Montreal, I believe, has had one of the great stories of the playoffs with the emergence of P.K. Subban. He was called up from the minors for game 6 of the Washington series and in a matter of games has transcended through the depth chart and is now logging over 20 minutes a game, all while playing the point on the power play. Quite the incredible story to go along with the tremendous performance put in by Jiroslav Halak and Mike Cammalleri.
Will Montreal keep there miracle run alive or will Sidney Crosby further show his greatness and rise to the occasion and will the Penguins to victory? As much as I would love to see the Canadiens miracle run continue, I just think that Sidney Crosby is to much to hold down. He is a player of destiny and it seems that he is always the guy who can make the improbable happen. He has achieved so much this year already that it would shock me to think that he couldn’t find a way to win this game 7 tonight. I guess only time will tell…
As a final reminder, the 24 Hours of Hockey charity event is about 10 days away. Donations are still being collected and every little bit helps. It helps people like Christian Moreno who was diagnosed with liver cancer on Valentine’s Day 2008. In July of that same year, Christian received his first liver transplant, but due to complications, he would require a second transplant in September, 2009. In January, 2010, Christian took to the ice again and has been battling his disease with the furiousness of all true hockey players. It is people like Christian that your donations will go to help. So step up and make it happen, save a life….Old School Hockey Donation Page
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May 3rd, 2010
I think it is only fitting that I reiterate the fact that, there is truly nothing better than playoff hockey. Finally, the TV ratings are starting to back up this point with the NHL dominating the NBA this year as far as ratings are concerned. This is so refreshing to see as the NBA is arguably the worst sport on the planet, at least in my opinion. I mean who honestly enjoys watching some of the most selfish players on the earth dribble a basketball and dunk over another guy who isn’t even trying to play defense. Not me. The NHL playoffs, on the other hand, are filled with 20 guys from each team absolutely laying their body on the line, shift in and shift out, for the betterment of the team. Hitting everything that moves and doing absolutely whatever it takes to win. It’s truly a thing of beauty and a defining characteristic of what makes hockey players the toughest athletes in the world. If you don’t have guts and aren’t willing to play with some GRIT then hockey isn’t for you and you should probably start working on your jumper…
Anyways, these playoffs have definitely not disappointed. Who would have ever thought that the Canadians would have been able to knock off the mighty Capitals, especially after being down 3-1 in the series? It is definitely going to be a long offseason for Washington filled with a lot of soul searching. However traumatic the lose may have been for Washington, the true grace and goodwill of hockey players shined through after a tough game seven lose.
Remembering where you come from...
Caps forward Brooks Laich was driving home after game seven when he came across a broken down vehicle on the side of the road. Unlike every other car that just kept on driving past, Laich decided to stop and offer some assistance. Still in his suit, Laich proceeded to change the stranded passengers tire and help them get back on their way. You can read more about the story here: Brooks Laich Show Some Real Class This just goes to prove about the classy nature of hockey players. They may be famous athletes who get paid millions of dollars, yet they don’t forget where they came from. I applaud you Brooks for remembering that hockey is just a game and there are always going to be bigger things than the game. It’s refreshing to read things like this in the paper instead of reading about negative issues in sports, aka Gilbert Arenas who decided that he should bring a gun to the locker room and threaten to kill his own teammate…absolutely disgusting.
Hockey may be one of the most violent games out there, yet its players are some of the most humble and giving people in sports. I think it speaks to the upbringing and values that playing hockey provides for its players. Always putting the team first, knowing your role, embracing the game, and becoming a real hockey player…
Lastly, we are still accepting donations for The Children’s Hospital so remember what’s really important in life and help make a difference…Old School Hockey Donation Page
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April 28th, 2010
First off, what a great playoffs so far. These playoffs have had everything thus far and I think they are only going to continue to get better. I am still going with the ‘Hawks coming out of the west to make it to the Cup and I think it is going to come down to a rematch of last years Eastern Conference final in Pittsburgh and Washington to fill the other spot (as long as Washington doesn’t choke against the Habs tonight).
I will start blogging more on the playoffs in the coming weeks but I wanted to write for a second consecutive week about a charity event, the 24 Hours of Hockey, that Old School Hockey is gladly supporting. It is a great charity that is benefiting The Children’s Hospital. All the money donated goes directly to the hospital and the kids that need it most. I recently created a website so that people can donate directly to the charity under the Old School Hockey name. The link will be at the bottom of this blog and it only takes a minute to donate. So open up your wallet, and your heart, and donate something for the kids to help save a life. No matter how small or large the donation may be, it all helps. So step up to the plate and get it done. Also, anyone donating at least $30 under the Old School Hockey name will receive some free OSH swag from me. So start donating and getting free gear.
Donate here:
Old School Hockey Donation Page
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April 19th, 2010
Now, I know this is a hockey company and its the Stanley Cup Playoffs but there are certain times when you come to the realization that there are bigger, more important, things than hockey. This blog is going to be one of them. In the past weeks, I have been working with an organization called The 24 Hours of Hockey. It is a charity event that is taking place at the end of May to help The Children’s Hospital. All of the money raised goes directly to the hospital and the kids that truly need it.
Make a difference...
The charity has been around for four years and has already raised over $115,000 to help the children. When I heard about the event I immediately wanted to jump on board with Old School Hockey because this truly is what we are all about. Sure we are a company that emphasizes the rough and tough, gritty, nature of hockey players; but any real hockey player knows that there are bigger things in life that take precedence over hockey, with this being one of them. Having the ability to help change, or save, a child’s life and give them a chance to experience a limitless life is one of the greatest opportunities that we have to offer. A lot of us, myself included, have been able to live relatively great lives. Most of us have never had to worry about our health and it has always been merely an afterthought. Unfortunately, not all kids have been dealt the same lucky hand and, in turn, have been forced to sit and watch from the outside. This doesn’t have to be the case however, YOU can make a difference and help change someones life and give them the greatest gift of all…a second chance. So open up your wallets and save a life. Whether its $5 or $500… it all makes a difference.
I have attached a link that will let you directly donate to the event in the name of Old School Hockey. All of the money goes to Children’s Hospital but will be pledged under the Old School Hockey name. Anyone willing to go to the donation site and pledge at least $50 can receive some free OSH swag from me. Do the right thing and let’s help give these kids the chance they deserve. Please copy and paste the link below into your address bar…
http://www.thechildrenshospitalfoundation.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=342225&lis=1&kntae342225=DD71417CB2BC4614BD4BF00D37B0B5A8&supId=290099273
If you have any problems, questions, concerns or would like to get involved in this charity please email me at info@oldschoolhockey.com
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April 12th, 2010
The NHL regular season has just wrapped up and so has the career of one great American born hockey player. After 19 years in the NHL, this gritty, hard nosed sniper, decided it was time to hang them up for good. The weeks ‘Beauty of the Week’ goes out to the great Keith Tkachuk.
What a career...
Tkachuk, or Walt, as he better known by his teammates around the NHL is one of the greatest American players to ever lace them up. First off, let me back up and try to explain the whole “Walt” nickname. Tkachuk was given the nickname in reference to the great Walter Tkaczuk who played from the late ’60’s to 1981 with the New York Rangers. The two are in no way related and there names are not spelled the same, but they are pronounced the same. Anyways, Tkachuk truly could do it all, he was a potent sniper that was also not afraid to drop the gloves. In fact, in 1996-97 he became the first American born player to lead the NHL in goals with 52…oh and he just happened to also wrack up over 200 PIMS that season. A feat that had only been done three previous times and, quite frankly, probably will never be done again. One other huge milestone for this beauty is that he is one of only four American hockey players to ever score 500 goals in the NHL.
Representing Team USA
I just wanted to throw out a huge congratulations from the crew of Old School Hockey to this great American hockey player. You have been a great representative of American hockey for the last 19 years and we wish you nothing but the best. So this salute goes out to you Walt…enjoy retirement and keep being a beauty!!
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March 31st, 2010
With the playoffs just around the corner, the battle for the last few playoff spots has really picked up. Can the Avs hold on to the eighth spot in the West or is Calgary going to make a late run and claw their way back into the playoffs? The East is even more up for grabs with Philly, Montreal, and Boston currently clinging to the final couple playoff spots with Atlanta and the Rangers trying to break into the top eight.
It's Playoff Time
Who do you think is going to pull it together down the stretch and make it to the playoffs? Let’s hear some feedback and get this thing rolling.
I’ll get everything started by giving you my views on the whole playoff situation… In the West, I think that Colorado will end up hanging on to that final playoff spot, but I don’t see them doing much of anything in the playoffs. They have been extremely inconsistent since the Olympic break and having been holding on for dear life these past few weeks. I think they get in but will working on their golf game shortly after and won’t be making much noise at all.
Now to the East, let’s start with the team who is still in the mix but for sure won’t make it…the New York Rangers. For the past two seasons, I have said that they are one of the most inconsistent teams in the NHL. One night they look out of this world and then other nights they look like they don’t even belong in the league. So they’re done, plain and simple. I think that Montreal and Philly will find a way to hang on for the next week and make it in. Ultimately, I think the final playoff spot comes down to Boston and Atlanta. If I go with my gut I think that Boston hangs on to the eighth spot because of a veteran D-corp and a pretty strong rookie goaltender, Tuukka Rask. However, it would not in the least surprise me if Atlanta finished their improbable run and snuck their way into the playoffs. Either way, I don’t see either team making much noise in the playoffs against Washington. Atlanta is too inexperienced throughout their lineup and Boston has no offense. It is pretty scary to think that they would have to rely on Patrice Bergeron as their offensive threat….that’s border line embarrassing.
There’s a little preview of how I think the playoff is picture is going to wrap up so let’s hear what you have to say…
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March 22nd, 2010
This weeks recipient of the ‘Beauty of the Week’ award is none other than a true American hockey legend. He is old enough to be my father and played his first game in the NHL before I was even born. His vintage 652 Tacks and old CCM bucket only add to his gritty style. So this week’s award goes out to none other than Chris Chelios.
Classic...
He has played so long in the show that he probably can’t even remember his first years in the league with Montreal. He was recently recalled by the Atlanta Thrashers a couple weeks back to make him the second oldest NHLer to ever lace them up. I only wonder how much he has been paying teams the past few years to give him a roster spot…because we all know that there is no way any legitimate GM is going to pay this guy to suit up. The Red Wings were gracious hosts the past couple years to keep him on the roster and get him another ring, but even they had to draw the line and tell Chelios that he could not pay them enough to keep him around for another year. However, putting up some dominate numbers in the AHL this year, Cheli got the big call up by Atlanta and is bringing real GRIT to the ice every night.
I know I have been chirping the guy a bit but to be honest it is pretty impressive what he has done. He is 48 years old and is probably one of the best trained athletes in the game today. I mean, he has to be in order to try and stay up with kids literally half his age, not to mention the physical rigors that playing in the NHL brings about. He also stills plays with a lot of tenacity and nastiness. Most guys calm as they get older but you can still see that the fire is still burning inside Chelios. He won’t think twice about two handing a guy or cross checking someone so hard from behind that he literally is trying to give them the worst whiplash of their life. I’m sure the boys love giving him a hard time about his age, but you know that Cheli has to be a great guy in the room in order to stick around the league for this long. Let’s be honest, if people didn’t like him and he couldn’t fit in with the boys no GM would ever give him a chance.
Gritty Chelios...
I think he can be looked at as an inspiration and is the epitome of hard work. He proves that if you want something bad enough and are willing to work for it, it can be done. There is probably no one else in there right mind who would be telling Cheli that he still has some game and shouldn’t retire, but he doesn’t listen to the critics and is still able to compete in the best hockey league in the world. He brings the same fire and GRIT as any 22 year old and truly has an infinite love of the game. I joked about Chelios paying the teams he plays for in order to keep him around, but the truth is, Chelios would play for free because he just loves the game that much. If you want to do something bad enough, regardless of the circumstances, find a way to get it done. Don’t listen to what other people tell you because there is never a better feeling than proving someone wrong. So Cheli I salute you and all the passion and GRIT you have brought to the game of hockey.
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