Stephen Harper’s “A Great Game” and its Not-So-Hidden Agenda
What does it say about Canada that the Prime Minister has written an extensively researched book about the beginnings of hockey? Perhaps it reveals that the sport is our great…
Joe Pack
Book Review: Dave Bidini and his search for the lost soul of the Leafs
Imagine doves being released. Horns blaring. Transit workers waving people through turnstiles. That’s Dave Bidini, in his newest offering Keon and Me, imagining the triumphant return of estranged Maple Leaf Dave…
Tortorella and Vigneault Pull Their Teams in Opposite Directions
Though NHL coaches cannot be traded, the swap of Alain Vigneault and John Tortorella is the closest resemblance. Naturally, the teams will be drawn parallel for at least the…
Will Ryan O’Reilly Find His Place in Colorado?
With Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic returned to Colorado to steer the Avalanche into the future, memories of their past successes are often recalled. One other connection between the Avs…
Oilers a Cautionary Tale For the Colorado Avalanche
For a time, the Edmonton Oilers were considered a template for how teams in patient (read: Canadian) cities rebuild. The mantra was as follows: Strip the team of expensive contracts,…
Joe Sakic Building a Powerhouse in Colorado
All of the controversy that might have surrounded the selection of Nate MacKinnon by the Colorado Avalanche was quickly erased when Seth Jones fell all the way to fourth in…
Bryzgalov Bought Out: The Individual as Cast-Away
Two years after signing in Philadelphia and with seven years remaining on his deal, Ilya Bryzgalov is a free agent. The Flyers used their second compliance buyout on the Russian goaltender today…
The Next Avalanche: Can Patrick Roy Share Power?
What does an NHL team do with a lame-duck general manager, a first-time VP of hockey operations, and a Team President who splits his time between hockey and basketball? Throw…
Sidney Crosby Brings Celebrity To Concussion Debate
One thing was made clear at the Sidney Crosby press conference today: the Pittsburgh Penguins captain has shown symptoms of the most harmful sort of concussion coupled with the longest…
“Cabbie” Is The New NHL’s Best Friend
Have you ever wanted to get to know your favourite hockey player? “Get to know”, as in grab a beer, play some shinny, share feelings about the collective bargaining agreement…
Optimus Reim: Goaltending As Performance Art
A near-empty arena on a cold, Sunday night hosts an average men’s hockey league matchup. The skating leaves much to be desired, pucks fly well wide of the net, and…
Toronto Maple Leafs Retrospective: “The Passion Returns”
I’ve been watching “The Passion Returns: The ’92-’93 Season” for 17 years. I have to coax it into the VHS player every time it tries to spit the tape out. It’s…