Hockey 101: Who Gets Their Name on the Stanley Cup

In light of the incredible Stanley Cup series we just witnessed, I thought it would be appropriate to address the question of “who gets their name on the Stanley Cup?”

Newcomers to the game may not understand the qualifications one has to meet in order to be considered for a name engraving on the greatest prize [...]

Hockey 101 - The Penalty Shot

One of the most exciting moments in all of hockey is when a penalty shot is awarded. Now, unlike our favorite hockey video games, there isn’t a little ‘ding’ to indicate when a player is considered to be on a breakaway, so the decision to award an attacking player a penalty shot relies solely in the hands of the officials on the ice. There cannot be a booth review of a possible penalty shot worthy infraction, so this one is all on the zebras.

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The Down And Dirty Of Being A Pro Hockey Player

Does everyone know What Kangaroo Court is? It something the boys hold probably once a week in the locker room where the boys get fined for every little indiscretion. Can be any where from holding hand withs your girl or a girl having your jersery on.  Well one of the great fines I have ever witnessed was one of the most famous hockey players ever to be a Bruins player.  He was practicing with us in college and began telling stories how a certain famous actress was caught in the locker room with a jersey on, and a certain rookie, who wasnt rookie of the year but his teammate was and now is probably one of the most prolific passers in the game was, how can I say, putting the puck “five hole.”  He was fined by the boys and had to wear a tshirt with her face on it for two months.  Don’t forget drops the mits and pack a lip!

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Hockey 101 - The Roles of the Referees & Linesmen

For those fortunate enough to attend a NHL game live, you’ll find it becoming somewhat of a tradition to “boo” the referees and linesmen as they skate out onto the ice before the players. I use the term “boo” very loosely as fans often come up with alternate ways (usually a word between 4 and 10 letters long) of saluting the men that police the game.

I would be curious to see, however, how many of those fans that heckle the officials actually know what the true role of a referee and linesman are.

I was watching a hockey game with a friend one time

Hockey For The New Fan!

I received a message from a friend of mine a while ago where he said “So yeah, hit me back with a few good reasons why I should like hockey and tell me a few key things I need to know, understand and watch for in order to understand the sport and start enjoying it.” After some thought, and also some input from my amazing hockey network on Twitter, I have drafted a semi-short “How to enjoy and learn to love Hockey as a new fan!” Special thanks to my Hockey Twitter buddies who took time to contribute - Dani (@dani3boyz), Grant (@voteforgrant), Marcia (@mmpotter), Kate (@antheia), Tom (@HockeyRocker), Mike (@mikemcbride9), Jennifer (@mediaphyter), Brian (@saucerpass) and Schuyler (@schuylerb) - if you’re on Twitter and not following them – look ‘em up.

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Hockey 101 - Offside (Rule 83)

How many times have you been emotionally and physically invested into a game?  It could happen at anytime … the goalie makes a cartwheel save, a defenseman completely undresses the attacking team on a 2 – 1 breakaway … the puck is turned over … they head down the ice and all of a sudden, everyone stops skating and the Ref is standing there pointing to a round dot on the ice.  What Just Happened???  I am surprised at how many people do not understand what being “Offsides” actually is.  Down and Dirty - According to the NHL Rule book … Rule 83 reads:

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