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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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

My Top 10 NHL TV Commercials

I have been saying for a long time that NHL commercials need to be more creative, more passionate and more edgy.  There have been a few campaigns that stick in my memory … the Hockey Falls guys … the coach that screws up the lessons at hockey practice “If we are going to win as a team, we need 100% of you guys, giving 110%, 100% of the time!”  Today I ran across a couple commericals for the Bruins and I watched them a few times, ok 5 times each!  I laughed out loud … the creativity in these commercials is simple yet brilliant!  Have a look for yourself … this got me thinking about my favorite Hockey commercials, I have put together my Top 10 List here … Enjoy!

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Hockey Weekend Across America - Feb 13-15, 2009

Last night, when I walked into the Ice Facotry in Kissimmee, Fl (where I play hockey) I noticed a small poster hanging on the wall and what caught my attention were the hockey players (kids) in the photo and the dates Feb 13-15, 2009.  I continued reading the poster and started saw that there is a national hockey event going on and its sponsored by the NHL and Reebok!  Now, the first question that came to mind was - How long has this been planned?  Next question was - Why on earth have I not heard about this yet?  So I started my investigation this morning.  This initiative is exactly what we have been talking about on TWeekD (The Weekly Deke), starting at the fan level, getting one hockey player/fan to bring ONE FRIEND!  This is what I called two weeks ago on TWeekD as the “Bring One” campaign!  Here are the deets.

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Guest Post … Its Opening Day!

It is my pleasure to introduce MY Wife!!!  I asked Dawn to grace us with her wit and wisdom when it comes to my passion … HOCKEY, and her take on the upcoming season!  She would not let me read it while she wrote this post and she made me promise that whatever she sent me … I had to post … UNEDITED!  So … here ya go!!!

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The IIHF, AKA - The 800 Pound Gorrilla!

In what appears to be a gesture of good faith the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League) have surprisingly agreed to have the Radulov case reviewed by a third party arbitrator for a final resolution.  Apparently someone has broken through to KHL president Alexander Medvedev, and my money is on the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation).  Medvedev is part of the executive council of the IIHF and I can almost hear the conversations that have gone on over the past 3 or 4 weeks.  Anyone order the Humble Pie … Anyone???

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NHL Unrestricted Free Agents - Eenie Meenie Miney Moe!

Today we are going to peek under the hood of the Unrestricted free agents (UFAs) bus … UFA’s are players without a team. They have either been released from their club or their contract could have expired without a renewal.  These players, are free to entertain offers from all other teams and then they get to decide which new contract to sign.

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How Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final Made Me a Hockey Fan

I’m sure that all of you reading this, diehards that you are, will point and chuckle at this admitted hockey dunce when I lay on you what I have to lay on you, but the truth is that Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final is what brought be back to hockey. While I still am confounded by what a “deke” is, I have no problem saying now that I am a hockey fan. I think I’ll like the Bruins.

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