Adam Bourque "Brings Home the Cup", Wayne Gretzky says NO to Leafs.

Congrats go out to Adam Bourque, who won the "Bring home the Cup" contest put on by CBC. I am jealous! Who wouldn't want the Cup and Mark Messier coming by to have a little party?

You gotta watch the video to see Adam's heartwarming story. A very deserving guy won this contest! Click the link below to see Adam's video.

cbc.ca/bringhomethecup

NHL-Cup-Competition
INDEX:Sports, Entertainment

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. Lord Stanley's cup is on its way to P-E-I.

Adam Bourque, a 28-year-old Summerside native, is the winner of C-B-C's "Bring Home the Stanley Cup" contest.

Bourque's video was one of the final three across the country competing for public votes for the contest.

It has earned him a private party with the Stanley Cup, hockey great Mark Messier and 19 of his friends and family this Saturday.

Bourque lost the ability to speak at age 13 because of a neuro-muscular disorder, but was able to translate his passion for hockey through the video.

He communicates through sign language and a speech program on his computer.

(Summerside Journal Pioneer)

Wayne Gretzky has said that he has no interest in working for the Leafs. Who could blame him? Sorry Bruce! haha.

INDEX:Sports
Great One dismisses rumours he's leaving Coyotes to become Leafs president


TORONTO - Wayne Gretzky has quieted rumours that he's leaving the Phoenix Coyotes to become president of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

`I am the coach of the Coyotes and part owner ... as much as I love Canada and the Toronto Maple Leafs, I have no interest in selling my stakes and leaving the Coyotes,' Gretzky said in an e-mail to the Toronto Star on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment president Richard Peddie and lawyer Gord Kirke, the pair responsible for finding the Maple Leafs' next general manager, met with former Vancouver GM Dave Nonis on Tuesday.

The interview with Nonis is thought to be the start of the process to find the Maple Leafs' next GM. Peddie, Kirke, and interim GM Cliff Fletcher have compiled a list of 40 candidates, and Fletcher has said the search is not expected to heat up for the next six to eight weeks.
(The Canadian Press)(Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail)

You WERE NOT expecting this.

I know, I know, haven't posted in a couple of days....Sorry. I just didn't have much to say.

I still don't really. I'm hoping Philly makes a series of it, I'm surprised Dallas ISN'T making a series of it and how good Detroit appears to be. I haven't picked Detroit to win a single series, so they are sure showing me.

Now- what you weren't expecting. Scenic pictures? Yes, scenic pictures. A buddy down Island sent me these- Pictures and post cards of Port Alberni circia 1940 or 1950. When exactly, no one knows. If you know, please let me know!

Anyway- These are pretty cool, enjoy.

Happy day MOM, RBC Cup Finals, No suspension for Ribeiro, the price of peace keeping.

Hello, and thanks for stopping by the blog. First and foremost- THANKS FOR EVERYTHING MOM! Yes, of course I called my mom this morning and had a good chat with her about old times and current events and about how lucky of a guy I am to have had her. In response to my recent posting of "The Musings of a Hockey Mom" I told my mom that she should write me some stories for my blog regarding all her Hockey Mom adventures with her son. She says she'll see what she can do. I'm sure the readers will enjoy these. Thanks again mom, love ya!

Sitting down right now to watch the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL and Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL square off for the Canadian Junior A Title live on TSN.

Both of these teams have won an RBC before, and both of these teams have won a title before. Camrose won in 2001 in Flin Flon, while Humboldt won in 2003 in Charlottetown, PEI over-Camrose. The Kodiaks were also in the RBC Cup Championship game in 2005 in Weyburn when they lost in the last moments of regulation off a fluke goal to the host Red Wings.
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Anyone see Chris Osgood throw the "excuse me" butt-end in the face of Mike Ribeiro, and then Ribeiro slash Osgood back? Talking to my dad today he says he did that one all the time playing goal. He even claims he did it twice in the same game to the same guy from the Winnipeg Jets back in the late 60's. I must confess I did it a time or two myself, but not twice in a game. My dad believes Mike Rebeiro will get a suspension for his slash, but I beg to differ. They certainly don't want to suspend the starting goalie of one team for a star player for another. Just my guess on this one.

If you missed it, check out the video from TSN.CA

After writing my recent V-E DAY post, my good friend Bruce Sly sent me a story involving his family that reminded me not only of the price paid for our freedom and the horrors of war, but also the price of peace keeping. Here's the back ground info from Bruce in an email.

After looking over you latest Blog post just now I thought I would share this current event in our family.

Just recently a Lake in Sask. has been named for Kim's Uncle (Kim is Bruce's wife) as the article explains. We named Our Son after his Uncle. Victory Day in Europe was a terrific day too be sure, but

Peace and all the people involved in Europe that day would rather be home with their families.

August 9th Peacekeepers Day. Peace and War cost lives and it is brutal, awful stuff to say the very least.

Here is the story- Thanks for the note Bruce, I think it is very cool that Saskatchewan does this.

The Government of Saskatchewan recently announced the naming of Mirau Lake in memory of Captain Keith Mirau, formerly of Gull Lake, who, along with eight other members of the Canadian Forces died when their Canadian Forces Buffalo aircraft was shot down over Syria on August 9^th, 1974. Captain Mirau and the other military personnel on the aircraft were on peace keeping duties in the Middle East when the event occurred.

Keith was raised and went to school in Gull Lake before joining the Canadian Forces as a pilot and is the son of Hilda and the late Arnold Mirau. Hilda is still a resident of Gull Lake. Keith served as a pilot instructor at the Canadian Forces Base in Moose Jaw early in his career in the air force and was stationed in Trenton, Ontario when he went to the Middle East on peacekeeping duties. He was 29 years old when he died.

The August 9^th, 1974 event represents the largest single loss of Canadian military personnel on peace keeping duties and August 9^th is now known as Peacekeepers Day. The Government of Saskatchewan formerly recognized August 9^th as Peacekeepers Day in 2006. This day, meant to honour and commemorate the “Buffalo Nine” and other Canadian peacekeepers that have been killed while serving, has also been formally recognized by British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The Government of Canada and other provinces are also in the process of formally designating August 9^th as Peacekeepers Day.

Mirau Lake is in northern Saskatchewan, approximately 400 kilometres north of North Battleford. The Government of Saskatchewan presented the Mirau family with a scroll confirming the naming of the lake. Saskatchewan has a policy of naming geographic features to honour Saskatchewan born military personnel who have lost their lives during active service.

That's it for today- Happy Mothers Day again to all the moms out there!

Hammer

Travis Cross video.

I finally managed to get a copy of the Travis Cross DVD from Tom McEvay to get it on the web for all too see and on the blog here. Thanks Tom!



I gotta go- more later.
Hammer

Travis Cross- TV- CBC's Newsworld RADIO 99.3 THE FOX, INTERNET- Hammer's Bulldog Blog, and the WORLD!

What a day yesterday for Port Alberni's own Olympian, wrestler Travis Cross.



I first received this email from Travis:

I have a live interview tomorrow morning (TODAY-FRIDAY) with CBC Newsworld (channel 23 I think) at 6:38am...ouch! It will be about 4-5 minutes at SFU practice room. It should run throughout the day.



Travis



I unfortunately missed this today as I was on the air this morning. I hope to catch the replay sometime today on CBC's Newsworld. I also hope that some mysterious angel will catch this today and youtube it so it can be put here on the blog for everyone that misses it. More on that later!


After the original email from Travis, I then received THIS ONE-


Tune in on 99.3fm the fox today (YESTERDAY-THURSDAY) at 430pm. Just found out the time myself. I will be in their studio. I think Hammer has prepared me well!



Travis



Thanks for the shout out on that Travis....I indeed hope I trained you well! I looked on THE FOX's website to see if there is a way to listen to the interview, but I can't find one- If YOU find one please let me know!

More later!!
Hammer

Ted Leonsis/Alex Ovechkin "Hockey Mom" blog, A new fundraiser for me, Conference Final predictions, VE Day.

Hello and happy Thursday!

For those of you that might be sick of the Washington Capitals love-fest on this blog lately- TOO BAD! hahaha.

Yes, I became enamoured with the Caps during their stretch run and playoff appearance. I always liked Ovechkin, and how could you not like the Bruce Boudreau story from the very beginning. After I started following the team more, I learned more about Caps owner Ted Leonsis and now incredible of a story and how cool of a guy he is. Mr. Leonsis could be described many different ways, but in my humble opinion the easiest and most accurate way to describe him would be to say that HE is the owner you want to own YOUR team. Without a doubt.

Exhibit A. Leonsis and Ovechkin. Just plain GOLD. Anyone who has ever played hockey or had a kid playing hockey has been robbed once-upon-a-time by these vending machines!




The "hockey mom" blog- "Musings of a Hockey Mom"

I heard about this through Ted Leonsis's blog (where else) and I thought immediately how cool this idea was. Hundreds of hockey moms in Canada and the US read this blog every day. I think people would find it very interesting to know all that you do when it comes to following your kids around the province and the country and even the world. Hockey Mom VA has broke the ground, maybe you can follow her lead? Be sure to check out her blog, again HERE

If blogging isn't something you want to do or something you are able to do, I'm sure at the very least you can relate to her following her hockey players! You won't find many other hockey blogs talking about stinky hockey equipment and getting jerseys and socks in the dryer. I could do a whole week of posts on hockey moms- the REAL people that get the hockey players to the BIG LEAGUES!

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I am pleased to report that I have been approached to be a "Celebrity BBQ Chef" on Sunday afternoons at a local watering hole. Of course you know I accepted I don't say no to ANY good cause! Proceeds from sales will go to a yet-to-be-determined charity but I know several are being thought of. I earn "tips" for my hard work (please hold your laughter) and the plan is that my "tips" that I earn are donated to the charity and MATCHED by owners along the way. So this is a great idea in my opinion! More to come on this one- it should be big time fun!
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Conference FINALS predictions.

Wow, since we've been without NHL hockey since Sunday, I almost forgot the playoffs are still going on!

Pittsburgh vs Philly- I have the Pens in 6. I'm picking the Penguins because this one is too tough to call but Ovechkin predicted Pittsburgh so I'll go with him!! Philly is deep and Biron has been solid. They can be physical and Jason Smith is a great leader. In the end, too many penalties going against the Flyers will allow the skill of the Pens to prevail.

Dallas vs Detriot- I haven't picked Detroit to win a single series so far. And I'm not starting now. Dallas in 6. The way San Jose battled back will serve Dallas well in my opinion. Walking over the roughed-up Avs won't help Detroit here, but if they end up making it to the finals I think the waltz over Detriot will be a benefit. ANY TIME you can play in the playoffs and not be required to kill yourself every shift every game is a bonus- so long as you can find that desire again when it is needed.
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Please take a moment today out of your busy lives to THINK THANK and REMEMBER our vets that fought for our freedom. It didn't come free. Don't forget the pains that go with war, while you are at it.


Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day) was May 7 and May 8, 1945, the dates when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. On April 30, Hitler committed suicide during the Battle for Berlin, and so the surrender of Germany was authorized by his replacement, President of Germany Karl Dönitz. The administration headed up by Dönitz was known as the Flensburg government. The act of military surrender was signed on May 7 in Reims, France, and May 8 in Berlin, Germany.

Read the full WIKI HERE

Paul Maurice fired?!

Wow.

Source: Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Paul Maurice


TORONTO - Paul Maurice is out as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A source tells The Canadian Press that Maurice has been fired.

The team has called a news conference for later today at Air Canada Centre.

The Maple Leafs missed the playoffs in both of his seasons behind the Toronto bench.

There is no immediate word on a replacement.
(The Canadian Press)

Jim Balsillie/Buffalo Sabres update, Remembering a great hockey man.

Sabres ownership says team could be sold, but will not leave Buffalo


TORONTO - The Buffalo Sabres' ownership isn't against selling the team, unless the buyer wants to relocate.

That was made clear Tuesday when, responding to a story in the Toronto Star, Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn issued a statement designed to reassure fans their NHL team will not be moved out of its current home.

`From time to time, we receive inquiries about the possible sale of our franchise,' Quinn's statement said. `Although it is not uncommon to receive inquiries, it is the policy of our organization not to comment on them. However, we want to reiterate to all Sabres fans and our community that we have not, and will not, discuss the relocation of our franchise.'

A report Tuesday said Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, the co-founder of Waterloo, Ont.-based Research in Motion, had offered to buy the club from owner Tom Golisano in December.

Golisano had previously stated he would consider selling the team, but has also said the purchaser would have to agree to keep the team in Buffalo. Golisano bought the Sabres out of bankruptcy for US$92-million in 2003.

Balsillie, who has taken runs at purchasing the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators with designs on moving those teams to Hamilton, remains interested in acquiring an NHL team.
(The Canadian Press)(The Globe and Mail)



A man who gave much to the game of hockey was born today.

image: canadiens.nhl.com

Today's Canadian Birthdays...
Frank J. Selke 1893-1985
hockey coach, manager and executive for over sixty years, was born on this day at Kitchener, Ontario in 1893; dies at Rigaud, Quebec July 3 1985. Selke joined Conn Smythe to build the Toronto Maple Leaf hockey team and Maple Leaf Gardens. In 1946 he moved to Montreal and managed six Stanley Cup winning Canadien teams. The Selke trophy is given to the NHL's best defensive forward.

The Selke Trophy

Incredible story.

Just when you may think that everything is wrong and bad in this messed up world.....you hear something like this. Thanks to Dan "the stats man" Tisserand for the heads up!

Schedule/Broadcast info for Eastern/Western Conference Finals released by NHL

NHL ANNOUNCES START TIMES AND BROADCAST COVERAGE FOR CONFERENCE FINALS

NEW YORK (May 5, 2008) – The National Hockey League today announced the starting times and complete broadcast coverage information for the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Finals, which begin Thursday, May 8, when the Detroit Red Wings host the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final. The Eastern Conference Final begins Friday, May 9, when the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Pittsburgh Penguins.

National rightsholders NBC and VERSUS in the United States and CBC, TSN and RDS in Canada will provide exclusive national broadcast coverage of the Conference Finals. NHL Radio on Westwood One will distribute live coverage of the Conference Finals to radio stations across North America. Every playoff game also can be heard on XM Satellite Radio.

2008 EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

SERIES M TIME (ET) #2 Pittsburgh vs. #6 Philadelphia Networks

Friday, May 9, 2008 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

Thursday, May 15, 2008 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

*Sunday, May 18, 2008 3 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

*Tuesday, May 20, 2008 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

*Thursday, May 22, 2008 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

2008 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

SERIES N TIME (ET) #1 Detroit vs. #5 Dallas Networks

Thursday, May 8, 2008 7:30 p.m. Dallas at Detroit VERSUS, TSN, RDS, NHL RADIO

Saturday, May 10, 2008 7 p.m. Dallas at Detroit VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

Monday, May 12, 2008 8 p.m. Detroit at Dallas VERSUS, TSN, RDS, NHL RADIO

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 8 p.m. Detroit at Dallas VERSUS, TSN, RDS, NHL RADIO

*Saturday, May 17, 2008 1:30 p.m. Dallas at Detroit NBC, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

*Monday, May 19, 2008 8 p.m. Detroit at Dallas VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

*Wednesday, May 21, 2008 7:30 p.m. Dallas at Detroit VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NHL RADIO

Mike Green at the World Championships, Gold in the Net Golf a blast, Dallas/San Jose marathon.

Hello and happy Monday!

Lets start with Mike Green. Before this season, I didn't know who Mike Green was. I sure knew about him this season just with the amount of times he showed up on the Highlight Reels every night. I REALLY learned about him when the playoffs started and I was able to watch the Capitals for 7 games. You really can appreciate a player when you watch them play for a couple games. Man is this guy good. He went from 2 goals last season, to 18, yes EIGHTEEN! this season- tops among NHL defensemen. He was 7th in defensemen scoring. From out of no where to leading the league and now playing for Canada at the World Championships. Not a bad improvement. Maybe just more credit to Bruce Boudreau as a coach, as he tutored him in Hershey of the AHL last season.

Pierre McGuire said of Green "I can't believe he didn't make the 2005 Canadian World Junior team" No kidding.....I guess this could be good motivation for every kid that gets cut from a team that he thinks he NEEDS to make, or should make. Don't give up if you don't, let it motivate you.

I just HAD to bring Green up today after watching a couple of games at the World Championships and then seeing his goal yesterday. Incredible skill. Hit up tsn.ca to watch the video highlights of the 7-0 Canada win over Latvia yesterday. The Latvians might've needed Arturs Irbe. Nah, even he couldn't have helped.

For me, Green is another reason to like the Caps, and another reason to fear them if you are the rest of the league.
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I had a great time playing in and MC'ing the Gold in the Net golf tournament, in support of the Aaron C. Cornwell Memorial Scholarship Fund Saturday at the Morning Star Golf Course in Parksville.

Aaron's dad said it best "This is something very good that came out of something very bad" as over 20,000 in scholarships have been given out to date.

Thanks to everyone that took part in the tourney, and thanks to Perry Elderbroom for inviting me to MC it. It was a great time.

Some of Perry's connections were evident through the Silent Auction items. I was near drooling at a few items, autographed schwag from New York Ranger Henrick Lundqvist, Miika Kipprusoff of the Calgary Flames, Antero Nittymaki of the Philadelphia Flyers, Fredrik Norrena of the Columbus Blue Jackets, just to name a few.

The neat story of the night came from Aaron's dad Mike. One of the auction items was a Henrik Lundqvist jersey, complete with a signed and dated certificate of authenticity from a Community Relations staffer with the Rangers. Another of the items was an autographed Teemu Selanne Anaheim Ducks jersey that Mike picked up. He told me that while he didn't get a certificate of authenticity with it, he did take it from Teemu's wife right at their front door. He said she had a newborn in one arm, and the jersey in the other, and that was AUTHENTIC enough and we'd just have to trust him. That makes it more authentic in my mind. Cool story.

________________________________________________

How about Dallas and San Jose last night? FOUR overtimes. The game finally ended sometime after 11pm Pacific, more than 5 hours after it began. I don't know the exact time, but I know it was too late for this guy who was up at 4:30 this morning and on the air at 6am. I just couldn't turn it off. I have a greater respect for San Jose after that one, they sure battled hard. The goalies were the stars last night, as both of them were incredible.

Now, about it ending on a penalty.......Nah, won't go there.

Someone asked in the comments below in an earlier post what the longest game was that I called. I remember it like it was yesterday. The longest game I called was Game 2 of the 2006 first round series between the Bulldogs and the Cowichan Valley Capitals. I have called a couple of double OT games before both with the Bulldogs and before I came out to BC, but this was by far the longest, as the Bulldogs won at 4:04 of the THIRD overtime period. It's kind of funny now, but every long game I can remember had one team tying it up late, this one included. I remember being proud of how I called the game, and even more proud after then-Bulldogs coach Jim Hiller gave me a glowing review from his dad who was listening in up in McKenzie. He said that I was like a marathon runner, and I just got better as the game went along. Not easy as your throat wants to go and hide sometimes when games go that long. To make matters worse, the game the night before was equally crazy, as the Dogs opened the series with a 10-7 win. Anyway, if you want a little trip down memory lane, click the link below, to the longest game I have called with the Bulldogs besting the Caps 3-2 in the third OT.

Click to listen to the broadcast-Capitals @ Bulldogs

That's it for now. Off to catch up on some sleep!
Thanks for reading!
Hammer

Quick post- Habs trying to stay alive tonight, Rangers the same tomorrow, Gold in the Net Golf Tourney today.

I gotta make this a quick one as I'm on the air at 9am today from the brand new BIG O TIRES on 3rd avenue in Port Alberni. As soon as that is done, I'm back to the station for some on air work, and as soon as that is in the bag I hop in the car and head over the Mountain to Parksville to host and play in the GOLD IN THE NET golf tournament. Should be fun!

Go HABS tonight! (Anyone reading this who has my cell phone number feel free to TEXT me updates on the game tonight, pretty please)

Should also be a good day for hockey watching tomorrow with the Penguins and Rangers going at it at the Igloo, and Team Canada taking on Latvia at the World Championship.

I gotta run! Thanks for reading!

Hammer

The World needs more George Laraques

From the National Post. Have your tissues ready.

Heart of gold

Penguins enforcer Georges Laraque wants to be remembered for something other than fighting

Mark Spector, National Post Published: Tuesday, April 29, 2008

NEW YORK -Edmonton Journal

Wednesday, May 7, 2003

Letters page

From Linda Klym

"My nephew [Jordon] was a victim of muscular dystrophy and was in the last stages of this mindnumbing disease. On Friday, after much deliberation, he decided to go off the ventilator and go along with whatever happened ? The doctors said it was just a matter of time."

---

The kid was 19, and he only had a few hours left. Maybe another night.

Georges Laraque had just checked into a hotel in Calgary. Hadn't even unzipped his bag when a secretary of a friend called his cellphone. Everybody gets Georges' cell number.

"She asked me if I could come to Edmonton," he said. "There was this kid who was going to die. He had a couple hours to live, they thought, and his last wish was to see me."

Laraque was playing for the Edmonton Oilers at the time. He checked out, got in his truck, and made the two-hour, forty-five minute drive back to Edmonton "in an hour and 45 minutes."

"I was driving sometimes on the shoulder. I knew I wasn't going to get a ticket, because of the reason I was going back for. Karma, you know?"

There isn't a story that better sums up Laraque, the best heavyweight in the National Hockey League who has been driven to distraction simply trying to make people happy. Other players show up late for that hospital visit, or need to be asked and reminded numerous times to commit to a school read-in? Laraque has done his best to fit the games in while answering every single request through his nine-year career.

Why?

"'Cause I love it," the 31-year-old Laraque says. "One of the purest things to do in life is to give back. I am Catholic, a Christian. The best thing to do to pay God back for giving me a chance to play in the NHL is to give back to the community.

"[An NHL heavyweight] is not what I am when I'm off the ice. I'm a nice person. I laugh all the time. When I retire, I don't want to be remembered as a fighter, as a goon. What's more important? Winning a Cup? Beating up guys? Or being there, trying to make a difference?"

---

"Now, Jordon has always been a great fan of hockey. To make a long story short, on Friday the Oilers found out about Jordon's plight. Somehow and with no notice, Georges Laraque came up from Calgary and visited Jordon at the University Hospital in the ICU ? He chatted with Jordon and even apologized that he had been so rushed to get to the hospital he didn't have time to pick up some hockey souvenirs for Jordon."

---

On April 17, the day after the Penguins had eliminated the Senators in Ottawa, Laraque told his cousin that he had an idea.

There was this school, an hour from Pittsburgh. A few weeks earlier they had sent him a Flat Stanley -- a little character made by students that is mailed out along with a disposable camera and a journal. The hope is that the recipient will mail back the character, the cameras, and the journal, and the kids can see what adventures their little figure had experienced.

That afternoon, 21 fifth-graders in Ms. Marmol's class at Hatfield Elementary looked up to see Laraque standing in their classroom doorway. He had the camera, full of shots of Stanley with various Penguins. The journal was filled out.

"People say, 'It's too much.' Well, what's too much?" Laraque asks. "People come from all over the place to watch our games. Why can't we go there?"

Laraque has kept his home in Edmonton, and every Halloween makes sure the house is decorated, and friends are there to hand out candy. He returned after his first season in Pittsburgh last summer armed with a handful of signed Sidney Crosby jerseys, then walked into the local sports station and said, "Let's give these away." Then he drove the jerseys out to the winners' homes, or at worst, met them at a Tim Horton's nearby.

"Now I run into people," says radio host Bob Stauffer, whose show Laraque frequents, "and they say, 'Hey, you're the guy who's on George's show all the time.'"

As a player, Laraque has found the perfect home in Pittsburgh. He is only getting six-and-a-half minutes of ice time per playoff game, but he's playing. Last year coach Michel Therrien didn't like Laraque's fitness when he came from Phoenix at the trade deadline, and would not play him on the road in the post-season.

"I know Georges really well. I coached Georges when he was 19 years old. We won a Memorial Cup together," Therrien said yesterday. "Now, he's in great shape. He's an enforcer -- he's there to make sure we earn some respect -- but he can play. He's good at cycling the puck, and really tough to contain when he has the puck down low. He's a totally different player than he was last year."

Still, Laraque is like every other heavyweight: he would far rather be a skill player. In fact, he really doesn't like to fight at all.

"It's not my personality. It's my job," he says. "I don't get all revved up to fight. I'm calm. I wish the guy good luck, and I hope that he's OK after the fight. I know they have lives, they have kids and lives after hockey. I don't want to hurt anyone."

As the conversation turns to hockey, Laraque's interest wanes a bit. He'd rather talk about what a hockey player can do away from the rink.

"Look at the life we're living? Look at the world, what's going on?" he says. "If you make a lot of money, and you give a lot to charity, that's the easiest thing to do. You should go there, to the people. Spend time. Guys say, 'Oh yeah, I give a lot to charity.' Who cares about that?"

---

"Georges might never know how much that visit meant to Jordon and his parents. Jordon, who was 19, died on Monday."

---

"When you give someone a moral boost like that, sometimes you give them the will to live. The boost he got made him so happy, they said he lived another few days because of that," Laraque said.

"The fact I have the power to do this? I do as much as I can."

Sean Avery rushed to hospital / Dogs season ticket deadline TODAY.

Update-

Sean Avery was rushed to hospital last night after suffering a lacerated Spleen. Not nearly as scary as the early reports that included cardiac arrest- but serious none the less.

From TSN

From ESPN

From The New York Daily News

Today is the deadline to renew your Bulldog season tickets. The Bulldogs office will be open all day at the Multiplex until 6pm. Don't say you didn't know! If you don't renew, you will make many people on the waiting list very happy I'm sure.

Don't forget to make it out to Boston Pizza today from noon to 2pm in support of Port Alberni Team Canada Olympian Travis Cross. Travis and his teammates and coaches will be serving lunch. Boston Pizza will be matching any tips Travis and the crew receive, in a further effort to cover for the costs of attending the Olympics in Beijing this August. Of course CBC will be there filming it all too.

After the Wrestling Awards tonight at 7pm at Echo Centre, the final "to do" item on the list for CBC's visit is an interview with Travis and I tomorrow morning on THE PEAK morning show at 8:10am. Don't miss it!

The "blogosphere".....blogs I read.

I'm a blogger and a hockey guy and as such I read a lot of other blogs. I haven't really posted before about this, so it is long overdue. I read an assortment of blogs. Some of them are about the BCHL. Sadly, as far as I'm aware, I am the only guy covering a Coastal Conference team that has a blog. If anyone is aware of another one, please let me know! Interior Conference fans are spoiled as they have some good blogs over there. I also read a good assortment of WHL blogs. The WHL isn't only a level of hockey and broadcasting I'd like to get to, but also a proven ground for the next up and comers in the hockey world. So it's a no brainer that I would read them. I read some NHL blogs as well, and the blogs of several other sports media types. I'm not much of a tech-head believe it or not, but I follow a little bit here and there with the "new" stuff. I know I wouldn't be where I am now and I won't move on to where I want to be in the future if I don't continue to try and be up to the latest technologies in covering the game and connecting with fans and potential future employers.

Blogs I read, and why:

Rod Pedersen's blog- I've brought it up before and I've said it before- Rod has my dream job or any sports guys dream job. He is the play-by-play voice of the WHL's Regina Pats and the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders. For those not too interested in those two teams, don't worry, there is plenty of NHL talk and sports talk, and just plain everything else. Last but not least- Rod's blog was awarded the 2007 Canadian Blog Awards BEST SPORTS BLOG. Nuff' said. Rod does an incredible job of covering the local scene and connecting those following from a distance- An example- A native Manitoban like myself, almost couldn't help but to cheer for the Roughriders against the Bombers in last year's Grey Cup. Manitoba used to be home, but that was a time ago. I knew a lot more about the Riders story and struggles throughout their year going into the Grey Cup than I did the Bombers.

"Taking Note" with Gregg Drinnan- Gregg is the Sports Editor at the Kamloops Daily News. This blog probably has more news than you can handle! I first found of it's existence after the infamous "players sitting on the bench at intermission" incident here this season. Gregg reported on it, (word sure spreads far and fast, doesn't it?) and even linked it to an old hockey coach I watched growing up in Flin Flon- Normie Johnson. I emailed Gregg about the overblown "bench incident" and the local reaction here, and I told him about how I watched Norm Johnson coach the Flin Flin Bombers to their last Championship in 1993. Gregg emailed back and said "Hammond....You wouldn't be related to CAL, would you?" Incredibly small world!! Anyway- Gregg has great news reporting on his blog, and is right now doing a running history of every year of the Memorial Cup. Very cool stuff.

Ted'sTake with Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis - EVERY pro team should have an owner like Ted. The Dallas Mavericks fans are the only ones as fortunate as the Caps and Wizard fans.

BCHL Blogs-

Shawn Mullin does a great job on his Trail Smoke Eaters blog as does Ryan Pinder on his Penticton Vees blog

WHL Blogs-

Regan's Rant- Regan Bartel, play-by-play voice Kelowna Rockets. Regan does a great job there covering the local scene. His work with numbers and stats amaze me and give me ideas about the numbers I need to compile.

Keen's Korner- Jon Keen , play-by-play voice of the WHL's Swift Current Broncos. Another great job covering the local scene enabling those from a distance to know what's happening locally.


High Tech-

Engadget- Great for the tech news. Not really a blog though? Oh well.

All in all, there's some great stuff on the NET besides things you SHOULDN'T look at while at work! Happy surfing!

I would love to hear about any other blogs you check out, on any topic, please share them!

Hammer

NHL Talk/Playoff Play-by-Play Broadcasts on XM and Sirius Satellite Radio

Due to the amount of Google searches that end up at this blog looking for live NHL playoff action on the net and on Satellite Radio, I have decided to make this post to help some people out in finding what they want to hear.

image: nhl.com

First and foremost- All NHL teams have their own radio broadcasts, which are available 100% free through the NHL website HERE

image: xmradio.ca

If you have a Satellite Radio and are looking for LIVE PLAY BY PLAY you need to have XM Satellite Radio or you are out of luck, as XM is the exclusive home of NHL play-by-play.

Check out their homepage with all the needed links to schedules HERE

I got myself an XM Radio just before Christmas, and for the SOLE reason that I could hear NHL play-by-play on it. Nothing else. Although I do enjoy all the other NHL coverage they have, I also enjoy "Laugh Attack" - all Canadian Comedy when I'm not into the Hockey Talk or there isn't any play-by-play to catch.

image: cbc.ca

Now- Sirius Satellite Radio isn't without NHL coverage. A post from Rod Pedersen's blog got me wishing I could have BOTH XM and Sirius as Sirius has "Hockey Night in Canada Radio" which I'm sure would be a very interesting listen. Here is the post that got me thinking about Sirius- from Rod's blog.

Check out Sirius at their website here

Bulldogs Spring Camp, HUGE week for Travis Cross and Port Alberni as CBC Sports visit, Are the Penguins and Stars making NHL history?

Hello, and happy MONDAY!

The Bulldogs Spring Camp is in the books. I had a busy weekend and didn't make it down there as much as I would've liked to, but when I got there the action was fierce. All the players returning from last year knew when they left at the end of February what they needed to work on when they came back to fight for a spot for next season. I am not sure if the team has had to make the tough decision to tell some guys they won't be returning but I would not be surprised if that was the case. Whether these players would be outright released or there would be an attempt to trade them I cannot say. I'm not sure that this is something a press release will come out about, so I'll see what I can find out from the team or the players themselves. As you all know if you have read this blog before, I'm not big on speculation and guessing, especially when it comes to the kids and their families.

I didn't make it to the rink Saturday night because I was attending the "you thought you got away with it but you didn't" surprise 50th birthday party my good friend and partner in crime on Bulldogs home Broadcasts Rick Schievink. Helma did a great job planning this one, as they were gone on vacation when Rick turned the big 5-0, and he thought he would get away with not having a party. Not so Ricky. Saturday night about a dozen of us sneaked into the living room while Rick was preoccupied with hockey work in his office, and then we got the big SURPRISE in. Good stuff! Hammer's Mexican PinWheels were a huge success on the appie buffet!

Happy Birthday Ricky!
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Here is the itinerary for the CBC visit to Port Alberni to shoot a feature on 2008 Beijing Olympian Travis Cross. Please get out and attend these events if you can, and don't miss Travis with me Wednesday and Thursday mornings on the 93.3 The Peak FM morning show !

Alberni Valley Wrestling Invitation

A Message to the Citizens of the Alberni Valley,

You are invited to show your support for Port Alberni’s own Olympian Travis Cross. Come out and celebrate Travis’s accomplishments and show CBC and the rest of Canada what a great community Port Alberni is.

Tuesday April 29 from 3-5 pm at Safeway – There will be an Olympic display with Cross t-shirts and decals for sale and Travis will be on hand to sign autographs and chat. CBC will be stopping by to film the great support Travis gets from our community.

Wednesday April 30 from 12-2 pm at Boston Pizza – Come by and have lunch and get served by Travis or one of his teammates or coaches. All tips will be matched by Boston Pizza and will go toward Travis’s training expenses. Several people and organizations will be making donations. T-shirts and decals will be available. Hopefully the weather will be good and the patio can be open. CBC will be there to film all the community spirit and pride.

In addition Travis and some of his supporters will be having breakfast at two of his most committed business sponsors the Swale Rock Café and Smitty’s Restaurant. If you want to stop by Tuesday morning at 8 am at the Swale Rock Café or Wednesday morning at 8:30 am at Smitty’s Travis and friends will be there. Travis will also be on ADSS’s ABC News at ADSS on Tuesday, speaking at Neill Middle school that same day, John Howitt Elementary on Wednesday and he will join the “Hammer” for the Wednesday and Thursday morning show interviews just after 8:10am on 93.3 THE PEAK FM.

Travis, his family and his support team would like to thank the people of the Alberni Valley for your amazing support. He is proud to represent out community and our country on the international stage. He is working hard in preparation for the greatest event on earth, the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing China. All of your support and good wishes feed his determination and give him strength.

Please pass this invitation on to your contacts as we really hope to have good turn outs for these events.

Thank you sincerely,

Tom McEvay

Tom McEvay

Alberni Wrestling

Are the Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars making NHL history? Are they close to it, or have they made it already?

I ask about the Penguins because they have started the playoffs with 6 consecutive wins. Not too bad.

The Dallas Stars achievement is even more impressive in my opinion, in that they have now gone into TWO straight series as the LOWER seed, and after last night both times they have returned home with 2-0 series leads. I have tried to find that one out, but it might be for the Wizards at the Elias Sports Bureau to figure out....Has an NHL team ever gone into the opening two series as the lower seed and returned home up 2-0 both times?

I know it's early, and I know that one team can look like they can't lose one series and like they can't win the next....But WOW does Dallas ever look good to me. Leadership, toughness, skill, composure, special teams, intangibles, goal tending, etc etc etc.

Look out for the Stars!

That's it for THIS morning. I will attempt to talk Satellite Radio and about other blogs I read later today.

Cheers,
Hammer

2008 Alberni Valley Bulldogs Prospect Camp- VIDEO

Yes, I have entirely too much time on my hands some times. It was a beauty day in the Valley yesterday, so as I went down to catch the camp I thought I might show off the rink and the valley a little bit. Click below to play.






And some pictures too.
As good as I could get them with the windows behind me.
It just doesn't look good like this- "The Pound" but without ice...It looked great with the wrestling mats in there, but maybe that's because I knew that there was ice underneath still!


Off to work!
Hammer

GO HABS
GO AVS

Camrose Kodiaks off to the RBC Cup.....

...winning the Doyle Cup series in 5 games over the Penticton Vees. The Kodiaks also led the AJHL to the RBC Cup last year beating the Nanaimo Clippers.

Bulldogs Corporate Wine and Cheese and Jersey Auction, Spring Camp ready to go.

Hello and happy Friday and thanks for checking the blog.

I had the pleasure last night of hosting the Bulldogs Wine and Cheese Corporate Sponsor night at the Best Western Barclay Hotel. It was great to see such a great turn out from the Corporate Community. I thought it was also a nice touch by the Bulldogs to have so many of the returning players in town for the camp this weekend to attend the night and meet some of the names on the back of their sweaters. It was odd seeing Alan Kerr, Bryant Perrier, and Jess Moser again. I say "odd" because it's weird seeing someone almost every single day from September to March, and then not seeing them again for a couple of months.

From all accounts last night, the Spring Camp starting today will be very competitive and high energy. Most if not all of the returning players are back. They were told quite clearly at the end of the season what they needed to work on for 08-09, and how important this camp would be to gauge their progress and them being here next year. I think it will be interesting to watch. Again- the schedule is below, give it a look, and hopefully we'll see you around the rink this weekend.

Here's to the thought that the progress made this weekend will enable the Bulldogs to be PLAYING this time next year!

Playing tonight- The Penticton Vees and the Camrose Kodiaks. The Vees have their backs against the wall, down 3 games to 1. A Camrose win, and they book their ticket to the RBC Cup in Cornwall, Ontario.

Sticking with the Bulldogs- This is the last weekend for the jersey auction. Click HERE for more information and get bidding.

Also at the rink this weekend- A silent auction of a selection of autographed NHL and other sports pictures. Some of these were at the wine and cheese last night....Incredibly cool stuff. Johnny Bower, Jean Beliveau, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Mario Lemieux, Tiger Woods, and the list goes on. Some of these beauties are AUTOGRAPHED and they also come with a certificate of authenticity, so you know you are getting the REAL DEAL.

In an unrelated story, my birthday comes up soon in May. Ahem.
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Don't forget the GOLD IN THE NET Golf Tourney Next Weekend. Sign up, and say that Hammer sent ya.

That's it for today. Go Stars. Go Rangers.
Hammer