On september 7th, 2011 a group a guys. A group varied from young guns
looking to be noticed. Kids playing to make money for their family in
Russia. A core group of NHL veterans who were signed to be a guide. To
help those most needed with their hockey mindset.
Ruslan,
Salei and his wife received the news that they were having a child
within the year. Pavol Demitra coming off injuries that kept him out of
the Canucks line-up and ultimately from any contract in the league.
Karlis Skrastins, a steady defenceman. Never a stud on the point in the
offensive zone. Never a big plus minus player. He got the job done. A
person you want in the trenches. Josef Vasicek a person who played in
the NHL after experiencing success in minor leagues. He got to live the
dream. He got to play the show, but was never a mainstay. Once he went
to the Islanders he was an after thought.
These group
of Veterans along with A successful Brad McCrimmon were aboard a
airplane with many problems. First being the pilots who were not
qualified for drive. Hit a radio tower and killing all but one player.
Since that time, teams in the KHL put aside all differences, loaned
players. Allowed for a flexible schedule to adjust for Lokomotiv to
rebuild their emotions, legacy, and image.The biggest league in Russia,
with so many good Russian athletes North Americans will ever know of.
People turned aside from the NHL for lack of skill, big ice play, or
just not being able to be away from home.
Kids in the
OHL, the Q, and WHL have been drafted. Some of them wearing their
childhood colours. Now they don't even get to enjoy their moment in the
sun. Parents who spent thousands every year don't and may never get to
see their kid in the league. The 4th liners who get played once every 7
games won't even get to see their 6 minutes. The Datsyuk's who don't get
to enjoy their last few years in the league comfortably. The Brodeur's
who are itching for one more year don't get that choice. The
Nugent-Hopkins who get the injury bug and have something to prove.
In
today's NHL, they are fighting over 7% of a billion dollar equity. For
players who earn millions to play the game they love. I can't point
fingers, I can't say who is to blame. What I can say is, to the people
who want it. The fans should be given some sort of respect from players
and owners alike. The fans who fill the seats, even the losing Islanders
get 1/2 attendance on most nights. Long are the days of the Battle of
Alberta, the Detroit Colorado rivalry or any of the intensely fierce
moments from 10 years ago.
Today's NHL is a business, a
(now) thriving business being marred at every turn for "unsafe" playing
conditions. Fans fill the seats to watch the Bobby Orr dives, the Mike
Van Ryn through the glass hits, the ten bell saves by Hasek followed by 3
guys laying on top of him. This is the game of hockey. This is what
Canadians (and now Americans) play in their backyard rinks, the broken
outdoor rinks or the 1970's rink shacks.The fans who take their kids to
the games to have the morning after to say "hey remember last night when
Subban crashed price at centre ice and bowled him over. The kid who
saves his pennies to buy the upper deck to get a Mike Keane card. The
kids who sit with a blade on the stove for 20 minutes trying to bend it.
The 30k a year father who buys his season tickets because his dad
bought season tickets for 30 years.The Moms who wake up at 5 AM to take
their kids to a peewee tourney. This is the NHL, these people are your
team. The 20,000 in the stands.
I watched hockey
sparingly from 94-04. Watched it seriously right after the lockout. The
Habs Bruins rivalries. The Jose Theodore getting shelled every game.
This is what I watched, didn't have to watch the Habs squeak in and get
destroyed first round. I watched it because that is my identity.
For
once, the NHL and NHLPA and Bettman need to recognize the fans want it.
More than anyone else. They deserve it. We all eat sleep and breathe
hockey.
September 15th better be a great day for NHL fans,
For now this is my take,
Best regards,
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