The Hockey Connection

My View from Pominville

2012-01-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

I have been holding off on writing about the Sabres for a while now but feel it’s time for me to say a few things about the last couple of months. I’m not going to write about who I think needs to be fired, what kind of players we are lacking, who needs to be traded, or who we need on our team. There are plenty of sites that have already covered that in great detail and each one has a different idea. What I want to write about is how I feel as a fan of this team and to remind myself of why I became a Sabres fan in the first place. You don’t have to agree with me. I’m sure most people won’t. But it’s my blog and my opinion… take it or leave it I guess.

I may not have been a fan as long as most Sabres fans (I came on board around 1996 in the Dominik Hašek days) but I grew in Montana where even though it's cold enough to freeze your nostrils shut in the winter, surprisingly, hockey is not a huge sport. When my brother received a full ride to Boston University I discovered hockey and a fan was born.

I am a loyal fan of the Buffalo Sabres, win or lose. Yes I feel like crap when they lose but I’m also on a high when they play hard for 60 minutes, everything clicks, and they get the win. I know these men want to win just as much as we want to see them win. They make major sacrifices to play this game for our entertainment. We don’t see the hours they spend at practice, the gym, the doctor, the dentist, and physical therapy. We never have to see what goes on after the game when they go home to their families or empty apartment. We expect them to play at the top of their game every night and if they go through a stretch of low production we say their time is up, their game is over, time to move on, trade em’. I've never been that kind of fan.

I'll admit though that this season it has been tough for me not to be that kind of fan. I did find myself after a few games tweeting, “#DoSomethingDarcy or #DoSomethingTerry”. Then I snapped out of it and remembered the things I mentioned above. I’m not saying that the people who feel that way are wrong. In fact, they may be right but it’s not my call. I didn't elect the men on this team or Terry, Ted, and Darcy. I know there is the argument that they wouldn't have a job if it was not for us fans therefore we have a say in what happens to our team but I don’t feel that way. I admire Terry for all he has done to make the organization better in the last year. I have participated in live chats with Ted Black and had my questions answered. And if you have followed my blog you know all I did was ask Kevin Sylvester if I could interview him and he said yes. How did I ask him?.... On Twitter. So I'm proud of what they are doing to keep the fans involved and the way they are embracing social media. That doesn’t mean they have to do what we say. In the end it’s their call and as a fan I stand by that call.

Last year I remember after a loss I would see posts on the Sabres’ facebook page that said we should trade Miller or other players. Then we would get the win and those same people would sing Miller’s praise and what a kick-ass goalie we had. The same thing is happening this year, minus the praising of players for the most part. I guess it is just the way I am but I stand by my team. I want them to win for THEM not for me. When they play a shitty game and everything goes wrong I know they are not proud of the way they played. So do they need me to bitch about it and say what a shitty team they are? I don’t know? Maybe that works for some players but I don’t think it's productive.

For some reason we think that these players are no longer regular people when they play professional sports. They are paid these huge salaries and we expect them to play at top level until they retire. They are gifted athletes that play a sport for our entertainment. They have careers that for most won’t last past the age of 40 and play a sport that causes injuries they will still feel until their 90’s. So I don’t buy in to the argument that they don’t deserve the money if they are having an off season. The things they put their bodies through and the sacrifices they make to their safety and long term health deserve that paycheck. Not to mention they only have that kind of salary while they play the game and for most that is not a huge amount of time. They could have an injury that takes them out of the game permanently tomorrow or play for the next 10 years and have an amazing career. That is what is on the line for them and their families every time they step on the ice. And if you think that’s not enough don’t forget those fluke accidents that happen on the ice like what happened to Travis Roy and recently Jack Jablonski who are now both paralyzed from hockey injuries. And we all remember Clint Malarchuk and Richard Zednik who could have died from having their neck sliced open from a skate blade. Even this season Nathan Gerbe took a skate to the face. Had he been a few inches taller that blade could have hit his throat. These dangers are there every game for these guys.

So, am I happy with the way this season is going? No, of course not, but I’m not mad. I know this happens some seasons and there is nothing you can do as a fan (trust me, I'm also a Red Sox fan but that’s another story). All I can do is continue to cheer for my team every game and be proud to be a Sabres fan. Yes, I said it, I am PROUD to be a Sabres fan! I’m proud to have the owner we have, all the staff that works so hard for this team, and of those guys on the ice that play the game I love. So if they start winning every game and they turn this season around I will be there screaming at my T.V. in the playoffs. But, if they just can’t get things going this season I will still be screaming at my T.V. on their last game of the regular season when they leave the ice. This is my team!

LET’S GO BUFFALO!

To read more about Jack Jablonski
and/or make a donation please
go to:
WWW.JABBY13.COM

My Interview with Travis Roy

2011-08-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

When I started this blog I had a simple concept. I wanted to interview everyday people to hear their story about how their lives are connected to hockey. I had no training on how the process works or the best way to write about an interview, but I loved doing it.

If there was ever an ultimate story to demonstrate how wonderful the hockey connection is it is the story of Travis Roy. (You can read about his story in a previous post I did on my blog here The Shortest Shift.) Travis is hockey. He may no longer be physically able to play the game but he will always be a part of the sport he grew up in. It is simply awe inspiring how his foundation has thrived through the hockey connection and I hope that after reading this article you will become part of that connection too. Whether it is by making a small donation (or a large one) or just sharing the article with others who would enjoy it or may be able to donate, you will become part of Travis Roy's hockey connection. I couldn't ask for anything more....

Have you ever sat and thought about how long 11 seconds is? Maybe it's the time it takes you to walk to your mailbox or from your front door to your car. But for Travis Roy 11 seconds was all it took to send his life down a much harder road than he could ever imagine. He's been on that road for nearly 16 years now. In that time he has not only become an amazing inspiration but, with his Travis Roy Foundation, has helped improve the lives of spinal cord injury survivors by providing assistance, information, and support.

I had the honor of getting the chance to interview Travis and knew his story well. In October of 1995 Travis took the ice to start his first shift, in his first game, as a Boston University hockey player.While heading into the corner, his accident has been put many ways: he stumbled, fell awkwardly, bounced. Whatever term you use it ultimately caused him to go head first into the boards, cracking his fourth vertebra, and leaving him paralyzed from the neck down- He would later regain some use of his right arm. How long did all of this take? 11 seconds.

When I sat down on a Friday afternoon to interview Travis Roy he was away from his home in Boston and was spending time at his family's home in Vermont. “It's fantastic weather, couldn't be any better.” Travis said. “I'm just looking at the lake, watching a few boaters. I can hear my cousin swimming at another part of the lake. All things considered, this is a good day.”

I glanced out my own window and saw my crazy yellow lab, Maggie, running in circles out in the beautiful weather in my own backyard. Travis was right. It was a good day.

One of the first things I wanted to know was what Travis enjoys doing now. Being an art person myself, I asked if he was still painting. “I took a bit of a hiatus,” he explained, having only recently started to paint again in the last two years. “It has become a great tool for the foundation to use as a fundraiser on the website.”

“Probably my real passions now are good food and going out to good restaurants,” he said. “Maybe pulling some fun recipes off the internet… especially in the summer when I'm with my parents and they are up to cooking it for me.” Aside from being a food connoisseur Travis also likes to travel. Whether it's visiting his parents down in Florida, spending time at their vacation home in Vermont, or traveling to do one of his motivational speaking engagements, Travis gets around.

Travis makes his living on his motivational speaking, doing between 30-40 a year. His audiences range from large corporate 500 companies and local businesses to high schools and colleges. He doesn't make a penny from the Travis Roy Foundation but admits he spends 4-5 times more time working on the foundation than he does on his motivational speaking

The Travis Roy Foundation was created in 1997 and over the years there have been fundraisers and generous donations from individuals and companies. I asked Travis how the foundation is run and how he keeps in touch with those who help run it. “The foundation, as a whole, is all volunteer and pro bono,” he said, explaining that the main administration goes on in Boston at a law firm. “We've been very fortunate to have a gentleman there that has been there since day one after my accident.”

It was another hockey connection that led to that gentleman getting in contact with Travis so soon after his accident. When Travis was a kid there was a minor league hockey player playing for the Maine Mariners named Brian Burke. Travis' dad managed the rink so Travis and his dad got to know Brian pretty well. “In fact,” Travis said, “Brian Burke taught me how to pack my hockey bag at summer hockey camp.”

Eventually Brian hung up his skates and went to Harvard Law and became a lawyer. Then he went and worked for the law firm Palmer and Dodge which was the same law firm where Art Page- the gentlemen that would end up helping Travis after his accident, was working. So Art got to know Brian Burke.

Brian left the law firm and made his way back to the NHL…this time as a GM of the Vancouver Canucks, and then as GM of the Anaheim Ducks and won the Stanley Cup there. More recently he went to Toronto where he is currently the GM and was also the GM of the US Olympic team at the last Olympics.

“So it all goes back to again, just me being 5 years old and Brian being a minor league hockey player,” Travis said. “I went one way and he went the other and then our worlds came back together when he saw the headlines on the news the night of my accident. He called up his friends at his old law firm and said, ‘This is great family and can you help them out.' ”

“The one thing that blows my mind is over the past 16 years the good will that just continues to follow my story,” Travis said when I asked him about fundraisers for his foundation. “This guy read my book 10 years ago in Vermont and he had a couple of kids who played youth hockey. He called up the foundation and said, 'Look, I built this replica of Fenway Park in my backyard and I think we could do a fundraiser.' ” That was the first year of the wiffle ball tournament. In that first year it was a 1 day tournament with 7 teams and raised about $4,000.00. Last year was the 9th year. It was a 3 day tournament with 24 teams and raised $380,000.00. “It has become our largest fundraiser. So again from the guy that read my book and decided to do a wiffle ball tournament, to the guy that taught me how to pack my hockey bag, the hockey community has been just phenomenal.”

Another woman who lives up in the North Shore in Boston heard about The Travis Roy Foundation and it just so happened that her husband played at BU in the early 1980's. She said she would like to host a party and do a fundraiser. She ended up doing 3 parties each summer and raised $150.000.00. “So there is the BU hockey family as well there,” Travis said.

With Travis living in Boston, I had to ask him if he was a Bruins fan? “I certainly am,” he said loud and clear. “Both my parents went to UVM and when I went there on my recruiting trip for college the freshman class was Éric Perrin, Martin St.Louis, and Tim Thomas. Obviously I chose to go to BU but I've always enjoyed watching Tim Thomas,” Travis explained. "As intense and passionate as Tim is when he plays, he never seems to lose the joy of playing the game. You can clearly tell that he's having fun each and every game, win or lose. You can also tell he doesn't take playing in the NHL for granted.

“It was such a pleasure to watch a team come together like that and even more pleasurable just to watch a guy enjoy and work hard to get to live that dream of Vezina, MVP, and Stanley Cup Champions,” Travis said.

The Travis Roy Foundation in the last 3 years has raised about $600.000.00 annually which is significant for an all volunteer/pro bono staff. They try to split the money 50/50 between research grants and individual grants that allow people with spinal cord injuries to be able to purchase adaptive equipment to improve their lives. “It's gut wrenching…literally,” Travis said. “Reading the quarterly trustee grant applicant stories and what they are going through and what they need. It's really hard to say no to any of them. If we were raising 5 million dollars a quarter we would be in good shape but unfortunately we're not.”

“I love the quote from the dad who fell out of a tree while playing with his kids,” Travis said, referring to a gentleman who received a grant. “The family owned a three story home and what he needed was an elevator. So we got him the elevator and he hadn't been able to see his kids' rooms in 6 months. His quote was, 'I thank God on the way up and the Travis Roy Foundation on the way down.'”

I spent almost an hour that day talking to Travis and if you read my last blog post you know that I recorded the phone call on my computer. I have never hated the sound of my own voice more in my life! You can hear Travis who is such an articulate, well-spoken man and then my crazy voice struggling to come up with words other than “uhhhh” and the worst of all, the word “like”. I sounded like I turned into some valley girl from the 80's! Well, alright, I wasn't that bad but it was close.

In all seriousness, that day will forever be on my list of great days I've had in my life. I have to thank Mike at Center Ice News for getting me the interview in the first place and of course Travis Roy.

To Travis, You are such a gift to all the people you help and inspire. I know one day you will find yourself back on that road and this time get to take the other path. May you continue to find things you enjoy in life and all you look forward to. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers always. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

I started this article by talking about what you can do in 11 seconds. Well I bet that is just about the time it would take for you to click on the link below and be forever connected to the Travis Roy Foundation. Maybe someday they will raise 5 million dollars a quarter and never again have to turn away someone in need.

I will leave you with a quote I found on the foundation's website:

“There are times in our lives when we choose our challenges and other times when the challenges simply choose us. It is what we do in the face of those challenges that defines who we are, and more importantly, who we can and will become.”
- Travis Roy

Travis has a new online fundraising program called "The 24 Club". The concept is simple: Get 24 people to donate $24.00. You can read more about it on the Foundation's website here. I have created my own 24 Club page and made the first donation of $24.00 myself. I now need 23 more people to donate $24.00 (or even more if you like). I created a page on my blog to showcase the people, companies, and websites that sponsor The Hockey Connection's Travis Roy Foundation 24 Club.

To donate, go to my 24 Club Page and click on the words Sponsor Me below the goal thermometer. You can also click on the sponsor me link I just listed to go directly to the donation page. I thank you all in advance for your gift and ask you to please spread the word. Share this blog page with your friends on twitter and facebook. I would love to see the Travis Roy Foundation trending on twitter! I think all people in the hockey world and fans of the game should know Travis' story and about his foundation. I will do my best to spread the word and please ask you to do the same. Thank you so much!

Sponsor Me On My 24 Club Page

About The 24 Club And My Current Sponsors

The Travis Roy Foundation

Travis Roy Foundation on Facebook

Travis Roy Foundation on Twitter

The Interview List

2011-07-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago while on vacation with my family and I decided to create a list of hockey people I would love to interview. I pulled out my yellow legal pad and wasted no time writing down the first few names. Number one on my list was Travis Roy, followed by Chris Drury, and then Rick Jeanneret (I am after all a Sabres fan). I continued to add names until I reached the last line on the page. They were in no order. I just wrote down the names as they popped in my head. I put it away and figured I would put the list on my blog in the next few days as sort of a joke.

The next day I checked my e-mail and saw a message from Mike at Center Ice News.com. I figured it was just an update on things on the site. When I opened the email two words jumped off the screen...Travis Roy. I had no idea that Center Ice News was even in contact with him so what followed was even more stunning... agrees to do interview with Center Ice News and I thought you would be the perfect person to do it.

There were a few things that made me have this feeling I get when I just know something was meant to be. One of course was the list I had made the night before. Two was that I knew Travis was all about creating goals, and in a way that's what my list was. And three, my brother was a student at BU when Travis had his accident so I knew his story and had followed it as much as I could.

I emailed Mike back and told him of course I would do the interview and to just forward me the information. Then reality sank in! I started my blog with the idea I would talk to the people of hockey and their connection to the game. I never thought that it would lead to interviewing people who were so well know in the hockey world. I was still on a high from getting to interview Kevin Sylvester who's interview happened in much the same way. I asked, and he said yes. Now I a was about to interview Travis Roy! It was crazy.

As I mentioned before, Travis is big on having goals and writing them down. It might sound stupid or feel ridiculous to some people to write down their goals. And my interview list was more of a wish list than goals (I never actually thought I would ever interview any of the people on my list). But if you've never written down your own goals before I suggest you try it sometime. There is something to be said for writing your goals out on paper and seeing it each day. It makes it concrete in a way and reminds you of where you are going.

Over the next two days I grew more confident in my ability to do the interview. I prepared an outline of questions I could email Travis and then, if needed a few follow up questions. When I saw a new email from Mike I figured it would contain an email address for Travis. Instead I was shocked by what it said, “Travis said to just give him a call and you can do the interview over the phone.” Then it listed Travis' email and phone number.

I was thrilled and worried at the same time. I mean how cool was it that I was going to get to talk to Travis but that meant that I was going to have to talk to Travis! I had only done interviews through chats and emails, both of which put distance between myself and the subject. I was able to edit what I wanted to ask or say right up until the moment I hit send on my computer. Now I would have to do my first live interview and it was with the number one guy on my list. I was starting wish “The Zamboni Guy” had come to my mind first when I created my list instead of his current location at #29!

Travis and I exchanged a few emails and we set a time and date to do the interview. I researched about how to record phone calls to my computer. After creating a google voice account and going in a round about way I was able to record an out going call (I filed that little tidbit of information away just in case I ever needed to record a phone call in the future).

So there I sat at noon my time, notebook in hand, ready to call Travis and add a new chapter to the amazing places my blog has taken me....

Just a quick note... I have already done my interview with Travis and I'm in the process of posting soon. I had a few set backs in writing the article that included a surprise visit from my family (not that I don't love you Mom and Dad!) So I promise to have it up soon and hope you enjoyed hearing about how it all came about...

My Interview with Buffalo Sabres' Kevin Sylvester

2011-06-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

The other day during the Sabres Summit I was once again impressed by the organization's ability to connect with the fans. If you were unable to participate, I suggest you check out the blogs listed below. The Sabres selected bloggers from around the area to blog about the event, while fans sent in questions. I'm sure this made it much easier for the panel compared to what happened to Ted Black during his chat back in April. Towards the end of the three hour long chat Ted found himself with no tech support (probably because it was so late and they needed to go home). He had to fend for himself, filtering through all the questions being asked, and still managed to do an awesome job. This time bloggers did the filtering and Ted could sit back and enjoy a beer ( which I think he had in hand when he came out if I remember right). For more info on the Summit, here are a few good sites....
Sabres.nhl.com Sabres Summit Part 1
Sabres.nhl.com Sabres Summit Part 2
Sabres.nhl.com Sabres Summit Part 3 (would not load today, but listing it anyway)
http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/black-gets-it-right/
http://www.diebytheblade.com/
http://www.thegoosesroost.com/
http://www.topshelfblog.com/
http://willfulcaboose.wordpress.com/
http://blackbluegold.wordpress.com/

There were a few things that the Sabres Summit did for me, a girl blogging about hockey from the state of Oregon:

One, it helped me connect with so many other Sabres fans around the world.

Two, it allowed me to ask my much anticipated follow up question about Ted's shaving preferences. You see, during the chat in April, my husband asked Ted what kind of shaving cream he used. To which Ted answered, "Edge Gel." When I told my husband about the Sabres Summit he told me to make sure to ask what kind of razor he uses. So I did, and Ted being the cool guy that he is, answered with, "Cheap-o-disposable kind." Thanks Ted!

The third thing that happened during the Sabres Summit was I realized Kevin Sylvester had a twitter account. Kevin Sylvester, alongside Mike Robitaille, are the TV hosts of pregames, intermissions, and post game reviews of Buffalo Sabres' games. A few weeks ago the Sabres announced that with Rick Jeanneret and Harry Neale only calling home games this year, it will be Kevin Sylvester and Danny Gare in the booth calling away games. Kevin was asked how he felt about his new roll with the Sabres. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to call away games for this exciting team,” said Sylvester. “I have tremendous respect for RJ’s mastery of Sabres play-by-play, and am happy that he will continue. I’m also excited to share the booth with Danny Gare, whose experience and knowledge of the game will be great assets to all Sabres fans.”

I did not catch Kevin's Twitter name at first, but when I clicked on his picture (above) I could see it was him. I sent him a quick tweet and asked if he would ever consider doing an email interview with me. He responded with, "Sure, send me an email." Since his Twitter account was not verified I began to wonder if it was really him. But I was finally able to verify it was the real Kevin Sylvester and started working on my questions. The following is my interview with Kevin Sylvester. I hope you enjoy. If so, please leave a comment below. I just want to make sure someone out there is reading my blog. Stats say 100 or so hits a day but I still have only one comment. I think blogger is just trying to make me feel good. Thanks!

June 17th, 2011

Kevin,

First I just want to say thank you for doing this interview. I hope to interview more people from the Sabres organization in the future. I wanted to let you know a little bit about what my blog focuses on. I like to interview the people of hockey and how they became involved with the sport. There are so many blogs out there that ask the same questions about the current issues in the NHL and the future of hockey. I may have a few of those questions but my main focus is the on the person as a regular guy (or girl) and how they live their life in the sport of hockey.

With that being said, here are the questions I promised you. Please answer only the questions you feel comfortable with and take as much time as you need. If an answer to a question has already been covered in a previous answer just list which question I should refer back to. Pretty standard stuff I guess.

Oh, and one last thing. I do have a sense of humor and like to joke around but not everyone likes humor in an interview. Like I said though, I want to interview the person like we are just hanging out having a beer. So I hope I don't offend you with any of my questions but when I saw you in those pants I thought, “Now there is a guy with a sense of humor! I need to interview him!"

So, let me pour you a metaphorical beer, and start the interview....

What was your life like as kid and teenager? Parents, siblings, school life... that kind of thing.

Q. Did you grow up in the Buffalo area?
Kevin Sylvester: I was born in Fredonia, but grew up in Waterloo, NY

Q. Did you ever play hockey growing up?
Kevin Sylvester: Played street hockey, but not ice. Rinks were too far away. We played football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring.

Q. Did you follow hockey as a kid and if so, what team?
Kevin Sylvester: I didn't have cable so I watched very little hockey. Listened to the Amerks every now and then on the radio, and would go to my friend David's house to watch the Stanley Cup finals.

Q. Where you a trouble maker in high school or a focused kind of guy?
Kevin Sylvester: I was more of a smart a$$ than troublemaker. But I was an honor student, 10th in my class.

Q. Did you always know you wanted to be in broadcasting or did you have other plans?
Kevin Sylvester: It was either a baseball player or broadcaster.
My Reply: Lucky for us the baseball thing didn't pan out.

Q. Did you have any broadcasting idols that you admired growing up?
Kevin Sylvester: Bob Costas, Billy Packer, and Dick Vitale I've met 2 of the 3. Of course it's the one who occasionally hosts hockey that I haven't met.

Me: I know you went to college at SUNY Fredonia and were a guest speaker for their Leadership Development Speaker Series back in March 2010. You were quoted as saying, “I guess the first piece of advice I want to give you is be careful of what you do in college and who you let take pictures of you.” Then held up a picture of yourself in a plaid jacket from your days at Fredonia.

Q. Is there any chance we can get a look at that picture?
Kevin Sylvester: Not a chance! We dressed in gaudy salvation army stuff for our marketing management presentation as a gag. My group got an A in part for our captivating appearance! I told them that, because people are out of hand with cell phone cameras.
My Reply: Damn! I wanted to see that photo!

Q. What was your college life like?
Kevin Sylvester: College was great! Best time of my life.

Q. I think I read some where that you met your wife in college is that true?
Kevin Sylvester: Yes, we met freshman year, but didn't start dating until our junior year. We lived in the same dorm that year, and she couldn't resist my charm! Kidding of course. She's a pretty amazing wife and mother. I'm lucky to have her.
My Reply: Very good answer!

Q. What was your involvement with hockey at that point?
Kevin Sylvester: I called my first game on radio filling in for a senior on the student station. Fell in love with it that night even though I was terrible.

Me: During college you interned at Buffalo radio station WGR550 and after college you were offered a job there.

Q. How important was the internship for you?
Kevin Sylvester: It opened the door to my first job there. I showed up everyday, even when I wasn't scheduled. A lot of great people were there t that time. Funny thing is, I originally didn't have it. I was told to call the promo director for the internship. I called him each day for 31 days straight and got voicemail each time. I left a message each time. On day 32, he answered and I was speechless because i couldn't believe he actually answered. He told me I was in luck because the kid who was going to take just backed out, so I was in! I would love to meet the guy who backed out.
My Reply: I'm sure he is out there somewhere wondering what went wrong.

Q. What advice would you give to young people who want to have a career in broadcasting?
Kevin Sylvester: Never let anyone talk you out of your dream. I'm living proof. Also, work hard and be prepared for anything. It's a crazy business, but a fun one.

Q. How did you get started with the Sabres organization and what was your first year like?
Kevin Sylvester: I was approached by Larry Quinn about being the host. I had to submit a tape and show treatment. He liked both so much, I was hired during the lockout. The first year was amazing with the playoff run we had!

Q. What are a few of your top moments that have happened while working with the Sabres organization?
Kevin Sylvester: The playoff runs, presidents trophy, and getting a shot to do play by play.

Q. What are a few of the worst?
Kevin Sylvester: Losing in the playoffs.

Q. What was it like to call your first NHL game when you filled in for Rick Jeanneret a few years ago?
Kevin Sylvester: I was understandably nervous. It was tough, everything happened so fast. It was in Phoenix and we got smoked. I was much more relaxed 2 nights later in Dallas.

Me: The broadcasting booth area went from fans being able to walk by, then a rope was placed I think, finally a screen. I remember one game where you turned to say something to a rowdy fan and Mike Robitaille stopped you and said, “Always check on the size of the guy talking before you say something.”

Q. I have to ask... Do you like the change to the broadcasting booth area?
Kevin Sylvester: We are supposed to change it again this season, so stay tuned!

Q. What are the best parts about traveling with the team?
Kevin Sylvester: The plane and the hotels. All first class.

Q. What do you do during the time on the plane/bus?
Kevin Sylvester: Talk with Harry about life and hockey on the bus. On the plane, read, watch movies, or do homework on upcoming games.

Q. We know hockey players like to play pranks on their team mates. Has the team or staff ever played one on you?
Kevin Sylvester: Not yet!
My Reply: Hmmmm... There is always next season!

Q. What are some of the best pranks you have seen pulled off by the players?
Kevin Sylvester: Nothing stands out.
My Reply: Ok boys, you need to work on this so next season something stands out for Kevin... just sayin'

Q. Give us your thoughts and feeling on what the organization has become since 2-22-11, Pegula Day!
Kevin Sylvester: It made a great workplace even better.

Q. What is your family life like now?
Kevin Sylvester: I mentioned my amazing wife earlier. I have three kids who make me laugh a lot. I like to keep them as private as possible.

Q. What other activities besides hockey are you passionate about? (hmmm.. I going to say golf?)
Kevin Sylvester: Golf and the occasional fishing trip. Sports and music are getting big with my kids now too.
My Reply: If you ever make it to Montana I will tell you some great places to go fishing. Nothing beats fishing in Montana!

Me: This one is for my husband. During the chat with Ted Black my husband asked what kind of shaving cream his uses (Edge Gel) and then had me ask about razors during Sabres Summit (cheap disposable kind). So when I asked hubby what he wanted to ask you... you can see where this is going.

Q. What kind of shaving cream and razors do you use?
Kevin Sylvester: Edge and Gillette with the 5 blades
My Reply: My husband ditched his schick and bought one of these the other day. He loved it and says Thank You Kevin!

Q. My daughter wants to know what it is like working with that guy who says all the funny stuff? Which of course is R.J., but funny guy works for her.
Kevin Sylvester: He's great. Always has a comment about my suitcase.

Q. My son wants to know if you have ever touched the Stanley Cup?
Kevin Sylvester: Yes, When I worked in radio it made a visit to our studio. I had my picture taken with it. I won't again until we win it!
My Reply: Next season I hope!

Me: I asked Ted Black if I could buy him and Terry a beer when I make it to Buffalo some day. I think I asked Scott Miner too.
So I have to ask....

Q. If I ever make it to Buffalo, will you join me, my husband Joel, Ted, Terry, and Scott for a beer? I figure if I get enough people to say yes, and beer is involved, my husband will give in. Then this girl born and raised in Montana, living in Oregon, will at last touch down in Buffalo!
Kevin Sylvester: If I can fit it in great.
My Reply: You guys pick the place!

I can't say thank you enough for doing this! It means so much to me to have people I admire want to take time out of their day to answer my questions.

When I sent these questions to Kevin I signed my name at the bottom of course. Instead of using the standard "Thank You," ending. I signed how I sign most hockey related emails with, "Hope the Sabres Win the Cup" followed by the year. Well, after he sent me his answers I noticed the way I signed it this time. It said, "Hope the Sabres Win the Cup 2011." I felt like such an idiot! My first interview of one of my favorite hockey people and I messed up the year! I could just hear him saying, "Ya, ok crazy lady, the cup was already won for 2011 so... ah...good luck with that."

I have to say I find it amazing the way the whole organization is responding to social media. It made me love this team even more. I was always proud to say I'm a Buffalo Sabres fan but now I find myself telling every hockey person I know what our team is doing. Their response is always the same, "Are you sure you were talking to the real Ted Black, Kevin Sylvester, or 'Internet Guy' for the Official Buffalo Sabres' Facebook page?" They don't believe that a team would ever take the time to ask or please the fans. Then they start to wonder why their team isn't do the same thing.

I'm not sure who I'll get to interview next. I do have other people lined up that have nothing to do with the Sabres. I want to keep my blog about the people of hockey but can't help it if it's a slightly skewed Sabres view. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I'm a list making kind of person. So I think I'm going to publish a list of all the people I would like to interview at some point. Then I can check them off as I go along.

I wanted to give a quick thanks to all the people at Center Ice News, Twitter followers, and Facebook that have been helping me get my blog going. When I get home from vacation I plan on setting up a schedule that will allow me to publish something at least once a week. So please stick with me and I promise by the start of the preseason I should have the blog running smooth. And if anyone out there has an idea, knows someone I should interview, or wants to be interviewed to share their hockey story just let me know. My interview email address is: TheHockeyConnection@hotmail.com . I look forward to hearing from you!

Hope the Sabres Win the Cup ~~2011~~ 2012,
Mandy

A Day in the Life of a Hockey Wife

2011-06-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

As I watched the NHL Awards last night there were a few things that stood out. One of course was Lady Bing winner, Martin St. Louis, having his name slaughtered by two blond Real Housewives of somewhere. The other thing that stood out was in the acceptance speeches of the winners. Almost every man (with the exception of Jeff Skinner who isn't aloud to date yet) thanked their wife, fiancé, or girlfriend for their support.

I could see the pain on Magali Laperriere's face as her husband, Ian Laperriere, accepted the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. The award goes "to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey." Magali was crying as she watched her husband talk about his hockey career and the fact that his playing days are probably over. You could see how much she supported this man who wanted nothing more than to play the game he loved.

So who are these women behind the men? What are their lives like supporting their husbands as they make their way through all levels of hockey? How do they manage a family while following their husbands around the world to play the game he loves? I was able to find a few of these amazing women and asked one of them if I could interview her for my blog.

This hockey wife has a blog of her own that I sat up reading until 3:00 a.m.. I read about how, after playing hockey in North America, her husband wanted to play overseas. How she moved to Italy with her husband and infant son Linden (named after Trevor Linden of the Vancouver Canucks) and the struggles she faced there. Then the following season when the team her husband was going to play for in Germany went bankrupt, they headed back home to play hockey in North America. And this coming season she is moving once again, this time to Germany, and is a pro at packing their entire lives into hockey bags.

I encourage you to read and share her blog with other hockey fans. It really gives an inside look at the life of a young hockey family playing overseas. You can find her blog at: http://www.adayinthelifeofahockeywife.com/

So for those out there who haven't read your blog tell us a little about who you are.

I am a 26 year old professional packer and mover, (mostly) stay at home mother, and wife of the year contender.

Q:
How did you and your husband meet? We know all the puck bunnies out there are hoping he saw you through the glass, tracked you down after the game, and swept you off your feet!

A:
No, he definitely didn’t see me through the glass. Sorry, Ladies.
I had met him in passing once or twice but my girlfriend, Courtney, formally introduced us. Her fiancé was his teammate.

Q:
Were you a hockey fan before you met your husband?

A:
Not even close. Even now, I wouldn’t consider myself to be a true hockey fan. I support my husband and I enjoy watching the game, but I don’t fully understand it. I am definitely not the wife who critiques her husband during his games … and never will be.

Q:
Was there ever a point before you got married that you thought being a hockey wife was going to be glamorous or did you know from the start what you were signing up for?

A:
Life with a professional athlete can be exciting but I would never describe it as glamorous. Not at this level, anyway.

Q:
What are some of the things you didn't know about until you became a hockey wife?

A:
I hadn’t fully grasped the business side of hockey. I quickly learned that nothing is guaranteed, no one owes you anything, and everyone is replaceable.

Q:
Other than the obvious things like your wedding or the birth of your son, what are your top three moments in your life as a hockey wife?

A:
I honestly don’t know where to begin with these next two questions … Off the top of my head … the highlights have been:
1. Raising Linden (the opportunity to be a stay at home mom)
2. Friendships
3. Life Abroad

Q:
What are the top three worst moments?

A:
1. Health coverage issues in Italy.
2. The team folding in Germany last year.
3. Watching my husband kneel on the ice with his head in his hands and tears streaming down his face after losing a game 7 in the finals.

Q:
When your husband is playing overseas do you get to meet the other hockey wives or do you do your own thing?

A:
Yes, I always meet the other wives or girlfriends. In Europe, my experience has been that we more or less need each other. That being said, I thoroughly enjoy doing my own thing -- and with a toddler in tow, it just kind of happens naturally.

Q:
Are there certain things you enjoy about your husband playing overseas and if so, can you tell us a few?

A:
Life abroad can be lonely and overwhelming. But if you allow yourself to be open to the experience, I think most will find that life abroad can also be a beautiful opportunity to experience life outside your comfort zone. That’s what I fell in love with, and that’s what I look forward to the most.

Q:
I know you had problems with health care for your son at one point while overseas. How does it work if you or your son becomes ill over there?

A:
The health care issues we experienced in Italy had nothing to do with the health care system. Those issues were a result of poor ownership and management. I think that’s an important distinction.

Believe it or not, the hospital turned us away because the organization had outstanding bills from previous seasons and without medical cards we couldn’t visit a doctor at will.

Generally, I called my doctor’s office or Linden’s pediatrician’s office using Skype. Our landlord happened to be the local pharmacist and she freely dispensed antibiotics if necessary. I can’t imagine what it would have been like without her.

Q:
If you could choose an NHL team for your husband to play for which team would it be? Is this the same choice as your husband?

A:
Vancouver Canucks. That was easy!

Q:
With you and your family leaving to play in Germany in a few months, what kind of things do you have to do before you can go? Such as any medical tests, paper work, things like that.

A:
The basics are:
Suspend our car insurance
Suspend our cell phone plans
Make sure Linden’s immunizations are up to date
And I keep a running list of things we should bring/things we will need to buy there.

Q:
How do both of your families feel about your family living overseas?

A:
My in-laws have always encouraged my husband to play in Europe. They know that he has gone as far as he can go in North American hockey and that if he wants to continue to play and enjoy playing; Europe is the right place for him. Hockey parents seem to inherently understand those things.

My parents are a tougher sell. They are cautiously supportive. At this point, they both probably assume that by October, we’ll be calling with bad news of some sort. They are fairly good at keeping their opinions to themselves but I know that they struggle to understand where we’re coming from.

Q:
How has social media helped or hurt the way you guys live as a hockey family?

A:
That’s an interesting question … You are probably expecting a more exciting answer but generally speaking, social media really has no affect on the way we live. The only social media outlet that my husband and I use is Facebook and our privacy settings keep the nonsense to a minimum.

Q:
What is your take on puck bunnies? Do you have any crazy bunny stories to share with us?

A:
I think puck bunnies (or groupies) are pathetic. We all have a story or two but most aren’t worth sharing.

Q:
Fans don't see much of the behind the scenes for a player with an injury. What is it like for YOU and for your husband when he has an injury? What are some things fans probably don't realize about injured hockey players?

A:
I guess injuries come with the territory but for me, they are like hockey fights: flat out scary. When my husband (or anyone else, for that matter) goes down, my heart sinks. Did their head hit the ice? Are they bleeding? Are they conscious?

I have a feeling most fans aren’t thinking, ‘that’s so-and-so’s husband or daddy’ because that’s not who players are to fans. But that’s what I’m thinking …

Q:
Being a mom myself, I can't imagine packing them up to live overseas. What are some of the things you deal with moving a toddler overseas? What is a typical day like for you and your son while your husband is at the rink?

At first packing and moving was quite the ordeal but it seems like second nature now. Hockey bag full of Linden’s stuff, check. Car seat, check. Stroller, check. I keep a list (or twelve) and a planner to help me keep track of things.

My husband is usually gone from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, just depends on the team.

Linden is up at 8:00 am. I fix breakfast and while Linden watches a few cartoons, I check my e-mail. We try to do one activity each day that gets us out of the house (swimming, park/playground, play date, etc.) otherwise we both go a little stir crazy. I fix lunch around noon and Linden goes down for a nap around 2:00 pm. While he naps I catch up on household chores (laundry, cleaning, etc.) or watch a little TV. By that time, my husband is usually home and we just … hang.

What are a few of the must-haves you bring with you for you, for your husband, and for your son?

Me: Pureology shampoo and conditioner, Proactive’s three step facial cleansing system, and Crest Advanced White 3D toothpaste.

My husband: Taco and fajita seasoning packets.

Linden: Hockey net, sticks and foam pucks, a few of his favorite books, and something to make his room special. Last year, I packed Disney Cars wall decals. This year, I will bring NHL player wall decals.

Q:
Last... Is there anything you would like to say to hockey fans that they may not realize about the life of a young hockey family?

A: Nah, the fans are pretty with-it!

New Stuff Coming... I Promise!

2011-06-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

Well I recovered from my kidney infection just in time for the last few weeks of the school year. So my time has been spent being a chaperon for both of my kids' classes on field trips.

When I was on my daughter's trip to the State Capitol I watched the kids excitedly look out the bus windows to try and catch a glimpse of one of the buildings. There is a giant gold statue called the "Golden Pioneer" on top of that building. All the kids strained to see this piece of history they had learned about in class. It was hard to hear over all their shrieks, oohs, and ahhhhs. But then there was this perfect moment of silence at the exact same time one of the kids, looking out the other side of the bus, shouted, "Look! There's the bikini coffee place!"

In an instant these sweet, young, minds that were absorbing some of the state's most ornate buildings, lost all thought of the giant gold statue atop a building! Instead they shifted their complete attention to the half naked women serving coffee in a drive through coffee shop! I turned to the mother next to me and said, "Well, there is the kids' first lesson in the difference between Capitol and Capitalism!"

My son's field trip was to a swim park so there weren't as many educational moments. But for those who don't know, my son has Aspergers Syndrome. For him it means he is not very social, does not have many friends, has intense interest on topics he enjoys, has trouble with running and throwing a ball, and is just kind of a loner at school.

My favorite moment from his day may sound simple but for those with kids that don't fit in you will understand. I just happened to see him making his way to a group of boys playing basketball at the end of the pool. I wanted the ball to come to him so he would get a turn but also didn't want him to miss like always and be embarrassed. Just then the ball missed one kid and landed right in front of my son. I held my breath as he picked it up and threw it toward the hoop. And.....It went in! Nothing but net! I shouted, "YES!" and scared the pants off a woman sitting next to me. I was glad it was too noisy inside for him, or worse, the other kids, see or hear me. That moment stayed in my mind all week. Unfortunately so did images of a few mothers that decided to wear swimsuits designed for 20 year olds! But that's another story.

So I know this post has nothing to do with hockey but I felt I must post something to let you all (I say this like I have thousands of people waiting for my blog- ya right) know that I'm still here and working on new stuff. I have been in contact with two fans from Ireland and London who I plan to interview in much the same way as the fan from Vienna, Austria. I'm also working on a piece about hockey wives and their view on the game, the life, and how they feel about hubby's career choice. So please don't think I just let things go after I got sick. I have so many ideas that I get lost on what I'm working on sometimes and lose track of time.

We are going on vacation soon to my home town of Butte, MT. But I will have my laptop in tow and work on things when I have time. Thank you to all of the followers I have met on twitter! I hope to write about you all eventually. Procrastination is in my D.N.A. but I am working on it!

My Kidney Infection Puts New Postings on Hold for About a Week

2011-05-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to get this website up and running! I made some great connections and have some stuff lined up for interviews I'm going to do and other stories I have been working on. Then last week I became sick with a kidney infection and can't seem to get over it. I'm starting a new antibiotic today and hope that will kick the butt of this infection so I can get going on all the stuff I want to do.

So please don't think I have just been lazy or have nothing to write about! Keep checking back and if you have any ideas about people I should interview let me know. I will still be checking the internet a few times a day if I can. And once this infection is gone I will be posting again with some great stuff.

Thanks to all the people who have helped me get my name out there! I did not forget about any of you. I will repay and retweet things again as soon as I am well! Have a good night!

Mandy

The Shortest Shift

2011-05-16T17:24:00.000-07:00

note: I am working on a few different interviews at the moment and some other things I think you will all enjoy. This next post is not on someone I interviewed but is about a hockey player I admire greatly. I hope to interview him some day but for now I will have to write about what I know. I hope you enjoy....

I stated before that I wanted this blog to be about people who love the game of hockey and how it became part of or changed their lives. I don't think this man expected hockey to change his life in the way it did. Nobody did. But on the night of Friday, Oct. 20, 1995, Travis Roy stepped on the ice for his first shift in his first college hockey game with Boston University. His life would never be the same.

.Travis grew up around hockey. He played for his father, Lee Roy, who played hockey at the University of Vermont and was the MVP. When he was about seven he became a stickboy for the Maine Mariners of the AHL. While Travis was with the team it was coached by coaches such as Tom McVie, Mike Milbury, and John Paddock. Travis often had to clean up the ice after one of Milbury's explosions at the ref. where Milbury threw water bottles, tape, and sticks on to the ice. So he had an unique view of hockey from the inside out and dreamed of playing college hockey.

He would get to realize his dream when he joined the team at Boston University under coach Jack Parker. The coach told Travis he was going to dress for the team's home opener against North Dakota where they would raise the 1994-95 NCAA Championship banner in the Walter Brown Arena. Then, for the second game of the season he would start. The team they would be playing? The University of Vermont, his dad's alma mater. Both games were going to be a special.

So after the banner was raised at the home opener against North Dakota Travis sat on the bench to await his first shift. Boston University scored on the second shift of the game. Travis' line was up. He went over the boards to take his place at center ice with his team mate, and my favorite player, Chris Drury. When the puck was dumped into the corner Travis went to deliver a hit to the defenseman who retrieved it. But something went wrong and he tripped and deflected off the player and went into the boards with the top of his helmet. He laid motionless on the ice.

His father always told Travis, "Get up, you're not hurt". So when Travis did not get up everyone who knew him and the way he played knew something was wrong. Eventually his father made his way down to the ice where Travis was laying in the corner.

The following excerpt is taken from Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage & Triumph by: Travis Roy with E.M. Swift:

"I wanted to sound upbeat, so I said, 'Hey, boy, let's get going. There's a hockey game to play.' But when I got down on the ice next to him, he said, 'Dad, I'm in deep ----. I can't feel my arms or legs. My neck hurts.' I was trying to think of something positive to say back. Then Travis looked me right in the eyes and said, 'But Dad. I made it.'" Lee's pale blue eyes fill with tears as he recounts this, and shaking his head, he starts to weep. "I said. 'You're right, son. You did.' It didn't last long. Eleven seconds. But he made it."

They would later find out that Travis had cracked his fourth vertebra and was paralyzed from the neck down. He was twenty years old.

Travis went on though and eventually created the Travis Roy Foundation which offers assistance to spinal injury patients and funds research to find a cure.

When the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2001 one of the players on the team was asked what he planned to do with the cup when it was his turn. He said he was taking the cup to Travis Roy. Who was that player? Chris Drury.

Travis Roy said it like this:

"It alters your angle of regard to know there is, in fact, a family of man. To know the generous side of human nature, the fine, unselfish side, is around us all the time, waiting to emerge when the need is truly there." -Taken from Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage & Triumph by: Travis Roy with E.M. Swift

I have created an online fund raising page under The Hockey Connection using Travis Roy's new fundraiser program called 24. Here is a little bit about what the 24 CLUB is:

The Travis Roy Foundation is thrilled to announce a new online fundraising program, the “24 CLUB.” The 24 CLUB is an annual fundraising program designed to generate funds and awareness on a national level for spinal cord injured individuals and research.

To become a 24 Club member, participants must sign up for their own Travis Roy Foundation online fundraising page, and then obtain at least 24 supporters to donate a minimum of $24. Individuals can now register for their online fundraising page at 24 CLUB. Volunteers from all over the United States are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Please follow my link if you would like to make a donation. You can also create your own fund raising account and page if you would like to set your own goal and raise money yourself. Here is the link for The Hockey Connection's 24 fund raising page.

Travis Roy 24 Donation

The Travis Roy Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the United States and we rely on the support and generosity of the public.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Travis Roy's book here is a link. I loved this book and think all hockey fans should own a copy!

Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage & Triumph

How Does a Hockey Fan in Vienna, Austria Get Their Hockey Fix?

2011-05-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those hockey fans who can't miss a game of my favorite team from October to the playoffs. My family knows that every year for my birthday (which happens to be in October) I expect the NHL Center Ice TV package as my gift. To bad you can't wrap it and put a bow on it because that would be perfection. I even switched sattelite companies last year because the one I had couldn't offer both feeds of each Buffalo game. There was no way I was going to go all season watching the Sabres play and only being able to watch them through the other team's broadcast. I'm a die hard Rick Jeanneret fan! So I thought it would be interesting to ask a fellow hockey fan who lives in another country how they get their hockey fix!

I met Alexander Buzek where you would expect to meet an international hockey fan, on Facebook. Of course I'm a Sabres hockey fan so I found him on the Buffalo Sabres Official Facebook page. I came across a post he made saying he would be watching game seven of the Buffalo/Philly series around 1 a.m. the next morning. I thought Wow, that would suck to be in a time zone where the game didn't come on until some crazy hour. After chatting with him a bit I found out he wasn't just watching it at his house in his pj's, he was going to a bar with 60 other hockey fans to watch the game. So I asked him to take some photos and if he would not mind answering some questions after the game. He agreed to take photos (he happened to be a photographer too) and was happy to answer questions.

Well we all know what the outcome of that game was and, in case you have been in cave for the last few weeks, our Sabres lost in Philly and that was the end of their season. So I was a little worried Alex might not be thrilled to still do an interview with me. When I saw he was online I learned he was still very willing and couldn't wait. He said they had so much fun watching the game that night even though they lost. So we set up a time that worked for both of us (10 a.m. my time which was 7 p.m. his time). I still wasn't sure how the whole thing would work out but at least I could get a perspective from a hockey fan in another country, which is what I wanted in the first place.

The following is my interview with Alexander Buzek on May 2, 2011. Some of his answers I had to edit or adjust so they would make sense and be in correct English form.

Me:
Ok Alex, just so I get everything correct, what is your name, age, location, and native language?

Alex:
Alexander Buzek, 37, Vienna (the Capitol of Austria), German.

Me:What forms of American social media do you use to keep track of your team and other hockey news? i.e. forums, facebook, my space.

Alex:
Facebook, the Sabres home page, and the NHL home page. Facebook though is the easiest way for me to get in touch with Sabres fans.

Me:
At what age and how did you become a hockey fan?

Alex:
I began playing hockey when I was seven years old living in Vienna. I continued to play until around the age of 17, all the my love for the game grew and grew with no end in sight.

I started to play because as a little boy my dad took me to hockey games several times. I was so impressed by the speed and action of the sport that I told my dad I wanted to play too!

When I started to play hockey as a kid I had no clue about the NHL. All of that was too far away and no appearance about NHL in our media. Then I learned about the existence of the NHL and, like every child, I started to dream of becoming a great NHL star! I know now I will not become one but the dream still exists.

Me:
What was the first NHL game you watched?

Alex:
This happened in a very curious way. The game was not shown here on television and of course this was before the internet. I had a friend who bought a subscription where they would send him video tapes from the U.S.A. with the games of the last month. We would all sit around and watch these games.

Me:
This is such a crazy idea to me. I bet someone was making lots of money selling these tapes to die hard hockey fans around the world. Do you remember what was your favorite team back then?

Alex:
Yes the Edmonton Oilers! This was back in the early 80's. I still like them because in a way they are my sentimental favorite team. Now my favorite teams are the Vienna Capitals as my hometown team, and the Buffalo Sabres as my heart-blood team, and nothing can ever change this.

I guess we all loved the Edmonton Oilers because Gretzky was the only really big star we knew. So it the choice of a favorite team was based more on what knew and not what was necessarily the best team.

Me:
How popular is the sport of hockey in Vienna, Austria?

Alex:
Hockey is not the most popular sport in Austria. The most popular sports are skiing and soccer but the hockey community in Austria is quite big and is growing. We have no school based teams here but there a lot of teams where kids can start to play. Vienna has one big team, the Vienna Capitals, and about 15 smaller ones around the area.

Hockey has a long tradition here. Even though we are not the most successful country we are really good for our size. I guess from 8 million Austrians we have 500,000 who really love the game of hockey.

Me:
Have you ever had a chance to see the Buffalo Sabres play live in person?

Alex:
November 19th, 1995. They played the Ottawa Senators and the Sabres won 6-0! And I was there! It was a home game for Buffalo and I want to go there again so bad just to be a part of that again and make some noise!

Me:
I know you have told me that it is very hard to watch an NHL game on T.V. in Vienna. What do you think could or should be done in order to improve access to televised hockey games for you and other fans it the area?

Alex:
I guess it is very expensive to buy the rights to show games here live, but this would be the most helpful way to show how great hockey can be. Because you can't compare an NHL game to anything else.

But let's take football for example. When they started to broadcast the Super Bowl here most people said why spend so much money for some freaks, and now, the people who watch the Super Bowl live grow and grows and we now have a weekly television program called Football Magazine TV.

There are much more hockey fans than football fans in Austria. Maybe the cheaper way is to make a weekly television show program about hockey. It would not be necessary to show all games. It would be too hard to choose anyway. So a once a week recap of all the games would be great idea. And showing the Stanley Cup Finals live would be twice a good!

The NHL should try it the way the NFL did. I am sure it would be a great success here. And they would have no problem with interfering with existing television shows because games would be on late at night.

Well, if the NHL doesn't go to Austria, Alex goes to the NHL!

Me:
Well now I wanted to ask you some questions about the game 7 between Buffalo and Philly that you went to watch at a bar with other fans. What time did the game start?

Alex:
Around 1 a.m.

Me:
What is the name and location of the bar?

Alex:
The name of the bar is nothing great. It is just called "Sports Bar". It is a place to meet people from overseas and watch overseas sports. It is located right in the center of Vienna.

Me:
How many people attended the party at the bar that night?

Alex:
There where about 60 people watching the game. There was about 20 Sabres fans, 5 Flyers fans, and the rest were lovers of NHL hockey and supporters of other teams who wanted to watch highlights of those games. Most of us in the bar were going for the Sabres. We had so much fun there that even other guests joined us and I guess the NHL has a few more fans after that night.

Me:
Obviously the people of Austria love Thomas Vanek. Would you say the he has helped make the sport more popular in the area?

Alex:
The success of Vanek didn't make hockey here more popular. What he did do for us hockey lovers is bring hockey and the NHL to the attention of the media here which is such a great development. Before Vanek they would never show games or highlights on TV here.

But it is not only Vanek alone. There is Grabner from the New York Islanders and Nödl from the Flyers. They did their part too. But in the end Vanek is Austria's Hockey Hero!

It is amazing for such a small country with so little money for the sport that 3 Austrians have made it to the NHL. This is great for Austrian hockey and for sure great for the kids who now are starting to play.

If I had walked down the street 10 years ago with a Sabres shirt on people would ask what it was. But now, since Vanek plays for Buffalo, people know what it is.

Me:
Have you ever seen Vanek play live?

Alex:
I have never seen Vanek play live but I will get to see him play two games in October when the NHL come to Germany. I have my tickets already! But for sure I want to see the Sabres play in Buffalo again.

Me:
So you believe the NHL starting their season out in Europe is a very good thing for helping the sport grow in other countries?

Alex:
It is a great idea and a big thing for fans over here, but they always go only to Germany. It is not that far away from me but it would be more effective for advertising the NHL in Europe if they really would make a tour through more countries.

The Sabres should visit Vienna! Vanek is a better player than Hecht so he deserves it more that the players come to a hometown of a player. And we Austrians are a way better audience!
　

Me:
How do you think the people of Austria feel about Thomas Vanek playing in the NHL when he is also needed on Austria's team in the IIHF tournament?

Alex:
Definitely nothing compares with a Stanley Cup title and of course we needed him badly. It was upsetting to see that the Sabres were knocked out of the playoffs and that due to injury Vanek would not make an appearance at the world championship. But we all understand that he needs to heal and become totally fit for NHL again and that is much more important to us.

All of us here would love it so much if we ever could say, "An Austrian player has won the Stanley Cup!" He and Grabner do a lot for the NHL in Austria. Grabner being nominated for the rookie of the year is another great step for hockey here. Mostly us fans are happy because maybe one day we will be able to make more things happen and the Austrian TV will broadcast a game.
　

Me:
Is there anything you think the fans of the U.S. should know about hockey fans in Austria?

Alex:
The Austrian hockey fan is very loyal and supports their team in the biggest crises the same way as in the best times. We also have two hockey hearts, one is for our home team and one is for our favorite NHL team. But in the end we are the same fans as Americans or Canadians, we are crazy about this game and love it endlessly!

Another thing about being a hockey fan here is we may not be as successful as the USA or Canada, and none of our teams could ever compare to an NHL team, but our fans have the same big hockey heart as every fan of those teams. It's not the success, it's the game that makes us love hockey so so much!