New York City Hockey Player

I'm Sorry, Could You Say That Again?

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:59:00 +0000

You know I never thought of Jaromir Jagr as either being particularly tough or particularly funny but last night he was both. In case you missed the game, Jagr mishandled a puck on a breakaway, got in the face by that selfsame puck moments later and then watched as Vincent Lecavalier scored on a penalty shot for the Lightning. After the game, some not particularly kind member of the press asked the Rangers Captain what he was thinking after seeing Leclavier score.

Jagr's reply? "I was still looking for my teeth."

How Cool is This?!

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:24:00 +0000

For the first time that I know of, Wollman Rink is being opened up for hockey. And not just any hockey. Pond hockey! Good old fashioned shinny, Tuesday nights at 9:30 pm. Click on the link for more details and see you on the ice!

'Tis the Season

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:18:00 +0000

Bryant Park opens up tomorrow morning at 8 am! I'm sure the recent rain won't have helped but at least it's gotten colder. I haven't skated on the pond yet but I only work a few blocks away so I'm looking forward to being able to get in a daily skate.

Let the Games Begin!

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:49:00 +0000

Believe it or not, Lasker Rink is open for business! Who cares if it still feels like labor Day weekend as long as we get to play some hockey!

Adult Co-Ed Evaluations are tomorrow, Thursday, October 25 from 7-8:15 pm. Click on the link above for more details.

Pardon the Interruption

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:47:00 +0000

Sorry about that folks. My company launched a new comic book and a new website this past week (check out www.the99.org if you're interested) so the past week has been extra hectic. Like the Ottawa Senators, I promise to come back from the layoff sharp and strong as ever!

TSN Gives us the latest on Duffrie

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:44:00 +0000

Nice View of the new ice at the Prudential Center arena view update - 10/15/2007

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 22:39:00 +0000

Anybody been able to get single game tickets yet? Or is the home opener sold out? Ticketmaster isn't giving me any love.

Photo Gallery - Prudential Center arena view update - 10/15/2007

Sean Avery Talks to the New York Times

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:23:00 +0000

Thanks to Ritch at American Hockey Fan for the heads up on this. By the way, if you're a "sandpaper" player for your team, you may not want to say things like "I just got a lovely cashmere throw from a friend who works at Calvin Klein". Esa Tikannen would have made a carrer out of making fun of all the metrosexual stuff Avery let's spill in this piece.
Sean Avery - New York Rangers - Hockey - Money -Wealth - New York Times

Funny Tim Robbins story

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:22:00 +0000

From the Islanders Point Blank Blog. Anybody, who has seen Tim Robbins on skates knows that he can give Zdeno Chara a run for the money in the height department. Always knew Al Arbour was hard core. NYI Point Blank

Breaking Ritchie Duncan's Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:42:00 +0000

I've written before about my pal, Ritch Duncan. He's a fellow Mighty Squirrel, a top notch hockey blogger, and an all around good guy. And I'm about to shatter his dreams.

For the past couple of days Ritchie has been blogging on American Hockey Fan about the marketing efforts to launch the new NHL store in Manhattan. Ritchie is going up there today to get his first glimpse at that most beloved of hockey icons, the Stanley Cup.

Except, not really. The Cup that is generally brought out to these events is a replica cup created in 1995. Why would the league create a copy of hockey's holy grail? Blame the Rangers.

You see back in 1994 the boys got a little raucous and managed to break Lord Stanley's mug in to three different pieces. After the repair effort the league decided that it might be better not to have so much wear and tear on their beloved trophy so the replica was created.

For the record, I was lucky enough to drink out of the Stanley Cup during that amazing June in 1994 and then see the cup up close again later in that summer (I had friends who worked for the Rangers organization and they had it at their house!). The next summer, another friend of mine who was a die hard Devils fan dragged me to Jimmy Dowd's bar to see the cup. At that point I didn't mind seeing him get all gushy about a fake trophy. After all, he was a Claude Lemieux fan who had dragged me to Brick, NJ.

But Ritchie man. He deserves better.

Because in this new hockey world of hi tech sweaters, hockey themed Starbucks and franchises in Nashville every real hockey fan should be able to see the embodiment of everything we love about the sport.

And it doesn't get any more real than that.

TSN likes the Islanders

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:21:00 +0000

TSN : NHL - Canada's Sports Leader

Game On: Early Season Reflections In Metro Area Hockey

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 21:20:00 +0000

Game On: Early Season Reflections In Metro Area Hockey

Bachelor of Hockey

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:46:00 +0000

With Rangers tickets hard to come by and Devils single game tickets not even on sale yet, folks are probably wondering how they can see some top quality hockey for a reasonable price. Luckily the city's college hockey season kicks off this week. Fordham open up against the Ramapo Saints at the Ice Hutch this Friday at 8:45 pm. meanwhile, back in the city NYU take on the University of Scranton at Sky Rink at 8:30 pm. Columbia open up next Friday with a tilt against St. Thomas at the Palisades Mall. Game time is 9:20 pm. All three matches offer a chance to see some quality hockey at a fraction of NHL prices some make sure to check them out!

Sports Illustrated on the Islanders Blogging Experiment

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 01:27:00 +0000

SI.com - Writers - Richard Deitsch: Islanders bloggers break new ground - Monday October 8, 2007 6:16PM

Game Time Decision

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:23:00 +0000

Looks like Time Warner weren't the only folks having last minute negotiations with the NHL ...

On the Rangers Beat: Cablevision OKs Center Ice

I'm Sore Today

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:00:00 +0000

Why? Because it's Thursday and I've been doing this for the last two nights ...

Seriously, Blue Streak is awesome. They offer a trial session for free and everyone should check it out. You'll hurt afterwards but boy will you have fun!

Dave Andrews Gets It, Even if Paul Holmgren Doesn't

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:04:00 +0000

globeandmail.com: Globe on Hockey - Duhatschek: The AHL lowers the boom on Steve Downie

TV Timeout Over

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:50:00 +0000

Looks like Time Warner's deal with the NHL worked out after all. I was able to call up and order CENTER ICE no problem this week. I'm still surprised that they waited to offer it so close to the start of the season but if it means I get to watch HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA on Saturday night then I'm a happy camper.

Time Warner is also offering the NHL NETWORK this season but I didn't bite. I've been able to see the channel when I've gone back to Canada (where it's been offered for a couple of years) and like a lot of similarly themed channels it's content poor. Sure it's great to see classic old games and the occasional behind the scenes piece but if you've got CENTER ICE, MSG, FSN, and SNY and VS. on offer already where are you going to find the time to watch more hockey? If you're a complete puckhead then go for it but the rest of us won't be missing much.

Besides if you're that obsessive, you can watch CENTER ICE ONLINE, ISLANDERS TV, DEVILS TV, and other team channels on your computer. No Rangers online channel yet as they have not succumbed to Gary Bettman's vision of "one league to rule them all" and think the NHL is equivalent to the Soprano family for even thinking of asking them to share rights and revenues. I'm not completely sold on watching games online yet but I hope it will be something that hockey fans outside of the US and Canada can take full advantage of. It could also come in handy if NBC decides to cut away from the conference finals again.

For all the complaints about the League not being on ESPN, we are definitely spoiled for choice in NYC. I wish people would stop thinking that Stan Fischler is this city's answer to Don Cherry but I'm always excited that we get to see as much hockey as we do throughout the season.

The Heartbreak Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:50:00 +0000

Sean Avery's not the only hockey player getting dumped these days.

Kellie Pickler Drops Her Cheatin' Tootoo - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Fringe Benefits for the Islanders

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:21:00 +0000

Things are going well for Mike Comrie these days. In addition to centering the Islanders top line, the gossip sites tell us he's Hilary Duff's newest boy toy. How long before the Islanders try for a double header with La Duff? She could sing the national anthem, take a break while the game goes on and then use Miroslav Satan, John Sim and the rest of the team as her backup dancers.

If nothing else it gives the lunch bucket Islanders a little celebrity glam off the court. Especially now that Elisha Cuthbert and Sean Avery have supposedly called it quits.

Note to the Devils: This doesn't mean that Patrick Elias should start dating Ashlee Simpson

Paul Holmgren still doesn't get it

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 13:48:00 +0000

ESPN - Downie and out: Suspended winger sent to AHL - NHL: "Downie will be ineligible to play until his case is reviewed by AHL commissioner David Andrews. The AHL can uphold or alter the suspension or dismiss it. Regardless of the AHL's call, Downie will still need to sit out 20 NHL games. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren told reporters Friday that the team plans to have Downie serve the NHL suspension in blocks, calling him up from time to time to serve the 20 games. Downie has not played an NHL game with the Flyers and was expected to start the season in the minor leagues. But injuries this week to forwards Scottie Upshall, R.J. Umberger and Joffrey Lupul boosted the chances that the 20-year-old prospect could have started the year with the big club. 'He can go the American League and play,' Holmgren was quoted as saying in the Philadelphia Daily News. 'Our plan is to make this suspension go away as quickly as possible. And because of our cap situation, we're probably going to have to get creative.' Holmgren added that the 20-year-old forward would be recalled to the big club on days the AHL team is not playing."

The Shame of Philadelphia ... and New York

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:32:00 +0000

If I were a Flyers fan I would be hanging my head in shame today at the classlessness of their organization. Steve Downie was suspended 20 games today for doing this

Downie who has a pretty bad history when it comes to this kind of thing said this on ESPN:

"My game is hitting and finishing checks," Downie said. "I'm just trying to earn a spot on a roster. It's part of my game and I apologize for him getting hurt. I thought I got him clean. Unfortunately he hit the boards after."

The last time I checked, leaving your feet to blindside a guy in the head was not considered a "clean hit" but I don't expect intelligent discourse from a caveman like Downie. I do expect better of Flyers management than this quote from Flyers GM Paul Holmgren...

"My reaction is that it seems like a lot of games, but Colin Campbell is in a very difficult position and we respect his position and his judgment in this case,"

A lot of games? For potentially ending a guys career? Maybe Holmgren's just feeling bad for the kid because now he'll become a pariah of the hockey world. Like Marty McSorley, who wasn't even allowed to play in England during his suspension. But wait ...

Campbell said Downie would be available to play in the Flyers' AHL affiliate.

Downie has not played an NHL game with the Flyers and was expected to start the season in the minor leagues. The 20-year-old said after the game he thought it was a clean hit.

So the guy is suspended for 20 games assuming he ever gets called up? In other words, he basically receives no punishment for one of the most vicious checks I've seen in 30+ years of watching hockey. If this guy does suit up for the Phantoms like nothing ever happened it will be a dark day in Philadelphia. It already is in the league offices here in New York.

For Colin Campbell, who let Chris Simon go after Ryan Hollweg the other night (despite the fact that Simon was already serving a suspension for doing that) and has now let this loser off scott free I have one question ...

Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?

Chill Factor

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:27:00 +0000

As excited as I am for the start of the NHL season next week I'm even more excited about strapping on the skates and playing some hockey OUTSIDE. That's why I'm bumming about the current warm weather we're having in New York City. I want there to be a nip in the air. I want to start breaking out the sweatshirts and hoodies. And I want some ice!

The ball hockey rink that I play at doesn't have any lights and last night we would have killed for it to be as bright as the picture on the left. With sundown happening around 7 pm these days, it's safe to say that weeknight ball hockey is done for the season.

So make it cold already. I want to be at Lasker, or Wollman in Brooklyn or even Bryant Park. Stars above, ice below, skating around on the closest thing I can find to a frozen pond in New York City. I can't wait.

The Sport of Queens?

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:45:00 +0000

It just might be roller hockey. The 104th Precinct Roller Hockey League is starting up their Fall/Winter season. Here's their call for new players ...

We are also looking for players of all skill levels for our upcoming 18 and Over Mens Division. Games are weeknights under the lights at our rink in Queens. The season itself will be 10 games long and all 6 teams will make the playoffs. Cost is $150 for skaters and $75 for Goalies. For more information check out our website at http://members.aol.com/mens104hockey/

Hockey Buddies

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Larsen) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:20:00 +0000

The folks at the Manhattan Hockey meet Up group are getting together to watch some hockey ...

It's time to get out your jerseys again!

Since the group's organizers are inactive members I'm taking the
initiative and proposing a meetup:

What:
Rangers/ Islanders preseason game

When:
Friday, September 28, 2007, 7:00 PM
I'll be arriving earlier to grab a table

Where:
Tonic East
411 Third Ave. (at 29th St.)
NYC 10016

Please reply to me directly at megan.whitman@gmail.com and not the
whole email list so I may keep track of RSVPs.

Hope to see you Friday!

Megan

Go to their website for more info and to sign up for their mailing list.