THE HOCKEY GUYS

Stanley Cup Finals Pre-Show TODAY from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST.

Today’s show:

Stanley Cup Finals Preview Show.

Appearances by:

Chris Wassel of The Hockey Program
Lyle Richardson of Spectorshockey.net
and
Jeff Marek of CBC Sports Canada

Only one place to catch the guys, live: The Hockey Guys live broadcast and chat room.

Hope to see you all there!

Tale Of The Tape

The Hockey Guys very own Anthony Curatolo and friend Chris Wassel of The Hockey Program have teamed up to bring you the “Tale of the Tape” NHL style.

With all the media directing their attention to the match-up between Chicago Blackhawks forward Dustin Byfuglien and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger, we have decided to take it one step further.

The Tale of the Tape:

DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN:

Age: 25
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 257
Reach: ?

The “balls” factor:  “Buff The Stuff” has elevated his game in these Stanley Cup playoffs.  Once he was put on the first line with Kane and Toews, this was no contest.  He knocked around the Canucks and Sharks like they were bowling pins.  You could hear the anger in his hits.

Signature “WWE” move: It has to be the “Buff Bomb” best described as a bull rush that leaves goalies dazed and confused on the ice.  It is also effective in taking care of defensemen and even annoying pests known as Carcillos.

How They Got Here?: Simple they survived Nashville in 6 and then Big Buff took over against Vancouver to take care of them in six. Then Dustin Byfuglien’s two GWG’s helped Chicago gain a sweep over the San Jose Sharks.  Really, Byfuglien could not be stopped in the last two rounds and his age is also a help here.

Keys To Total Victory:  Byfyuglien has to use his brute strength and ability to get under player’s skin to achieve total victory.  The big man has hands that no one realizes he has until its often too late.  He can use them for punching as well to add another facet to his punishing game.

Who would ultimately win in a steel cage grudge match here?:  Big Buff on the biggest stage of his life versus the old, aging defensive warrior who has some years left.  It is rare but I am taking youth over experience here.  Buff is the stuff and would take down Pronger in a wrestling match and maybe a 10-9 decision if it came down to fisticuffs.

CHRIS PRONGER:

Age: 35
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 214 lbs
Reach: ?

The “balls” factor:  Throughout his career, he’s been called every adjective possible in both a positive and a negative light.  I, personally, call his elbows “WMD’s” because, if you are the recipient of a Pronger hit, it’s likely to be devastating.

Signature “WWE” move: Pronger’s “SMASH” can eliminate a small city upon deployment. He is a brut – a barbarian by every definition of the word. He is a lethal factor to the blue line of any team.

How They Got Here?: For the third time in his career, Pronger has propelled the Flyers into the Stanley Cup finals in his first season with a new team.  He did the same with the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks. Prongers reach, size and ability to literally hurt opponents has proved to be a very valuable addition to this Flyers club. For the Flyers, they easily moved passed the New Jersey Devils during the quarter finals but the semi-finals is what truly set the tone.

Down 0-3 to the Boston Bruins, although if you paid any attention to the actual games being played, the series should never have truly been 0-3. However, in reality it was.

History was made, as the Flyers won four straight, and did it not only in the series, being down 0-3 but in game seven Boston went up 3-0 early in the first period.  The Flyers went on to win both that game and the series by a final of 4-3.

Today, they head to the Stanley Cup Finals after eliminating the Montreal Canadiens in five games during the Conference Finals.

Keys To Total Victory:  Like Pronger himself stated today, this team reminds him of the Oilers team that went on a Stanley Cup run.  In order to match the Hawks, they need to stay disciplined, skate with the Hawks, turn up the grit a notch, and have the special teams come through (unlike game 5 vs MTL). Niemi vs Leighton is also an interesting storyline to follow.

Will the fact that Chicago never gave Leighton (along with six other teams) a chance turn to haunt them in the end?

Who would ultimately win in a steel cage grudge match here?  Big Buff would likely take Pronger in a wrestling match, however, in a street match a la Tommy Gunn vs Rocky Balboa, Pronger takes it hands down.  He has evil flowing through his veins.

All in all, this should be an insane, fun Stanley Cup Finals. Enjoy it!

Isles Sign Hamonic

The New York Islanders have signed D-man Travis Hamonic to an entry-level contract.

From Islanders.nhl.com
The New York Islanders announced today the signing of Travis Hamonic to a three-year entry-level contract.

Hamonic completed his four-year junior hockey league career with the Brandon Wheat Kings on Sunday as they were defeated by the Windsor Spitfires in the Memorial Cup Championship. The 6’2, 215 pound defenseman was named a 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup All-Star, totaling 11 points (four goals and seven assists) in 15 games.

Hamonic represented Team Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Saskatoon, SK.  In six games, Hamonic scored a goal and two assists.

A native of St. Malo, MB, Hamonic played the majority of his junior hockey career with the Moose Jaw Warriors. In 171 games played with the Warriors, Hamonic tallied 28 goals and 76 assists for 104 points.  He was traded from the Warriors to the Wheat Kings this season and played 10 regular season games with Brandon, registering five points (1 goal and 4 assists).

Destiny vs. Dynasty

Surely The Chicago Blackhawks will be a powerhouse in the Western Conference and National Hockey League for years to come, most likely a dynasty. So when they match up against the Philadelphia Flyers, a team considered to be where they are by the workings of destiny and faith – which Cup drought ends? Chicago hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1961, Philadelphia since 1975. Either way, one city is going to have one great big party.

Here’s who I think has the upper hand:

Forwards: Some serious offensive firepower will be on display for this Stanley Cup Final. In one corner you have some of the biggest names in hockey, and the other, a team stacked with depth and known scorers. For Philadelphia; they’re led by Captain Mike Richards (six goals) whose play has been eye-popping throughout these playoffs. He leads the Flyers in points with 21 in 17 games. Danny Briere (nine goals) has 18 points in 17 games, Claude Giroux (eight ­­goals)­ 16 points in 17 games and Simon Gagne (seven goals)  and Ville Leino (four goals) has both played in 13 games, compiling 12 and 10 points, respectively. Flyers’ leading goal-scoring, Jeff Carter (four goals) has five points in six games. Philadelphia will roll three scoring lines that click and one of the best fourth lines in hockey. On the flip, for as good as the Flyers forwards are, Chicago brings even more of a lethal attack. Like the Flyers, Chicago is led by their captain, Jonathan Toews. The 22-year old is considered the leading contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after putting up 26 points (7-19) in 16 games. Joining Toews on the top-line are 2007 first overall pick, Patrick Kane, who has seven goals and 13 assists and big Dustin Byfuglien who has eight goals and two assists and has been the hero in Chicago. In addition to their stud top-line, former Flyers player Patrick Sharp has seven goals and nine assists and Flyers killer Marian Hossa has just two goals but nine helpers. The depth in Chicago is just as good as the depth in Philadelphia and third-liners Dave Bolland and Kris Versteeg have five goals and five assists and four goals and five assists, respectively in 16 games each. Two potent offensives will be on display to say the least, both have plenty of weapons, but the Blackhawks are more dynamic.

Advantage > Chicago

Defensemen: Some of the best defensemen to man the blue lines in recent memory for the Stanley Cup Final will go head-to-head in this match-up. On one hand you have Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Matthew Carle and Braydon Coburn, the other you have Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brian Campbell. What do these top-four defensemen bring to each team? A whole lot of skill all over the ice. Each D group has given their goaltender plenty to be happy about and I think both D groups will continue to play as well as they have for throughout the Playoffs. Keith leds all Chicago d-men in points with ten, Seabrook has nine, Hjalmarsson has five and Campbell three. In addition to the point totals, all of Chicago’s defensemen play a highly inspired game and play it with a boatload of talent. For Philly, Chris Pronger has been remarkable during these playoffs and is doing exactly what he was brought here to do. Pronger is playing the most minute’s per-game of anyone (28:48) and is tied for most points by a defenseman with 14. He will be all over the ice for Philadelphia and a force to be reckoned with. Pronger has led the three last teams he has played for to the Stanley Cup Finals. Carle (plus-8) has 10 assists in 17 games while averaging 25:25 minutes of ice time. The defensive pair of Timonen and Coburn, like Pronger and Carle, match smooth skating ability with shutdown play and physicality on the backend; the perfect compliments to one another. The Flyers top-four defensemen have a bit more grit than Chicago and are slightly deeper. They have combined 35 points, the best in the NHL. For the past three series, a Flyers defenseman has opened the scoring in each Game 1.

Advantage < Philadelphia

Special Teams: Power-play – Chicago is 14 of 62 good for a 22.6% , ranking  5th best in the post-season while Philadelphia is 17 of 82 for a 20.7%, ranking 8th best. The Flyers 17 power-play goals lead all teams. The Blackhawks are 10-for-32 on the power-play on the road, so the Flyers must continue to play with an edge – but be smart. Chicago is 3rd in the NHL in the post-season killing penalties with a 86.6% kill rate. The Blackhawks have also scored three shorthanded goals. The Flyers have the 2nd best penalty killing unit in the NHL post-season at 87 percent and only the Candiens have been on more PK’s than the Flyers. Philadelphia has killed 66-of-77 power plays. Philadelphia hasn’t faced a power-play as powerful as this one or a penalty kill with as many threats as the one in Chi-town.

Advantage > Chicago

Coaching: Joel Quenneville vs. Peter Laviolette. Quennville is the bench boss for the Chicago Blackhawks and is one of the most experienced coaches in the NHL. He is 535-327 in 12 NHL seasons as head coach. 10 of his 12 teams have made the playoffs and seven have gone on to, atleast, the semifinal round, but this is Quenneville’s first visit to the Stanley Cup Final. One would say ‘can’t win the big game’. Quenneville coached St. Louis where he was behind the bench for Flyers’ defenseman Chris Pronger. Quenneville has at least 40 wins in eight of his full nine seasons as coach. I haven’t seen enough of Quenneville behind the bench but the Blackhawks are a talented enough team to make any coach look good. Flyers’ bench boss Laviolette joined the Flyers in early December and has a Stanley Cup ring and this season he has shown why. One of the best, smartest coaches in the NHL, Laviolette has walked the fine line between disciplinarian and buddy-buddy. He can yell at you when you need to be yelled at and he can take you under his wing and give you confidence when you need it. He gets the most out of his players and has all of their respect. Laviolette had to guide a team through several injuries and made one of the best timeouts in NHL history to rally his troops after trailing the Boston Bruins 3-0 in the first period of a Game 7. Laviolette has 297 victories under his belt including a post-season record of 32-22. Laviolette has guided his last two teams to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Advantage < Philadelphia

Goaltending: Quite an improbable run for both goaltenders. First year goaltender Antti Niemi stole the job from Cristobal Huet, and we all know the story with Michael Leighton – waiver-wire pick-up to above average starting goaltender for the best team in the Eastern Conference. No matter who has been in net for the Flyers this post-season, they have come in and played their roll exceptionally well. And when it comes to Flyers starting goalie Michael Leighton, he couldn’t have played it much better. Chicago starting goaltender Niemi (12-4) has been no slouch either, putting up great numbers, including a 2.33 goals-against average and .921 save percentage, but Leighton has been more impressive. The numbers are mind-blowing; Leighton (6-1) leads goaltenders in all of the major goaltending categories with a 1.45 GAA, .948 save % and posted three shutouts in four wins vs. the Canadiens, last series. He has stopped 199 of 210 shots faced. In addition to the great numbers, Flyers fans will tell you, he just looks like a great goaltender in net. Cool, calm, collected and never caught out of position.

Advantage < Philadelphia

Well, what must happen so Flyers fans can witness the first parade down Broad Street in 35 years?  First, and most importantly, the Flyers top defensive pairing of Pronger and Carle must get the better of Chicago’s top-line; Byfuglien-Toews-Kane, especially the Byfuglien-Pronger match-up. Big Buff has the size, Pronger has the intelligence. It won’t be an easy task to shut down a line of that caliber, but with the way the Flyers top-four defensemen have been playing, it’s no doubt, doable.

Second, the Flyers scoring depth has to outshine Chicago’s scoring depth. Philadelphia’s role players must continue to step it up; in Playoff hockey, secondary scoring wins you games.

And finally, don’t change a thing. Chicago hasn’t played a team as nasty as the Flyers in these playoffs. Not even close, so keep up the nastiness and Broad Street Bully style. The Flyers are on a run for the ages and sometimes simply seems like it’s out of their hands – meant to be so to speak – if the Flyers continue to get strong goaltending, timely scoring, and most importantly stick together as a team and play as one unit who believes in each other and Laviolette’s system – that parade will be happening before you know it.

CONN SMYTHE: My Playoff MVP will be awarded to Danny Briere. Eight of his nine playoff goals have either tied or won the game for Philadelphia and he also has nine assists to go with his nine goals. He’s a big time player and showing Flyers fans why he was signed to the big contract.

PREDICTION: Vs. New Jersey I picked the Flyers in 6, they won in 5. Vs. Boston I picked the Flyers in 7, they won in 7. Vs. Montreal I picked the Flyers in 6, they won in 5. Let’s continue the pattern. Flyers win Lord Stanley’s Cup in 7 games.

Stuff of Legends: Lord Stanley

Friend of The Hockey Guys, Bill Kellet, tells the story of the first legend, Lord Stanley.

Turn on any playoff game from these 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs and the NHL is using the slogan “What if…” “What if the Great One wasnt so great?”,  “What if Bobby didnt fly?”. These are all adequate questions to ponder, but lets look a little deeper shall we. Maybe their slogan should be “What if there was no Stanley Cup?” or “What if Lord Stanley wasnt a hockey fan?”

All that we have come to know and appreciate about this great sport would be just fantasy.

Lord Stanley (Born Frederick Arthur Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby) was born on January 15, 1841 and died June 14, 1908.

He did not create the sport, nor did he sit on any rules committee or even play the game, however, he did have the biggest impact on the game.

If not for Frederick Arthur Stanley, the NHL and hockey in general would be a significantly different sport. Without his silver chalice to play for, we would all be playing pond hockey. There may not have been a need for the great Cyclone Taylor, or ones that came after like Jean Beliveau, Maurice Richard, Phil Esposito, Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux or even this generations heroes of Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby. Fredrick Stanley brought all of them together, and this is his story.

Not a lot is known about the early life of Frederick Stanley. He was born into politics being the second son of Prime Minister Edward Smith-Stanley, the 14th Earl of Derby. As a teenager, Stanley would enroll in the British Army and work his way up the ranks to Captain. However, he soon found the military life was not to his liking and settled for the more familiar surroundings of politics.

Upon his return from the army, Fredrick Stanley would serve in the British Parliament as Civil Lord of the Admiralty as well as other titles. He would first serve the region of Preston. Hence the title “Lord Stanley of Preston”, the name that many of us know him as, however he would also serve in many other capacities and for many other regions throughout a long political career.

The Lord Stanley that most of us would come to know would be born May 1st, 1888 for this is the date that Fredrick Arthur Stanley was appointed Governor General of Canada, a title he took great pride in. Being a vestige of the British Empire, Canada and Britain often shared the same political system, and even today we recognize national holidays for Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. There has always been a connection between the two countries politically, and the appointment of Stanley as Governor General was the latest gesture.

As Governor General, Stanleys role was to oversee the political system in Canada and make sure everything ran smoothly. He was also given power over the Prime Minister, and was able to veto any decisions he felt were detrimental. When Canada’s first Prime Minister died of a heart attack in 1891 it was Lord Stanley who was able to appoint his successor. He chose John Abbott.

Stanley had been ordered to set up his primary station in Prince Edward Island and was appointed Chief of PEI. However, being an outdoors-man and avid people person, Stanley was not prone to stay in one spot for very long. He would travel frequently, both as part of his job and for pleasure. On one particular trip out west, Stanley was dazzled by its natural beauty and the First Nations people which inhabited most of the land.

He would often take time to fish, something he had not discovered prior to his Canadian visits. While traveling through Vancouver, he dedicated a huge track of land their for parkland. It would be known as Stanley Park. Today Stanley Park is one of the largest parks in Canada and is a requirement for any tourist visiting the city with its majestic natural beauty.

The biggest impact these jaunts would have is that Stanley would discover the sports culture in Canada. It seemed no matter where he went there were people playing a game on ice with sticks. Stanley, being a proper British man had never heard of hockey, but in no time he was hooked.

Stanley would attend any game he could whenever an opportunity arose. In fact, his two sons would become avid hockey fans and  play in numerous amateur leagues around Ontario. Upon their return to Britain in later years, Stanley’s children would bring the game of hockey back with them and start up different leagues there. Though the sport does not thrive in Britain, it has its niche and is very popular within that.

Having become a staunch fan, Stanley felt he could contribute to the sport in some manner, and in 1892 he did just that. His gesture would be considered a small one at the time, but the lasting impression of it is still felt today. Stanley purchased a silver bowl with the intention of donating it each year as a challenge cup to the best teams in Canada. The cost of the bowl was approximately $49, which was a fair chunk of change in those days. Today it would be equal to about $1200.

The original intent of the “Cup” was for teams to contest it each year in hopes of getting country wide access for amateur teams. However, since 1909 the Cup became exclusively contested by professional teams and since 1926 has been exclusive property of the NHL.

It is interesting to note that to this day the NHL is not the official owner of the Cup. Technically, any team that feels the need is able to challenge for the Cup, however it is at the NHLs discretion whether to grant that request. An agreement was passed in 2006 after the latest NHL labor dispute that should the season be shut down for any reason, teams from other leagues will be able to play for the opportunity to hoist the Cup. So in a sense Lord Stanleys intentions are still alive today, albeit with far more red tape than he had envisioned.

The first winner of the Cup was the Montreal Amateur Athletics Association. Stanley had appointed trustees to watch over the Cup and make sure it was awarded as per his conditions, which he had clearly set out in a letter upon the donation of the Cup.

Unfortunately Stanley would not be present to ever present the Cup in person. In 1893 Lord Stanleys brother died, and Stanley and his family returned home to Britain and never returned. His term as Governor General was slated to be up at the end of that year, and with that a new one was appointed.

Lord Stanley passed away in June of 1908 at the age of 67, never seeing the vast legacy he had left thousands of miles away.

The Stanley Cup was, by this time, entrenched in Canadian culture, and except for the influenza epidemic in 1919 and the NHL labor dispute in 2005 the Cup has been awarded every year from 1893 to present day.

Stanley had accomplished many things in his time as a politician and was an outstanding ambassador to Canada. In 1944 he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, a very fitting tribute to a man who may just have inspired generations of other Hall of Famers to take up the sport.

Today the Stanley Cup is the most sought after trophy in all of sports. Its uniqueness is what sets it apart. No other trophy (besides the Grey Cup, awarded to the top Canadian Football League team) has the ability to engrave the players names onto them. The names on the Cup will live forever, and invoke memories of great times.

Generation after generation have their favorite Cup memory whether it be Bill Barilko scoring the Cup winning goal in 1951 before disappearing, or Bobby Baun capturing the Cup for the Maple Leafs playing on a broken leg, Mario Lemieux and his end to end rush against Minnesota in the 1991 final, or Sidney Crosby being the youngest captain (currently) to ever hoist the Cup. All of these memories were the cause of one simple gesture, one mans want to help a fledgling sport gain notoriety. Lord Stanley was a visionary and likely did not even realize it.

The question the NHL should really use as a slogan is “What if Fredrick Arthur Stanley had not fallen in love with the country and the sport?” or “What if leagues had never been given the opportunity to challenge for the trophy?” or the most important question, “What if Lord Stanley had not come to Canada”?

It would be a completely different sporting landscape. The Gretzkys, Howes and Lemieuxs may never have happened. The excitement every June of claiming victory might not have ever happened. So lets not focus on the “what ifs” but focus on the reality of the gesture, one which will live in infamy.

Lord Stanley had more than the Stuff of Legends, he WAS the Stuff of Legends.

Rumor Has It…

Some interesting news came as a little birdy has flown passed my window today here at The Hockey Guys :

It seems the New Jersey Devils have found their man to be new bench boss.

Ex-Penguins head coach Michel Therrien is rumored to be in talks with the Devils to become the next head coach and has been formally offered the position of head coach within the organization, according to William DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports.

As a crucial aside to keep in mind, the New Jersey Devils franchise will now have had their seventh head coach since the National Hockey League ended it’s lockout in 2005.

Therrien, who won 135 out of the 272 games he coached with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is only two years removed from a Stanley Cup berth in the 2007-08 season with the Pens. He was fired by Pittsburgh in February of 2009.

As aforementioned, Therrien has been formally offered the position, but an official announcement of his hiring has yet to be announced. As news breaks, you all will be updated.  Stay tuned…..

The Hockey Guys Stanley Cup Finals Predictions

We’ve done it for the entire playoffs and now that the stage is set for the big dance, here are our predictions on who will be on top of the hockey world when all is said and done.

DUSTIN LEED:

Flyers in 7.

I’ve picked my Orange-and-Black through every round, and I’m not stopping here. I think this Series has all the make-up of a classic and I think the Flyers can match the depth that Chicago owns throughout it’s roster. This will be a classic. Check out my breakdown on the entire series here: Destiny vs Dynasty

BRANDON AUGIENELLO:

Blackhawks in 6

Here’s why: Chris Pronger can’t play the whole game, can he? Chicago has too much depth up front for Philly’s stalwart defenseman. Yes, Kimmo Timmonen is a good one, but the Flyers will either have to overwork their top four or be forced to use their third pair more often than in the first three series.

Either way, it is too tall a task, even for the statue-esque Pronger and the gallant Broadstreet Bullies. Flyers will not go down easy, as they have
shown tremendous amount of heart and character throughout these playoffs.

But in the end, Conn Smythe favorite Jonathan Toews and the rest of this talented bunch will hoist their first Stanley Cup since 1961.

JOE DEPTO:

Blackhawks in 5

The Philadelphia Flyers have been called many things of late : tough, resilient, and a team of destiny. In many ways, they’ve earned each moniker. As any Flyers fan will accurately tell you, the Blackhawks have yet to face a team quite like Philadelphia, and for that, I expect each game to be as close as any open-minded hockey fan would hope it to be. But the inverse is true as well; the Flyers have yet to face a team as deep, skilled, and well coached as the Chicago Blackhawks are. Michael Leighton is still not battle tested against a team as skilled against Chicago and neither are his Orange and Black laden forwards – as talented as they may be. Antti Niemi is young as well, but has weathered the storm against two very potent offensive teams to get here. Ultimately, we can discuss, ad nauseam, about Philadelphia’s grit and toughness, but until they win a best of seven series against a team with as much ability as the Blackhawks, I find it hard to believe that their “destiny”-labeled run hasn’t been all for naught.

ANTHONY CURATOLO:

Blackhawks in 7

Everyone can say what they want about Michael Leighton, Prongers birth certificate, Carters breaks, Gagnes legacy, you get the picture.  The Flyers are on a destined run, but the Hawks are carrying much more momentum. Antti Niemi has been spectacular for Chicago, after the first round and it hasn’t slowed down. It has actually progressed, which is the scary situation here. As long as Niemi holds the fort long enough, after a few back and forth splits at home for both clubs, the Hawks will eventually come out on top.

Conference Finals Records:

Dustin 2-0
Brandon 1-1
Joe 0-2
Anthony 1-1

Overall Records:

Dustin 9-5
Brandon 8-6
Joe 7-7
Anthony 8-6

Gotta Have Phaith

Flyers Fans React – an Orange-and-Black Memoir, so to speak. Instead of writing a game story, breaking down the play, etc., I’m simply letting one of the biggest Flyers fans I know – Anthony Curatolo – tell me what this has meant to him.

The Flyers are going to the Stanley Cup Finals.

But now, the words of Anthony:

Thirteen years ago, on my last leg of my teenage years, I thought I was in the perfect situation.  A red hot team, who I rooted for heavily, was on their way as the favorites to play for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

In this fine sport of hockey, nothing is guaranteed and anything is possible at any given moment.

For as far back as I can remember, I’ve been a diehard Flyers fan. I caught the tail end of the Pelle Lindbergh days in Philly but it was another man who really gained most of my focus and attention.  That man is now the assistant General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings and General Manager of the Manchester Monarchs, Mr. Ron Hextall.

A pure Flyer both on and off the ice; a man who played with more heart than anyone I can remember

Up until this year.

For many years, players have come and go that I had marked as my “favorite” Flyers player. Ron Hextall, Brian Propp, Mikael Renberg, Pelle Eklund, Rod Brind’Amour, John Leclair, Eric Desjardens, but none of them have ever made a mark on my appreciation for both the sport and the team as my current favorite and hopefully lifelong Flyer player.

The captain himself, Mike Richards.

Exemplifying the role of a leader and a player with heart, desire, passion, and any other adjective or fancy word you’d like to throw in to describe Richards would likely work.  Ever since the Flyers drafted number eighteen, there was something about him that led me to feel like he would replace the loss of Leclair not only on this team but in my own heart.

Today, the man who grasped the Prince of Wales trophy and hoisted it high into the air at the Wachovia Center last night, is a player who truly plays for the crest on the front of his sweater and not the name on the back.

You know, as fan of this team since the mid-80′s I have witnessed the rise and fall of the Philadelphia Flyers.  Sure, there have been NHL Playoff as well as Stanley Cup appearances, but none – not one, have felt as good as this.

When they sat in the 14th slot in the standings, lost starting goaltender Ray Emery as well as backup Brian Boucher to injuries, along with all the other turmoil with the team, nothing seemed to be positive.

Today, they head into the Stanley Cup Finals with the opportunity to add to an already historic year.

I am overwhelmed with emotions. Last night, when Michael Leighton’s hands raised high into the air, a tear fell from my eye.  A tear of joy to know that there is only one more battle to be victorious in, which will then complete the entire War victory.  That war is known as the road to the Stanley Cup finals.

It’s been a season of ups and downs for Philadelphia.  Hell, it’s been 35 years of ups and downs, many which I was either not around for or do not remember.  But I do remember being part of this fan base through the thick and thin.

Taking nothing away from ex-bench boss John Stevens, I have developed even more respect for Peter Laviolette then I had prior. This is the man I was hoping would get the job when the rumors started to rumble about Stevens being let go.  I am happy for what Stevens did with this club, two consecutive playoff appearances, but it was clear that the team was no longer responding to him at the start of this season.

To me, Mr. Laviolette is the perfect man for this team. Today, I think that is proven. I wanted him to be here, and hoped for it.  When it came true, a smile formed on my face from ear to ear.

Today, I will take the pain of the past 13 years and do it all over again.  Especially if this team does indeed go on to win the Cup. And I’d like to personally thank Peter Laviolette for literally being the voice this team has needed.  He knows how to walk that fine line between friend and coach.  And, in the words of Dustin Leed himself, he walks that line perfectly.

However, as disappointed as I will be if they cannot capture the final victory, it was a season that went from rock bottom to the very top in almost the blink of an eye.

Call it what you will, but it is somewhat ironic that the NHL chose this year to use their hit slogan “History Will Be Made”.  We already saw a historic event during the semi-finals, now it is time to cap it off.

I am proud to be a fan of this fine organization. I am proud to say that the Philadephia Flyers are now preparing to dance with the Chicago Blackhawks for the most prized possession in all of sports.

What else can be said at this time other than: Let’s Go Flyers!!!!!

p.s. – I’m glad ‘Richie’ touched it.

Breaking News: Bolts Find their Man

Thanks to the lovely world of social media, various twitter accounts are reporting that it is final.

Steve Yzerman, long time Detroit Red Wings legend, will be named the new General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For what seemed like an impossible dream for so long, has now become a reality in Tampa.

To this writer, it is an amazing move as Yzerman has amazing leadership skills and learned a lot by being part of the Red Wings organization post retirement.

If the 2010 Winter Games Gold Medal victory was not enough proof that Yzerman is the perfect candidate for this position, well just wait and see what develops as early as October.

Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Lightning on acquiring a class act to lead this team, with hope, to greatness again in the near future.

Be sure to visit the official web page of the Tampa Bay Lightning at 3 p.m. EST today for the official announcement.

Farewell and Adieu, San Jose

Freddy Krueger has some competition in San Jose. Dustin Byfuglien will be haunting the Sharks players dreams throughout the entire off season.

There he was scoring yet another game-winning goal in this series. Yesterday’s tally marked his fourth of this series and a staggering third game-winning goal in these Western Conference Finals.

His third period goal was simply a product of being virtually impossible to move from the front of the net. A Patrick Kane feed in front ticked off of the hulking power forward’s stick and managed to squeeze through the pads of Evgeni Nabokov.

As the 22,000 plus smelled blood in the water after that goal, the game was still very much in doubt. That was until Kris Versteeg was able to unofficially start the celebration in the Madhouse on Madison.

As the final buzzer blared throughout the arena, it was almost drowned out by the restored roar for Windy City’s favorite hockey team. With the Fratelli’s Chelsea Dagger in the background, everyone from Vince Vaughan to the average die hard are now eagerly anticipating a return to the Stanley Cup Finals.

It has been 18 years since this Original Six organization has reached this point in the season and most fans that witnessed their last appearance would like to forget that outcome.

That 1992 Blackhawks unit, coached by “Iron” Mike Keenan weren’t able able to enjoy their Stanley Cup experience, as the defending Pittsburgh Penguins took care of them in the same amount of games it took the ‘Hawks to dismiss the Sharks.

Mario Lemieux and Co. weren’t ready to let go of Lord Stanley, much to the dismay of Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick, Ed Belfour and the rest of that club.

None of that matters now though, as there will not be a Super Mario or Mario Jr.(Jaromir Jagr) waiting for them later on this week. What’s also different this time around is that the Blackhawks will most likely be the favorites heading into the finals, regardless of which team emerges from the Eastern Conference.

Chicago looks ready to take that last step towards the ultimate prize, as the youngsters on this team are growing up before everyone’s eyes.

This team isn’t just about captain Jonathan Toews, superstar Patrick Kane and Norris Trophy candidate Duncan Keith. It’s about unsung warriors like Dave Bolland, who had a major impact in this series, on both sides of the puck.

He took a vicious slash by Sharks postseason poster boy underachiever Joe Thornton, a clear sign that Bolland was getting under his skin. The player known as ‘The Rat’ was far from done making his pesky presence felt though.

He scored a big goal in Game Three and set-up “Big Game” Byfuglien in overtime for the game-winner.  In Game Four Bolland’s second period marker tied the score at two and set the stage for Train #33 to railroad San Jose and send them swimming back to the west coast, for yet another disappointing end to their season.

In any long playoff run, teams have to have contributions from every player. Whether it be scoring a goal, setting up a goal, making a hit, taking a hit or blocking a shot, from the first line to the fourth line and everyone on the blueline, all have to do their part.

And when the team needs a save your goaltender has to be there. Fortunately for these Blackhawks, Antti Niemi has done everything asked of him and has taken the reigns in goal for Chicago.

At the start of this postseason goal tending was an unequivocal question. Nobody knew what to expect from the inexperienced Niemi and whether he would be able to handle the playoff pressure.

Twelve wins later, I think you could safely put those questions to rest.

Other than Byfuglien who who was unquestionable star of this series, Niemi was certainly worthy of a curtain call or two as well. Don’t let the sweep fool you, San Jose certainly put the mighty Finn to the test. If he was just above average, we wouldn’t be sitting here discussing the potential of Chicago’s first Stanley Cup since 1961.

Just two years ago these young Blackhawks, with rookie sensations Kane and Toews, just missed qualifying for the postseason.

Last season, they were the pleasant surprise of the playoffs, eventually falling to the powerhouse Red Wings in the conference finals.

This season, they will have home ice advantage in the last round, to see who will hoist the most beautiful trophy in all of sports. If only most three year plans would be as successful as this one.

There is still one enormous step to take but regardless of the outcome during the finals,  it looks like this progression will not be just a fad. Unlike a certain series of movies about a killer great white shark that terrorized innocent beach-goers, this story will only continue to get better!