Storming the Crease is conducting a series of interviews with people who cover (or work for) the Caps and the NHL. You can find a link to the series archives on the right sidebar. Today's 34th installment: Comcast Sports Net reporter Tara Wheeler.
1. Please tell us about your experiences playing youth and college hockey.
I started out playing hockey in the third grade when my dad, who was in the Army, was stationed at Ft. Devens, Mass. The "Mighty Ducks" movies were popular and I wanted to be a goalie like the "Julie the Cat" character. I played street and roller hockey at first then moved on to ice in high school.
By the time I was in high school, my family had relocated to Virginia. Since there was really no established girls program here, I played mainly with guys club teams. I tried out for the women's Olympic team my senior year of high school and, although I didn't make the squad, I gained a lot of exposure for colleges. I decided to play for Penn State and was the starting goalie for the Lady Icers from 2002-2005, when I had to sit out my senior year due to a back injury. I still play guest goalie for men's league teams in the area when they need someone to fill in.
2. How do you balance your CSN duties and your role as a former Miss Virginia?
My year as Miss Virginia definitely helped me to be a better reporter. I traveled around 4,000 miles a month last year to numerous speaking engagements and appearances. Each day, I met and befriended people from all backgrounds in addition to writing a blog for the www.missva.com Web site. I learned to manage my time and be comfortable in any situation, which has definitely helped me to be a more versatile reporter. Now I still get to write about the fun events I get to do currently because of the connections I made during my year as Miss Virginia.
3. Do you think a women's hockey league would ever be successful in the USA (in maybe a format similar to the WNBA)?
I absolutely think a women's hockey league could be successful in the U.S. as long as spectators are educated in the sport. If the come to see fights and heavy checking, they will be disappointed. But if they appreciate the sport for what it is: physical, yes, but more about grace and finesse, then I think women's hockey will be welcomed.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories?
My favorite hockey memories are: Trying out for the Olympic team and hitting the ice with the best athletes in the country. Up until then, I had not seen many truly talented female hockey players since I'd been skating with guys, so this opportunity was awesome for me. Also, the bond I formed with my Lady Icers teammates in college. They are still some of my best friends on and off the ice.
5. What do you do when you're not working?
When I'm not working, I'm still working! I bar-tend on the side and also nanny a fabulous little boy a few days a week. But work aside, I love playing in social league sports like kickball on the mall and also love to dance and sing.
May 30, 2010
Bettman Loves the Caps
In his State of the NHL address on Friday, Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed two things that we already know: the Caps are playing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Heinz Field (this guy probably won't be there, though) and the Caps have ascended to one of the league's premier franchises.
Not only will a Winter Classic will be held locally over the next "two or three years," but Bettman announced that the Caps will be part of "Hockey Day in America" along with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks.
Also, next year's schedule will be announced on June 22 and the salary cap should increase for the 2010-11 campaign.
Considering the Winter Classic visiting team has made it to the Stanley Cup finals in each of the event's three years (going 0-2, with this year's outcome not yet finalized), it could be a long upcoming season for the red, white and blue.
Not only will a Winter Classic will be held locally over the next "two or three years," but Bettman announced that the Caps will be part of "Hockey Day in America" along with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks.
Also, next year's schedule will be announced on June 22 and the salary cap should increase for the 2010-11 campaign.
Considering the Winter Classic visiting team has made it to the Stanley Cup finals in each of the event's three years (going 0-2, with this year's outcome not yet finalized), it could be a long upcoming season for the red, white and blue.
May 27, 2010
2010 Stanley Cup Finals Preview
Here's your preview for the 2010 Stanley Cup finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers, two teams who haven't won the Cup in a while.
Offense: Both of these teams can put the puck in the net, but Chicago clearly has the edge in depth. Captain Jonathan Toews leads all players with 26 playoff points (his 19 assists also is tops in the NHL) and teammate Patrick Kane is third with 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists). Philly captain Mike Richards sits in between with 21 points (six goals, 15 assists). The Flyers' Danny Briere is second in goals scored with nine and teammate Claude Giroux is tied for fifth with Chicago's Dustin Byfuglien (eight). Overall, the Hawks are third with 3.31 goals per game and Philly is fifth (3.18). Advantage: Chicago.
Defense: These are the two best teams in terms of goals allowed per game in the postseason, with Philly (2.12) holding the edge over Chicago (2.50). The Flyers' Chris Pronger, in his third Stanley Cup finals in the past five years (Edmonton in 2006, Anaheim in 2007, Philadelphia this year), remains at the center of the effort to slow down Chicago's powerful offense. Braydon Coburn and Matt Carle also will be vital cogs in that regard. The Hawks are no pushovers, though, and boast a strong defensive trio of Norris favorite Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell and Brent Seabrook. Advantage: Push.
Special Teams: The Hawks have converted an impressive 22.6 percent of their power plays, while the Flyers are at a not-so-shabby 20.7 percent.Their penalty kills are equally impressive, with second-ranked Philly (87 percent) holding a slight edge third-rated Chicago (86.6). Advantage: Chicago.
Goaltending: Chicago's Antti Niemi and Philadelphia's Michael Leighton have quietly turned a weakness into a strength during a long-and-winding postseason. They've been solid, and even spectacular at times, while leading their team to 12 wins. The key has been a strong defense ahead of them and the unflappable support of their teammates -- big keys as their teams try to capture one of sports' toughest titles. Advantage: Push.
Intangibles: This is the third match-up of second vs. seventh seeded teams during this year's postseason, which normally is restricted to the first round. Both teams will be boosted with strong home crowds. Onetime Cap (and Baltimore Skipjack) Joel Quenneville has done a great job with the Blackhawks over the last two seasons, but has never captured the Stanley Cup in his coaching or playing career. Flyers' coach Peter Laviolette, meanwhile, brought Philly back from 14th place in the conference to the brink of a title. He guided the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup at the conclusion of the 2005-06 season but missed the playoffs during his other seasons in Raleigh before being fired on Dec. 4, 2008. He still holds the record for most NHL wins by an American-born coach. Advantage: Push.
Overall: As you can tell, this series is much more even than the seeds would indicate. Chicago (52-22-8, 112 points) might have boasted the third-best record in the league during the regular season, but the Flyers (41-35-6, 88 points) have needed only one more game (17) than Chicago to reach the finals. Even so, the deciding factor will be Chicago's depth in what should be a very tightly-contested series. Prediction: Chicago in five (as I've seen saying since last June).
Offense: Both of these teams can put the puck in the net, but Chicago clearly has the edge in depth. Captain Jonathan Toews leads all players with 26 playoff points (his 19 assists also is tops in the NHL) and teammate Patrick Kane is third with 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists). Philly captain Mike Richards sits in between with 21 points (six goals, 15 assists). The Flyers' Danny Briere is second in goals scored with nine and teammate Claude Giroux is tied for fifth with Chicago's Dustin Byfuglien (eight). Overall, the Hawks are third with 3.31 goals per game and Philly is fifth (3.18). Advantage: Chicago.
Defense: These are the two best teams in terms of goals allowed per game in the postseason, with Philly (2.12) holding the edge over Chicago (2.50). The Flyers' Chris Pronger, in his third Stanley Cup finals in the past five years (Edmonton in 2006, Anaheim in 2007, Philadelphia this year), remains at the center of the effort to slow down Chicago's powerful offense. Braydon Coburn and Matt Carle also will be vital cogs in that regard. The Hawks are no pushovers, though, and boast a strong defensive trio of Norris favorite Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell and Brent Seabrook. Advantage: Push.
Special Teams: The Hawks have converted an impressive 22.6 percent of their power plays, while the Flyers are at a not-so-shabby 20.7 percent.Their penalty kills are equally impressive, with second-ranked Philly (87 percent) holding a slight edge third-rated Chicago (86.6). Advantage: Chicago.
Goaltending: Chicago's Antti Niemi and Philadelphia's Michael Leighton have quietly turned a weakness into a strength during a long-and-winding postseason. They've been solid, and even spectacular at times, while leading their team to 12 wins. The key has been a strong defense ahead of them and the unflappable support of their teammates -- big keys as their teams try to capture one of sports' toughest titles. Advantage: Push.
Intangibles: This is the third match-up of second vs. seventh seeded teams during this year's postseason, which normally is restricted to the first round. Both teams will be boosted with strong home crowds. Onetime Cap (and Baltimore Skipjack) Joel Quenneville has done a great job with the Blackhawks over the last two seasons, but has never captured the Stanley Cup in his coaching or playing career. Flyers' coach Peter Laviolette, meanwhile, brought Philly back from 14th place in the conference to the brink of a title. He guided the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup at the conclusion of the 2005-06 season but missed the playoffs during his other seasons in Raleigh before being fired on Dec. 4, 2008. He still holds the record for most NHL wins by an American-born coach. Advantage: Push.
Overall: As you can tell, this series is much more even than the seeds would indicate. Chicago (52-22-8, 112 points) might have boasted the third-best record in the league during the regular season, but the Flyers (41-35-6, 88 points) have needed only one more game (17) than Chicago to reach the finals. Even so, the deciding factor will be Chicago's depth in what should be a very tightly-contested series. Prediction: Chicago in five (as I've seen saying since last June).
May 23, 2010
Sacrifice Continues to Lead to Victory
It's impossible to erase the indelible image of Hal Gill, all six-foot-seven of him, lying across the crease during yesterday's game four between the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers at Bell Centre. The visitors took the game, 3-0, and now hold a commanding 3-1 lead over the Canadiens, who have faced elimination in both of their previous series before eliminating the favored Caps and Pittsburgh Penguins.
But there was Gill, the shot blocking machine, sacrificing everything he's got to help his team find a way to win. It all goes back to Jacques Martin's philosophy that he laid out after the Habs eliminated the Caps.
"I think that's playoff hockey," Martin said of his team's shot-blocking. "I think it's a commitment by the players. I think they know at this time of the year you've got to do everything in your power to win games. It means sometimes taking hits to make play, it means blocking shots, it means to be fully committed."
The Chicago Blackhawks also have been doing that and it's paid off with their first Stanley Cup finals since 1992 after a 4-2 victory today over the San Jose Sharks, completing a four-game sweep over the West's top-seeded team. There they will try to capture the franchise's first Cup since 1961, something Mr. Cleo predicted way back in June.
Meanwhile, the Hershey Bears returned to the Calder Cup finals for the second straight year, and fourth time in five seasons, with a 3-2 victory last night over the Manchester Monarchs in game six of the Eastern Conference finals. They might be facing the Hamilton Bulldogs (the Canadiens' farm team) in the finals, the team that defeated them a few years ago behind the heroics of Hab's (now back-up) netminder Carey Price.
The Caps should be watching all of these occurrences in order to figure out how they can ensure that they're the ones playing into June next year.
But there was Gill, the shot blocking machine, sacrificing everything he's got to help his team find a way to win. It all goes back to Jacques Martin's philosophy that he laid out after the Habs eliminated the Caps.
"I think that's playoff hockey," Martin said of his team's shot-blocking. "I think it's a commitment by the players. I think they know at this time of the year you've got to do everything in your power to win games. It means sometimes taking hits to make play, it means blocking shots, it means to be fully committed."
The Chicago Blackhawks also have been doing that and it's paid off with their first Stanley Cup finals since 1992 after a 4-2 victory today over the San Jose Sharks, completing a four-game sweep over the West's top-seeded team. There they will try to capture the franchise's first Cup since 1961, something Mr. Cleo predicted way back in June.
Meanwhile, the Hershey Bears returned to the Calder Cup finals for the second straight year, and fourth time in five seasons, with a 3-2 victory last night over the Manchester Monarchs in game six of the Eastern Conference finals. They might be facing the Hamilton Bulldogs (the Canadiens' farm team) in the finals, the team that defeated them a few years ago behind the heroics of Hab's (now back-up) netminder Carey Price.
The Caps should be watching all of these occurrences in order to figure out how they can ensure that they're the ones playing into June next year.
May 17, 2010
Backstrom, Johansson Part of Opening Statement
It was no secret that giving Nicklas Backstrom a long-term contract was at the top of the Caps' off-season priority list. The Swedish center, just 22, had a career year and is quickly ascending up the team's record books along with linemate Alex Ovechkin. Backstrom signed a 10-year, $67 million deal today that will keep him in red, white and blue until 2020, one year before Ovie's epic deal expires.
Of course, the Caps wanted to be playing in the conference finals right now instead of planning for next year. But locking up Backstrom is a good place to start. In his three years, the player known as "Backie" has joined Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny as the only players in NHL history with 55 or more assists in each of their first three NHL seasons. He registered 68 assists (third in the league) and 33 goals this season, giving him the third most points in the league behind Art Ross Trophy winning Henrik Sedin (another Swede) and Ovechkin. Perhaps the most important part is that he's yet to miss a game in his NHL career, although he did miss parts of games with migranes.
Along with Mike Knuble, Ovechkin and Backstrom gave the Caps an elite first line that led them to the franchise's first President's Trophy for the league's best record. But in the Year of the Upset, the Caps fell to the Montreal Canadiens, who promptly disposed of the Pittsburgh Penguins on their way to the Eastern Conference finals.
Also signing today was another Swede, Marcus Johansson (no relation to the great Calle), a 2009 draft pick who has been tearing up the Swedish Elite League. Johansson was promptly presented with a white No. 90 jersey, a number he picked, indicating that he might be in red, white and blue before too long (although he contract reportedly has a clause allowing him to spend one more year in Sweden, although Hershey might be a better place).
The Caps don't let just any youngster select their own number, and if Johansson is anywhere close to Backstrom (even in his rookie year, when he finished second amongst voting for the Calder Trophy), the Caps are in great shape for a long, long time.
There are still other players to re-sign and other decisions to make, but as far as opening statements go, this one was pretty huge.
Of course, the Caps wanted to be playing in the conference finals right now instead of planning for next year. But locking up Backstrom is a good place to start. In his three years, the player known as "Backie" has joined Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny as the only players in NHL history with 55 or more assists in each of their first three NHL seasons. He registered 68 assists (third in the league) and 33 goals this season, giving him the third most points in the league behind Art Ross Trophy winning Henrik Sedin (another Swede) and Ovechkin. Perhaps the most important part is that he's yet to miss a game in his NHL career, although he did miss parts of games with migranes.
Along with Mike Knuble, Ovechkin and Backstrom gave the Caps an elite first line that led them to the franchise's first President's Trophy for the league's best record. But in the Year of the Upset, the Caps fell to the Montreal Canadiens, who promptly disposed of the Pittsburgh Penguins on their way to the Eastern Conference finals.
Also signing today was another Swede, Marcus Johansson (no relation to the great Calle), a 2009 draft pick who has been tearing up the Swedish Elite League. Johansson was promptly presented with a white No. 90 jersey, a number he picked, indicating that he might be in red, white and blue before too long (although he contract reportedly has a clause allowing him to spend one more year in Sweden, although Hershey might be a better place).
The Caps don't let just any youngster select their own number, and if Johansson is anywhere close to Backstrom (even in his rookie year, when he finished second amongst voting for the Calder Trophy), the Caps are in great shape for a long, long time.
There are still other players to re-sign and other decisions to make, but as far as opening statements go, this one was pretty huge.
May 16, 2010
Conference Finals Preview
A Sunday doubleheader starts the 2010 conference finals, and Mr. Cleo is here with your preview.
Eastern Conference
No. 8 Montreal Canadiens over No. 7 Philadelphia Flyers in seven: After picking against them twice, Mr. Cleo is a believer. The Habs will be returning to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since they won it all in 1993. That's not a knock against the Flyers, who made all sorts of history in their comeback(s) against the Boston Bruins, but the Habs seem to find a way to solve every team they've faced. The Caps and Pittsburgh Penguins were probably favored to be meeting in this spot, and the Habs beat them both. The Flyers, meanwhile, were all but eliminated by the Bruins before turning it around. Neither team is an offensive juggernaut, but both have gotten contributions from their entire rosters to get them this far. The Habs' biggest advantages are in special teams and goaltending. And that should make the difference.
Western Conference
No. 2 Chicago Blackhawks over No. 1 San Jose Sharks in seven: The glamour match-up of this round, the Sharks and Hawks dominated the Western Conference all season. And both are looking for redemption. The Hawks were dominated by the Detroit Red Wings in last season's conference finals while the Sharks are looking for their first-ever berth in the Cup finals. These teams pretty evenly-matched on offense, the Hawks have the edge on defense and the Sharks most definitely have the edge in goal. The difference will be momentum -- if the Sharks can hold serve at home, they might be making history. But if Chicago can win game one or two, then they might be able to close out the Sharks somewhat quickly. Mr. Cleo thinks the team's will stay even until the Hawks win game seven.
Eastern Conference
No. 8 Montreal Canadiens over No. 7 Philadelphia Flyers in seven: After picking against them twice, Mr. Cleo is a believer. The Habs will be returning to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since they won it all in 1993. That's not a knock against the Flyers, who made all sorts of history in their comeback(s) against the Boston Bruins, but the Habs seem to find a way to solve every team they've faced. The Caps and Pittsburgh Penguins were probably favored to be meeting in this spot, and the Habs beat them both. The Flyers, meanwhile, were all but eliminated by the Bruins before turning it around. Neither team is an offensive juggernaut, but both have gotten contributions from their entire rosters to get them this far. The Habs' biggest advantages are in special teams and goaltending. And that should make the difference.
Western Conference
No. 2 Chicago Blackhawks over No. 1 San Jose Sharks in seven: The glamour match-up of this round, the Sharks and Hawks dominated the Western Conference all season. And both are looking for redemption. The Hawks were dominated by the Detroit Red Wings in last season's conference finals while the Sharks are looking for their first-ever berth in the Cup finals. These teams pretty evenly-matched on offense, the Hawks have the edge on defense and the Sharks most definitely have the edge in goal. The difference will be momentum -- if the Sharks can hold serve at home, they might be making history. But if Chicago can win game one or two, then they might be able to close out the Sharks somewhat quickly. Mr. Cleo thinks the team's will stay even until the Hawks win game seven.
May 13, 2010
Inside the Press Box: Ted Starkey
Storming the Crease is conducting a series of interviews with people who cover (or work for) the Caps and the NHL. You can find a link to the series archives on the right sidebar. Today's 33rd installment: Washington Times writer Ted Starkey.
1. Do you think the Caps will ever pass the Redskins (or Nationals, in some people's eyes) at the top of the DC sports landscape?
The NFL is such a tough mountain to climb in terms of popularity. There's only a handful of U.S. cities, such as Boston, Detroit and St. Louis, where football isn't the No. 1 game in town. Right now among the NHL's U.S.-based teams, only the Red Wings currently outrank the NFL in their town where they compete directly, and perhaps only the Sabres threatening to do so among the rest of the markets.
The NFL is simply just made for more casual sports fans to follow, with just 16 games, and there's more mass appeal than plugging into an 82-game schedule. The casual fans will jump in during the playoff chase of their NHL team, but it's very difficult to overtake the local NFL club unless the team is inept (see Detroit), or another team in town has a much more illustrious history in town than the NFL franchise (in the case of Boston and St. Louis).
Of course, while the Redskins have been sub-par since the team's last Super Bowl appearance in 1992, they haven't quite been Lions or Bills bad, and the team certainly laps the competition in terms of time in the D.C. area with only the old Senators providing competition for most of the Redskins' first 40 years here.
Right now, the Capitals are in a good situation, where the other teams in town are floundering, and they certainly have pushed hockey to a point that it's never been in terms of the town's visibility. I've always thought the Caps were the second team in town during the mid-1980s when they had great regular-season teams, but those clubs were largely overshadowed by the fact that is also when the Redskins were winning Super Bowls. The Caps' attendance would spike markedly once the Redskins were done in those days, but there was a lot of interest in the Caps back then.
But the popularity now certainly exceeds that of the 1980s, with the team currently enjoying a clear-cut No. 2 status over the Nationals and Wizards. I certainly foresee the Nationals closing the gap with the Capitals a bit this summer with Stephen Strasburg joining the club and if they can hover near the .500 mark, but the Capitals should hold the second spot for a while after spending some time near the bottom earlier this decade.
As a recent poll showed, though, the gap is wide between the Redskins and everyone else, just because the NFL attracts so many casual fans, and it would take a major collapse by the Redskins and a long string of success by the Capitals to even entertain the notion of surpassing them.
2. Working for USA Hockey, you got a chance to see that operation up close. What was it like then and how do you think it's evolved since (especially given the success at the 2010 Olympics and the 2009 junior tournament)?
USA Hockey has always been an interesting operation, as it's based in Colorado Springs and always has bit isolated from the rest of the hockey world. When I was there in 2002 and 2003, there was a pretty strong old-boy network in terms of the national teams, where several players were included on Olympic and World Championship clubs due to some strong connection to the front office, while others were excluded for other reasons -- and leading to some hard feelings from some USA Hockey products. There was also a strong connection with Colorado College, which played its home games across the street from USAH headquarters, and so you'd see CC's influence on the group as well.
But the biggest change in the past decade has to be the rapid evolution of the National Team Development Program and its impact on the other national teams, as USA Hockey has its best young players compete against U.S. junior and college teams before they head off to college or Canadian juniors.
It was a bit controversial at first to showcase the top 20 or so young talent, but it's part of the reason the U.S. has great success at the World Junior Championships, since the core of that team has already played together and has done well at the U-17, U-18 and U-20 tournaments in recent years.
This year also marked the first time the core of the NTDP program has been the core of the U.S. Olympic team, as players like Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler and Phil Kessel came through the program in Ann Arbor, as old Olympic veterans like Mike Modano, Chris Chelios and Keith Tkachuk were passed over for some of the younger players who had ample experience playing with each other in the past through the NTDPs and other tournaments. Of course, it worked well, as despite not boasting some of the talent the other nations carried to Vancouver, they played a strong team game and came within a goal of upsetting Canada for the gold medal.
The flip side tends to be there is a pretty big drop off after that top-20, as evidenced by the U.S.'s poor performance in Germany at the World Championships. Unlike some other countries, USA Hockey really doesn't tie participation in Worlds with other future tournaments, and as a result, they gave up aggressively chasing players down to participate and those teams tend to struggle with limited talent compared to say, a Russia squad that features Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Ilya Kovalchuk.
3. What kind of online outfit do you think would (or is) successful in today's blog-heavy hockey world?
Hockey's always been one of the sports at the cutting edge of blogging since there largely was a void left by major media, particularly locally. I've been fortunate enough to work with some of the best hockey bloggers around, both locally and nationally, in working with AOL and FanHouse.com. It is a bit odd having worked both sides of the fence in an Internet-heavy environment at AOL to a blend of a more-traditional newspaper environment with the Internet for The Washington Times, but the once clear line between the two elements is rapidly dissipating.
The blogs give a depth and knowledge to the coverage that some of the other outlets lack, as even locally some of the writers covering the Capitals are on the team as a second beat, or are just learning the nuances of the games themselves.
But I think you need a dose of humor, originality, and the ability to stand out in a rapidly growing blogosphere, particularly locally with Caps blogs.
The roll certainly has grown since WashingtonHockey.com was one of the first Web sites -- before blog became a vogue term -- to be credentialed in the NHL back in 1999-2000 and the Verizon Center press box was relatively sparse.
Now, you regularly see such mainstays as STC, Off Wing, On Frozen Blog and others with newer sites, and that's good to see as the interest in the team grows, the analysis grows as well. With that quality coverage, you also need to give people a reason to click, and there's a good give-and-take among the local bloggers that's good for everyone.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories?
I've been fortunate to have seen hockey at all levels, from the Stanley Cup, Calder Cup, Canada Cup, World Cup as well as the NCAA and Olympics.
Having moved from New Hampshire to D.C. in 1978, I remember the last years of the expansion-era of the Capitals, teams that didn't have a lot of talent but certainly had a good work ethic. Then, the Langway trade came in 1982, and after being irked that Ryan Walter was dealt to Montreal, I got to see the team rise to among the NHL's best, the team's first playoff series against the Islanders, the first postseason win over the Flyers, the disappointment of 1986 and then the Easter Epic a year later, then the Game 7 vs. Philadelphia.
Caps-wise, the two best memories were beating the Rangers in 1990 for the team's first Patrick Division title, and then beating Buffalo in 1998 for the Eastern crown. Both were big steps for the club, and the team certainly took their time reaching that stage of the playoffs.
In terms of other hockey, I really was fortunate enough to cover the 2002 and 2010 Olympics, and both of those tournaments are just fantastic events to cover, to see both the U.S. play at the E Center in Salt Lake and Canada play at Hockey Canada Place really was a tremendous experience. I also have seen three terrific Frozen Four finals, in 1991, 2003 and 2009, and those certainly rank up there as well.
5. What do you do when you're not working?
It's a bit slower in the summertime, and I really enjoy traveling and taking my four-year-old out. Lately, she's become fond of Hersheypark, so it makes a nice double whenever I need to go and see the Bears.
I'm also a big baseball fan, so whenever I get a chance not to work, I head up to Nationals Park, Oriole Park or even Pfitzner or Harry Grove Stadium to check out some action.
1. Do you think the Caps will ever pass the Redskins (or Nationals, in some people's eyes) at the top of the DC sports landscape?
The NFL is such a tough mountain to climb in terms of popularity. There's only a handful of U.S. cities, such as Boston, Detroit and St. Louis, where football isn't the No. 1 game in town. Right now among the NHL's U.S.-based teams, only the Red Wings currently outrank the NFL in their town where they compete directly, and perhaps only the Sabres threatening to do so among the rest of the markets.
The NFL is simply just made for more casual sports fans to follow, with just 16 games, and there's more mass appeal than plugging into an 82-game schedule. The casual fans will jump in during the playoff chase of their NHL team, but it's very difficult to overtake the local NFL club unless the team is inept (see Detroit), or another team in town has a much more illustrious history in town than the NFL franchise (in the case of Boston and St. Louis).
Of course, while the Redskins have been sub-par since the team's last Super Bowl appearance in 1992, they haven't quite been Lions or Bills bad, and the team certainly laps the competition in terms of time in the D.C. area with only the old Senators providing competition for most of the Redskins' first 40 years here.
Right now, the Capitals are in a good situation, where the other teams in town are floundering, and they certainly have pushed hockey to a point that it's never been in terms of the town's visibility. I've always thought the Caps were the second team in town during the mid-1980s when they had great regular-season teams, but those clubs were largely overshadowed by the fact that is also when the Redskins were winning Super Bowls. The Caps' attendance would spike markedly once the Redskins were done in those days, but there was a lot of interest in the Caps back then.
But the popularity now certainly exceeds that of the 1980s, with the team currently enjoying a clear-cut No. 2 status over the Nationals and Wizards. I certainly foresee the Nationals closing the gap with the Capitals a bit this summer with Stephen Strasburg joining the club and if they can hover near the .500 mark, but the Capitals should hold the second spot for a while after spending some time near the bottom earlier this decade.
As a recent poll showed, though, the gap is wide between the Redskins and everyone else, just because the NFL attracts so many casual fans, and it would take a major collapse by the Redskins and a long string of success by the Capitals to even entertain the notion of surpassing them.
2. Working for USA Hockey, you got a chance to see that operation up close. What was it like then and how do you think it's evolved since (especially given the success at the 2010 Olympics and the 2009 junior tournament)?
USA Hockey has always been an interesting operation, as it's based in Colorado Springs and always has bit isolated from the rest of the hockey world. When I was there in 2002 and 2003, there was a pretty strong old-boy network in terms of the national teams, where several players were included on Olympic and World Championship clubs due to some strong connection to the front office, while others were excluded for other reasons -- and leading to some hard feelings from some USA Hockey products. There was also a strong connection with Colorado College, which played its home games across the street from USAH headquarters, and so you'd see CC's influence on the group as well.
But the biggest change in the past decade has to be the rapid evolution of the National Team Development Program and its impact on the other national teams, as USA Hockey has its best young players compete against U.S. junior and college teams before they head off to college or Canadian juniors.
It was a bit controversial at first to showcase the top 20 or so young talent, but it's part of the reason the U.S. has great success at the World Junior Championships, since the core of that team has already played together and has done well at the U-17, U-18 and U-20 tournaments in recent years.
This year also marked the first time the core of the NTDP program has been the core of the U.S. Olympic team, as players like Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler and Phil Kessel came through the program in Ann Arbor, as old Olympic veterans like Mike Modano, Chris Chelios and Keith Tkachuk were passed over for some of the younger players who had ample experience playing with each other in the past through the NTDPs and other tournaments. Of course, it worked well, as despite not boasting some of the talent the other nations carried to Vancouver, they played a strong team game and came within a goal of upsetting Canada for the gold medal.
The flip side tends to be there is a pretty big drop off after that top-20, as evidenced by the U.S.'s poor performance in Germany at the World Championships. Unlike some other countries, USA Hockey really doesn't tie participation in Worlds with other future tournaments, and as a result, they gave up aggressively chasing players down to participate and those teams tend to struggle with limited talent compared to say, a Russia squad that features Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Ilya Kovalchuk.
3. What kind of online outfit do you think would (or is) successful in today's blog-heavy hockey world?
Hockey's always been one of the sports at the cutting edge of blogging since there largely was a void left by major media, particularly locally. I've been fortunate enough to work with some of the best hockey bloggers around, both locally and nationally, in working with AOL and FanHouse.com. It is a bit odd having worked both sides of the fence in an Internet-heavy environment at AOL to a blend of a more-traditional newspaper environment with the Internet for The Washington Times, but the once clear line between the two elements is rapidly dissipating.
The blogs give a depth and knowledge to the coverage that some of the other outlets lack, as even locally some of the writers covering the Capitals are on the team as a second beat, or are just learning the nuances of the games themselves.
But I think you need a dose of humor, originality, and the ability to stand out in a rapidly growing blogosphere, particularly locally with Caps blogs.
The roll certainly has grown since WashingtonHockey.com was one of the first Web sites -- before blog became a vogue term -- to be credentialed in the NHL back in 1999-2000 and the Verizon Center press box was relatively sparse.
Now, you regularly see such mainstays as STC, Off Wing, On Frozen Blog and others with newer sites, and that's good to see as the interest in the team grows, the analysis grows as well. With that quality coverage, you also need to give people a reason to click, and there's a good give-and-take among the local bloggers that's good for everyone.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories?
I've been fortunate to have seen hockey at all levels, from the Stanley Cup, Calder Cup, Canada Cup, World Cup as well as the NCAA and Olympics.
Having moved from New Hampshire to D.C. in 1978, I remember the last years of the expansion-era of the Capitals, teams that didn't have a lot of talent but certainly had a good work ethic. Then, the Langway trade came in 1982, and after being irked that Ryan Walter was dealt to Montreal, I got to see the team rise to among the NHL's best, the team's first playoff series against the Islanders, the first postseason win over the Flyers, the disappointment of 1986 and then the Easter Epic a year later, then the Game 7 vs. Philadelphia.
Caps-wise, the two best memories were beating the Rangers in 1990 for the team's first Patrick Division title, and then beating Buffalo in 1998 for the Eastern crown. Both were big steps for the club, and the team certainly took their time reaching that stage of the playoffs.
In terms of other hockey, I really was fortunate enough to cover the 2002 and 2010 Olympics, and both of those tournaments are just fantastic events to cover, to see both the U.S. play at the E Center in Salt Lake and Canada play at Hockey Canada Place really was a tremendous experience. I also have seen three terrific Frozen Four finals, in 1991, 2003 and 2009, and those certainly rank up there as well.
5. What do you do when you're not working?
It's a bit slower in the summertime, and I really enjoy traveling and taking my four-year-old out. Lately, she's become fond of Hersheypark, so it makes a nice double whenever I need to go and see the Bears.
I'm also a big baseball fan, so whenever I get a chance not to work, I head up to Nationals Park, Oriole Park or even Pfitzner or Harry Grove Stadium to check out some action.
May 12, 2010
Hawks Win, Return to Conference Finals
The Chicago Blackhawks are returning to the Western Conference finals after a dominating 5-1 victory in Vancouver last night to clinch a 4-2 series win over the Canucks -- the same result as the team's meeting last spring. The Hawks will face the San Jose Sharks in the conference finals. Chicago won three of the four regular-season meetings between the two teams, including both at HP Pavilion, which will host games one and two. The teams have never met in the postseason.
The Hawks, who lost to the Detroit Red Wings in five games last year, haven't reached consecutive conference finals since 1982-83. They haven't reached the Stanley Cup finals since 1992, when they lost to the Mario Lemieux-led Pittsburgh Penguins, and haven't captured the Cup since 1961.
The Sharks have never won a Cup and only reached the conference finals once, in 2004, when they lost in six games to the Calgary Flames (in the last season before the lockout).
The Hawks, who lost to the Detroit Red Wings in five games last year, haven't reached consecutive conference finals since 1982-83. They haven't reached the Stanley Cup finals since 1992, when they lost to the Mario Lemieux-led Pittsburgh Penguins, and haven't captured the Cup since 1961.
The Sharks have never won a Cup and only reached the conference finals once, in 2004, when they lost in six games to the Calgary Flames (in the last season before the lockout).
May 11, 2010
Inside the Press Box: Russ Thaler
Storming the Crease is conducting a series of interviews with people who cover (or work for) the Caps and the NHL. You can find a link to the series archives on the right sidebar. Today's 32nd installment: Comcast SportsNet Chief Digital Correspondent (and "SportsNite" anchor) Russ Thaler.
1. Please share what it was like to be part of the team that launched Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.
I look back on the experience with nothing but fond memories, but it was a challenge to be sure. All of us who were there at the beginning met for the first time on March 16, 2001 and we were on the air about three weeks later on April 5. Chick Hernandez and I were the only on-air people with experience in regional sports television at the start as we both had worked for Fox Sports Net.
We've gone through so many changes since then. When it all began, we were focused on the Orioles, whose season was just beginning, and also the Capitals, who were about to begin a playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since I had spent some time at Fox Sports Net in Pittsburgh, I was sent to the Igloo to cover the series. That was great fun.
Chick hosted a show called "Spotlight," which was a hybrid of "SportsNite" and "Washington Post Live," and I was doing Orioles pre-game and post-game with Rick Dempsey.
Oh, the stories I could tell! I'm so proud of how far we've come since then, but I'm glad to say that I've been here since the beginning.
2. How did "Washington Post Live" come about and what were your favorite moments as host of the show?
Comcast SportsNet got its start in Philadelphia back in the mid-1990s and "Daily News Live" (hosted by Michael Barkann) is the blueprint from which "Washington Post Live" was born. I had seen "DNL" many times at my wife's parent's house in Wilmington, Del., and thought that it looked like a fun kind of show to host.
I planted the seed in my news director's ear literally years before we decided to start up our own talk show down here. Tim McHugh, the CSN news director at the time (he's now at ESPN), and Tom Stathakes, who oversaw all of the CSN outlets back in 2007 (he works at The Golf Channel now), are the ones who really championed my drive to host our show when it began in March 2007. I had hosted our network's coverage of the 2005 congressional hearings on steroids in sports and I think my performance that day (11 hours!) gave them a good idea of what I could do in an unscripted type of situation. Andy Siegel, who is now our executive producer at CSN Mid Atlantic, was brought in produce "WPL" and off we went!
It's difficult for me to pinpoint favorite moments from my run as host of the show. I think what stands out most is the day-in, day-out effort we all put in to it. Andy Siegel and I have become pretty close, both professionally and outside of the office. It's kind of like when athletes are asked what they'll miss most when they retire and they almost always say, "being around the guys." Well, that's what it is like for me.
Andy, Adam Littlefield (he was the associate producer for "WPL" and now produces "Chronicle Live" for CSN Bay Area), Adam McKenzie (our video editor), Christine Gennetti, and Manda Gross (the guest bookers), those were my teammates. We spent so much time together and put forth an honest effort to create compelling television.
When I look back on my time as the host of "WPL," it's those relationships that mean more to me than any one show. Before I finish, though, I do need to mention that being the host of "WPL" allowed me to meet and work with some of the best sportswriters around. People like Tom Boswell, Jason La Canfora, Jason Reid, Liz Clarke, Dave Sheinin, Tarik El Bashir and so many more from The Washington Post. It was a real thrill for me to sit and talk with the people whose work I had admired for so long. I have so much respect for the talented people at The Washington Post and it means so much more to me that I can now consider many of them to be my friends as well.
On top of that, hosting "WPL" also opened me up to the vast community on the Internet that covers the sports world. I need to credit Adam Littlefield for that. "Littles" was a great champion of sports blogs and I like to think I embraced Internet-only writers on "WPL" as a result. I love to hear different points of views and there are so many out there!
Much like the good people at The Post, I hold many bloggers in a similar high regard.
3. Talk about your transition to digital correspondent and what plans do you have in that role moving forward?
Ted Leonsis talks of "reckonings" in his book and this transition was certainly one for me. Unilke the move to hosting "WPL," moving away from it wasn't something for which I had strived. I still have a lot to learn about the world of digital media and each day seems to being about a new challenge. The thing I have going for me, I think, is that I really enjoy the work.
While I consider myself a decent TV writer, I'm still searching for my "voice" as a columnist. The good thing is that I have so much experience on the video side of things that it's comfortable to add content to the Web site in that way. The relationships I developed as host of "WPL" have allowed me to tap in to some resources that can add to it.
I'd say my role is constantly evolving. I still very much enjoy working on the television side of things and I understand how important the Web is (csnwashington.com) moving forward. We have a growing team on the digital side and it's been a lot of fun figuring things out as we go along. It's really not unlike that feeling we all had starting up the TV network nine years ago! I hope to look back with the same fondness and sense of pride nine years from now.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories?
Well, nothing beats the games! That first year covering the Caps in Pittsburgh was a blast. The last few seasons with the current team has certainly left a mark on me and my family as well. If I take it back further, though, covering the Lincoln Stars of the USHL in Lincoln, Neb., was my first real exposure to the insides of the game.
Then, when I became host of "Capitals Post Game Live" many years later, I was able to learn so much just from watching every night with Joe Reekie, Joe Beninati, Craig Laughlin, Al Koken, and (more recently) Alan May have been so generous with their knowledge. I ask a lot of questions and I like to think I listen well.
On air, I'll always remember hosting "SportsNite" from Verizon Center before playoff games. There's not much that compares. It makes me feel like I'm still playing competitive sports! The adrenaline rush is out of this world.
5. What occupies your time when you're not working?
My wife Brooke and I have three young sons and they occupy almost all of my time away from work. The good thing for me is that Brooke is a sports fan (and, like me, a former college athlete) so sports play a large part of our lives. We've taken Max, Nate, and Will to see the Caps, D.C. United, the Washington Freedom, and even the Frederick Keys.
Max (our oldest, he'll turn seven in a couple of weeks) has become obsessed with hockey and even begun to play the game! In fact, we play marathon games in the basement almost every day. Watching him on the ice has become one of my favorite things. I still try to get out and play tennis as often as I can. Tennis and baseball were the sports I grew up on. I work out most mornings before helping the boys off to school.
My "alone time" is spent late at night after everyone else is asleep. I'm usually in front of the computer reading the next day's news with the TV on. Sports, of course! I guess I've got just the right job for me.
1. Please share what it was like to be part of the team that launched Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.
I look back on the experience with nothing but fond memories, but it was a challenge to be sure. All of us who were there at the beginning met for the first time on March 16, 2001 and we were on the air about three weeks later on April 5. Chick Hernandez and I were the only on-air people with experience in regional sports television at the start as we both had worked for Fox Sports Net.
We've gone through so many changes since then. When it all began, we were focused on the Orioles, whose season was just beginning, and also the Capitals, who were about to begin a playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since I had spent some time at Fox Sports Net in Pittsburgh, I was sent to the Igloo to cover the series. That was great fun.
Chick hosted a show called "Spotlight," which was a hybrid of "SportsNite" and "Washington Post Live," and I was doing Orioles pre-game and post-game with Rick Dempsey.
Oh, the stories I could tell! I'm so proud of how far we've come since then, but I'm glad to say that I've been here since the beginning.
2. How did "Washington Post Live" come about and what were your favorite moments as host of the show?
Comcast SportsNet got its start in Philadelphia back in the mid-1990s and "Daily News Live" (hosted by Michael Barkann) is the blueprint from which "Washington Post Live" was born. I had seen "DNL" many times at my wife's parent's house in Wilmington, Del., and thought that it looked like a fun kind of show to host.
I planted the seed in my news director's ear literally years before we decided to start up our own talk show down here. Tim McHugh, the CSN news director at the time (he's now at ESPN), and Tom Stathakes, who oversaw all of the CSN outlets back in 2007 (he works at The Golf Channel now), are the ones who really championed my drive to host our show when it began in March 2007. I had hosted our network's coverage of the 2005 congressional hearings on steroids in sports and I think my performance that day (11 hours!) gave them a good idea of what I could do in an unscripted type of situation. Andy Siegel, who is now our executive producer at CSN Mid Atlantic, was brought in produce "WPL" and off we went!
It's difficult for me to pinpoint favorite moments from my run as host of the show. I think what stands out most is the day-in, day-out effort we all put in to it. Andy Siegel and I have become pretty close, both professionally and outside of the office. It's kind of like when athletes are asked what they'll miss most when they retire and they almost always say, "being around the guys." Well, that's what it is like for me.
Andy, Adam Littlefield (he was the associate producer for "WPL" and now produces "Chronicle Live" for CSN Bay Area), Adam McKenzie (our video editor), Christine Gennetti, and Manda Gross (the guest bookers), those were my teammates. We spent so much time together and put forth an honest effort to create compelling television.
When I look back on my time as the host of "WPL," it's those relationships that mean more to me than any one show. Before I finish, though, I do need to mention that being the host of "WPL" allowed me to meet and work with some of the best sportswriters around. People like Tom Boswell, Jason La Canfora, Jason Reid, Liz Clarke, Dave Sheinin, Tarik El Bashir and so many more from The Washington Post. It was a real thrill for me to sit and talk with the people whose work I had admired for so long. I have so much respect for the talented people at The Washington Post and it means so much more to me that I can now consider many of them to be my friends as well.
On top of that, hosting "WPL" also opened me up to the vast community on the Internet that covers the sports world. I need to credit Adam Littlefield for that. "Littles" was a great champion of sports blogs and I like to think I embraced Internet-only writers on "WPL" as a result. I love to hear different points of views and there are so many out there!
Much like the good people at The Post, I hold many bloggers in a similar high regard.
3. Talk about your transition to digital correspondent and what plans do you have in that role moving forward?
Ted Leonsis talks of "reckonings" in his book and this transition was certainly one for me. Unilke the move to hosting "WPL," moving away from it wasn't something for which I had strived. I still have a lot to learn about the world of digital media and each day seems to being about a new challenge. The thing I have going for me, I think, is that I really enjoy the work.
While I consider myself a decent TV writer, I'm still searching for my "voice" as a columnist. The good thing is that I have so much experience on the video side of things that it's comfortable to add content to the Web site in that way. The relationships I developed as host of "WPL" have allowed me to tap in to some resources that can add to it.
I'd say my role is constantly evolving. I still very much enjoy working on the television side of things and I understand how important the Web is (csnwashington.com) moving forward. We have a growing team on the digital side and it's been a lot of fun figuring things out as we go along. It's really not unlike that feeling we all had starting up the TV network nine years ago! I hope to look back with the same fondness and sense of pride nine years from now.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories?
Well, nothing beats the games! That first year covering the Caps in Pittsburgh was a blast. The last few seasons with the current team has certainly left a mark on me and my family as well. If I take it back further, though, covering the Lincoln Stars of the USHL in Lincoln, Neb., was my first real exposure to the insides of the game.
Then, when I became host of "Capitals Post Game Live" many years later, I was able to learn so much just from watching every night with Joe Reekie, Joe Beninati, Craig Laughlin, Al Koken, and (more recently) Alan May have been so generous with their knowledge. I ask a lot of questions and I like to think I listen well.
On air, I'll always remember hosting "SportsNite" from Verizon Center before playoff games. There's not much that compares. It makes me feel like I'm still playing competitive sports! The adrenaline rush is out of this world.
5. What occupies your time when you're not working?
My wife Brooke and I have three young sons and they occupy almost all of my time away from work. The good thing for me is that Brooke is a sports fan (and, like me, a former college athlete) so sports play a large part of our lives. We've taken Max, Nate, and Will to see the Caps, D.C. United, the Washington Freedom, and even the Frederick Keys.
Max (our oldest, he'll turn seven in a couple of weeks) has become obsessed with hockey and even begun to play the game! In fact, we play marathon games in the basement almost every day. Watching him on the ice has become one of my favorite things. I still try to get out and play tennis as often as I can. Tennis and baseball were the sports I grew up on. I work out most mornings before helping the boys off to school.
My "alone time" is spent late at night after everyone else is asleep. I'm usually in front of the computer reading the next day's news with the TV on. Sports, of course! I guess I've got just the right job for me.
May 10, 2010
Second Round Notes
The San Jose Sharks are the first team to earn a conference finals bid after a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings late Saturday night, giving them a 4-1 series victory over the two-time defending Western Conference champs. Many people, including Mr. Cleo, had picked the Wings to advance or at least give San Jose more trouble. But, in the end, the Sharks were too strong and may be proving a lot of people wrong when their second-ever conference finals begin.
Their opponent, though, is very much up in the air. The Chicago Blackhawks were steamrolled by the Vancouver Canucks, 4-1, last night with a chance to join the Sharks. Now Chicago has to go back to Western Canada tomorrow night to try to clinch there.
A similar situation awaits the Boston Bruins tonight at home. They were up, 3-0 in games, on Philly before losing a wild 6-5 OT game Friday night. Game five is tonight.
The other game tonight is game six between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens. The Pens are up, 3-2, but the teams have been alternating victories, so the Habs have a shot to go into yet another game seven on the road, if they can win tonight at home.
Their opponent, though, is very much up in the air. The Chicago Blackhawks were steamrolled by the Vancouver Canucks, 4-1, last night with a chance to join the Sharks. Now Chicago has to go back to Western Canada tomorrow night to try to clinch there.
A similar situation awaits the Boston Bruins tonight at home. They were up, 3-0 in games, on Philly before losing a wild 6-5 OT game Friday night. Game five is tonight.
The other game tonight is game six between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens. The Pens are up, 3-2, but the teams have been alternating victories, so the Habs have a shot to go into yet another game seven on the road, if they can win tonight at home.
May 6, 2010
Inside the Press Box: Brett 'Stretch' Leonhardt
Storming the Crease is conducting a series of interviews with people who cover (or work for) the Caps and the NHL. You can find a link to the series archives on the right sidebar. Today's 31st installment: Caps Web site Producer (and part-time practice goalie) Brett "Stretch" Leonhardt.
1. What brought you into current role with the Caps? How has your job changed since you started?
When I graduated, I came to D.C. with my girlfriend; she had a job, I didn't. I thought it would be a good idea to just contact the local NHL team. I looked up Kurt Kehl, we spoke and he mentioned the right position may open up in a few weeks or so. It did, he forwarded me the info and I went on a few interviews. Rest is history.
When I first got hired, my job was really helping out on everything with the Web site but with video being the focal point. Since then, the demand and need of video content has risen greatly so during the season, that takes about 90 percent of what I do in a day.
2. When did you start practicing with the team? Do you find time to play hockey elsewhere too?
I started practicing back in November 2007 when Olie Kolzig and Brent "Johnny" Johnson were still here. I don't play goal really anywhere else in the area. In the summers, I teach at a goalie camp back home in Ontario and, if I do play pick-up hockey, it is usually as a defenseman.
3. What thoughts come to mind when you look back at your stint in December 2008 as the back-up goalie against the Sens?
I actually still am in disbelief that it actually happened. I often think "wow, that actually happened to me?" and kind of get upset that I didn't appreciate what it truly was when it was happening. It brings a smile to my face and I look at it as the highlight of my athletic life.
To be honest, sometimes I look back at it and get upset at myself that if maybe I would of worked harder at hockey when I was coming up, that maybe I could of done this at that level everyday of my life. For someone that lived hockey everyday of their life, it's like smelling dinner but not being able to take a bite.
It's not every little kids' dream to take warm-up and sit on the bench for a period in the NHL. It is to be an actual NHL player and be able to earn a living for the sport they love at the highest level possible.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories (either with the Caps or elsewhere)?
Wow, that's a good question. Looking back, I had a lot of great memories in hockey. In PeeWee, being the goalie of the Sudbury Big Nickel tournament meant a lot. This is the biggest PeeWee tournament in Ontario for that age and was invite only. We ended up losing in the finals but I look back at the players I played against and they were Jason Spezza, Mike Cammalleri, among others that now play in the NHL.
In junior hockey, I had some great moments playing with guys that I now call my best friends, but what really stands out is being able to play in front of my grandmother before she passed away. She was the biggest hockey fan and my No. 1 fan coming up.
5. What do you do when you're not working with the Caps?
When I am not working for the Caps, I try to do things to relax like take in D.C., go to concerts, museums, etc. I play a few instruments, so in the off-season, I like to take a lot of time at home and fool around with that stuff.
1. What brought you into current role with the Caps? How has your job changed since you started?
When I graduated, I came to D.C. with my girlfriend; she had a job, I didn't. I thought it would be a good idea to just contact the local NHL team. I looked up Kurt Kehl, we spoke and he mentioned the right position may open up in a few weeks or so. It did, he forwarded me the info and I went on a few interviews. Rest is history.
When I first got hired, my job was really helping out on everything with the Web site but with video being the focal point. Since then, the demand and need of video content has risen greatly so during the season, that takes about 90 percent of what I do in a day.
2. When did you start practicing with the team? Do you find time to play hockey elsewhere too?
I started practicing back in November 2007 when Olie Kolzig and Brent "Johnny" Johnson were still here. I don't play goal really anywhere else in the area. In the summers, I teach at a goalie camp back home in Ontario and, if I do play pick-up hockey, it is usually as a defenseman.
3. What thoughts come to mind when you look back at your stint in December 2008 as the back-up goalie against the Sens?
I actually still am in disbelief that it actually happened. I often think "wow, that actually happened to me?" and kind of get upset that I didn't appreciate what it truly was when it was happening. It brings a smile to my face and I look at it as the highlight of my athletic life.
To be honest, sometimes I look back at it and get upset at myself that if maybe I would of worked harder at hockey when I was coming up, that maybe I could of done this at that level everyday of my life. For someone that lived hockey everyday of their life, it's like smelling dinner but not being able to take a bite.
It's not every little kids' dream to take warm-up and sit on the bench for a period in the NHL. It is to be an actual NHL player and be able to earn a living for the sport they love at the highest level possible.
4. What are some of your favorite hockey-related memories (either with the Caps or elsewhere)?
Wow, that's a good question. Looking back, I had a lot of great memories in hockey. In PeeWee, being the goalie of the Sudbury Big Nickel tournament meant a lot. This is the biggest PeeWee tournament in Ontario for that age and was invite only. We ended up losing in the finals but I look back at the players I played against and they were Jason Spezza, Mike Cammalleri, among others that now play in the NHL.
In junior hockey, I had some great moments playing with guys that I now call my best friends, but what really stands out is being able to play in front of my grandmother before she passed away. She was the biggest hockey fan and my No. 1 fan coming up.
5. What do you do when you're not working with the Caps?
When I am not working for the Caps, I try to do things to relax like take in D.C., go to concerts, museums, etc. I play a few instruments, so in the off-season, I like to take a lot of time at home and fool around with that stuff.
Ovechkin Nominated for Ted Lindsay Award
The NHLPA announced today that Alex Ovechkin is one of three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually to the player judged as the most outstanding player in the NHL, as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA. Ovechkin, who has won the last two NHLPA's "Most Outstanding Player" awards and the past two Hart Trophies, could join Guy Lafleur (1975-78) and Wayne Gretzky (1981-85) as the only players to ever win it three years in a row. Ovechkin is joined by Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Vancouver's Henrik Sedin as the three finalists.
On April 29, 2010, the Ted Lindsay Award was introduced, and it remains the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established by the Lester B. Pearson Award. The award honors Ted Lindsay, an All-Star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership and his role in establishing the original Players' Association.
The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 23, during the 2010 NHL Awards that will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada.
Ovechkin -- who could become the first player in league history to be named to the NHL First All-Star Team in each of his first five seasons in the league -- has scored 269 career goals, more in his first five seasons than any player besides Gretzky, Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux.
On April 29, 2010, the Ted Lindsay Award was introduced, and it remains the only award voted on by the players themselves, carrying on the tradition established by the Lester B. Pearson Award. The award honors Ted Lindsay, an All-Star forward known for his skill, tenacity, leadership and his role in establishing the original Players' Association.
The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 23, during the 2010 NHL Awards that will be broadcast live from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada.
Ovechkin -- who could become the first player in league history to be named to the NHL First All-Star Team in each of his first five seasons in the league -- has scored 269 career goals, more in his first five seasons than any player besides Gretzky, Mike Bossy and Mario Lemieux.
McPhee Honored as GM of the Year Finalist
Per the Caps' PR department, the NHL announced today that Caps Vice President/General Manager George McPhee is one of three finalists for the league's first General Manager of the Year Award, along with Phoenix's Don Maloney and Nashville's David Poile (a former Caps' GM). (Washington is the only one of those three franchises not also nominated for the Adams award for coach of the year.)
Voting for the award was conducted among the 30 club general managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media. The winner will be announced during the 2010 Stanley Cup finals.
McPhee assembled a Caps team that established club records in wins (54) and points (121) while winning the franchise's first Presidents' Trophy for the best record in the NHL and its third consecutive Southeast Division title. Washington led the NHL in goals per game (3.82) and power play (25.2 percent).
Washington finished the regular season with a roster that featured nine players drafted by McPhee, nine he signed as free agents and eight that he acquired via trade. Additions to this year's team included 29-goal-scorer Mike Knuble, who signed with the Capitals July 1, 2009, and four players acquired at the March 3 trade deadline.
In addition to Washington's success, the team's AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, posted that league's best record after winning the 2009 Calder Cup. (And they're back in the conference finals, losing only one game in the first two rounds of this year's playoffs.)
McPhee has set the Caps' roster up for the long haul, too, as none of their main core players have hit their 27th birthday and goalies Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth are each 22.
This is a well-deserved honor for McPhee, who has gone about setting up the Caps somewhat quietly. He's been with the team since June 9, 1997, making him one of the longest-tenured GMs in the league. The best testament is that none of the firing squad after the loss to the Canadiens has been aimed at him. But that's not to say it won't be a big summer for the man they call GMGM.
Voting for the award was conducted among the 30 club general managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media. The winner will be announced during the 2010 Stanley Cup finals.
McPhee assembled a Caps team that established club records in wins (54) and points (121) while winning the franchise's first Presidents' Trophy for the best record in the NHL and its third consecutive Southeast Division title. Washington led the NHL in goals per game (3.82) and power play (25.2 percent).
Washington finished the regular season with a roster that featured nine players drafted by McPhee, nine he signed as free agents and eight that he acquired via trade. Additions to this year's team included 29-goal-scorer Mike Knuble, who signed with the Capitals July 1, 2009, and four players acquired at the March 3 trade deadline.
In addition to Washington's success, the team's AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, posted that league's best record after winning the 2009 Calder Cup. (And they're back in the conference finals, losing only one game in the first two rounds of this year's playoffs.)
McPhee has set the Caps' roster up for the long haul, too, as none of their main core players have hit their 27th birthday and goalies Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth are each 22.
This is a well-deserved honor for McPhee, who has gone about setting up the Caps somewhat quietly. He's been with the team since June 9, 1997, making him one of the longest-tenured GMs in the league. The best testament is that none of the firing squad after the loss to the Canadiens has been aimed at him. But that's not to say it won't be a big summer for the man they call GMGM.
May 5, 2010
Could the Caps Draw Inspiration from the Sharks?
With a 4-3 comeback OT win last night over the Detroit Red Wings, the San Jose Sharks are one win from their second-ever Western Conference finals berth. As we all know, they've had some problems with being upset by so-called lesser teams. Just last year, they won the President's Trophy and lost in the first round to the Anaheim Ducks. Since the lockout, they've lost to a lower-seeded team all but once (2006-07 against Detroit, who lost in the conference finals to the eventual-champion Ducks) -- all in the semifinals.
Could this be the year they finally turn it around? The Sharks are the top-seeded team in the West, finishing eight points behind the Caps for this year's President's Trophy. They edged the Chicago Blackhawks for the No. 1 spot by just one point and beat out the surprising Phoenix Coyotes by six points in the Pacific Division.
Are the Sharks that different than the Caps? Although San Jose doesn't have the fire power that the Caps boast, they still averaged 3.13 goals per game (the Caps had 3.82) and allowed 2.55 (the Caps permitted 2.77). They had three 80-point getters (same as the Caps) and five 20-goal scorers (the Caps had seven).
Both teams' style of play have been questioned. But, so far, the Sharks have been able to adapt against a game Colorado Avalanche team and a very good Wings squad. Now it's the Caps turn (next year) to follow suit. And they don't have to go back in time for inspiration.
Could this be the year they finally turn it around? The Sharks are the top-seeded team in the West, finishing eight points behind the Caps for this year's President's Trophy. They edged the Chicago Blackhawks for the No. 1 spot by just one point and beat out the surprising Phoenix Coyotes by six points in the Pacific Division.
Are the Sharks that different than the Caps? Although San Jose doesn't have the fire power that the Caps boast, they still averaged 3.13 goals per game (the Caps had 3.82) and allowed 2.55 (the Caps permitted 2.77). They had three 80-point getters (same as the Caps) and five 20-goal scorers (the Caps had seven).
Both teams' style of play have been questioned. But, so far, the Sharks have been able to adapt against a game Colorado Avalanche team and a very good Wings squad. Now it's the Caps turn (next year) to follow suit. And they don't have to go back in time for inspiration.
May 4, 2010
Evaluating the Roster
Tomorrow is the one-week anniversary of the Caps' loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Although this certainly isn't a reason to celebrate, it is noteworthy because the Caps most likely will be taking a different approach to the off-season, given the results of the last three springs -- and the extra time with which they have to work.
Must Keep: Alex Ovechkin (signed until 2020-21), Nicklas Backstrom (RFA now), Brooks Laich (UFA after next season), Eric Fehr (RFA now), Mike Green (RFA after 2011-12), John Carlson (RFA after 2011-12), Karl Alzner (RFA after next season), and Simeon Varlamov (RFA after 2011-12).
Backstrom most likely will get a long-term deal in the $6 million range per season, and he deserves it. In his three years in the league, he's quickly become an elite center -- and, with 33 goals this season, discovered a dangerous scoring touch. Although Green and Laich struggled in the postseason, they are solid players who should be here a while. Fehr started to break out this season and might be set for stardom. Carlson is a stud and Alzner isn't far behind -- especially if the two are paired together. And Varly clearly is the goalie of the future.
Positives Outweigh Negatives: Mike Knuble (UFA after next season), Tom Poti (UFA after next season), Jason Chimera (UFA after 2011-12), Boyd Gordon (RFA now), David Steckel (UFA after 2012-13), Eric Belanger (UFA now), Mathieu Perreault (RFA after next season), Matt Bradley (UFA after next season), and Jeff Schultz (RFA now).
Knuble, once he was paired with Ovechkin and Backstrom, showed why the Caps wanted him so badly last summer. He might even have a couple more years left after next season, but for now, he's entrenched on the team. Poti, before his gruesome injury, might have been the Caps' best defenseman against Montreal. Chimera, Gordon and Belanger also did well during the playoffs. GM George McPhee might be able to keep Belanger for a year or two, which would provide a great third-line center and more face-off prowess to go with Steckel. Perraeault should be a second- or third-line energy guy, while Bradley should remain doing what he does. Schultz is only going to get better.
See Ya: Alex Semin (UFA after next season), Tomas Fleischmann (RFA now), Brendan Morrison (UFA now), Scott Walker (UFA now), Quintin Laing (UFA now), Shaone Morrisonn (UFA now), John Erskine (UFA after next season), Milan Jurcina (UFA now), Tyler Sloan (UFA 2011-12), Michael Nylander (yes, he's still on the payroll; UFA after next season), Joe Corvo (UFA now), and Jose Theodore (UFA now).
It's unlikely that McPhee will get rid of both Semin and Fleischmann, but it's worth a try. Semin has disappeared in the playoffs pretty much for most of his tenure with the Caps and Flash was a big disappointment against Montreal. (More on these two another time.) Morrison started the year well, but faded after the Olympic break, while Walker really didn't play much after he was acquired from Carolina. Laing has been a great story, but there's really no room for him anymore. Morrisonn was lucky to last this long, but Green's supposed defensive-partner-for-life is going to be looking for work. Many are still scratching their head why McPhee gave extensions to Erskine and Sloan, but hopefully he'll be able to send them elsewhere this summer. And, Theo, it's been fun. Hopefully you'll win the Masterton before you go.
The Big Question Marks: Michal Neuvirth (RFA now) and Braden Holtby (RFA after 2011-12).
Who McPhee will pair with Varly next season is certainly one of the team's biggest off-season questions. McPhee could go with youth and have Neuvirth on the Caps from the start (similar to what the Habs are doing with Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak). Or, GMGM could bring in a veteran to provide Varly with some rest and guidance. Either way, Neuvirth and Holtby will be in the organization next season -- it's just a matter of where.
As you can tell, McPhee and the Caps have some work to do this summer. They need some more grit and playoff prowess -- and not just in the form of a second-line center and defensive defenseman (although both are desperately needed). Trading Semin would go a long way towards showing McPhee is serious about transforming the team. And it would end the speculation about Semin's future before next season begins.
Must Keep: Alex Ovechkin (signed until 2020-21), Nicklas Backstrom (RFA now), Brooks Laich (UFA after next season), Eric Fehr (RFA now), Mike Green (RFA after 2011-12), John Carlson (RFA after 2011-12), Karl Alzner (RFA after next season), and Simeon Varlamov (RFA after 2011-12).
Backstrom most likely will get a long-term deal in the $6 million range per season, and he deserves it. In his three years in the league, he's quickly become an elite center -- and, with 33 goals this season, discovered a dangerous scoring touch. Although Green and Laich struggled in the postseason, they are solid players who should be here a while. Fehr started to break out this season and might be set for stardom. Carlson is a stud and Alzner isn't far behind -- especially if the two are paired together. And Varly clearly is the goalie of the future.
Positives Outweigh Negatives: Mike Knuble (UFA after next season), Tom Poti (UFA after next season), Jason Chimera (UFA after 2011-12), Boyd Gordon (RFA now), David Steckel (UFA after 2012-13), Eric Belanger (UFA now), Mathieu Perreault (RFA after next season), Matt Bradley (UFA after next season), and Jeff Schultz (RFA now).
Knuble, once he was paired with Ovechkin and Backstrom, showed why the Caps wanted him so badly last summer. He might even have a couple more years left after next season, but for now, he's entrenched on the team. Poti, before his gruesome injury, might have been the Caps' best defenseman against Montreal. Chimera, Gordon and Belanger also did well during the playoffs. GM George McPhee might be able to keep Belanger for a year or two, which would provide a great third-line center and more face-off prowess to go with Steckel. Perraeault should be a second- or third-line energy guy, while Bradley should remain doing what he does. Schultz is only going to get better.
See Ya: Alex Semin (UFA after next season), Tomas Fleischmann (RFA now), Brendan Morrison (UFA now), Scott Walker (UFA now), Quintin Laing (UFA now), Shaone Morrisonn (UFA now), John Erskine (UFA after next season), Milan Jurcina (UFA now), Tyler Sloan (UFA 2011-12), Michael Nylander (yes, he's still on the payroll; UFA after next season), Joe Corvo (UFA now), and Jose Theodore (UFA now).
It's unlikely that McPhee will get rid of both Semin and Fleischmann, but it's worth a try. Semin has disappeared in the playoffs pretty much for most of his tenure with the Caps and Flash was a big disappointment against Montreal. (More on these two another time.) Morrison started the year well, but faded after the Olympic break, while Walker really didn't play much after he was acquired from Carolina. Laing has been a great story, but there's really no room for him anymore. Morrisonn was lucky to last this long, but Green's supposed defensive-partner-for-life is going to be looking for work. Many are still scratching their head why McPhee gave extensions to Erskine and Sloan, but hopefully he'll be able to send them elsewhere this summer. And, Theo, it's been fun. Hopefully you'll win the Masterton before you go.
The Big Question Marks: Michal Neuvirth (RFA now) and Braden Holtby (RFA after 2011-12).
Who McPhee will pair with Varly next season is certainly one of the team's biggest off-season questions. McPhee could go with youth and have Neuvirth on the Caps from the start (similar to what the Habs are doing with Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak). Or, GMGM could bring in a veteran to provide Varly with some rest and guidance. Either way, Neuvirth and Holtby will be in the organization next season -- it's just a matter of where.
As you can tell, McPhee and the Caps have some work to do this summer. They need some more grit and playoff prowess -- and not just in the form of a second-line center and defensive defenseman (although both are desperately needed). Trading Semin would go a long way towards showing McPhee is serious about transforming the team. And it would end the speculation about Semin's future before next season begins.
May 3, 2010
The Wisdom of Billy Joel
Sometimes, hockey teams can learn from other franchises in their sport, or occasionally, in other athletic endeavors. But, believe it or not, the Caps could learn a thing or two from Billy Joel's song, "The Entertainer."
For example, towards the beginning of the song, Joel sings:
The Caps certainly "won the hearts" of their fans and the NHL with their exciting playing style and regular-season winning ways. But they haven't been able to translate that to playoff success, winning just one of four series under Coach Bruce Boudreau. It's time to make some changes and tweak the personnel. And, most importantly, slightly alter their style of play or, more accurately, ensure everybody on the roster sticks to Boudreau's brilliant system.
The Caps now have blown a two-game lead in a series in consecutive seasons. Serious Stanley Cup contenders possess a killer instinct and don't give any hope to their opposition. The Caps need to develop that and, quite frankly, worry about results more than style points. It's more than "if, at first you don't succeed, try try again." The Caps need to do something to ensure that, in their case, the third time isn't another curse.
Hypothetically, the Caps' window of opportunity is wide open. They've got a young core who, for the most part, hasn't even reached their 25th birthdays. Their farm system is stacked and there is tons of hope. But they need to make sure they do everything in their power to stay on top of things. They don't want anything to get stale and end up, as Joel sings, "back in the discount rack."
Making some changes this summer -- by both addition and subtraction -- will help the Caps get closer to their ultimate goal: the Stanley Cup. Look for lots more on this subject moving forward.
For example, towards the beginning of the song, Joel sings:
Today I am your champion, I may have won your hearts
But I know the game, you'll forget my name
And I won't be here in another year
If I don't stay on the charts
The Caps certainly "won the hearts" of their fans and the NHL with their exciting playing style and regular-season winning ways. But they haven't been able to translate that to playoff success, winning just one of four series under Coach Bruce Boudreau. It's time to make some changes and tweak the personnel. And, most importantly, slightly alter their style of play or, more accurately, ensure everybody on the roster sticks to Boudreau's brilliant system.
I am the entertainer and I've had to pay my price
The things I did not know at first I learned by doing twice
The Caps now have blown a two-game lead in a series in consecutive seasons. Serious Stanley Cup contenders possess a killer instinct and don't give any hope to their opposition. The Caps need to develop that and, quite frankly, worry about results more than style points. It's more than "if, at first you don't succeed, try try again." The Caps need to do something to ensure that, in their case, the third time isn't another curse.
I am the entertainer, the idol of my age
I make all kinds of money when I go on the stage
You see me in the papers, I've been in the magazines
But if I go cold, I won't get sold
I get put in the back in the discount rack
Like another can of beans
Hypothetically, the Caps' window of opportunity is wide open. They've got a young core who, for the most part, hasn't even reached their 25th birthdays. Their farm system is stacked and there is tons of hope. But they need to make sure they do everything in their power to stay on top of things. They don't want anything to get stale and end up, as Joel sings, "back in the discount rack."
Making some changes this summer -- by both addition and subtraction -- will help the Caps get closer to their ultimate goal: the Stanley Cup. Look for lots more on this subject moving forward.
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