What's up everyone. It's been another long time since I've been on and some people have been wondering when a new post will be up. Along with that question I have gotten some emails from readers asking me questions about superstitions, whether I have any and what I like to do on gamedays. So I'll start with the superstitions question; I think you can ask any hockey player out there if they have superstitions and everyone will have the same outcome. "I don't think of the as superstitions, more so just a routine." Personally, I call it a routine because I think sometimes if you get so wrapped up in your superstitions you lose track of the bigger picture, the game. For me game days start the same way, wake up and have a good breakfast then go to pregame skate if we have one. Get the blood going, get a feel for the puck and loosen the legs. After lunch and a nap I head to the rink about 2.5 hours before the game starts. At the rink I'm always loose, I'll tape my sticks, get a good stretch and then just hang out til it's time to get ready for warmups. I know some guys who have to do certain things at certain times and get mentally ready for a game, but that doesn't work for me. It's all about doing what you need to do personally to get ready for a game.
With the calendar turning to June this past week the summer workouts have picked up and some teams are starting to show interest for next season. It's still really early in the contract period so I'm trying not to think about it too much or else I'll go crazy. Some guys are getting back from college and I'll be hanging out with them in the weeks to come. My summer gets pretty busy on June 22nd when my summer job of shooting pucks on goalies starts. Some of the best goalies around are on the ice throughout the day and we shoot for anywhere from 2-4 hours Monday thru Thursday, if you were to count the amount of pucks we shoot a day it would probably add up to about 1000 pucks a week. It's a fun job, it keeps me on the ice with quality goalies and great guys.
My newest hobby as of late has been betting on horse racing. My old roommate Joe Lyle got me into it and it's pretty fun. It gives you a good adrenaline rush everytime you watch your horse go to the gate. The good thing about it is it has kept me out of trouble and I'm not going out nearly as much as I went out last summer. With the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown going off tomorrrow I'm staying in tonight doing some last minute homework for the Belmont Stakes tomorrow night. Personally I like Summer Bird to at least show, if not better and you have to like Mine That Bird after jockey Calvin Borel guaranteed victory earlier this week.
Also what a great series the Stanley Cup Finals has turned into. I picked Pittsburgh in 6 at the start of the series and it's looking pretty good so far for the Pens. Crosby and Malkin have been unreal this post season, but the guy I like right now is Kris Letang who is having a great series. Not to take anything away from Abdelkader's 2 goals in the first two games of the series, not bad for the rookie from Michigan State.
Hutch
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Why Do You???
Recently I was reading the May, 4, 2009 Sports Illustrated and as I was flipping thru the magazine I came across an article about surfer Kelly Slater. I'm not a surfer, nor do I follow Kelly Slater but something caught my eye and I started to read the article. It talks about how great of a surfer he is and how he has been a world champion 6 times in his career. But after a little bit of time away from the waves, Kelly wanted to return. He wanted more. "Why do you do what you do? Why do you dress that way? Why do you do that job? Why are you married? Why are you alone? Why do you compete? Why can't you let go? No, c'mon...why, really?" That was part of the article and it got me thinking on how I would answer those questions.
I won't bore you with answers to why I dress the way I do, why I'm alone or why I can't let go. But I do what I do because it's fun and natural to me. I work for at most 14 hours a week during the season and get paid for playing a game. Not many people can say that they are living a dream. But I think the biggest question to answer is "Why do you compete?"... I think competing is something that everyone does everyday of our lives. Some compete against co-workers or classmates, others like us compete against teammates and other players. But in the off season, you can't compete against teammates or other teams.
So who do we compete against in the summer? Thousands of free agents are out there calling their agents or doing the dirty work on their own to line up a contract for next season. At the same time we're all in the gym, at the track, and on the ice all summer to make sure we're ready come training camp. You have to motivate yourself though, you don't have a roommate waking you up in the morning to head to practice or staying on you to go to that optional lift in the afternoon. I choose to compete against myself everyday. Each week I want to lift more than I did the week before and run or bike a little further. So far I'm halfway thru week 7 of the summer workouts and have so far to go, but it's worth it.
The summer is a time of fun, but can also be stressful for a free agent. You get to see all your buddies and head to the beach, but at the same time you wonder where next season will take you and when you'll sign your contract. You wonder who it will be with, where it will be, how much it will be for. So for all the excitement this nice weather brings, it also brings some drama into our often stress free lives.
I won't bore you with answers to why I dress the way I do, why I'm alone or why I can't let go. But I do what I do because it's fun and natural to me. I work for at most 14 hours a week during the season and get paid for playing a game. Not many people can say that they are living a dream. But I think the biggest question to answer is "Why do you compete?"... I think competing is something that everyone does everyday of our lives. Some compete against co-workers or classmates, others like us compete against teammates and other players. But in the off season, you can't compete against teammates or other teams.
So who do we compete against in the summer? Thousands of free agents are out there calling their agents or doing the dirty work on their own to line up a contract for next season. At the same time we're all in the gym, at the track, and on the ice all summer to make sure we're ready come training camp. You have to motivate yourself though, you don't have a roommate waking you up in the morning to head to practice or staying on you to go to that optional lift in the afternoon. I choose to compete against myself everyday. Each week I want to lift more than I did the week before and run or bike a little further. So far I'm halfway thru week 7 of the summer workouts and have so far to go, but it's worth it.
The summer is a time of fun, but can also be stressful for a free agent. You get to see all your buddies and head to the beach, but at the same time you wonder where next season will take you and when you'll sign your contract. You wonder who it will be with, where it will be, how much it will be for. So for all the excitement this nice weather brings, it also brings some drama into our often stress free lives.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
NHL Playoffs
Is there a better day a year than today? No I don't mean Tax day in the USA, I'm talking about the first day of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The possibilities are endless for all 16 teams who start the second and most important season of the year. Will there be any Cinderella stories this year? Will an underachieving team through the regular season come to life now? What about a team who limped their way into the post season, will they bounce back and find their true form?
In the East:
#1 Boston Bruins vs #8 Montreal Canadiens
In a repeat match-up from last years first round the roles are reversed. Last year Montreal came in as the #2 seed and heavy favorites after going undefeated against the B's last season. This year Boston went 5-0-1 against Montreal and are the big favorites not only in this series, but in the Eastern Conference. I think (albeit a biased opinion) the Bruins will take the series in 5 or 6 games.
#2 Washington Capitals vs #7 New York Rangers
I got my wish of not having to play the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. Washington's offense is much more potent than NYR having scored 62 more goals in the regular season. With Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin leading the way up front and Mike Green patrolling the blue line I think there is only one way the Rangers will win this series; Jose Theodore lays an egg and Henrik Lundqvist plays out of his mind at the other end for the entire series.
#3 New Jersey Devils vs #6 Carolina Hurricanes
This series will be a great one to watch in my eyes. Both teams have great leadership in the dressing room and have been deep in the playoffs recently. Will the Devils find their game that had them in contention for the #1 overall seed for most of the season? If they do then I think they can win the series in 5 games. But what if the Devils play like they did the last 15 games or so? Where they appeared to shut it down and limp into the playoffs, if that happens then look for Carolina to take it in 6.
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Philadelphia Flyers
Oh boy did the Flyers drop the ball on the last day of the regular season or what? All they needed was to hang on for one more game and they would have had home ice for the series. Instead they allow the Penguins to come into their building, win the game and take home ice from them. The Pens are one of the hottest teams in the league right now going 18-3-4 in their last 25 games. With Malkin and Crosby leading the way, I think the Penguins are a very dangerous team to play now.
And In the West:
#1 San Jose Sharks vs #8 Anaheim Ducks
The Sharks, winner's of the President's Trophy this season, are so deep everywhere you look this season. It's tough to go against them in this first round battle. Although if anyone can knock them off it is the Ducks. With guys like Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan leading the way they're a very dangerous team to play against. Factor in Joe Thornton's inability to be a big time player in the playoffs in years past and an upset may be brewing. But don't bet on it. I think San Jose will squeak past the Ducks in 6.
#2 Detroit Red Wings vs #7 Columbus Blue Jackets
The obvious favorite for most people would be the Red Wings, however the Blue Jackets played the Wings tight all season. The Blue Jackets freshed face playoff outlook may not know the Goliath they are up against. Steve Mason was one of the best goalies in the league as a rookie and I think it will take it to another level in his first ever playoff series. But how can you really argue against the defending Cup champs and all the talent they have? I think Detroit will take the series in 7 games.
#3 Vancouver Canucks vs #6 St. Louis Blues
Two of the hottest 2nd half teams in the league play each other in the first round and I bet 6 other Western Conference teams are happy they don't have to see either one of them first thing in the playoffs. The Blues have the NHL's best 2nd half record at 25-9-7, while the Canucks were 23-7-2 in their last 32 games. Talk about a great playoff match-up. I don't know who will walk away with this one, I think it's going to go all 7 games. If Roberto Luongo can play up to his expectations he's a very tough goalie to beat, but don't forget about Chris Mason in net for the Blues who has been unbelievable as of late to help the Blues with their late season playoff run.
#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs #5 Calgary Flames
This is another series that will be a great one to watch. I keep going back and forth on who I think will win. Calgary has the playoff experience, but they also had a bad end to the season. Jarome Iginla hasn't been as dominate as he has been in seasons past and Olli Jokinen has been a non factor since he was traded there. On the other side Chicago has virtually no playoff experience, but may be able to ride Nikolai Khabibulin thru this series. Also Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane can be incredible together along with a great supporting cast, they may be able to blow past the Flames.
So there you have it folks! The first round of the playoffs starts tonight. The anticipation is better than Christmas Eve when you wonder what you may unwrap the next morning.
In the East:
#1 Boston Bruins vs #8 Montreal Canadiens
In a repeat match-up from last years first round the roles are reversed. Last year Montreal came in as the #2 seed and heavy favorites after going undefeated against the B's last season. This year Boston went 5-0-1 against Montreal and are the big favorites not only in this series, but in the Eastern Conference. I think (albeit a biased opinion) the Bruins will take the series in 5 or 6 games.
#2 Washington Capitals vs #7 New York Rangers
I got my wish of not having to play the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. Washington's offense is much more potent than NYR having scored 62 more goals in the regular season. With Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin leading the way up front and Mike Green patrolling the blue line I think there is only one way the Rangers will win this series; Jose Theodore lays an egg and Henrik Lundqvist plays out of his mind at the other end for the entire series.
#3 New Jersey Devils vs #6 Carolina Hurricanes
This series will be a great one to watch in my eyes. Both teams have great leadership in the dressing room and have been deep in the playoffs recently. Will the Devils find their game that had them in contention for the #1 overall seed for most of the season? If they do then I think they can win the series in 5 games. But what if the Devils play like they did the last 15 games or so? Where they appeared to shut it down and limp into the playoffs, if that happens then look for Carolina to take it in 6.
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Philadelphia Flyers
Oh boy did the Flyers drop the ball on the last day of the regular season or what? All they needed was to hang on for one more game and they would have had home ice for the series. Instead they allow the Penguins to come into their building, win the game and take home ice from them. The Pens are one of the hottest teams in the league right now going 18-3-4 in their last 25 games. With Malkin and Crosby leading the way, I think the Penguins are a very dangerous team to play now.
And In the West:
#1 San Jose Sharks vs #8 Anaheim Ducks
The Sharks, winner's of the President's Trophy this season, are so deep everywhere you look this season. It's tough to go against them in this first round battle. Although if anyone can knock them off it is the Ducks. With guys like Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan leading the way they're a very dangerous team to play against. Factor in Joe Thornton's inability to be a big time player in the playoffs in years past and an upset may be brewing. But don't bet on it. I think San Jose will squeak past the Ducks in 6.
#2 Detroit Red Wings vs #7 Columbus Blue Jackets
The obvious favorite for most people would be the Red Wings, however the Blue Jackets played the Wings tight all season. The Blue Jackets freshed face playoff outlook may not know the Goliath they are up against. Steve Mason was one of the best goalies in the league as a rookie and I think it will take it to another level in his first ever playoff series. But how can you really argue against the defending Cup champs and all the talent they have? I think Detroit will take the series in 7 games.
#3 Vancouver Canucks vs #6 St. Louis Blues
Two of the hottest 2nd half teams in the league play each other in the first round and I bet 6 other Western Conference teams are happy they don't have to see either one of them first thing in the playoffs. The Blues have the NHL's best 2nd half record at 25-9-7, while the Canucks were 23-7-2 in their last 32 games. Talk about a great playoff match-up. I don't know who will walk away with this one, I think it's going to go all 7 games. If Roberto Luongo can play up to his expectations he's a very tough goalie to beat, but don't forget about Chris Mason in net for the Blues who has been unbelievable as of late to help the Blues with their late season playoff run.
#4 Chicago Blackhawks vs #5 Calgary Flames
This is another series that will be a great one to watch. I keep going back and forth on who I think will win. Calgary has the playoff experience, but they also had a bad end to the season. Jarome Iginla hasn't been as dominate as he has been in seasons past and Olli Jokinen has been a non factor since he was traded there. On the other side Chicago has virtually no playoff experience, but may be able to ride Nikolai Khabibulin thru this series. Also Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane can be incredible together along with a great supporting cast, they may be able to blow past the Flames.
So there you have it folks! The first round of the playoffs starts tonight. The anticipation is better than Christmas Eve when you wonder what you may unwrap the next morning.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
You're Gunna Miss This
There's a country song that is titled "You're Gunna Miss This" by Trace Adkins, part of the chorus says "You're gunna miss this, you're gunna want this back, you're gunna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast, cuz these are some good times so take a good look around you may not know it now but you're gunna miss this." When I hear that song I think about the way my life is; when you're in your twenties and just having a good time. Tonight I was watching tv and getting game updates via text message from the Chi-Town/Battle Creek 5th game in the AAHA championship series. The song came on tv and I was thinking about all the good memories I had out in B.C. this season and even though Battle Creek didn't win the game I'm still proud of all those guys and what they accomplished this season. I also have to say congratulations to the Shooters, particularly Nigel Hawryliw who won his 2nd professional ring tonight, Alex Motley who was a teammate/roommate of mine last season and Brian Jacque who is a Massachusetts boy and has been dying to get his name in the blog since training camp this year. Both Jaco and Mots are celebrating their first championships tonight.
With tonight being the end of the All American Hockey Association's season I can put an end to the scoreboard watching to see how the Revs are doing. Now I can focus on the '09-'10 season. I don't have a clue where I'll be playing yet, but have a few leads. Maybe I'll be back in the AAHA or somewhere overseas or in a "AA" league here in the United States. As far as I'm concerned tomorrow is the first day of the new season. So once again congrats to the Shooters, but also congrats to everyone involved in the Battle Creek Revolution organization.
I'm going to go on record here and make some predictions for the Frozen Four that takes place next weekend in Washington, DC. I would make a prediction about the NCAA Basketball Final Four, but I didn't watch a minute of it this year so who cares. I think the Miami Red Hawks will beat Bemidji State and faceoff in the finals against Boston University, who should beat UVM in an Hockey East semi-final. BU I think will be too strong for Miami and should win the whole thing. BU is just too strong of a team to be knocked off at this point, they are built like a professional hockey team.
In other big hockey news my hometown Boston Bruins clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference yesterday with a 1-0 win over the New York Rangers. The game could be an early preview to a first round playoff match-up as the Rangers are tied for 8th place right now with the Florida Panthers. As a Bruins fan I'd rather see them play the Panthers, I think NYR is a very dangerous team with tons of playoff saavy players like Scott Gomez, Markus Nasland, Chris Drury and Wade Redden. Plus they have uber pest Sean Avery, who I love to watch play when he can keep his mouth shut.
AAHA fans stay in touch with me this off season thru emails and reading the blog.
Thanks for everything this season to everyone in Battle Creek. Weezy, Nigel, Demers, Wader, Huggs, Bart Really, the whole team, Kaitlin, Haili, Doc Joe, Joe K and everyone else that I'm forgetting.
With tonight being the end of the All American Hockey Association's season I can put an end to the scoreboard watching to see how the Revs are doing. Now I can focus on the '09-'10 season. I don't have a clue where I'll be playing yet, but have a few leads. Maybe I'll be back in the AAHA or somewhere overseas or in a "AA" league here in the United States. As far as I'm concerned tomorrow is the first day of the new season. So once again congrats to the Shooters, but also congrats to everyone involved in the Battle Creek Revolution organization.
I'm going to go on record here and make some predictions for the Frozen Four that takes place next weekend in Washington, DC. I would make a prediction about the NCAA Basketball Final Four, but I didn't watch a minute of it this year so who cares. I think the Miami Red Hawks will beat Bemidji State and faceoff in the finals against Boston University, who should beat UVM in an Hockey East semi-final. BU I think will be too strong for Miami and should win the whole thing. BU is just too strong of a team to be knocked off at this point, they are built like a professional hockey team.
In other big hockey news my hometown Boston Bruins clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference yesterday with a 1-0 win over the New York Rangers. The game could be an early preview to a first round playoff match-up as the Rangers are tied for 8th place right now with the Florida Panthers. As a Bruins fan I'd rather see them play the Panthers, I think NYR is a very dangerous team with tons of playoff saavy players like Scott Gomez, Markus Nasland, Chris Drury and Wade Redden. Plus they have uber pest Sean Avery, who I love to watch play when he can keep his mouth shut.
AAHA fans stay in touch with me this off season thru emails and reading the blog.
Thanks for everything this season to everyone in Battle Creek. Weezy, Nigel, Demers, Wader, Huggs, Bart Really, the whole team, Kaitlin, Haili, Doc Joe, Joe K and everyone else that I'm forgetting.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Spring is here.....Kinda
Hey everyone, it's been a long month and I should have been writing more but I guess I got a little lazy here. Spring is in the air here in Boston, but you never know when that will change and it'll be 30 degrees again for a couple days. Minor league hockey playoffs are starting up and in the AAHA Battle Creek swept Evansville 2 games to none and Chi-Town swept Chicago also 2-0. So the Revs will faceoff against the Shooters in a best of 5 series starting this coming Friday. In the EPHL, Brooklyn will play Jersey in the first ever championship series. The rest of the leagues are winding down their regular season and I will blog about those also as the playoffs begin.
Here in Boston I started working out about a month ago to get ready for where ever next season takes me. It's tough following the scores on the computer and not be playing in the games, but things happen. Good luck to the fellas on the Revolution and also to Nigel Hawryliw, who is playing for Chi-Town. I also have to say hi to Kaitlin and Haili, 2 former Revolution interns, who wore a "We Miss Hutch" t-shirt to the game last night and sent me a picture of it. I got a good laugh out of it and I'm sure others did as well.
The end of March also brings tryouts for the Neponset Valley River Rats organization. I've been down in Foxboro all week evaluating different age levels and trying to put together the U-18 midget team with my buddy and head coach Scott McDougall. Putting a team together is never easy, especially at the lower age groups. Trying to find the right piece to the puzzle can be agonizing for coaches and it doesn't help knowing that you're going to break some kids hearts when you tell them there is no room on the team for him. It's funny to look in the stands and see the parents all watching their sons with nervous faces hoping their boy is the next Sidney Crosby or Mike Green.
Speaking of NHL players, how great are the playoff races this year? Every night it seems like the playoff picture changes. The Eastern Conference is starting to shape up and in my opinion I think Florida will beat out Montreal for the 8th and final playoff spot. Boston had a big win this afternoon to pull away from New Jersey and have a somewhat comfortable 5 point lead for 1st place in the conference, the win also clinched the Northeast Division. The Western Conference could be a blog in itself. Just 5 points separate 7th place Edmonton from 12th place Dallas, with Nashville, Anaheim, Minnesota and St. Louis sandwiched in between them. I'll write a blog on that race in the middle of the week when I do a little more research on the teams.
So long for now
Hutch 9
Here in Boston I started working out about a month ago to get ready for where ever next season takes me. It's tough following the scores on the computer and not be playing in the games, but things happen. Good luck to the fellas on the Revolution and also to Nigel Hawryliw, who is playing for Chi-Town. I also have to say hi to Kaitlin and Haili, 2 former Revolution interns, who wore a "We Miss Hutch" t-shirt to the game last night and sent me a picture of it. I got a good laugh out of it and I'm sure others did as well.
The end of March also brings tryouts for the Neponset Valley River Rats organization. I've been down in Foxboro all week evaluating different age levels and trying to put together the U-18 midget team with my buddy and head coach Scott McDougall. Putting a team together is never easy, especially at the lower age groups. Trying to find the right piece to the puzzle can be agonizing for coaches and it doesn't help knowing that you're going to break some kids hearts when you tell them there is no room on the team for him. It's funny to look in the stands and see the parents all watching their sons with nervous faces hoping their boy is the next Sidney Crosby or Mike Green.
Speaking of NHL players, how great are the playoff races this year? Every night it seems like the playoff picture changes. The Eastern Conference is starting to shape up and in my opinion I think Florida will beat out Montreal for the 8th and final playoff spot. Boston had a big win this afternoon to pull away from New Jersey and have a somewhat comfortable 5 point lead for 1st place in the conference, the win also clinched the Northeast Division. The Western Conference could be a blog in itself. Just 5 points separate 7th place Edmonton from 12th place Dallas, with Nashville, Anaheim, Minnesota and St. Louis sandwiched in between them. I'll write a blog on that race in the middle of the week when I do a little more research on the teams.
So long for now
Hutch 9
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