Legendary Hockey Heroes - Great Ambassadors for Our National Game

The fondest memories of our youth were once again rekindled!

As a celebration of the first ever flight being allowed into Canada by Etihad Airlines, the national hockey team of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) challenged the Legendary Hockey Heroes to a game in Brampton on Saturday night at the Powerade Centre.

The resulting score of 9-8 in favour of the Legendary Hockey Heroes wasn’t what mattered to those in attendance.

What mattered was seeing those we had idolized in our youth, still playing the game they so loved and that our national pastime has been adopted and is developing in the UAE.

Too many, that idea is a little far fetched, but in reality, hockey fans have no trouble understanding why that is so, especially after Steve Shutt’s opening remarks, “The game of Hockey is a gift that Canada has given to the entire world.”

We simply have to remember, when the likes of Hockey Hall of Famers Glen Anderson, Gilbert Perrault, Steve Shutt, Bryan Trottier and goalie Billy Smith, along with Danny Gare, Tom Fergus, Gaston Gingras, Kris King, Mike Krushelnyski, Grant Ledyard, Craig Muni, Jimmy Mann, Jim Sandlak, Grant Ledyard, Tony Currie, Gary Lehman and even Referee Ron Hoggarth were a part of lives?

John Arnold was one of the fans in attendance that was caught up in all of the excitement. He said “We certainly don’t have hockey like this in the Yukon and it brought back fond memories of old time hockey.”

Others in the crowd of 1200 plus spectators had similar comments and were thrilled that they took the opportunity to go back in time and rekindle the fondest of memories.

Norm Labbe, a Canadian from Niagara Falls, ON is now with the Abu Dhabi Police Department and was the catalyst behind this brain thrust.

Having the UAE team of 20 Abu Dhabi-based nationals experience first hand the emotional pride and elation that is garnered from this great sport and the treasured memories of those Legendary Hockey Heroes that helped make the game what it is to us in Canada will only heighten the awareness within the Arabian Nations.

This exhibition presented the members of the UAE team with a tremendous thrill, as they themselves were elated and awestruck to have shared the ice with these highly respected and talented Legendary Hockey Heroes.

Etihad Airlines gave away a grand prize of; airfare for two, to Abu Dhabi to those attending the game as part of the overall celebrations.

Isn't it a wonder

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1950's, 60's 70's and 80's

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because ............... WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned ..........
HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them!

CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as KIDS, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good and while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

Hockey Canada Alienates Most of Canada

Without Prejudice

Let it be known, that this is a personal opinion piece that Canadians can choose to either support, disagree with or cast no opinion on.

This piece should never be confused in any way, of slighting the dedicated players that are members of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team.

As a Canadian Citizen, I am truly incensed that the Federal Government continues to financially support and allows Hockey Canada’s shabby treatment and alienation of the majority of Canadian’s.

I am speaking specifically at this time to the National Women’s Hockey Program which overseas the Olympic and National Teams.

For years now, the most elite female players from across Canada have answered the bell on behalf of their country. They have sacrificed friends, family, careers and/or personal objectives by making commitments to the National Women’s Hockey Program, only to be subjected to the many whims and desires of bureaucrats, political preference, team management, coaches and sponsors.

These players do so with absolutely no personal financial gain. Their commitment is to represent our country at the very highest International level of hockey, with only one objective in mind and that is to be the best in the World.

Their families, friends, relatives, employers and hockey fans understand the importance of their commitment, yet many of them never realize that the majority won’t ever have the chance to see them play, if they live in Canada and East of Winnipeg unless they travel at exuberant financial costs and hardship.

As an example, just look at the 48 game schedule that was deemed acceptable by the powers that be for those women that have centralized in Calgary prior to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

The 26 players that are still with the National Women’s Team can be broken down as follows; 11 players are from Ontario, 6 players are from the Province of Quebec and the remaining 9 players come from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Tax payers and Hockey fans in Ontario, the Province of Quebec, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland have provided Millions of Dollars to the Federal coffers in the form of taxes from which the National Program is funded, but have been alienated by Hockey Canada, as not one game has been or will be scheduled to be played in any of these provinces, prior to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games.

It is a total insult by the arrogant attitudes within Hockey Canada and ultimately the Federal Government. I want something done about it.

After all, this is Canada’s Team, my team, the one that carries my hopes forward in an Olympic Event that my country is the defending Gold Medallists of. The Team whom I support emotionally, financially and with the greatest of pride.

I can’t attend the Olympic games; I can’t afford to travel to the Western Provinces or to the U.S. of A., but I do want the opportunity of seeing the best Canadian Women’s Hockey Team live, not just on television.

For those Canadians that share my opinion, I urge you to phone, write, e-mail or contact in person, each and every Federal Member of Parliament possible and share your displeasure, demand formal apologies and force the greatly needed changes of a National Program, so that it becomes accountable to all Canadians, whether they like it or not.

More Parity Than Perfection

The 2005 – 2006 NWHL season has proven so far that there is much more parity than perfection amongst all teams in the league. This makes for a very interesting scenario, as in any given game, we as hockey fans, have no substantiated reason(s) to believe that the game will go to one side or the other.

Each and every team has the capability to step up with their “A” game and look like Champions, no matter who they play, yet they may leave that “A” game elsewhere and look like a team that doesn’t belong. If both Teams come to play with similar game faces on, the outcome very likely won’t be determined until the final buzzer goes and even then, the result may remain the same at the conclusion of overtime as well.

On the surface, the Ottawa Raiders in the East and Durham Lightning in the Central have exhibited the most desire to change the minds of their respective fan bases as both teams have aligned themselves with foundations built on ballistic team speed that can punish opponents at the drop of a hat and their defensive prowess is vastly improved by team agility and better than average goaltending. These teams however have met defeat and that establishes the fact that they are also vulnerable if not at they’re respective best.

Last year’s Championship Finalists, the Toronto Aeros and the Montreal Axion, have given us the reason to believe that all is not lost for those that support these franchises as they have stepped up and when least expected, have found the way to grasp victory from defeat. This shows us that having been there before and the experience that was garnered will pay dividends for these teams, as neither will ever say die. On the other hand, both of these teams have also proven to us that vulnerability exists that can and has been exploited.

The reigning Central Divisional Champions, the Brampton Thunder and the Oakville Ice are both capable of stepping up and overcoming the opposition they face and when they do step up, they are formidable opponents. The Ice have found the way to win more often at this point in time, not with the finesse that others have exhibited, but by mucking in the corners and winning the one on one battles and dogged determination. The Thunder has yet to click on all cylinders but is still in the mix. No one takes them lightly as they too are extremely dangerous foes.

Last but not least, are the Quebec Avalanche and they will play a pivotal role throughout the year as the spoilers in the league. Face them without your “A” game and you won’t find any sympathy, just another notch in the loss column. Fans who love this game have a soft spot for teams such as the Avalanche as they always turn out to be the ones that will make or break every team’s season.

Yes, parity has arrived but, every team will continue to pursue perfection which will benefit us all.

"Official Frustration"

It is little wonder that bad news of "Official Frustration" travels fast because the story line seldom changes from one encounter to the next.

Tale a look for instance at what goes on in the game of hockey pertaining to the on ice officials. There are all sorts of differences in every individuals perception and interpretation of the rules, levels from Novice to Professional, work ethic and emotions and Egos that enter the arena before the puck is dropped.

In fairness to the game of hockey, the players themselves and the many fans in attendance, don't follow the game to be entertained by the zebra's in charge.

They attend to participate or cheer on sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, friends or foes, or for the sake of the game, as totally unbiased observers.

It is the on ice officials however, that oversee the game and on far too many occassions, they directly impact the outcome.

Missed calls by Linesman on offsides and icing allow situations to present themselves, that change the complexity and flow, which causes frustrations for both players and fans alike. It impacts the outcome.

Look even closer and you will see that those are minor frustrations however, and the major ones that have an overbearing affect on the outcome are those decisions that are made by the Referee. We all have been to many games that will be remembered for bad calls by the Referee, rather than the plays and players that have given their all as they strive for success.

I have written about perception and interpretation of the rules, wotk ethic and emotions that are part of the make up of on ice officials. These characteristics can be maitained and managed postively by developing strict consistency in their delivery, which removes some of the "Official Frustration" for all concerned.

I spoke of Egos, which are self made and actually unable to be controlled by anyone except the individuals themselves, but with the proper handling by supervisors and league administrations may possibly be altered positively through training, assignments and discussion.

Most importantly however, I spoke about varying levels and degrees of competance from Novices to Professionals. This is the major fly in the ointment with regards to the most direct cause of "Official Frustration".

As it is in the game of Hockey itself, there are different abilities that dictate the level of play that may be attained and for many, it is a hard pill to swallow when it comes time to accept their limitations. Even though the ladder of success is never crowded at the top, it doesn't mean that anyone should start at the top. We must all learn to crawl before we walk and through hard work, the right attitude and desire to excell, we may develop the neccessary skills to reach the next level.

Novice officials should being working at that level, "A" officials should work "A" games, "AA" in "AA" etc., up the ladder to a level that the individual is able to perform within themselves. Otherwise, they will be out of place, like fish out of water and continue to cause "Official Frustration".

When the on ice officials don't have the ability to stay with the play because of limitations, it should be noted and supervisors and league officials need to do their jobs.

They need to stop adding to the problem of "Official Frustration" by assigning well intentioned individuals to games that they simply are not capable of overseeing.

Oh, I know that all of this is a work in progress, but the optimum word is progress.

Some people are able to accept shodiness, but far more people are unable to deal with that concept.

Due to the masses, it is time that we rid ourselves of "Official Frustration" and those that are the cause of it!

Healthy "Thought"

Stress Management...

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "how heavy is this glass of water? "

Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it."

"If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

"In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. "

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. "

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home.You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. "

"Relax; pick them up later after you've rested."

Life is short. Enjoy it!

And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

*Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
* Never buy a car you can't push.
* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
* The second mouse gets the cheese.
* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
* We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colours, but they all have to live in the same box."
*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have a wonderful day.

Finally, A Winner in Ottawa

When it comes to Ottawa, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is the capital of Canada. We then visualize Capital Hill, the Parliment Buildings, Rideau Hall, R.C.M.P. Headquarters, the Rideau Canal etc..

If you then consider where your entertainment dollar is to be spent, Sports automatically comes to mind. We spend good money supporting the Ottawa Senators which always seem to disappoint their fans as they lay an egg to end their season, the OHL Ottawa 67's who showcase future NHL prospects and consistant playoff performers, CFL Football is present with the Renegades and then Women's Hockey is highlighted by the least expensive entertainment in the city as the Ottawa Raiders offer the most promise for success and finally give Ottawa a winner.

The Raiders are an exciting, aggressive, cohesive and entertaining team that will definitely win more games than they lose and in their quest for Championship status they will turn a lot of heads. They possess great team speed, gifted scorers and talented playmakers that will punish opponents through a fantastic transition game and those that find themselves at a disadvantage because of foul play, are in serious trouble.

The Raiders are my pick to win the Eastern Division of the NWHL and fans coast to coast should have the opportunity of seeing this elite team on display if they make it to the NWHL Championship game.

Fans can get the biggest bang for their buck by supporting their Raiders during the NWHL season and will be making an investment that they all can be proud of. Isn't it time to support a winner?