It’s an adage that’s been around ever since the government outsourced production of materials to private companies. What might not be good enough for a private contract might still be good enough for the government. In other words, minimum specifications are all that are required. In any given hockey season, one, maybe two teams tend to dominate the league, or at least their conference.... 

In two recent pieces that were posted on this site, the issue of concussions in the NHL and the future of the NHL were discussed. The former suggested that a head shot rule, similar to that adopted by the OHL (a sort of no-fault minor for even an unintentional head check), together with better equipment, might be a solution to the increasing number of concussions. The latter encouraged open discussion... 

Bobby Vinton is a singer who, until he re-discovered his Polish heritage, made a career singing songs about reds and blues. “Roses are red, my love, Violets are blue.” “She wore blue velvet.” “Blue on blue, heartache on heartache.”   “I want some red roses for a blue lady.”  He has had a long and successful career, and although not still in the “big... 

Ranger fans know the drill – expect little and get less. And then there was Vinny Prospal. It’s just past the quarter pole and Vinny Prospal is on his way to a career year, but all you hear about Marion Gaborik. In 26 games, Prospal has 6 goals and 20 assists. He leads the Rangers in assists and is second only to Gaborik in goals scored and in total points. Most significant is the fact... 

Professional hockey is approaching a crossroads. The lockout year is still fresh in everyone’s mind. The economy is in crisis. Attendance is down. Teams are struggling financially, with bankruptcy already in place for a few teams and looming on the horizon for others. The players and owners are gearing up for the next collective bargaining battle, with the NHLPA already bringing in a big gun... 

Take the occasional hockey fight and clean, hard checking out of the game, and the fan base for hockey will leave in droves. It’s that important to the game. Want proof? NASCAR is the most popular spectator sport in the US, but if all the cars just went around and around an oval, no one would watch. Add the elements of danger, car wrecks, fires, high-speed equipment failures, and fans can’t... 

In the past few days, Theo Fleury added his name to the list of immensely talented athletes whose careers were cut short by an out-of-control lifestyle. Fleury’s auto-biography came out a few weeks ago detailing the aftermath of sexual abuse while in the juniors from a popular and coach and mentor. He alleges that it was from these abusive episodes, the demons grew that brought the premature end... 

You’ve heard “Let’s Go Band” played at every arena during hockey, basketball and football games, whether professional, college or even high school. I remember it back at Fordham. When the crowd needed awakening to enliven the home team play, the band would strike up the tune: DUM – DUM – DUM – DE – DA – DA DUM – DUM – DUM – DE...