Role defenition; The desire to learn or the willingness to compramise.

What separates a good player from a great player?  A good player is a man or woman who can skate, shoot the puck, stop the puck and do it well.  A great player; is a player who can do all of those things mentioned with a smile on their face. A burning desire to pull off that one big glove save, the confidence you bestow in yourself to succeed and be the best you can be. Anyone can play the game, and anyone can be good at it… Only a special kind of person can be great.

Look on the faces of the kids around your local arena, most notably the younger hockey players. That glimmer in their eyes and smile in their face is the reason they are playing hockey. There are 20 kids out on that ice surface, the ones who are falling down and jumping right back up, skating as hard as they can just to see if they can, those are the kinds of kids that make great players, and great teammates.

Some kids are forced into it, wanting nothing more than to be at home where it’s warm, or playing in another sport. Those kids are the ones who don’t care about the win, or the loss. They are the ones who are always late for practice, scowled looks on their faces, lacksidasical on ice performance and most likely a dividing force in the locker room.

Competition is what makes these great players go further on in their on ice careers, they have the tools to make good things happen on ice, they have the desire to play to their fullest potential, and the final piece of the puzzle is the flare of competitive soul inside of them. If you do not have the want in you to be better, you will not go anywhere in life. Be it hockey or education, you have to look inside of yourself to see what is right for you, and strive for it. With every last breathe in your body; until your muscles ache, your brain hurts and your breaking point is not far off, you push a little more. They are the unstoppable force propelling them to their goals and far beyond the realms of imagination. They train hard, study hard and always go that extra mile, no stone left unturned and no check left unfinished.

Not every person can establish their potential inside of them; no one person can make the long journeys on their own to reach their goals. You need people in your life to help you realize what you can be, a coach or mentor to help you see the abilities you can harness. Whether you are a hockey player with a heavy shot, a football star with an accurate arm, or a smart kid with a desire to learn. Not everyone can be a coach, or a teacher; for this reason it explains why the most influential people in your life are the positive role models. If you are to take the responsibility of helping a young soul achieve their dreams and ambitions, you have to be a special kind of person... Selfless and supportive, willing to compromise and be a leader. Too many wicked people have bypassed these characteristics and reject responsibility for their role.

A Mitchell Courtney suspension system

I have done some thinking about how the NHL system for suspensions works. I have discovered that there IS NO SYSTEM, and there should be.. The following is a few key points i will address on how i feel a suspension should be handled.

How a Mitchell Courtney suspension works;

1.)    After an individual suspension is issued by the NHL to a player, the team holding his contract rights will then be charged a penalty of one roster spot per suspension for the duration of the suspension.

-          If a player is traded, the suspension is carried over to the new holder of the players rights. The original team will be granted their roster spot back and the new team will now be forced to play with a penalized roster.

-          If a player retires or changes leagues, the suspension will remain on the player file if there is a return to the NHL.

-          If a player becomes a free agent, the NHL team signing him will take on his salary and roster penalty for the remaining duration of his suspension.

2.)    Suspensions will be divided into two categories; violent offenses and non-violent offenses.

-          For a non-violent suspension, the individual held accountable will not be forced to forfeit their full game salary, but only 65% of their wage; Capping out at $25,000.

-          For a violent offense involving an item of equipment (Skates, Sticks, pucks) forfeit 100% of the players wage; No cap. Money is donated in the victim players name to a children’s hospital of his choice.

-          For a violent offense involving the players body (Head, Fists) Forfeit 95%; Capping out at $100,000. Money is donated in the victim players name to a children’s hospital of his choice.

3.)    Suspension durations;

-          Headshot to a player whose body is above a 45 degree angle from the ice will be minimum 5 game suspensions, adding one game to each game the victim misses due to the injury.

-          If you headshot a player who is on the ice and unable to defend themselves or move, the player will then be suspended a minimum of 7 games, with one additional game for each game missed by the victim due to the injury.

-          Injuries resulting from illegal body checking will be handled as a straight across game for game situation. Player A low hits player B; Player B missed 3 games. Player A then will miss 3 games.

-          Stick offenses such as slashing (In which a player is assessed a 5 minute major) and spearing, will be minimum 2 games and an additional game for each game the victim misses due to the injury.

-          Violating the code of conduct for language or gestures will be done by the number of offenses the player has had.

-          1^st offense is a single game.

-          2^nd offense is 3 games.

-          3^rd offense is 5 games.

-          4^th offense or more is 20 games.

Any comments? Have your say on how you think a suspension should be handled by way of commenting on this post or by replying via facebook!

An open letter to the NHL; Subject; Contract, contrast to age.

Dear readers,

An open letter to the NHL.

I regret to inform you of a chrisis situation going on under your very awkwardly shaped nose, Mr. Bettman.

Yesterday I wrote a story on my hockey blog about the elder abuse going on in NHL training camps this season, using the two players Brendan Morrison and Bill Guerin. Today I bring you part two, in the happenings with Wade Redden and Sheldon Souray.

In the pre lockout it was unheard of, vanquishing your over-paid under achieving players in professional sport to the minor leagues… Today it has become a common occurance in the NHL. Following the lockout season in 04/05, the NHL salary cap started to take its toll on its players they were trying to appease.

With cap restrictions looming over the NHL general managers as they dusted off their offices, many were forced to make harsh and perhaps, irrational approaches to making their NHL teams salary cap compliant. In this case, and also the most common move, is to send their players they feel they are not getting enough out of to their minor league affiliates. Now, to the naked eye and for a business decision, it makes sense to simple ship your un wanted players off, out of sight… out of mind… and off the books. But dare I to udder the words again today, of Elder Abuse.  These are NHL calibre players who have played to earn their contracts you have given them, dear NHL general managers. Do you not see the obligated right you have to them, to ensure them an equal chance of participation?

Wade Redden of the New York Rangers, did not attend a full NHL camp this summer. He was made aware of the cap situation long before the start of the 2010/2011 NHL pre season, that the team could not afford him. While most his future teammates were practicing with the big club and trying to fight for position on the main roster, Wade was forced to play in Hartford with the NHL cuts. Dawning the Wolf Pack jersey he will grow accustomed to this season, he took his demotion in stride… I mean, what else is he going to do? Burning any bridges he may have back to the NHL by questioning managments decission, just doesn’t seem to be a fitting move. Now, had Mr Redden been able to fight for position on his NHL  club and still be demoted, then there would be logic behind it and he would have no choice but to accept his placment with no dis regard. Until that happens, he must live with himself and the thoughts of what could have been, the idea that maybe he could of wowed the coaches this year… And the disapointment of his 6M+ a season salary.

Now we avert our attention to a NorthWest division team that has been under its own fair share of scrutiny this offseason, with Sheldon Souray and the Edmonton Oilers. Last season the oilers hit rock bottom in the standings, and having the first overall pick in the NHL was the only thing to keep fans from jumping ship and searching for dry land. Sheldon Souray was no doubt, very high on the Oilers former general manager list when he signed him during the off season. Unfortunately this enthusiasm never carried over to the new head coaching duo last season of Tom Renney and Pat Quinn. Following a grueling and disapointing season in 09/10; Sheldon Souray said in a news confrence if the team wished to trade him, he would not object to it. They must do what they need to in order to make their team better. Taken as a challenge, the once fiery Tom Renney told Souray he may not attend his NHL camp this season, and must wait for assignment.Today was the cutoff date for Sheldon to get to his new team, and it was then we were all shocked again by the move made by the Edmonton Oilers. Sheldon Souray is on loan to the Washington Capitals farm team, in Hershey.

Both of these players are involved in two separate issues involving their denial to NHL training camps this year, and both of these players have been done a lot of wrong by their right holders. The NHL general managers have no responsibility when it comes to their lucrative contracts they bestow upon the games budding stars, and veteran players. When a young Dustin Penner is offered a 500% pay increase, when only 250% is deserved, then you cannot blame him when he doesn’t live up to the contract. When an NHL GM hands you an offer you know you cannot turn down, a last chance to cash in before your career is done for… You can not reject.

Instead of these suits being penalized for their mistakes, and lapst in judgment; These seasoned vets are being forced into demotion from their clubs. These are not just pawns on your board or cards in your hand people, these are married men, making a living the only way they know how. While Wade Redden is on a bus driving across the country to play hockey, his daughter is at home in New York alone with her mother.

These astronomical contracts, are hurting no one but the players and families who accept them, you don’t want to say yes, but can not afford to say no.  

Veterans Day for the NHL

Happy October 5^th everyone!

It’s a great day to be a hockey fan, for months of waiting and three grueling weeks of pre-season, tomorrow is the cut-off date for NHL rosters at 3pm et!

Observe the following names… One of these things just doesn’t belong here, and its ---!

Zack Kassian

Bill Guerin

Nazem Kadri

All of these players are those of which have been released from their NHL training camps thus far, two of those players (Both under the age of 20) have junior teams to report back to, while the other veteran of 18 NHL seasons must report to his living room couch to watch sports center.

Looking at the list above, Bill Guerin’s name seems to jump off the list. Guerin is at the seasons start a 39 year old vet in the NHL, what’s your point? We are looking at a fiery forward who scored 45 points last year in Pittsburgh, including 11 power play goals. Guerin’s 45 points were of course, a drop off from his career high of 85, this could obviously be a reasonable explanation, if only that high wasn’t from say… Ten years ago.

What we are looking at is a case of discrimination against age in the NHL. The Calgary flames have most recently signed forward Brendan Morrison, who opted out of his professional trout contract with the Canucks after receiving a slap in the face from their GM Gilles, in the form of a 2-way contract. Morrison was faced with his only option this season to play in the NHL, when the canucks handed him a chance to try out for their roster, of course being a 35 year old veteran he has not yet had a chance to prove he can play in the NHL apparently. Morrison has come off of a season in which he scored 42 points playing in Washington, surely after scoring only 20 fewer points that his career high in his prime, is assurance he can still keep up to the NHL’s new faster pace… Well apparently not.

Granted these players were both playing on highly touted offenses last year, playing on lines on and under Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, they still proved they can play the game of hockey. Vancouver is as they sit, 3 million over the salary cap. The reason they offered Morrison the contract was that of a selfish child hiding their toys. They cannot currently afford him, but with a two way contract they can send him to, and from the AHL without being penalized or having run the risk of him playing for another NHL team, he deserves better than to be Vancouver’s Yo-Yo.

My question raised is why these players would be forced to take their chances on a try-out contract after successful seasons in 2009/2010.  The NHL is full of young stars that have come to make it big, but if they aren’t ready to pull of the points the old dogs are, then why are teams accepting being cut short? We have all seen the commercials, the hotline numbers are there, yet we are sitting by here doing nothing to help them! All it takes is one person to get the ball rolling, pick up the phone, dial that number and file a complaint against the NHL… For Elder Abuse! The symptoms are there; do you want to be responsible for allowing this to happen?

I think we should make tomorrows Wednesday the sixth a national holiday.  An occasion in which we will honor our veterans of the NHL by holding a minute of video montage of their NHL careers, and maybe jog the minds of some general managers to take a gamble on them. Our veterans have shed blood, teeth (20 in Keith Tkachuks case) and probably several years off their life expectancy, to play the sport we love, for us to watch. Take a moment tomorrow to remember these players from last season that you may not have the chance to play again.

A Salute to the Nation

There is something in the air tonight, across all of Canada. This strange and familiar old smell is taking our nation by storm, children are smiling and the people are standing in anticipation.

Today in Warner Alberta, I was able to step onto the ice of a minor hockey arena and play a pick-up game, and it was beautiful. The ice glimmered under the fluorescent lights, the chilly air entered my body and I knew I was home again. The noise of pucks hitting the posts and boards was soft like the angels singing, while the cuts of freshly sharpened blades across the smooth surface cut straight to my heart, hockey is back.

Rinks across the country are being flooded and frozen, our rink managers are being worked to the bone day in and day out, straight through the weekend. Only for the pure and simple satisfaction of another hockey season showing its head.  

It is now that I want to propose a toast, a show of good faith and appreciation for each and every rink attendant in this great nation, a thank you in advance for the hard work they have done, and the lives they will touch this season. Make sure you take time this season to say thank you, for while these individuals could be spending time with family or making their own hockey memories, they are working night and day to ensure each and every kid under their roof has memories made of their own.

Today in the warner ice hockey arena, my younger brother got to try on his new goalie skates and chest protector. In the excitement of making sure he had all of his new gear in the vehicle, he had forgotten his own jersey.  I took him to see the rink attendant and to ask if he had a spare jersey in his equipment room we could borrow for the game. He apologized and told us he didn’t have any hanging around, but took us with him to his office. There was when I saw an act of pure generosity from this man, as he pulled one of his own hoody’s out and told my brother to try it on, it fit.  He did not have to do that, he could have simply said no and went on his way. It is moments like that kids will remember, he gave my goalie kid brother a chance to play hockey today, and we were all thankful.

Have any of your own stories of how your rink attendants have helped you or someone you know? Share your thoughts through comment below or our Facebook page!

 Link to our facebook page!

Mitch Courtney

To Rebuild, or Refurbish?

There is a common misconception amongst NHL fans these days, about how the rebuilding system works, in contrast to refurbishing a franchise with a losing season, or seasons.  If you were to ask an NHL fan how to improve a low ranking team like the Atlanta Thrashers, the most common answer you will hear is to “Blow up, and Rebuild”, but it’s not that simple.

The idea of rebuilding your team stems from a chance to reshape your team image and philosophy. Whether it is the Philadelphia Flyers toughness or the Washington Capitals run and gun offense, each team has its own personality and traits the team’s general manager will look for in building the frame, and filling in the roster.  You would not be able to simply draft or sign all of the best available talent in hopes of building a successful team for the future.

Ex; Mike Keenan was a toughness enthusiast as a coach/general manager; In this scenario imagine him as the general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers.

If he were to be rebuilding his team, with the first overall pick from 2009, he would have picked the towering defenseman Viktor Hedman over the skilled small center John Tavares.

If he was trying to refurbish through free agency, he would sooner acquire a Hal Gil, strong and rugged defenseman before signing a flashier, Michael Del Zotto.

The decision on which style of making your team competitive again, is not an easy one and requires a complete review of your current roster players, and all players under contract to your team. The first thing to look at is how the kitchen cupboards are stacked. If your minor league system, such as the AHL and ECHL teams have a lot of hungry talent on them, then it will tell you right there you do not need to give yourself a surplus of draft picks; ruling out blowing up and rebuilding. If you do not have enough NHL potential talent, then it shows that your team is not built to handle the future, and you will need to invest draft picks in securing talent for your NHL team; Leaning towards rebuilding. Next you will look towards your salary cap situation; going into the 2010/2011 NHL season, the salary cap is set at 59.4 million dollars, to be spread amongst 23 roster players.  If you are pushing the ceiling of the cap with little success, then it is time to reevaluate the players you have signed, and if they are preforming to the potential they are expected to play at. This may involve waiving players, or trading them away to acquire less expensive players or draft picks. Another thing to look at for is future talent in the upcoming draft years, whether it is prospects from the CHL or across seas, rebuilding is useless if you cannot secure enough high caliber players for your NHL team.

Developing your prospects is the most important process to do with young talent, after acquiring their rights. Players like Alex Ovechkin, where in possession of enough pure skill and ability to step right into the NHL and become an impact player. While a player like Michael Backlund, was forced to play through the Swedish league, WHL, and AHL before getting a shot at NHL stardom. Like going swimming, some people need time to dip their toes first, while others can dive right in. Rushing a player into playing at such a high level of hockey can be harmful to their development. Marc Andre Fleury, the goalie for the Pittsburgh Penguins was one of the players who was rushed, playing immediately for a just dreadful Penguins team after being drafted. He was forced to play through games with no defense, and no offense in front of him, he was a vessel hung out to dry.  If not for the strong drafting of the penguins, they may have never been able to save him from the damage done in the early years of his career.

The New York Rangers are a team that has never been very strong on rebuilding, but refilling the cupboards and refurbishing the teams design. No other team in the NHL has ever built a team like the Rangers, after constantly pushing the cap limits on super star players and veteran presence; they have never been a bottom 10 team for long. Always fighting for a playoff spot and never out of the hunt, they are one free agent signing away every season from making a cup run. And with some great drafted talent like Henrik Lundquist and Michael Del Zotto, they are a sure in for many years to come. With high end talent on their NHL club, they can afford to trade draft picks for already seasoned and developing players, instead of relying heavily on their scouting abilities. In doing so, they are in essence using their draft picks, to pick NHL caliber players, instead of prospects.

When it comes down to it, there is no black and white for what one team should do in comparison to another. What works for some, might not work for the rest.  I hope this gives you some insight on how NHL managers spend their time during the off season.

For The Hockey Hub;

Mitchell Courtney

Welcome to The Hockey Hub!

My name is Mitchell Courtney, and I will be the main writer for The Hockey Hub;

The idea behind this blog is to unite hockey enthusiasts of all levels under one web page.  Any sports fan will tell you the frustrations when you have a strong formed opinion and no outlet, and that is where we come in!

The Hockey Hub is where you may come to discuss all things hockey related. From the ranks of minor hockey, up until the NHL and Olympics. As a strongly opinionated person myself, I will be posting quite frequent updates discussing my point of view. I encourage all readers to do the same in the form of comments to the postings, express your thoughts/feelings and challenge my theories!

Itching to talk about a topic not mentioned? Wanting to compare ideas questions? Simply let me know what it is you want to say and we will start a post for it!

Are you a hockey fan? Do you know a lot of hockey fans? Join/Refer them!

Thanks for taking the time to read my FIRST BLOG POST. I look forward to meeting lots of hockey fans through the hub and having plenty more posts!