Sports Talk Ep. 515: Olympic Glory

Jeremy and Zam are back from the Olympics with a ton going on in the world of sports, mostly Olympics, they get into talking bout their favourite moments, especially Crosby’s OT goal for the Gold, plus the trade deadline had just passed with a record number of moves.

Listen to the full show here.

Subscribe to the podcast here.

Don’t forget to follow TPB on Facebook. Join the group here.

Sports Talk Ep. 514

Jeremy and Zam welcome Shaheed back into The Press Box, and start the show talking about VANOC and its relationship with the media, the boys also get into the Canucks epic 14 game road trip and the play of Mason Raymond. It’s also just passed the midway point of the NHL season so it’s time to do some power rankings, so the boys give their top 5 teams in the league, they also talk about the NFL conference finals and Brett Favre throwing that infamous pick near the end and more.

Listen to the full show here.

Subscribe to the podcast here.

Don’t forget to follow TPB on Facebook. Join the group here.

Sports Talk Ep. 513: Headshots and NFL Conference Championships

Headshots are at the top of the agenda on tonight’s show with the QMJHL’s Patrice Cormier and OHL’s Zach Kassian getting punished for recent head shots. The Canucks continue to roll along yet the Calgary Flames are continuing to sputter after their 9-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks. As well, the NFL Conference championships kick off on Sunday so the boys make their picks.

Listen to the full show here.

Subscribe to the podcast here.

Don’t forget to follow TPB on Facebook. Join the group here.

Sports Talk Ep.506: Torch's Touchdown and Favre's Revenge

Join Zam and guest-host Jeremy Bosch for our delve into the Olympic Torch relay that started in BC on Friday as well as they get legal and talk about when hockey crosses the line into a crime as well as much more.

Listen to the full show here.

Subscribe to the podcast here.

Don’t forget to follow TPB on Facebook. Join the group here.

Follow us on Twitter here.

Sports Talk Ep.504: The Pigskin and Puck Show

This week Zam welcomes guest-host Jeremy Bosch to get into the upcoming CFL Playoffs a few weeks away, the NHL season has started and they get into the oddities of this season so far. NFL week 5 is over and they get into Brett Favre’s 5-0 record and SFU and UBC go into Saturday’s 32nd Shrum Bowl.

Listen to the full show here

Subscribe to the podcast here

Don’t forget to follow TPB on Facebook. Join the group here. Follow us on Twitter here.

Canadian Judges Using Hockey as Political Statement

It is time for judges and crown prosecutors to stop picking out hockey players for fighting. The most recent occasion was when last season in a QMJHL game where the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Roy, Frederick Roy, cross-checked an opponent prior to an impending fight. He was subsequently charged for an assault with a weapon and a Quebec judge found him guilty.

Judges and prosecutors have to stop going after hockey players and vilifying the game of hockey and start going after the real criminals like gangster and murderers. How is this in the public interest of any of the tax-paying public? Its not in my interest. The sports field is too easy for a prosecutor to find fault in any play, just the act of playing hockey by some bleeding heart socialist can be argued that they’re breaking some law. Its time for us all to grow a pair and start taking risks again.

All players understand what they are getting into when they step on the ice and what the risks involved are. Soon enough we will see all our children wearing helmets to school and shin pads when walking around on a regular basis. How did we become so sterile and over litigious wasting money on ridiculous court cases.

Just a tip for you prosecutors all across the country, before you go after hockey players for fights and hockey plays, first go after real criminals like those drug traffickers who are importing cocaine into Canada, and those gangsters who are shooting their way through night clubs in different cities, and the murderers who are around. Only once you’ve solved those problems then feel free to go after athletes.

Once a Raider, always a Raider?

Originally published at Inside Hockey.

Jeremy Price (right) representing Canada East at the recent World Junior A Challenge.

Once a Raider, always a Raider? The Vancouver Canucks sure hope not.

Jeremy Price left his hometown of Milton, Ont. one year ago to join the Nepean Raiders of the Central Junior A Hockey League. After putting up 41 points in 55 games there, Vancouver’s fourth round selection in the recent NHL entry draft is slated to join the Colgate University Raiders next fall. The Canucks had better hope Price doesn’t have a thing for the pigskin, or else Oakland may come calling.

Price’s abilities on the gridiron remain a mystery, and to many Canucks fans, so does his play on the ice. Although the 6’1” defenceman won’t be suiting up in a Canucks uniform any time soon, it won’t be long before he starts to make an impression, and a positive one at that.

“I think Jeremy is just scratching the surface of his ability and just starting to get comfortable with his own game and that is making him a better and more confident player,” said Colgate University Raiders assistant coach Brad Dexter, whose primary responsibilities include working with the defencemen and assisting with recruiting.

“Jeremy is a great kid and great team player and we are really excited to add another character player to our program. We look for him to be a real steadying influence on the blue line for four years with a tremendous amount of potential to be a great player for us.”

The Raiders hockey organization had been tracking Price since his first year in junior and evidently, they liked what they saw. However, more than anything else, it was his continual progression that convinced them that Price was the right guy to pursue.

“Jeremy’s skating and lateral mobility was the first thing that impressed us,” said Dexter. “He had some obvious physical abilities that stuck out, [such as] his skating and shot, but for us it was the fact that he got better and better every time we went to see him play.

“He has offensive upside but is very aware and takes pride in the safe smart play and doing the job in his own end. We look for him to become even more assertive on the ice as he gets used to the college game and think he will be able to contribute in all situations.”

Clearly, the Raiders are high on Price. And the feeling is mutual. Despite four other NCAA offers and several sales pitches from the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals, Price is happy with the decision he made to attend Colgate.

“I decided on Colgate for the combination of academics and a proven hockey program, as well as the chance to step in and play right away,” said Price, who credits Nepean Raiders head coach and former NHL defenceman Garry Galley for a large part of his development last season.

Although Price remains a Raider and looks forward to hitting the ice next season with Colgate, he now prides himself on also being a Vancouver Canuck. The Vancouver Canucks selected Price just where Central Scouting had him ranked, at 113th overall.

Canucks scout Mark Jooris had seen a lot of Price last season in Nepean, and the Canucks interviewed him a few weeks prior to the draft, so Price was not surprised when the Canucks chose him. However, he was ecstatic nonetheless.

“When I found out the Canucks had taken me I was thrilled,” said Price, who is back in Milton skating 3-4 times a week. “It was awesome to stay with a Canadian team and such a competitive franchise.”

Due to his NCAA commitment, however, Price had to pay his own way to the recent Canucks prospects development camp in Vancouver. But that wasn’t about to stop him from making the trip.

“I felt it was important to come to get my feet wet in the organization and see how things are run at the NHL level. Also I just felt it would be a great, fun experience.”

Unlike many NHL organizations, Vancouver’s summer development camp does not include any competitive drills or scrimmages and is not meant as an evaluation. It is more so a means to educate and aid the development of their prospects.

Case in point, the slogan for this year’s camp was: “plan your work, and work your plan.” And Price was pleased with the camp’s developmental focus.

“I thought the camp was run very professionally,” he said. “I really liked how the camp was geared towards development and gave me lots of information to take with me this year.”

At the tail end of the week-long camp, each prospect in attendance had an exit interview with the Canucks staff. In these interviews, the Canucks brass gave their players areas to work on in the upcoming year. For Price, it was his puck skills and his confidence with the puck on his stick.

Don’t be surprised if Price’s puck skills quickly become vastly improved though, as by all accounts one of Price’s best assets is his quick learning curve, which allows him to effectively adapt to higher levels of competition. In the next few seasons with the Colgate University Raiders, Price will look to once again prove this to be the case.

After that, Price will look to prove the legendary “Once a Raider, always a Raider” slogan false, and leave the Raiders in the past, and make the Canucks in his future.

In addition to writing the The Press Box, Farhan Devji is a columnist for Inside Hockey, a feature writer for Canucks.com, an accredited Canadian Hockey League writer, and the author of The Hockey Farmer. For more of his work, or for a means to contact him, visit http://www.farhandevji.com.

What Just Happened? – This Canucks Loss May Be the Worst Yet

Welcome, Mike Gillis, to the end of the season for the Vancouver Canucks.  I almost feel bad for you because you had no idea the type of heartbreak you were in for when you agreed to this job.  I am writing this at 5 A.M. because I can’t sleep.  I cannot shake that ridiculous third period out of my mind, and I know that wherever you are, you can’t sleep either.  During Vancouver’s incredible winning streak in February, you were quoted on the Team 1040 saying, “The slowest group to come around is clearly the media because they look at everything as if it’s 20 years ago and something is going to blow up and explode.”

 

The 2009 playoffs might just be the largest explosion in Canucks history thus far.  Down by 2 goals midway through the second period, the team showed guts and determination, not only tying the game at three’s before the end of the period, but grabbing the lead quickly in the third.  Adam Burish of the Hawks answered with a tying goal 2 minutes later, but once again the boys in blue showed how much they wanted it. Daniel Sedin scored what should have been the game winning goal with 7:45 left on the clock.

 

On a night when three scoring lines produced for the Canucks, the team’s best players were their best players with the Sedins scoring 3 points between them and Mats Sundin having a 2 point performance, the Canucks most important player and captain Roberto Luongo had a stinker.  For all the goals allowed that could be blamed on others, there was one, Patrick Kane’s game-tying wraparound with seven minutes remaining, that no goalie should ever let in.  And that was when we knew that this shootout wasn’t going to go our way. 

 

In Vancouver, the season never just ends for our Canucks.  No, they bring our hopes up higher every year and then they inevitably kick us in the teeth.  Here’s a quick recap of the recent memories.  In 2002, the eighth-seeded Vancouver Canucks roared into the playoffs as the hottest team in the NHL and stole two games from the Red Wings in Detroit.  Finally, we thought, the Canucks were ready to take the next step after being swept from the playoffs in 2001 by the Colorado Avalanche, and boy were we excited.  Midway through game three of the series with the Wings, Nik Lidstrom scored from centre ice on Dan Cloutier, and we watched as the Canucks disintegrated before our eyes, losing four games straight.  And we sat there wondering, “What just happened?”  In 2003 the seas parted for the Canucks as they drew the sixth seeded Minnesota Wild in the second round.  Up 3-1 in the series, they realized that if they beat the Wild, they would face the seventh seeded Anaheim Ducks in the Conference finals.  The bandwagon was hopping that year, but a 3-1 series lead was not too much for the Canucks to destroy, and destroy it they did.  In game 7 of the series, the team held a 2-0 lead in the second period, only to lose the game and the series in the third.  We, the fans, were stunned, again thinking, “What just happened?”  Of course there is game seven of the Calgary Flames series in 2004, where Matt Cooke tied up the game with four seconds remaining on the clock to send the game to overtime.  Alas, it was only to bring our hopes up and crush them once again in overtime, leaving us once again in disbelief, “Seriously, did that just happen?”

 

This year, the Vancouver Canucks may have had their best shot in their 39 year history.  Scoring lines three deep, the most solid group of six defensemen in the NHL, and the goalie with god-gifted talent had been assembled and engineered for one thing: playoff success.  They managed, yet again, to bring Vancouver fans’ hopes up, which is not easy considering what we’ve been through.  We know better, we’re a weary bunch of pessimists, but they had us captivated.  I must admit, I was wrong when I predicted that goalie Roberto Luongo would be dialed in.  He seemed anything but, and considering he is the Canucks best player, hardest worker, and has had so many clutch performances, allowing 7 goals in a playoff game is a stunner. 

 

Welcome to Vancouver, Mike.  Beware of explosions.

2008 NHL Mock Draft

Originally published at: http://insidehockey.com/columns/1800

1. Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos – Center

Quite simply, Steven Stamkos (as seen on right) is beyond any doubt the best player in this year’s draft class. He’s the most skilled, the fastest, the most complete, the most mature, and the most NHL ready. Look for Stamkos to join the Lightning next season and make an immediate impact.

2. Los Angeles Kings: Drew Doughty – Defense

The Kings are said to be in the market for a defenseman, so this pick is a toss-up between Doughty and Zach Bogosian. Doughty was one of the top defensemen in the OHL this past season, and since then, he has lost around 20 pounds, clearly demonstrating his drive to play professional hockey. The Kings feel that the upside with Doughty may be slightly better than that with Bogosian.

3. Atlanta Thrashers: Zach Bogosian – Defense

The Thrashers were well aware that they’d end up with one of the elite defensemen of this year’s draft, and they are thrilled to end up with this native of Massena, New York. Bogosian offers precisely what the Thrashers are looking for: a big physical defenseman who can contribute at both ends of the rink. May be ahead of Doughty in terms of NHL readiness.

4. St. Louis Blues: Alex Pietrangelo – Defense

The Blues were very interested in Kyle Beach and Luke Schenn, but feel that Pietrangelo would ultimately prove to be the more suitable selection. Pietrangelo is perhaps the best puck moving defenseman in the draft, and the Blues believe that both his physical and defensive game are rapidly emerging.

5. New York Islanders: Nikita Filatov – Left Wing

Nikita Filatov is the consensus second best forward in the draft, and the Islanders aren’t the least bit worried about the lack of a Russian transfer agreement, as Filatov has clearly demonstrated his eagerness to do whatever it takes to play in the NHL.

6. Columbus Blue Jackets: Luke Schenn – Defense

After losing shutdown defenseman Adam Foote, the Blue Jackets are overjoyed to select Luke Schenn, who has the capacity of becoming the second coming of Foote. Schenn is without question the best defensive defenseman in the draft, and may be able to step in and contribute immediately.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs: Cody Hodgson – Center

Just like the Blues, the Maple Leafs were very interested in acquiring the services of Kyle Beach, and also displayed interest in Mikkel Boedker and Colin Wilson, but in a pick that could very well define this franchise moving forward, they opt for the hometown hero Cody Hodgson. A great character kid who may never lead the league in scoring, but could very well have a Mats Sundin-like impact on the Leafs.

8. Phoenix Coyotes: Mikkel Boedker – Left Wing

The Coyotes considered taking a gamble on defenseman Tyler Myers, but ultimately can’t pass up on a player of Boedker’s offensive talent. Boedker is one of the most dynamic forwards in the draft, and his addition will lessen the pain of Blake Wheeler’s departure. The Coyotes also considered trading down to select Joe Colborne.

9. Nashville Predators: Colin Wilson – Center

The Predators are delighted that Wilson is still on the board at ninth overall, as they had him higher on their list. Colin Wilson will prove to be the top two center that the Preds are lacking, and is physically the most NHL ready player in the draft.

10. Vancouver Canucks: Kyle Beach – Center/Left Wing

Beach (as seen on left) is undoubtedly one of the most talented forwards in this year’s draft, and with several ties to the Everett Silvertips organization, the Canucks are convinced that he does indeed possess the character required the excel at the next level. With the unfortunate passing of Luc Bourdon, the Canucks also displayed interest in defensemen Colten Teubert, Tyler Myers, and Luca Sbisa, in addition to forwards Zach Boychuk and Joshua Bailey, but feel that Kyle Beach will emerge into an all-around impact player.

11. Chicago Blackhawks: Tyler Myers – Defense

With a well balanced crop of prospects in the system, the Hawks are equipped to take a gamble on Myers, who is considered to be a work in process. Myers’ raw potential is evident, and the Hawks are prepared to wait and let his potential come to fruition. The Hawks would like to bring in some size with their first round selection, and at 6’ 7”, Myers does just that.

12. Anaheim Ducks: Colten Teubert – Defense

The Ducks are disappointed that Kyle Beach isn’t on the board at 12th overall, but are content with their selection of Teubert – who Brian Burke and the Ducks’ brass believe has the potential to become a Chris Pronger-like player, with a little less to give offensively. Also considered drafting Zach Boychuk and Luca Sbisa.

13. Buffalo Sabres: Joshua Bailey – Center

If Josh Bailey wasn’t available at 13th overall, the Sabres would have been prepared to trade down, but he’s the guy they wanted to obtain, and they are pleased that they did. Bailey is a solid two-way play-making center who the Sabres feel is a tad bit underrated.

14. Carolina Hurricanes: Zach Boychuk – Center

The Canes were tempted to use their first round selection to pick CJAHL player of the year Joe Colborne, but feel that Boychuk possesses a similar offensive upside, with more of an all-around game. Also displayed interest in Luca Sbisa, but weren’t prepared to draft a defenseman with their first round selection. The Canes’ tendency of drafting from the WHL continues.

15. Nashville Predators: Luca Sbisa – Defense

With the overabundance of defensemen in the system, the Preds strongly considered selecting skilled offensive forwards Joe Colborne or Mattias Tedenby, but they feel that at 15th overall, Sbisa is the best player available.

16. Boston Bruins: Joe Colborne – Center

After having agreed to terms with power forward Blake Wheeler, the Bruins were tempted to select a defenseman with their first-round pick, but they feel that Colborne is eerily similar to Joe Thornton, and due to the addition of Wheeler, they are willing to let him develop at the University of Denver.

17. Calgary Flames: Mattias Tedenby – Left Wing

“We want to take an offensive forward” were the words spoken by Flames director of scouting Tod Button in a recent interview, and there’s not much doubt that this diminutive Swedish forward is the best offensive forward left on the board. Despite his size, the Flames are confident that Tedenby has the tools to be a successful top six forward.

18. Ottawa Senators: Chet Pickard – Goaltender

If the Senators aren’t able to move up in this year’s draft, it’s a distinct possibility that they’ll use their first round selection to select Pickard – who has drawn many comparisons to Carey Price. The Sens were also interested in defensemen Erik Karlsson, Michael Del Zotto, and John Carlson.

19. Columbus Blue Jackets: Erik Karlsson – Defense

The Jackets would have loved to see forwards Joe Colborne or Mattias Tedenby slip to the 19th pick, and also displayed some major interest in Michael Del Zotto, Jordan Eberle, and even Zac Dalpe, but they feel that this puck-moving Swedish defenseman is the best player left on the board.

20. New York Rangers: Michael Del Zotto – Defense

While Del Zotto may not fill the immediate needs of the Rangers, they believe that with some improvements in his defensive zone coverage, he has the potential to become a top two defenseman. The Rangers also considered selecting feisty defensemen John Carlson and Tyler Cuma, along with forwards Jordan Eberle and Greg Nemisz.

21. New Jersey Devils: John Carlson – Defense

The Devils find it difficult to pass up on Jordan Eberle, a pure goal scorer who would better suit their needs. But in a draft full of top notch defensemen, they opt to select the homegrown talent in Carlson, who they had much higher on their list.

22. Edmonton Oilers: Jordan Eberle – Center

With solid all-around depth in the system, the Oilers go for the player with the most offensive upside. Eberle, who is listed as a center but can also play the wing, is one of the smartest offensive players in the draft, and could very well end up being an outright steal at 22nd overall. The Oilers have stated that they aren’t concerned about size with their first round selection.

23. Washington Capitals: Anton Gustafsson – Center

Gustafsson to Washington is the perfect fit, and not because he’s the son of former Capital Bengt Gustafsson. This 6’ 2” Swedish center is a talented two-way player, who would fit in nicely as the third line center on a highly skilled Capitals roster. Gustafsson could have a similar impact on the Caps that Jordan Staal has on the Penguins.

24. Minnesota Wild: Jake Gardiner – Defense

The Wild are said to be in the market for a defenseman, and at 24th overall, they feel that this Minnesotan is the best left on the board. The Wild consider Gardiner to be one of the best skaters in this year’s draft, and they believe that Jacques Lemaire will be able to help him with his (at times) questionable decision making.

25. Montreal Canadiens: Nicholas Deschamps – Center

The Canadiens are ecstatic that this native of Lasalle, Quebec is ripe for the pickings at 25th overall. The Canadiens also considered selecting Greg Nemisz to bring in some size down the middle, but they feel that Deschamps has much more potential to become an impact offensive player down the road.

26. Buffalo Sabres: Tyler Cuma – Defense

The Sabres were hoping that goaltender Chet Pickard would have still been available at 26th overall, and considered drafting goaltender Jacob Markstrom to address a week position with their second first-rounder, but they feel that Cuma is the best player left on the board, and would bring some much needed toughness to the blue line.

27. Philadelphia Flyers: Colby Robak – Defense

Just like the Sabres, the Flyers showed interest in goaltender Jacob Markstrom, but they feel that Robak’s size, coupled with his above average skating, will make him a serviceable top four defenseman in the years to come.

28. Los Angeles Kings: Kirill Petrov – Left Wing

With a grand total of 15 picks in this year’s draft, and after selecting a sure thing in Drew Doughty at second overall, the Kings are willing to take a risk with this skilled Russian winger. There’s no denying that Petrov is one of the most skilled forwards in the entire draft class, but unlike Filatov, he hasn’t shown much interest in leaving Russia.

29. Atlanta Thrashers: Greg Nemisz – Center

After filling one of their needs of a blue-chip defender at third overall, the Thrashers are overjoyed to fill another one at 29th overall, as they acquire some size and scoring punch up front with Nemisz. Nemisz is a big power forward with a big time shot, and would fit in nicely with the Thrashers’ surplus of skilled forwards.

30. Detroit Red Wings: Tyler Ennis – Center/Left Wing

With no glaring needs in the system, the Wings opt for the most skilled forward left of the bunch. The Wings have shown absolutely no hesitancy selecting diminutive forwards in the past, as long as they possess the skill required to shine at the next level, and at 5’ 8”, Ennis certainly does. After finding success in Darren Helm, the Wings once again nab a gem from the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL.

Farhan Devji is the author of a hockey based novel, “The Hockey Farmer,” available and described at cacoethespublishing.net.