Official Hockey Thread

[kuro808]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/don-t-insult-bikini-hockey-league-comparisons-lingerie-142336800.html

I expect a lot of checking... checking out them girls 

[JFC]

I expect a lot of checking... checking out them girls 

[daigong]

dude not only politics the Russians, he got a meanbackhand! LETS PUTIN!

[daigong]

CONGRATS EDMONTON OIL KINGS 2012 WHL CHAMPS!!



WHAT EPIC WHL ACTION. if you a hockey fan, you watch it all and HOLY SHIT they had this on the free cable channel and wall to wall bodies flying sliding all over the place. all these prospects, some being their last games going on to the NHL and AHL. Onto the Memorial CUP!

[daigong]

WUT WUT Memorial Cup Oil Kings get the win?!   beating the host team. lol I dont even know.  Ice Dogs?



BEST OF THE CHL LETS GO!

[kuno_thunder]

Old video, but still good shit. What the hell did he say?

[JFC]

Since he's retired and this doesn't actually reflect on the NHL or his NHL career, gonna post this here. News broke out yesterday in a Montreal newspaper that Eric Lindros is got married to his French-Canadian girlfriend in a Montreal church. Hockey fans could find this amusingly ironic considering Lindros' "past history" with Quebec when, as the projected #1 draft pick in the 1991 NHL Draft, he publicly stated that he did not want to and that he would refuse to play for the Quebec Nordiques.

Anyway, here's the original article from the Montreal newspaper it was posted in, the "Journal de Montréal", as well as a Google-translated version (the article is originally written in French, and the newspaper's website does not provide it's own English translation).

ORIGINAL FRENCH ARTICLE -

Éric Lindros dira oui à sa Québécoise
Véronique Lauzon | Journal de Montréal, Publié le: vendredi 23 novembre 2012, 21H38 | Mise à jour: vendredi 23 novembre 2012, 21H47


Cet après-midi, Kina Lamarche et Éric Lindros vont échanger leurs vœux dans une église de Montréal.


Plusieurs amateurs de hockey trouvent ironique qu’Éric Lindros se marie au Québec. Qu’à cela ne tienne, c’est aujourd’hui que l’ancien joueur de hockey convole en justes noces avec Kina Lamarche. C’est à Montréal que les futurs mariés échangeront leurs vœux. Quant à la réception, elle aura lieu à l’extérieur de la ville.

Il y a 20 ans, Éric Lindros exprimait son mécontentement d’être repêché par les Nordiques de Québec. Une transaction majeure a suivi, et encore aujourd’hui, ce sujet demeure sensible pour plusieurs Québécois. Il faut croire qu’Éric Lindros a tourné la page sur cet événement. Et aujourd’hui, c’est avec bonheur que l’Ontarien se marie à Montréal.

Jointe par téléphone, sa fiancée est sur un nuage : «Je ne suis pas nerveuse. Je suis vraiment juste excitée par tout ce qui arrive», a dit dans un français impeccable Kina Lamarche. «Je savoure chaque moment», a-t-elle ajouté.

Même si le couple vit à Toronto, c’est à Montréal qu’ils ont décidé de célébrer un des plus beaux jours de leur vie. Kina Lamarche est Québécoise et sa famille vit toujours dans la province. D’ailleurs, la femme d’affaires a fait ses études en commerce au collège John Abbott et à l’université Concordia.

Femme d’affaires chevronnée
À Toronto, elle est présidente des opérations nord-américaines de la compagnie Travelex Business Payments.

À deux reprises, elle a été nommée à la cérémonie des Stevie Award à New York, qui récompense les femmes d’affaires.

L’organisatrice de leur mariage, qui tient à garder l’anonymat, a dit en parlant de la Québécoise : « C’est une femme d’affaires chevronnée. Elle a vraiment un parcours professionnel impressionnant. ».

Retraité depuis 2007, Éric Lindros s’est lui aussi tourné vers le milieu des affaires. Il est maintenant entrepreneur.

C’est un mois riche en émotions pour l’ancien joueur de hockey. En plus de dire oui à la femme de sa vie, il a été intronisé au Temple de la Renommée des sports de Philadelphie, le 8 novembre dernier.

Le grand jour
Jeudi dernier, le couple est arrivé à Montréal pour finaliser les préparatifs. Puisque les amoureux ne veulent pas trop médiatiser leur mariage, ils demeurent avares de détails.

Au début du mois d’octobre, l’homme de 39 ans avait confié au journaliste Marc De Foy qu’il se doutait que son mariage ne pouvait pas se dérouler dans la plus complète intimité. Tout de même, il a ajouté : «Je tiens à ce que notre mariage soit un événement privé».

Des agents de sécurité s’assureront que cette demande soit respectée.
L’organisatrice responsable du mariage a expliqué au Journal : «Je sais que quelques médias seront à l’église, mais ils ne pourront pas y entrer. Même chose pour la salle de réception.» Elle ajoute que c’est un bonheur de travailler avec ce couple : «Les mariés sont adorables».

Des mots des proches
La cérémonie aura lieu en après-midi sur l’île de Montréal et les convives sont ensuite invités dans une salle de réception située à l’extérieur de la métropole. Pour ce qui est des invités, les futurs mariés ont décidé de célébrer leur union avec un nombre relativement limité de personnes.

 «J’ai très hâte de voir tous ceux que nous aimons. Depuis quelques jours, je reçois beaucoup de messages de gens qui nous souhaitent un beau mariage et une belle vie de couple. Ça nous touche énormément», a dit Kina Lamarche.

Il ne reste plus qu’à souhaiter une longue vie aux mariés!

FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2012/11/23/eric-lindros-dira-oui-a-sa-quebecoise



ENGLISH VERSION VIA GOOGLE TRANSLATE -

Eric Lindros will say yes to his Quebec
Véronique Lauzon | Journal de Montreal Date: Friday, November 23, 2012, 9:38 p.m. | Updated: Friday, November 23, 2012, 9:47 p.m.


This afternoon, Kina Lamarche and Eric Lindros will exchange their vows in a church in Montreal.

Many hockey fans find it ironic that Eric Lindros married in Quebec. Never mind, it is today that former hockey player ties the knot with Kina Lamarche. Montreal is that the bride and groom exchange their vows. As for the reception, it will take place outside the city.

20 years ago, Eric Lindros expressed his displeasure at being drafted by the Quebec Nordiques. A major transaction followed, and today, this topic remains sensitive to many Quebecers. We must believe Eric Lindros has turned the page on this event. And today, it is with pleasure that Ontarian married in Montreal.

Reached by phone, his fiancée on a cloud, "I'm not nervous. I'm just really excited about everything that happens, "said in impeccable French Kina Lamarche. "I enjoy every moment," she added.

Even if the couple lives in Toronto, Montreal is that they decided to celebrate one of the happiest days of their lives. Kina Lamarche Quebec and his family still lives in the province. Moreover, the businesswoman studied commerce at John Abbott College and Concordia University.

Businesswoman experienced
In Toronto, she is president of North American operations of the company Business Payments Travelex.

On two occasions, she was named the Stevie Award ceremony in New York, which recognizes women in business.

The organizing their wedding, which is to remain anonymous, said, speaking of Quebec: "This is an experienced businesswoman. She has a really impressive career. ".

Retired since 2007, Eric Lindros has also turned to the business community. It is now an entrepreneur.

It is a month full of emotions for the former hockey player. In addition to saying yes to the love of his life, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame Sports Philadelphia on November 8.

The big day
Last Thursday, the couple moved to Montreal to finalize preparations. Because love does not want to publicize their marriage too, they are still short on details.

In early October, the 39 year old man had told the journalist Marc De Foy he suspected that his marriage could not take place in complete privacy. Still, he added: "I wish that our marriage is a private event."

Security guards will ensure that this demand is met.
The organizer responsible for the wedding told the Journa l: "I know that some media will be in the church, but they can not enter. Same for the reception. "She adds that it is a pleasure to work with this couple:" The bride and groom are adorable. "

Word relatives
The ceremony will take place in the afternoon on the island of Montreal and the guests are then invited to a reception room located outside of the city. Regarding guests, the bride and groom have decided to celebrate their union with a relatively small number of people.

"I'm excited to see all those we love. Since a few days I get a lot of messages from people who wish us a beautiful wedding and a beautiful life together. It affects us greatly, "said Kina Lamarche.

It only remains to wish long life to the newlyweds!

TRANSLATED ARTICLE LINK - http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.journaldemontreal.com%2F2012%2F11%2F23%2Feric-lindros-dira-oui-a-sa-quebecoise


Congrats to the happy couple!

[THUNDERDUCK]

NHL season postponed longer

[Masa]

Who needs NHL when you got the Bikini Hockey League?

[daigong]

They LOVE US!!!!! Bikini Hockey League should draft her:


I bet the Grand Rapids Griffins at Rockford IceHogs were inspired cuz they wore pink jerseys in one of the best brawls in recent memory!!


we care so much we didn't  even talk about the World Juniors or Spengler Cup

Old video, but still good shit. What the hell did he say?

Making of a NHL Legend!!! Glad he's on our side now

[daigong]

FUCK THIS IS GENIUS! get one now! http://www.budweiser.ca/redlight/buy.php



sold out, preorder when available. Don’t miss your chance. Pre order your Budweiser Red Light for our shipment arriving week of May 6 2013. Subject to delivery timelines by location and unanticipated delays. / Ne manque pas ta chance! Fais une pré-commande pour une lumière de but Budweiser pour la livraison dans la semaine du 6 mai 2013. 149 bucks for some kinda Budlight feed via Wifi or Phone.

[daigong]

best melt down since Patrick Roy hissyfit as a Hab



via http://deadspin.com/5983913/disgruntled-goalie-scores-on-his-own-net-flips-off-coaches-skates-off-the-ice-forever

Tuesday was Senior Night at Farmington (Minn.) High School, and senior goaltender Austin Krause was among those honored. But Krause wasn't particularly in the mood. He has spent this season being demoted to backup, losing playing time to a sophomore. This was just Krause's ninth start in 23 games. According to a team manager (via Puck Daddy), Krause had been planning to quit. He finally did so, spectacularly.

With three minutes remaining, and Farmington up by one, Krause corralled the puck behind the goal. The video picks up there as he skates it in front and casually slips it into his own net. He sends a middle finger to his bench, fires off a salute, and skates back to the locker room. The game was tied, and Farmington—with a third-string goalie in net, the sophomore was out with an injury—would concede another goal a minute later to lose.

at least he coulda dipsy doodle undressed himself and went top shelf

[JFC]

Be prepared to see the Japanese women's hockey team at the next Olympics, partially due to the Canadian who's on their coaching staff!

Canada’s MacLeod lends hockey expertise to Japanese women for Sochi 2014
CALGARY — Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
Published Saturday, Feb. 16 2013, 1:20 PM EST | Last updated Saturday, Feb. 16 2013, 1:20 PM EST

Canadian hockey player Carla MacLeod plans to be at the 2014 Winter Olympics a year from now, but behind Japan’s bench.

The defenceman from Calgary won women’s hockey gold in 2006 and 2010 before retiring from the Canadian team.

Her international hockey career has continued, however, as an assistant coach of Japan’s women’s team.

Japan earned their berth to the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, by winning a qualifying tournament in Slovakia last week.

“We’re in the midst of working out the details, but yeah, I’ll be with them in Sochi,” MacLeod says. “I never thought for one minute I’d be in Sochi, until I got this Japanese job and I thought ’maybe we can get there.’

“I guess any time you coach a team you become so attached to them. I just want to be there to hopefully help them and achieve their dream even further.”

The Japanese women will play hockey in the Winter Olympics for the first time since they were the host team in 1998.

They join defending champion Canada, the United States, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Germany and Switzerland in the field.

MacLeod, 30, likely won’t coach against her country in Sochi because Japan and Canada aren’t in the same pool.

“Even just to watch around the village and know the crew is there, my friends are there, there’s actually something very comforting in that,” she says. “Everyone has been so supportive of me in this venture.”

MacLeod had 12 goals and 27 assists in 79 games for Canada during her career, which also included a world championship in 2007.

The five-foot-four, 133-pound defender was a smart distributor of the puck at both ends of the ice and created offence from the back end.

MacLeod says she’s travelled to Japan 10 times since that country’s hockey federation hired her a year ago.

Her contract was for a year with the understanding that if Japan qualified for Sochi, she would continue with the program.

“The Japanese Ice Hockey Federation were looking at their situation very clearly,” she explains. “Their men were ranked 22nd in the world and their women were ranked 11th. If they wanted to make the Olympics, they knew their best odds were with the women’s team.”

“They put money into the women’s program. A part of that was finding a female coach they thought could help their group and the second piece was ensuring we had a camp every month.”

MacLeod is the only female on Japan’s coaching staff that includes head coach Yuji Iizuka and assistant Yoshifumi Fujisawa. The team physiotherapist was also MacLeod’s translator.

“These guys were very, very accepting and open to having me there and allowing my input to be heard,” she says. “I was arrogant as a player and I never gave these countries the credit they deserved as far as the effort these players are putting in. Their dreams are the same as ours. They’re working just as hard. They just don’t have the same level of game that we do here.

“Coaching is one of the biggest areas where we can help these programs. The players and most of the coaches are sponges and want to learn and improve.”

MacLeod estimates she’s picked up about 30 Japanese words. She wants to take Japanese lessons in Calgary so she can communicate more with her players heading into Sochi.

In addition to helping with on-ice systems, MacLeod developed a strength-training program for the Japanese women, who are fast and fit, but not big and strong.

“Their skill set was impressive. Their speed was incredible. Their tenacity, they wanted to do it right,” she says. “They just didn’t have the hockey sense. They didn’t understand how to use their tools to be as effective as they could be.

“That’s where I stepped in. I recommended a different forecheck or a different defensive zone coverage where we could be more aggressive because speed was our biggest attribute.”

Japan played an aggressive forecheck and penalty kill during the qualifying tournament.

They fell behind 3-0 to Norway in their opening game, but fought back to win 4-3. Japan then lost 1-0 in a shootout to host Slovakia before beating Denmark 5-0.

“It’s important to realize too that they’re not accustomed to winning,” MacLeod says. “A part of the process when I went over was to instill the belief in them and hopefully the self-confidence in them that they deserved to win and they can win.

“Heading into this tournament, we’d spent a lot of time on that and hired a mental coach as well. For them to be down 3-0 and never give up, that’s huge.”

She’ll join Japan for the Division 1 women’s world championship in Noray in April. Canada hosts the top-tier women’s world championship April 2-9 in Ottawa.

MacLeod is also an assistant coach of the Mount Royal University women’s hockey team in Calgary as well as an employee of RBC in their Olympic ambassadors program.

Juggling those jobs and multiple trips to a country in a time zone 16 hours ahead is taxing.

“It’s been a bit of a doozy, but it’s totally worth it,” MacLeod says. “It is a challenge for sure for me.”

FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/canadas-macleod-lends-hockey-expertise-to-japanese-women-for-sochi-2014/article8773348/

[JFC]

Canada and the world of hockey lost a friend today with the passing of Canadian country singer Stompin' Tom Connors.

A proud Canadian through and through, he had they type of career longevity that many artists can only hope for, spanning nearly 5 decades and dozens of album/single releases. Even if you weren't a big fan of his music in general, or even if you didn't know who he was/had never even heard of him before, as a hockey fan, chances are you've probably heard THIS song of his, which in turn reflected his own love of the game, at some point in time.

The Hockey Song - Stompin Tom Connors

R.I.P. Mr Connors.

[daigong]

OH THE GOOD OL HOCKEY GAME ITS THE BEST GAME  U CAN NAME!!!

RIP Stompin Tom!

I heard a story on the radio he sang a song for a kid in the children's hospital. GREAT MAN proud he one of ours

[JFC]

HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY TO THE ORIGINAL "MR.HOCKEY"!!! 

'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe turns 85 Sunday
Scotty Bowman calls him "the original hockey icon"
The Canadian Press | Posted: Mar 28, 2013 11:15 AM ET | Last Updated: Mar 31, 2013 9:51 AM ET



More than 30 family and friends will help Gordie Howe celebrate his 85th birthday Sunday at a private dinner in Detroit.

It's a day they will all cherish.

"We're hoping this will be a nice birthday, and we'll have a good time with Dad and all," son Mark said in a recent interview. "His memory loss is getting to the point where it's almost becoming difficult to do a lot of interaction with Dad. I'm sure this [birthday] will go well, but a year from now, I don't know what life's going to bring.

"So we're going to make the best of it."

Howe's family revealed just over a year ago that the hockey legend has a mild form of dementia.

Despite his health issues, Howe began celebrating his milestone birthday in early March when he attended a ceremony at a Vancouver Giants game.

Prior to Sunday's birthday dinner, he'll take in a Red Wings-Blackhawks game.

And the events won't end Sunday.

Howe will make another appearance at a Red Wings game against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday and attend charity hockey games in Calgary, Edmonton and possibly Vancouver in the coming weeks.

But Howe's family is especially looking forward to seeing him Sunday. He has spent recent months with daughter Cathy at her home in Texas where he enjoys the warm weather. He stays with sons Marty, Murray and Mark at other times during the year.

"I haven't seen Dad since just before Christmas," said Mark, the Red Wings' head pro scout. "Birthday or no birthday, I'm just looking forward to seeing him."

The same holds true for fans, who still can't get enough of Mr. Hockey.

"He's just an easygoing guy," said Marty. "You can talk to him for five minutes and think you've been friends for 30 years. That's always been his secret, I think."

Legendary coach Scotty Bowman says Howe is "the original hockey icon."

"He was a terrific player — size, strength, offence, defence, toughness, ability to score, ability to make plays," said Bowman. "If you were going to make a model of a hockey player for every category, you wouldn't be able to get a model better than him."

Fellow Hall of Famer Bobby Hull fondly remembers seeing his first NHL game at Maple Leaf Gardens between Toronto and Howe's Red Wings and listening to his exploits on an old Philips radio.

Hull said he and Howe "built up a mutual admiration society" because they always knew their confrontations would be clean.

"Some of the greatest games, likely, that I ever played in were in the old Detroit Olympia head-on-head against Howe," said Hull. "They were the golden years, as far as I was concerned, in the National Hockey League. We had to gear ourselves up every time we went to play against Detroit. It wasn't [us] playing against the Detroit Red Wings. It was [us] playing against Howe."

Bowman, known for being gruff and unsentimental, fondly recalled getting the opportunity to coach Howe in the 1980 NHL all-star game.

"That was a big highlight of my career in the NHL, especially an all-star game, to have Gordie in our lineup," said Bowman, a nine-time Stanley Cup winner.

Dennis Hull first faced Howe nearly 50 years ago when he debuted for the Chicago Blackhawks.

"I met Gordie Howe when I was 19 years old in my first game in the National Hockey League," said Hull. "It was against the Detroit Red Wings, and he was my hockey hero when I was a kid."

The hockey legends said Howe serves as an inspiration to other former NHLers as they get older. But Bobby Hull is certain aging doesn't sit well with Howe.

"Getting old isn't fun," he said. "I'd like to find the guy or the girl that coined the phrase that these are the golden years. Like hell they are. Give me back my youth. And, I'm sure he feels the same way."

Marty says Howe is "slowing down."

"He's starting to feel his age like he never did before," he said.

The public events are good for Howe's health, said Marty, because the interaction stimulates his brain and he always "perks up."

"At first, I was thinking, well, we just won't do as many events and stuff and let him go fishing and down to Florida and relax a little bit," Marty said. "But he can't stand still."

Howe, who Marty says is "strong as a bear," also remains physically active, fishing in the summer with Mark and practising his putting on the golf course.

"Dad's kind of a fixture down there," said Mark. "People look forward to having him down there. But when you have him, you cherish every day. You hope you have more, but you never know, so you take every day and live life to the fullest. That's your only other option."

Mark says Howe is looking forward to seeing family at his birthday celebration.

"It's getting tougher and tougher and tougher on him, but he loves being around his family," Mark said.

Howe's late wife Colleen suffered from Pick's disease, a rare form of dementia. Going through that experience with their mother has helped the Howes deal with their father's condition.

"What's gone on, it's part of life," said Mark. "When you're 85 years old, these things happen to people."

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2013/03/28/sp-gordie-howe-mrhockey-birthday.html

[Assman]

Laughing Out Loud I thought he was the only Mr. Hockey? GORDIE HOWE GOAT!! time and era but he was supposed to be at this charity Q&A with Gretzky in town last week, but he was too old to get out. Damn. doin lotsa things for Alzheimer charities mad props

speaking of Lindros. anyone see him lately? What the One Direction....happened??


Mr. T ain't bout dat FOOL!!

[JFC]

Check out the wicked behind-the-back save by Toronto Marlies goalie Drew MacIntyre.


 

[JFC]

Like bro, like sis? 

Crosby's sister follows her own hockey path
Updated: June 7, 2013 7:58 AM | By Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press

CALGARY - Taylor Crosby says she didn't choose goaltending to avoid comparisons with her famous brother Sidney.

The younger sister of the NHL superstar thinks she'll still be compared to him in terms of how far she goes in her hockey career. She's OK with that.

"Even now, there is a comparison I think from the media or other people, but I don't put it on myself," Taylor said Thursday night in Calgary. "I think a lot of people will expect you to be a certain way or to be a certain type of player and be really good.

"I know I'm my own person. I try to use him as a role model and (follow) his work ethic, but I don't compare myself to him. I'm never going to be him and he's never going to be me."

The 17-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., was one of 15 female goaltending prospects Hockey Canada invited to a five-day camp that opened Thursday evening at WinSport's Markin MacPhail Centre.

While Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins attempt to stave off elimination in the NHL's Eastern Conference final, Taylor is getting her first taste of the national women's hockey program.

She is one of eight goaltenders under the age of 18 invited to camp, while the other seven are under-22 prospects.

"It's really cool," she said. "It's my first time I've experienced being part of the national team program."

She didn't start playing hockey until the relatively late age of 10. Sidney, eight years her senior, was living away from home playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Rimouski Oceanic.

Crosby can't quite pinpoint why goaltending was her calling, other than the fact her father Troy was a goaltender who was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1984.

"I just woke up one day and said 'going to be a goalie,'" she said. "Part of it was my dad. He was a goalie. I was always a little weird, so it kind of fits."

Crosby is entering her senior year at the Minnesota prep school Shattuck-St. Mary's, where her brother led the boys' team to a national title in 2003.

The five-foot-eight, 150-pound Crosby posted a 13-7 record, a 2.04 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage and three shutouts for the girls' prep team this past season.

Sidney Crosby started shooting pucks on his sister in 2010. He continues to do so if they happen to be home at the same time and Taylor is about to head off to school.

"As I get older I'm stopping a few more. I think he's getting frustrated," she said with a laugh.

There are perks to being Sidney Crosby's sibling. One is going to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, B.C.

Interestingly, Crosby chooses as her highlight the Canadian women's hockey team winning the gold medal ahead of her brother's overtime goal in the men's final. She sees Sidney as a brother first and a hockey player second.

"I think he's a really great person and a really great brother," Crosby said. "I'm just really happy he's my brother, not just because he's a hockey player, but the kind of person he is."

Crosby was a late addition to the women's under-18 invitees this week as the initial roster was seven.

"You never want to miss anybody," Hockey Canada's female scout Melody Davidson said. "She had shown potential in past years so it's probably a good move to take a look at where she's at, someone you don't get to see often and eligible to play for our country."

Davidson has watched Crosby play a few times over the years.

"Pretty good size in the net and she uses that size well," is Davidson's scouting report. "How she's going to mature and grow as a goalie is what we're checking in on and we'll see how it goes from there.

"She's young for sure and all these young goalies are inconsistent. You're never sure what you're going to get from them. That's what we're looking for at goalie camp - where do they fit in in terms of their consistency and their work ethic. In the end, it's about do they stop the puck or not?"

Crosby says she and Sidney regularly text each other. She's been watching his playoff games even though it's hard on her nerves.

"It's definitely emotional," she said. "I find myself holding the blanket over my head a lot, but I'm really happy for him.

"Although they are in a bit of a slump, he's seems to be happy and doing what he loves to do. As long as that's the case . . . and he doesn't get his teeth knocked out anymore."

FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://sports.ca.msn.com/top-stories/crosbys-sister-follows-her-own-hockey-path-1

[JFC]

Wait, they do?    Lucky Finns... 

Every team in Finland gets its own ‘NHL 14’ cover
By Greg Wyshynski | Puck Daddy – Wed, Jul 17, 2013 4:10 PM EDT

Being on the cover of an EA Sports video game is akin to being on a box of Wheaties for this generation of star athletes, even if the honor has been diminished somewhat by turning the NHL cover competition into a student council election.

But it could be worse: It could be that every team has multiple athletes on the cover of the games. Which is exactly what’s happening in Finland this year with ‘NHL 14’.

The 14 teams of SM-liiga (a.k.a. the Finnish Elite League) are all getting their own cover this year, as sold by Finnish retailer Anttila.com.

You can see all the covers here via Ryan Real, who hipped us to the story.

Some of the covers are captured from game action, while others feature gloriously awkward poses. (Hey, look, it’s the world’s least threatening street gang.)

We imagine fans will purchase their favorite team’s game cover, but as non-committed SM-liiga fans we’re torn. Would we buy the multiple personality disorder Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho cover or the remedial Photoshopping of the Oulun Kärpät cover? (Yes, we know: We’re mocking someone else’s ‘Shopping skills. Glass houses, throwing stones, yadda yadda.)

Again, check out the covers here. Which one is your favorite?

FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/every-team-finland-gets-own-nhl-14-cover-201037769.html
GALLERY LINK - http://imgur.com/a/5opNF/layout/grid#0
BUY THEM HERE - http://www.netanttila.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?searchTerm=nhl+14&storeId=1444&catalogId=1444&langId=22