Hockey 2009 - 2010

[Grace]

From the NY Times -

February 6, 2010, 1:30 am
Son of U.S. Hockey Team’s G.M. Dies
By MELISSA HOPPERT

The youngest son of Brian Burke, the general manager of the United States ice hockey team and of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has died in a car crash.

The Maple Leafs said the 21-year-old Brendan Burke, who publicly revealed he was gay in an ESPN.com article in November, was fatally injured in an accident Friday in Indiana.

“The family asks for privacy at this difficult time,” the team said in a statement.

Brian Burke’s United States team opens play against Switzerland on Feb. 16 in Vancouver. On Thursday, he spoke about looking forward to marching in the opening ceremony.

“This is my only way to give back for all that hockey has done for me and what all that U.S.A. Hockey did,” he said during a conference call. “Starting from when I was 13, there was always a coach to show me what to do or tell me how to get there. The rest was up to me to work hard and get there. I got as far as the American League and that’s all because of these people that cared.”

The Toronto Star reported that Brendan Burke was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee when the vehicle slid sideways into the path of a Ford truck. The police said the roads in Wayne County were treacherous because of heavy snow. Burke’s 18-year-old friend Mark Reedy was also killed.

“The National Hockey League grieves tonight for the family and friends of Brendan Burke, a young man of courage and character,” N.H.L. Commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement. “Words simply cannot express our sorrow over his loss. We send our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Brendan’s father, Brian; his mother, Kerry; everyone in Brendan’s family and all who were inspired by his love for hockey.”

Burke, a goaltender, grew up playing hockey in the Boston area. He was a student manager for the Miami of Ohio team. He told his father he was gay during Christmas 2007, and later told Miami Coach Enrico Blasi and the rest of the team, who expressed their support.

“I had a million good reasons to love and admire Brendan,” Brian Burke told ESPN.com. “This news didn’t alter any of them.”

[RICHARD]

WHoooooooooooooooooo-



GGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Kings, baby!!!!!

[Grace]

Hat Trick - Ovechkin!!

[RICHARD]

Here's a question that we will never know the answer to?

What impact would Brendan Burke have had in the games, had he not passed?

Will this be a distraction? Or, the 'story' that will propel the team on?

Should the team medal how much of a back story will that be?

BB's death will be a motivator for the team, no question, but how will it manifest itself?

[Puckstop31]

Hat Trick - Ovechkin!!

Was that a whale of a game or what? I was thinking, going into the 3rd that a 2 goal lead was not enough.

[JenBKR]

Was that a whale of a game or what? I was thinking, going into the 3rd that a 2 goal lead was not enough.

That was a really exciting game....not too excited about the end though, of course. I hate the Caps, but I'll admit that Ovechkin is sick. I just hope that they don't win the cup - I don't even care if it's not the Pens, just ANYONE but Washington!!

[Grace]

Interesting - it's obvious my Wings aren't going anywhere this year. So I'm thinking it would be nice for a team to win that's never been there before.

So we're rooting for Washington
Yeah, they did make it to the finals back in '98, and lost 4 straight to us. But I'm looking for a team that has never won The Cup - and they fit that category.

[JenBKR]

Interesting - it's obvious my Wings aren't going anywhere this year. So I'm thinking it would be nice for a team to win that's never been there before.

So we're rooting for Washington
Yeah, they did make it to the finals back in '98, and lost 4 straight to us. But I'm looking for a team that has never won The Cup - and they fit that category.

NOOO Grace don't do it! Is there really no other team that has never won the cup? There HAS to be at least ONE other team!

Don't write off the Wings just yet - last year at this time the Pens were in the same position, no where near playoff contention, and look what happened. I do think it had a lot to do with the coaching change though, but you never know what can happen!

[RICHARD]

Ben and Jerry's ice cream have contacted Alex Ovechkin and offered him a contract to be the spokesman for the Alex O's Shaved Ice/Sno-Cone franchises to be opened up at every NHL arena beginning in the '10-'11 season.

[JenBKR]

Ben and Jerry's ice cream have contacted Alex Ovechkin and offered him a contract to be the spokesman for the Alex O's Shaved Ice/Sno-Cone franchises to be opened up at every NHL arena beginning in the '10-'11 season.

They have also contacted Marian Hossa about a new ice cream - it comes without a cup

[RICHARD]

They have also contacted Marian Hossa about a new ice cream - it comes without a cup

So, what do I do with that little wooden spoon?