The Blackhawks were one of three teams to place as many as three players on Canada's highly anticipated Olympic entry that was revealed on Wednesday by Executive Director Steve Yzerman.
Chicago's dynamite defensive pairing of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook represent nearly a third of the defensemen that will surely be under fire from facing other talent-laden lineups. Keith's and Seabrook's familiarity with each other is the root of speculation on why they were selected and are expected to play together in Vancouver, and all indications are they're fine with that.
"I think this is our third season being paired up together, and I think the way Brent plays kind of helps my game," Keith said. "I think right from the get-go it was kind of a pretty good pairing, being able to play with him and read off him. He's a big strong guy, smart and always in good position. I think that really helps my game. ... I always like playing with someone who shows you support and gives you an out and helps you play your game well. From the start it's been like that, and sometimes you have to work at it, but I think it's been pretty good right from the start. We've worked through our bumps and ups and downs and I think that's what's made us a good pair."
"We're (Keith) playing against these top lines night in and night out and I think that definitely helped us out," Seabrook added. "I think it's good, and I think it's going to help us out in the tournament as well."
The Blackhawks are second in the League in fewest goals against with 81 (one behind New Jersey), and though goaltenders Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi are a big reason why, Keith and Seabrook deserve a large measure of the credit. Keith is currently leading all NHL defensemen in average time on ice per game with 26:49, 3:17 of which is spent killing penalties (2:38 comes on the power-play). Seabrook averages 23:44 per game and 3:12 when a man down.
Seabrook sports a plus-13 and Keith is a plus-10.
Chicago is tied with San Jose for the NHL's second-best penalty kill at 86.5 percent efficiency, trailing only Boston (87.5).
On a conference call, Yzerman addressed the rationale behind selecting a pair of defensemen that play together in the NHL for a two-week Olympic tournament. "Well, we spent a lot of time discussing it, and finally when it came down to making our decision yesterday, we brought up that specific [thing]," he said. "First of all, do we like the pair? And yes, we all liked the pair, so that meant, can both of these players stand on their own? Do they deserve to be on the team? And we all felt pretty strongly that they've both played very well and they belonged on this team and they could play a role on this team.
"The familiarity of knowing we have a good pair ... the Chicago Blackhawks I think have the stingiest defense in the League right now; these are the two players that play against the other team's top players every game, game in, game out, and they're not allowing many goals a game. When we really thought about it, it was like, this is kind of an easy decision for us in that we've got a good pair; we know they work together, there's chemistry, they're familiar with one another. Let's just go with them. Let's not get cute, let's not over-think this and we'll work around that. We're very comfortable with that decision, but again, that's something we talked at length about -- is this the right thing to do? And we all felt pretty strongly at the end of the day that it was the right thing to do."
There really isn't a forward line combination Keith and Seabrook haven't seen, but they were asked about the possibility of having to go up against Russia's Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk even though the nations do not meet in the preliminary round. Canada has guaranteed dates against Norway, Switzerland and the United States.
"It's an honor to be named to the team and I don't think we've looked that far into it yet," Keith said in regard to potential matchups. "We play together on the Blackhawks and I guess that gives (Canada's coaches) an option on who they want out there. To play against some of the best players in the world is a tough challenge.
"They're all great players and they have so much talent and they're unpredictable as to what they're going to do. I don't know if it's exciting or more stressful. You have to be at your best and that's the fun part about it is playing against the best players and challenging yourself."
One person who has all the confidence in the world in Keith and Seabrook is Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, also named to Canada's squad. He's one of eight NHL captains who will suit up for Canada in Vancouver.
"All season they've done a great job," Toews said. "I don't know if we're first or second in the League on the penalty kill, but it all starts with those two guys right there and the confidence they give us, especially when we're protecting a one- or two-goal lead. We feel confident that they'll play smart defensive hockey. They've done a great job on both sides of the puck."
As for himself, Toews said he wasn't as certain.
"I wasn't sure," he said. "I don't think the three of us were a 100 percent sure until we heard our names this morning or we got the phone call. You know, we heard a lot of talk and people gossip and gave their own opinion about who they think is going to be on the team, but until you hear your name mentioned ... I was definitely pretty nervous this morning and I definitely think it's a huge accomplishment for the three of us to have the opportunity to play for this team.
"We're definitely pretty excited about it," Toews said. "It was a special moment to share with my parents this morning. Again, it's kind of funny. My mom is the one that got the phone call, because she had my phone in the kitchen, and she came running into my bedroom jumping up and down and I knew what was going on. It was kind of funny."
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Jokinen says Finns will be underdogs, again
CALGARY -- Olli Jokinen is an old pro at this by now.
So when reporters started asking him about Finland's chances in men's hockey at the 2010 Olympics, the Calgary Flames center immediately assumed the underdog stance.
"Our goal is to go out there and surprise everyone again," said Jokinen, 31, one of two Flames, along with goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, named Wednesday to the Finnish roster for the Vancouver Winter Games.
"Usually, we're ranked eighth, 10th place, but we always come home with the medal."
Finland's recent Olympic track record is impressive -- four medals in the past six Games, including silver in 1988 at Calgary, bronze in 1994 at Lillehammer, bronze again in 1998 at Nagano, and most recently, an agonizing second-place finish at Torino in 2006.
After going a perfect 5-0 in the preliminary round, the Finns edged the Americans, 4-3, in a quarterfinal and blanked the powerful Russians, 4-0, in the semis, but came up just short in the gold-medal game, losing 3-2 to the Swedes.
Vancouver will be the third Olympics for Jokinen, an 11-year NHL veteran from Kuopio who tallied 6 goals and 8 points in Finland's eight games during the 2006 tournament, including an assist in the final.
Kiprusoff, 33, will be making his first Olympic appearance, after being named Wednesday as part of his country's three-man goalie group alongside Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild and Antero Niittymaki of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Kiprusoff, the former Vezina Trophy winner who'd begged off the 2006 Games with an ongoing hip injury, did not talk about his Olympic selection Wednesday morning, but had previously said in late November that he wasn't interested in Vancouver unless he was Finland's starting goaltender.
Heading into Wednesday's games, Kiprusoff was seventh among NHL netminders in goals-against average (2.22) and third across the league in save percentage (.927).
"I think he's the best goalie in the league right now, and he's giving us a chance to win every night over here," said Jokinen, who has 27 points, including just 7 goals, after the Flames' first 38 games this season. "Going into Olympics, once you get in the quarterfinals, it's one game at a time where anything can happen, and our country feels very confident and comfortable having him in net."
Jokinen says the 2010 Games will be bittersweet in a way, because he and a group of his counterparts -- the likes of Teemu Selanne, the Koivu and Ruutu brothers, Jere Lehtinen, Kimmo Timonen and Sami Salo, to name a few -- will likely make Vancouver their last hurrah.
"For a lot of our players, these Olympics are going to be our last time together, you know?" said Jokinen, who added that he and his fellow Olympians knew they were heading to Vancouver "a few weeks ago."
"We pretty much have had the same team since the 2002 Olympics," added Jokinen. "We had a good run in the 2004 World Cup (making the final against Canada), a good run in 2006 Olympics, and this is probably going to be our last journey together. We want to win, like every other country."
With experience, skill, and goal-scoring ability, Jokinen warns -- again -- not to underestimate the Finns.
"Everybody knows each other (on the roster). Finland plays every tournament a certain way, and our goaltending is probably one of the best in the tournament," said Jokinen, the former King, Islander, Panther and Coyote.
"In our mind, we have a solid four lines. We have good leaders in that group, and like I said earlier, if you play a best-of-seven series, you probably wouldn't give our country much of a chance to win, you know, but in a one-game situation, anything can happen.
"And with the goaltending we have, we believe we can beat any team."
So when reporters started asking him about Finland's chances in men's hockey at the 2010 Olympics, the Calgary Flames center immediately assumed the underdog stance.
"Our goal is to go out there and surprise everyone again," said Jokinen, 31, one of two Flames, along with goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, named Wednesday to the Finnish roster for the Vancouver Winter Games.
"Usually, we're ranked eighth, 10th place, but we always come home with the medal."
Finland's recent Olympic track record is impressive -- four medals in the past six Games, including silver in 1988 at Calgary, bronze in 1994 at Lillehammer, bronze again in 1998 at Nagano, and most recently, an agonizing second-place finish at Torino in 2006.
After going a perfect 5-0 in the preliminary round, the Finns edged the Americans, 4-3, in a quarterfinal and blanked the powerful Russians, 4-0, in the semis, but came up just short in the gold-medal game, losing 3-2 to the Swedes.
Vancouver will be the third Olympics for Jokinen, an 11-year NHL veteran from Kuopio who tallied 6 goals and 8 points in Finland's eight games during the 2006 tournament, including an assist in the final.
Kiprusoff, 33, will be making his first Olympic appearance, after being named Wednesday as part of his country's three-man goalie group alongside Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild and Antero Niittymaki of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Kiprusoff, the former Vezina Trophy winner who'd begged off the 2006 Games with an ongoing hip injury, did not talk about his Olympic selection Wednesday morning, but had previously said in late November that he wasn't interested in Vancouver unless he was Finland's starting goaltender.
Heading into Wednesday's games, Kiprusoff was seventh among NHL netminders in goals-against average (2.22) and third across the league in save percentage (.927).
"I think he's the best goalie in the league right now, and he's giving us a chance to win every night over here," said Jokinen, who has 27 points, including just 7 goals, after the Flames' first 38 games this season. "Going into Olympics, once you get in the quarterfinals, it's one game at a time where anything can happen, and our country feels very confident and comfortable having him in net."
Jokinen says the 2010 Games will be bittersweet in a way, because he and a group of his counterparts -- the likes of Teemu Selanne, the Koivu and Ruutu brothers, Jere Lehtinen, Kimmo Timonen and Sami Salo, to name a few -- will likely make Vancouver their last hurrah.
"For a lot of our players, these Olympics are going to be our last time together, you know?" said Jokinen, who added that he and his fellow Olympians knew they were heading to Vancouver "a few weeks ago."
"We pretty much have had the same team since the 2002 Olympics," added Jokinen. "We had a good run in the 2004 World Cup (making the final against Canada), a good run in 2006 Olympics, and this is probably going to be our last journey together. We want to win, like every other country."
With experience, skill, and goal-scoring ability, Jokinen warns -- again -- not to underestimate the Finns.
"Everybody knows each other (on the roster). Finland plays every tournament a certain way, and our goaltending is probably one of the best in the tournament," said Jokinen, the former King, Islander, Panther and Coyote.
"In our mind, we have a solid four lines. We have good leaders in that group, and like I said earlier, if you play a best-of-seven series, you probably wouldn't give our country much of a chance to win, you know, but in a one-game situation, anything can happen.
"And with the goaltending we have, we believe we can beat any team."
Smyth disappointed, gracious over Canadian decision
CALGARY -- The man who wears his heart on his sleeve won't be wearing the Maple Leaf on his chest come February.
Los Angeles Kings left winger Ryan Smyth, known as "Captain Canada" for his extensive international resume, was left off the 23-man Canadian roster for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Wednesday.
Smyth had gone on a scoring tear to begin the 2009-10 NHL season, with 9 goals among 23 points in his first 22 games with Los Angeles -- sparking hope that he would play in his third Olympics despite his age (33) and Hockey Canada's clear intentions to get younger in 2010.
But a rib injury incurred Nov. 16 at Florida kept Smyth out of action for nearly six weeks -- he returned to action Dec. 26 at Phoenix -- and all but KO'ed his hopes.
Smyth must have been crushed by the news, but was extremely gracious talking to reporters Wednesday morning in Calgary.
"Getting off to the start I had, it might have given me a chance, but there's so many great players," he said. "It was even an honor to be one of 46 here in Calgary here at the Olympic orientation camp (in August).
"Being a part of it in '02 and '06, I've had a tremendous experience in the past, and I've enjoyed every moment of it."
In addition to his two Olympic experiences, including 2002 gold in Utah, Smyth heeded Canada's call at six straight World Championships from 2000 through '05, winning two global titles and sporting the "C" in five of those tournaments.
Smyth has played more career international games for Canada (78) than any other player from the Great White North.
"Am I disappointed? Yes, I'm disappointed. I would love to play for my country," Smyth told reporters. "It brings chills to my spine as I say it. I have a great deal of pride in putting on the Canadian jersey, and I hope to for many more years."
Said Kings coach Terry Murray on Wednesday morning: "I'm sure he's very disappointed. He was looking forward to playing one more time with the Canadian Olympic team, especially in Vancouver where he spends his summers now. He was the first player here with the television on and listening very closely to the announcement. It's been a tough morning for him.
"And there's no question that the injury he went through must have had some kind of an impact on the decision. There're a lot of players in the game, and whenever you're not visible for that length of time, you can fall out of sight very quickly."
The former Oiler, Islander and Av knows there's a possibility that the Canadian roster may change over the next six weeks due to injury. But the veteran of 1,025 NHL regular-season and playoff games wasn't about to wish that on anyone -- and seemed to be at peace with his fate.
"I believe they picked the 23 guys for a reason, and I know there's a lot of hockey between now and then, but you've just got to go out and play and carry forth," Smyth said. "If an accident happens, it happens, but you can't think about that.
"These guys are going to represent our country with pride, and I'll be their No. 1 fan."
Los Angeles Kings left winger Ryan Smyth, known as "Captain Canada" for his extensive international resume, was left off the 23-man Canadian roster for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Wednesday.
Smyth had gone on a scoring tear to begin the 2009-10 NHL season, with 9 goals among 23 points in his first 22 games with Los Angeles -- sparking hope that he would play in his third Olympics despite his age (33) and Hockey Canada's clear intentions to get younger in 2010.
But a rib injury incurred Nov. 16 at Florida kept Smyth out of action for nearly six weeks -- he returned to action Dec. 26 at Phoenix -- and all but KO'ed his hopes.
Smyth must have been crushed by the news, but was extremely gracious talking to reporters Wednesday morning in Calgary.
"Getting off to the start I had, it might have given me a chance, but there's so many great players," he said. "It was even an honor to be one of 46 here in Calgary here at the Olympic orientation camp (in August).
"Being a part of it in '02 and '06, I've had a tremendous experience in the past, and I've enjoyed every moment of it."
In addition to his two Olympic experiences, including 2002 gold in Utah, Smyth heeded Canada's call at six straight World Championships from 2000 through '05, winning two global titles and sporting the "C" in five of those tournaments.
Smyth has played more career international games for Canada (78) than any other player from the Great White North.
"Am I disappointed? Yes, I'm disappointed. I would love to play for my country," Smyth told reporters. "It brings chills to my spine as I say it. I have a great deal of pride in putting on the Canadian jersey, and I hope to for many more years."
Said Kings coach Terry Murray on Wednesday morning: "I'm sure he's very disappointed. He was looking forward to playing one more time with the Canadian Olympic team, especially in Vancouver where he spends his summers now. He was the first player here with the television on and listening very closely to the announcement. It's been a tough morning for him.
"And there's no question that the injury he went through must have had some kind of an impact on the decision. There're a lot of players in the game, and whenever you're not visible for that length of time, you can fall out of sight very quickly."
The former Oiler, Islander and Av knows there's a possibility that the Canadian roster may change over the next six weeks due to injury. But the veteran of 1,025 NHL regular-season and playoff games wasn't about to wish that on anyone -- and seemed to be at peace with his fate.
"I believe they picked the 23 guys for a reason, and I know there's a lot of hockey between now and then, but you've just got to go out and play and carry forth," Smyth said. "If an accident happens, it happens, but you can't think about that.
"These guys are going to represent our country with pride, and I'll be their No. 1 fan."
Tonight, Doughty can sleep like a King
CALGARY -- He's the baby of the bunch. But Tuesday night, Drew Doughty sure didn't sleep like one.
The Los Angeles Kings' sophomore defenseman was the surprise pick on the blue line Wednesday morning as Hockey Canada named its 23-man roster for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
And Doughty, 20, admits he was tossing and turning in his Calgary hotel room ahead of the big announcement.
"I'm going to be honest -- I couldn't sleep last night," Doughty told reporters Wednesday morning at Calgary's Pengrowth Saddledome. "It was a pretty tough nap for me last night. I was up; I was sleeping; I was back and forth. I was pretty nervous. I really didn't know what my chances were, although I knew I had an outside shot.
"When I got the call, I was still half-asleep. It was pretty early for me. I was waking up, and I actually had a voice mail (from 2010 Canadian Men's Team Associate Director Doug Armstrong) at first," Doughty said. "I was still sleeping and I didn't hear my phone ring. But when I woke up, I was definitely pretty happy. I woke up (Dustin Brown), my roommate, and told him, and then I started calling everyone in the family.
"Making it is definitely a big surprise, but I'm just so excited."
If he stays healthy prior to Feb. 16, when Canada plays its first game against Norway, Doughty will become the youngest player to suit up for Canada in a top-caliber international event since 18-year-old Eric Lindros skated in the 1991 Canada Cup.
A former No. 2 overall draft pick of the Kings, Doughty tallied 27 points in 81 games as an 18-year-old rookie during the 2008-09 season. This season, he's got 9 goals, 26 points, and a plus-7 rating through the Kings' first 39 games.
"I've got to experience playing with him over the course of this year, and he's nothing but raw talent," said Kings forward Ryan Smyth. "Obviously, he plays well in his own zone. Everybody thinks he's really offensively skilled, which he is, but he's determined to play well in his own zone.
"And when he sees the chance to jump up in the play, he will. He'll make a huge impact on that team."
Doughty said his club's sudden rise to respectability has, indirectly, resulted in his early maturity.
"It's definitely important for all of us," he said. "The Kings had been struggling for quite a few years now, and getting those wins and being at the top of the conference for a little bit was definitely a confidence booster for all of us.
"It helped all of us grow, and become more confident players out there."
Reports suggest that Team Canada officials met late into the night Tuesday over the No. 7 spot on the defense corps, eventually choosing Doughty over Jay Bouwmeester.
"I'm sure everyone at that orientation camp would love to be on that team. They'd do anything in the world to be named to this Olympic team, and some of them are great players, guys I actually thought would have been on the team," Doughty said. "I guess I feel for them a bit -- but I'd definitely rather be in my position."
Six months ago, Doughty was determined to keep the voice-mail message he received from Steve Yzerman, executive director of Hockey Canada's 2010 Olympic program, inviting him to the Calgary camp. But he broke his cell phone and lost the message only a couple of days later.
What about this one?
"I still have it. I haven't deleted it yet," he said with a chuckle. "It was definitely a surprise getting that call in the morning. I guess words can't really explain it."
The Los Angeles Kings' sophomore defenseman was the surprise pick on the blue line Wednesday morning as Hockey Canada named its 23-man roster for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
And Doughty, 20, admits he was tossing and turning in his Calgary hotel room ahead of the big announcement.
"I'm going to be honest -- I couldn't sleep last night," Doughty told reporters Wednesday morning at Calgary's Pengrowth Saddledome. "It was a pretty tough nap for me last night. I was up; I was sleeping; I was back and forth. I was pretty nervous. I really didn't know what my chances were, although I knew I had an outside shot.
"When I got the call, I was still half-asleep. It was pretty early for me. I was waking up, and I actually had a voice mail (from 2010 Canadian Men's Team Associate Director Doug Armstrong) at first," Doughty said. "I was still sleeping and I didn't hear my phone ring. But when I woke up, I was definitely pretty happy. I woke up (Dustin Brown), my roommate, and told him, and then I started calling everyone in the family.
"Making it is definitely a big surprise, but I'm just so excited."
If he stays healthy prior to Feb. 16, when Canada plays its first game against Norway, Doughty will become the youngest player to suit up for Canada in a top-caliber international event since 18-year-old Eric Lindros skated in the 1991 Canada Cup.
A former No. 2 overall draft pick of the Kings, Doughty tallied 27 points in 81 games as an 18-year-old rookie during the 2008-09 season. This season, he's got 9 goals, 26 points, and a plus-7 rating through the Kings' first 39 games.
"I've got to experience playing with him over the course of this year, and he's nothing but raw talent," said Kings forward Ryan Smyth. "Obviously, he plays well in his own zone. Everybody thinks he's really offensively skilled, which he is, but he's determined to play well in his own zone.
"And when he sees the chance to jump up in the play, he will. He'll make a huge impact on that team."
Doughty said his club's sudden rise to respectability has, indirectly, resulted in his early maturity.
"It's definitely important for all of us," he said. "The Kings had been struggling for quite a few years now, and getting those wins and being at the top of the conference for a little bit was definitely a confidence booster for all of us.
"It helped all of us grow, and become more confident players out there."
Reports suggest that Team Canada officials met late into the night Tuesday over the No. 7 spot on the defense corps, eventually choosing Doughty over Jay Bouwmeester.
"I'm sure everyone at that orientation camp would love to be on that team. They'd do anything in the world to be named to this Olympic team, and some of them are great players, guys I actually thought would have been on the team," Doughty said. "I guess I feel for them a bit -- but I'd definitely rather be in my position."
Six months ago, Doughty was determined to keep the voice-mail message he received from Steve Yzerman, executive director of Hockey Canada's 2010 Olympic program, inviting him to the Calgary camp. But he broke his cell phone and lost the message only a couple of days later.
What about this one?
"I still have it. I haven't deleted it yet," he said with a chuckle. "It was definitely a surprise getting that call in the morning. I guess words can't really explain it."
NHL Winter Classic getting bigger and better
BOSTON -- Even before he ever sat in a board room with his bosses to discuss the future of outdoor hockey in the NHL, and well before the snow started falling in Buffalo two years ago at the inaugural Winter Classic, ice guru Dan Craig knew what was coming.
"The first one that we did was in Edmonton (Heritage Classic in 2003) and we knew then that it was a matter of time before we were going to do another one," Craig, the League's facilities operations manager, told NHL.com. "Once we did it, you saw the excitement of the people in the stands. I have told my crew to be prepared because this thing is going to take off to places unknown to us. It's only going to get bigger."
The NHL Winter Classic is already huge, but Craig is right when he says it's still only the beginning, still in the infancy stages.
If the NHL has its way, the Winter Classic will become to this league what the Super Bowl already is to the NFL with the only obvious difference being one is a regular-season game and the other is for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
"What I envision this to be is what it would have been like being involved in the first two or three Super Bowls that were ever played," Craig said. "I don't spend a lot of time in the New York office, but I can feel it and I know it. Nobody has to put me in a board room and tell me this is what we're doing. The writing is on the wall."
According to Don Renzulli, the League's senior vice president for events, there are similarities between the early stages of the Winter Classic and the Super Bowl. Renzulli worked in the NFL for 12 years and had his hands on 10 Super Bowls.
"From hearing stories, the first Super Bowl was really developed in about six months, which is very similar to our game," Renzulli told NHL.com. "The ability is there. We will make it as big as we possibly can with ancillary events around it so when people come in for these things it's more than just a game."
That's already happening.
Sponsorship activation has tripled. The League is hosting a New Year's Eve party at the House of Blues for the second-straight year, but now there are also other parties being held by various sponsors throughout the city.
"It's starting to blossom, and that's how the Super Bowl was built," Renzulli said. "It's not all league driven. It's all the people that want to partner with the league to make it a much bigger event.
"When you look at the Super Bowl, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, Maxim -- all those parties are not associated with the NFL at all, yet those are huge parties and they are big draws," he continued. "That's how leagues build these events. People want to partner with you and they start to break off and do their own things.
"We have come a long way in three years."
The League has adapted to the growth by purchasing its own portable ice making equipment. Craig is also working with the same ice crew that he hand-picked for last year's game at Wrigley Field.
"Three years ago we talked about a strategy to really build on a League scale," NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins told NHL.com. "We said we were going to do it through digital media ... and then the other part of the strategy was big events. We knew fans would tune in because they are fans of hockey as opposed to fans of a particular team and we knew it would attract corporate advertisers. We needed to get a lot more money in hockey and people activating in hockey and that's what the Winter Classic has allowed us to do."
They all credit the snow globe effect that was created by the blizzard in Buffalo during the inaugural Winter Classic as the reason why the NHL has been able to establish a footprint on the New Year's Day sports map.
"College football opened the timeframe (1 p.m. ET on New Year's Day) on TV, but when people were flipping through the channels that day they saw hockey in the snow and people were like, 'What is this?' " Renzulli said. "That's how we started to draw on these new fans. Going into Year Two, there was the question, 'Could it snow?' And, it was a historical venue. Then, in Year Three, another one. Now it's where we go in Year Four, Five and Six that will determine how big this can get."
One of the reasons it got bigger this year is because the League opened the rink up to the community and to the local colleges for the first time. Renzulli and Collins both agree that has been fantastic from commercial and P.R. standpoints.
"You get more people involved," Renzulli said. "If we were going into a football stadium, with Week 17 of the NFL schedule, we would not be able to do that. A baseball stadium gives you that. So, it really all depends on where we go."
Renzulli would not rule out the possibility of the NHL returning to a football venue for the Winter Classic.
"We're not going try to jam it in and go in on a short time frame not knowing if we can get it right, but I think we want to go back to a football stadium at some point," Renzulli said. "The whole idea of this is to get 70,000 in a stadium to watch a hockey game. We came close last year to being in a football stadium and I think we'll come close again next year and the year after. Everybody wants it, which is a good thing. It's nice to be wanted."
The NHL's staff has also developed a clockwork mentality with the Winter Classic. There are hundreds of meetings in the New York office and conference calls around the continent to make sure everything runs smoothly on the ground at the venue.
"Some of the learning has been what a beast it has been in terms of electrifying a market," Collins said. "Buffalo was great, but we rolled in and rolled out and were happy to get the game in and get out in advance of a potential Buffalo Bills home playoff game. In Chicago, we spent a little more time in the market. They were going through their renaissance and they give the Winter Classic credit for pouring gasoline on that fire that they started. Here in Boston, we have seen a phenomenal hockey market across all New England really get lit up at the prospect of this game. It has added a lot to making hockey more relevant and that's what this is really all about.
"We'll see what comes next."
"The first one that we did was in Edmonton (Heritage Classic in 2003) and we knew then that it was a matter of time before we were going to do another one," Craig, the League's facilities operations manager, told NHL.com. "Once we did it, you saw the excitement of the people in the stands. I have told my crew to be prepared because this thing is going to take off to places unknown to us. It's only going to get bigger."
The NHL Winter Classic is already huge, but Craig is right when he says it's still only the beginning, still in the infancy stages.
If the NHL has its way, the Winter Classic will become to this league what the Super Bowl already is to the NFL with the only obvious difference being one is a regular-season game and the other is for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
"What I envision this to be is what it would have been like being involved in the first two or three Super Bowls that were ever played," Craig said. "I don't spend a lot of time in the New York office, but I can feel it and I know it. Nobody has to put me in a board room and tell me this is what we're doing. The writing is on the wall."
According to Don Renzulli, the League's senior vice president for events, there are similarities between the early stages of the Winter Classic and the Super Bowl. Renzulli worked in the NFL for 12 years and had his hands on 10 Super Bowls.
"From hearing stories, the first Super Bowl was really developed in about six months, which is very similar to our game," Renzulli told NHL.com. "The ability is there. We will make it as big as we possibly can with ancillary events around it so when people come in for these things it's more than just a game."
That's already happening.
Sponsorship activation has tripled. The League is hosting a New Year's Eve party at the House of Blues for the second-straight year, but now there are also other parties being held by various sponsors throughout the city.
"It's starting to blossom, and that's how the Super Bowl was built," Renzulli said. "It's not all league driven. It's all the people that want to partner with the league to make it a much bigger event.
"When you look at the Super Bowl, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, Maxim -- all those parties are not associated with the NFL at all, yet those are huge parties and they are big draws," he continued. "That's how leagues build these events. People want to partner with you and they start to break off and do their own things.
"We have come a long way in three years."
The League has adapted to the growth by purchasing its own portable ice making equipment. Craig is also working with the same ice crew that he hand-picked for last year's game at Wrigley Field.
"Three years ago we talked about a strategy to really build on a League scale," NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins told NHL.com. "We said we were going to do it through digital media ... and then the other part of the strategy was big events. We knew fans would tune in because they are fans of hockey as opposed to fans of a particular team and we knew it would attract corporate advertisers. We needed to get a lot more money in hockey and people activating in hockey and that's what the Winter Classic has allowed us to do."
They all credit the snow globe effect that was created by the blizzard in Buffalo during the inaugural Winter Classic as the reason why the NHL has been able to establish a footprint on the New Year's Day sports map.
"College football opened the timeframe (1 p.m. ET on New Year's Day) on TV, but when people were flipping through the channels that day they saw hockey in the snow and people were like, 'What is this?' " Renzulli said. "That's how we started to draw on these new fans. Going into Year Two, there was the question, 'Could it snow?' And, it was a historical venue. Then, in Year Three, another one. Now it's where we go in Year Four, Five and Six that will determine how big this can get."
One of the reasons it got bigger this year is because the League opened the rink up to the community and to the local colleges for the first time. Renzulli and Collins both agree that has been fantastic from commercial and P.R. standpoints.
"You get more people involved," Renzulli said. "If we were going into a football stadium, with Week 17 of the NFL schedule, we would not be able to do that. A baseball stadium gives you that. So, it really all depends on where we go."
Renzulli would not rule out the possibility of the NHL returning to a football venue for the Winter Classic.
"We're not going try to jam it in and go in on a short time frame not knowing if we can get it right, but I think we want to go back to a football stadium at some point," Renzulli said. "The whole idea of this is to get 70,000 in a stadium to watch a hockey game. We came close last year to being in a football stadium and I think we'll come close again next year and the year after. Everybody wants it, which is a good thing. It's nice to be wanted."
The NHL's staff has also developed a clockwork mentality with the Winter Classic. There are hundreds of meetings in the New York office and conference calls around the continent to make sure everything runs smoothly on the ground at the venue.
"Some of the learning has been what a beast it has been in terms of electrifying a market," Collins said. "Buffalo was great, but we rolled in and rolled out and were happy to get the game in and get out in advance of a potential Buffalo Bills home playoff game. In Chicago, we spent a little more time in the market. They were going through their renaissance and they give the Winter Classic credit for pouring gasoline on that fire that they started. Here in Boston, we have seen a phenomenal hockey market across all New England really get lit up at the prospect of this game. It has added a lot to making hockey more relevant and that's what this is really all about.
"We'll see what comes next."
For Devils, Pens a measuring-stick matchup
BOSTON -- Leave it to the Penguins' Maxime Talbot to find the real reason his team lost its first three meetings to the New Jersey Devils this season.
He didn't play in the first two.
"That's probably why," the Pittsburgh forward told NHL.com.
Well, it might go a bit further than that -- like maybe the two goals in three games -- but the fourth game of the season series Wednesday shapes up as a measuring stick for two teams sitting atop the Atlantic Division and with the first and third-most points in the Eastern Conference.
For the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins, it's a chance to see how they rate against the top team in the conference. For the Devils, it's another opportunity to measure themselves against the club that has what 29 other teams are looking for.
The Devils won a pair of 4-1 games, and beat the Pens 4-0 on Dec. 21, the game that saw Martin Brodeur break the all-time NHL shutout record.
"This is a big game for us," Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar told NHL.com. "We didn't win games against them, so obviously it's a big game for us. Not just because of the standings, but because of the way we played against them.
"Going into every game we focus on winning the game. Today is one of those games you really want to win."
It's a similar feeling from the home dressing room.
"I think when you play throughout a season you always look at certain matchups," Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said. "When you're able to beat a team that's close to you (in the standings), that's a little advantage you get."
Despite having won three times in Pittsburgh, the Devils are taking nothing for granted.
"Other than the fact that we did some good things, we did some things that made us successful, we know it's a fine line," Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner told NHL.com. "A break here or break there and those games switch very quickly, especially against this team."
Brodeur has stopped 92 of 94 Penguins shots this season, but he knows he'll have to play just as well to make it four in a row against Pittsburgh this season.
"When we play a good team, especially when you have success against a good team, you know they'll respond eventually," Brodeur said. "We've beaten them three times, so for them to come in, they're going to try to get a little vengeance and try to get to us somehow. It'll definitely be an important matchup for us. We've played them well on the road and now we'll try to show them we can do it at home, also."
Penguins forward Mike Rupp said he's not looking at how his team shapes up against the Devils, rather that this game provides an opportunity for his team to get its game back on track after two-straight losses.
"We need to get a win because we've lost two in a row," he told NHL.com. "We're not letting that play into our heads of not having beaten these guys yet. Our main objective every night is getting two points. This is an important two points to catch those guys. I think we're looking at it more in that aspect rather than not having beaten them yet."
But Penguins coach Dan Bylsma sees this contest as something his team needs to in its quest to repeat as Cup champions.
"Every game we play, it helps us determine where we're at as a team," he said. "We played a good team in Buffalo (Tuesday) and we have to evaluate how we played and what that means, where we're at and what we need to get better at. Tonight we're playing a team that we've had trouble generating offensive chances against and they've played very well against us. They're sitting above us in our division. We will certainly take some cues from this game -- where we're at and how we need to play and what we need to get better at going forward."
He didn't play in the first two.
"That's probably why," the Pittsburgh forward told NHL.com.
Well, it might go a bit further than that -- like maybe the two goals in three games -- but the fourth game of the season series Wednesday shapes up as a measuring stick for two teams sitting atop the Atlantic Division and with the first and third-most points in the Eastern Conference.
For the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins, it's a chance to see how they rate against the top team in the conference. For the Devils, it's another opportunity to measure themselves against the club that has what 29 other teams are looking for.
The Devils won a pair of 4-1 games, and beat the Pens 4-0 on Dec. 21, the game that saw Martin Brodeur break the all-time NHL shutout record.
"This is a big game for us," Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar told NHL.com. "We didn't win games against them, so obviously it's a big game for us. Not just because of the standings, but because of the way we played against them.
"Going into every game we focus on winning the game. Today is one of those games you really want to win."
It's a similar feeling from the home dressing room.
"I think when you play throughout a season you always look at certain matchups," Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said. "When you're able to beat a team that's close to you (in the standings), that's a little advantage you get."
Despite having won three times in Pittsburgh, the Devils are taking nothing for granted.
"Other than the fact that we did some good things, we did some things that made us successful, we know it's a fine line," Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner told NHL.com. "A break here or break there and those games switch very quickly, especially against this team."
Brodeur has stopped 92 of 94 Penguins shots this season, but he knows he'll have to play just as well to make it four in a row against Pittsburgh this season.
"When we play a good team, especially when you have success against a good team, you know they'll respond eventually," Brodeur said. "We've beaten them three times, so for them to come in, they're going to try to get a little vengeance and try to get to us somehow. It'll definitely be an important matchup for us. We've played them well on the road and now we'll try to show them we can do it at home, also."
Penguins forward Mike Rupp said he's not looking at how his team shapes up against the Devils, rather that this game provides an opportunity for his team to get its game back on track after two-straight losses.
"We need to get a win because we've lost two in a row," he told NHL.com. "We're not letting that play into our heads of not having beaten these guys yet. Our main objective every night is getting two points. This is an important two points to catch those guys. I think we're looking at it more in that aspect rather than not having beaten them yet."
But Penguins coach Dan Bylsma sees this contest as something his team needs to in its quest to repeat as Cup champions.
"Every game we play, it helps us determine where we're at as a team," he said. "We played a good team in Buffalo (Tuesday) and we have to evaluate how we played and what that means, where we're at and what we need to get better at. Tonight we're playing a team that we've had trouble generating offensive chances against and they've played very well against us. They're sitting above us in our division. We will certainly take some cues from this game -- where we're at and how we need to play and what we need to get better at going forward."
Flyers know every game counts
The Philadelphia Flyers can do the math. They look at the standings and know every point counts, whether it is at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night or at Fenway Park Friday in the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
Coach Peter Laviolette was told his team needed to play .700 hockey to reach the minimum-points threshold of playoff qualifiers in recent past years. Laviolette said he won't look at it that way, rather focusing on one game at a time.
Danny Briere was asked if .700 hockey the rest of the way is out of the question, now that he, Simon Gagne, Blair Betts and Darroll Powe are healthy and goalie Ray Emery returns healed from abdominal surgery in late January.
One game at a time, Briere said, though not arguing with the premise.
"That's a dangerous game, if you start looking at it that way, that you have to win 4-out-of-5 the rest of the way," Briere said. "Take it one game at a time. It's small steps. Don't make things look bigger than they really are. The goal for us, always, is win the next game, win tonight. After we do that, start concentrating on the next game.
"I know this sounds like cliches, but there's a reason we speak in what sound like cliches, there's gotta be some truth to it. I think it's really difficult to think you have to play .700. It's a lot smarter to say, 'let's win tonight.' "
In that regard, Briere said the answers won't be changing much after the Winter Classic. It will still be one game at a time, even though he views the Winter Classic as a big event that he's looking forward to.
"The Winter Classic is going to be special in the sense that you have to enjoy it," Briere said. "It's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You have to take it all in and enjoy it as much as possible. At the same time, it's still a big game for us. With the position we've put ourselves in, we have to win this game.
"I haven't really thought about what happens after the Winter Classic game because I haven't even really thought about the Winter Classic. We've been in such turmoil in the past month that I haven't really looked to far forward."
Riding the rails -- The Flyers are riding the rails this week. They took a train from Philadelphia to New York City Tuesday afternoon and they hired a private train to take them from Penn Station in New York to Boston Wednesday night, right after the game with the Rangers.
The days of a pro-sports team tearing up the town the night before a game are apparently over. The Flyers are a pretty staid bunch, it seems.
"Me and Danny Carcillo and a couple of other guys went to dinner at Nobu," Arron Asham said. "Then, we went back to my room and popped in a movie. Wild night, huh?"
Left wing Scott Hartnell wasn't buying it.
"'Ash' and Carcillo on the town in New York, a quiet night? No way," Hartnell said. "What about those two missing hours?"
"They were no missing hours," Asham pleaded.
Laviolette said he had time for dinner and then went to sleep.
General Manager Paul Holmgren wouldn't disclose the cost of the private train but said it was cost-effective in comparison to flying.
"By the time we get to the airport, go through security, fly to Boston, gather everything and everyone together, go through security again and drive into the city, it takes no longer to go by train. Plus, we get to relax and there's more room to roam around on a train," Holmgren said. "Taking the train isn't new to us. We take the train all the time to New York and Washington. This trip is just a little longer. It's certainly worth it, in my opinion."
Equipment Manager Harry Bricker was asked how he was going to get all the used equipment together and onto the train with such a short window between the game's end (expected to be around 9:30 p.m.) and the 10 p.m. departure.
"We're not taking the train. We're going up by truck," Bricker said. "The Rangers were kind enough to loan us their truck so that we can get up there at the usual time and be ready for Thursday's practice at Fenway Park."
Holmgren was asked how the Flyers got the Rangers to make such a generous offer and he laughed.
"Those equipment managers have their own fraternity," Holmgren said. "They're always looking to help each other. They're pretty good about that. We certainly appreciate it."
Coach Peter Laviolette was told his team needed to play .700 hockey to reach the minimum-points threshold of playoff qualifiers in recent past years. Laviolette said he won't look at it that way, rather focusing on one game at a time.
Danny Briere was asked if .700 hockey the rest of the way is out of the question, now that he, Simon Gagne, Blair Betts and Darroll Powe are healthy and goalie Ray Emery returns healed from abdominal surgery in late January.
One game at a time, Briere said, though not arguing with the premise.
"That's a dangerous game, if you start looking at it that way, that you have to win 4-out-of-5 the rest of the way," Briere said. "Take it one game at a time. It's small steps. Don't make things look bigger than they really are. The goal for us, always, is win the next game, win tonight. After we do that, start concentrating on the next game.
"I know this sounds like cliches, but there's a reason we speak in what sound like cliches, there's gotta be some truth to it. I think it's really difficult to think you have to play .700. It's a lot smarter to say, 'let's win tonight.' "
In that regard, Briere said the answers won't be changing much after the Winter Classic. It will still be one game at a time, even though he views the Winter Classic as a big event that he's looking forward to.
"The Winter Classic is going to be special in the sense that you have to enjoy it," Briere said. "It's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You have to take it all in and enjoy it as much as possible. At the same time, it's still a big game for us. With the position we've put ourselves in, we have to win this game.
"I haven't really thought about what happens after the Winter Classic game because I haven't even really thought about the Winter Classic. We've been in such turmoil in the past month that I haven't really looked to far forward."
Riding the rails -- The Flyers are riding the rails this week. They took a train from Philadelphia to New York City Tuesday afternoon and they hired a private train to take them from Penn Station in New York to Boston Wednesday night, right after the game with the Rangers.
The days of a pro-sports team tearing up the town the night before a game are apparently over. The Flyers are a pretty staid bunch, it seems.
"Me and Danny Carcillo and a couple of other guys went to dinner at Nobu," Arron Asham said. "Then, we went back to my room and popped in a movie. Wild night, huh?"
Left wing Scott Hartnell wasn't buying it.
"'Ash' and Carcillo on the town in New York, a quiet night? No way," Hartnell said. "What about those two missing hours?"
"They were no missing hours," Asham pleaded.
Laviolette said he had time for dinner and then went to sleep.
General Manager Paul Holmgren wouldn't disclose the cost of the private train but said it was cost-effective in comparison to flying.
"By the time we get to the airport, go through security, fly to Boston, gather everything and everyone together, go through security again and drive into the city, it takes no longer to go by train. Plus, we get to relax and there's more room to roam around on a train," Holmgren said. "Taking the train isn't new to us. We take the train all the time to New York and Washington. This trip is just a little longer. It's certainly worth it, in my opinion."
Equipment Manager Harry Bricker was asked how he was going to get all the used equipment together and onto the train with such a short window between the game's end (expected to be around 9:30 p.m.) and the 10 p.m. departure.
"We're not taking the train. We're going up by truck," Bricker said. "The Rangers were kind enough to loan us their truck so that we can get up there at the usual time and be ready for Thursday's practice at Fenway Park."
Holmgren was asked how the Flyers got the Rangers to make such a generous offer and he laughed.
"Those equipment managers have their own fraternity," Holmgren said. "They're always looking to help each other. They're pretty good about that. We certainly appreciate it."
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