All Star Fallout

Posted on January 28, 2008

Atlanta was the sight of the NHL’s allstar game last weekend, as you probably are aware. Was it a success? Ask the NHL and they’ll say without a doubt it was. It did have it’s moments, but the league has a long way to go if it wants to make a lasting impression with the fans they are drastically trying to recruit. First thing they should do is get rid the the helmets for the entire weekend. The game is a no contact affair, so why not showcase the players even more. Changes have to be made to the skills competition. The Breakaway Challenge has potential, but the players have to know it’s up to them to put on a Show. Hockey players are generally great people, with terrific personalities. You would never have known that Saturday night. As far as the fastets skater is concerned, why not skate from goal line to blue line and back? that would not only show how fast the skater is, but how quick he is as well.

   The allstar weekend was a showcase of the young players in the NHL. There really wasn’t much of a differecne between the future stars and the veterans who played Sunday evening. It was a solid effort by the league, but there must be some way for the players to showcase themselves better than they have been. What the league needs is a marketing genious that has the ability to capture the imagination of the Americans. As Canadians, we already know how great the game can be.

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The Passing of Two Great Broadcasters

Posted on January 20, 2008

   Growing up in the golden era of television, I had the opportunity to watch two pioneers in the Canadian industry, and learn from them. Don Chevrier had the voice of God and never lost it until he passed away in December. Dom Wittman, was, well, Don. He was a mainstay at the CBC for decades and could perform any task he was requested to fulfill. Both men left their mark on an industry that is better because of them. I did have the privilege of working with both men during my career. I was Chevrier’s co-commentator at the Sean O’sullivan professional boxing debut in Toronto. He was a true professional, and one would never guess he was a big time TV star, he was so easy to get along with and work with. I had the pleasure of being in Sydney for the 2000 summer Olympics with Don Wittman. It was amazing to watch him interact with the rest of the CBC crew. It was obvious they respected him, not only as a broadcaster but as a man as well. He was the best track and field commentator I had ever heard.

   It’s sad to see an era come to an end. Both were giants in the industry. Both highly respected and loved. Both will be missed. 

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RIDICULOUS

Posted on January 14, 2008

I wasn’t going to comment on the plight of the Toronto Maple Leafs and their beleagured Leaf nationalists, because to be honest I think it’s all pretty boring. An entire generation in this city, province, country for that matter,  has no idea what a Stanley Cup victory feels like in their city.

Why should the Leafs be expected to do anything else but lose? I have no doubt that the entire brain trust in charge of the franchise fortunes, would give their first born for a Stanley Cup title. But they don’t know how to do it!!There’s a talent to running a “business”. There’s also another kind of talent it takes to run a “sports Franchise”. they don’t have the tools. And until they hand over the reigns, 100%, to a man who knows hockey, lives hockey, breathes hockey, they will continue to lose.

   And to make matters worse, their search for John Fergusons replacement has gone public. As much as they deny any knowledge, where there’s smoke there’s fire. If John Ferguson has a shred of dignity left, he’ll tell the Leafs where to stick their job.

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January Thoughts

Posted on January 8, 2008

   We’re in the middle of the January thaw in Toronto this week. They are actually suggesting that records will be set in the next day or so, on the  plus side. Global warming is definitely taking its toll, in more ways than one. I watched the Democrat’s debate on Sunday night, and must say that Hilary Clinton made Obama, Richardson and Edwards look like kindergarten students. She was head and shoulders above the rest when it came to answering any and all questions. As much as I like Obama, and feel he may be a good president down the road, it would be a crime if Clinton didn’t get her shot at the oval office.

   Stephanie Rengel was burried this week in Toronto. She’s the 14 year old who was stabbed to death on new years day, because she allegedly wouldn’t date someone. Maybe it’s the gender gap, but I can’t comprehend how someone could kill a person because they would go out with them. Has our society sunk so deep that even our children are killing each other?

   On a totally unrelated topic, maybe Roger Clemens did not take steroids or human growth hormone during his career. He certainly was adamant in his denials on 60 Minutes and with the media this week. But, so was Marion Jones until she was finally caught. I do agree with him in one sense, he is guilty until proven innocent. But under the circumstances, and in light of other admissions and the Mitchell inquiry, maybe that’s the way it should be.