Here we go...I'm going to take a stab at 5 reasons I love the Canucks.  When I try and bang out those reasons from the far reaching dust bunnies inside my head, I always come back to the original reason...

1. Cam Neely.  Bear with me.  You see, in the early 1980's I was introduced to hockey by a high school friend.  First, we played street hockey outside his house, then he invited me to attend a Portland Winterhawks v New Westminster Bruins game in 1979...and I was hooked.  Fast forward to 1983 and the powerhouse Winterhawks team that blew through the regular season, slept through the playoffs and dominated the first 4 team format Memorial Cup tournament as 'host' team in Portland, Oregon (the first to be held outside of Canada).  That team was led by a lanky18 yr old; Cam Neely.  After the 1983 season, Neely was drafted by the Canucks in the first round.  My connection with the NHL was virtually non-existent at the time, with a passing fancy in the St. Louis Blues, who sported former Winterhawks Perry Turnbull, Wayne Babych and Tony Currie at the time.  Aching for a team to follow, I made it the Canucks when they made Neely a part of the team.  But the rest, as they say, is history.
   

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I have spent the past month in a constant state of movement.  Our temporary apartment blew a washing machine gasket and flooded us out 3 weeks ago, leaving us somewhat homeless and on the move.  Two hotels and another temp apartment later, we received our storage of goods from 6 years ago...and 4 days later, our container arrived from China.  Our life has been all about unpacking and organizing...moving this candle from this table to that table to that cabinet to the giveaway box...repeat.

The other week, I came that much closer to reality with the installation of my internet service and satellite TV with its blazing fast speed and crystal clear HD picture...both my computers and televisions were in a state of shock having grown up in the restricted and illegal interwebs and television we had in China. 

Fast forward to today and the next big event...purchasing season tickets to the local WHL team, Portland Winterhawks.  It feels SOOOO good knowing that in just about 1 month, I will be in an arena of like-minded folk watching the fastest team sport on the planet. 

Slowly, I am getting back to normal and you'll see my ugly rantings around these parts once again...especially after picking up my Hockey News Yearbook today and finding they have picked the Canucks to win the Cup...oh boy.

Well, there will be one less Canuck fan in China to kick around.  That's right, the GZ Expat is going to be an OR Repat this summer, as I am moving back home to Oregon after 6 years (11 of the last 14 years) in Guangzhou. 

We are incredibly excited to move back...it means LIVE games on TV...it means season tix to the Portland Winterhawks...it means jumping in my car and taking a drive whenever the f* I want to...it means beer - GOOD handcrafted beers of the Pacific Northwest...it means getting cold again...it means talking to people that understand what I am saying...it means shopping in ONE grocery store for your stuff - not 5-10...it means a possible Canuck game, LIVE in an arena somewhere (already figured out its cheaper for me to fly to Phoenix and buy tix than it is to fly to Vancouver and buy tix).

Expat life had a lot of perks...but, regular life, at home also has plenty of perks as well...and I cannot wait to get back.  Maybe someday, I'll run into some of yas around the hockey world.

We're Moving Home...

The NHL has struggled for years to make itself relevant in the US market.  Whether it be moving or creating franchises in the sun belt, or signing long term television contracts with those they feel will give them the best exposure, the NHL has had a plan to expand the sport for the past couple decades and the results could decidedly say they are mixed. 

One problem faced with the NHL, or any major brand for that matter, is how to you create 'cool' without overly showing that you are creating 'cool'?  Well, the first thing is...don't try.  Consumers are intelligent folk...and especially those in the 16 - 24 yr demographic.  If the NHL tries to be cool, they will be spotted like a smelly turd on the sidewalk and avoided at all costs. 

The best case scenario is your sport or activity or product inspires someone in the fashion, music or other influential industry to create product without your help and creates a buzz around your brand or product that can help generate and drive sales within your own brand.  The NHL has, for years, tried to generate its own branded 'cool' fashion and have ended up just shooting themselves in the foot with it (pink womens jersey's anyone???).  A great example of this is the John Bollwitt Johnny Canuck black and white t-shirt that is plastered all over buses in the city of Vancouver.  That was not an official t-shirt...rather, it was created on its own.  It was so cool...the Canucks came out with their own version of the t-shirt (in their colors...and its sold out too!). 

So, here we have the ulta-cool sneakerhead shop from Los Angeles, Undefeated, creating its own line of hockey inspired shirts for its stores.  If you are an Oilers fan...this t-shirt has got to be a must have.  Available at Haven.

There is a possibility that the ol' expat will be heading to LA around the first of November for some meetings...which could mean a slightly earlier departure to try and catch the Anaheim v Canucks game on 10/30.  I thought I saw something about Canuck fans getting together in Anaheim to make a load of noise and cheer on the mighty orcas as one voice. 

Any chance that might happen?  I'd love to hook up with some like minded, long distance fans, if I can swing the trip the work in my favor.

If you are a hockey fan, generally you are attracted to the game for two reasons...speed and violence.  Hockey gives you both in heavy doses.  During the off season, its pretty easy to find stuff (at least for an international guy like me) that helps the pallet along...

Hurling:  My favorite off season sport.  The pre-cursor to hockey many a year ago.  Hurling is the the speed and violent sport of Ireland.  The All Ireland finals are coming up next weekend...check your local listings.

CFL Football:  Canadian football is much more about speed than the NFL.  The past few seasons, its been fun to watch again (except the Lions suck this year).  Watch a game...TSN posts all of the games on their website after they are completed.

AFL Footie:  The Australian league has always been a favorite of mine.  Once you get past the gay uniforms, the game is surprisingly simple...and violent.  Check your local listings...

Enjoy your summer.

This from The Hockey News...

And (the CBA) has opened up a whole new world of opportunity for players who would have otherwise been left on the scrap heap and forgotten – players such as Alex Burrows of the Vancouver Canucks.

But let’s give the young man credit. Burrows is in the NHL today and playing a pivotal role largely through sheer dint of determination and an ability to persevere in the face of seemingly unbeatable obstacles.

Read the whole thing

CHL Announces Award Winners for 2008-09 Season

Rimouski, QC – The Canadian Hockey League today announced ten national award winners including Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Battalion as The Hockey Company CHL Player of the Year at the annual CHL Awards Ceremony.  The event was held at the Salle Desjardins-Telus Auditorium in Rimouski, QC as part of the festivities at the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup.  All CHL award winners were selected by NHL Central Scouting.

The Hockey Company Player of the Year – Cody Hodgson, Brampton Battalion
Hodgson scored a career-high 43 goals and 49 assists for 92 points in 53 games with a plus-minus rating of plus-41 and 33 penalty minutes.  The Battalion captain led the OHL with 11 game-winning goals and had a league-high point scoring streak of 23 games from November 21 to February 11.  Hodgson recorded 26 multi-point games with four hat-tricks and one five-point game November 6 in an 8-4 win over the Plymouth Whalers.  He won gold with Canada at the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa and led the tournament with 16 points in six games.  Hodgson, a 19-year-old from Markham, ON, is a Vancouver Canucks prospect drafted 10th overall at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  Also nominated was forward Brett Sonne of the Calgary Hitmen, and goaltender Nicola Riopel of the Moncton Wildcats.

NHL Tries To Woo Fans By Increasing Scoring With Bigger Nets, 3-Point Line

Sorry I have disappeared for a while...but, duties call.  We had the grim reaper pull through the office with pink slips in hand...and he slid silently by my office.  I'm stuck here for another season of hockey.  Heh.

I spotted this one on The Onion a week ago...brilliant how they want to change the game to bring it more in line with the average American sports fan...

This is a very curious move.  If Basille succeeds, he could end up being Bettman's Mark Cuban. 

A few hours after Moyes announced Tuesday that the team had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection -- a move that could allow the cash-strapped franchise to be sold and moved to Ontario -- the NHL said it would represent the team in bankruptcy court.

"We have just become aware of today's bankruptcy court filing purportedly made on behalf of the Phoenix Coyotes," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the petition, including the propriety of its filing.

"We have removed Jerry Moyes from all positions of authority to act for or on behalf of the club. The league will appear and proceed before the bankruptcy court in the best interests of all of the club's constituencies, including its fans in Arizona and the league's 29 other member clubs."

Earlier, BlackBerry boss Jim Balsillie announced a plan to buy the Coyotes and move them to Ontario.

The co-CEO of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion said that his $212.5 million offer is conditional on the Coyotes relocating to Canada, where they existed as the Winnipeg Jets before moving to Phoenix for the 1996-97 season.

"The decision by the ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes to initiate bankruptcy proceedings without consultation or approval of the National Hockey League is an unfortunate turn of events for the NHL, the State of Arizona and the Coyotes' loyal fans," the city of Glendale said in a statement. "Even as the propriety of this unprecedented action is being thoroughly investigated by the NHL, city officials are working diligently to ensure that the public's interest is fully protected throughout this process.

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"The current team ownership asked that I table an offer to purchase the Coyotes and significant discussions resulted in an offer that is in the best interests of the franchise, the NHL, and the great hockey fans of Canada and Southern Ontario," Balsillie said in a statement.

"I am excited to move closer to bringing an NHL franchise to what I believe is one of the best unserved hockey markets in the world -- Southern Ontario. A market with devoted hockey fans, a rich hockey history, a growing and diversified economy and a population of more than seven million people," he said.

He's not even hiding the fact he wants to move the team to Ontario on this one...such a slap in the face to Bettman.  Very curious why they insist on having money losing teams remain in money losing markets...when Bettman was so hot and heavy to move franchises in the 90's.

Remember that horribly contrived marketing scheme the Canucks unveiled back in October, whereas they chose a fan to raise the number 7 banner into the rafters each game?  A direct rip-off of the Seahawks 12th man salute, it just never caught the fancy of the Vancouver faithful and was mercifully placed on the back burner.  The banner still flies (Whaddya think of that Brendan Morrison?), but the pomp and circumstance are lost on an intelligent fan base.

But, as I watched the first round of these playoffs unfold, I couldn't help but think about the 7th man.  Not in the schmaltzy marketing schemed ways of the corporates in the Canucks offices...rather, in a higher form.

How else to explain the countless clangs off the post by Backes, McDonnell, Tkachuk during the series.  What about Alex Edler's skate, on the blue line, just as the puck arrives, to deflect it out of danger?  What of Luongo, getting twisted around like a stadium pretzel, in an attempt to keep the puck out of the net...only to come up lame, but, yet able to continue through the game?  What about the raised games of Ryan Johnson, Mason Raymond, Kyle Wellwood?

Finally...what about that series clinching goal, with 19 seconds remaining in overtime by Alex Burrows and the resulting tribute he paid to his friend?

Thanks for being there Luc...