I'm being totally serious about this even though it just may be a tad bit overboard, but come on, how many of us weren't watching intently with the question swirling as to whether or not he would touch it since he didn't last year and they fell just short of hoisting the Cup?!!
When I saw him just reach for it and latch his mits firmly on that Prince of Wales trophy, I swear it was one of the sexiest things I've seen him do and I lost my breath for a minute -- that is until I screamed, "what a man!" No, I did - REALLY (and my husband ignored it as he always does when it comes to my hormonal rants about Sid!)!
If you didn't catch it (or want to watch it AGAIN, like me!), I made sure to post it to illustrate this week's reason!!!
ENJOY!!!
Ok, I'm ducking. I know the Red Wings may or may not be in the SCF when this gets posted. I don't know. I'm saying my prayers to the Hockey Gods, on behalf of the Blackhawks (THANK YOU playoff beards, it's again a pleasure to look at Brian Campbell). But all team favor aside, today we're serving up Mr. Derek Meech for your drooling pleasure. Honestly he may or may not have been a request. I've been laying down on the job here recently (Hah, don't I wish!) So I honestly can't remember. If I forgot you, please leave a comment or email and I apologize.
junior hockey for the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, he teamed with future NHL star Dion Phaneuf as the team's top defensive pairing. On June 23, 2002, he was drafted 229th overall in the 7th round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut on December 7, 2006 [Pearl Harbor day] at home against STL. He played in 4 NHL games during the 06/07 NHL season. While playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, Meech was named an (AHL) All Star after posting 6 goals, and 23 assists (29 points) in 67 games. In 2008, Meech was named "Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year" by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters' Association for his play in the 07/08 season. Based on the system the Red Wings employ, Meech has sometimes been used as a left winger. His versatility to play both forward and defenseman has led to extra playing time (that is one skill that always impresses me even if the player isn't the best at either; there's something special about being able to do it at the NHL level). Scored his first career NHL goal with the Detroit Red Wings on December 4, 2008 against Curtis Sanford, VAN.
REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: Ok, I have an addition for my list of known weaknesses. (Oh yea, the blonds are still "on top"), so I'm pulling editorial rank and adding "Fruit Loops aka. Fruit Rings" to the list and you can all feel free to laugh. You may ask what prompted this little "baring of the soul." Well, none other than this - we've all been taught that breakfast is the single most important meal of the day and that notion wasn't lost on Derek. Spending the morning at the home of Pat and Lee Meagher, Derek and his family enjoyed a breakfast of Fruit Rings out of the Stanley Cup, washed down with gulps of champagne. "Yuck," laughed Derek. "That's a lethal combination!" [Link Here] It's a really good article about his day with the Stanley Cup. You know those blonds I mentioned before [yes I have a one track mind], he's one of them, with pretty blue eyes, 5'11 and 197lbs. Swoonlicious, interesting tidbits I found are: once met Chad Kroeger, lead singer of the Nickelback [COOL], favorite foods are lasagna and meat balls. Favorite movie is Good Fellas [Not bad]. Favorite TV show is Entourage. All in all, pretty good for a guy who plays for the 
Since I missed this on Monday and Tuesday, I'm just posting it a little late today (and combingin the two); besides -- these are the best pictures to date (the EC Champions and the Prince of Wales trophy!)!!!
.jpg)
Sure, Guerin likes being on the receiving end of Crosby's pin-point passes and he loves the open ice he enjoys as opposition players make futile attempts at double- and triple-team coverage of Crosby.
But it is also just Crosby's love of the game. The zest with which he attacks practice and all the other stuff which players must do when they are not actually playing games was the tipping point for Guerin.
"It's his attitude toward the game," Guerin said. "He's competitive. He's got a lot of drive."
How much drive? Consider that Guerin admitted Wednesday that he is practicing harder than he has in years.
"I have to, just to keep up," he said, breaking into a smile. "I'm not kidding either. That's the God's honest truth. He goes so hard in practice, he pushes me and he pushes Chris (Kunitz, the other wing on Pittsburgh's top line). I think it makes us better."
Neal was a "call up" for the Stars early this last year when it was apparent that we were going to be to riddled with injuries to really put a competitive team on the ice. He was a huge part of the Stars almost run at the playoffs. Thanks to him and his 
IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: Ass kicking rookie, not much more needs be said!!! At the time I started writing this, he was 1st among all Rookies in the league in goals scored (I think he ended up finishing 2nd overall. His final goal total for the season was 24 G 13 A for 37 P). Including 2 goals in the 10-2 ass whippin the Stars laid on the NYR (yes, I know fat lot of good it did them, but it was fun at the time). He was really rolling for team Canada in the worlds here recently before taking a stick to the face and getting stitches in his eyelid. (ouch... um... "kiss and make better, sweetheart?") [aren't you thoughtful, Kena?!]
REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: Adorable!!!!! Despite the "zombie like" photo of him that was taken at the "young stars" game this past Jan, (2009) in Montreal, he's MUCH better looking on TV and there are much better photos available. Kinda shy but also cocky at the same time [sucks in deep breath to avoid estrogen overload] [DOING THE SAME!] Which is a combination no red-blooded hockey-loving female can possibly hope to resist. He always seems so quiet, sweet, and unassuming then he drops the hammer. S.E.X.Y!!! Of the Dark brown hair, and really neat gray eyes. (The eyes are "To die for" according to HftL reader Kristen H. and I can't agree more.) He is quite the stud at 6'3 and 205lbs. James "the Real Deal" Neal as a moniker is just so TOTALLY cute, it even transforms me into a giggling fuzzy little ball of puckbunny. [LOVE that description!]
CHAD LaROSE
Anyway, I got a little side-tracked there (and for good reason!). Really - what would the Pens do without Brooks? He's a very important part of the makeup of this team doing a damn good job of keeping on-ice bullies in line!! Since the Pens crushed the Caps hopes of moving onto the next round, I thought it was fitting to give a reason that dealt with the Caps (and I actually came up with two -- well, Kena came up with one, so I have to give her credit for #21 -- THANKS, Kena!)!!!What's so special about [Crosby]? I don't see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there's nothing else ...
I think that if you take any player, even if he is "dead wood," and start promoting him, you'll get a star. Especially if he scores 100 points. No one is going to care about anyone else. No one is going to care whether he possesses great skill ...
And to take this a step further, here are a few of my husband's and my ideas for what Crosby could have rightfully said to Semin when they shook hands -- keeping the above in mind (but we know he's just too good of a sport which is why some of them are pretty funny):
A large forward at 6' 1" and 213 pounds. He's a pretty aggressive player that actually delivers hits which is uncommon among forwards. His nickname is "Fish.""He's really happy with her. They're a perfect match."
REASON #19
.jpg)
Well, today I'm writing more of a sentimental than "fluff" piece. Here we have a guy who's over come a lot. Especially a really messed up family situation. [Link Here ]. In fact, Bobby Ryan, isn't even his real name. (I'm telling you, read the link, it's so worth it." But all of that aside, what initially caught my eye, is the fact that he's full of determination and has his mind set on nothing stopping him from being the very best hockey player he can be. and well, that's hotter than hell in my book.
IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: 2008/09 Top scoring rookie. After winning national championships with his minor hockey team, the Los Angeles Junior Kings, he initially committed to playing for the U.S. National U-18 Program. Despite telling Ontario Hockey League (OHL) teams he would not play major junior, Ryan was selected by the Owen Sound Attack 7th overall in the 2003 OHL Selection Draft. He was convinced to play for the team and immediately began his major junior career with a 39-point rookie campaign in 03–04. After improving to 89 points the following season, Ryan was drafted second overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the '05 Draft behind Sidney Crosby (PIT). He ended his OHL career in 06–07. When he joined the the Portland Pirates of the AHL for the final 8 games of the season. Then he started the 07–08 season with the Ducks, scoring his first NHL goal in his debut against the Los Angeles Kings. He was, however, sent back to the AHL (Portland) after 4 games. He was recalled on March 7, '08, when Corey [DON'T get me started on, him, he goes in the same pot w/ Hossa] Perry's leg injury sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season. In 08–09, Ryan once again made the reg. roster, but was sent down to the Ducks' new AHL affiliate, the Iowa Chops [thank you salary cap]. He was called up during the season and recorded a natural hat trick [yes, I had to look it up too], on January 8, 2009, against the Los Angeles Kings. He became the first rookie in Ducks history to record a hat trick, and it was the fastest hat trick by any player in the 15-year history of the franchise. On March 22, 2009, he broke the franchise rookie point record, tallying 2 assists for 46th point of the year in a win against the Phoenix Coyotes. This year, he was named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, along with Steve Mason from the Columbus Blue Jackets and Kris Versteeg from the Chicago Blackhawks. [Pretty good for a kid with a past, huh??]
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.bmp){kind=link}