Western Conference Hottie: Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes)

This particular post comes at the suggestion of none other than the leading lady of HftL (Hockey for the Ladies), Stephanie herself. Who says "It just got my hormones in a rage every time he'd skate back to his daughter (during the All Star Elimination Shoot Out [LINK HERE ]) with a smile and she'd be hanging all over him." Well, Stephanie's not the only one!!! To have that reaction, I must admit, it put the thaw on my cold, cynical heart as well. [Oh, come on Kena! You have anything BUT a cold, cynical - maybe a little bit - heart, little missy!] Just watch THIS VIDEO (yes, you have to watch till the end. The first part is rather bland; then YAWZA, I dare you to keep control of your estrogen. I can't.).

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: He's the Captain of the Coyotes. Don't worry, it's one of the most deserved Captaincy's in the league as he had no qualms about signing a contract that will probably keep him in AZ, playing for the Coyotes, until his retirement. [shows commitment which is overwhelmingly sexy in a man!]

He suffers from the same affliction as "our" Petr Sykora once did seeing as Doan now leads the all time list of 2-goal games with no hat tricks (32 as of this writing, 5 so far this year). And Sykora has managed to slay that dragon putting poor Doan in the "position" of being the number 1 "2 goal goat" (whatever caused this idea to form in my head I have no idea, but it sounded good). [I like it!] He just reached 600 total career points and is the Coyotes leading scorer of game-winning goals (TOTAL clutch player = SEXY!!!!!). [SUPER SEXY!!] And lest we forget to mention, Doan has played in 54 games this year, has 50 points, 21 goals, and 29 assists with a +5 which is just your average day at the office, huh? [hysterical laughter]

Doan captained the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship team that went undefeated to win 4-2 against Finland in the final and clinch gold in Moscow.

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: A very sexy, dark brown haired, brown eyed, 6'1" 224lbs. of a sweetheart, darling hockey stud. If you don't believe me watch THIS (although I'm putting out notice, 60 seconds with Shane Doan is DEFINITELY not enough time for me). [Not laughing, it's totally true.] I am also totally enamored with his hard hitting style of hockey. The guys who deliver bone crunching hits just do it for me EVERY TIME. [I really don't think you're alone in your feeling that way, Kena! Is she, ladies?!! ; )]

There are some guys who are hot simply because of character and that description just totally fits Doan. If he were ugly as a dog, he'd still manage to reach the top of the hotness meter just because of the way he conducts himself. The love he shows his family and the way he's earned and keeps the respect of his teammates. Says he'd like to stay in AZ forever. [Read Here] "I’ve got four kids that love it here. My wife loves it here,” he said. “I wanted to stay here. I don’t want to move. I felt that it was important to know that for the next five years this is their home. They don’t know any place else.” (How SWEET!)

Despite a bit of controversy [Read Here] which after a little research I found to be quite the "hyper-sensitive" crock of BS, I have to admit - it adds some spice to the pie.

In summation of this post, I'm going to offer THIS VIDEO Because a picture (especially a "moving" one) really is worth a thousand words.

ANOTHER GREAT POST, KENA -- THANK YOU!! ; )

Crosby Picture of the Week

Just look at him with his tongue sticking out yet again!! What concentration. I'm sure he knows he does it, but I'm not sure he's aware of when he does it. Do you think he cares (and he probably has no idea how adorable he looks doing it!)?

Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Patrick Lalime (Buffalo Sabres)

I'm thinking that I'm starting to acquire a thing for goalies seeing as how this is the second straight goalie I've chosen for the Eastern Conference Eye Candy!!

Anyway - here's an "oldie but goodie," ladies!!

Patrick Lalime is currently the back-up goalie for the Buffalo Sabres, but he's had a long career in the NHL beginning with being drafted in 1993 by the Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th round, 156th overall (that's reason enough for me to have a soft spot for him!)!!

And here's another reason -- he's recorded two NHL fights (2001-2002, 2003-2004) earning a leaving the crease and game misconduct penalties for both and even though, from what I've read, he's not the winner in either, you gotta give the guy props for fighting in the first place -- he's a goalie!!

So I had to see for myself and did some searching on YouTube. It seems to me that it was a pretty even fight for this one (decide for yourself; it's about 1:00 minute in, but by all means - watch the whole video - it's one of hockey's greatest displays of fights since practically all of both teams are involved!!):


But all of this aside, he's a great goalie and a great back-up to Ryan Miller for the Sabres since signing with them this past July. CLICK HERE to see a spectacular save of Lalime's yesterday against Ray Whitney of the Carolina Hurricanes!

Did I mention he's good-looking?!! ; )

Hockey 101 with HftL: More Penalties

Continuing with more minor penalties and their signals covering high-sticking and holding.

HIGH-STICKING (MINOR PENALTY)
When a player strikes his opponent while carrying the stick above shoulder-level. The ref's official signal for this is pictured to the left (holding both fists, clenched, one immediately above the other, at the side of the head).




HOLDING (MINOR PENALTY)
When a player holds an opponent from moving with hands or stick or any other way. The ref's official signal for this is pictured to the right (clasping the wrist of the whistle hand well in front of the chest).

BILL THOMAS
Pittsburgh Penguins

HftL is lucky enough to have two loyal readers with first-hand knowledge of this American Hottie who say he's one of the sweetest (THANKS for the suggestion and pics, Lexie & Elizabeth!)!!

BIRTHPLACE: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (another hometown boy!!)

COLLEGE: University of Nebraska - Omaha (2 years); began his professional career in the NHL straight out of college after his sophomore year.

POSITION: Forward (Right Wing)

SIGNED: as a free agent by the Phoenix Coyotes on March 27, 2006 then with Pittsburgh (also as a free agent) on July 15, 2008.

First NHL Game: March 28, 2006 (playing for the Coyotes against Nashville)
First NHL Goal: April 8, 2006 (playing for the Coyotes against Dallas; lost 3-2)

HOTTIE [CAREER] HIGHLIGHTS:
named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) All-Rookie Team (2005), was the CCHA Rookie of the Year (2005), CCHA Second All-Star Team (2005), CCHA First All-Star Team (2006); ranked sixth on the University of Nebraska's all-time scoring list with 95 points (46 goals, 49 assists) in 80 games.

Season Highlights (2008-2009)

• recorded his first goal of the season (and in black and vegas gold) on February 11th against the San Jose Sharks
• skated in a season-high 19:23 minutes and won five faceoffs also on February 11 against the SJS
• appeared in ten consecutive games from January 16th - February 11th
• recorded his first assist of the season on February 3rd at Montreal
• recalled by the Penguins on January 26th (his third call-up for the Penguins this season)
• recorded 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) in 33 games at the time of his recall and is in his second stint with the Penguins this season.

Today's BAD BOY plays for the top team in the Eastern Conference, Boston Bruins. Shawn Thornton has 14 fighting majors so far this season which places him in third place among the FM leaders (even with that smile, he still looks like one tough customer!). His high for fighting majors throughout his entire hockey career (AHL, NHL) is 29 during the 2003-2004 season (3 in the AHL and 26 in the NHL).

Not only is Thornton a fighter, he's not a bad hockey player either. Current season highlights include having single goal games in two of the last eight (game-winning score on February 1st in Montreal) and matched his career-high for points (2) in a game with 1 goal and 1 assist on November 13th against Montreal (which also happens to be his first goal of the season). It appears that Montreal is his favorite team to play against!

His best fight this season was on December 18, 2008 against Andre Deveaux of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's honestly one of the better hockey fights I've seen and according to the hockeyfights.com poll, Thornton is the winner with 85.9% of the votes.

The opportunity he so willingly gives to others (while giving a little bit of himself as well)

Last Saturday, Sidney surprised a group of 33 Little Penguins enrolled in his "Learn to Play Hockey" program by showing up and joining them on the ice.

Crosby along with the Penguins organization, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Reebok contributed to the program by providing "head-to-toe" Reebok Crosby SC87 hockey equipment for each child (600 total) ages 4-8. The program was designed to give kids a chance to play hockey who would otherwise be unable to afford to do so.