Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Western Conference Hottie: Dustin Penner (Edmonton Oilers)

I know in the past I've taken liberties, most notably, some Duck-bashing (I'm pretty free with Red Wing bashing too, on occasion.) Well no real offense is meant. And since Penner is a former Duck(ling), I'm promising right now to keep the Duck-bashing to a minimum.

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: A career that got off to a rocky start, then got on a good roll culminating in a Stanley Cup, even. Started playing in High School, he suffered a broken leg, his first College season. However it must have been a good omen, because in his return season, he scored 20 goals / 13 assists in 23 games, while earning the Most Determined Player Award for his improvement and stellar play after recovering from injury. He then went to an evaluation camp where he played well, with an average of three points per game. There he was spotted by the assistant coach for the University of Maine. Where he played on scholarship, through the 03/04 season, scoring the game winning goal in the semifinals, before going on to fall short of the NCAA title by a 1-0 score against the University of Denver.

His NHL career started off with his being undrafted, but signed by the Ducks to play for their AHL affiliate. He then bounced back and forth from the minors to the big-time, for a couple seasons before sticking in the NHL, in the 06-07 season. Where he played on "the kid line" with Getzlaf and Perry. He was 2nd in goals on the team during that season and playing on that line (which BTW, wasn't the top line). He won the Stanley Cup with the Ducks, in 07 and became and unrestricted FA that summer. He then signed with the Oilers, where he remains. Despite some argument as to whether he's worth his contract. I'm not familiar enough with the situation, to offer and opinion myself.

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: If 'cute boy next door" is your thing, he's got it well covered. Because as far as down home looks, he's it. He's that guy you see walking on the street, and think. I'd like to snap that one up for myself. At 6'4", 245 he's definitely well "covered" in that area as well. Some things he likes are wedding crashers, and massages (don't ask me if it's giving massages or getting them. Although, I kinda think either way around, that would be a really pleasant way to spend a lonely offseason evening. In fact, a little wine in front of a fireplace, in a rustic cabin on a lake. Plaid shirts, smell of summer evening air. He reaches out, touches his fingers lightly to your chin, so your looking int those pretty blue eyes, a few locks of sandy, light brown hair stray across his forehead... Ok... enough of that. I'm going to have myself, sidetracked and be unable to finish this post.

He's also big into working out, and enjoys his time in the training room. (um you know that sidetracking I promised not to do, well, it's getting perilously close to happening right about now.) His first car was a 1993 Pontiac Sunbird. Got his first stitches at 21 from being high sticked, and his favorite non-hockey sports team is the Anaheim Angels. If he wasn't a hockey player, he says he'd like to be a pro golfer (um, yea, ok). According to his team mates, he has problems with being late to a lot of functions. He thinks Keifer Sutherland should be the one to play him in a movie. (Anyone see a resemblance, yes or no?) Likes to eat Italian food before games. (and is known to cook it himself, even. Yes, a guy that can cook, curls every girls toes.) And of course, as a perfect ending.

We've got his "This or That" feature from the Oils website. Gotta love Canadian Hockey coverage.

Talbot's New Playmate



Max Talbot was enjoying himself at Kris Letang's Cup party last Wednesday with Playboy Playmate Anne Krystel Goyer as Letang hides behind Lord Stanley (perhaps he's ashamed to be seen with Talbot in that superstar sweater, but it doesn't look like Goyer minds all that much!)!!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Crosby Pictures of the Week

Of course the pictures featured this week are from Sid's big birthday bash with Lord Stanley!!! And I couldn't pick just one (but can you tell which one is my favorite?!!)!!!

Monday, August 10, 2009

This Week's Cup Events

MONDAY, AUGUST 10th
Chris Kunitz brings home the Stanley Cup to Regina for his hometown to share from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Regina's City Hall.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11th
Fans in Grand Haven, MI will have an opportunity to meet Lord Stanley and Dan Bylsma at the Grand Haven Municipal Marina from 12:00 noon - 2:00 PM (between the marina office and the Chinook Pier shops).



THURSDAY, AUGUST 13th
Hal Gill will be hosting "Coffee with the Cup" in the Nashoba Regional HS gymnasium at 8:30 AM. Fans will be able to meet Gill and have their picture taken professionally with him and the Cup (you are also able to bring personal cameras to take your own pictures as well, but you will be able to purchase the professional photo after the event). Admission is $10 and will benefit the school's Community Competition Complex project.

RECAP: Sid's B-day with the Cup

NHL.com followed Sid around Friday and Saturday and had a really great "real-time" account of the events. They also have a bunch a really awesome videos of highlights over the last two days and I've posted links to all of them.

I also had a few readers that took part of in the festivities this past weekend who were kind enough to share their pictures and stories!! I'll be posting them soon (it was a busy weekend and I wasn't able to work on them), so check back!! I want to thank all of you who emailed me -- I appreciate it -- I really do!!

Friday, August 7, 2009

MORE Pics of Sid's Arrival with the Cup

These pictures are courtesy of The Globe and Mail






Crosby Kicks Off Celebration with a Helicoptor Ride!!

This is turning out to be some Cup / birthday bash and it's only just beginning!!!

In the picture to the right, Sid is getting off a Sea King helicoptor to hundreds of fans waiting for his arrival at the wharf in Halifax harbor! How cool is that?!!!!
“This is something that I felt was important,” he said. “There’s a lot of troops that aren’t here right now who are overseas ... but for the ones who are here I thought they would really get a kick out of it.”

“That’s what we get a kick out of us players is the sharing with everyone,” said Crosby, who is also making a private visit to a children’s hospital in Halifax.
I'll post more as I find it throughout the day today, so check back often!!!!!

I found that NHL.com is along for the ride with Sid and are posting a "real-time" blog at NHL.com -- CLICK HERE to see it. And it seems as though Talbot is also along for this Crosby bash (holding on to the Prince of Wales trophy)!! I'm wondering how many other Penguin players will be in attendance for this.