Meeting Matt Cullen (Minnesota Wild)

THANKS again for sharing another of your 'Wild' experiences with us, Karson!! ; )

Last weekend (September 12th) I went to the Mall of America for a little shopping for my best friends birthday. Right when we walked in I the Best Buy Rotunda was decorated with Minnesota Wild stuff.. so we went to check it out. Turns out Matt Cullen (number 7, a forward) of the Minnesota Wild was there signing autographs! He was so nice, and it was really cool to meet him. Left wing Eric Nystrom was also there signing autographs, but we left before he got there.

Crosby Pictures of the Week

Of course this week's pics come straight from this year's training camp since Maureen and I were there this past Sunday!!  Just when I think I can't love Sid any more ...

ENJOY, ladies!! ; D

THIS is a Beautiful Sight!!!

My New Hockey Crushes

Ryan Schnell and Keven Veilleux.

But it's just destined to end tragically.  I don't think either one of them will make the Pens roster and will most likely go back to playing for WB / S.

Mr. Schnell caught my eye last week when I was looking around for Pens pics and I found one of him dropping the gloves - YUMMY (picture below)!!!  You guys know how much I love scrappers!!  But LOOK AT THIS KID'S FIGHT CARD (here!)!!  Pretty impressive as far as I'm concerned, so naturally my eye was on him during training camp this past Sunday.  SO MANY things make Ryan awesome aside from being a tough guy [*swoon*] ... he's American-born and also a pretty big boy at 6'3 and 225 pounds.  I'll hold off on anymore information on him so that Maureen can work her magic on his post (hint, hint!)!!!

My little Keven isn't so little!!!  He's just MASSIVE at 6'5!!!  How could he NOT catch my eye!!!  The funny thing was that they were paired up together so they were pretty much at the same place at the same time (they made my life SO MUCH easier!)!!

My only hope is for them to be called up sometime during the season; otherwise, sadly, it can only be a training camp fling!! 

There were a few others at training camp who tugged on my heart strings and are worthy of noting -- Carl Sneep, Simon Despres.

I think I'm going to keep Maureen pretty busy in the "Future Sweets" department!! ; P

Crosby Picture of the Week

This week's pic comes from a press release last week.  The press release announced the five-year partnership between Sid and The Forzani Group, Ltd. (which includes Sport Chek, Sports Experts, and Hockey Experts - they are the exclusive retailers of Sidney's Reebok SC87 Signature Collection).

"As Canada's largest hockey retailer, the official sporting goods retailer of Hockey Canada and a proud partner of many Canadian NHL teams, we are beyond thrilled to welcome Sidney Crosby to our team," says Tom Quinn, President and COO of The Forzani Group Ltd. "Through his professionalism on and off the ice as well as his dedication and commitment to the game of hockey, Sidney is truly an athlete that all Canadians can look up to."

This partnership also gets Sid involved with another charity called "The Power of Sports for Kids." This charity is "devoted to bringing sports, activity and play to underprivileged youth across the country."

"My time spent on the ice as a kid was me always dreaming of being able to play in the NHL one day," says Crosby. "I am fortunate enough to be able to have that dream come true and know there are other kids out there who share the same passion. Equipment is such an important part of playing the game for safety and performance. With this in mind, I am happy to be working with The Forzani Group and Reebok to provide the equipment with my name on it to the next generation of Canadian hockey players."

Malkin Gearing Up for the Upcoming Season

Via the official Pittsburgh Penguins twitter (@pghpenguins):

The season is almost here! Malkin taping promos for TSN at the NHL media tour in New York City.

There's a pic that goes along with it which has been floating around and causing quite a buzz all day (at least in the world of Twitter!)!!

It appears as though Geno is sporting a new hair cut to gear up for the new season ... a more aerodynamic style perhaps (notice the slick racing stripe shaved into the side!)!!

Malkin, the 90's called and they want their hair cut back!! ; )  Poor Malkin - I don't mean to make fun ... maybe he'll have a hand in bringing the style back (heck, Kaner brought back the ever-popular mullet during the SCF, so why not?!)!!

THANKS to Hftl follower, Lisa M., for bringing it to my attention!!

Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Mike Comrie (Pittsburgh Penguins)

My hope was to post this last week, but it just didn't turn out that way ... but this week is as good as any (hockey hotties really never have an expiration date or go out of style!).

Mike Comrie is the newest Pittsburgh Penguins forward after signing him a few weeks back to a one-year, $500,000 contract.  It won't take you too long to realize that Comrie also "ups" the hotness factor on this already gorgeous team in addition to possibly being the next best candidate for filling the role of the all-to-infamous "winger for Sid!"

HOCKEY FACTOR:

While attending and playing collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan, Comrie was drafted 3rd in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers (91st overall).  He was one of the first players to take advantage of the loophole established by the "Van Ryn Ruling" by joining the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2000-2001 after playing two seasons for the University of Michigan and signing with the Edmonton Oilers halfway through the season collecting a paycheck well above the league max for draftees in 2001 ($10 million for 3 years; $1.13 million / year, per year, over three years).  Prior to this ruling, NHL teams "retained the rights of drafted collegians until they leave school," but that changed in June 1999 when Michigan Wolverines defenseman Mike Van Ryn took the issue to court and an arbitrator ruled that "a player drafted off a college team could play one season of major junior hockey as an overage player (20 years old) and then become a free agent."

Since his start in the NHL and after the Oilers ultimately traded him in December 2003 to the Philadelphia Flyers, Comrie has been somewhat of a hockey transient playing with a total of four teams before returning to Edmonton in September 2009 after signing a one-year contract for $1.125 million.  His return wasn't much better than his departure as he was placed on long-term injured reserve for a bought with mononucleosis in November 2009 and not returning until February 2010.

HOTNESS FACTOR:

Mike has an older sister, Cathy, and older brother, Paul, who also played with the Edmonton Oilers for a short time prior to Mike being drafted.  His mother passed away in 1990 after a battle with cancer and their father, William (Bill), remarried extending Mike's family by a step-mother and two younger half-brothers, Eric and Ty, who share in the dream of playing in the NHL.

As a player, Mike has speed on top of skill which is where all the talk of his playing on the top line with Sid comes from.  Everyone believes those qualities as a player would make him a good fit and would enable him to keep up with Sid.  He also has alot of grit and doesn't back away from throwing down the gloves when he feels the need ... this is something that's quite attractive and has me looking forward to seeing from his this season.  The Pens could definitely use more grit to help Matt Cooke in that department!

The Comrie name is actually more synonymous with furniture in Edmonton.  It's also where Mike acquired his nickname, "the Brick," which comes from the name of the furniture company his father and uncles, Fred and John founded back in 1971 when his father was 21 years old.

Like his son, Bill himself was also a promising young hockey player, being signed by the Chicago Black Hawks, aged 16. The 1968–69 season, saw Bill playing his last year of junior hockey with his hometown Edmonton Oil Kings. In the fall of 1969, Bill was all set to attend the Black Hawks training camp, but after the untimely death of his father, Herb (Mike's grandfather), Bill immediately made the decision to cut his hockey career short, and took over the running of his father's business, to support his family.

I really don't believe that I have to mention this as I'm sure you're all well aware (but its a big part of Comrie's life) ... he recently married his longtime star girlfriend Hilary Duff this past August which will make things interesting come hockey season!!  It's actually something I'm NOT looking forward to this season (and I'm hoping she keeps her appearances at the CONSOL to a minimum)!

Talbot Supports Local Pittsburgh Artist

If you watched anything or browsed through some of the pics on the Pens delivering tickets to STH this past Friday then I'M PRETTY SURE you caught Max Talbot sporting those loud shoes (how could you miss them?!)!!  They were quite the talk of twitter!!

They're very "Max Talbot" (this is a guy who can pull off bright, large, checker-patterned shirts) and for as many negative responses there were for them there were just as many cool responses.  If you couldn't make out what they were (separately they did appear to be just brightly colored shoes; however) together they made the face of a tree frog and were created by a local Pittsburgh artist ... if you think about it, Talbot made a pretty good PR move for the artist.

If you guys are asking what are these shoes, they'll be available on Brush footwear in about 2 weeks. Local artist from Pitt. Keep u posted!

I did google "Brush footwear," but the site isn't up and running yet ("coming soon").  But I'll keep you posted!!! ; )

PRETTY COOL SHOES!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDAN STAAL!

I would like to take the opportunity to wish the one and only JORDAN STAAL a VERY HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY! I hope you enjoy your day Staalsy! Enjoy it, drink a beer, live it up, but REST THAT FOOT!

On a side note, I hope that my beloved #11 has been resting his injured foot and working out as much as he can. Although I’m sad I wont see his incredibly muscular body and intoxicating eyes at training camp, I’m anxiously awaiting the Pens opener.

I can’t help it… there’s something about that combination of manly cheekbones, an impish grin, those mischievous eyes, and that incredible body that just makes me melt. Stephanie has Sid, I have Jordan Staal.

No matter what you do today Jordan, I hope you enjoy it!

REASON #76
He Can Hit HOMERUNS
(and looks like a "natural" doing it!)

SERIOUSLY, is there anything Sid can't do?!!!! It's actually part of his appeal (for me, anyway)!

Other things that "caught my eye" and made me "lust-crazy" watching this video (What? NO, I didn't watch it over and over again ALL NIGHT LONG!)!! ; D And let's just say if Sid was on the Buc-O's that I'd HAPPILY watch them lose for 18 more years!!!

• the crack of the bat hitting the ball (LOVE that sound!! Do you know how much strength that takes?!!)
• that stance (GOOD LORD he's so manly!)
• the fact that Sid was going to continue hitting until he hit one OUT OF THE PARK
• AND THEN once he hit it outta there, he was DONE!! ; P
• he's a LEFTY
• he fills out that casual shirt and shorts pretty nicely (what I wouldn't give to run my hands down his chest and around to his ... um, OK, let's move on!)
• he's SO DAMN POLITE ... he told the pitcher "thanks" after he hit the home run and decided he was done for the day
• that giggle (am I the only one who's noticed that it's become more "mature" - regardless, it's pretty endearing!)
• LAST MINUTE ADD (because, YES, this is still on my mind!):  SID = STUD!!!

Where My Ladies At?

THESE ARE OUR STORIES

(How I Became a [Female] Hockey Fan)!

I guess my story first began when I was born. My family have been fans of Pittsburgh sports for as long as I can remember. My grandfather met and married a woman who also shared his love of sports. When they had my mom they were already in the process of breeding a Steelers fan and although she grew up to be an Islanders fan when she was in college...they had her cheering for the Penguins at a young age. She now is a full fledged Penguins fan and cheers them on like I do. So when I was born into my family the youngest of three(both older siblings were boys) I was the only girl and growing up in a house with two older brothers sports basically becomes second nature. My oldest brother went to his first Penguins game when in 92 and I was only four years old but he told me all about it. At the time I admit I wasn't a huge fan of hockey but I knew that I loved the Penguins even if I didn't care about hockey then.

Now I am a 20 21 year old college student who is in love with this hockey team and the sport in general. It has taken a lot to finally get people to see that I'm not just doing this because they are doing so well and are champions of last year. I love this team like they are a part of my being. I went to a game on my birthday last year and it was the greatest day of my life and what made it better was spending the experience with my other brother. He lived in Pittsburgh for six years while he was attending the University of Pittsburgh school of Pharmacy and told me he'd be glad to take me my first game. From then on the love I had for the team grew even more. Soon I began to learn everything I could about the team.

When I decided on what college I wanted to go to I chose based on their communications program. I was 15 when I decided that I wanted to be a public relations representative. This past semester that I just finished in my PR class I had to make a portfolio of examples of different writings that you have to know how to do as a PR major. We all had to pick an organization or company to focus on. I chose to do mine on the Pittsburgh Penguins and got a 99% on my final portfolio. During that time I learned so much about the organization that I couldn't possibly fit it all in an email. I learned that they were approved to be an NHL franchise on February 8, 1966 which appropriately I was born on February 8, 1989 so it was almost as if I was destined to be a Penguins fan. Today I actively run my own Penguins blog that I update almost every day when I have the time. I post after games and inform readers of what happened. I do it because I love the sport and the team and it's a hobby of mine that I very much love to do. I love the fact that I can bring information to the public and share my opinions on the blog. I've been called a puck bunny because of the reputation that some women have when it comes to hockey but I can assure you that is the furthest thing from who I am. Yes I have a favorite player on the team but I think most everyone has that one player that they call their favorite.

~Katie

THANKS for sharing your story, Katie!!!  Being a fan means so much to so many people (it's different for some, but we basically see common threads running throughout each of these stories).  Time and time again in these posts we learn just how much hockey / the Penguins play a role in bringing families together and in Katie's case, it began before she was ever born then progressed into fostering a good relationship with her brothers and that's something special

Don't forget, if you wish to submit your story, I kindly ask that you email them directly to me so they don't end up being repetitive for some of the readers. Also, if you don't want me to include your name, please let me know that as well (what I'll normally do is put your first name and last initial if I have it OR just your screen name).

FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE A PICTURE!!

I also want to let you know I LOVE these stories (and so do alot of our readers) - I've always found it interesting no matter who the fan, so I'm enjoying ALL OF THIS IMMENSELY!! KEEP THEM COMING, but I ask that you email them please - THANKS!!!

Also, I ask that you please BE PATIENT as I'm still receiving TONS of stories (they'll be posted in the order I received them, to be fair). If you sent in a story, it will eventually be on the blog - I promise!! ; ) JUST BE SURE TO KEEP THEM COMING (the more the better!)!! AS A NOTE, I'm currently on stories I received back in January 2010!!!


thesteelcitysportsfan@gmail.com

If you haven't, you can READ MY STORY HERE
(how "yours truly" became a [female] hockey fan!)!!

Crosby Picture of the Week

Well, well - looky what we have here ... Sid and Comrie (quite a nice pair there ... and a pretty tasty sight ... could we be seeing more of this camaraderie once Mikey makes it to Pittsburgh?  Perhaps he'll be the winger for Sid?)!!  The duo is somewhat familiar with each other (as further illustrated in this pic) since they played together for Canada in 2006.

HOW can one man [Sid] be so perfectly pleasing to my eyes (and hormones)?!!!

Meeting Up with the Wild

I received the following account from HftL reader, Karson, who was fortunate to meet up with two Minnesota Wild players at an autograph session at the Minnesota Sports building last week.

Hello Hockey for the Ladies readers! So, yesterday [Thursday] when we were walking around the Minnesota State Fair Minnesota Sports building, and I saw a whole bunch of people standing around two men at a table surrounded with Wild signs. Of course, I hopped in line right away, not even sure who it was. As I got a little closer, I started to figure out who it was. Casey Wellman and Nate Prosser, from the Minnesota Wild! (Nate Prosser is number 39, a defenseman in the blue and Casey Wellman is number 17, a forward, the one in the black). They were both super hot, and so of course I was a little bit nervous when it was my turn to get the autographs. I walked up to the table and they were both really cool, and having a good time. They were hitting each others pens, and making fun of each others writing.. I think their messing around made everyone comfortable in line, and it was really funny to see them being so normal and cool. (: When I got up to the table Nate right away said hi to me, and was really cool and nice. He was so easy to talk to, and he told me he liked my 'sweet Blackhawks hoodie' :) . Casey was exactly the same way! Very easy to talk to, and really nice! They both seemed like great guys, and I can't wait to watch them play this season!

(By the way, Casey is 22 and SINGLE and Nate is 24 and married). ; )

THANKS for sharing, Karson!!  That's an awesome picture and those are definitely two players worthy of a future WCH post (making a note now!)!!! ; )  Is it me or does Nate look a little like Seann William Scott (from American Pie, Role Models)?!

HAPPY LABOR DAY! Later Today on HftL ...

[UPDATE]
While I know I said I would work on a post when I got back home, I didn't realize that I would be out so long and now I'm running behind on other "more pressing" things.  I hope you understand.  I feel like it's not worth posting so late when I can save it for next week.  I apologize (and hope you guys are too disappointed) ... I promise there will be one next Monday (and that THERE is a post for tomorrow ... it's already done and scheduled!)!! ; )

Get ready for a special ECEC.  I'm busy earlier today, but should have time to come back home and work on a post, so check back!!!

ENJOY your Labor Day my American friends!!! : D (SORRY to my Canadian friends ... I didn't realize it was Labour Day for you too!)!!

#1 Cochran Labor Day Event: Fast and Fleuryous

I just saw #1 Cochran's new commercial for one of their Labor Day events:
Anyone who purchases a new or pre-owned Hyandai September 2nd - 6th at #1 Cochran will be invited to an EXCLUSIVE VIP "Meet 'N Greet" with Marc-Andre Fleury.

Pretty COOL but I'm not in the market for a new vehicle and if I was, it would never be a Hyandai.

Penguins Heat Level RISES by About 100 Degrees!!

Ladies (and gentlemen) ... the Penguins have announced their signing Mike Comrie to a one-year deal!!!

WEATHER FORECAST ...
with this signing, there is the distinct possibility of a HEAT WAVE to hit Pittsburgh that will coincide with the start of training camp and the upcoming season.  SO BE PREPARED!!!

However, as the heat wave subsides, a BIG CHILL will move through as Comrie brings with him his newly married wife Hilary Duff!!

This signing is so cool ... the Pens now appear to have a BIG ARSENOL of YOUNG GUNS and it makes me that much more excited for the new season ... PLEASE GET HERE, OCTOBER!!! : D

Where My Ladies At?

THESE ARE OUR STORIES

(How I Became a [Female] Hockey Fan)!

As I have read the other stories I have learnt that most of the other ladies are American. I thought I would share my personal experience since I am Canadian. From the moment I was born I have been exposed to hockey. Whether it was the Olympics or watching the World Junior Championships it has always been a family tradition to gather around the television set. When I was younger it was just something you always watched and therefore I was used to it. However my true obsession with the sport came when I was about 7 years old.

Every Christmas since I was about 7, I would recieve a sweater and a game ticket to my hometowns AHL team, The Hamilton Bulldogs. Going to games always excited me and it wasn't until I was about 11 years old did I realize that some players would make it to the NHL. Since I am from Southern Ontario it is quite obvious that I grew up as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. It always made me laugh when my mother and grandfather ,who love Toronto, would have fun arguments with mydad who loves Boston and especially Bobby Orr.

I remember my first NHL game like it was yesterday. I was a 13 year old tomboy so being able to go to my first NHL game made me the happiest girl in the whole world. Seeing Toronto beat the Islanders at the Air Canada Centre engaged me in the love of the game even more then I knew before. The entire atmosphere showed how much everyone truly loved the game and being able to see my first favourite player, Curtis Joseph in real life was a memory I will never forget.

Even though I remember all the AHL and NHL games I have attended their is one game that I will always remember. In 2004, I was watching the World Junior Hockey Tournament on TV like every other year. I remember the first time I laid eyes on #28 (who is now #87) I knew he was going to be someone to watch. Seeing such an amazing player with such charisma both on and off the ice was overwhelming; it also helped that he was very attractive.

After the World Junior Tournment in 2004 everyone everywhere was talking about this boy from Cole Harbour Nova Scotia. After seeing Sidney Crosby win gold for Canada and then become the #1 draft pick made me one of his biggest fans. Since Sidney came in the league I started watching the Pittsburgh Penguins whenever I could and collected as much memorabillia that was accessible.

Now I am happy to talk to my friends about hockey and wear my Sidney Crosby jerseys and shirts whenever possible and with pride. I am also happy to announce that my parents have approved of my love for Pittsburgh even though we always have friendly bets on hockey games. So now in the basement of our house it is not just Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and Bobby Orr things but now Pittsburgh Penguins and of course # 87.

Brianne. S
Hamilton, Ontario
Age 18

I have a soft spot in my heart for our neighbors to the north (I especially LOVE your accent!), so I'm always happy to hear from you and listen to all the great stories about hockey being a way of life and / or tradition ... I LOVE that!!!  And I can also relate to going to your first hockey game and falling more in love with the game ... that's what happened to me too (actually it happens EVERYTIME I go to a game at the Igloo - and now CONSOL).  THANKS for the awesome story, Brianne!!!

Don't forget, if you wish to submit your story, I kindly ask that you email them directly to me so they don't end up being repetitive for some of the readers. Also, if you don't want me to include your name, please let me know that as well (what I'll normally do is put your first name and last initial if I have it OR just your screen name).

FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE A PICTURE!!

I also want to let you know I LOVE these stories (and so do alot of our readers) - I've always found it interesting no matter who the fan, so I'm enjoying ALL OF THIS IMMENSELY!! KEEP THEM COMING, but I ask that you email them please - THANKS!!!

Also, I ask that you please BE PATIENT as I'm still receiving TONS of stories (they'll be posted in the order I received them, to be fair). If you sent in a story, it will eventually be on the blog - I promise!! ; ) JUST BE SURE TO KEEP THEM COMING (the more the better!)!! AS A NOTE, I'm currently on stories I received back in January 2010!!!


thesteelcitysportsfan@gmail.com

If you haven't, you can READ MY STORY HERE
(how "yours truly" became a [female] hockey fan!)!!

Join the HftL Fantasy Hockey League!!

[UPDATE]
WE NOW HAVE FOUR TEAMS AND ARE OFFICIALLY "A GO!"  THANKS to those who have already signed up ... and those of you considering it, I think this will be loads of fun the more emails I receive about it ... JOIN US!! : D

PLEASE NOTE: the time of the draft is "eastern standard time" (EST)

We currently have three teams and ONLY NEED ONE MORE to make the league "a go!"  : )

I've decided to extend the FUN we have on this blog into the realm of fantasy hockey and signed up to create HftL's very own fantasy hockey league at Yahoo! Sports.  I'm pretty excited about it!!

If you're interested, don't wait because we can only have a total of 12 teams which isn't many (if there's interest beyond the 12, I'll consider expanding the league to accommodate the interest, but I really shouldn't count my chickens before they hatch, should I?!).

The fantasy league's season coincides with the regular NHL season and as of now, the LIVE Draft (to pick up players for your team) is scheduled for Sunday, September 26th at 7:30 PM (est); however, if you join the league and have an issue with this date / time then we can try to juggle it so everyone can be present and pick players during the live draft.

THIS WILL BE FUN ... if you've never taken part in a fantasy league, now is the time!!!  Fantasy leagues are alot of fun and combining the blog and it's readers into a fantasy hockey league just seems like a really natural fit ... we in no way take the league "seriously" as some leagues do and this is all for the sole purpose of having MORE FUN!!  I've been part of a couple leagues, but I'm in no way an expert; however, if you have any questions or are a little hesitant and would like a little more of an explanation (or are seriously considering but need a little convincing), PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME and I'll try my best to provide the information you need ... it really is fun (and somewhat addictive), I promise - you'll be happy you joined!!

SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN CREATING A TEAM AND JOINING OUR LEAGUE, PLEASE EMAIL ME at thesteelcitysportsfan@gmail.com (with "FHL" as Subject) AND I'LL SEND YOU AN INVITATION SINCE THIS IS A "PRIVATE" LEAGUE (also note that we need AT LEAST 4 teams to be able to go forward with the league; Maureen and I have already created teams so we definitely have TWO as of right now)!!

Link to Podcast: Rupp on 96.1 KISS FM

If you missed the earlier post, Mike Rupp was on 96.1 KISS FM this morning talking to the guys from the Morning Freak Show.  He talked about his trip to Haiti with Talbot, Guerin leaving AND Big Brother (the more I learn about Rupper, the MORE I like the guy!)!!!

CLICK HERE to listen!!!

Say 'Goodbye' to Sid

I have to change my calendar today : (

LUCKILY SEPTEMBER DOESN'T LOOK ALL THAT BAD (HEL-LO Staalsy!)!!!

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