Crosby and Neal Pictures of the Week (All-Star Edition)

Of course there are STILL more pictures of Nealy than Sid, but that's OK (let's let Nealy have a little of the spotlight before Sid gets back -- I'm DEF OK with that - how about you ladies?!)!!! 

Did anyone else catch how excited Neal seemed to be about being at the ASG and festivities this weekend??  Almost like he was a little kid again ... I'd catch him looking around (like he was trying to take everything in!)!!  Now you can appreciate his appreciating the experience THAT MUCH and it genuinely illustrates that he was more than deserving of that spot -- regardless of whether he replaced someone or not!!  I hope he never loses that quality (my friend, Deb, says he's "unassuming" and I think that's a perfect way to explain it -- a really great quality for a guy -- probably one of the reasons he's so endearing to alot of us!)!!  GOOD FOR YOU, JAMES!!!

THANKS also to my buddy, Deb, for passing some of these along!! ; D

 ENJOY, Ladies!!!

This week we'll start with Sid first because there are only two pics:


YUM!! ;) - January 13, 2012
(last time he skated before yesterday, 01/30/2012)



Yesterday
(first time he's skated since 01/13/2012)










SO CUTE
(did anyone catch him tap the Pens kid with his stick?!!)



My FAV pose
(they were calling these "team portraits")



LOOK at how happy our boys are to be at the 2012 ASG!!
(GREAT pic of the three of them!!)

 

LOOKING GOOD on the ice!!

Eastern Conference Eye Candy: John Tavares (New York Islanders)

I wasn't much of a Tavares fan when he broke into the league a couple of years ago, but I've been watching him this season when the Pens played the Islanders then paid more attention to him this weekend at the ASG. I told a friend it's probably because he lost his "baby fat." - LOL

I'm not sure if it's all me though because (I SWEAR) I saw a girl tweet yesterday that "John Tavares has the hockey flow that makes the girls drop trou"

Um ... I suppose I couldn't have said it any better myself and, I won't LIE, I do like that hockey hair ... but ANYWAY, he's all grown up now and, I believe, deserving of an ECEC post - see what you think!

HOCKEY FACTOR:

John Tavares began skating at the age of three with his dad who also taught him how to play.  The first hockey team he played for was the Oakville Racers.

I remember my dad putting a stick in my hands. The first time we went skating, he put two blades on my feet, on both feet, so I had four blades. And being a beginning skater, you always had to hold onto the boards, but I would never listen to him and always tried to skate in the middle with everybody else, even though I had no balance yet or no proper form of skating -- he always laughed at me. We always used to argue on whether I should be on the boards or the middle of the ice.

Bridget Samuels / Wikipedia

Just things like that, I remember as a young child, playing with my first stick and just shooting the ball around. I think just watching the game really got me to love it and really want to be a hockey player.

Showing skill at an early age, his parents moved him up one age group to play hockey with older kids at the age of seven (and it didn't stop there).  He played in both minor and junior levels of hockey being one of the youngest players in juniors at the age of 13.  Then in 2005, at the age of 14, he petitioned the OHL to allow him to play in the league which ultimately lead the OHL to create the "exceptional player" clause and draft Tavares one year earlier than his eligibility.  This made him the youngest player to be drafted in the OHL (at the age of 14).

Trying to break into the AHL / NHL at an earlier age didn't work as well for him since they wouldn't allow him to participate in the 2008 draft or play in the AHL at age 17.  Tavares was eventually selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft then signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the team in July 2009.

He was named the Islanders assistant captain this season on October 6, 2011 and played in his 200th NHL career game on January 7, 2012 against the Phoenix Coyotes (in Phoenix).

Tavares' international play includes five appearances in IIHF events with Team Canada.  He scored five goals and had five assists at the 2011 World Championships in Slovakia; scored seven goals in seven games at the 2010 World Championships where he also suffered a foot injury; and helped win Gold medals with Team Canada in the 2008 and 2009 World Junior Championships (also named tournament MVP in 2009).

HOTNESS FACTOR:
THE BIGGEST FACTOR BEING THAT HOCKEY HAIR (as far as I'm concerned!)!!  But just so I don't appear so shallow ... there ARE other things:

PHOTOGRAPHER: Finn O'Hara
(from TORONTO LIFE magazine - May 2009)

John has two younger sisters (Laura and Barbara); and credits his parents, Joe and Barbara, with having the most influence on his hockey career.

“My dad taught me how to play and my mom drove me everywhere so I could play.”

Tavares' uncle, also named John Tavares, was a lacrosse star and is currently the all-time scoring leader of the National Lacrosse League (NLL).  Young John played lacrosse growing up and he was once a ball boy for his uncle’s NLL team, the Buffalo Bandits.

Growing up, he lived five minutes away from Sam Gagner (NHLer currently playing with the Edmonton Oilers) in Oakville, Ontario.  He spent alot of time with Gagner skating and working on their hockey skills on the ice rink Gagner's dad (former NHLer Dave Gagner) built in the backyard.

Tavares demonstrates his smarts well on the ice, but he has them off the ice as well.  While playing in the OHL, he made sure to make education his first priority which earned him the Oshawa Generals' 2007-08 Scholastic Player of the Year award.  I'm questioning this (because I'm not a fan of Tom Brady), but Brady is one of three people that he would pick out of anyone he could have dinner with because he believes that the NFL quarterback “... is an all-around stud and I can learn a lot from him.” [I guess I should give him a little credit because at least it's not Roethlisberger!]

FAVORITES:

• NHL Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
• NHL Player: Sidney Crosby (PIT), Mike Modano (DAL) and Patrick O’Sullivan (EDM)
• Shootout move: Deke to backhand
• Video game: Halo or FIFA ‘08
• Movie: Step Brothers, Anchorman, or the Time Machine
• TV show: One Tree Hill, Lost, Entourage
• Actor/Actress: Tom Cruise and Jennifer Aniston
• Cartoon: Scooby Doo, Bugs Bunny and Homer Simpson
• Website: YouTube.com
• Book: The Outsiders and Phil Esposito (his career and life)
• Restaurant: The Keg
• Sport (other than hockey): Lacrosse
• Place to visit: Portugal
• Snack: Grilled Cheese
• Superhero: Batman

Information found in this post obtained from the following sites:
John Tavares NY Islander Player Profile page
John Tavares (ice hockey) Wikipedia
NHL Draft Prospect Card: John Tavares
TORONTO LIFE Article: Everyone Wants a Piece of John Tavares - May 2009

ECEC Coming UP ...

a little bit later today, so STAY TUNED!!!

Can't wait and wanna hint?
According to his Wikipedia page, he broke into the OHL after gaining "exceptional player" status at the age of 14, allowing the Oshawa Generals to select him in the OHL Priority Draft as an underage player in ___ [date omitted to make the hint more difficult]___.

AND ...

He was an All-Star this past weekend!!

Let's Help a Fellow [Female] Hockey Fan (Win Tickets to a Game!)!!

Madeleine and her father, Vince

Madeleine is a follower of the blog.  She's currently in a contest at Shoeless Joe's Sports Grill (Facebook page) for "Hockey Fan of the Month (January 2012)" to win tickets to take her father to a Maple Leafs game.  She writes:

I've been a hockey fan all of my life, and I owe that to my father. I want to thank him by taking him to a game, so I entered a contest on Facebook, where the most "liked" photo wins tickets! I'm currently in 2nd place, but I need 300 or so more votes by Tuesday to win. Can you please help me out by posting this link?

So if you ladies would be kind enough to CLICK HERE for the link to her picture on Facebook and then click on "Like," Madeleine and I would appreciate it.  Voting ends on Tuesday, January 31 (at 7:00).

Let's join together to help Madeleine!!! :)

Letang: Sex-Hair or Not?!!

I've been hearing / reading alot of comments about Kris Letang's hair these days.  Most of which are that Tanger's hair is leaving alot to be desired (not the usual SEX-HAIR he's known for).  I have noticed that it's been looking a tad bit shaggy lately ... maybe a bit too long, or the "no-bangs" isn't a good look, but really - WHAT is going on with his hair??!!!
So I thought to myself, HOW can I make this into a post  because I'm curious to see what my HftL readers think about it and then I came up with a perfect solution ... I'll make it into a poll. 

So let your voices be heard ... what do you think of Tanger's hair now-a-days??

SEX-HAIR??

OR [not so much] SEX-HAIR???

VOTE NOW!!!
(poll is to the left)

Is Jordan Staal Engaged??

First off, THANKS to Peyton S. for emailing me the "tip" weeks back!

And, for those of you who may not know, Heather Dysievick has been Jordan Staal's longtime girlfriend (for IDK how many years, but it's been a while!).

I KNOW, Ladies (but you knew it was going to happen sooner or later - he IS the next one in line); the thing is ... I've been "researching" this for a while now and still can't come up with much more than a screencap of Heather's FB page as confirmation (pictured left; altered for everyone's privacy; NOTE: the "yesterday" does not refer to it actually being yesterday ... this pic has been out for a few weeks and was just the time that it was screencapped).

In my personal opinion, I believe this "rumor" that had the internet a buzz a few weeks ago is very true. I can't give you firm / solid confirmation as to why, but I can just tell you that things I came across in my research make me believe it.  I post this for all of you to come to your own conclusions.

The one (maybe two which I'll get to after this) main point I want to make is that Heather's Facebook page is blocked even if you search for it on Facebook by name, so this would mean someone who is legitimate in her life had access to it and took a screencap and now it's out in the internet world for all to see.  That, to me, makes this screencap credible. 

My other point is this: I never like to post rumors and do alot of work to check the facts before I post it on HftL, but sometimes I can't always do that and I have to make decision which is what I did in this case.  I didn't post this to be evil or negative nor would I ever do that.  Ultimately, this blog is about hockey players and providing information about them that you wouldn't get on a typical blog or news page, so I wanted to provide my followers with what I believe you're interested in. 

Most female fans are not spiteful and just want to be thoughtful when it comes to their favorite hockey teams and players.  I'm here and this blog was created to represent just that and to show everyone that just because we're interested doesn't make us evil or wrong (or less of a fan) ... and basically I just want to wish the couple the best (for ALL fans) and to say ...

CONGRATULATIONS TO JORDAN AND HEATHER!!!
(if you are, in fact, engaged!)

THREE MORE Engagements and A Baby!!

THANKS to all of my awesome followers / readers for passing along all the great news on our guys (if I miss giving you credit, I apologize -- there have been TONS of emails that I've had to go back to in order to get this post ready and I've actually been sitting on this post for WEEKS!!)!!

A BABY

According to the Washington Times (and thanks for the tip from Diane D.!), Washington Capitals Matt Hendricks' wife, Kim, gave birth to twins on Thursday, November 10, 2011; one boy (Gunnar) and one girl (Lennon).  Hendricks explained the names to Washington Times (too cute!):

"My mother's 100 percent Swede, so Gunnar stands for a Scandinavian warrior," Hendricks said after Saturday's game. "With Lennon, we're both fans of the Beatles and John Lennon and we liked it and it wasn't very popular and didn't seem too over the top."

CONGRATULATIONS TO MATT, KIM, and the entire HENDRICKS FAMILY!!!

THREE ENGAGEMENTS

BRIAN McGRATTEN (Nashville Predators)
McGratten and his girlfriend, Michelle (@babycupcake84 - "soon to be Mrs. Big Ern"), got engaged over Christmas (she tweeted that it was "official" and posted a picture with the ring) - thank you for the tip, C.B.:

babycupcake84 - "Well it's official. I'm getting hitched! Best Christmas ever!"

MICHAEL GRABNER (New York Islanders)

Grabs FINALLY proposed to his girlfriend (and baby's mommy), Heather, during dinner on December 30th (he "tied" the esparagus with the ring - SO PRETTY!); THANKS Angela R. for the "tip!"

MAXIM LAPIERRE (Vancouver Canucks)
this one is another "secret," but there is a Canucks tumblr page created by someone who's friend's brother plays for the Canucks with the info and pics ... Lapierre and his girlfriend, Natasha, got engaged and I don't know much more than that (photo courtesy of canuckslovex3 tumblr).

Lapierre's fiancee, Natasha, and Maxim
(courtesy of canuckslovex3 tumblr)

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIAN and MICHELLE; MICHAEL and HEATHER; and MAXIM and NATASHA!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Real Deal ...

Jaaaaaaaamessssssssssssssss Neal!!

THANKS to my good friend, Debbie B., for bringing it to my attention that they've posted Nealy's goal call on PensTV (and we can enjoy it anytime we want!)!!

ENJOY, ladies!!

Western Conference Hottie REWIND: Patrik Berglund (St. Louis Blues)

ORIGINAL POST-DATE:
March 4, 2009

OK ladies, you knew I couldn't stay away from the blond guys forever, so I'm sorry but your just going to have to indulge me. I was watching the horribleness that was the Stars v Blues the other day (well a tragedy for Stars fans, anyway) and he scored the 2nd of STL's 3 goals of the night. Being somewhat unfamiliar with the Blues, I got WAY more than I expected when the camera panned in on him. I could only muster a gape mouth stare.

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: A first round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues, in 2006, they liked him enough to keep him and it looks like it might be paying off. He's 2nd in points on the Blues. And yes, before you say it I know it's the blues. But you know, they started out pretty well this season, and are suffering the loss of their Captain (not unlike a certain team I have a personal soft spot for.) Actually he's the chief producer of points, right after Brad Boyes who has played 7 more games than he has. So who's gonna gripe. Plus he's keeping awfully good company. He's posted a plus-or-even game in 48 of the 56 games he has played in. Has points in 27 of his 56 games and notched 10 multi-point games this season, 9 two-point games and 1-three- point game. (and remember, this is his first year in the NHL!) He's also responsible for notching the Blues' 10,000th franchise goal on Nov. 1, 2008 vs. Pittsburgh. (On second thought should I really mention that fact on a predominately Penguins blog.) [laughs,] (remember, the pens won so you can't lynch me,) [more laughs].

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: Since I already gave it away in the very first sentence of this post, he's my usual "type" of 6'4" 189 lbs. of blond, blue eyed Swede. [yes, Stephanie had to ask me several times what my name was after the sight of him nearly made me faint] [she still doesn't answer to her name]!! Quite honestly, I can't find out much of anything about him other than what he looks like. If you're liked the pictures, you'll probably want to take a VERY close look (and listen if you have the same weakness for Swedish accents that I do) to these 2 videos. (1.) He's the 2nd interview in this VIDEO. (2.) He's also the 2nd interview in this VIDEO. You can fast forward to about 2:28 unless David Perron is your type of thing. He's not really mine, but he doesn't bark, either. Since I can't read Swedish, this area is rather thin on details. However, in my travels on the internet, I did come up with one pretty good quote. "And when I started this year, I was not good at all. But I have to credit our coaches -- all four of them -- for really helping me get better in that area of the game. They got me into the right position on the ice, got me to get my stick down and be facing the way of the puck, toward it. I wanted to work on it, but they really deserve the credit. But I'd be enjoying this a lot more if we were winning more games." Sounds like a promising personality to me.

But for the most part (since this HftL, after all) my goodness, set back and take a look at all the pretty!!! MEOW!!!! [I definitely have to second the Me-OW!!! You guys all know my type is far from blond, but Berglund is a real hottie who just couldn't be ignored -- good choice, Kena!]!!

[VIDEO] TOO CUTE - Kevin Bieksa with Canucks Kids

I found this on Bob's Blitz blog (who obtained it from the Sami Salo tumblr).  Kevin Bieksa is one of my FAV hotties (hottie + kids = panty-melting)!!

This is from the annual Canucks Super Skills competition that was held this past Sunday, January 22, 2012.  The adorable kids are, left to right: Makayla Kesler (daddy=Ryan Kesler), Reese Bieksa (daddy=Kevin Bieksa), Anna Hamhuis (daddy=Dan Hamhuis), Oliver and Peppi Salo (daddy=Sami Salo).


The Daddys (if you're not a Canucks fan / familiar with the players):

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT for James Neal

with a "Team Neal" graphic!!

They chose to include Hartnell over Neal for the All-Stars??  THAT'S RIDICULOUS!!!  Neal has moved on and considers it "old news," but that doesn't mean we can't show our support!!!  For those of you who haven't read, when asked about Hartnell making the All-Stars team, Neal said (from Josh Yohe's twitter, @JoshYohe_Trib):

"That's old news. I'm not worrying about the all star game at all."

THAT'S OUR NEALY (and one of the many reasons he deserves to be included in this year's All-Star team!)!!

Eastern Conference Eye Candy REWIND: Derek Roy (Buffalo Sabres)

THIS WEEK'S ECEC "REWIND" IS BUFFALO'S DEREK ROY
(original post date - March 30, 2009)

This week's EC eye candy is part of the Buffalo Sabres. He's not only a hottie, but also an outstanding hockey player. Many would assume that he's related to current player Andre Roy and / or Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy, but is not. To learn more about him, read on!!

HOCKEY FACTOR:

• born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• plays center, shoots left
• played with the OHL Kitchener Rangers
• named to the 2000 OHL All-Rookie Team as well as the OHL Rookie of the Year
• named to CHL All-Rookie Team in 2000
• received CHL Awards (2000): Plus/Minus and Most Sportsmanlike Player
• part of the Memorial Cup Tournament All-Star Team in 2003
• won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy in 2003 (Memorial Cup Tournament - MVP)
• was Buffalo's second-round draft pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft (AND was 32nd overall)
• spent first 2 years on Buffalo's AHL affiliate team, Rochester Americans (returned in 2004 during NHL lockout)
• made his NHL debut in 2003
• re-signed with the Sabres on July 27, 2007 to a reported $24 million / 6-year contract
• won a silver medal in the World Ice Hockey Championships (in 2000 and 2008)
• current season: led team in scoring, has 9 multi-point games - including three 3-point games, scored points in 27 / 41 games with 6 game-winning goals

HOTNESS FACTOR:
Roy is a blond-haired, blue-eyed Canadian. He's 5'9 and weighs 188 pounds, so he's pretty short for a hockey player. His nickname is "Royzie."

Family and friends motivate Roy and always keeps in mind that:

"There are a lot of kids out there that would love to play in the NHL so I can not take this opportunity for granted."

Although he thinks there's a lot of great players that are / have been a part of the NHL, he respects players like Steve Yzerman, Peter Forsberg and Eric Lindros.

According to SabreSFan.com, Roy has speed, good vision, and is "a budding playmaker with a bit of an attitude. Shifty, creative and determined enough to compensate for his lack of size."

After this was posted to HftL, I received a comment from sabreschic87 who wrote:

Derek Roy is my favorite Sabre. He is the nicest guy too...I have waited out behind the arena after practice for autographs and such and he always stops and signs things for everyone no matter how many people are there. And the pictures of him that are posted on here are nice...but you should see him in
person...it's even better than the pictures :)

THANKS for the "inside info" sabreschic87!!!

It's A Boy!!

Former Penguins player (currently playing for the LA Kings), Rob Scuderi and his wife, Courtney, welcomed child number three (son number two) to the world on December 21st ... his name is Brett!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ROB, COURTNEY, and THE ENTIRE SCUDERI FAMILY!!

In Honor of Neal's BIG CAJONES - I'm Calling "Dr. Love" Again!!

I don't know about you ladies, but I think I need a HOUSE CALL again today!!! ; D 

CONFIDENCE IS SEXY (Neal's confidence is panty-melting!)!!!!  In honor of the "big cajones" he showed today ... here's a song that always makes me think of him (for SOME reason!) ...

[Verse 1]
Just shoot for the stars

If it feels right

Then aim for my heart

If you feel like

And take me away, make it okay

I swear I'll behave

You wanted control

So we waited

I put on a show

Now I'm naked

You say I'm a kid

My ego is big

I don't give a shit

And it goes like this

[Chorus]

Take me by the tongue

And I'll know you

Kiss me till you're drunk

And I'll show you

All the moves like jagger

I've got the moves like jagger

I've got the mooooooves... like jagger

I don't need try to control you

Look into my eyes and I'll own you

With the moves like jagger

I've got the moves like jagger

I've got the mooooooves... like jagger

[Verse 2]

Maybe it's hard

When you feel like you're broken and scarred

Nothing feels right

But when you're with me

I make you believe

That I've got the keys

So get in the car

We can ride it

Wherever you want

Get inside it

And you want to steer

But I'm shifting gears

I'll take it from here

And it goes like this

[Chorus]

Take me by the tongue

And I'll know you

Kiss me till you're drunk

And I'll show you

All the moves like jagger

I've got the moves like jagger

I've got the mooooooves... like jagger

I don't need try to control you

Look into my eyes and I'll own you

With the moves like jagger

I've got the moves like jagger

I've got the mooooooves... like jagger

[Bridge]

You wanna know how to make me smile

Take control, own me just for the night

And if I share my secret

You're gonna have to keep it

Nobody else can see this

So watch and learn

I won't show you twice

Head to toe, ooh baby, roll me right

And if I share my secret

You're gonna have to keep it

Nobody else can see this

And it goes like this

[Chorus]

Take me by the tongue

And I'll know you

Kiss me till you're drunk

And I'll show you

All the moves like jagger

I've got the moves like jagger

I've got the mooooooves... like jagger

I don't need try to control you

Look into my eyes and I'll own you

With the moves like jagger

I've got the moves like jagger

I've got the mooooooves... like jagger

"Moves Like Jagger" - Maroon 5

I Just Fell IN LOVE With James Neal ALL OVER AGAIN!!

SMILING on an injured foot - THAT'S MY MAN!!!
courtesy: PittsburghPenguins.com

Ladies and gentleman ... THIS IS THE VISION OF A MAN ... NO, A GOD!!!  Remember Gary Roberts (and "WWGRD?")??  Well, it would appear that James is taking his place in the NHL!!

James smirks at his foot and it goes from "broken" to bruised ...

WHAT broken foot??!!!!!!!!!!!!

“I want to play and help the team,” he said. “If it can’t get any worse, then there’s no reason why I can’t play. It feels good in my skate and I’ll be ready to go tonight. Hopefully we can get over this little slump we’re in.”

He admitted that it is harder to walk than it is to skate, but no part of his game will be impeded by the injury and that getting to practice this morning helped.

“I’ll be the same way I was every other game,” he said. “It was a couple quick strides this morning to get used to it. I’ll be all right.”

I'm just hoping that it WILL be OK and he's not putting the team before his health!! I'm sorry, but the Cup (and winning) is not worth risking that!!!

Mr. January: Brooks Orpik (Rockin' that Hair!!)

Am I the only one who thinks this picture is amusing??  DON'T GET ME WRONG, I LOVE me some Brooks Orpik (especially his toughness and leadership on the ice), but this just seems to be so unlike the player we've come to "know" (you know, the guy on the ice).

It also seems to me that he's been becoming "soft around the edges" over the past few years (like the woman in his life is good for / to him) which is really a great thing ... every tough man needs that good woman behind him to keep him in touch with that soft side and balance him out (one of the many sexy things about men in general)!

This picture is (I'm assuming) from the day they took video of the guys for their pre-game, gametime, etc., shots and this one doesn't come close to amusing me as much as the video of him does because ... IDK ... I usually lean over to my husband to add the following commentary (like I'm Brooks speaking during the shoot) because it's always what comes to mind and makes me laugh everytime:

"I'm Brooks Orpik and I friggin' rock this hair.  See the curls, I like them - that's right! Don't laugh or I'll kick your ass ... I'm friggin' BROOKS ORPIK!!"

Now, when you attend the next game, please feel free to use that statement or have it come to mind while you watch Brooks during the pre-game video!! ENJOY!

Western Conference Hottie REWIND: Niklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings)

[Delicious UPDATE thanks to loyal HftL follower, Deanna!!]
I really don't think I have to preface this with much, but Deanna posted a link in the "comments" which revealed the most BEAUTIFUL pics of Lidstrom from the Swedish magazine, Café.  CLICK HERE to read the article courtesy of "Google Translate." Um ... thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Deanna!!! ; )

YOWZA, mommy!!
(wait ... I can't see ...)
LOL!!

I'm guessing that alot of you are missing HftL's regularly scheduled posts as much as I am (aside from the fact that we get new readers / followers on a regular basis who may have missed some of our delectable offerings that have already been "covered"), so I decided that something is better than NOTHING and that I will "REWIND" to those irresistible players that have already been featured here on the blog (when it's a little "slower" around here). I hope none of you ladies have any objections, but I really doubt that you will - who doesn't want to re-explore "conquered" territory?!!

; )

THE FIRST "REWIND" IS DETROIT'S NIKLAS LIDSTROM(original post date - October 29, 2008; written by Kena L. with a few comments of my own thrown in) 

Before submitting myself to all of your conjectures, let me reiterate that I am not a Red Wings fan. That being said, I can't help but notice hot guys where ever I find them and now that I've admitted to that, lets get on to the good stuff, shall we? Great.

Here we have Niklas Lidstrom. I think he's the first defenseman we've scrutinized in this series (of articles) so far. Which is kind of strange, considering the fact that one of my favorite things about hockey is watching good defense. Oh well, onward...

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: It's hard to prove your mettle as a defenseman with numbers, but Nicklas Lidstrom has won pretty much every single honor of distinction available to someone who's specialty is defense. Starting with those 5 (I might be one off in either direction) Norris Trophies, Olympic Gold Medal, several World Championships, etc. He's the only European to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He has 10 appearances in the All-Star game. His coach says that “he's the most professional person (in fact, he's so professional he rarely gets any penalty minutes which is unusual for a player who has caught my eye), I've ever seen,” and “he just doesn't make any mistakes.” When I get to watch, I always see him setting down there, just waiting like a cat to pounce on some unsuspecting forward. Yes, he's that good.

THE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: 6'1” 198lbs. Dark blond hair (which he thankfully keeps fairly short), with one of the most dangerous looking blue-eyed stares I think I've ever seen. [This video demonstrates it well - it starts at about 6 sec. in] I mean, the intensity of his stare is highly disconcerting. Kinda makes you want squirm, (and not just in a good way, either). In fact, he actually does make me squirm. I have every confidence that if he were in law enforcement, he could simply stare at criminals and they would confess every traffic ticket they ever received. It's no wonder everyone finds it hard to score on him. I'd really like to try, though (and I don't just mean hockey with that statement either). In other bonuses, he's got 4 beautiful boys (all of which are blond), so I get to be jealous of that too.

I can't imagine what it would be like challenging him on the blue line. Enough can not be said about his leadership capabilities. He leads by example. Nothing ever flusters him (although, again I'd like to try, [sly grin]).

[there's really no denying that Lidstrom is sexy - an attractive older man - distinguished (look at the bottom pictures). Kena will laugh at me for this!]

Crosby and Neal Pictures of the Week: Let's Ring in the New Year Edition ...

I am tired of being mopey (about hockey and life IN GENERAL), so I thought some pics of my hockey men would help and I figured they wouldn't hurt you ladies either - YOU'RE WELCOME - lol ; P

BTW, if I haven't said it lately (which is likely since I've been "hiding" for the past few weeks) ... I MISS SID and I'd be lying if I didn't add that I'm starting to get a little concerned ...

ENOUGH OF THAT, Stephanie (or I won't be working on one of my MANY new year's resolutions!!!!  Do you ladies have any that you'd like to share???  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST COMMENTS (you'd be doing be a favor -- I need to take part in some conversation with my ladies - hockey or OTHERWISE!)!!

NOW ... on to the GOOD STUFF (most of them are of my Nealy [THANKS to my good buddy, Debbie!] because, as you are all too aware, Sid is in hiding : ( )  OOPS - there I go again, so I must GET TO THE PICS!!!!

 ENJOY, Ladies!!!

That SMILE, ugh - just HIM (he's PERFECT!)!!
[swoon!]



THANK YOU, Debbie!!  I LOVE this one (and I REALLY MISS the fu!)(Debbie doesn't take credit for creating this masterpiece, so if you recognize it LMK and I'll post credit!)





TOO ADORABLE!!
(so WHY do I always focus on his hands???!!!) ...
AND who wouldn't want to have his babies???!!!!!!
Am I the only one who thinks how he wears his cap is sexy??!!!!
OMG - NEXT PICTURE, STEPHANIE!!!



oh, yeah ...
moving to the next picture helped LOTS!!!
This one ... this one I'm blowing up 'life-size,'
putting it up in my bedroom and
my husband WILL JUST HAVE TO DEAL
LOL ; P