Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Chris Kunitz (Pittsburgh Penguins)

I thought I'd use this week's EC Eye Candy to introduce you all to (and learn more about) our newest Penguins player, Chris Kunitz who I've learned by listening to Steigy and Errey that he's married and he and his wife, Maureen, are expecting their first child in April (they were married in 2008).

HOCKEY FACTOR:

• born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
• plays left wing, shoots left
• played NCAA hockey in college for Ferris State University (beginning in 1999)
  
• named to CCHA First All-Star Team in 2002 and 2003
• was CCHA Player of the Year in 2003
• named to NCAA West First All-American Team in 2003
• helped the Ducks win their first Stanley Cup Championship in 2007
  
• represented Team Canada in 2008 at the World Ice Hockey Championships
  

HOTNESS FACTOR:

Kunitz is a real cutie. He's 6'0 (although I think that may be stretching it a bit since he appears somewhat shorter to me in a few pics) and weighs 193 pounds. He isn't much of a fighter, but he does finish alot of his checks (148 hits in 62 games with the Ducks!) and isn't afraid to defend a teammate when he needs to which will be good if he ends up playing on the top line with Crosby. He does have one fight this season against Sean Avery and, according to the voters at hockeyfights.com, it ended in a "draw" (I think it looks more like Kunitz gets a few more punches in than Avery, but you'll have to see for yourself - visit the site).

He's a fan of baseball and his favorite team is the Detroit Tigers.

"No, not relax - we play hard, 20 minutes more ..."

The latest Malkin interview thanks to Dan Potash ("I said two questions and I'll be honest, just two questions")!!

Gotta LOVE Malkin - he's been steppin' it up the last few games (especially with Sid out which is usually when he likes taking care of business!)!! What a cutie-pie (and that "A" he's sportin' -- VERY SEXY!)!!!

ENJOY (thanks 71Crush!)!!

Hockey 101 with HftL: More Minor Penalties

We're finishing up minor penalties and their signals this week with slashing and spearing.





SLASHING (MINOR)
When a player hits an opposing player with the stick or swings the stick at an opposing player. The ref's official signal for this is pictured to the left (one chop with the non-whistle hand across the straightened forearm of the other hand).




SPEARING (MINOR)
When a player "stabs" an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried in one or both hands. The ref's official signal for this is pictured to the right (a single jabbing motion with both hands together, thrust forward from in front of the chest, then dropping hands to the side).

Colton Orr patrols the ice for the New York Rangers.

According to hockeyfights.com, he's tied with three other players for 7th place for fighting majors with a total of 13 fights.

He's thrown down with our very own Eric Godard (even though I'm happy to say Godard got the best of him). On February 9, 2009, he dropped the gloves with Michael Rupp of the New Jersey Devils which was one of his better fights. Orr hit Rupp with one shot right on the button and knocked him right on his ass (and notice how Orr continues to look back and try to skate back as the ref escorts him to the locker room - good stuff!!

Interestingly enough, Burish is an American which brings a very special kind of hot to the table.

Burish also comes to us via a suggestion from Meli, who mentioned in the comments on THIS POST [Patrick Sharp (CHI)], that "Now I'm totally crushing on Burish now that I've watched those videos over and over again! Stephanie, you can't have Sharpe without Burish--so now you need to do a hottie for him!!"

Well, since I simply can not resist Hot Hockey Players (In any type, form, or team affiliation.), here's your Burish post Meli...

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: Well, there is that NCAA men's championship. Oh, and did I mention he's an American born player? (from Madison, WI). Always special, that. Skated in his 100th NHL game on Oct. 31, 2008. (Happy Halloween, sweetheart. Even if it is a bit late, you'll have to stop by for a little um, trick-or-treat.) [OH, you're GOOOOD! That would be a great pick-up line!] He's played 3 seasons in the NHL, all 3 for the Blackhawks.

Last year, was his first full season in the NHL. He ranked third in the NHL with a team-high 214 penalty minutes (naughty). When he also became the first Blackhawks player since Bob Probert in 1998-99 to rack up more than 200 penalty minutes in a single season. Named the Blackhawks Man of the Year by AHAI (Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois) in 07/08. He's probably on his way to similar honors again this year .

This is one of those players that you can find out more off ice stuff than on ice. He has quite the personality (and his teammates agree [you have to watch till the very end, it's worth it though, it's funny]).

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: He has pretty sandy brown hair (I'd have to stretch to call it blond but blond would work in a pinch [hysterical laughter]), and lovely light blue eyes. 6'1" 200lbs. And more personality than a pen of monkeys over a hot stove. Just watch the ever infamous "prankster" videos (one, two & three). You just can't not love him or Sharpie, you just can't do it. Also of keen interest is the McDonald's visit [VIDEO ] it's definitely worth a look-see, too (I have to admit, Kane's looking pretty manly in it as well). [you and blondes, Kena - what is it?!!]

Once worked as a security guard on "Jerry Springer" (No stop laughing, I'm SERIOUS here. Still don't believe me [Read Here] it has pictures. You can't argue with pictures, right?) About which experience Mr. Burish had this to say "I did gain some respect for the refs in our games, and realized how hard it is to break up a fight. I will tell you though the hardest fights to break up were not the guys but the girls. Not only did I try and be careful where I put my hands while separating them, but what are you supposed to do when the girls start pulling each others hair? (To this day, I haven't figured this one out myself.) I have to admit I was a bit lost when that happened". Oh and we must not forget to mention he's an American (oh sorry, did I mention that before? Silly me.)

He's also well trained in the art of dealing with females, most especially hockey females, thanks to his sister. Who centered the top line herself, in college and went on to win an NCAA title herself only a few short weeks before Burish went on to win one of his own with the rest of the Michigan boys. [Read Here ]. In fact, she said to him "I let him know he had to finish it off or I’d hold that over his head the rest of his life.” Ah, sisterly love. Nothing like it in the world. Oh, and did I ever mention, he's an AMERICAN ; )...

You Are Cordially Invited!

"An entertaining evening unlike any other, the Skates & Plates Charity Gala presented by Trib Total Media offers a fine dining experience, live and silent auctions, and a chance to meet the Pittsburgh Penguins players and staff all in the historically elegant setting of The Pennsylvanian."

Pittsburgh Penguins Skates & Plates

Monday, March 30th

at the Pennsylvanian

6:30 - 9:30

Cocktail Attire

VIEW the invitation HERE

Tickets for this event are now on sale (VIP sponsorship - $10,000; Table of 10 - $7,500) and will benefit the Western PA Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

To reserve a table or to receive additional information, please call the Penguins Community Relations Office at (412) 642-1982 or (412) 642-1903.

For more information, visit the Penguins webpage.

THIS PIC IS ESPECIALLy FOR KENA (AND ALL YOU OTHER STAALSY LOVERS OUT THERE!)!!

Crosby Picture of the Week

THERE IT IS!! There's that passion we've been missing for the last few games (gotta love it!)!!