Can't Wait Until July 7th??

Anxious for the Pens DVD to come out July 7th? I found this video that gives you a little taste of what to expect.

Hockey 101 with HftL (Stanley Cup Edition)

I know I haven't been keeping up with the daily features on this site, but I'm hoping to change that in the next few days (at least getting it back to normal over the course of the summer).

Today is usually "Hockey 101" day where we cover some of the rules / regulations of NHL hockey and I just thought that it might just be fun to do a special "Stanley Cup Edition" over the summer since the Penguins won the Cup and it will be travelling with them all summer long (speaking of which, be sure to check out my other blog, TSCSF, this summer to "Follow the Cup this Summer" -- my first post was today featuring Tyler Kennedy's day with the Cup - it includes great video of his day!!)!!

OK -- onto "Hockey 101."

Today, I'll give you some fast facts about the Stanley Cup itself.

The Cup that the Penguins have, the one we see today, is actually not the original cup and there are a few differences between the two.

The original cup is made completely of silver and it's dimensions (height = 7.28 inches / 18.5 cm; diameter = 11.42 inches / 29 cm).

The current cup is made of silver and a nickel alloy, and it's dimensions include more than just it's height and diameter (there are several different parts of it including bowl, collar, shoulder, barrel, and base); however, the basic dimensions of it is 35.25 inches / 89.54 cm in height and 34.50 pounds / 15.50 kg in weight. The specific dimensions are:
BOWL - height = 7.50 inches / 19.05 cm; diameter = 11.25 inches / 28.57 cm; circumference = 35 inches / 88.9 cm
COLLAR - height = 6.25 inches / 15.87 cm
SHOULDER - height = 3.25 inches / 8.25 cm
BARREL - height = 18.25 inches / 46.35 cm
BASE - diameter = 17.25 inches / 43.81 cm

I feel it's fitting that I start the "American Hottie" back up on July 4th and even more fitting that I'm featuring one of the Penguins newest players, Nate Guenin.

Nate GueninPittsburgh Penguins

BIRTHPLACE: Sewickley, Pennsylvania
HOMETOWN: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
COLLEGE: Ohio State University (4 years)
POSITION: Defenseman
DRAFTED: 4th by the NY Rangers in 2002 (127th overall); after being drafted, he went on to play college hockey through 2006
SIGNED: as a free agent by Philadelphia on August 16, 2006; and by Pittsburgh on July 3, 2009

HOTTIE [CAREER] HIGHLIGHTS:
USHL All-Rookie Team (2001), CCHA Second All-Star Team (2005), served as the team captain for the Ohio State team (2005-2006), "Defenseman of the Week" (in February 2005), led the team in penalty minutes for the fourth consecutive season (2005-2006) was voted "Hardest-Hitting Defenseman" and "Best Defenseman One-on-One" in the CCHA Captains' poll (2005-2006)

Season Highlights (2008-2009)

• NHL / Flyers Career Regular Season Totals: 12 GP, 0-2-2, 6 PIM
• Single Game Regular Season Highs: TOI - 13:25 (@ NJ on 03/01/2009)
• has eight assists and 40 penalty minutes in 42 games for the Phantoms last season!

As you can see, Guenin doesn't have many stats for NHL career / season highlights because he has been playing in the AHL and was only called up to Philadelphia for a few games (one last season on March 1, 2009); I'd say he still has a long career ahead of him and hopefully saved the best for Pittsburgh!!

HOTTIE Under the Radar!!

This one has been kept quiet!!! The Pens signed former Stars RW Chris Conner and man, he adds to the Pens HOTNESS FACTOR (look at those PRETTY EYES!!)!!!!! Take a look (but JUST LOOK -- this one comes to us already taken; he has a wife, Lindsay)!!

SIDENOTE: Since Kena IS the expert on ALL THINGS Dallas Stars, she has been kind enough to offer a post for later this week, so be sure to check that out if you want to learn more about the newest member of the Pens!!! OH -- and did I mention he's AMERICAN???!!!!! Seriously, that's all the Pens have signed so far -- HAPPY 4TH!!!!!!! ; P

REASON #28
He takes time out of his personal life for his fans!

A perfect example of this was the story I posted yesterday about Sid stopping at a local market to get a bite to eat with some friends before headed off to a game of golf -- seemingly a nice, relaxing day, but he took 30 minutes out of that time to talk to his fans and sign autographs

JACKPOT!! Guess What I Found!!!

YES -- Melissa and Colby wedding pics!!! These are actually not "official" photos, but a type of "photo booth" that was set up at the reception.

But at least you can see what they wore and how they looked!! Her dress was form-fitting and the bridesmaids wore pretty plum-colored dresses.

ENJOY, ladies!!!

Western Conference Hottie: Kevin Bieksa (Vancouver Canucks)

Another interesting one this week, as when I first saw him, I thought eh, maybe. Maybe he's hot. Well the more I read (and watched) the hotter he got. What do you ladies think?

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: Defenseman, +3 in 10 games in the playoffs. Logs a lot of ice time. Yup, typical of your basic defenseman. You never even notice they're there until they make a huge save or blister in a really fast shot. At which point, your scrambling trying to figure out "where did he come from and why don't I know him?" He's tough, gritty and he'll get the job done (if you particularly enjoy the defense and what those guys are all about THIS little gem on VAN d-men is definitely worth a watch). And for a little more information on his "physical game" check out this article. It speaks for it's self about what an asset he is to his team. He might not be the biggest of fighters, but if he fights, he wins. Evidence is here, and here and here.
He's one of the more physical and intense D-Men you'll see or at least I thought so when I watched him. And before you ask, yes, it's nearly always against the Stars. He was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team (2005). In his 4 years with the VAN Canucks he's only had one serious injury, and that one was a doozy (details here), causing him to miss 47 games with a severe laceration of the calf. He just got back into the swing of things this year and it was a really good year for the Canucks being as how they made the playoffs and all.

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: If he doesn't just ooze the classic "come and get me look," I'll eat my computer mouse; however, I think I'm pretty safe from the inevitable digestive discomfort which would result from that. In my defense of this claim, I offer you Exhibit #1, this video -

Disclaimer: You may want to watch the following video, [especially the first 10 - 15 seconds] where no one is going to see the drool, before you can wipe it off.


I'm not going to give you much of a physical description, other than to tell you he's 6'0, 205 and let the above video and the pictures in this post speak for the rest. I know, I already said this, but it's definitely in the REALLY IMPORTANT category... he's a crushing, bruising d-man with a very physical game. That particular detail works for both making hockey entertaining AND hormonally pleasing.

Now, for the personal tid-bits:

• Says Ocean’s Eleven and Old School are 2 of his favorite movies.
• Watermelon, his favorite food.
• Steve Yzerman and Cam Neely are his his hockey idols.
• Hobbies include golf [don't they all], poker [hot dog, I'm in] and watersports.

Taking the gild off that warm, fuzzy feeling your probably feeling right about now, he does have a wife (Katie) and a 1-year-old son. No, actually being a family man, just makes him hotter.