Hockey great retires

Today an NHL great retired. This evening, two hours before the Wings vs. Phoenix game, Brett Hull announced his retirement. Brett Hull signed with Phoenix before the lockout officially began and returned to the game, along with the NHL this past September to begin his 20th season in the NHL. Brett Hull, at the age of forty-one, realized he just didn’t have what it takes to keep up with the young guys anymore. He said, ``I realized I wasn't who I thought I was, I wasn't Brett Hull at 30 or 35 even. I was 41 years old and after a year and a half layoff, I didn't have what it took to play in the new game that was so exciting. I wish no one had to do this because it's so hard, it's hard because you never think you're going to grow older and be unable to live up to the expectations you set for yourself,. There's an old expression, and I don't know who said it -- 'The mind is willing but the body isn't.''
In five games, he had one assist. At the beginning of this season Hull’s father, Bobby Hull’s number nine was taken out of retirement so that Brett could wear it this year. Brett Hull joined the Calgary Flames in the 1986 playoffs, and  In his twenty years, Brett had two Stanley cup victories (1999, 2002), played in nine all-star games, played in two Olympics (1998, 2002), three world cups, was the league MVP once (1991), and played for five different teams (Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit, and Phoenix).  He scored 741 goals and had 650 assists, ranking third on the all time goal list.
Tonight the Red Wings played another late game, this time in Phoenix. The game was well played, and the Wings won 2-0. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk scored to help the Wings blank the Coyotes. Manny Legace made 23 saves and recorded his first shutout of the season.  At the other end of the ice, another familiar face was stopping pucks. Curtis Joseph returned to Phoenix’s lineup after missing two games with a groin injury. Cujo made 18 saves, and even though Phoenix out shot Detroit 23-20, it wasn’t enough to win the game. The wings next game is Monday night at home against San Jose.  There are still a limited number of tickets available. Fans attending this game will receive a 2005-06 team calendar. With the win tonight, the Red Wings advance to 5-1.

First West Coast Swing

So last night was the real beginning of the hockey season. We experienced our first west coast trip. Today was our first day working on lack of sleep because of a hockey game. And let me just say, IT FEELS GREAT! Wings fans all know they shouldn’t stay up, and they shouldn’t watch the game because they have to get up early, but for some reason we just can’t go to bed. I’m proud to say that I stayed up and was fortunate enough to sleep for four hours. I got up, went to school (with the help of caffeine), and made it through the day, and also went out and partied tonight, and I’m still able to sit and write this. Last night was a good game. Steve Yzerman played a meaningful game for the first time in three hundred and some odd games, and unlike his last game, this one finished with a better outcome. This marked the beginning of his 22nd season in the NHL. The new NHL seems to benefit the Red Wings more than anyone thought it would. They are a disciplined team and don’t take many stupid penalties. That definitely helps, plus they have two of the best power play/penalty killers in the league, in Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby. These two guys are definitely major players in the league and without them this team could be very different. Jason Williams seems to be stepping up, even though he has yet to score a goal, he has been involved in six goals this year and gotten a point for each one of them. I really think Jason is going to be a big name guy in the league in a few years. Plus he’s popular with the girls :-D Anyhow, as of right now, even with Chris Osgood out, goaltending doesn’t seem to be a problem like some people suggested. Manny Legace has been playing really well. Don’t get me wrong, I know we’re only five games into the season, but this team does look very good. One of the keys is NO injuries this year, yes that is a key for any team, but I think if the right guys go down, this season could go down the tubes. I didn’t see much of the game last night…I did have to listen to most of it on the radio (to avoid the wrath of the parents) but Steve Yzerman looked good. For a guy who’s like forty and hasn’t played since he was 38, he looked good. I think as long as he isn’t plagued by injuries he’ll be in for a great season, but let me see another game or two with him playing, then I’ll make a real judgment. Kris Draper is in for a big year (like I’ve already said) and I think Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are going to play a big part in this year. The recent addition of Jason Woolley on defense will also help. With the loss of Nicklas Kronwall to another unfortunate injury, a defenseman was needed. I also think that this Samuelson kid (well he’s not technically a kid and I guess I shouldn’t be calling him a kid since he’s older than me, but anyhow) I think he’s going to be good, Johan Franzen, and Dan Cleary too. It looks like this team is solid. I’m very excited for this year and I have high expectations for this team.  There will be more to come. I promise, things have just gotten crazy with school and everything, so please check back frequently for updates. If you would like to comment on anything feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!

3-0

The Wings have played 3 games so far and I have a lot to say…I just have a lot of school work. Huge test tomorrow so hopefully everything will be up tomorrow afternoon or evenings…please check back and thanks for being patient. If you have any comments feel free to post and let me know.

NHL...sink or swim?

So the Red Wings regular season, and that of all of the NHL teams begins on Wednesday. I know a lot of people are very excited. But will joe average fan come back to the game? The fan who just sometimes liked to watch hockey, but wasn’t a fanatic. I know here is Detroit bringing fans back to the game isn’t going to be hard. But what about in places like Tampa Bay, where even though they won the Stanley cup last time hockey was played, they have already forgotten about it. What about fans in places like Atlanta and Carolina? They have other sports to worry about. As this hockey season draws near, I am filled with excitement, but also fear of what is going to happen to the game as we know it. Hockey hurt us. The owners and the players fighting for one whole season really could have killed the game. They need to reach out to the fans once again and embrace us. They need to show us they care. I have a feeling Detroit is going to be one of those teams that doesn’t show us the love, with no ticket prices cut, and all we’ve received so far is joe bucks. Let’s just hope the NHL doesn’t go down the drain. Will the NHL sink or swim? What do you think?