Oh, the exes

The players I still secretly follow are for the most part ex-Calgary Flames. And through the bad years and the new good ones, there's been quite a few. I'll run through a few faves of mine...

There's Gary Roberts, last still-active relic of our Cup winning team back in the day. How weird is it that he won the Cup back when at least two or three of his current teammates were still in diapers? I was sad when he retired about ten years ago due to back/neck injuries, and sooooo thrilled when he made his comeback. I wasn't a huge fan of his (to be honest) during his stint with the Leafs

There are the remnants of the "Young Guns," a failed marketing ploy of the 90s, back when we had nothing going for us other than minty-fresh cute hockey players. Cale Hulse? Todd Simpson? They'll probably never make a splash in the league, but I still get a thrill of "oh, are they still around?" every time I see them do something. For the most part they haven't panned out, so it's like rooting for the underdog when they are playing.

There are a few guys who just didn't fit in over the years - Marty St. Louis is probably the prime example (even if he did win the Cup fom right under our noses).

The biggest group by far are the guys who left after the Cup run three years ago. I absolutely can't hate on them, and for the most part wish them well. Guys like Boston's Shean Donovan, Kobasew, and Ference, Carolina's Mike Commodore, St. Louis' Ville Niemenen, Florida's Steve Montador.

Most notable from this group is Washington's Chris Clark (I often refer to him on IM as "Chris! Clark!") He was a character guy from Calgary who I watched develop from a raw youngster to becoming a mainstay on the team. Not a flashy player, but definitely a solid heart-and-soul-guy. I'm incredibly thrilled that he's now Washington's captain, even with older, more experienced players, and even younger, incredibly talented ones. And I'm glad that on Washington he's got a chance to rack up some points by playing a fair bit with Ovechkin.

I know other fans who've been much more upset by players coming and going recently...for the most part, I've seen far too many guys become exes for me to really be crushed. And so many exes, so little time...

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Blonde Ambition

Which player do you secretly cheer for on the inside, even when he's playing against your team?

This really pains me. Marian Hossa. He's the only player that I hope plays well, even against the Senators.

Please don't think it's just an ex-Senators thing. I cared about Havlat and Lalime when they were with the Senators, but in their new incarnations as Blackhawks, I am indifferent, even to Havlat's wily charms. On some level, I think we hope that every player does "well" -- you know, doesn't get hurt, plays at least in a dignified fashion. (Yes, I was embarrassed for Stoll last night as he fell on the Edmonton Oilers power-play.) But with Hossa, I just want him to hold the puck on a string and dominate physically like he does when he's at his best. I want to see him streaming down the wing, I want to see him backchecking furiously, I want to see him frustrating defensemen. I care about Hossa, even now, because I feel his career with the Senators is unfinished. Unlike Lalime or Havlat, he didn't choose to leave nor was his departure incredibly needed. I feel like his career would only be complete if he finished it with the Senators ... that's why I cheer for him inside, because he still holds a bit of the Senators within him.

I still hate losing to him as he wears a different uniform, though. I'm also slightly resentful towards Thrashers fans.

Also, as crappy as Redden has been lately, he's the only player I would cheer for on the outside, even against the Senators.

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Secret Agent Men

One of the benefits of the unbalanced schedule is the fact that I can love and cheer for my Western Conference boys without feeling too torn so I'll focus on the Eastern Conference guys that cause me to question my loyalties. Only in a fleeting manner though. Here's a brief list of the boys from the west though:

• Michael Cammalleri
• Jarome Iginla
• Kipper!
• Pretty much everyone on the Sharks
• Paul Kariya

As for the east, we start with none other than Marty Biron. Seriously, I love Marty so much sometimes it makes me cry. It makes me cry because you know he's capable of being a starter but you have to admit to yourself that Ryan Miller was the better goalie. He just sat there and took it, never said schtum and ask anybody and they'll tell you he's the nicest guy in the NHL. He trash talks Eric Staal! He makes the same random noises as us when we're watching hockey! I'm thrilled he gets a chance to be a starter now, but unfortunately it's to the dark depths of Philadelphia who are struggling like mad right now. Happy Trails, Marty. You'll make us proud.

Oh and those gorgeous blue eyes don't hurt at all.


I might have a thing for goalies, but then again who doesn't. I admit that one of the reasons that Ward endeared himself to me was because he was a nice Christian boy. He lead the Hurricanes to the Cup last year and when he won the Conn Smythe I was steadfast in defending that decision since I do believe the 'Canes wouldn't have made it to the end without him. That being said, his regular season struggles can't be ignored. He's capable of coming up big but there are stretches where he just lets in bad goal after bad goal. He's capable of improving though and it's important to remember that he's still relatively young and most goalies don't hit their peak until their late 20's early 30's. The man is only 5 and 3/4 after all.


Brad Boyes. For no specific reason except he's from Mississauga. And I thought I should throw a skater in here somewhere.

Edit - This local news tribute of Marty Biron's Greatest Hits. Just when you thought Marty couldn't get more adorable, you throw his kids into the mix. See? Almost want to cry.

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I have a seeeeeecret!

Not anymore though... Here are my secret boys in no particular order, well, except alphabetical by team:

• Boston: Andrew Ference - do I really need to explain this one?
• Colorado: Marek Svatos, Wojtek Wolski, Paul Stastny - Svatos because I watched him when he first came to Canada to play for the WHL's Kootenay Ice, he stood out with his speed and low skating profile. Oh yeah, he could score too - 23 goals, 18 assists for 41 points in 39 games. Wolski because I caught a few games in Brampton last season after he had played a few games with the big boys and you could tell - he stood out amongst his teammates with his speed and puck control. Stastny... Well, when I'm looking out for the other two, it's hard not to notice the stellar rookie season he's having so far: 22 goals, 37 assists for 59 points in 64 games.
• Columbus: Rick Nash - A boy playing for Canada brings joy to my heart; 01/02 WJC team, 04/05 World Cup team and like Heatley below, a 2006 Canadian Olympian. Plus, when a guy gets drafted 1st overall you tend to remember who they are. I find myself tuning into CBJ games when the Flames aren't on.
• Ottawa: Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley, Andrej Meszaros - The first two popped on my radar when they played for Canada on the 99/00 and 00/01 World Junior team and since then I've always followed their careers. Spezza appearing again on the 01/02 WJC team and Heatley playing for Team Canada during the WC in 01/02 and as an Olympian in 2006. Meszaros I watched play with his WHL team as I had seasons to the Vancouver Giants - I remember once on the post game show the announcer called him, "a man amongst boys," for the way he dominated on the ice. Being here in the East, I get lots of Senators action on the telly so that keeps me up to date.
• Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal - On a pure skill level, the Kid is at the top. His respect for the game and constant willingness to learn are refreshing. As for Malkin and Staal - same situation as Stastny, how can you not notice the rookie seasons these two have been having? Obviously, Malkin stands out a bit more due to the way he started the season shrouded in controversy.
• Tampa Bay: Vinny Lecavalier - Vinny's a popular choice here amongst us ladies for obvious reasons, there's no denying his physical perfection. However, for me it goes deeper than that - another good Canadian boy representing his country on the team that went to the 97/98 WJC, 00/01 WC, 04/05 World Cup and 2006 Olympics. Again, another first overall draft pick who doesn't go unnoticed.
  
• Washington: Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin - Ovie has fun playing the game and I think more players could learn from his attitude. And Sasha, well, I would get my ass kicked by one our hlog sistas if I didn't mention him (don't worry, Clymer's in the crosshairs too *g* Hopefully, this Caps love endears me for my Pens picks).
  

I have to say that it's a lot easier to like guys playing for Eastern Conference for two reasons:

1. Living in Toronto, I catch a lot of games and hear about them more often. I feel a bit sad that we don't have more Western representation on our HLOG; with games having a late start time for the EST crew, I know you don't get as much info on the boys from the West. I love my Centre Ice package!
   
2. Besides the Avalanche boys, I found it hard to pick guys from the West due to division match-ups and the standings and if I cheered for them it would feel like I was cheering against the Flames which would be blasphemy. All bets are off, of course, come playoffs.
   

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le petit briere

Yup, he is the one I secretly cheer for. I'm pretty sure it's because I wish he played for us, but even when his team is kicking our arse, I kinda hope for him to score. And with 3 goals (2 gwg) and 4 assists in three games vs. the Flyers, he does like to score against us.

I think I like the fact that he makes Esche look so bad too. Eschy has got to go and Briere can only help make that departure happen faster.

Oh my god, why am I telling you this? I am such a traitor...I feel so guilty!

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Weekly Topic: Feb. 26 - Mar. 4: Shhh! It's a secret!

I'm sure everyone has one but which player do you secretly cheer for on the inside, even when he's playing against your team?

Thanks to Heather B. for the great suggestion.

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