I'm not crying... my eyes are just a little sweaty today

How can you cheer for a team or player and not become emotionally invested?

How do you cheer for a team or player with no strings attached?

For instance:
Flyers fans,
Your captain just got blind-side traded to the Kings.
You can't tell me you don't care or that you've already moved on from that.
It's your captain.
It's the one player you put your faith in to be there.
You care.
There's emotion there.

Regardless of what some would lead you to believe, it is important to get emotionally invested in your team and it's players. Why? Because I don't think you can fully enjoy the successes or mourn the failures of a team or player if you aren't fully invested. Take the stats and the commentary out and you're left with emotion.

Look at Atlanta Thrashers fans. They are absolutely devastated that their team was taken from them. Why? Because they were emotionally invested in that franchise, that team, and those players. Does this mean that they will abandon the franchise now that it has been relocated? Some will and some won't. Some will not cheer for the Jets and simply support the players that were before anything else to them, Thrashers. They're hurting as a hockey fan base because they cared.


Your favorite player just got into a car accident. Do you:
A) Not care because it happened off the ice.
B) Only sorta care because it might effect your team.
C) Care immensely because you care about him as a human being as well as a player.

I hope the answer was "C" for everyone. These players are human beings and we should show them respect as human beings when situations such as devastating personal events occur and effect their lives.


Can you imagine if people didn't care when Vladdy got into is car accident? What if people didn't care that he'd never play again? Fortunately enough for Vladdy, people did care about him. And fortunately enough for Vladdy, they still care to this day. People still respect him and feel for him as a person. Getting choked up? That's because whether you realize it or not, you are emotionally invested.

Hockey is a great sport but there is and always will be a human aspect of the game despite any one's best efforts to make it not so.

So take a risk and make your investment in a player, team, or organization today. I doubt that you'll regret it.

That's not funny. Not funny at all.

Anaheim Ducks

Bobby Ryan





When I decided to profile Bobby Ryan I was kind of taken aback that he had a different birth name. Robert Shane Stevenson. Not knowing anything about Bobby or his past I immediately laughed and searched for a reason why a US Born hockey player would need to use a stage name. What I found wasn't exactly what I was looking for. According to reports the name change was more than just a marketing ploy by an agent. It was actually a move by a fugitive in order to keep himself from being found by federal agents. That sounds like a bit of a tall tale or the beginning of a soap opera storyline but no. It's not. On October 30th of 1997, Robert Stevenson (Bobby's dad) was convinced that Melody Stevenson (Bobby's mom) was on drugs. His method for confronting this drug problem? Ripping a door off the hinges and beating his wife. She had multiple injuries including broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a fractured skull. Instead of facing the charges of attempted murder and other felony charges, Bobby's dad fled with his family. While on the run, the Stevenson family became the Ryan family after the movie "Saving Private Ryan". While living in California under the assumed names, Bobby thrived in the hockey program. Three years later, law enforcement caught up to Bobby's dad and extradited him back to New Jersey where he pleaded to jumping bail and aggravated assault. Bobby's dad then legally changed his name to Bob Ryan. Despite all the trials and tribulations, Bobby's parents are still together and they are very much still a family. It's a pretty unorthodox story that I hadn't expected to find when profiling just some random Anaheim Duck. I guess it just goes to show that every path to the NHL is not smooth.


Random tid-bits about Bobby Ryan:

Born on St. Patrick's Day 1987

Played for the Iowa Chops.
I planned to place a picture of a pork chop here when I discovered that the mascot for the Chops... is indeed a pig.


Favorite NHL City is Vancouver

Plays left wing on a line with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf

When Bobby is relaxing he enjoys to watch
True Blood- Standard
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives- Who doesn't?
One Tree Hill- This one throws me...

Won silver medal with team USA at the Vancouver Olympics.

Enjoys country and alternative rock.

Start of something new

Setting the rivalries and hate aside:
Getting to know some of the rest of the NHL



30 player profiles from 30 teams in 30 days

I'll be profiling 30 players for each of the 30 NHL teams alphabetically skipping the Detroit Red Wings until last starting tomorrow. The players profiled will not be the players usually profiled by the NHL. For example, when it comes to Pittsburgh's profile you'll be hard-pressed to find a Crosby profile.

For the Detroit Red Wings, it will go up to a vote over which Red Wing should be represented both via polls that will appear on the side of this blog as well as polls taken place on the Hockey Blogette twitter account.

Reasons: Patrick Eaves

Five Random Reasons Why We Should Keep Patrick Eaves on Our Roster.

1. Hobo Quotient


We need at least ONE on our roster





2. No one Eaveses like Patrick


He's probably learned that pulling a Datsyuk only works for people named Pavel





3. His community involvement


From signings to charity work, Hobo is one of the most involved Wings





4. Who would make Chris Osgood listen to Bette Midler if he wasn't here?


I bet Ozzie would secretly miss it





5. His incredible work ethic


Papa and Mama Eaves raised him right. He's one of the hardest working guys on our roster.

Take off your shoes. Stay a while.

Just when we all were about to be locked up in padded rooms due to the anxiety of many of our favorite players possibly not being on our roster next year the news breaks that Nicklas Lidstrom will indeed return for his 20th season.

The news could not have come at a better time. Many of us are watching the approach of July 1st come very quickly. Almost too quickly. We have players that we need to get signed and get signed quick. With the announcement of the return of one of Detroit's most favorite adopted sons, we all can let out one huge sigh of relief.

Thank you Nicklas Lidstrom for allowing us to watch you be amazing for (at least) one more year.

Make yourself at home. I'm sure the Wings will give you an unlimited amount of Lingonberry jam if you want it.

All aboard the crazy train

My "Dear Puck Bunnies, You're so crazy" blogs are beginning to write themselves. To the point where I can't even make this shit up if I tried.

I went on to that trendy blog site tumblr, Which if I'm being frank is less like a blog site and more like twitter for pictures, gifs, and videos but I digress. While on there I pick up on a conversation that 10 or so individuals were reblogging back and forth to each other. It looked rather odd for a moment then I realized it was addresses. No big deal, right? Upon closer inspection I noticed that these weren't just regular run of the mill Joe Blow addresses. These were the addresses of the players and former players of the Wings and discussions about how they were going to drive by their houses or park outside and stare at them.

Near immediately I got sick to my stomach. These are players and former players to these girls. But more importantly these are people. They are fathers and husbands and human beings. They are not attractions in a zoo to be stared at. I don't care what line of work that they are in, these guys and their families deserve some level of privacy. It's disgusting, disrespectful, and most of all CRAZY. Where do these girls get off thinking that this is okay? If I found out that some girls were parking outside of my house to stare at me, my family, my spouse, and my children I would kick their asses or call the cops. There have to be boundaries and apparently these girls are unaware of the limits that are and should be in place between fans and players. Hockeytown may have no limits but when it comes to the players there are limits.

That's a wrap

The 2010-2011 Season has concluded.

Your new Stanley Cup champions are
The Boston Bruins

Congrats to the Bruins and their fans for a great run.

Special congrats to Flint, Michigan native, former Detroit Viper, and Conn Smythe trophy winner
Tim Thomas



It's officially time for the dreaded off-season.

Hello Mister Soapbox! So nice to see you!

Every now and again I feel the sudden need to jump upon my soapbox and scream to the puck bunny community, "KNOCK IT THE FUCK OUT!!!"

I recently read statements from a group of girls whose plans for the summer include a trip to Manitoba (to stalk Darren Helm) and plans to search the Michigan State University campus high and low looking for Justin Abdelkader.

Before I commence my rant, I should take the time to say this:
Shockingly enough, I am not a robot. I can indeed recognize when a player is physically attractive or not. The ability came with this set of eyes and brain that I was gifted at birth. They're really swell. If you don't have them, I suggest acquiring them. But the difference between myself and puck bunnies (there are numerous but I'll just focus on this one) is that I recognize some one's talent prior to forming an opinion of if they're good or not. "Oh, that Darren Helm! He's just SO dreamy! NEW FAVORITE PLAYER ALERT!!!" I'm sorry sunshines but that's not how it's supposed to work. The players aren't playing to be the next Jonathon Taylor Thomas or whoever graces the pages of Tiger Beat these days. Becoming your piece of hot man meat is not why they're busting their asses working out right now. It's for the sport, the team, the opportunity to play, and the Stanley Cup.

That being said let's move back to the "Hey! You're CRAZY" portion of this rant. Following someone around is considered by most to be, DUN DUN DUN DUN, stalking! Believe it or not they have laws against that. There is actions players could take against you for your crazy ways. I understand some people want to meet players but trying to meet them this way makes me sick.

"Stop judging me!" No.

Question. Do you HONESTLY believe that a player would touch you with a 50ft pole after he discovered the bullshit and psychotic stuff you did in order to meet him? If the roles were reversed and someone was following you around, you wouldn't think it was sweet or that the person was a good match. You would think they were CRAZY and call the cops.

Now before I get accused to some bullshit by some assholes who hate me and my blog let me say this: I don't give a fuck who you bang. If you sleep with the players solely to sleep with player then give yourself a gold star in puck bunnery. My issues with the puck bunny community are many. So many that I could probably write a book called "Puck Bunnies: Why I Hate Those Skankholes". The issue that concerns me the most is the insane behavior. The behavior that sometimes makes me concerned for the players and their families.

I'm curious as to what the voices in the puck bunny's heads say. Do they cheer them on or are they being muted by the noise that has filled their head due to contact with others in the puck bunny community? Where do the lines between just wanting to meet a player and becoming obsessed/turning into the chick from The Roommate stop or begin?

If any of those broads are reading this:
Before you purchase that ticket to Manitoba or take exit 106B to merge onto I-496 W/US-127 N toward Downtown Lansing consider if you would like someone following you. Someone interrupting your life, your summer, your free time. Someone stalking you. It's not flattering to them. I'm sure of it. It's creepy. Please stop. Just stop. That's really what you need to do. Just stay home or go to Frankenmuth or something. Just don't go there. Don't be that crazy. Just don't.

Lesson Two: Don't add letters

Lidstrom
(Lidström for those with European keyboards)

As in
Nicklas Lidstrom


The one mistake I see and hear made by people outside of Detroit the most is pronouncing Lidstrom as Linstrom or Lindstrom.

There is no N!

The 4 time Stanley Cup champion, 12 time All-Star, 9 time first All-Star, Olympic All-Star, 2 time Viking Award winner, 6 time Norris Trophy winner, World Championship Gold Medalist, and Olympic Gold Medalist has done enough to deserve his name said and spelled correctly.

Did I mention that he holds at least 10 NHL records and 11 team records with the Detroit Red Wings? I didn't? Consider it mentioned.

So all together now...


If you spelled it correctly you get a bag of Swedish fish!


If you spelled it incorrectly you get detention...


This has been spelling with JennHo. Don't be dumb.

Let's talk spellcheck, baby.

I don't usually like to call out people for their misspellings. I do the passive aggressive activity of putting out a tweet that corrects all my followers but today... today I snapped.

I go on the twitter to discover this:



Notice that Stevie is spelled Stevey. Clearly incorrect.


So after months of subsiding my neurotic need to spellcheck nicknames of the Wings I finally responded with this:


Does the social media character now hate me? Probably.

Unless you were born and raised a Red Wings fan you can never understand how disrespectful it is for the forever captain's nickname to be continuously spelled wrong.

Lesson One: Spell Thy Former Captain's Nickname Correctly

STEVIE
pronounced
(Steve-E)

As in Stevie Y.


There is no "y" in the nickname Stevie. It is indeed an "ie" and always has been. Very few results pop up when the other spelling is typed in and even Google tries to correct Stevey (it pains me to even write that) back to the correct spelling of Stevie.

In fact, it seems the only people that misspell the forever Captain's nickname are: Social Media Types that can't take a hint, Blackhawk fans that use the misspelling as an insult, Flames fans who think they've got the scoop on what Yzerman is up to these days, and misguided people on the Hall of Fame message boards.

Now that we've established that Stevie is always sans "y", Let's spell it.
All together now!


If you correctly spelled Stevie, You get a gold star! Yay for you!

If you continued to misspell Stevie, write 100 times on the chalkboard "There is no Y in Stevie" until you get it into your brain.



Until next time, This has been spelling with JennHo.