Now that the 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign is over, and Colin finds himself immersed in travel team hockey, it's long past due for our priorities to change. That's why, as of this post, among the more than 2,500 I've written since I started blogging Sept. 10, 2005, Hound Central 5.0 has run its course.
It's been my pleasure, for the most part, to share our hockey-hounding exploits and misadventures with you over the past six years. I'm grateful, too, for all of the people who've helped out: Moody, Al and Mike among them. But it's time to redirect our energy, and as any hockey parent knows all too well, our resources.
I've also pulled the plug on Hockey Hounds Universe. All along, the focus was to chronicle the 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign. Again, I appreciate anyone who took the time to stop by and everyone who helped. It truly was a learning experience.
As always, folks, thanks for your support over the years. I hope my efforts were worth your time. It was, and remains to be, truly appreciated.
Peace.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
My 2010-11 NHL awards picks
Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP): Marty St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Vezina Trophy (best goalie): Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenseman): Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
Calder Memorial Trophy (top rookie): Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (gentlemanly conduct): Marty St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward): Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Jack Adams Award (top coach): Guy Boucher, Tampa Bay Lightning (yes, I know he's not a finalist)
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (dedication, perseverance and sportsmanship): Ray Emery, Anaheim Ducks (pretty weak field, too)
Ted Lindsay Award (players' MVP): Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
Vezina Trophy (best goalie): Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins
James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenseman): Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
Calder Memorial Trophy (top rookie): Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (gentlemanly conduct): Marty St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward): Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Jack Adams Award (top coach): Guy Boucher, Tampa Bay Lightning (yes, I know he's not a finalist)
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (dedication, perseverance and sportsmanship): Ray Emery, Anaheim Ducks (pretty weak field, too)
Ted Lindsay Award (players' MVP): Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Hockey Life: Week 32
When Colin was born, I reached out to the man whose named is listed on my birth certificate as my father. He had no interest in meeting his grandson, let alone his son. His concern, beyond being tracked down so many years later, was that the news would upset his family.
From that moment on, I vowed to be the man that man – Vincent Wynn Parry -- never was.
Over the course of my nearly 50 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have father figures who taught me valuable lessons about being a man, a husband and, most importantly, a father.
On this day, I don’t have one father to thank, but many: Roy F. Saar, David Howard, Russell Saar, Harold McLeer, Fenton Thomas McGonnell II, Lester Baum, John Schurr and Russell Asquith.
My only hope is that I pass these lessons to my son and become the father I never had. More than anything else, that's what I want as my legacy.
From that moment on, I vowed to be the man that man – Vincent Wynn Parry -- never was.
Over the course of my nearly 50 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have father figures who taught me valuable lessons about being a man, a husband and, most importantly, a father.
On this day, I don’t have one father to thank, but many: Roy F. Saar, David Howard, Russell Saar, Harold McLeer, Fenton Thomas McGonnell II, Lester Baum, John Schurr and Russell Asquith.
My only hope is that I pass these lessons to my son and become the father I never had. More than anything else, that's what I want as my legacy.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The thrill of victory
At practices Monday and Wednesday, Colin wore his Bruins Patrice Bergeron jersey, taking some ribbing from his teammates who, suddenly, were Vancouver Canucks fans. Well, after Boston's 4-0 victory Wednesday night, it looks like the Hockey Gods have once again smiled upon Colin.
At game's end, Colin donned his Bergeron jersey again and lofted a Stanley Cup in celebration. "I have a lifelong right for bragging now," Colin told me.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The Hockey Life: Week 31
We were on our way to a Florida State League baseball game, braving rush-hour traffic as we headed to Dunedin, when my cell phone rang. The caller ID showed it was a call I wanted to take. It was Colin's coach from the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning, calling on the day when we'd hear whether he'd make the Squirt A squad for the fall and winter season.
After exchanging greetings, Coach Dave got to the business at hand -- Colin would, indeed, be sticking with the Jr. Lightning, having earned his keep, so to speak, over the course of the 10-game summer season. With 41 kids trying out for 22 to 24 positions over two teams, we were pretty psyched to get the news.
"You can't teach speed and tenacity," Coach Dave told me.
We've enjoyed watching him play this summer, learning from his earliest games against much-better teams that playing hard and engaging the competition would make a big difference. Since he started playing, I've stressed the need for him to skate hard and be active. In fact, Coach Dave related how Colin's name came up in conversations with teammates on the player they'd least want to go up against in one-on-one drills.
That doesn't mean, though, there isn't room for improvement. It's likely that Colin will play more defense than forward in the upcoming season, meaning he'll have to learn a more positional game and become a better heads-up stickhandler. Advice like that will give us something to work on over the summer.
A kick in the grass
Over the years, we've taken Colin to many sporting events, mostly hockey and baseball games and a handful of Nascar races. Later today, we're attending his first pro soccer game as the FC Tampa Bay play the Atlanta Silverbacks at Al Lang Field in downtown St. Petersburg.
Beyond having fun with a loud, vocal group known as Ralph's Mob, I'm hoping Colin draws some parallels from soccer that he can use in hockey -- relentlessness, playing your position, pinpoint passing and rock-solid defense.
For me, it'll bring back memories of watching the Tampa Bay Rowdies during my first tour of duty here in Hockey Bay as well as covering the team during my early days as a sportswriter for the Clearwater Sun.
After exchanging greetings, Coach Dave got to the business at hand -- Colin would, indeed, be sticking with the Jr. Lightning, having earned his keep, so to speak, over the course of the 10-game summer season. With 41 kids trying out for 22 to 24 positions over two teams, we were pretty psyched to get the news.
"You can't teach speed and tenacity," Coach Dave told me.
We've enjoyed watching him play this summer, learning from his earliest games against much-better teams that playing hard and engaging the competition would make a big difference. Since he started playing, I've stressed the need for him to skate hard and be active. In fact, Coach Dave related how Colin's name came up in conversations with teammates on the player they'd least want to go up against in one-on-one drills.
That doesn't mean, though, there isn't room for improvement. It's likely that Colin will play more defense than forward in the upcoming season, meaning he'll have to learn a more positional game and become a better heads-up stickhandler. Advice like that will give us something to work on over the summer.
A kick in the grass
Over the years, we've taken Colin to many sporting events, mostly hockey and baseball games and a handful of Nascar races. Later today, we're attending his first pro soccer game as the FC Tampa Bay play the Atlanta Silverbacks at Al Lang Field in downtown St. Petersburg.
Beyond having fun with a loud, vocal group known as Ralph's Mob, I'm hoping Colin draws some parallels from soccer that he can use in hockey -- relentlessness, playing your position, pinpoint passing and rock-solid defense.
For me, it'll bring back memories of watching the Tampa Bay Rowdies during my first tour of duty here in Hockey Bay as well as covering the team during my early days as a sportswriter for the Clearwater Sun.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Colin's new wheels
Once priced at $119.99, the price tag read $34.99. When we went to check out, though, the register rung up $19.99. Can't beat that, can you?
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Time off, baby!
At the stroke of midnight today, I begin 16 straight days of vacation. Won't be traveling far, sticking mostly close to home. Aside from a few hockey-related activities, this vacation is more about chilling out and resting up than running around the Sunshine State or the East Coast like a sunburned, money-spending madman.
Instead, I'll get to watch the Bruins beat the Canucks, in seven games, to claim Lord Stanley's Cup.
With any luck, some pucks and cards, currently taking up space on any flat surface in the office, will also get put away and, possibly, some collections within the display case will be updated. Hockey Hound Universe also needs a few more posts, too.
What I'm really looking forward to, though, is spending the first week of Colin's summer vacation with him. We'll do a little fishing, fly some kites, look for trains and continue our search for the best pizza in Hockey Bay. Some joint in Tampa that serves deep-dish pizza is our first stop.
If you see us, don't be afraid to say hello. We might even offer you a slice, as long as you ask nicely.
Instead, I'll get to watch the Bruins beat the Canucks, in seven games, to claim Lord Stanley's Cup.
With any luck, some pucks and cards, currently taking up space on any flat surface in the office, will also get put away and, possibly, some collections within the display case will be updated. Hockey Hound Universe also needs a few more posts, too.
What I'm really looking forward to, though, is spending the first week of Colin's summer vacation with him. We'll do a little fishing, fly some kites, look for trains and continue our search for the best pizza in Hockey Bay. Some joint in Tampa that serves deep-dish pizza is our first stop.
If you see us, don't be afraid to say hello. We might even offer you a slice, as long as you ask nicely.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)