One of my all time favorite hockey stories relates to Eddie Shack. Shack played for the Boston Bruins in the late sixties. He was illiterate most of his life and has been a huge advocate of literacy in Ontario.
While during his playing days opponents would poke fun of him because he was unable to read. One game against the Rangers, Shack skated by their bench and one of the players yelled, "Hey Eddie, dog is spelled d-o-g." This led to another player spelling out the word cat. Minutes later Eddie scored a goal for the Bruins, he then glided by the Rangers bench and yelled "Goal! g-o-l-e"
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Head Shots - You Reap What You Sow
I just reviewed the videos of Patrice Cormier's brutal elbow last week on Quebec Rempart's defenseman Mikael Tam. You can view it at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/18/patrice-cormier-mikael-ta_n_427103.html
Cormier, in his first interview after the incident, explains "You see it clearly on the video that it's an elbow, but, as I've said, it was a reflex, I tried to check him. I had no idea I hit him in the head, but obviously I did. It was never my intention to cause any injuries." OK Patrice, I get it. So was it your reflexes when you delivered excessive elbows to the faces of Anton Rodin of Sweden and Teemu Hartikainen of Finland in two exhibition games prior to the World Junior Championships?
When will the NHL and Canadian junior leagues address "head shots"? While I do not in any way attempt to justify Comier's behavior I do see it as symptomatic of other problems in hockey. All leagues associated with Cormier's career and development of young players have some accountability in this behavior. Let's take a look at some of personalities involved. I'll start with three guys who get really good scores on player development within their organizations: Lou Lamoriello, Dale Hunter and Patrick Roy.
Lou Lamoriello GM of the New Jersey Devils. Lamoriello indicated the Cormier infraction does not warrant a season long suspension. Lamoriello comments on the Cormier incident, "I certainly have spoken to Patrice, only because of the rhetoric. I asked him how he felt because of the rhetoric. There is no issue from my end of it."
No issues! Really Lou? Here's a clue, how about "The New Jersey Devils do not condone this behavior and we are going to work with you to make certain this will never happen again. I would also like to point out this conduct is NOT an expeditious route to playing in the NHL." You blew a perfect opportunity to step up, address the head-shot issue and leverage your credibility within the sport. Instead you opted to sweep the issue under the rug by protecting/supporting your player in the sole interest of the New Jersey Devils.
Dale Hunter, Owner/President/Head Coach of the London Knights. I hear on a number of occasions what a great job Hunter does developing young players within the London Knights organization. So any of you parents considering sending your son to play for London, I would take a look at Dale Hunter's track record.
Hunter, as a player for the Washington Capitals, was noted for fouling other players. He holds one of the NHL's longest records for suspension: 21 games for delivering a cross check, from behind to Patrice Turgeon. The incident occurred after Turgeon stole the puck from Hunter in a 1993 playoff game against the Islanders and scored, putting the game out of reach. Hunter blind-sided Turgeon just after the goal as he started to celebrate. Turgeon sustained a separated shoulder from the hit, causing him to miss the following playoff series against the Penguins. It still perplexes me this guy's jersey has been retired in Washington.
Hunter has had numerous non-player incidences as well. In July 2006, Hunter was arrested and charged with DUI. The charges were dropped when the judge ruled his rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were violated for unlawful detention and being denied access to his attorney. In September 2005, Hunter was suspended by the Ontario Hockey League for 4 games when a player left the bench to instigate a fight in an exhibition game. On January 2006, Hunter was suspended 2 games, and the team was fined $5,000, for Hunter's off ice actions towards the officials. May 2006, Hunter was fined $5,000 by the OHL for comments critical to on ice officials after the Knights were eliminated (swept actually) from the playoffs. In September 2006, Hunter was suspended by the OHL for 2 regular season games because one his players left the bench to participate in a fight during a game.
Patrick Roy Co-Owner/GM/Head Coach of the Quebec Remparts. Like Hunter, I also hear terrific player development stories with regard to Patrick Roy. Thinking of having your blue chip prospect play for the storied Quebec Remparts?
No question, Roy has played the game at a level of competence with the greatest goalies in the game (Brodeur, Sawchuck come to mind) but it's necessary to take a look at his non-player track record. In October 2000 he was arrested on investigation of domestic violence charges. In January 2007 police investigated an incident involving Roy and Pierre Cardinal, co-owner of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. There were reports that Roy punched Cardinal several times after he intervened in order to disperse a crowd of hockey fans that were blocking the Remparts bus after a game between the two clubs. A complaint for assault had been filed against Roy.
On March 2008, in Chicoutimi Quebec, Roy was involved in another on-ice incident during a playoff game against the Saguenéens. Towards the end of the second period, the Saguenéens were leading handily, 7-1. A fight started and Remparts goaltender Jonathon Roy, Patrick's son, charged towards Saguenéens' goaltender Bobby Nadeau. Roy hit Nadeau several times despite the other goalie clearing indicating he did not want to fight. After knocking Nadeau down, Roy continued to pummel him. After fighting a second Saguenéens player, Roy skated off the ice with both arms in the air sending fans the "universal bad driving gesture". Coach Roy denied encouraging his son to fight despite cameras indicating otherwise. Jonathan was suspended for seven games and fined $500 while Patrick was suspended for five games and fined $4,000. The Quebec Ministry of Public Safety has launched a police investigation into the matter and in July 2008, Jonathan was charged with assault. In November 2008, Roy's other son, Frederick was suspended 15 games by the QMJHL for cross-checking an opponent in the head while the play was stopped.
Call me crazy, but I'm thinking Patrick may have some anger management issues. They appear to be genetic.
So, where is the real problem here?
I see it from two sources. The first is within NHL general manager and coaching staffs. You get players, like Cormier and Zack Kassian, aligning with the styles of their future NHL employers, which preach: protect yourself, keep your head up and follow through on your checks.
The second source is the role models and development within the Canadian junior leagues. In fact, The London Knights and Quebec Remparts are viewed as the gold standard in player development.
I'm liking this new College Hockey Inc. that Paul Kelly is heading up. Any blue chip hockey player looking to develop both as a player and a person should really consider the NCAA. Do you ever see the frequency and severity of incidences like this at the NCAA level? No, there are strict rules against it. Moreover, the coaching is focused on more complete development of players as people - people who will play hockey or make positive non-hockey contributions to society or both. I would take Jerry York at Boston College or Jackie Parker at Boston University or Dick Umile at UNH any day of the week! These colleges and other NCAA schools are where real comprehensive player and people development take place.
Cormier, in his first interview after the incident, explains "You see it clearly on the video that it's an elbow, but, as I've said, it was a reflex, I tried to check him. I had no idea I hit him in the head, but obviously I did. It was never my intention to cause any injuries." OK Patrice, I get it. So was it your reflexes when you delivered excessive elbows to the faces of Anton Rodin of Sweden and Teemu Hartikainen of Finland in two exhibition games prior to the World Junior Championships?
When will the NHL and Canadian junior leagues address "head shots"? While I do not in any way attempt to justify Comier's behavior I do see it as symptomatic of other problems in hockey. All leagues associated with Cormier's career and development of young players have some accountability in this behavior. Let's take a look at some of personalities involved. I'll start with three guys who get really good scores on player development within their organizations: Lou Lamoriello, Dale Hunter and Patrick Roy.
Lou Lamoriello GM of the New Jersey Devils. Lamoriello indicated the Cormier infraction does not warrant a season long suspension. Lamoriello comments on the Cormier incident, "I certainly have spoken to Patrice, only because of the rhetoric. I asked him how he felt because of the rhetoric. There is no issue from my end of it."
No issues! Really Lou? Here's a clue, how about "The New Jersey Devils do not condone this behavior and we are going to work with you to make certain this will never happen again. I would also like to point out this conduct is NOT an expeditious route to playing in the NHL." You blew a perfect opportunity to step up, address the head-shot issue and leverage your credibility within the sport. Instead you opted to sweep the issue under the rug by protecting/supporting your player in the sole interest of the New Jersey Devils.
Dale Hunter, Owner/President/Head Coach of the London Knights. I hear on a number of occasions what a great job Hunter does developing young players within the London Knights organization. So any of you parents considering sending your son to play for London, I would take a look at Dale Hunter's track record.
Hunter, as a player for the Washington Capitals, was noted for fouling other players. He holds one of the NHL's longest records for suspension: 21 games for delivering a cross check, from behind to Patrice Turgeon. The incident occurred after Turgeon stole the puck from Hunter in a 1993 playoff game against the Islanders and scored, putting the game out of reach. Hunter blind-sided Turgeon just after the goal as he started to celebrate. Turgeon sustained a separated shoulder from the hit, causing him to miss the following playoff series against the Penguins. It still perplexes me this guy's jersey has been retired in Washington.
Hunter has had numerous non-player incidences as well. In July 2006, Hunter was arrested and charged with DUI. The charges were dropped when the judge ruled his rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were violated for unlawful detention and being denied access to his attorney. In September 2005, Hunter was suspended by the Ontario Hockey League for 4 games when a player left the bench to instigate a fight in an exhibition game. On January 2006, Hunter was suspended 2 games, and the team was fined $5,000, for Hunter's off ice actions towards the officials. May 2006, Hunter was fined $5,000 by the OHL for comments critical to on ice officials after the Knights were eliminated (swept actually) from the playoffs. In September 2006, Hunter was suspended by the OHL for 2 regular season games because one his players left the bench to participate in a fight during a game.
Patrick Roy Co-Owner/GM/Head Coach of the Quebec Remparts. Like Hunter, I also hear terrific player development stories with regard to Patrick Roy. Thinking of having your blue chip prospect play for the storied Quebec Remparts?
No question, Roy has played the game at a level of competence with the greatest goalies in the game (Brodeur, Sawchuck come to mind) but it's necessary to take a look at his non-player track record. In October 2000 he was arrested on investigation of domestic violence charges. In January 2007 police investigated an incident involving Roy and Pierre Cardinal, co-owner of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. There were reports that Roy punched Cardinal several times after he intervened in order to disperse a crowd of hockey fans that were blocking the Remparts bus after a game between the two clubs. A complaint for assault had been filed against Roy.
On March 2008, in Chicoutimi Quebec, Roy was involved in another on-ice incident during a playoff game against the Saguenéens. Towards the end of the second period, the Saguenéens were leading handily, 7-1. A fight started and Remparts goaltender Jonathon Roy, Patrick's son, charged towards Saguenéens' goaltender Bobby Nadeau. Roy hit Nadeau several times despite the other goalie clearing indicating he did not want to fight. After knocking Nadeau down, Roy continued to pummel him. After fighting a second Saguenéens player, Roy skated off the ice with both arms in the air sending fans the "universal bad driving gesture". Coach Roy denied encouraging his son to fight despite cameras indicating otherwise. Jonathan was suspended for seven games and fined $500 while Patrick was suspended for five games and fined $4,000. The Quebec Ministry of Public Safety has launched a police investigation into the matter and in July 2008, Jonathan was charged with assault. In November 2008, Roy's other son, Frederick was suspended 15 games by the QMJHL for cross-checking an opponent in the head while the play was stopped.
Call me crazy, but I'm thinking Patrick may have some anger management issues. They appear to be genetic.
So, where is the real problem here?
I see it from two sources. The first is within NHL general manager and coaching staffs. You get players, like Cormier and Zack Kassian, aligning with the styles of their future NHL employers, which preach: protect yourself, keep your head up and follow through on your checks.
The second source is the role models and development within the Canadian junior leagues. In fact, The London Knights and Quebec Remparts are viewed as the gold standard in player development.
I'm liking this new College Hockey Inc. that Paul Kelly is heading up. Any blue chip hockey player looking to develop both as a player and a person should really consider the NCAA. Do you ever see the frequency and severity of incidences like this at the NCAA level? No, there are strict rules against it. Moreover, the coaching is focused on more complete development of players as people - people who will play hockey or make positive non-hockey contributions to society or both. I would take Jerry York at Boston College or Jackie Parker at Boston University or Dick Umile at UNH any day of the week! These colleges and other NCAA schools are where real comprehensive player and people development take place.
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Implications of NHL 'Cost Certainty'
I am just getting my head around the escrow language in the 2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the more I understand it the more concerned I am of its implications.
Here are the key terms of the 2005 CBA as related to 'cost certainty':
To ensure the correct revenue split, a percentage of player salaries could be placed in escrow. When total league revenues are determined at the end of the season, the escrow account will be divided among players and owners to ensure the target has been met.
The owners have the right to retain a percentage of players' salaries up to 20 percent until the exact amount of revenue and player salaries are finalized at the end of the season.
What a way to run a railroad! Are you kidding me. So if the salary cap increases (which it did this year by 5%) and the hockey-related revenues (HRR) decrease (and they will in this economy), the amount of escrow needed from the players goes up. So now we know why the escrow contribution is 18% this season.
Some big implications:
1) Your negotiated salary is really not your negotiated salary.
2) Salary cap escalators create 'no win' scenario.
(a) An increase in the cap causes an increase in escrow percentage (let's face it, the HRR is not going up over time) which pisses players off (I'll come back to this).
(b) A decrease in the cap causes less money 'in the system' to make a better team (i.e. free agent signings). The less better a team is, the less better the HRR (unless of course we are talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs).
3) Players pay the salaries of injury replacements and high-salaried players who are sent to the AHL.
4) KHL here I come. As the NHL escrow percentage increases, many higher paid players will not put up with it. Defections to the KHL will begin.
NHL escrow and related 'cost certainty' in the 2005 CBA appears to be an accommodation for having NHL teams playing in cities where they should not be.
Here are the key terms of the 2005 CBA as related to 'cost certainty':
To ensure the correct revenue split, a percentage of player salaries could be placed in escrow. When total league revenues are determined at the end of the season, the escrow account will be divided among players and owners to ensure the target has been met.
The owners have the right to retain a percentage of players' salaries up to 20 percent until the exact amount of revenue and player salaries are finalized at the end of the season.
What a way to run a railroad! Are you kidding me. So if the salary cap increases (which it did this year by 5%) and the hockey-related revenues (HRR) decrease (and they will in this economy), the amount of escrow needed from the players goes up. So now we know why the escrow contribution is 18% this season.
Some big implications:
1) Your negotiated salary is really not your negotiated salary.
2) Salary cap escalators create 'no win' scenario.
(a) An increase in the cap causes an increase in escrow percentage (let's face it, the HRR is not going up over time) which pisses players off (I'll come back to this).
(b) A decrease in the cap causes less money 'in the system' to make a better team (i.e. free agent signings). The less better a team is, the less better the HRR (unless of course we are talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs).
3) Players pay the salaries of injury replacements and high-salaried players who are sent to the AHL.
4) KHL here I come. As the NHL escrow percentage increases, many higher paid players will not put up with it. Defections to the KHL will begin.
NHL escrow and related 'cost certainty' in the 2005 CBA appears to be an accommodation for having NHL teams playing in cities where they should not be.
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