Hockey Fun

There are the obvious reasons why I love the sport of hockey. It's fast and fun, there are breathtaking goals and bone crushing hits, the combination of agility and grace, and above all else, the players are good people. I am always amazed when people can't get into hockey. Aside from the actual sport, the players are so much better than any other sport. Want proof? This last playoff run saw the following:

• Eric Belanger lost 8 teeth and had a root canal and went back out and played.


• Duncan Keith lost 7 teeth and went back out and played.


• The biggest scandal wasn't a gun in the locker room, but rather Chris Pronger stealing the 'game puck' and tossing it away.


• Brooks Laich got eliminated in the first round and on his way home in his suit stopped to help a stranger with a flat tire.

These are just a few of the reasons my sport is amazing. Another one? The Stanley Cup and Blackhawks' player Brent Sopel will be marching in the Gay Pride Parade this weekend with Lord Stanley's Cup. Sopel is marching in memory of Leafs' GM Brian Burke's son Brendan Burke who came out and then was killed two months later in a car accident. Sopel will be marching alongside his wife and four kids.

"When Brendan came out, Brian stood by him, and his whole family stood by him, like every family should," said Sopel. "We teach our kids about accepting everybody. Tolerate everybody, to understand where everyone is coming from."

And on a lighter note some members of the NHL Draft Class of 2010 and some players will be on the red carpet for Twilight's Eclipse Premier. While many fans are groaning it's actually a great opportunity for the NHL to get a little press time. While discussing Twilight people go all Team Edward, Team Jacob and pitted Ovi v. Sid. This was interesting bc Ovi looks nothing like Edward, whereas Sid does look like Jacob. So here's a side by side of whom I think should represent Edward and of course Sid next to Jacob.