Memorial Day 2011: True Battlers and Gratitude

Thank you, Nathan Hardy, Michael Koch, and all the true battlers who have lost their lives to protect a hockey (and donut) fan’s freedom to blog about that which I am grateful.

1. Aaron Ward’s comments (May 28 2001, 98.5 The Sports Hub) to Boston Bruins’ fans before Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning: “Be grateful for what you’ve got.”

2. Hockey talk on the radio: Fond memories of the defunct New England Hockey Journal and now 98.5, The Sports Hub

3. Hardy and Trupiano: The ultimate sports talk radio team

4. Coffee and donuts ice cream: The Wagon Wheel Restaurant

5. Donut diversity: Dunkin’ Donuts, Dynamo Donut, Adams Donuts

6. Donut books: Time to Make the Donuts, The Donut Chef, Who Needs Donuts?

7. Hockey writers: Jack Falla, Paul Grant, Jay Atkinson

8. Hockey rinks: Valley Sports, Herb Brooks Arena, EPIC

9. The Boston Bruins’ marketing department: Best of the Bear

10. Timmy Thomas: Top Ten Saves at TSN (merci, Gilbert Cote)

11. Hockey friends on both sides of the 49th

12. The Stanley Cup Finals, Bruins versus Canucks:Win or lose, I’ll enjoy the ride.

The Hockey Show(s)

Thanks, the callers say to 98.5’s The Hockey Show hosts, for finally bringing hockey talk to Boston radio.

I’m glad that the Sports Hub has Dave “Left to Right Across Your Radio” Goucher and Bob “Blueliner” Beers—the B’s announcers since 2000—to dispense their vast and intimate knowledge to a wider audience. B’s fans deserve it.

But hockey talk on the radio is not new to Boston.

I miss the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show (NEHJRS) and hosts Mick “Doc5 Hole” Colageo and Kevin Paul “Hub of Hockey” Dupont. These lads lamented and lauded the local club on ESPN Boston 890, which recently signed off the airwaves. Mick and Dupes served as a lifeline to hardcore hockey fans not only here in the Hub but also to those listening, via the Internet, from far and wide.

I miss the other callers like "Michael from Brookline", “V”, and "Kevin from Melrose"; the great guests, Kirk Luedeke and “Cap” Raeder; and the trivia questions that Mick would concoct and that often had more than one correct answer (often one he hadn’t considered). Even the old school commercials—no frills, just Mick or Dupes reading the script—were entertaining (Mick touting the turkey tips at The Fours). And I’ll miss the end-to-end appreciation for music, including the song that ended the NEHJRS’s run: Bono belting out one of Dupes’s favorites, “Beautiful Day”.

You too? Do you miss it?

I hope the NEHJRS was a vital part of your Saturdays. But, if not, at least you know that the NEHJRS was a haven for some of us, a place that has been replaced (so far, so good boys) but not forgotten.

New England Hockey Journal Radio Show: The Best Banter

From the pre-game chatter to the call from soft-spoken “Michael from Brookline” to the gregarious contribution from “Kevin from Melrose” to the post-game gabbing, it was a thrill to be part of the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show (NEHJRS). In ESPN 890’s Charlestown studio to talk hockey with Kevin Paul Dupont and Mick Colageo. I enjoyed participating in the on-air banter, but the behind-the scenes stuff was savory, too.

Saturday, January 17

During an early commercial break, I look at Mick, who has raised his headset to a new level: His earphones rest above his ear lobes.

“That’s a good luck for you,” I say.

He then repositions them to front to back, one ear pad on his forehead and the other on the back of his bulb. He looks not like a hockey jockey but more like an insane reindeer. But then the close of the Hockey Monkey ad, a staple of the show’s commercial stock, prompts Mick to get back to business.

The hot topic today is Vincent Lecavalier: Should the B’s make a move for the talented Tampa Bay forward? Dupes suggested as much in a recent column, writing “If (the Bruins) want to be in the Big Vin derby, they have the horses.” Callers debate the pros and cons of KPD’s case. Passion pervades every conversation. But laughter and levity will linger for me.

“Ron from Danvers” wrangles with Dupes about who the B’s might trade for Vinny. The Hall-of Fame scribe delivers an all-star caliber quip: “You can put your ’64 Rambler into this deal.”

Then, after a four-minute commercial break commences, KPD removes his headphones and delivers another beauty: “I’m goin’ for donuts.”

He exits the booth to pluck a Boston Kreme from the box my wife (who’s lingering around the office outside the studio) and I brought with us from our Saturday donut pantheon.

After a bathroom break (I’m a little nervous about my upcoming formal introduction), I select a Chocolate Frosted and then return to the booth.

“How do you stay in shot-blocking shape?” Mick, his microphone not yet open, asks me.

As we take our seats before the first half’s closing segment, I tell them that I walk to work and take the stairs instead of the elevator.

The white button is now lit, meaning we’re back on the air. Mick, seated to my right, mentions my “darling” wife and how, as a birthday gift, she arranged my appearance on the show. He then references my presence at HFBoards as Shotblocker32.

Dupes, across the table from me, wonders what number I have on the back of the Black and Gold replica jersey I’m wearing.

Number 32. Boston Bruin Don Sweeney.

After another commercial break, the second hour begins. Mick is still chewing on what he refers to as an “unfettered” Old Fashioned that he says sticks to your teeth in an unusual sort of way. He looks to me to add commentary.

“I’m all about the donuts,” I say, adding that I know what my role on this show is.

‘This is great radio…,” says Dave Shook, who takes time out from pressing the buttons in the control room. “Best radio banter that nobody can see.”

2008: Reflections from Donut Land

Here in Donut Land, we reflect on the Top Twelve (not the Top Ten) memories from 2008.

1. My 2008 donut calendar: the first of every month was like Christmas Day
2. Bruins vs. Canadiens, Game Six: “This building is vibrating.” (Jack Edwards)
3. AMHL Tuesday: Dual Shutout
4. High Altitude Training in Jackson Hole, WY
5. AMHL Wednesday: Sharks vs. Canadiens
6. October in Ottawa
7. Reconnecting with the Rockies: Krazy George, Wilf Paiement, and Joe Fletcher
8. AMHL Thursday: Coaching the “Red Army” Team
9. Barry Manilow moment on the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show (NEHJRS)
10. Eric “Danke” Schoen: 1000 career points and an AMHL championship
11. The Bruins’ current 9-game winning streak: longest since 1982
12. My new bookshelf: filled with three dozen or so books about hockey (and donuts)

And a half-dozen of what and who to watch, wait, and hope for in 2009:

1. Blake Wheeler: The Calder Trophy candidate (leads all rookies in goals and plus/minus)
2. Mattias Borman: the Super Swede may lead the FCAHA in scoring
3. A special guest appearance on the NEHJRS by “Jimmy from Maynard”
4. An AMHL Glory update
5. A Stanley Cup in Boston
6. Miracles for *Mike Chase: Keep the faith, buddy.

*Please contact me if you'd like to make a donation

Bruins Recap: Fours

The Boston Bruins are back on Beantown’s sports radar, and I’m back to blogging about them here. Every week, I’ll expand upon the commentary I and other hard-core fans have made at HFBoards and on the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show (NEHJRS).

The secret to the Black and Gold’s success is not the nifty new third sweater design but rather balance. Everyone is contributing, so the team can roll all four lines. So with that in mind, I’ll keep these four shifts short:

4 Even before Saturday night’s 4–1 win over the Wings, the Bruins—with their 15–4–0-4 record, were earning more attention in the Boston Globe. Check out what’s on Marc Savard’s iPod and what’s on the equipment manager’s To-do list.

4Globe writer and NEHJRS co-host Kevin Paul Dupont’s handle at HFBoards is “Hub of Hockey”. Keeping rhyming in the reasoning, that means twineminder Tim Thomas (not even on the NHL All-star ballot, which lists ten other goalies) is the Snub of Hockey. And the Four’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, official sponsor of the NEHJRS trivia question, is the Pub of Hockey.

4On Saturday’s show, regular caller “Kevin from Melrose” provided a nickname for Bruin rookie forward Blake Wheeler: “Mambo Mosaic of Minnesota.” Clever, Kev, but too long. I say shorten it to “3M”, a prominent Minnesota company.

4The only game the B’s lost last week was in Buffalo. The loss doesn’t bother me so much—can’t win ‘em all—as the post-game party tune. Sabres marketing, which in a game last year used “I’m Shippin’ Up to Boston”, pilfered our play list again, this time serenading the bah-bah-bahing crowd with “Sweet Caroline.” I suggest that, in protest, Marc Savard remove from his iPod any tunes by the Buffalo-based band, the Goo Goo Dolls.

Until next time, when the B’s are hopefully 18–4–0-4, happy hockey days.

NEHJ Radio Show: Face of the Bruins

I’m listening to the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show. Brandon Bochenski, a bright light in a dim and grim Bruins’ season, is talking about the turnover on the Bruins—how many teammates has P.J. Axelsson had? More on my thoughts on the Bruins’ on-ice plans later this off-season. For now, and like the beginning of today’s show, I’ll focus on the Black and Gold’s marketing plan. Mick Colageo, Kevin Paul Dupont, and Matt Kalman led-off the show with this topic: Who should be the Bruins’ poster boy?

Phil Kessel? Too young, too much pressure on him already. Marc Savard? Lots of personality—but too zany? Zdeno Chara? He gets my vote because of his marketing experience; he was funny on last season’s NESN commercial featuring Hazel Mae and Kathryn Tappen.

I have another idea to bolster the buzz about the Bruins: an official donut!

At Dunkin’ Donuts this morning, I noticed a lone Chocolate Frosted sitting in a separate bin. Its companions had already been plucked from the paper lining the caged corral. This single jewel was crowned with blue and red jimmies because it was sponsored by the Boston Red Sox. Imagine black and gold sprinkles—maybe a bunch of black ones on one side and bunch of gold ones on the other—atop your favorite donut!

I’ll take this marketing plan one step farther. Bring back the days, circa 2003, when Dunkin’ Donuts and the Boston Bruins ran in-store promotions to reward hockey (and donut) fans with chances to win donut fare and coffee or to meet Joe Thornton. I think an official donut, free food, and a chance to chat with Chara would increase interest in the Bs.

New England Hockey Journal Radio Show: More Mojo and a Plea for Patience

Photo courtesy of Savinca at flickr.com
Yesterday, as the Bruins prepared to ground the Flyers, New England Hockey Journal Radio Show hosts Mick Colageo, Kevin Paul Dupont, and Matt Kalman discussed the 10–2 drubbing the Bruins had suffered Thursday night against the Buds, after which B’s Head Coach Dave Lewis said his team had lost its "mojo."

Colageo said there was “more fight in the crowd than on the ice.” He added that goalie Tim Thomas showed signs of “wilting.” He suggested it might be time for the Bruins to search for a “formidable sidekick” to help the Tominator.

Formidable sidekicks are overrated and unpredictable. Take Scrappy Doo, for example. When Hanna-Barbera wanted to improve a show that didn’t require any tinkering, the creators signed Scooby’s nephew, a free agent (or was it a player to be named later?). How could you go wrong with a name like Scrappy? Tough, durable, the kind of dog that would win all the battles in the corners and the one you’d want taking a critical face-off in your own zone. As most Scooby Doo fans will testify, Scrappy wrecked the chemistry of the team, and his arrival signaled the demised a loyal-to-the-bone (get it, bone?) fan base.

"C’mon Jimmy," you may protest, "you’re comparing cartoons to hockey clubs?"

Yes. I say a product is a product.

"Okay, but Jimmy, you can’t return to the old days."

Sure, times change, no getting around that. Everything seems like it’s “On Demand.” Comcast’s movie selection at our fingertips, MSN instant messaging…we don’t want to wait for anything. Don’t get me wrong, I have a touch tone phone and e-mail, but let’s look at what the Sabres and Predators are doing.

In the last few years, manangement in Buffalo and Nashville has decided to risk short term gains in favor of enjoying a more profitable and enduring long term. Management for both clubs focused on developing players in their own systems rather than looking for the next great trades.

Again, don’t get me wrong. Free agent signings and trades are inevitable, so you can’t ignore that part of the business. Yet the Sabres signed only one new player in the off-season and are the NHL’s best team this season. Pretty much the same story in Nashville.

Charlie Jacobs, in his fifth season as executive vice president of the Bruins, joined the show in the second hour. Prompted by Kalman’s question on the subject I just discussed, Jacobs echoed my sentiments, saying that you don’t want to press the panic button because that leads to poor decisions.

I called to applaud that philosophy. I also levied some criticism because I was at the game last Thursday night. My wife and I left the game early—not because of the debacle on the ice but rather for the ugliness in the stands. Student night, alcohol, and a six-goal deficit: a recipe for rudeness and rowdiness. Two or three rows behind us, Bruins fans turned on each other, flinging beer and fists. Time to go.

To the Bruins’ credit, though, the police arrived quickly and then escorted the rabble-rousers from the building. Still, that scene—coupled with promotions efforts, like the “Movin’ on Up” seat upgrade that force fans to stand up while the game is in progress, will make me think twice about going to another game on Thursday night.

I beg of Bruins fans to behave themselves—no matter how much money you spend on tickets or how bad the Bruins play, you don’t have the right to toss your beer at each other or onto the ice. Otherwise, I advise patience. Patience with the players and management. Come February, when the Patriots’ season is over, when the Bruins have their mojo back and are making another run for the playoffs (under the Jacobs for thirty years now, the Bruins have failed to make the playoffs only four times, which is five times fewer than the Leafs during the same time frame).

Maybe we won’t win the Cup this season, but if we stick with the players we have in the system, the Bruins will raise the Cup sooner than you might expect.