Go On, Episode 5

We now continue with the next episode of a semi regular feature of Go ON.

 

 

Detroit Red Wings prospect Riley Sheahan slowly emerged from a car he was driving, wearing a Tinky Winky Teletubby costume with oversized purple shoes, in police video of his traffic stop and arrest in a Grand Rapids Police video .

 

Read more

 

http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2012/11/video_shows_riley_sheahan_wear.html

 

 

From his Twitter page Oct 22

 

Riley Sheahan‏@rsheahan4

Out searching for Halloween costumes with @Tparkes19 .. No luck so far but hopefully we'll find something special

 

 

 

 

Now I know I did the same thing when I was around that age. Thinking back on it now, it scares me to think of what could have happened. And it's good we didn't have another Lindbergh or Chiasson situation here.

 

This gets a big

 

 

 

from me.

WHA

 

 

Beckett Hockey Card Price Guide #243 November 2012


No, I don't have an article published like Sal.

http://puckjunk.com/page/4/?s=beckett


But in this issue, there are stories on collecting during a lockout and a feature on Martin Brodeur.


 But I am quoted in this month's issue of Beckett Hockey.


Susan Lulgjuraj,



the Beckett football and hockey editor did a story on

The Rebel League. WHA




The story consists of a brief history of the league and the cards that could be collected. She put out a call at beckett.com a few months ago and wanted to talk to some people who collected WHA cards. Since we couldn't hook up, she emailed me the questions and I replied. The following is our exchange.


SL: What kind of WHA cards do you have and what have you collected over the years?
ME: I pretty much have all the mainstream stuff. 72/73 OPC high numbers, series 4 and the team logo card inserts, 73/74 OPC posters, 74/75, 75/76, 76/77 and 77/78 OPC sets. I also have some 73/74 Quaker Oats and 72/73 Ottawa Nationals post card set. Besides cards, also have some WHA team patches.

 
SL. Do you remember the WHA? What did you think about it? 

 ME: Personally, as a Canadian, to me hockey is hockey. Whether it's at the junior level, minors or pros, I love it all. Remember watching the games on TV. Pretty exciting to watch as an alternative to the NHL. As they say "Hockey is Life"


SL: In the hockey world, how did fans view the guys that came over from the WHA? 
ME: I'm assuming you mean guys that come over to the WHA. In the days before all the new technogy, you pretty much had only the daily newspaper to keep informed. No sports radio or web stories. Another league meant more exposure for the players. We didn't have the knowledge of the issues between players and owners. So someone getting a million dollar contract was hard to fathom. Getting paid that much money to play a game was hard for the fan to take. My Maple Leafs were hit hard by player defections and I didn't blame the players. If someone offered me a lot of money to do my job elsewhere, I, too, would probably go.

 
 SL: What did you like about the OPC WHA cards?

 ME: Before the "junk wax" era of the 90's, there were very few cards to collect. Your usual OPC and Topps and some oddball sets. The WHA offered another set of cards. It was a ards and sets cheaplychance to see logos of new teams that were colourful in name and teasm colours. Also cards were issued of some players that you (and probably nobody outside of their family) had never heard of. For me, since the WHA was a rebel league, most dealers were selling the cheaply as they weren't the NHL.
She worked my quotes into her story and I was pleased. It's not every day I see myself in print . 

And news of my favourite team.

According to Forbes magazine NHL team valuations

Maple Leafs First Hockey Team Worth $1 Billion

Well, at least we're number 1 in something.

 



My Grey Cup Journey



Today's post is not hockey related but good old fashioned Canadian.

Today's Grey Cup (La Coupe Grey) game is the 100th to be played. This pits the winners of the East and West divisions to determine the Canadian Football League champion.

 

My personal journey began as a child of around 8 years old.. 

 

 

I have a photo somewhere of my brother and myself emulating our heroes. Will have to find that and insert later.

 

My first game was the Labour Day Classic between the Toronto Argonauts and my hometown Hamilton Tiger Cats. (Ti-Cats 21 Argos 19). Even at that age, I collected as I still have  the program and ticket stubs. I'll have to dig that up sometime.

 

I played for the Schwenger Alouettes in the Hamilton Old Boys Football League. I remember being revived with smelling salts a couple of times. I believe now that I had a concussion or two. One time I had a headache for a few days and was feeling sick. With the equipment in use at the time, it's a wonder there weren't more serious injuries. I still have my jersey from those days. The Al Bundy in me.

 

 

Photo of me with trophy for best lineman.

 

 

 

In conjunction with the 100th Grey Cup, there was a Grey Cup train that travelled across Canada. It made stops so you could get autographs from CFL alumni and your photo with the Cup. It made a stop nearby me so I was there for the 9:00 am stop. I got there a little early to scope out the proceedings as I still had to go to work. Right away, there was a breakfast being served. Coffee, orange juice, pancakes, sausage and peameal bacon.  CFL alumni were walking around and I got these autographs. They seemed to like the CIC's that I made.
 

 

 

 

Lee Knight

 

David Lane

 

Jeff Howe Athletic therapist .

He wore his Grey Cup rings from both the Argos and the Tiger Cats.

 

John Williams Sr

John Williams Jr

 

John Williams Sr and Jr are the only father and son tandem to win Grey Cups. Luckily I checked the site the night before and found out who was signing. Printed this photo to get signed. Jr also wore his Grey Cup ring from the 2004 Argos. That thing was HUGE.

 

But the big draw for me was to have my photo taken with the Cup. Since it was early morning of a weekday, there were not a lot of people there. I was third in line to have my picture taken. (after I had a second breakfast helping--there was a lot left over). Unfortunately, somehow I did not receive my photo. They e-mailed it to my e-mail address but nothing. I have e-mailed them back to see if I can get it re-sent. But here's a buddy of mine that received his. Hopefully I get mine as I have cherleaders with me and the Cup.

 

 

It's Toronto 24   Calgary 6 at half time.

And if you were watching ,did you hear Burton Cummings rendition of the national anthem. I wish I hadn't been watching.

Go On, episode 4

"Bulldog"

 

 

 

Ex-Bruins forward Stan Jonathan charged in deadly hunting accident

 

 

 

Former Boston Bruins forward Stan Jonathan has been charged with criminal negligence causing death after a hunting accident on the weekend left a Hamilton man dead.

 

 

You can read the story here.

 

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2012/11/14/ex-nhler-charged-after-man-shot-on-six-nations

 

Friends of the deceased have launched a donations website for the family at www.pjkosid.com. A memorial service is planned for Monday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Scottish Rite Club of Hamilton at 4 Queen St. S. All are welcome.

 

Sad news here for both families. I guess when you are famous, it makes the news far and wide. This story fits the criteria for me to include in my Go On posts. Not in the same vein as my previous ones.

Hockey this Saturday night at the ACC

So, since there has been no NHL hockey at the ACC this season, my favourite team is trying to entice me to go there, to watch some hockey(and get some of my money)

Dear AL, To celebrate the announcement of our partnership with the Toronto Furies of the Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL), please join us this Saturday night to watch LIVE Women's Hockey at Air Canada Centre - FREE for all hockey fans! Featuring Team Canada Olympians Tessa Bonhomme, Sami Jo Small, Rebecca Johnston and Meaghan Mikkelson. Celebrate OUR GAME and be treated to the full Saturday night hockey experience including in-game entertainment, giveaways, and more! Bring your friends and family for an exciting hockey night out!

 

 

There are also some autograph opportunities, prizes and more. And yes. it's free.

 

Unfortunately (?), I won't be able to make it.  And as I've said before, hockey is hockey. (more on  that later). Anyhow, sharing this to let you  my team has not forgotten about me. Some families that never would have the opportunity to go to the ACC to watch hockey will at least get the chance.

Go On episode 3

Today we bring you another episode of Go On

 

 

Well known vegan and Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada.

 

NHL's unlikliest tough guy

 

Georges Laraque

 

Well, he's been pretty busy the last couple of days.

 

After assuming a position as  CHLPA executive director in August, he resigned recently amid growing controversy.

 

You can follow him at

https://twitter.com/GeorgesLaraque

 

This story just gets curiouser and curiouser.

The endeavour essentially collapsed on Thursday amid a series of bizarre circumstances involving CHLPA support staff and allegations convicted fraudster Randy Gumbley was somehow involved in the union.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/11/02/warmington-chlpa-cute-with-the-truth

 

On July 9, 2012, Perry Boskus, president of a Florida-based company that produced synthetic ice sheets that Laraque sold in Canada, issued a a press release accusing Laraque of fraud. One day later, Boskus retracted the fraud allegations. Hmmm.

 

I guess when you are famous, good and bad things just follow you around.

 

 

 

I did read his book a while ago. I found it quite entertaining and presents another side of Georges that I admire. I did receive a reply  back when he was with the Oilers. I sent an e-mail from his website and got a signed colour 8 x 10. I also saw him a few times when he was with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

 

While the CHLPA endeavour may not succeed, I believe it lays the groundwork for a look at the way junior hockey is run. I think David Branch, president of the Canadian Hockey League, may do something with this. He is not a dumb man and maybe use the framework already started for soem positive results. He has handed out some pretty severe suspensions on a variety of incidents. He has also come down hard on head shots, something the NHL has yet to do.

 

Seems like there will always be some fodder for my Go On series.