Hockey Day in Canada

It's a question we ask ourselves a lot. What's it mean to be Canadian? (eh?)

Ask most people from outside the Great White North and they'd probably tell you Canada's a polite country. An accepting nation, diverse and unique in its heritage. As Jon Stewart once noted, we may be the only country that gained our independence by essentially asking nicely. Others'd crack a joke about flannel wearing hosers chugging a cold one. Not that they're far off...

Cross this vast land and you'll find unique cultures and landscapes, endless as the highways seem. Each province and territory their own story, their own way of doing things. But the common thread, the theme that unites us all is: the game.

Lets face it: hockey's just that most places, a game. Something to pass the time. But here, its much, much more. It's embedded in the fabric of the land, in the dreams of every kid who ever picked up a hockey stick. It's a point of pride and togetherness. It unites us, creates lifelong friendships and memories, brings us joy and sorrow with every shot, every missed opportunity and every game winning goal. Like no other characteristic, the passion and love of the game resonates from coast to coast to coast.

Whether its a lake, river, outdoor rink or, sneaking on to the Rideau Canal late at night, every sheet of ice is more than just a reminder of the harsh climate, its an opportunity. A chance to for the game to take hold and breath new life into the depths of winter. Each time it unfolds anew, the ebb and flow gracefully choreographed, the chill but a distant memory. Speed, grace and strength melding into the finest test of athletics there is to offer.

There is no other sport, no other subject that so seemingly unites out nation. Whenever our best are matched up against the rest the world has to offer there is an expectation, a demand that we succeed. It's our game. Our gift to the world. Our athletes know what it means to the people cheering them on at home, in bars and basements across the country. From the kid who wants nothing more than to be just like his idle, an old timer remembering the glory days, or the new immigrant who wants to embrace their new land. This is what we're made of. That will and determination.

The selfless nature of our superstars from Howe to Richard, Orr to Gretzky, Lemieux to Yzerman, Crosby and McDavid. This is what we aspire to. Hockey not only epitomises what we see in thees athletes, but what we see in ourselves as a nation. Tough, unassuming, yet willing to stand up for each other and what we believe. To sacrifice and focus for the greater goal. It's the best of us brought out for all to see. Hockey Day in Canada comes once a year but truly it's never far from our minds. It's our game, our day. Celebrate it always.

NHL Season Predictions

The puck (finally!) drops on the NHL season tomorrow afternoon, with the Kings raising the banner in LA against the Blackhawks, the battle of Pennsylvania in Philly and the Sens visiting the Jets in Winnipeg, so I figured why not take a look at the season ahead with some predictions for which teams should succeed as well as some individual players awards.

Eastern Conference:

The East seems to be top heavy this year in the sense that there are a few strong teams and then the rest. Pittsburgh, the NY Rangers, Boston and Philadelphia seem to be a cut above the rest and the road to the Stanley Cup will likely go through one of them. That said not many were picking New Jersey to make the run last year so what sleeper teams could jump up and surprise this year? Well I would hardly call Washington a sleeper per-say they are a team that could be a difficult out in the playoffs. Adam Oates now has to seemingly find a balance between the all out offense of Bruce Boudreau that continually ran out of gas in the playoffs and the defense first strategy of Dale Hunter that didn't seem to fully utilize the weapons he had. Oates is a sharp hockey mind so he may well be able to do so.

Other teams that may surprise could be Carolina, Tampa Bay, Buffalo and Ottawa. For this to happen they each need to get a lot of great goaltending. Cam Ward has proven he can carry a team and Carolina underpreformed in front of him last year. With the addition of Jordan Stall and Alex Semin they have more firepower but will miss Tuoomo Ruttuu until he returns from injury. In Tampa they already have the offense so it will be up to the revamped defense and new goalie Anders Lindback to prove he is worthy of being a starter. In Ottawa Craig Anderson will have to step to the plate again and the Sens will need contributions form everyone including youngsters like Jakob Silfverberg if they want to make the playoffs again. Buffalo made a run at the end of last season and much of their slow start had to do with Ryan Miller's injuries and poor play. Back and healthy he looks to regain top form and lead them into the post season.


Western Conference:

Out west the competitive balance is closer with teams like St. Louis, Chicago, Vancouver and Los Angeles poised to lead the pack. Others like San Jose, Detroit and Anaheim are looking to make a run while Phoenix and Nashville always seem to surprise. The question is, can they this year? They have the goaltending but will they be able to score enough goals to put them into the playoffs in the wild wild west?

Anaheim has two big name players, Getzlaf and Perry who will be free agents at seasons end and who both need a bounce back year so the Ducks look to improve upon last seasons disappointment. Detroit is a team that has lost several players and will need Jimmy Howard to step up big for them to get near the playoffs. You cannot replace Nick Lidstrom and it will be a challenge. Mike Babcock said after last year "A seond round loss, a second round loss and a first round loss, does that sound like a team going in the right direction?" He may well be on to something.

San Jose has been one of those teams with talent for a lot of years but has failed to do so. It may be time for the Sharks to sink or swim with this core before major changes are made.

In Edmonton the young Oilers look to surprise and their youth and chemistry may serve them well in a shortened season if they can get decent goaltending...sense a theme here...In Dallas and Minnesota big roster changes meant that the teams will be expected to make the playoffs this season and they well could if the moves pay off. 

Heart Trophy/Art Ross: Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh

The time off looks to have rejuvenated Sidney Crosby and the rest of the NHL will suffer for it. Crosby will be determined to prove injuries haven't slowed him down and will return to dominant form.

Rocket Richard: Steven Stamkos - Tampa Bay

The best sniper in the league right now, Stamkos will use his quick release to torment opposition goalies.

Vezina Trophy: Jonathan Quick - LA

He won the Conn Smyth as playoff MVP and easily could have won this last year. Now being more of a household name should help him as people appreciate just how good he is. LA wouldn't have made the playoffs without him last year.

Norris Trophy: Shea Weber - Nashville

Erik Karlsson had a year for the ages and this shortened season will mean a lot more minutes and a lot of teams focusing on him. Shea Weber may have lost his defense partner but play with Suter may have cost him votes in the past where now people will see how good he is.

Calder Trophy: Justin Schultz - Edmonton

The offensively talented rookie already has chemistry with many of his teammates from their time in Oklahoma City and will be given every opportunity on a young club to showcase his talents.

Let me know who you think makes the run this year.