John Scott, I will kick the bleep out of him...

CBS Chicago Image

Ah yes; the former MTU Huskies defenseman and former Wild pylon John Scott, the guy that is only redeeming quality is that he is really good at beating the crap out of someone, this is the same defenseman that has virtually no foot speed what-so-ever that ends up being a healthy scratch more times than not against the quicker teams in the NHL. Here at Goon's World we also know him as Mr. Anger Management, the former MTU Husky that threatened to beat the crap out of someone who accused him of running into their car, which he did. A real class act. Just for the record Scott has played so well this season that he hasn't been in the Blackhawks lineup since 3/20/2011.  s/t Rosies Hockey.

chicagobreakingsports.com --- Shawn Thornton received around 40 stitches above his eye Tuesday, accused the Chicago Blackhawks of razzing him from the bench and labeled the Hawks a team that will "chirp a lot," then reiterated Thursday on Boston radio that he and his Boston Bruins squad have a long memory.

Apparently, them's fighting words.

"He said that? That's fine. He can say what he wants," Hawks enforcer John Scott said Thursday of Thornton's team-of-chirpers assessment. "He's going after some of our littlest guys on our team to start a fight. He's trying to challenge (Fernando) Pisani to a fight. What's that say about him?

"He's Mr. Tough Guy and he's trying to challenge Pisani. If I'm in the lineup, he's more than welcome to come chirp at me. I'll kick the (bleep) out of him."

More on the Turco signing.

Former Dallas Star Goalie Marty Turco has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks and for a lot less money than 2.75 million dollars. I think you’re going to see goalies signing for a lot less money. For example; Chicago and San Jose both walked away from resigning their higher priced goalies for a less expensive version.

The Blackhawks have decided to walk away from the arbitration award for goaltender Antti Niemi, making him an unrestricted free agent, and have signed Dallas Stars veteran Marty Turco to a one-year contract.

The Blackhawks "exhausted all options" with Niemi, general manager Stan Bowman said Monday, but given their salary-cap constraints, didn't feel they could take on the $2.75 million deal that Niemi received from an arbitrator.

"It's an amazing day for my family and me to become a Blackhawk," Turco, a three-time All-Star, said.

"My world revolves around stopping pucks and giving my teammates the best opportunity to win on a nightly basis. It's been almost a dream come true to play for an Original Six team. Before the playoffs ever started last year this was a team I looked at, knowing I'd be a free agent, as a place I wanted to go."

Terms of Turco's deal aren't yet known, but his agent, Kurt Overhardt, said it is for somewhere between $1 million-$1.5 million. That is significantly lower than what Niemi was awarded Saturday and gives the Hawks some salary-cap relief.

"(Turco's) a guy who's made a lot of money in his career," Overhardt said. "He was the highest-paid goalie at one point other than (Nikolai) Khabibulin. We kind of set the market last time around. Now the priority is winning and being with a winning organization. Our priority ... was to put him with a club where he had a chance to play a role to win the Stanley Cup." [chicagobreakingsports.com]

Hawk flies away (RW77)

Over the weekend, the arbitrator awarded Antti Niemi $2.75 million contract, which is roughly $1 million less than his agent was seeking. So it seemed to be a victory for the Hawks, since they could theoretically fit Niemi's new contract under the cap...barely.

Wrong.

Today the Hawks said "Thanks for your hard work. Good luck somewhere else." And now Niemi is a free agent.

Instead, the Hawks signed veteran Marty Turco to a 1 year $1.75 million contract. This gives the Hawks roughly between $600K and $1.35 million of cap relief (it was rumored that Niemi's contract would have roughly put them 400K over the cap).

I really can't blame either side. Niemi is worth $2.75 million per year. However, it was very unlikely that the Hawks would have any money to re-sign Niemi next year anyways with Seabrook headlining that year's free agent class and Huet still being under contract for at least one more year (IIRC).

What does this mean for Chicago?

Well, they've lost almost ALL of their depth. They still have very little cap space. Niemi was good, but there's no telling how his sophomore year would be. Would it be Roy-esque or would it be like Cam Ward (good, but nowhere near his rookie year)? Unfortunately, it's a risky loss for Chicago, but it just came one year earlier than expected.

What does it mean for Niemi?

It could mean trouble. This isn't Carey Price throwing a tantrum. This is a good, upcoming goaltender who was on a team that liked him (and from what I could tell, he liked being a Hawk) and he just wanted to get what he was worth. There are teams that could use Niemi (San Jose, Montreal, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia) but most can't afford it.

My guess?

Niemi signs with the Flyers. Let's face it, this is Christmas for Philly and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Niemi's stay as a free agent lasts less than 72 hours.

Niemi and Leighton combo with their D is a good potent combo. It may make Philly Stanley Cup favorites.

************************
If I had inside information in Montreal, I'd have a better idea but...

If I were Gauthier, I'd talk to Niemi's agent. If Montreal can get Niemi for cheaper than Price's asking price for the same or similar length of contract, I'd sign Niemi and tell Price to go take a flying leap...

************************

To respond to Goon: Setoguchi is a diver, but he's also a pretty decent player. I'd take Setoguchi before I'd ever consider Carcillo

Chicago Blackhawks are losing money

The Chicago Blackhawks; although they went all the way to the Stanley Cup finals and winning the Stanley Cup still ended up losing money even with the long run deep into the playoffs. There is also some bad news for Blackhawks fan's, this season they are also going to pay more money for their tickets as well.

The Blackhawks ended their season with capacity attendance and record merchandise sales, television ratings and sponsorship revenues, and the Stanley Cup.

But financially the team was a loser.

Exactly how much money was lost is something team executives will not discuss.

One consequence: Season ticket prices will increase by an average of 20 percent this fall, which is projected to rocket them from the second-cheapest in the National Hockey League three seasons ago to among the 10 most expensive, according to the team. And fans should expect "more modest" increases in the future, team owner Rocky Wirtz said.
[Chicago Tribune]

There is a silver lining to this story, Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz even with the recent loses, his team the Blawkhawks are still going to be focusing on hockey and winning games. In fact the Blackhawks owner isn't worried about losing money and he is committed to winning hockey games.

There is a silver lining to all of this and the good news is that Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, despite his millions -- and his bloodlines -- thinks like the rest of us: In the business of hockey, it's more important to win Stanley Cups than to make money.
-----snip-----
'We will make money in four or five years,'' said Wirtz, referring to a Tribune story that reported the Blackhawks had to borrow from the family-owned Wirtz Corp. last season to stay afloat. ''But we have to keep investing. Fans don't have to worry that just because we lost money we're not committed to winning.
[Sun Times]

Reports: Niemi nets $2.75 million in arbitration

The Arbitration hearing is over and the decision has been made. It will be interesting to see what happens now, the Chicago Blackhawks have cap issues and not a lot of room to work with.

An arbitrator has set Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi's salary at $2.75 million, according to a report on ESPN.com

The Hawks now have 48 hours to decide whether they want to walk away and make Niemi an unrestricted free agent immediately, or accept the arbitrator's decision and sign Niemi at that salary for one season. The Hawks could also accept the decision, sign and then trade the goalie.

Niemi was expected to seek at least $3 million, after making $827,000 last season while leading Chicago to the Stanley Cup title. Because of salary-cap constraints, the Hawks were believed to be seeking a decision in the $2 million range. [TSN.CA]

Is Nick Leddy the next one and done...

According to Gopher hockey fan Hammy's twitter rumor has it another Gopher hockey player is going to leave early.

Don't be surprised if you hear about a player departure soon. Not good news.

Over on Sioux Sports a few have posted they think it's Nick Leddy who was traded by the Wild to Chicago in the Kim "Yawnson" Johnsson trade. This is one problem with recruiting players that are number one draft choices, teams love to get them into their system as soon as possible. I getting a little tired of watching these college players leave after one season. No offense to Leddy but he didn't exactly light the WCHA up last year in thirty games he had (3g-8a-11pts)and was hardly what I would call a dominating player.

Among those that participated, Bowman specifically singled out several for their play -- including 19-year old center Brandon Pirri and 19-year old offensive college defenseman Nick Leddy -- both taken early in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Pirri was the Hawks' second pick of the draft (No. 59), while Leddy was taken with the 16th pick by Minnesota and then traded to the Hawks during the past season along with veteran Kim Johnsson.

Leddy, who said he had to discuss with his parents whether he should return to the University of Minnesota for his sophomore season, was the first player Bowman mentioned on Monday.

"Nick Leddy was excellent," he said. "This is the first time we've seen him here in Chicago. (We) saw him perform during the (college) season, but boy he's really smooth out there. I think he's going to be with the Blackhawks for many years. It's exciting to see that [www.NHL.com]

Video from the Probert Funeral

Former tough guy Bob Probert was laid to rest today. R.I.P. Probie.

City to fete Stanley-Cup-winning local Jonathan Toews this Sunday

s/t Puck Daddy, Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews will be bringing the Cup to Winnipeg. Sounds like he is going to have a lake name after him as well. I was kind of hoping he was going to bring the Stanley Cup back to Grand Forks, ND as well. However, I have heard nothing to leads me to believe that it's going to happen.

WINNIPEG - The City of Winnipeg will honour Chicago Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews on Sunday with an event at city hall, a parade in St. Vital and a party at Dakota Community Club.

Mayor Sam Katz will host the leader of the Stanley Cup-winning ’hawks at city hall at 11 .m. on Sunday, July 11.

A parade will then run from Ecole Christine-Lesperance to Dakota Community Club from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by a celebration at the community centre.

"It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Jonathan Toews," Katz said, calling the Conn Smythe trophy-winner a hero and a great role model.

The mayor said Premier Greg Selinger and senior Manitoba MP Vic Toews – no relation to Jonathan – will also be invited.

The Stanley Cup will be here with Toews.

In honor of Bob Probert; June 5, 1965 - July 5 2010

I thought I would add this video montage to honor former Redwings and Blackhawks tough guy Bob Probert. Man Bob Probert could throw em, and was one of the toughest to ever lace the skates up. Unlike a lot of tough guys in the game today, Bob Probert wasn't some a dimensional goon like Derek Boogaard or Colton Orr that was only good at beating people up. Bob Probert had soft hands and could score goal, Probert score 29 goals during the 1987 - 1988 season.

Patrick Kane Goal!! Hey really guys I scored...

Here is the goal that ended 49 years of futility. It was kind of like, 'hey guys I scored, really I did.' What even makes me happier this season as a hockey fan is that Sidney Crosby wasn't on the winning team or in the Stanley Cup playoffs. This season it wasn't all about Alexander Ovechkin and much to Gary Bettman’s chagrin the NHL thrived with their two top stars or either of Gary’s favorite teams. The fact is that the Stanley Cup playoffs was as smashing success in spite of Bettman.

RW77's 2010 Playoff Good, Bad, and Ugly

Ok, a little review of the 2010 Playoffs in Good, Bad, and Ugly Format. Some will review previous posts but I think it will all sum up here.

The Good

The Chicago Blackhawks - They won the Cup. They did so with a ROOKIE goaltender... Ok, NHL rookie goaltender. Niemi was already well established in the Finnish Elite Leagues before coming to Chicago. It was really amazing to see such a team effort pay off. And like I said, Ubersieve Huet gets his name on the Cup. He's probably the happiest on the team (think about it... railed on unmercifully with some calling him the most overpaid bust in the NHL and it wasn't me and he gets his name on the cup.

The Philadelphia Flyers - Goon covered the storyline aspect but lets face it folks... this series could have gone either way. As aggravating as they are to watch, they did a great job. I don't like Pronger and I despise Carcillo but they did play the game about as well as anyone could ask. Not to mention the fact that, and it's been driven home like the beating of a dead horse but, Philly basically played the entire season and playoffs with 1 career backup (Leighton), 1 career nutjob/disappointment (Emery), and 1 almost was (Boucher) in net. And an ex Red Wing gets my nod as the Flyer MVP imo (Ville Leino). Ok, Pronger probably got the actual award from the team but still...

Jaroslav Halak - I still maintain that he was THE best goaltender in this year's playoffs. Period. Just look at what happened to the Habs when Price started in net? He made incredible saves. I do not know if this type of dominance he displayed will carry over (it didn't for Jose Theodore) but I have to give him the benefit of the doubt. He was fun to watch.

Jonathon Toews - Yup. Talked about before. I think Sidney Crosby will be one of the best young players statistically but I think Toews is all around right with Crosby. And the best part is that only Chicago has the expectations. No one else seems to care. So he's under far less pressure than Crosby is and he's, imo, just as good.

Dustin Byfuglien - He's what an enforcer or instigator should be. Yappin at the mouth and making big hits. And the kid who lived for a long time in a mobile home behind grandma and grandpa's house makes it good. I wonder if there's anything in Roseau, MN left standing?

Chris Pronger - Dislike him and his methods but... I doubt the Flyers would have made it as far as they did without him playing as well as he did.

Mike Richards - He did great too.

Sidney Crosby - Bettman's golden boy did pretty good all things considered. Luckily for all involved his team folded at the end.

The Bad

The Pittsburgh Penguins - They folded at the end. This was supposed to be THE team to beat in the playoffs... or at least that's what the media and Bettman wanted you to believe. Fleury still is a vastly overrated goaltender that got VERY lucky (see Giguere and the Ducks) last year. This year, luck ran out.

The Detroit Red Wings - Too bad they used all of their energy and talent to get past the Coyotes. I'm sure San Jose was looking for a competitive series. In the end, the ruse worked. Red Wings turtle, giving San Jose a superiority complex and a big ego. They go into Chicago and get beat. The bright spot is that the core of the team is still good and Jimmy Howard looks good too.

The officiating - It wasn't ugly but it was close at times. I hate the playoff rulebook.

The ugly

Gary Bettman - I don't need to rant too much on this one but I still give a glowing response to his reception after the game yesterday. I think it couldn't happen to a "better" man. I wonder what it is like to have a likeable or even competent commissioner?

The Bruins - See Goon's Post

Daniel Carcillo - His dives... need I say more?

The Blackhawk salary cap situation - Rumors are flying on ESPN.com's Rumor Central about the Blackhawks are soon to be broken up. I don't know if I believe that as ESPN is known for bending reality for ratings and not really caring too much about anything hockey related, but it will be interesting. I just don't see the current team being able to continue with the amount of money being paid out. It could be the end of the time in Chicago for players like Ladd, Sharp, and Madden.

Putting the wraps on the NHL season. Hawks Win, Hawks Win!!!

Another season of NHL hockey is in the books as the Chicago Blackhawks are the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions. At the beginning of the season I thought that Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks would be playing for Lord Stanley's Cup in the finals, I was half right.

Historic Choke Job

Instead of the Flyers it could have been the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals if they had not had their "historic choke job" as the Boston Bruins managed to blow a three 3-0 series lead and then finally a 3-0 game 7 lead. The Bruins finished the choke job off as they lost to the Flyers on a power play goal for too many men on the ice.

Ironic ending; maybe? With the Blackhawks finally winning their first Stanley Cup since 1961 and ending their run of futility, the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs are on long streaks of futility of their own.

So with the Blackhawks winning their first cup since 1961, there are two other original six teams that you would think would be due. The Boston Bruins have not won the cup since 1972 and the Toronto Maple Leafs last won it in 1967. Although the Flyers are not an original six team, the Philadelphia Flyers last won the Stanley Cup in 1974-1975. Ironically the year before the Flyers won their last Stanley Cup the Boston Bruins lost to the Flyers in the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals. [Complete List of Stanley Cup Winners Through History]

The improbable became reality

Who would have ever thought that the Philadelphia Flyers needed a shoot out to make the Stanley Cup playoffs by beating Marian Gaborik and the New York Rangers on April 11th 2010 2-1? One could say that the rest of the story is history or it’s historic. Depending how you look at it.

If that didn't sink in, think about it this way; you had a team that fired their head coach earlier in the season, barely got into the playoffs, they qualified on the last day of the season by winning their final game on a shootout (or by gimmick if you don’t like the shootout) and almost go on to win the Stanley Cup. That is one hell of a story line.

Stanley Cup Finals has many story lines

I have to admit that this was one of the more exciting Stanley Cup finals that I can remember for some time. There are many story lines to this season’s Stanley Cup final; Marian Hossa after going 0-2 in the Stanley Cup and playing in the last three Stanley Cup finals finally got a chance to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup above his head. The radio voice of the UMD Bulldogs Bruce Ciske called it last night on twitter as he predicted that Toews would hand the cup to Marian Hossa.

Who will Toews hand the Cup to? I say Hossa.

Wait a minute was that a goal?

The ending of Cup clinching game six was kind of anti climatic. I was watching the game, Kane shoots, no red light and the next thing you see is the Blackhawks forward ripping his helmet and gloves off and celebrating. I turned to my buddy and said, “did that go in?”

“It was kind of an awkward celebration, we were all standing around waiting for the official call,” said Hawks captain Jonathan Toews, the playoffs' leading scorer, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy. “But I don't think Patty would have thrown his gloves off like that if it hadn't gone in. He sold it pretty good, anyway.”

“I haven't seen it yet. I didn't see the goal. I saw one of their players take off across the ice like he'd won something, and I got a little [sick feeling] in the pit of my stomach,” said Philadelphia coach Peter Laviolette, who stuck with Leighton until the bitter end – and bitter it was for the Flyers, who had tied it up and forced overtime with just under four minutes left in regulation. [Read the rest of the story]

Games were close

Except for two games (games 4 and 5) this was a close series four of the six games being one goal games.

Game 1 - Chicago 6 - Philadelphia 5
Game 2 - Chicago 2 - Philadelphia 1
Game 3 - Philadelphia 4 - Chicago 3
Game 4 - Philadelphia 5 - Chicago 3
Game 5 - Chicago 7, Philadelphia 4
Game 6 - Chicago 4, Philadelphia 3

Jonathan Toews had an amazing season/year…

Here is the list of former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews accomplishments just for just this season. Can you say, "nothing short of amazing."

1) Olympic Gold Medal
2) Olympic Allstar Team
3) Conn Smythe
4) Stanley Cup

Here is some of Jonathan Toew's career accomplishments

1)2005 World U-17 Hockey Challenge
2)WJC Title (X2)
3)WCHA title (Broadmoor Cup)
4)World Championship Gold (Moscow 2007)
5)World Championship Silver (Halifax Canada 2008)
6)Olympic Gold Medal
7)Stanley Cup Title
8)Conn Smythe Trophy 2010

Stanley Cup Links

Team Toews corrals Cup Hawks' captain gets the Smythe after Kane nets the OT decider [Winnipeg Free Press]

St. Vital's favourite son awed and overjoyed at dream fulfilled [Winnipeg Free Press]

Cup tops a big year for Toews [Winnipeg Sun]

Kane ends NHL's longest Cup drought [Winnipeg Sun]

Blackhawks fans can finally rejoice [Ottawa Citizen]

Kane is able to end Chicago’s long Cup drought [Ottawa Citizen]

Hawks beat Flyers to win Stanley Cup [Chicago Tribune]

Blackhawks land in Chicago with Stanley Cup [Chicago Tribune]

Chicago captures the Cup [Boston Globe]

Blackhawks win Stanley Cup [The Globe and Mail]

Toews takes Conn Smythe trophy [The Globe and Mail]

Three times a charm for Hossa [The Globe and Mail]

Blackhawks beat Flyers in overtime, win first Stanley Cup title since 1961 [Post Gazette]

Rich Hofmann: The Flyers' effort was never in question [philly.com]

Phil Sheridan: Chicago's title was hard-earned [philly.com]

Random thoughts on Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup, Toews: "I'm speechless" [Russo's Rants]

Stanley Cup victory 'surreal' [CBC]

Chicago Blackhawks Win The Stanley Cup [Kuklas Korner]

Elusive Cup blows into Windy City [Calgary Herald]

Chicago Blackhawks take first Stanley Cup in 49 years, beating Flyers 4-3 in OT [Vancouver Sun]

Captains courageous: Teams expect Toews and Richards to rise to occasion

I think the fact that both captains have been held in check during the series speaks volumes of the defensive game both teams have played. I think Jonathan Towes is going to win the Conn Smythe if the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup. Both players are sitting at minus numbers for the series Mike Richards: -6 Jonathan Toews: -4 respectively.

PHILADELPHIA — Two weeks ago, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was hailed as one of the NHL's best two-way players and a prime candidate for the Conn Smythe trophy as the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Around the same time, Flyers captain Mike Richards was touted as a modern-day Bobby Clarke for his one-goal, two-assist performance in the team's Eastern Conference clincher against Montreal, a showcase of his grit, timely scoring and playmaking.

Surprisingly, neither center has approached that level during the Cup final. Their success at changing that Wednesday night in Game 6 will be crucial in determining whether the Blackhawks leave the Wachovia Center with the Cup or the Flyers pull another Houdini act and extend this to the proverbial anything-can-happen seventh game Friday night at the United Center.

The Chrissy Pronger story.

I have to wonder if the Chicago Tribune is going to regret putting this unflattering picture of Chris Pronger in their paper or not? Personally I think it's funny but it’s unnecessary.

The Chicago Tribune printed a photo of Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger on Tuesday, which named the veteran as "Chrissy Pronger" and used an altered photo showing him wearing a dress while playing.

Pronger was asked by the media if he had seen the story.

"I don't read what you guys write - good or bad," replied Pronger.

It definitely wasn't good, or flattering. A photo-shopped picture, and a play on his name. He was asked if such shots against him plus the negative reaction that he receives in Chicago motivate his play on the ice. For his part, Pronger wasn't biting.

"I really couldn't care to be honest with you," said Pronger.
[TSN.COM]

Byfuglien hit on ref, Timonen

Dustin Byfuglien was hitting everything that moved on Sunday night, here is a two for one hit the ref and Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen. Dustin Byfuglien also had a great night on the score sheet as he score a couple of goals. Here is the one that made the game 5-2.

Big Buff smokes Chris Pronger

Talk about finishing a check against your opponent that was a text book hit. Last night the Blackhawks did what they needed to do to win the game. The Blackhawks finished their checks and jumped on the Flyers mistakes.

Richards touches the Prince of Wales Trophy

The Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews didn't touch the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. Mike Richards took the cup and marched off to the Flyers dressing room. The celebration was subdued as well for both captains. Just for the record; last year Sidney Crosby touched the Prince of Wales Trophy and we all know how that turned out. Just for the record I think the Blackhawks are going to win in six games.

Big, burly and beautiful to Blackhawks

You have to wonder if the opposition teams like the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks are having nightmares of Dustin Byfuglien scoring goals against them in their sleep. The emergence of Byfuglien (8g-2a-10pts)might have something to do with playing on the line with Patrick Kane (7g-13-20pts) and Jonathan Toews (7g-16a-25pts).

CHICAGO - Here's how Dustin Byfuglien sees it: The puck always finds him when he is in the perfect position.

His Chicago Blackhawks teammates view it this way: Big Buff's easy to find when he's open because at six foot four and 257 pounds, he's hard to miss.

Whatever the reason, Byfuglien has emerged as a star for the young Blackhawks. He scored three game-winning goals during a sweep of San Jose in the Western Conference final that put Chicago in the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1992.

Like a big tight end clawing his way through defenders to get open or a linebacker crushing a running back with a block in the open field, Byfuglien's physical play, deft touch and ability to clear space have given his team another element in its quest for the franchise's first NHL title since 1961.

Put him on the same line with the team's most recognizable and publicized young stars, 21-year-old Patrick Kane and 22-year-old captain Jonathan Toews, and Byfuglien has really blossomed. He scored one goal in each game against the Sharks.

"I'm not really on any cloud right now," said Byfuglien (pronounced BUHF'-lihn). "I'm just doing work for the kids and finishing it up. I have faith in myself and I just kept going."

Byfuglien, who had a hat trick in a victory over the Canucks in the semifinals when he took up his customary role in front of goalie Roberto Luongo, showed his versatility against the Sharks. He had the game-winner in the opener with a wrist shot from the slot after Toews won a faceoff and Kane slid him the puck.

"With those two you never know what's going to happen," Byfuglien said.

Ice in his veins (Dustin Byfuglien story)

Here is a really nice story that I found on line about Dustin Byfuglien. It's worth a read and a nice story about a kid from Roseau that made his way through life struggles to be the NHL player he is today.

Hockey Is Life reads a banner hanging at the Memorial Arena in Dustin Byfugliens hometown of Roseau, Minn., 10 miles south of the Canadian border.

The statement isnt hyperbole for the 20-year-old Norfolk Admirals rookie, who has skated out of a difficult childhood and is on the cusp of an NHL career.

Raised by a single mother battling unpaid bills and factory work, Byfuglien (pronounced BUFF-lin) all but grew up in Memorial Arena. If the ice wasnt available or he couldnt talk his way into the play, hed sit in the stands for hours, watching alone.

The boy was not interested in school, and academic ineligibility meant he never played for the storied Roseau High Rams. Theyve won six state championships since 1946, including a 1990 title run against bigger schools that is Minnesotas hockey version of Hoosiers.

Left with all his pucks in one bucket, Byfuglien at age 17 took the only shot he had, leaving home for Canada and major junior hockey.

In Roseau, a town of about 2,800, there was skepticism about the kids future. If he couldnt be bothered to make passing grades back home, how likely was he to apply himself up North?

But Byfugliens move panned out. The Chicago Blackhawks made the 6- foot-3 defenseman an eighth-round pick in the 2003 NHL entry draft, and two years later handed him a $300,000 bonus and a three-year contract and shipped him to Scope. In 25 Admirals games, he has five goals and 10 points and is rated a plus-2 .

With a few years of toil and a second contract, Byfuglien could be financially set for life. His childhood poverty means he pinches a penny harder than most Admirals, and his simple tastes run toward outdoor recreation and time with friends. [Read the rest of the story]