“The pandemic may have had a lethal effect on American manners. Lawyers are reporting ruder clients. Restaurants are reporting ruder clients. Flight attendants, for whom rude clients are no novelty, are reporting mayhem; passenger fines have exceeded $1 million this year. Re-entry into society is … [Read more...]
Rule changes for a dynamic new hockey era
Every hockey fan I know has ideas how to improve the game we love. I have my own. Shrink the goalie gear I’m a goalie. I’ve been a goalie since I started playing the game, in elementary school. And I’m here to tell you, the size of the gear today is absurd. It’s almost comical. I grew up in the … [Read more...]
At the Buzzer: Icons such as Guy Lafleur teach enduring lessons
Apologies first. It wasn’t my intent to focus my first two installments of “At the Buzzer” on, of all people and teams, Ken Dryden and the Montreal Canadiens. I’ve cheered for two professional hockey teams in my life — the New York Rangers while I was a snot-nosed kid growing up in New Jersey, and … [Read more...]
At the Buzzer: Dryden’s ‘The Game’ never has been more on point
The reality that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on kids playing hockey this season reveals a glaring shortcoming in the game’s development: We’ve become a nation dependent on “organized” hockey. The pandemic hasn’t prevented youngsters from playing street hockey (based anecdotally on … [Read more...]
Goalie Guru: Kids know best if they’re made for the crease
Where did the last 10 years go? As I head into my second decade of “The Goalie Guru,” it's only natural to think about how the position has changed since I started tapping out this column in late 2010. The evolution has been nothing short of revolutionary, building on the incredible, athletic styles … [Read more...]
The enduring legacy of Travis Roy: Passion and purpose
Travis Roy's passing on Oct. 29, at the age of 45, hit me in a deep and profound way. I was, in a word, gutted. The predictable outpouring of support and accolades throughout the hockey world reinforced all that is good about our tight-kit hockey community, emphasizing that Roy was not only a great … [Read more...]
