In the shadow of a Legend, Mike “Doc” Emrick.

I’ve been fortunate since the middle of January to be working with the Penguins through an internship, which has lead to a part-time position, I haven’t shared that before through any posts, but I figured to set the scene for this one, that I would.  Aside from being at Hockey’s center stage of the Stanley Cup Finals, which is incredible in it’s own right to be apart of, it’s the little things you run into from time-to-time that you really carry with you.

Prior to game 3 in Pittsburgh, during my normal routine of running production formats around the arena, I stopped off at my last stop on press row to drop off my papers at John Barbaro’s spot (the Public Address Announcer), as I am walking past the typical FSN Pittsburgh broadcast booth, the transformation not only includes the words NBC all over it, but the 62 year old Emmy Award winning sportscaster, Mike Emrick.  It just seems like it’s another day for the man, as I have seen him before, on numerous NBC Game of the Week broadcasts, strolling through making sure to swing everyone a smile and a firm “hello,” just to let you know he sees you.  Most people seem to either ignore him, or let him be, most likely out of respect and the partial “hey, that’s Mike Emrick” syndrome.  Wednesday left a mark, on me at least.  Game time is 8:22 for the face-off, currently it’s about 4:15 (if my memory serves me correct), as I turn to walk past the Coca-cola cooler which is routinly being filled by the Pens staffer (who is no older than me and apparently never speaks, according to his co-workers), I see the same Floor Manager, who is working freelance, wearing his production headset listening to production cues, bent over the railing behind the NBC booth, reading a book, pretty typical on his part, completely unaware, nor interested, in pregame routine of Mike Emrick, who with extreme focus is working on his opening line to bring Game 3 to the American public.

As I drop off my papers, turn to my left and see another camera added to press row to be the EXTREMELY high camera, this time for TSN and I look down in hopes that maybe this time I won’t loose my seat on press row (which I did, o well, I have to stand, just being there makes up for it) and I go to leave but I hesitate, for I hear Emrick in a quiet and muffled voice, “Sure, I would like to do a run through if you are ready…”.  Wow, I’m going to get to hear him practice, that’s pretty cool.  So, as I stand, pretending to be doing something so it doesn’t look so awkward, no one can see me since there is no one around, Emrick starts in a bolstering, emphatic and pronounced power, delivering his heart and every ounce of energy into his opening line, “Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins return home down two games to the Detroit Redwings in this Stanley Cup Final, the Penguin Captain is not shaken or deterred from the challenge that lies ahead…”

He continues on further, my memory escapes me as to what he exactly says, but he stops.  Goes quiet for a moment and says, “Yea, let’s do that again, I don’t like how I fell into the “C” in captain, in that line.”  The “C” in captain?  Yea, I heard it, it was a slight, really it was an ever-so slight drag on the “C” in captain, cccaptain is what it sounded like.  I doubt anyone really noticed, or would have noticed, but the man with the Doctorate from Bowling Green University noticed it.  WOW, how did he notice that anyhow?  Anyone listening could probably have noticed it, if you were paying attention to him, you could have caught it.  It is amazing to me to see how he can “hear” himself speak as he is warming up.  25 years of practice and the Doctorate have everything to do with that, you don’t really understand it until you see it for yourself.  If anyone ever needed to see motivation to keep trying, to continue working, look no further than Saturday’s Game 4 NBC telecast.

Sometimes when you go to the search bar, you find different things that are always a good read.  In my efforts to search “college hockey,” in the TimesOnline website, I came across this recent article written about Mike “Doc” Emrick, which in turn brought up the idea of writing about what I had experience.

Read the article here: Beaver County Times Online

Complete listing of NCAA pro signees, Cruthers signing information

Inside College Hockey has posted a listing of all the NCAA players who signed pro contracts this past season.  You can view it here: INCH

If you notice, the listing shows that Ryan Cruthers has officially signed on with the Bridgeport Soundtigers of the AHL, the affiliate of the NHL’s New York Islanders, as of April 3 (he signed with the ECHL Utah Grizzles on March 26 and played with the team through the Kelly Cup playoffs, which they made all the way to the conference finals).

Interview with the newest Colonial, Matt Krug

Some of you may remember big number 24 while he skated for the Warriors of Wayne State the past three seasons, always putting up a physical presence on the ice, not just against the Colonials, but every team he faced.  Only one major change is coming to Matt Krug’s world, he will be suiting up for the Colonials this season.

I was able to get in touch with Matt and asked him a few questions as to his choice of coming to Robert Morris as well as talking about his play on the ice.

Centre Ice: Obviously the most important question is what made you choose to transfer to Robert Morris for your final year of eligibility?

Matt: I chose RMU because I wanted to play and develop under Coach Schooley and his coaching staff. I really feel that I can step in at Robert Morris and be a leader and help the team right away. I am also very confident that with Coach’s guidance, he can help me get to the next level.

Centre Ice: Is there something about Coach Schooley coaching style that you think will make your transition easier?

Matt: I really like the way Coach Schooley coaches. He is a no nonsense type of guy, who really cares about his players. He likes hard work and grit, all of which I think I bring to the table.

Centre Ice: Are there any guys on the team who you have played with in the past or know from somewhere other than hockey?

Matt: I knew Wes Russell from a Junior A camp and have stayed in touch over the years while playing each other. I got to spend a weekend with all the guys when Brock, Chris and I came down for our visit and am amazed by the chemistry between the guys. But obviously the only guys that I really know well are the guys coming with me from Wayne State.

Centre Ice: Is there a personal goal you have in joining this team, meaning, you have a more defensive style of game while at Wayne State, with some of Coach Schooley’s current defensemen being so young, could you see yourself being one to teach them to be more patient in their defensive play?

Matt: As an older guy, I defiantly see myself as a leader. A guy that will pull my teammates to the side and give them a little guidance. I am not one to tell someone how to play the game,every body has their own style. But I have been around the block and will defiantly speak up when the opportunity presents itself. Also, I feel that prior to Wayne State my defensive game was lacking patients and I was more offensive and Coach Wilkinson and his staff helped me in that aspect. Hopefully my defensive style will rub off on my young teammates, but I also hope Coach Schooley will let me be a little more offensive than I was at Wayne State.

Centre Ice: After this season, where do you hope to see yourself, continuing your hockey career as a player, coach or something completely different?

Matt: After this season, I plan on finishing my degree while playing professional hockey. When my career is complete I plan on staying in the world of hockey. Whether I am using my marketing degree or coaching. I love teaching the game of hockey so I will defiantly try to coach.

Centre Ice: Final question, which is better, the big hit or the big goal?

Matt: This is possibly the toughest question, they are both the best. The big hit sends a message and can change momentum in a game. Where as a big goal does the same thing. I guess what it comes down to is what is needed at the moment. I love throwing my weight around, but I have a big/heavy shot from the point that more often then not will find the net.

Thanks again to Matt for taking the time to give us a little insight into his playing career and his anticipation on coming to Robert Morris in the fall.

Bemidji Regional Events Center – New Photos

There are now layouts and artist’s renderings of what the new Bemidji Regional Events Center will look like once it is built.  It has been said that the new arena for Bemidji has saved their program for years to come, as they are constantly competing with neighboring WCHA teams for recruits, as well as their fight to grow as a program.

Check it out here: Bemidji Regional Events Center

Cosby article on TSN

“It’s common knowledge now that Sidney Crosby has spent most of his life in the national spotlight.

A short, but distinguished career of firsts have been documented for the hockey world to see.

There was his first goal in junior with the Rimouski Oceanic, his first World Junior Hockey Championship, his first game as a Pittsburgh Penguin, his first National Hockey League goal and his first playoff game.

Now, the NHL’s biggest spectacle has arrived on its biggest stage for the first time.

“You play those games to win it, not just to get here,” Crosby told reporters on Friday. “It’s a great opportunity and all of us feel pretty fortunate to have it. It’s not something that happens to often.”

Sid The Kid is the centre piece for what many are calling a dream match-up for the NHL – at a time when every bit of U.S. exposure is critical and providing the opportunity to grab headlines.

“I suspect if the Penguins win the Cup and they hand it to the captain, he’ll be the first (Cup-hoisting) hockey player on the cover since 2001,” says SI hockey writer and TSN The Reporters panelist Michael Farber.

Red Wings forward Kris Draper – whose team was a headline-grabber in 1997 when Detroit won its first Cup in 41 years – agrees that the 2008 final could go down as a big moment. “When you look at what Pittsburgh has to offer and what the Detroit Red Wings have to offer, this is going to be a great series on paper,” he said.

Crosby is no stranger to the crush of mass media and he’s always seemed to handle it with relative ease. But the Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native hasn’t seen it like this before. Striking a balance between feeding the beast and playing the most important hockey of his life might be a challenge.

“In a way, I’ve learned to say ‘no’ a bit more,” said Crosby. “I think that’s just something that I thought was necessary and you have to manage your time sometimes.”

The impact that Crosby has on the final won’t be known until the series is well underway and the television ratings start coming in. But there are a couple of good positive indicators so far – there are more media credentials this spring than there were last spring and two major U.S. newspapers out of New York and Los Angeles are represented. All of them covering Crosby as he looks to win his first Stanley Cup.”

Read the rest here: TSN.ca

“No Octipi for You!” ESPN.com Article

Thought this was kinda funny:

From ESPN.com

“You can buy an octopus next week at Wholey’s Fish Market in Pittsburgh — unless you’re wearing Detroit Red Wings gear or otherwise let slip that you’re visiting from Michigan for the game.

Red Wings fans take their octopus-throwing tradition seriously, as Joe Louis Arena building operations manager Al Sobotka shows during this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs.

Red Wings fans, known for their traditional octopus toss during the Stanley Cup playoffs, are welcome to buy any fish in the store, Dan Wholey, who owns the market, told the Detroit Free Press. But he won’t sell them an octopus.

You see, Wholey does not want to see the Red Wings fans’ tradition of flinging the eight-legged sea creatures carried out at Mellon Arena when the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Stanley Cup finals games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and May 30.

The Stanley Cup finals begin Saturday in Detroit, with Game 2 on Monday.

“I have the utmost respect for all the people of Detroit,” Wholey said, according to the report. “They are great citizens and great hockey fans, just like I am. But I’m a Penguins fan first and foremost and I want to see the Penguins win, period.”

If that means checking ID and listening for customers with Midwestern accents, that’s what he’s willing to do.

“Anyone who comes in here with a Red Wings jersey, they’re allowed to buy anything in the store, just not the octopus,” he said.

The Detroit octopus-throwing tradition started in the 1950s, to symbolize the eight wins needed at the time to win the Stanley Cup.”

Gasper named to ESPN The Magazine District II At-Large Academic All-America Team

Joel Gasper, RMU Senior forward and co-captain of this year’s team, has been named to “ESPN The Magazine District II At-Large Academic All-America Team.”

From RMU Colonials.com:

“It marks the second straight District II honor for Gasper, and with the award his name will be placed on the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration.

Gasper owns a cumulative grade point average of 3.92 as a manufacturing engineering and on the 2007-08 campaign appeared in 23 games for RMU, posting seven assists. Over his four-year career Gasper appeared in 116 games, registering 12 goals and 25 assists for 37 points. His best season came as a junior in 2006-07, when he scored four goals and added nine assists for 13 points.

The District II At-Large Academic All-America honor is the third time this year Gasper has been recognized for his work in the classroom. At RMU’s 14th annual All-Sports Banquet, April 20, Gasper earned the 2008 Presidential Scholar-Athlete award, while he earned the Student-Athlete of the Year as well as the Most Inspirational Player honor by the Colonial men’s ice hockey program as part of its postseason honors.

In order to be eligible for All-District Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a 4.00 scale. The student-athlete must have reached sophomore eligibility and academic standing at the institution and must have completed one full academic year. CoSIDA’s District II covers Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”

In Gasper’s senior season as co-captain he appeared in 22 games scoring 7 points (all assists), but made his name on the ice as a great defensive forward with his impressive back checking play, setting an example in his leadership role as a captain to younger players on the team.  Throughout his career at Robert Morris Gasper appeared in 115 games, registering 37 points with 12 goals and 25 assists.

Margott gets a mention in INCH

Inside College Hockey.com wrote an article two days ago regarding some “burning questions.” Here is where RMU’s Senior forward Chris Margott gets his mention:

“It’s now a foregone conclusion that at least one of the Hobey Baker Award finalists from here on out will be from a team that plays in what we lovingly refer to as a mid-major conference. No complaint here; the four established leagues certainly don’t have a monopoly on talent. So who are the players to keep on eye on during the upcoming season?

In the CHA, we like Robert Morris forward Chris Margott. Playing alongside Ryan Cruthers, the league’s leading scorer, last season, Margott registered 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points. Cruthers, who scored 49 points, had a Hobey-worthy campaign in his final season but wasn’t among the 10 finalists. Maybe Margott can help the Colonials celebrate their fifth season of varsity hockey by being part of that group.”

Read the rest here: INCH 10 for ‘09

McLaughlin selected to participate in USA Under-22 Camp

RMU Goaltender Brianne McLaughlin has been the brightest shining star on the Women’s NCAA team for three seasons now, and she is continuning to get noticed on a national level.  The most recent, is her invite to the USA Under-22 Camp.

The camp is held from June 24 to July 1.  33 players have been invited to compete for 22 spots on the USA National Under-22 Select Team, which will compete in August.  “[Brianne's] selection to the Under-22 National Camp is a direct result of her hard work on and off the ice,” said RMU Women’s Head Coach Nate Handrahan. “She deserves to be recognized with the nation’s top goaltenders.

Brianne’s chances are just as good as her competitors going against her.  There are 4 goaltenders competing for 2 (or 3) spots, all of which are new to the team (an except goes to Schaus who won a gold medal this past season with the U.S. National Team). Molly Schaus of Boston College, Jackee Snikeris of Yale University and Allyse Wilcox of Boston University will be competing with McLaughlin for the top 2 (or 3) spots.

“When you’re considered to participate at the Under-22 camp, it means you have a great deal of talent,” added Handrahan. “Our entire coaching staff and team couldn’t be any prouder of what [Brianne] has accomplished.”

I would anticipate that Molly Schaus of Boston College would be a go-ahead pick for the top spot with her experience playing with the National squad.  Snikeris was a freshman this past season at Yale, appearing in 16 games, starting 15 of them.  She had a record of 7-5-3 wtih 4 shutouts, a GAA of 2.19 and a Save & of .921%.  Snikeris faced just as much time as her senior counterpart Shivon Zilis, but Snikeris put up better numbers.  Allyse Wilcox of Boston University finished her season with a 12-12-2 record, with a 1.96 Save % and .925 GAA.  This all gives Brianne a great chance to be the number 2 goaltender behind Schaus and Wilcox, with a chance to earn reasonable play, as Schaus was not the number 1 goaltender on the National team, she only appeared in one complete game during the tournament and Wilcox put together comparable numbers at Boston to what Brianne put together at RMU.

Source: RMU Colonials.com

Next Page »