University of Denver Pro Camp

http://www.denverpioneers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18600&ATCLID=205246853

You know, I've always found this camp to be very interesting. Those outside of Colorado probably wouldn't know about this, but last year the University of Denver and Colorado Avalanche partnered together and started doing these Pro Camps. It's a rare opportunity for college players to practice and scrimmage with the pros, a chance to see where their skills stand and really this has marked the time before the start of training camp. Usually these have consisted of current DU Pioneer players and former players stretching from the NHL all the way down to the ECHL. Also a good number of Colorado Avalanche players past and present like to join in as well.

I know it's not big news, but it's defiantly a event I haven't seen anywhere else, plus like I said it's marking the time that it's almost training camp.

Chris Drury Retires

Drury calls it quits after dozen years in NHL

Today Chris Drury called it done after 12 years in the NHL. Capturing the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1999, Drury would lead a hockey career earning a title of clutch player. If you were in the playoffs and needed someone to score this was the man you look to. Drury would play for my boys the Colorado Avalanche until 2002, when the Avs made the worst trade in franchise history. He played for the Flames the for one season, then went to Buffalo the next and regaining his form as a clutch player. After 07 he went to the Rangers only to retire this year. On the side he represented team USA many times 3 Olympics twice a silver metal winner.

He was a man of sick talents, he was a hockey playoff hero and very good leader to. Just wish Colorado never traded him.

Boone Is Officially Back At DU!

http://letsgodu.blogspot.com/2011/08/denver-boone-is-dus-official-student.html

What's going on everyone. I know I haven't posted since the free agency in July, but it's summer. Really what's there to talk about... Baseball? Anyways I really felt like I had to put this up. For a good long while the University of Denver, my school has been in a bit of a fight over a beloved mascot that means near and dear to students and alumni. We call him Denver Boone, and he's had a impact on the DU scene since the 1960's. Early in the 1990's he was removed because the higher ups deemed him to be sexist and didn't represent the students. After that we were given a cock on steroids *Red Tail Hawk* named Ruckus and he was around from the late 90s till about 2008. During my time at DU a small group of students including Peter Mannino currently signed to the Winnipeg Jets, started to make a noise about Boone. People like myself started to wear coonskin caps to games and alumni such as the owner of the LetsGoDU blog, really started a revolution to get rid of the bird and fought tooth and tail for Boone. The higher ups didn't like it though and for a while we were afraid we wouldn't get our mascot much face time. They tried to keep anyone affiliated with the athletics department away and made it mandatory they could not have photos. They had meetings deeming him "micro-aggressive" saying he was a symbol of the suffering the Native Americans had to endure. However through the students and alumni, years of protesting and speaking out... we've finally gotten Boone to be our official student mascot. I know the fight is still going, but we've gotten a huge victory for the cause.

I need to make a huge shout out to DG from the LetsGoDU blog for being the lead in all this. I've known him for years, he's a good friend and means a ton to the students and alumni. Without him we wouldn't of gotten this far or even start to get the fans we need at games. Like myself there are many of us who want to repay you someday for everything you have done thus far and more you will do in the future.


As for the blog... we are 49 days away from hockey season. I'm planning on redesigning this site, I'll start putting up videos on youtube for more posts and soon I'll put out my predictions on who will finish where.

Can't wait for hockey season to start.

Ryan Smyth Back In Edmonton

Here's a little info I found really interesting. I've been seeing the rumors and it's come to pass Ryan Smyth is back with the Edmonton Oilers. I really enjoyed having Ryan Smyth here in Colorado a couple seasons ago. It's a shame things didn't work out the way we hoped. It was always obvious though his heart was in Edmonton and I'm sure there are a ton of Oiler fans happy to have him home. In exchange the Oilers gave the Kings Colin Fraser and a seventh-round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft.

I'm sure there are some ladies in Canada who can't wait to put their fingers through his hair.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=567391&navid=mod-rr-headlines

My thoughts on the Colorado Avalanche Draft and Liles Trade

As the first day of the NHL draft came to an end I wanted to look at the 2nd and 11th picks the Colorado Avalanche had. I had hoped before the draft the Avs would go after a winger and a d-man and they did just that. What more they didn't go after super offensive guys either. Instead we went after a gritty power forward and a defensive minded defensemen. Two traits the Avs really lack in over the last few seasons.

2nd overall Gabriel Landeskog

Power Forward
Left Winger
Height: 6' 0", Weight: 207
Played for the Kitchener Rangers *OHL*
GP: 53
G: 36
A: 30
P: 66
PIM: 61
The NHL analysis label him as a Brenden Morrow type of player.

I've been checking out his highlights on Youtube and not only will he bring grit, a presence in front of the net and a kick butt mentality, but he will also bring a ton of support for Matt Duchene. I really do feel that this pick was made not just as a 2nd best choice, but with Duchene in mind. Whether it be Hejduk or Fleischmann as the other winger, we have a player that will be able to clear room for them and hopefully do the job we hoped Ryan Smyth could have done for us. I hope he can become a player who can make a huge impact like Dustin Byfuglien and I think we'll be seeing him in a Avs jersey at the start of next season.




11th overall Duncan Siemens

Defensive Defensemen
Defense
Height: 6' 2", Weight: 192
Played for the Saskatoon Blades *WHL*
GP: 72
G: 5
A: 38
P: 43
PIM: 121
The NHL analysis label him as a Bryan Allen type of player. Though others say he has traits of Scott Stevens.



This is defiantly the type of player the Avs need. A guy who thinks defense first, loves to hit, can fight, has good speed to chase down forwards and push them to the side... This is a type of player the Avs lack in dearly. I have a feeling we won't really see him at the start of the season, unless we see a injury. I think he needs to bulk up a bit more but I really feel he could be a great reliable d-man for us soon. What I hope he really brings though is a Chris Pronger attitude.

Now as for the trade news on John Michael Liles...

Where a good number of Avs fans are calling The Fan, complaining, crying that a "Star Player" has been traded, I look at this and say why didn't this happen sooner? Granted J.M.L. is a good guy but the only thing that made him a defensemen on this team was the D next to his name on the roster. I really don't think he was committed to the supporting of the goalie and was more focused on getting that next goal. Which I understand the importance of having a good shooter at the blue line, but if you are a d-man your first responsibility is to support your goalie. Every time when the trade rumors started he stepped his game up and tried to play D, but that's the thing he had to be motivated to do it. I just wish we would of done this a few season's earlier, when Ottawa was thinking of trading one of their star players for him. All we got was a 2nd round draft pick for the 2012 draft.

There is more drafting going on today, but now I'm more looking forward to July and free agency. The Avs desperately need to pick up a goalie and I would like to see them pick up a strong, beat the hell out of you, block shots, stay at home d-man. I don't expect a big name or anything, but I'd like to see someone who at least has the passion and the drive to do his #1 job, which is helping our goalie.

NHL 2011-2012 Schedule

NHL.com has released the scheduled for next season.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=566826&navid=mod-rr-headlines

SEASON OPENING NIGHT (THURSDAY, OCT. 6)
Flyers @ Bruins, Habs @ Leafs, Pens @ Canucks

COMPUWARE NHL PREMIERE GAMES
Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday Oct. 8
* Games featuring Rangers, Sabres, Kings and Ducks will be split between three European cities: Stockholm, Helsinki, Berlin

PAST TWO STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS MEET
Boston @ Chicago -- Saturday, Oct. 15

HALL OF FAME GAME
Boston @ Toronto, Saturday, Nov. 5

ALL-STAR BREAK
Jan. 26-30

2011 STANLEY CUP FINALISTS MEET
Vancouver @ Boston – Saturday, Jan. 7

BUSIEST DAY OF SEASON
Saturday, April 7 -- 15 games

REGULAR SEASON CONCLUDES
April 7, 2012


As for the Colorado Avalanche, we get to start against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday October 8th. I'm kind of surprised to see them so soon. Then we will head to Boston to see the Bruins on the following Monday. It will be a very good test to see what this team has in October.

Other dates I like to focus on are October 20th and 22nd when we get a home and home with the Blackhawks. I'll defiantly be attending the game in Colorado.

Later on tonight, I'll be tossing up my impressions on what the Avs NEED to do in the draft but especially Free Agency.

See the rest at http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm

The Boston Bruins Win The Stanley Cup! Also we have a riot in Vancouver!

Ok first things first... Boston huge kudos to you. Before this series started I didn't think you would of put up much of a fight, let alone win the cup. After all the trash talk, cheep shots, injuries, back and forth play you came out on top in a very impressive fashion. Tim Thomas, I have given you a ton of criticism in the past. Way to man up and not only lead the Bruins to this point, but to also really show how great of a goalie you really are. You were Conn Smyth material and watching you lead at your age was really one impressive showing.

In a game where everything was up for grabs we were treated to a well played out game. In the first half of the first period, I was not really impressed with Boston's play. It seemed like they were holding on for dear life. If there is one thing you can point out though, the Bruins didn't give the Canucks any room in the slot. You still have to wonder how long the Bruins could hold out though. Then the Canucks got caught with their pants down. With 5:24 left in the first period, the Canucks ended up winning the faceoff in their zone, but allowed Bruins forward Marchand to easily skate past them, get the puck and hold onto it long enough for Patrice Bergeron to get in front and score the first and game winning goal. It caught everyone by surprise, especially Vancouver and after that nothing was the same. Though the Canucks made an effort to try and find the back of the net, Thomas would stand strong. The nail in the coffin would come late in the 2nd during the Canucks first powerplay. At 2:27 Bergeron would score short handed to make it a 3-0 game. The Canucks would follow that by a real weak 3rd period with no real pressure in front of the net. Boston wins 4-0.





As for the Canucks... plane and simple they blew it. They had all the advantages to win this series in 5 but it's obvious the demons are still there. Luongo is still questionable in the playoffs, the Sedins only showed up for the Sharks, there is no real leadership and I bet they don't have this great of a look at the cup for a long time. Maybe they shouldn't of partied so hard after barely beating the Hawks.


Then we get to this fun story. After the game many of those dressed in blue went out on the street and started a huge riot setting cars on fire and really destroying the town. A good number of Canuck fans have said "They are not real fans. They are an embarrassment." Therefor I will not call them Canuck fans. Hell I'd be embarrassed of my city and team if I were in their place. However, it will be hard not for the rest of the NHL and sports in general to not look at Vancouver and point them out as "That Team." I expect this from soccer guy not hockey guy. The Canucks will be carrying this on their shoulders for a long time.