It wasn’t just spectators lavishly layered  Montreal netminder Jose Theodore famously added a touque to the top of his goalie mask to try and ward off the tundra chill, and many of the skaters appeared to pull turtlenecks up to their ears.

The league set up two large viewing screens at both ends of Commonwealth for spectators. Chris said that the screens were important for those like him seated up high to follow the play. “So much of the stadium seemed to follow the play on those screens,” Chris said. “Their enthusiasm, with every rush, seemed identical to the passion you associate with a Canadian crowd in a typical arena.”

I asked Chris to identify a lasting image of that November’s frozen feast. “Even in the upper deck where I was, you could see the joy on the faces of the Old-Timer All Stars, their delight in taking shovels and pushing snow off of the playing surface. It just reminded you of hockey’s roots and that the game’s biggest names seemed to relish a return to them.”

Filed in CBC, Edmonton Oilers, Hockey Night in Canada, Hockey Weather, Montreal Canadiens, National Hockey League, Old Time Hockey, Puck Sodas, Satellite Hotstove, Shinny, TV, Zambonis| Permalink| Comments (5)

Leonsis Next Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors?

By Gustafsson
Saturday, February 3, 2007

Ted Leonsis - bio picture from WashingtonCaps.comFollowing the June meeting of the NHL Board of Governors, Harley Hotchkiss will step down as chairman. Hotchkiss was one of the longest serving chairman having served six, two year terms and was a key component in ending the most recent labour dispute, but not until after a season had been canceled.

During Satellite Hotstove on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, Eric Duhastschek noted that the executive committee will compile a short list of canidates for chairman, which is one of the top three jobs in the game. He was told that George Gillette from the Montreal Candadians is someone who might be on the list along with “progressive owner” Ted Leonsis.

Filed in CBC, Hockey Night in Canada, National Hockey League, Satellite Hotstove, Ted Leonsis, Washington Capitals| Permalink| Comments (3)