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rapturerecords · 4 years

Audio

Song: Modern Jazz (Blues) (aka Jazz Blues)

Composer: Gerhard Trede Record Label: The CBS Records EZ Cue Library CBS EZQ 172 Released: ca. 1968

Location: Gomorrah casino, Mysterious broadcast

This is one of the longer pieces in Fallout with the instrumental coming in at 5 minutes. Like its cooler cousin, this library music song known as “Jazz Blues” can be heard playing in the lobby of the Gomorrah casino or later on the Mysterious broadcast.

While the record is almost entirely covered with fairly lengthy Gerhard Trede compositions, one side dwarfs them all with a massive groove for a 14 minute track by Messrs. Kuhn and Kuhn and their “Transfiguration (Free Jazz)”.

Unfortunately, unlike Fallout 3′s end credits, Fallout: New Vegas’ end credits features the licensed music from the standard record labels, but omits all of the radio tunes from APM including the instrumentals save for a brief mention of “Additional Music Courtesy of APM Music”.

As is the case with library music, finding artist and recording information is extremely difficult as these songs were never meant to be sold to the public, instead being exclusively used for the film and TV industry. What follows is an attempt to extricate this information.

Note: Library music is typically identified by composer or emotion. Very little can be confirmed about the musicians who performed on the recording.

Here’s the full track list.

Side 1

Jazz

1. Transfiguration (Free Jazz) (Rolf Kuhn/Joachim Kuhn)

2. Back ‘N’ Forth (Gerhard Trede)

Side 2

Jazz

1. Modern Jazz (Blues) (Gerhard Trede)

2. Modern Jazz (City-Sound) (Gerhard Trede)

3. Modern Jazz (Moderato No. 1) (Gerhard Trede)

4. Modern Jazz (Fast) (Gerhard Trede)

5. Modern Jazz (Moderato No. 2) (Gerhard Trede)

About the composer

A publicity blurb from the May 2018 newsletter from Sonoton, the current license holder for the work of Gerhard Trede.

A color portrait of Trede from Hamburger Flimmern, 2006 Issue 13

Gerhard Trede is the most prominent musician on the Fallout series radio soundtrack with nine tracks total (2 from Fallout 3 and 7 from Fallout: New Vegas), eclipsing even the Ink Spots’ six songs.

A mainstay of the APM lineup, his work appears in everything from Spongebob Squarepants and Ren & Stimpy to period works and TV shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to Conan to numerous documentaries.

Despite this, very few biographies exist of him in English detailing his prolific composing career aside from official publicity blurbs mentioning his early life in Hamburg, Germany and his extraordinary musical output of over 100 compositions a year to playing over 50 instruments. Several articles in German report on his music scoring work in the newsreel series for Neuen Deutschen Wochenschau.

An essay details how the old Deutschen Wochenschau archive was bombed in Berlin throughout 1943 and 1944 to a point where the film reels and their music preserved on optical soundtracks were badly degraded from moisture, cold, and improper storage. The Neue Deutsche Wochenschau (NDW) would incorporate some rescued music cues. Gerhard Trede was hired in 1953 to fill in the substantial gaps in the music inventory. By 1955, he was composing for the newsreel every week, recording in an inn in Wellingsbüttel to be delivered to NDW. However, his compositions were owned by NDW and income derived solely through GEMA, Germany’s music rights organization.

Moviegoers quickly found the “Tredes Melodien“ from the newsreels so “eingängig” (catchy), that they demanded “Schallplatten“ or records to be made available, only to be continually rebuffed:

Brief von NDW Redaktion (A. Strehlke) an Werner Belgerin, Braunschweig vom 16.12.1961, Korrespondenz ab 1958, Archiv DW. Antwort auf eine Frage zu einer Schallplattenaufnahme der Musik, die in einem Bericht über die Europameisterschaften im Eiskunstlauf (NDW Nr. 575) zu hören war. Eine Schallplattenaufnahme zu erhalten war nicht möglich, da die Musik Eigentum der NDW war. Heute wird die Musik von G. Trede von der Fa. Sonoton als ‚typische‘ Musik der 1950er Jahre vertrieben – zu den Kunden zählen z.B. Fernsehsender und Filmproduzenten.

Letter from NDW Redaktion (A. Strehlke) to Werner Belgerin, Braunschweig, December 16, 1961, correspondence from 1958, DW Archive. Answer to a question about a recording of the music that was heard in a newsreel report on the European Figure Skating Championships (NDW Film No. 575). Obtaining a record was not possible because the music was owned by the NDW. Today, Gerhard Trede's music is sold by Sonoton as 'typical' music from the 1950s. Clients include television broadcasters and film producers.

By the 1970s, newsreels were dropping off in favor of television as Trede quickly shifted gears for the new format. He reacquired the rights to his massive collection of music and continually added new tracks to suit the electronic and experimental fashions of the time.The rights to his work vary from Selected Sound to EMI and finally to Sonoton.

Regrettable, few contemporary photographs of Trede have surfaced. There is purportedly a very young picture of him as a soldier in WWII. Aside from scoring for newreels and television programs from 1952 to 1982, Trede would compose “Nie wieder Krieg” or “War No More” in 1993 to reconcile his experiences as a WWII soldier. Trede would die 3 years later also in Hamburg.

About the recording

For those with an interest with reel-to-reel magnetic tape, CBS evidently issued their EZ Cue library on reels as well, The LP EZQ 172 is equivalent to Reel EXT 572. See the reels spinning here.

As a German composer, Gerhard Trede maintained his own private library music label in Germany and any recording information appears to be landlocked there. Rights appear to still remain in Germany under Selected Sound and Sonoton, as well as under his pseudonym, Victor Cavani. However, he did license music for use in the UK and US market under Mozart Edition and CBS Records EZ Cue Library in the 1960s.

As for partially dating when this track was recorded or released, it’s proving nearly as byzantine as for “Joe Cool”.

Naturally as a division of Columbia Records, Columbia Special Products, and the famed “Tiffany Network”, the Columbia Broadcasting System, CBS needed a service to provide musical scoring for its television shows. Evidence of this comes from when CBS donated its archive to UCLA which has been meticulously poured over by researchers unraveling the cue sheets.The CBS EZ Cue Library was intended as a replacement of an older Reel system used by CBS which numbered as high as #75 with subsections A/B/C/D.

An early CBS EZ Cue catalog lists LPs EZQ 101-175 and Tape EZT 501-575. Several cues are named for CBS shows like The Twilight Zone and Perry Mason, the latter aired its final episode on CBS in 1966.

Advertisements for the CBS Records EZ Cue Library appear as early as 1970 in the Darnell Corporation’s Sales Management. Above is a print ad for CBS EZ Cue in the Radio Section of the 1971 Broadcasting Yearbook, published January 15, 1971. The 1971 advertisement uses the serif version of the CBS logo while the 1972 edition of the yearbook features CBS advertisements using a new sans-serif logo.

So far, this gives us a date that the CBS EZ Cue Library was offered for sale and distribution around 1967-1971.

Like “Joe Cool” and “Stars and Teardrops”, the secret lies in the matrix numbers, in this case XTV 134329 and XTV 134330 for the sides that have the track known as “Modern Jazz (Blues)”.

The Library of Congress holds the Columbia Records Paperwork Collection for the years 1923-1964. It details that XTV stands for a 12 inch mono LP while XSV stands for a 12 inch stereo LP. While the archive shows XTV numbers from 11000-94000 sequentially spanning the years from 1949-1964, the XTV numbers are still 5 digits and have not reached the 6 digit XTV number present on the CBS EZ Cue LP as the archive does not go beyond 1964.

Fortunately, Columbia Special Products pressed other records with similar 6 digit XTV numbers with known pressing dates.

Like RCA Custom, Columbia Custom XTV and XSV codes can be tied to a pressing date though Columbia’s is less precise. Judging by the 6 digit XTV and XSV matrix codes above for work by Columbia Custom for labels like Vanguard, Silver Burdett, Reader’s Digest, and even Columbia’s own CBS Special Products the XTV/XSV numbers can be roughly dated as:

XTV 120000 - 1967

XTV 130000 - 1968

XTV 140000 - 1969

Note that XSV stereo matrix numbers may be pressed at slightly different times than XTV mono releases. The 1968 TV movie for Kiss Me Kate was produced by Armstrong Circle Theatre which ran all the Big Three networks, NBC (1950-1957), CBS (1957-1963), and ABC (1966-1968). CBS evidently kept a close association with Armstrong TV productions by 1968. CBS also produced The Incredible Year 1968 with a higher XSV number of 144898; due to its content as an anthology of CBS News broadcasts from the year, it must have been produced towards the end of 1968 or early 1969.

Therefore, if the record with “Modern Jazz (Blues)” has Columbia matrix numbers of XTV 134329 and XTV 134330, it’s consistent with XTV 130000 releases in 1968. It is likely the first run of LPs for EZQ 101-175 with mono XTV numbers were all pressed around 1968 and later stereo XSV 1400000 content released as needed. As shown above, it appears the serif CBS logo was used to advertise this set until 1971 before the transition to sans-serif.

As for why “Modern Jazz (Blues)” became “Jazz Blues”, it’s likely because the original record had too many “Modern Jazz” descriptors. The record was partially reissued in 1990 on the Gerhard Trede Collection CD under Selected Sound and EMI for Jazz Time 1.

Namely, the CD retitled several of the CBS tracks as:

CD CBS

1. Jazz Blues <=> Modern Jazz (Blues)

2. City Sound <=> Modern Jazz (City-Sound)

4. Jazz im Bach Stil <=> Bach ‘N’ Forth

Note the retention of the Johann Sebastian Bach pun.

The liner notes booklet is regrettably short on details, as expected for a library music CD. Trede would have been in his 70s when this CD was made of his CBS work from the 1960s. Though the CD notes it was made in West Germany when the country reunified the same year in 1990.

“Jazz Blues” is officially described as:

Sax gest. Trompete. Piano, sentimental schön.

Sax, muted trumpet, piano, sentimental nice.

The rest of the liner notes indicate the Gerhard Trede library was still transitioning from Selected Sound to EMI in 1990.

Another note is as follows:

Alle Musiken wurden von Gerhard Trede komponiert, instrumentiert und produziert.

Die Kompositionen, die mit einem (+) gezeichnet sind, wurden vom Komponisten auf allen Instrumenten selbst gespielt im eigenen Studio.

All music was composed, orchestrated and produced by Gerhard Trede.

The compositions marked with a (+) were played by the composer himself on all instruments in his own studio.

Though Trede was a talented multi-instrumentalist, “Jazz Blues” doesn’t have a plus so it doesn’t appear he solely performed on the track.

Other library music records used in Fallout:

Jazzy Interlude/Jazz Interlude - Billy Munn - CBL 37

Swing Doors - Allan Gray - CBL 37

Rhythm for You - Eddy Christiani & Frans Poptie - CBL 40

I’m Tickled Pink - Jack Shaindlin - CMR 406

Joe Cool/Stars and Teardrops - Nino Nardini - SF 1007

Roundhouse Rock - Bert Weedon - 6007 012

#fallout new vegas #jazz blues #gerhard trede #Mysterious Broadcast #modern jazz blues #CBS EZ Cue #library music #CBS Records

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hazyheel · 5 years

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WWE NXT 9/18/19 Review

Well, it is finally here, our first NXT episode that aired live on USA. It was stacked, and they put on a hell of a show. I wasn’t that much of a fan of one part of the show, but plenty matches were awesome. The show felt like a genuine sport, the way they went from match to match without a promo at all. That style is perfect, and I think that they will do well in the upcoming Wednesday Night Wars. Here is my full review of this weeks NXT.

Io Sharai vs. Bianca Belair vs. Candice LaRae vs. Mia Yim for #1 contendership to the NXT Women’s Championship: When things started out, everyone just got a change to hit some of their signature offense, with lots of huge moves and breaking up pinfalls. We saw some awesome power moves from Belair, flying from Sharai, some crafty shots from Yim and a lot of heart from LaRae. We cut to commercial after a huge Moonsault from Sharai to Yim and LaRae on the floor. When we came back, we saw a huge power of doom spot, with Yim superplexing Belair, Sharai German suplexing Yim, and LaRae powerbombing Sharai. We then saw a shower of finishing moves over and over, with Yim hitting a Code Blue, and Belair nailing LaRae with a KOD, but Sharai broke it up. Sharai went for a moonsault to LaRae, but Yim pushed her off the top rope and into Belair on the outside. Yim then got LaRae on her shoulders, before LaRae nailed a poison rana and hit the lionsault for the win.

After the match, Shayna Baszler came out with her cronies. They all surrounded LaRae, and just kinda intimidated her.

Grade: A-. This match was so good that I could hardly keep up with my notes. Everyone was flying around and killing each other with unbelievably awesome moves. We saw some awesome character work in this match as well, showing how desperate everyone in it was for a title shot. That belt is a hot commodity, and everyone should care enough to want it. LaRae was also the best choice to win this. They need a white meat babyface who is just lovable and awesome to beat Shayna. I love this booking, and this was an awesome first match for NXTV. Match of the night

Sean Maluta vs. Cameron Grimes: Grimes nailed the double foot stomp right away as Maluta charged him and got the win.

Grade: C+. Squash? ... Squash? SQUAAAAAAAAASHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Roderick Strong vs. Velveteen Dream for the NXT North American Championship: The two started things out with some technical exchanges, with Strong looking to put Dream on the mat right way. Dream showed off some of his technical prowess as well, and also seemed to be firmly in Roddy’s head. As the match wore on, Strong started to work over the back and the ribs of Dream by driving him into the apron and barricades. Strong then worked Dream over in the corners, with some hard strikes and various backbreakers in the middle of the ring. The two then dueled for submission holds, with Strong trying for the Stronghold, and Dream going for a sharpshooter. The two then battled to the outside before brawling back into the ring, with Dream hitting a nice comeback sequence for a near fall. Dream then hit the DreamDT for another near fall, and it looked like he was getting desperate. Strong fought back into the match with a brutal high knee to the face, and then tied him up in the ropes, nailed a series of hard forearms, a huge back breaker and then a tiger driver for a near fall, with Strong reversing the kickout into a Stronghold. It was tense and took a while, but Dream got to the ring. After that sequence. The rest of the Undisputed Era came out to get Strong’s back. They all talked trash, and Strong pushed Dream into the ref and took him down. Dream then hit a Dream Valley Driver, and started to fight off the Undisputed Era, only for Roddy to nail a high knee and End of Heartache, but Dream kicked out! Dream then hit another Dream Valley Driver, and went to the top rope for the Purple Rainmaker, but Bobby Fish distracted the ref and allowed Adam Cole to superkick Dream off the top rope and Roddy to hit another end of Heartache for the win.

Grade: B+. This was a really good match, with a lot of drama towards the end and a finish that wasn’t too screwy, so it’s still acceptable. Dream and Strong put on a really good match with a lot of exciting spots and good looking hits. Strong deserved this win, because the Undisputed Era deserved to hold all the gold. Undisputed Era controls NXT right now, and it’ll be interesting to see how things proceed from here.

Pete Dunne vs. Arturo Ruas: Ruas and Dunne immediately went to the mat and tried to get good positioning. Ruas quickly tried to lock in an armbar, but Dunne got back to his feet and started to pick away at Ruas’s limbs. Ruas did hit a nice looking sequence of a knee to the chest followed by a kick to the face. At one point, Dunne caught one of Ruas’s kicks and started to attack the toes and feet, and he used that to take control. Dunne nailed an awesome release German suplex, stomping on the hands and then a kick to the head for a near fall. He then nailed another kick to the head and an x plex for another near fall. Ruas then fought back with a kick to the face and a german of his own, but also a near fall. Dunne then took Ruas down with a triangle, and bent the fingers until Raus tapped out.

Grade: B. Good stuff here, a fun technical match that went into some striking to keep things fresh. Of course the outcome wasn’t in doubt, but Ruas could be a solid talent in the future. The division is too star studded now, but I see him in the future. I’m interested in seeing where Dunne goes from here, whether that is the midcard or the main event.

Xia Li vs. Aliyah: Vanessa borne was out with Aliyah. Li showed her agility right in the beginning by flipping around to avoid Aliyah’s offense and then taking her to task with some kicks. At one point, LI went for a spring board dropkcik out of the courner, but she botched in and fell to the mat. She then beat Aliyah down with a series of kicks, before taking her down with a windmill kick for the win.

Grade: C. This would’ve been a C+, but the botch lowered it a bit. It was mostly a squash, and I was happy to see Li get a win. Sucks that she messed up though.

Kushida vs. Denzel something: before the match happened, Imperium showed up and attacked Denzel. It was just Alexander Wolfe, Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel, until they nailed Denzel with a Doomsday European Uppercut. Walter then walked down to the ring, much to the delight of the crowd. Walter then got on the mic, and vowed to destroy anyone who didn’t respect the tradition of the ring. However, Kushida came out to interrupt him. Kushida got on the mic and yelled at them for taking time away from him. They tried to attack him, with Kushida holding them off for a while, until Wlater got a hold of him. Kushida was able to nail a kick on Walter, and then booked it to the back.

Grade: B. The segment felt a bit sloppy here and there, but I am really excited to see Walter on NXT proper. He is awesome, and so is Kushida. I would love to see that match. It seems totally awesome, and Kushida just may have a shot at winning. Kushida is just as big of a deal as Walter, so it’d be interesting to see if Kushida is out next UK Champion.

Lio Rush vs. Oney Lorcan for #1 contendership to the WWE Crusierweight Championship: Lio Rush is back! After Bobby Lashley ditched him, he is back to being an awesome wrestler. Right at the bell Lorcan destroyed him with a huge European uppercuts in the corner, and eventually a blockbuster for a quick near fall. Rush then countered out of the Half and Half suplex, before nailing three suicide dives in a row. Rush hit some nice offense on Lorcan beore scoring a near fall. Lorcan quickly forced his way back into the match and locked in a half crab, but Rush kicked Lorcan away. Lorcan then hit Rush up with chops, and a huge slam for a near fall. Lorcan then tried to throw him into the ropes, but Lio bounced off the bottom rope and nailed a stunner for a near fall. Rush then went for a frog splash, but he landed on his feet and tweaked his knee, allowing Lorcan to nail a powerbomb and lock in a single leg crab again. He then transitioned into an STF, but Rush made the ropes after a long sqeuence. Lorcan then went for a chop to the face, but Rush countered with a series of strikes, only for Lorcan to fire up and nail several chops to the face. Lorcan went for a running move, but Rush caught him in a standing spanish fly. He then hit the frog splash and got the win.

Grade: B+. I was a bit unsure about this match, because Rush didn’t start out by moving as fast as he normally does. But I can attribute that to some ring rust, because they ended up putting on a really really good match. Rush is a good babyface in peril, even with Lorcan remaining a face throughout. Lorcan looked badass, but Rush looked resilient. Great way to convey their characters, and it was a really fun match. Welcome back Lio.

Matt Riddle vs. Killian Dain in a Street Fight: They started out with some violent power moves from Dain, but Riddle answered him back with some suplexes of his own. Dain quickly grabbed a kendo stick and beat him down on the floor off to the side of the stands. The two fought outside, and Walter decided to just run out and attack Riddle. Imperium joined in, and then like everyone in the tag division ran out and started to brawl. Dain and Riddle got back into the arena, with the locker room following them. Security started to try to separate Dain and Riddle, but a bunch of the wrestlers beat down the security. During the scuffle, we saw Killain Dain give a crowd a suicide dive. Then the show just ended.

Grade: D. I’m not into getting a whole bunch of adds that made it seem like there would finally be a resolution to this feud, and then a bunch of randos got involved and stopped the match from happening. I’m sorry, I love Riddle and Dain is good too, but the booking here was garbage. They need to settle their differences eventually, and it should’ve been tonight.

Overall grade: B-

Pros: fatal 4-way; north american championship; dunne vs. ruas; imperium attack; cruiserweight match

Cons: there were so many commercials in the first hour; li vs. aliyah; main event

#hazyheel #wwe #nxt #wwe nxt #pro wrestling #wwe reivew #nxt review #wwe nxt review #pro wrestling review #matt riddle #killian dain #lio rush #oney lorcan #kushida #walter #imperium #wwe nxt 9/18/19

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chocktaw-salchow · 6 years

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TRANSLATION: From Copenhagen to Longeuil

Laurence Fournier-Beaudry had to give up on the Pyeongchang Olympics after being denied Danish citizenship

By Alain Bergeron

A promise for a Canadian passport in 2020 for her partner Nikolaj Sorensen could allow Laurence Fournier-Beaudry to finally compete in the 2022 Olympic Games.

This is a translation of an article originally posted by Le Journal de Québec

Uncompromising, Denmark refused Laurence Fournier-Beaudry’s citizenship application, depriving her and her partner the opportunity to compete in the last Olympic Games. With one path blocked, their only solution now is to go the opposite way: her partner Nikolaj Sorensen has been promised a passport in 2020 which gives them hope to finally compete at the Olympics in Beijing.

Canadian figure skating, full of dramatic stories, now gives us a tale that two lovers have been telling (weaving) for six years between Copenhagen and Longeuil. After a mandatory year long break from all international competition, their necessary sacrifice will end the day after the Canadian championships in New Brunswick on January 21.

From this day forward, the ice dancers who qualified for the Pyeongchang Olympics but could not participate, will permanently leave behind the Danish flag for the Canadian one. A top three finish at the national championships would lead them to the world championships in Japan in March and would mark their official entry into the Canadian team.

“When we are announced on the ice for the first time, it is going to be bizarre to hear ‘Competing for Canada’. But fundamentally, I have become almost as much Canadian as Danish,” admitted the 29 year old man with almost impeccable French.

A reflection

January 21st, 2019 will be a exactly one year to the day since the end of the European Figure Skating Championships in Moscow where the duo finished 9th. At that time, the imminence of the Pyeongchang Olympics provoked a reaction in the two.

Should they cut their ties with Denmark and opt for Canada, where Nikolaj’s assured citizenship would not compromise a possible Olympic qualification?? If yes, it would be necessary to accept the “penalty” of a year away from international competition, a rule dictated by the International Skating Union (ISU) to skaters wanting to compete for another country.

“We asked ourselves these questions. Do we want to continue skating for a long time? Do we stop? We talked with the Danish federation who has always supported us and who always wanted the best for us. They told us: we understand your problem and we will never get in your way,” recounts Nikolaj.

“It was a big decision to make,” added Laurence originally from the Greenfield Park neighborhood.

No compromise in Denmark

According to the ISU regulations, a couple is allowed to compete for a country even if only one of the two members have citizenship. The rule applies to any international competition except the Olympic Games, where two passports from the same nation are required.

That is how Laurence, who accepted an offer to skate with a Danish skater who moved to Montreal two years earlier, was able to build an international career. In the shadow of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir who have skated in and won all of the worlds biggest competitions, Denmark served as a refuge to make the most of their talent in the field of ice dance.

In their fourth World Championship appearance in 2017, their 13th place finish made Denmark the seventh best country in the competition. As a result they had qualified a spot to the Pyeongchang Olympics.

Their happiness however turned into frustration. Despite many appearances before government officials, it was a wasted effort. This Northern European country does not give out citizenship like a coffee ordered at a drive through. There are no exceptions- not even for two Olympic level skaters who live and train in Montreal at the world renowned school of Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.

“Even if you are married, but you don’t live and train Denmark for at least seven years, there are no exceptions. It is up to 10 years if you are not married,” explained the Copenhagen native, who knows every comma of the law.

Canada, a natural choice

So the 2018 Olympic Games were off the table, likewise for 2022. So naturally, Canada became the solution for their hope to compete at the Olympics, even if Laurence’s attachment to the Scandinavian country of her boyfriend would have justified representing them under the five rings.

“I would have liked that. But between competing at the Olympics for Canada or for Denmark, lets say that’s I am happy with the decision that we made. I realized that it’s fun to represent my own country. The Canadian federation welcomed us with open arms. It was a natural transition,” she reckoned.

The images of a Bell Center cheering them on at the World Championships in March 2020 could reinforce that sense of belonging.

Charmed by the Quebecois Identity

Nikolaj Sorensen remembers the reality that he presented Laurence Fournier-Beaudry with when he asked her to start a career with him in 2012 . “I know that would cannot participate in the Olympic Games together because it will be impossible for you to obtain Danish citizenship. Do you want to become a team anyways?” Six years later, their dreams are reborn as Canadians.

Nikolaj Sorensen moved to Montreal in December 2010 at the age of 21 to pursue a career in figure skating. Canada will not have to worry about if he belongs when he is granted his citizenship in August 2020.

Quebec even less

“When I first arrived, it was for the selfish reason of skating. But I found it beautiful that little by little, I discover that Quebec is a little society in North America, an island, a unit where people speak french,” observed the Dane who now has the status of a permanent resident in Canada.

“It is sad to see the immigrants arriving here and not only don’t want to learn French, but seem to be resistant to it. I know that this provokes a debate but we speak french here. It’s not more complicated than that. When I arrived, I appreciated that there was only one language here. I find that cool, a little like in Denmark we speak Danish.”

We do hygge?

After six years of time spent with Danish people, both with her boyfriend’s family and with members of the national skating federation, Laurence Fournier-Beaudry can now follow a conversation in the unique language. She notably learned a word that does not translate into any other language: hygge. Having hygge (pronounced “ugge”) is a very Danish value, where an indoors or outdoors activity becomes a reason to remember the joy of being together. Whether it is a family evening in the lounge or a simple trip to the park, hygge provides a sense of wellbeing to the inhabitants of a country subjected to the harshness of their climate.

“It’s comforting. To understand that time passes so quickly that we must say that we are happy to have what we do. It’s nothing formal. It’s just an activity to take time to appreciate life,” summarized the quebecois who has already assimilated the tradition.

Internal Rivalry

Adding this new world-class teen into the Canadian landscape raises the debate among the ice dance teams on the canadian national team. Despite the retirement of two-time Olympic champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, a new generation is here with Ontarians Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje and Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier, who were respectively 7th and 8th at the Pyeongchang Olympics.

Closer to home, there are also the quebecois Carolane Soucisse and her partner Shane Firus, who they see daily in training with Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon at the Gadbois Complex in Montreal.

“Carolane and Shane have known about our change for a long time and our relationship with them is still good. That will not change. Anyways, we have not come here to say that we are better. Nikolaj and I, we aren’t those kind of people,” affirmed Fournier-Beaudry.

Back to the Source

They are forbidden from international competition until next January, but nothing is stopping the neo-Canadian team from Quebecois and Canadian competitions to find their bearings. If Skate Canada Challenge in Edmonton, from November 28 to December 2nd, will be a necessary step to qualify for the Canadian Championships, their presence at the Quebec Championships in Gatineau last week served to get rid of the rust and remaster the stress of competition.

#fstranslations #Team Canada #ice dance #figure skating #Laurence Fournier-Beaudry #Nikolaj Sorensen

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winglesscrows · 6 years

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The Bern Incident

AO3 I Patreon I FF.net

Yuri on Ice I G I Chris & Victor I 4k

"An epiphany struck Chris at that moment. Between the two of them, the awkward one wasn’t him, it was Viktor."

The story of how Chris went from being just one of Viktor's fans, to realize how much of a mess he is and become his friend.

Read under cut or on AO3

The first time Chris had seen Viktor had been through a television. He had just turned fourteen and he was supposed to join the junior ranks in figure skating in the upcoming season. It had therefore been important to him that he watched the Junior World Championships live, so that he would know what the competition was like. After all, Chris had dreams of winning an Olympic medal, and while he would be just a year too young to go to Torino, he had his eyes set on Vancouver. And surely, the skaters at this Junior World Championship held those same dreams. Chris wanted to know how far behind he was.

Chris had watched with awe as people only a couple of years older than him had mastered things he could only dream of. The triple axels that some of the older juniors performed were so good, and Chris thought they would definitely go senior next year. They were amazing and Chris hoped that when he joined them, he could be just as good. No, even better, they were his competition. However, for as good as these nameless skaters were, no one caught his eye like a young Russian competitor.

The skater stood out amongst the others, not only because of his long silver hair and his pretty costume covered in rhinestones, no, it was the way he held himself and smiled to all the people around him that made Chris’ heart beat faster. He didn’t know his name until it was called on the speaker, and he committed the name to memory. Viktor. Viktor Nikiforov.

His skating was just as beautiful as his looks and his smile. It was light and smooth and playful, and suddenly Chris didn’t understand what the others had done that could have impressed him. Not when there was Viktor.

It felt only natural that Viktor would win the competition with the highest score ever set by a junior.

The very next day, Chris asked his coach about Viktor and she showed him some of his programs, which she had on a tape. Chris was bewitched by his skating, and he told her that he wanted to compete against him. She smiled and told him that Viktor would turn senior next season. Chris smiled back at her. He still had one year until he could legally turn senior, so he would use that year to its fullest.

The first time Chris spoke to Viktor was two years later and it was during Chris’ first season as a senior. As the World Junior silver medalist, Chris had gotten two grand prix assignments, but none of them had coincided with Viktor’s. Viktor, who was now World bronze medalist. He had hoped to join Viktor in the Finals, but he hadn’t medalled in any of his competitions and he had watched the Finals from his bedroom, watching as Viktor has fought his way to a silver medal.

But now, here they were, together, in the same arena, for the same competition. It was the European Championship, and after winning silver at his own Nationals (although not as good as Viktor’s Russian National title), he had been assigned to attend the competition. He had been very proud of his accomplishment, and he felt even luckier to be able to witness Viktor skate in person for the very first time.

Chris remembered skating in the free skate group just before Viktor, and he remembered thinking about how he would like to stand on that podium with Viktor today. He wanted nothing more than for Viktor to acknowledge him. From what Chris had read, from what Chris had seen, Viktor didn’t have a rival. All top skaters had a rival, Chris believed that to be true, and he would like to be Viktor’s. He would like to be the one Viktor would want to beat, he would want Viktor to pay attention to him, and he would want the two of them to be friends.

When Viktor won the competition and received his medal, Chris was in the stance. He was not sad that he didn’t medal. If anything, he was proud of his personal bests that he had acquired today, but still, he would like for Viktor to notice him. He saw his chance as Viktor exited the rink and called out to him.

With a blue rose and a promise to meet again at worlds, Chris smiled.

Over the next couple of years, Chris exchanged few words with Viktor. He still felt starstruck when Viktor was close. It was the same feeling he got whenever he met with Stephane Lambiel, another idol of his. The feeling of watching someone so awe-inspiring and amazing, the feeling of wanting to be like them. The only difference was that Viktor was so close to his age. Idols are normally someone much older than you, someone who inspired you while you were young. And Viktor had inspired him, but he had been so young himself as he had, and Chris could not help but think that watching Viktor grow and mature, could only be a blessing.

Four years after that first meeting, the European Championship was held in Bern, Switzerland. It was the very first time that Chris would represent Switzerland as its national champion, and he wanted to prove himself by winning this event in his home country. Last year, he had gotten the closest to a European medal he had ever had. A fourth place finish, half a point away from bronze. This year he was stronger in every way. He had matured, his body had grown and his skills had been polished. He was ready.

Viktor hadn’t won the event since he had given Chris the rose - it had been all silvers since his last victory. Although, Viktor had not even attended last year. Instead, he had prepared for the Olympics, which he had taken by storm, and won with another world record set. After he had won, people had wondered if he would retire. Chris had laughed at the rumours. Viktor wouldn’t retire just because he won the Olympics, no, Viktor lived to perform on the ice. It was what made him different. It was why Chris loved to see him skate, more than anyone, because Viktor didn’t just do it for the gold and the victory. Viktor skated for his audience. Chris would like to think that he was the same, but upon entering the rink for his first practice, all he thought of was gold.

“Good luck tonight,” someone said and patted him on the shoulder. Chris turned and looked at Viktor, who smiled at him. Chris didn’t know if smiled back, but he did notice that he had grown as tall as Viktor. Interesting.

“Thank you,” Chris said quickly, and then after a second added, “You too.”

Viktor flashed a bright smile at him before exiting the rink and joining his coach. Those were the kinds of interactions they had had over the last couple of years, and while Chris treasured each and every one of them, he wished to be able to talk to Viktor without getting tongue-tied.

Chris didn’t have the chance to talk to Viktor again until after the free skate. They were standing by the rink, waiting for the staff to set up the necessary things needed for the medal ceremony. Chris was quite pleased with his result. It wasn’t quite the gold medal he had dreamed of, but a silver was good enough. Viktor was back as the European champion, and the point difference between the two of them had been so incredibly small that it hardly mattered to Chris what the colour of his medal was.

This was the perfect opportunity, Chris thought, and turned around to hopefully start a conversation with his idol. But one look at Viktor made Chris rethink his decision. Viktor was looking at him. Intensely. It was almost like Viktor had something to say, something Chris thought he didn’t want to hear, but he didn’t say anything. Chris couldn’t possibly think of why or how he had upset Viktor, but he felt like he had done something wrong, and the couldn’t talk to him unless he figured that out.

Chris didn’t get the chance to talk to Viktor before the ceremony started, and when it did, Viktor put on his famously beautiful smile as he waved to audience and received his medal.

After the press conference, Chris was surprised when Viktor came running up to him in an empty hallway. The only person other than the two of them was Chris’ own coach, though it seemed like Viktor’s coach wasn’t far away, judging by his non-stop yelling of Viktor’s name.

Viktor had that intense look in his eyes again, and Chris was about to apologize for… something. He didn’t really know what, but surely, Viktor wanted him to apologize.

“I want you to have this,” Viktor said suddenly and held out his gold medal, as if expecting Chris to take it. Which was insane. Why would he take it? Chris could only stare dumbfounded at Viktor.

“Excuse me?” He said, bewildered. Clearly, Viktor had to be joking or pulling a prank.

“Please take it,” Viktor insisted, but Chris did not take it. Viktor had won that medal, he had regained his European title. Why on earth would he want Chris to have it? They didn’t even know each other that well.

“I don’t understand-” Chris began, but he was interrupted by Viktor’s angry coach.

“Vitya! I told you not to-” His coach sighed, “I’m sorry to have bothered your skater, Josef,” he apologized and then took Viktor by the arm, “I’ll free you from him.”

Before the angry coach could drag him away from Chris, Viktor placed the medal in Chris’ hands.

“I can’t keep this...” Chris mumbled to himself when he was back in his hotel room. He had disregarded his own silver medal, to admire Viktor’s gold. The only difference between them was the colour, but the gold medal in Chris’ hands felt heavier than his own. Perhaps it was because it wasn’t his, and how could he look at this without thinking that he hadn’t won it. Viktor had won it and gifted it to him. For what? Because he felt sorry for him that he didn’t win the event in his home country when he had been just a point away from it? Pity didn’t seem like a trait of the Viktor he looked up to, so therefore, that couldn’t be it. Viktor was a man of respect and honour, and Chris mentally facepalmed when he realized that he was more or less describing the qualities of a noble knight in the middle ages.

He had to find Viktor. Hopefully before the banquet. Chris didn’t know when Viktor would be leaving, and he couldn’t be seen giving the medal back to Viktor in public. What if people thought that he had stolen it? He really didn’t want those kinds of rumours about himself. Especially not with how he was rising through the ranks.

Without knowing what room Viktor was in, Chris began to search the hotel.

Chris went through over twenty rooms until he knocked on the door of a person who knew where Viktor was. During that time he had gotten weird stares, an autograph from a Spanish skater he quite liked, and the number of a French ice dancer, who was a year older than Chris and ridiculously handsome. He would save that for later, perhaps as a reward for giving Viktor his medal back.

He found Viktor at the restaurant bar. In his mind, Viktor never got drunk, he barely even touched alcohol, only ever the celebratory champagne or perhaps a glass of the finest red wine. Chris realized that he had so many assumptions about Viktor that he didn’t really understand where came from. It was almost like he had painted this perfect picture of him in his mind, and perhaps that was why he found it hard to talk to him. Chris was a sociable guy. He got along with everyone, but with Viktor it had always been a little strained. The few conversations they had had were always something of a formality, and when it ever extended past that, it turned awkward. Chris knew that it was because of how he viewed Viktor, which was why he had wanted to befriend him. So that it would be, perhaps, less awkward.

“Hi,” Chris greeted Viktor cheerfully, and he was met with a smile. A signature Nikiforov smile which made all of its victims weak in their knees.

“Christophe,” Viktor smiled, “Did you come to get a drink.? I’ll buy you one.”

Although that wasn’t really among Chris’ plans, who was he to turn down that offer, “Sure, thanks,” he said and took a seat beside him, “You can call me Chris. All my friends do.” The words were out of his mouth before he knew it. Would Viktor think him presumptuous to call them friends?

“Do you consider me a friend?” Viktor asked curiously, and Chris averted his gaze.

“Only if you do,” he said, “I mean, consider me a friend.”

“I would love to be your friend, Chris!” Viktor said cheerfully. Of course, Chris couldn’t know how much Viktor had drunk before he got there, but an epiphany struck Chris at that moment. Between the two of them, the awkward one wasn’t him, it was Viktor. Who on earth made friends like that? He wanted to laugh, but that would have been weird.

“I actually came to give you back your medal,” he said and fished it out of his pocket, “Here. You shouldn’t just give these to people.”

Viktor sighed as he took back the medal. He examined it for a while, before pushing it aside. The bartender refilled Viktor’s glass and gave Chris his drink.

“Why did you give it to me?” Chris asked curiously, and was surprised to see Viktor’s face slowly morph into a pout.

“You should have won,” Viktor said, almost whined, and to preserve the image of him that Chris had made in his mind, he blamed Viktor’s behaviour on the alcohol.

“That’s dumb,” Chris stated plainly, and Viktor would probably have looked hurt at the statement if he hadn’t looked so utterly offended.

“It is not dumb,” Viktor defended, “It is a fact.”

Chris looked at him like he was going mad, “If it was a fact that I should have won, then they would have given me the gold medal. In fact, I think you were underscored in the short program.”

Viktor looked even more shocked, “You think I was underscored? Look, Chris,” Viktor said his name like Chris had offended his dog. Viktor was known to only ever be rude to people who spoke ill about his dog, “You are clearly blind, because you definitely got robbed of a personal best in the short program-”

“You know what my personal best is?” Chris interrupted, because he didn’t even know that Viktor had paid attention to his score or his skate, let alone knew what his personal best was. Hell, Chris only knew what Viktor’s personal best was because most of them were world records.

“Of course I do,” Viktor said as if Chris had asked if he knew that the sky was blue, “But the real issue was the free skate. I was never that good at the lutz-” Viktor began, and Chris felt a monologue coming so he started sipping his drink, “-but I have been improving, you know. But tonight it just didn’t work for me, I knew before I even jumped that it wouldn’t work. So when I saw my score I was so happy, because it was high even with my mistakes, so clearly the GOE would have been really good.”

Chris nodded along as Viktor rambled on about why Chris should have won. He wasn’t quite sure yet what Viktor was trying to say.

“But then I looked at the protocol, and they hadn’t marked my mistake. And I know I made a mistake because Yakov wouldn’t shut up about it in the Kiss & Cry, like, I get it. Yakov, my lutz is horrible. But then you started to skate, and I really like you programs this year, by the way-”

“Thanks...”

“And I was so sure you were going to win, and then you didn’t, and all because they didn’t mark my mistake. This might be a judged sport, but some things are just unacceptable, and I really think you should keep the medal,” Viktor slid the gold medal across the bar again, but Chris refused to take it and shoved it into Viktor’s hands.

“That is ridiculous, Viktor,” Chris began, “You were clearly better than me during both programs. One unmarked mistake shouldn’t change that.”

“But it would have changed the standings! This isn’t an issue about fourth or fifth place. This is about who wins!”

Chris shook his head, “Mon Dieu, you are an actual idiot.”

“Excuse me?!”

“The gold was clearly yours, mistake or not. The points you would have lost if they called out your mistakes they just took elsewhere. I mean, how have you not received a ten in presentation, or interpretation or any component yet? It’s clear as day that the judges don’t award you the scores you deserve. Everyone knows this.”

“But you had two clean programs and I did not!”

“I had easier programs than you! That’s like saying that a person who only jumps doubles should win against a person who only does triples, if the last person falls once. That makes no sense.”

Chris shook his head in disbelief. Was this really Viktor Nikiforov, Russian star and Olympic champion, or was this some twisted drunk version of Viktor that Chris had just happened to find? He couldn’t tell. Clearly, Viktor was not entirely sober, but he didn’t slur his words, or even smell of alcohol. With the exception of the ludacris nonsense that he was spouting, he did not seem drunk.

“You know what,” Chris said at least, “If you really think I should have beaten you, then let’s wait and see at Worlds. If I win then, I will accept your wild theory.”

“And you will accept the medal?” Viktor asked brightly

“Absolutely not. Thanks for the drink,” Chris said and bid the gold medalist good night. That, Chris thought, was enough for tonight.

At the banquet, Viktor approached him again, although this time, he didn’t try to give him a medal. He just handed him a glass of champagne.

“Sorry for what happened at the bar,” Viktor said quietly, not letting anyone listen in, “I was just really upset about the results.”

“But now you understand that you deserved to win?” Chris finished for him and Viktor looked at him in confusion.

“No, I still think you should have won and if you ever want the medal, I’ll give it to you.”

“Maybe we should start having conversations when you’re sober,” Chris wondered out loud and Viktor grinned.

“Sounds good,” he said and pulled up his phone, “Can I have your number?”

Chris gave it to him gladly.

Having Viktor’s contact in his phone would make him a friend, that was what Chris thought at least, but friends should text each other. Chris texted with his other friends. Maybe not often, but he never went more than two months without texting someone he considered a friend. With Viktor, however, it had been four months of radio silence. Viktor was fairly active on social media, and Chris had assumed he would be the same with him, but there was nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Viktor Nikiforov was a mystery to Chris. He had always kind of been mysterious, but Chris had taken that as a part of his brand, not as a personality trait. Chris wasn’t like that. Chris loved his friends, and Chris would text his friends no matter what.

Chris opened his phone and found the text messages him and Viktor had exchanged. There were exactly two messages. The first one had been from Viktor and it said: good luck! It had been sent the day before the short program at Worlds. Chris had replied with: good luck to you too! And had cringed at how awfully stiff it sounded.

Chris didn’t actually know what he wanted to talk about, so he just stared at his phone for a while before typing up a question he had always wanted to ask Viktor: why did you cut your hair?

It took Viktor three full days to answer, and when he did answer, it was the most anti-climactic answer Chris could have imagined: just felt like it.

Chris frowned. He was not that bad at holding a conversation, clearly, Viktor was the one at fault here. He typed up another message: why didn’t you reply?

Soon after, Viktor responded: lost my phone, accidently put it in the fridge.

Chris looked at the text, whether Viktor was joking or completely serious, it didn’t change the fact that he was clearly a lot weirder than Chris had ever thought. Wasn’t Viktor supposed to be perfect? An angel who had come to graze humanity with his skating? It would seem that that was not the case.

Chris tried to text Viktor often, and despite the sometimes boring or extremely weird replies, he began to find it fun and looked forward to whatever Viktor had to tell him that day. Chris also started putting some things about his new friend together. It was clear that Viktor didn’t have a whole lot of close friends. He would sometimes mention going out to dinner with friends, but they hardly seemed like people Viktor would invite over to his apartment for sleepovers. Viktor was also a huge bookworm, apparently. The longest reply Chris had ever gotten from him was when he had asked what his favorite book was and Viktor had replied with five extremely long messages explaining what exactly he liked about his favorite book (Chris may or may not have bought that book the next day just to understand Viktor’s enthusiasm).

Chris also learned that Viktor was a bit of a loner. Not necessarily in a bad way, but the third time Viktor texted him saying that he wanted to lock himself in his apartment and just cuddle with his dog all day long, Chris kind of knew that he wasn’t naturally a people-person. Or maybe that he wasn’t a people-person all the time.

The two of them also started exchanging pictures and videos of their pets, which gave Chris a small look into Viktor’s more childish nature. The more Chris learned about his new friend, the less the Viktor of his mind made any sense. He wondered how he had ever been so wrong about him.

When the season began again, the two of them met at a grand prix assignment. This time Chris approached Viktor and didn’t hesitate giving him a hug.

“Hey,” Viktor said, faking being in shock, “You’re taller than me now!”

“Maybe this is the season I finally beat you then?” Chris teased and Viktor gave him a mischievous smile in return.

“You already beat me in Bern though.”

“You are hopeless!” Chris exclaimed and gave Viktor a shove.

Viktor laughed, and Chris was certain that he had found a friend for life.

(That season, Viktor won every single competition he competed in, and when Chris got silver at Worlds, Viktor didn’t ask if they could swap medals. He only asked if Chris wanted to visit him during the summer.)

#the real podium family #the bern incident #yoi #Yuri on ice #christophe giacometti #victor nikiforov #Viktor Nikiforov #long post #fic

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tkmedia · 3 years

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South African rugby caught between a rock and a hard place

11:48pm, 28 September 2021 South African rugby is very much caught between a rock and a hard place.ADVERTISEMENTFive professional teams took to the field over the weekend and just one emerged victorious.In Australia, the Springboks came up against an All Blacks side that put out their worst performance of the year – the worst of Ian Foster’s tenure – and the world champions still fell to defeat for the third time in as many weeks.

Jordie Barrett was the top performer in the All Blacks’ nail-biting win over the Springboks.

Jordie Barrett was the top performer in the All Blacks’ nail-biting win over the Springboks.Over in Europe, three of South Africa’s four United Rugby Championship sides came out empty-handed against European opposition in the inaugural weekend of the new competition with just the Lions tasting victory – over Zebre, who have finished bottom in six of their eight PRO Rugby seasons to date.The URC, when unveiled, was trumpeted as a new era for European rugby. The press releases widely gloated of how the competition would not overlap with the Six Nations or other test windows – because the fans wanted to see their teams at their best throughout the season.Of course, one quarter of the 16 sides aren’t tied to the Six Nations. With the Springboks still playing in the Rugby Championship, the South African URC competitors are playing with one hand tied behind their back, despite their inclusion being touted as one of the major coups for the league.While it’s not quite on the same level as hosting a photoshoot with only three-quarters of your participating sides in attendance, it’s certainly not the greatest way to welcome a new nation into your midst.ADVERTISEMENTWhile the Bulls of 2007 or the Lions of 2017 may be able to cope without their top players available, such was their depth, those days are long gone. It’s not just the top-tier of players that have left South Africa’s shores to understandably seek greater earnings elsewhere, it’s the second, third and fourth tiers of players that have realised there pros of shifting away from the Republic far outweigh the cons.There’s a handy smattering on non-Springboks propping up other URC sides at present and in all likelihood, those numbers are likely to rise thanks to the new competition which, in due time, will see South African nationals given a free trip home every season when their adopted squad travel back to South Africa to take on the local teams.But, for the here and now, the only saving grace for the likes of Stormers and Sharks is that bar the odd exception, the URC teams scattered throughout Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy all have their own struggles."This year the Springboks have adopted a playing style that is foreign to themselves." – @bensmithrugby on why this current game plan by South Africa isn't 'DNA' and never was. #NZLvRSA #RSAvNZL #RugbyChampionship https://t.co/71ayuUyZUv— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 28, 2021ADVERTISEMENTUnfortunately, the biggest gripe with the PRO14, or the PRO12 before it, wasn’t that there weren’t enough middle-of-the-range sides, it was that there were few teams who could challenge the likes of Leinster and Munster, even when they chose to rest their top internationals.Eight of the past 20 seasons have seen Leinster crowned champions, with Munster, Ulster and Connact amassing five further titles between them.Had those superb South African Super Rugby sides of yesteryear joined the Celtic nations (and Italy) to form the URC, the competition would potentially be competing for the title of best in the world – but no matter the slick coat of paint the tournament has received, you can’t polish a turd.While it’s difficult to envisage a situation where the lesser sides rise to meet those in the top echelon – although Benetton had admittedly done a mighty fine job over the past few seasons to finally give Italy some hope of silverware – the situation can’t get any easier for South Africa unless something major changes.While the Bulls and Sharks were getting put to the sword by Leinster and Munster, the Springboks were halfway across the world playing perhaps their least expansive game of all time.The Springboks are a top five international side. Their abilities were unfairly pumped up by the media following their World Cup win in 2019 and there’s been criticism dished out to them by the very same media for the side not living up to their lofty expectations since they came crashing back down to Earth against the Wallabies, but they’re still a team with enough talent in their ranks to challenge the best in the business, wherever they sit amongst that highest tier.But they’re using a strategy that’s best described as rugby’s equivalent of parking the bus in football.When a minnow fights their way into a Football World Cup and comes up against a titan of the sport, like Germany or Spain, parking the bus is a legitimate strategy. You know there’s no way you can compete and it’s admirable to come within a whisker of besting your opposition (or going one better), no matter how you achieve that success.But if Portugal or Uruguay, with the talents of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez, were to play an all-out defensive game, their fans – and fans of the sport in general – would rightly be up in arms.With devastating backs at their disposal like Makazola Mapimpi, Damian de Allende and Willie le Roux, the Springboks have the firepower to win and win well without resorting to the dire tactics that they’re currently employing."We had an internal look at that breakdown…" #Springboks #RugbyChampionship #TRC2021 #RSAvNZLhttps://t.co/XNxbsTVWoh— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 28, 2021Unlike a football minnow defying the odds, there’s nothing admirable about the World Champions coming close to beating their opposition – they should be hugely frustrated with any loss, no matter the circumstances.Against a better-performing All Blacks side – like the one we’ve seen most weekends throughout the test season – the Springboks would have been cut to ribbons. And while NZ made a huge number of errors on Saturday (some of which were absolutely the product of the pressure applied by their opposition), you suspect they won’t be quite as terrible in the upcoming fixture. Looking at the Springboks, however, are there any areas where they can seriously improve, except for completely flipping their game plan?Their strangling strategy might work against some of the Northern Hemisphere sides when they go through their seasonal lulls and revert to relatively kick-heavy rugby, but against teams willing to play expansively – which is basically every top international side at present, regardless of what hemisphere you look to – it’s destined to fail.A move to the Six Nations would at least allow their United Rugby Championship sides to play with their full contingent throughout the season, but in the swamps of European winters, the Springboks’ rugby would shift even further towards the ‘kick and hope’ strategy they’re currently content to employ.The Springboks, at their best, bring something different to the Rugby Championship. They’re physical, they’re aggressive, they do tend towards slightly more forward-oriented play, but they’re also not afraid to call on their dangerous talents out wide. Bryan Habana, playing in the current Springboks side, would not have had his name etched in history as one of the greatest wings of all time.The Springboks aren’t at their best, at present, and unless there’s a mindset change, they likely never will be.South African fans – and the rugby world in general – are being robbed of top quality South African rugby, whether it’s at test level or in the club game, and with the nation partially in the Northern Hemisphere camp and partially in the Southern, it’s hard to see a situation where we’ll ever see the country as a whole back to its best.

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paddy-morgan · 2 years

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Double success for Europe at the DP World Tour Championship

Paddy Morgan looks back at the 2022 DP World Tour Championship were it was double success for both Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm. Both Europeans will be a huge part of Luke Donald’s team in Rome at 2023 Ryder Cup.

Jon Rahm

The Spanard took a long break away from golf after winning the Spanish Open and finishing tied fourth at the CJ Cup in early October. A break has worked for Rahm before as he took seven weeks off and came back to win the 2019 DP World Tour Championship. The Earth Course changed for 2022 edition of DP World Tour Championship with a big aspect on hitting fairways due to bermuida style rough. The 2021 U.S. Open champion got off to a sluggish start on day one of 2022 DP World Tour Championship with a round of 70. Rahm wasn’t the only European looking to finish the season in style as Rory McIlroy was looking to win both the FedEx Cup and DP World Tour rankings in the same year.

Rory McIlroy

It was a frustrating opening round in Dubai for the Northern Irish man with shooting a round of 71 which included five birdies and four bogey’s. The 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick was third in the rankings going into the DP World Tour Championship and he had a chance to have the last laugh in Dubai. Fitzpatrick was number one in the rankings after round one after shooting a fantastic round of 65. All to play for with three rounds of the 2022 season to go.

Round 2

McIlroy was not at his best on day two but played the last three holes in four under which included an eagle on the par five 18th. Fitzpatrick was still in control of his own destiny as he shot a second round of 67 to be tied for the lead on 12 under with fellow Englishman Tyrell Hatton going into the weekend. Rahm brought himself back into contention after two rounds with shooting an impressive round of 66 to leave himself six behind. It was a three horse race for the DP World Tour rankings going into the weekend with Fitzpatrick tied for the lead, McIlroy will not give up without a fight and don’t rule out Englishman Tommy Fleetwood as he loves coming from behind.

Day 3

This was a big day for MCIlroy as he hit 12 out of 14 fairways. Big accurate drives proved to be the difference for McIlroy on day three as he shot a round of 65 which included an eagle and seven birdies. McIlroy was back to number one on the rankings with one round to go as Fitzpatrick battled for a two under round of 70. The four time major champion wasn’t the only player to shoot 65 on day three as Rahm took a one shot lead into the final round on 15 under. The battle of U.S. Open champions with one round to go between Rahm and Fitzpatrick but McIlroy is quietly confident about winning two prizes with just been three shots behind.

Final round

McIlroy played the back nine in 33 to finish on 16 under. The consistency of McIlroy has continued to the end of the season as he finished fourth at the 2022 DP World Tour Championship. A fourth place finish was good enough for McIlroy to be crowned DP World Tour rankings winner as Fitzpatrick shot a disappointing final round of 73. My opinion is 2022 was McIlroy’s best season for a few years with winning both FedEx Cup, DP World Tour rankings and returning to number one in the world. McIlroy will be looking for the consistency to continue into 2023 as he will be anxious to end his nine year wait to eventually win a major.

The event

Rahm shot a remarkable round of 67 to win the 2022 DP World Tour Championship. Even though he didn’t win a major in 2022, it was a significant year for Rahm as he won three times. To win the DP World Tour Championship three times is incredible for Rahm in 2022. His iron game and improved putting was the difference for Rahm in the final event of 2022. Great to see return of form for Tyrell Hatton and Alex Noren as they both finished tied second at 2022 DP World Tour Championship. Fleetwood was quiet over the weekend but still finished inside the top five on 13 under.

Conclusion

A great finale for 2022 on the DP World Tour and it would be fantastic if both McIlroy and Rahm can continue their impressive form in 2023.

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your-dietician · 3 years

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2021 NHL Draft Profile: Ville Koivunen

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/nhl/2021-nhl-draft-profile-ville-koivunen/

2021 NHL Draft Profile: Ville Koivunen

Since I started becoming an amateur (but enthusiastic) prospect writer, I’ve noticed that European prospects seem to be underrated in Bob McKenzie’s rankings and actual draft position. And by European, I don’t just mean that they played in European leagues like Liiga, SHL, KHL, and all their junior leagues. I also include prospects who are European and playing in North American junior leagues.

Last year, when Bob McKenzie released his final rankings for the 2020 draft, I compared his rankings against the consolidated ‘consensus’ rankings from all the major public scouting sources. I never wound up publishing it, but here were the top 10 prospects who had the biggest drop in their rankings from the public scouts vs McKenzie’s list:

Zion Nybeck: -43

Kasper Simontaival: -36

Emil Andrae: -36

Alexander Pashin: -35

Martin Chromiak: -29

Carter Savoie: -28

Sean Farrell: -27

Roni Hirvonen: -21

Tyler Tullio: -18

Jan Mysak: -15

Five of the top 10, including the top four in that list, played in European leagues the whole season. Two others were European, and split their season with half the games in a European league and half played in the CHL. Another thing that is common to all of these prospects is that they are almost all 6’0” or shorter. Small and European? Yuck! The last observation I can make is that these are all guys who are typically not ranked in the first round, even by the public scouting people. And if they are, it’s just inside the top 30, so they’re not considered truly elite, top 10 prospects.

I will add a caveat to not take the specific numbers that seriously. My general point is that Bob McKenzie’s rankings have been shown to be the most accurate ranking in terms of predicting the actual draft results, but even he is not perfect — especially in later rounds. What the above is meant to show is that many NHL teams seem to undervalue European players.

Now, we know Dubas hunts for “value” in his draft strategy. That’s why he has typically taken smaller players, and overagers who have shown signs of being late bloomers and worth a later pick. So I think it is worth recognizing that last year with 12 picks, he took Europeans with seven of his top eight picks. I’m feeling a bit proud that I had spotted the big discrepancy between how public scouts ranked Europeans, and how Bob McKenzie/the NHL did before Dubas made all those choices.

Which brings me to Ville Koivunen. He is not an elite prospect, and he doesn’t necessarily have any elite skills. But he is a very good and interesting prospect, and, if Bob McKenzie’s mid-season rankings are any indication, he’s being very undervalued.

THE BASICS: STATS AND CONTEXT

Ville Koivunen is listed as 6’0” winger, and also pretty slight at 165 lbs. He played his full season in Finland’s U20 junior league. Between being an average-height but pencil-thin forward, and playing in a European junior league, he meets the two requirements to go undervalued at the NHL draft mentioned above.

But he has some solid numbers at every level in which he has played this year.

He played for Kärpät’s U20 junior team. He finished 3rd in the league in points with 49 in 38 games, which also led the league among other draft eligible players by eight points. As a result, he was also named the Rookie of the Year for the league. The previous season, Koivunen played in the U18 level and led the league with 71 points in 37 games. It was a six point cushion over second place, who also played in nine more games than Koivunen.

But Finnish junior league is not the strongest competition, so it’s also good to know how he played against tougher competition that is also his age. This year, he played for Finland at the U18 World Junior Championship, where he finished tied for 5th in points with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 7 games. Last year, he finished third on Finland’s U17 team with 11 points in 16 games. Quite simply, Koivunen has produced everywhere and every level he’s played.

Here are his draft rankings, as of writing this:

Bob McKenzie: 91st

Will Scouch: 26th

Scott Wheeler: 43rd

Elite Prospects: 34th

Dobber Prospects: 61st

Smaht Scouting: 30th

THE GOOD: COMPLETE OFFENSIVE PACKAGE

In an earlier profile, I wrote that Logan Stankoven was so interesting as a prospect because he had no big weakness offensively while he has elite skills almost across the board. If you take that same sentiment, but replace “elite” with “very good”, you describe Koivunen.

His greatest strength is as a playmaker. He has good vision and accurate passing, and he doesn’t just make easy, safe passes to wide open teammates. His passing helps with zone exits and zone entries, and setting up dangerous scoring chances in the offensive zone. But it goes beyond that, to the point that I’m almost willing to call him an elite playmaker, but I’d want to see how his playmaking holds up in the Liiga against professional competition. Here’s what Josh Tessler from Smaht Scouting says:

Koivunen is a crafty passer. As shown above, he can generate great accuracy on his backhand attempts. But, he has also proven that he can complete crisp diagonal feeds and smooth tape-to-tape feeds with a light gentle release. You can also expect Koivunen to place deceptive drop passes. He will skate with the puck in one direction, a teammate will follow, grab possession of the puck off of the drop pass and go in the opposite direction.

Here’s a great example of Koivunen’s puck handling, skating, and playmaking setting up a goal. He is #14 in white, and the one carrying the puck for the whole start of the clip.

Lukko and Kärpät are tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. Aleksi Antti-Roiko opened the scoring for Kärpät after a nice setup by #2021NHLDraft prospect Ville Koivunen. Jeremi Tammela would tie the game late in the period. SOG 13-9 for Kärpät. #U20SM #Game2 pic.twitter.com/hmQfFetSzf

— Finnish Jr Hockey (@FINjrhockey) April 7, 2021

The other standout skill, which I have trouble separating from his playmaking because that’s where it shows up the strongest, is how smart and clever Koivunen is with and without the pick. He can anticipate play well and use several tricks to create more dangerous scoring chances, for himself and his teammates. But he also anticipates plays defensively, to get the puck back and go the other way. That has helped him create very strong possession numbers wherever he has played. Here’s what Marco Bambino from McKeen’s Hockey says:

Koivunen is a highly intelligent player and his hockey sense has stood out in my viewings, from the U16’s up to the U20 league. He has patience, puck poise and he consistently chooses the best option while pressured. He has superb offensive vision: when he sees an opportunity, he will take an advantage of it. He is alert in his own end and his stick placement enables him to intercept passes and strip players off the puck, making it difficult for opposing teams to establish offensive zone pressure. He plays smart both offensively and defensively.

Lastly, we come to Koivunen’s skating. While he is not the fastest skater you will see, he is very agile and maneuverable, and his speed is good to very good. This is something that helps him with his playmaking, because he is very adept at using quick cuts and sudden changes in direction to elude defenders and open up better passing or shooting lanes in the slot. From Curtis Schwartzkopf at Future Considerations:

Koivunen has great balance on his feet and has surprising strength in front of the net when battling for position for someone weighing 161 pounds. He has good awareness about when to start breaking out of the zone to make himself open for a pass and does this by keeping his feet moving up ice. One thing that stuck out was how Koivunen would come to a complete stop to change direction instead of a long sweeping turn which gave him an edge in chasing down the play. Koivunen seems to always keep his body square to the puck which makes him always open for a pass. Finding open ice seems to come easy to Koivunen as he scored his goal by discretely sliding into a wide open area in the slot for a point blank chance he buried.

This is a good example of how Koivunen uses his skating to set up a good shooting chance for himself:

Going back and watching a bunch of Ville Koivunen as a I prepare for my report on him.

Koivunen LOVES to play the puck up the boards, cut in as soon as he has cleared the perimeter, goes to the slot and fires a wrist shot. It’s like clockwork and he thrives at it.#2021NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/w9BxDE4skb

— Josh Tessler (@JoshTessler_) May 4, 2021

The overall profile for Ville Koivunen is as a jack of all trades, but a master of one (maybe one). He is an extremely solid all-round player everywhere on the ice. He is one of the better defensive wingers in this draft, but doesn’t lack for offensive talent either. I may have some questions on how much both his offense and defense would play up at higher levels, but he has time to develop and get stronger as he plays up in the Liiga, AHL, and NHL. What you cannot deny is that his skills and his statistical profile are extremely impressive, even for the level he played.

Here are some good clips of his two-way play without the puck:

Ville Koivunen was named the rookie of the year in FIN U20 league. A smart, skilled and unselfish winger who creates lots of offense. But his ability to win possession also makes him tough to play against. Here are some takeaways and pass interceptions from No. 14. #2021NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/6yFdR2URD4

— Marco Bombino (@marco_bombino) April 8, 2021

If you look at the manual tracking data from either Lassi Alanen (free) or Will Scouch (paywall), you will see that he leads or is among the leaders in just about every category. He drives possession, he drives dangerous scoring chances while suppressing them by the other team, and he drives zone exits and entries on transition.

THE FLAWS: NO ELITE SKILLS

This is my only question about Koivunen. He has a solid all-round skillset, with no big weaknesses. But there are some skills that are only good or okay, and may hold him back in the future, unless he improves on them. The two things that come through from the games I had seen, and what I’ve seen other scouts say, are his skating and his shot.

I feel like the issues with his skating is a bit nitpicky, but it does exist. While he is quick and agile, his top speed could wind up be lacking at higher levels. Because of how effective he can be in terms of quick changes of direction and sharp cuts, I don’t think he’s lacking for athleticism. It sounds like something that may be more an issue of strength and mechanics, both of which are things that can be worked on. From Marco Bambino, at the same link as above:

If there is one particular area which requires improvement, it would be his skating. He often takes wide turns and glides on the ice a bit too much for my liking, instead of using his edges more consistently. Additionally, his knee bend and ankle flexion are not optimal. His acceleration does not give him a considerable advantage either. Although his skating is not high end right now, I think it is largely caused by his raw physique. I firmly believe that Koivunen will improve his speed, acceleration and edge work as he gets stronger.

The other nitpicky thing is that Koivunen doesn’t really have a great shot. Again, this seems to be something due to strength and mechanics. From Josh Tessler at Smaht Scouting:

While Koivunen has proven to be an effective goal scorer at the U20 level, there is work to be done on his shot. Right off the bat, he will generate good height when scoring goals, but it is far from consistent. One of the things that I noticed about his shot is that his stick blade will occasionally be closed and not open. You need your stick blade to be more open (raised) in order to generate height. In addition to generating height, I’ve also noticed that Koivunen will struggle with shooting accuracy and shot selection in well-defended situations.

When it comes to his shot, it’s not something that has prevented Koivunen from scoring a good amount of goals at any level he’s played… so far. He’s gotten by to date by taking shots from dangerous locations. You don’t need an elite shot to be a good goal scorer, after all. But as he plays against better defenses who are able to block him off or push him out of those dangerous areas, he’s not likely to be a 30+ goal scorer in the NHL. But he could be a 15-20 goal guy that drives good results and gets to 50-60 points based on his playmaking.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Bob McKenzie has said ahead of his final rankings that there will be some dramatic changes compared to his mid-season rankings. He tied that the U18 tournament, where some prospects got a lot more attention or even got to play at all. Ville Koivunen was fantastic in the tournament, as an example, so even if he was originally ranked at the end of the third round before, he may shoot up into the second round now.

My original hope was that he would stay somewhere in the third round, so the Leafs could trade down and get him AND another good prospect for the range. That may or not be realistic now, depending on how the final rankings change to give us an indication of what NHL teams are thinking.

The other thing is that, by all accounts, Koivunen got must stronger down the stretch. Some public scouting reports I read on Koivunen weren’t too high on him on early-season viewings, but those same people started to rave about him more leading into, during, and after the U18s. I think he is someone a lot of teams like and are hoping to get later, but that also may mean some team may take him earlier.

I don’t know why but I tend to like jack of all trades prospects, even if they don’t have a high end elite skill to carry him. Not that Koivunen is perfect, but he is just solid in so many important areas, and his flaws are things that can be fixed. He has the foundation of being a very useful two-way winger who can influence both sides of the ice, more than you’d expect of an average winger prospect.

If neither Stankoven or Morrow fall that far, Koivunen is one of my first choices for the Leafs to take with their second round pick — whether they trade down once or not.

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mitchbeck · 4 years

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CANTLON'S CORNER: HOCKEY NEWS AND NOTES OFF SEASON VOLUME 12

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The world is slowly approaching normalcy. Sports news is becoming more and more prevalent as ALL sports are moving closer and closer towards returning into the daily lives of its fans. AHL AWARDS The American Hockey League announced that forward Gerry Mayhew of the Iowa Wild has been voted the winner of the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s Most Valuable Player for the 2019-20 season. Mayhew scored a league-best 39 goals – the most by an AHL skater since 2011-12 – and finished third with 61 points in 49 games, leading Iowa to the team's best regular-season record in franchise history. 10 of Mayhew’s goals were game-winners and logging 11 multiple-goal performances, including a natural hat trick in a 3-0 win over the San Diego Gulls on Feb. 14. Mayhew tied a franchise mark with a ten-game scoring streak from December 12th to January 10th. Mayhew earned CCM/AHL Player-of-the-Month honors for January after he totaled 12 goals and 19 points in 11 contests. Among Mayhew’s 39 tallies were 13 power-play goals and two shorthanded markers. He also led the Wild in plus/minus rating at plus-16. Iowa was 26-7-1-2 in games when Mayhew registered a point. Mayhew represented Iowa at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic in Ontario, CA, and was voted a Second Team Left-Wing AHL All-Star for 2019-20. He also made his National Hockey League debut this season, notching two goals in 13 games with Minnesota – including a goal in his first appearance on October 15th in Toronto. 2020-21 SEASON When it starts, where it starts still remains to be seen at the NHL or AHL level. The NHL has agreed-upon a framework to return to play, but several major details are still being worked out. While questions remain how it will all play out, signs point to a resumption of hockey sometime this summer. The AHL season start will not be in October, with the most likely start being some point in November. The October 9th scheduled date for the home opener for the Hartford Wolf Pack is almost certainly going to be rescheduled. One of the many side issues is the pending expiration of player contracts at the end of June but of the contracts of teams' hockey staff at the end of the month. “They’re running out of runway here and a lot of people are in limbo,” one source said. "It isn’t only players, its all the hockey ops people, GM, Assistant GM, Head Coaches, assistants, equipment managers, trainers, and scouts are all sitting around wondering a lot about this. What I’m hearing is the likelihood is that they will slide contracts forward say 60-90 days, then, announce a Draft Day and then a free agency period. The other big issue is, of course, the salary cap and what we're hearing is a freeze on the cap at this year’s level ($82.1M) for the next two-to-three years until the economy recovers. In principle, both sides are happy. They have areas of interest they want to clarify moving forward, but a ten-year extension for the CBA is being bandied about. It's in discussion but nothing's finalized.” The business of hockey is a large and expansive one with many pieces of the financial puzzle still to be resolved. PLAYER MOVEMENT A big coaching opportunity has opened up after the Los Angeles Kings announced on Saturday that they will not renew the contract of Ontario Reign head coach, Mike Stothers, whose contract is set to expire on June 15th. Stothers has led the Kings’ affiliate for the last six seasons, including five with the Reign (2015-20) where he earned the Louis A.R. Pieri Award as the AHL’s outstanding coach and won a Calder Cup championship with the Manchester Monarchs in 2014-15. “We appreciate everything Mike has contributed to the organization,” said Rob Blake, Vice President and General Manager of the Kings in a press release. “He has played an important role in helping develop our players and we want to thank him for his years of service and guiding us to a Calder Cup Championship in 2015." San Diego's Chris Wideman heads to the Torpedo Novgorod (Russia-KHL) and Frank Corrado of the Belleville Senators signs with MODO (Sweden-Allsvenskan). Lukáš Radil, who split the year in San Jose between the AHL Barracuda and the NHL Sharks signs with Spartak Moscow (Russia-KHL) while Carter Camper of the Utica Comets has his eyes on Sweden or perhaps Russia for next year. 23 players have now signed in Europe. 16 of the 31 AHL teams have lost at least one player to a European signing. Ex-Pack, Kodie Curran, turned down a KHL deal with Avangard Omsk (Russia) to sign a two-year, one-way deal at a $1M/year with the Anaheim Ducks. He will likely be in San Diego to start the season. He played with Rogle BK (Sweden-SHL) last year earning high marks as the top defenseman in the SHL and the Golden Helmet Award as the regular season MVP. Nice story on Curran in the Calgary Herald. Read it HERE. A pair of ex-Wolf Pack players were swapped for one another in a two-for-one deal in Russia. Defenseman, Alexei Bereglazov, winner of two Gagarin Cup titles, and forward, Ilya Kablukov, depart Mettallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia-KHL) for Avangard Omsk. Going back the other way in the deal is right-wing, Taylor Beck, an ex-Sound Tiger. Ryan Verbeek, the nephew of former Hartford Whaler and New York Ranger, and current Detroit Red Wing Assistant GM, Pat Verbeek, returns to France to play with Elite Magnus League HC Briancon next season. He split this season with Pensacola and Huntsville of the SPHL. Calvon Boots of the American International College (AHA) leaves the Springfield, MA school for the Rochester Institute of Technology (AHA) in the fall. AIC goalie, Zacharias Skog completes his four years and signs a pro deal back home with Vasterviks IK (Sweden-SHL). His movement makes 31 college players signing in Europe. Goalie, Ryan Edquist, after just 21 games in four years with the Boston College Eagles (HE) has grad transferred back home to the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks (NCHC). He will be the backup to next season's likely Hobey Baker finalist, Dryden McKay, who had a 1.31 GAA, tops in the nation in his sophomore year. He is the son of one-time Whaler, Ross McKay. Edquist's transfer makes for 16 Division I grads moving to new schools. Andrew Mancini, (Canterbury Prep-New Milford) drafted as the first-ever draft pick by the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks in the NAHL Supplemental Draft has opted to sign with the P.A.L. Islanders (NCDC) which is closer to his Long Island home for next season. Cam MacDonald (Selects Academy of South Kent Prep) who was a Boston College (HE) commit for 2022-23 has elected to head home and signed with the Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL). He spent last season with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL). Max Coyle becomes the fourth University of Alabama-Huntsville (WCHA) player to transfer from the program that was slated to be eliminated. He heads to Bowling Green (NCHC). Read that story, next. TALBOT, A SAVE AND A BEAUTY The University Alabama-Huntsville Chargers were on the verge of extinction until a former Wolf Pack goaltender got involved. In just ten days' time, the Chargers' program received an astounding $500K in donations allowing the University to continue to have their team play in the WCHA conference. The conference formally reinstated the program on Wednesday. The conference is losing seven schools after the 2020-21 season as they form the new CCHA conference. UAH may apply so they have a more travel-friendly schedule according to now-former head coach Mike Corbett, who stepped down on Wednesday, along with Assistant Coach, and long time AHL player, Gavin Morgan. The other assistant coach Lance West was named Interim Head Coach. West played at UA-H in the early 1990s, three-of-the-four years at Division II. He was an assistant coach for ten years after graduating before spending the next eleven seasons at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks (WCHA), the first ten of them as an assistant coach. He returned to the program two years ago. A fundraising campaign to support the continuation of the Alabama-Huntsville hockey program was successful in raising the critical monetary gifts from numerous individual donors, according to UA-H Athletic Director, Cade Smith in a story on AL.com. The dollars were matched by two separate gifts of $125,000 each. The gifts came from long-time hockey supporters, Taso Sofikitis, and Sheldon Wolitski, who played on the school’s Division II national championship team. The total amount of more than $750,000 in private dollars will allow the Chargers to continue to compete at the Division I level during the 2020-21 season. This total philanthropic contribution is the largest athletic campaign contribution in the history of UA-H. One of the school's biggest program supporters and who helped spearhead the drive was its most famous former Charger, and current Calgary Flames and ex-Wolf Pack netminder, Cam Talbot. He took to his own Twitter page to express why people should donate to the cause. “This program gave me a chance that nobody else would. Without my time spent @UAHuntsville, I would not have got the opportunity to be where I am today. I want those opportunities to continue for more young players for years to come!” Talbot was named to the advisory board. In addition to the private dollars, UAH president, Darren Dawson, committed money from the university to cover the balance of the hockey team’s operational costs during the upcoming season. “We are thankful from the loyal support that has been demonstrated this week by the fans and alumni of Charger hockey,” said Dawson in a press release statement. “We are hopeful that this support will translate into a sustainable funding model that will allow the UAH hockey program to rise again to high levels of success,” “The university is fully committed to the upcoming season,” Smith added. “The university will work with the supporters of the UAH hockey program and a newly formed hockey advisory board to develop a plan that will allow the Chargers to thrive in the 2020-21 season and beyond. UAH is committed to building a world-class Division I hockey program with a permanent conference home that will allow the Chargers to continue past the 2020-21 season.” The school has already allocated money and cleared space for a brand-new, on-campus arena before the pandemic hit looking to take the Chargers from the larger, off-campus site, the Van Braun Center, which is the home of the local SPHL team, the Huntsville Havoc, to a more manageable facility. The WCHA conference will be strengthened and could become the first fully functioning West-Coast-based Conference as they are likely to add Arizona State, whose brand new on-campus arena is expected to be ready in 2021. The two Alaska schools in Fairbanks and Anchorage are likely to merge in the near future because of state budget cuts. The conference will likely then add other major West Coast Division I colleges and universities such as Los Angeles-based USC, and UCLA, Colorado-based, Air Force, who will likely switch from the AHA conference, and perhaps UNLV, and Utah, who are currently ACHA Division I club programs. Despite the good financial news, the Chargers program lost another player to transfer when Bailey Newton announced he will leave after his sophomore season and head back to Canada and the University of Western Ontario Mustangs (OUAA) QMJHL The last Canadian major junior Draft is this weekend. The QMJHL Draft will be done remotely for the first time with the first round scheduled for Friday on the league’s YouTube channel. Rounds 2-14 will be on Saturday starting at 9 am with selection results on the league website. The QMJHL U.S. Draft will be held on Monday, June 8th with results on the league's website. The states with eligible players in the US Draft are from are; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. A strong rumor is that the QMJHL will start it's 2020-21 season on October 1st, regardless of what the other two major junior leagues, the OHL and WHL, do. In part, it will be because they have no US-based franchises. The only issue will be European players' participation based on provincial and directives from Ottawa regarding COVID-19 and the US border for American players which of course by mutual consent is still closed. “The feeling is they want to get back to a regular order of business starting a month later is OK, but they want to get back on track,” commented a reliable hockey source with knowledge of the situation. Having fans in the buildings are necessary for franchises to survive, but Health Canada will have the final say on when the puck is dropped. The NAHL has pushed its Draft Day to July 21st. The CHL Import Draft that normally takes place after the NHL Draft and no date has been set for either. COLLEGE HOCKEY The Dartmouth head coaching opening was filled with a familiar name to followers of Connecticut college hockey as Reid Cashman, who spent four years as a defenseman with the Quinnipiac Bobcats (ECACHL) in their rise to national prominence, was named the new head coach for the Dartmouth Big Green (ECACHL) on Monday. He becomes the 22nd coach in school history and replaces the all-time winningest coach, Bob Gaudet, who stepped down after 23 years year in the top spot. “I feel like I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to be the head coach of the Dartmouth men’s hockey program,” Cashman said in a press release statement. “For 114 years, Dartmouth has competed at the highest level and has produced Olympians, All-Americans, and NHL players. Along with the great history on the ice, Dartmouth College has been one of the finest institutions in the world for more than 250 years. It is truly an honor to be given this prestigious opportunity.” Cashman has been on a fast track professionally. He was an assistant coach for two years with the Hershey Bears (AHL) and has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals, with his portfolio being the Caps powerplay and defense. He also coordinated their development camps and participation in the Traverse City, MI annual prospects tournament. He won’t start this new position until the NHL playoffs for the Capitals concludes, whenever that may be. Cashman played 151 games for the Hamden-based university. In 151 career games, Cashman tallied 23 goals and still holds the school record of 125 assists for 242 total points. He was an NCAA (East First-Team, All-American in his senior year in 2006-07. He was a second-team honoree in his junior in 2003-2004. In Quinnipiac’s last season in the AHA conference, he was named to the First Team and led the conference in scoring. He was named Player of the Year. In addition, Cashman was a Hobey Baker Top 10 finalist before the Bobcats were elevated to the ECACHL conference. Cashman played five years of minor professional hockey with his last year in North America winning an ECHL Kelly Cup championship with the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2010. Cashman’s last pro year was spent in Austria skating for EHC Linz in Erste Bank Eishockey League (EBEL). The Red Wing, MN native was undrafted but played in the AHL for Toronto, Wilkes Barre/Scranton, and Milwaukee. In the ECHL, he played for Columbia, Wheeling, and Cincinnati After retiring from active playing, he returned to Quinnipiac and became an assistant coach to Rand Pecknold for five years (2011-2016) and went to two Frozen Four Finals. Quinnipiac lost to first to their conference, and in-state rival, Yale University, in a 4-0 shutout in 2013 and again in 2016 losing 5-1 to North Dakota. Thomas Maia is another Division I player heading to the Canadian Junior A ranks while still retaining his NCAA eligibility. Maia, who suffered a broken fibula without playing a game for R.I.T. (AHA), heads to the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) after he was traded from the Oakville Blades (OJHL). Speaking of Yale University, they announced its 2020 freshmen class of seven which includes head coach Keith Allain's son, Nik (North Branford/Taft Prep) from Boston (NCDC). He was a UCONN commit at one point. Ryan Stevens joins his brother Luke who is already with the Bulldogs. The boys' father is Kevin Stevens, the former NHL'er with the New York Rangers. Stevens, the elder, won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The other announced players include Reilly Connors (Madison/Loomis Chaffe), and goalie Nathan Reid, from Sioux Falls (USHL). LIU named its first head coach last week, and this week their first batch of LIU Sharks recruits with the first-ever recruit signed being Jordan DiCicco of the Brooks Bandits (AJHL). He was followed by nine others including, Connor Szmul, from the Chippewa (WI) Steel (NAHL), Daine Dubois of the Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL), Robert McCollum Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL), no relation to ex-Wolf Pack Tom McCollum. Also, Nolan McElhaney, who missed all of last year with an ACL injury, transfers from the University of New Hampshire Wildcats (HE), and a second Division I transfer, Mitch Meek, from Michigan Tech (WCHA). Madoka Suzuki of the Kemptville 73’s (CCHL), Marty Westhaver of the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL), Aaron White of the Amarillo Bulls (NAHL), and Gustav Muller of the Madison Capitols (USHL). TRIVIA What was Wayne Gretzky's last non-99 uniform number? He wore number 26 for three games with the Peterborough Petes. Last month was the 25th anniversary of the Quebec Nordiques' last game. It was at MSG against the Rangers in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers won the series in six games with the last goal in Nordiques history was scored by Peter Forsberg. The Nordiques were the first WHA team that merged with the NHL that was moved. Read the full article

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gadgetsrevv · 5 years

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Denmark face stern Swiss challenge in Euro qualification – The Post

Denmark could take a big step towards qualification for Euro 2020 when they take on Switzerland at home in Group D on Saturday. The Danes are under pressure, though, as a loss would be catastrophic.

But the Danes will be buoyed by a sold-out Telia Parken Stadium for Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 18:00.

READ ALSO: Dane triumphs at World Road Championships

Do or die? The Danes are currently second in the group on nine points from five games, behind leaders Ireland (eleven from five) and just ahead of the Swiss, who have eight points from four games.

A win against the Swiss would put the Danes in a good position to qualify as one of the top two teams in the group, while a defeat would see Åge Hareide’s squad probably needing to win their remaining games, including a showdown final game against the Irish in Dublin.

The good news is that Ireland face two tough games themselves before that: away to Georgia (who got a point out of the Danes in Tbilisi) and the Swiss.

Brøndby ends New Firm skid The latest New Firm clash of the season was held on October 6, with Brøndby coming out on top for once in a 3-1 win at home. FC Copenhagen had won the previous four battles, but it was the Boys from the Western Suburbs who jumped into a 2-0 lead in the first half, thanks to efforts from Simon Hedlund and Kamil Wilczek. An own goal by Andreas Maxsø got the Lions roaring for a while, but a red card to Rasmus Falk and another strike by Wilczek settled the tie. The next New Firm will be on December 1 at Telia Parken Stadium.

Conservative Olympics medal hopes Just 10 months before the 2020 Olympic Games kick off in Tokyo, the Danish athletics federation DIF has come with a reserved prediction for Denmark’s expected medal count. Although it won’t officially reveal its ambitions until six months before the opening ceremony, DIF head Søren Simonsen admitted it might be difficult to live up to the 15-medal success of Rio 2016. Simonsen explained that a generation change in badminton and the removal of the men’s four in rowing (a medal machine event for Denmark over the years) from the Olympic program has put a damper on Danish medal hopes. Furthermore, a number of top Danish sailors have either quit the sport or have halted their DIF co-operation.

Towers miss out on hattrick The US football team Copenhagen Towers missed out on their third consecutive Mermaid Bowl title after losing to their bitter rivals Triangle Razorbacks by a score of 20-14 at Gladsaxe Stadium on October 5. The Towers had won the previous two titles to pass the Razorbacks as the side with the most Mermaid Bowl titles, but the Vejle-based club tied it up again at eight titles each. The MVP of the game was running back Niko LeVahn Lester. The last Mermaid Bowl champion to be not be one of those two teams was the Søllerød Gold Diggers, who won in 2010.

Harder praises gay ice hockey player Danish football star Pernille Harder has praised Jon Lee-Olsen for becoming the first Danish ice hockey player to reveal he is homosexual. Harder, who is gay herself, said that Lee-Olsen’s courage was an important step for gay men in sports. Peter Regin, the captain of Denmark’s national team, also praised Lee-Olsen, who came out on live television on the TV2 show ‘Go’ aften live’ on October 3. Lee-Olsen plays as a keeper for the Danish champions Rungsted Seier Capital. According to TV2, only two other ice hockey players in the world have come out during their active careers.

Not Nice to steal from Dolberg Kasper Dolberg was at the centre of considerable drama at his club Nice recently, but not for his goals. A promising youngster at the French side, Lamine Diaby Fadiga, has been sacked after admitting that he had stolen Dolberg’s watch, which was worth an estimated 500,000 kroner. The 18-year-old apologised for the theft and offered to pay Dolberg back, but the club terminated his contract. Fadiga has several France under-18 caps to his name. Dolberg, meanwhile, has scored two goals in five league games since moving from Ajax Amsterdam this summer.

DBU supports UEFA anti-women boycott The Danish football association has supported European football governing body UEFA in its decision to boycott games in countries where women don’t have access to stadiums, such as in Iran. The issue came to the fore after Iranian football fan Sahar Khodayari, 29, set fire to herself and died on September 2 after being arrested for dressing up as a man to watch her favourite team Esteghlal play. Iran have since stated that it will permit women to attend its World Cup qualification game against Cambodia on October 10, although they will be segregated into a women-only seating area.

FCK off to solid Europa League start FC Copenhagen are off to a strong start in the Europa League following a win and a draw in Group B. The Lions beat Swiss side Lugano 1-0 at home on September 19, before battling to a 1-1 draw away in Malmö in the Battle for Øresund on October 3. FCK sits top of Group B with four points, on a par with Dynamo Kiev, who they will face away on October 24 and then again at home on November 7.

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funface2 · 5 years

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Tony Romo’s wild week, Phil Mickelson’s funny chat with Larry David, and my meeting with Tiger Woods(!) – Golf Digest

Welcome to another edition of The Grind, where we may never wash our right hand again. Yep, that’s right, it happened. After more than a decade of lurking around Tiger Woods, I finally got an official introduction to the GOAT. And a couple co-workers were able to document this historic occasion:

No, I won’t reveal what we were talking about. That’s private. I also can’t remember because it was such a blur. But basically, it was just two dudes yucking it up over golf. No big deal. Kidding. It was a BIG deal. And Tiger, I was also kidding about not washing my hand since our encounter. Totally kidding … I swear … so let’s do it again sometime. In the meantime, here’s what else is going on in the world of golf.

WE’RE BUYING

Cameron Champ: I wasn’t expecting the end of the Safeway Open to get me to cry, but there I was tearing up watching a young golfer hug his father in celebration while on the phone with his dying grandfather, PaPa Champ, who got him into the game. What a moving scene. As someone whose own grandfather did the same (RIP Poppa Myers), it hit me about as hard as Champ hits a golf ball.

Daniel Shirey

Speaking of which, Champ became just the eighth golfer in the past 20 years to win a PGA Tour event while leading the field in driving distance and scrambling. And he showed off both those aspects of his game on the 72nd hole with a 369-yard drive down the middle and a beautiful chip to set up his winning birdie.

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1178478887271096321

That was a special moment, and Champ is a special player. And with the Sanderson Farms rooster to go along with the Safeway Open wine barrel, he’s got quite a special trophy collection already.

Tony Romo: I’ll admit, I thought the Tony Romo PGA Tour experience had worn out its welcome a bit with him accepting his fourth sponsor’s exemption into an event where he had no local ties. But Romo had the sports world talking (Hence, why tournaments keep inviting him) following an opening 70 that put him in great shape to make the cut. Romo beat his first-round playing partners—PGA Tour members Beau Hossler and Michael Gellerman—by a combined 10(!) shots on Thursday. How ‘bout that Cowboy!

Jonathan Ferrey

Of course, his Friday performance, a four-over 76, wasn’t quite as spectacular, but Romo did beat a dozen tour pros even while missing the cut. He returned to his day job for CBS on Sunday, and after watching parts of that Bears-Vikings game he and Jim Nantz were forced to sit through, I can see why the former QB wanted to get out of work so badly.

Rory’s bunker lessons: A couple weeks ago, Rory McIlroy gave Justin Timberlake a bunker lesson. Now Timberlake is doing things like this:

https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1177222413760835584

Sign me up for a lesson, Rors.

WE’RE SELLING

Rory’s “course setup” complaints: I love Rory McIlroy. I love that he speaks his mind. I just think in this case, he’s not properly representing the whole story. McIlroy roasted the European Tour for its easy setups, but the timing was bad considering he had just finished the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which is a pro-am. A pro-am in which Rory played with his dad, Gerry, who shot a gross 69 (three under) at Kingsbarns!

Ross Kinnaird

Can you imagine being so good at golf that you complain about a course being too easy? Must be nice, am I right? Also kudos to Gerry for carrying his son to a T-1 finish in the team competition. Sadly, the McIlroys lost on a tiebreaker to Tommy Fleetwood and his partner because Fleetwood shot a lower score (64) on Sunday than Rory (67). Way to let your dad down, Rory. Kidding. Sort of.

“Spitgate”: Romo’s score had sports fans abuzz on Thursday, but a shot he hit on Friday wound up setting Golf Twitter aflame. The QB accidentally hit into triple coverage (the threesome in front) on a par 5 with a 3-wood from 278(!) yards to five feet. Then this happened:

https://twitter.com/jasondean2000/status/1177755076028321792

Here’s how PGA Tour rookie Kristoffer Ventura explained it:

https://twitter.com/krisventura95/status/1177799074566696962

We’ll take your word for it, Kris. A (OSU) Cowboy wouldn’t do that to another Cowboy.

“Flipgate”: Former PGA Tour pro and current Korean Tour money leader Bio Kim was suspended for three YEARS for flipping off a fan whose cellphone made noise during a tournament he eventually won:

https://twitter.com/ryanlavnergc/status/1179044209648705537?s=12

Allow me to echo Ryan’s sentiments. A THREE-YEAR ban for this?! Wow. That is harsh. And how about that photo of Kim kneeling before the Korean media begging for forgiveness? Geez, it’s not like he killed the fan with the cell phone. Anyway, let’s just say it’s a good thing Sergio Garcia doesn’t play on the Korean Tour …

ON TAP

The PGA Tour heads to Las Vegas for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, AKA that tournament Smylie Kaufman won. Man, I can’t believe four years have passed since that. Keep grinding, Smylie. Hopefully, you’ll be back on tour full time next year.

Random tournament fact: Patrick Cantlay has won and finished runner-up the past two years in Vegas. That’s a lot of money to play with at the blackjack tables.

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

—Someone will spit on Brooks Koepka’s golf ball this week: 1 MILLION-to-1 odds

—Phil Mickelson will win the Shriners Open: 100-to-1 odds (Actual odds. Wow.)

—Vegas casinos will get a boost this week: LOCK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Jonathan Ferrey

Again, what a scene. All the best to the Champs during this bittersweet time.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

This compilation of PGA Tour stars hitting tee shots over the corner of the Old Course Hotel on the famed Road Hole is mesmerizing:

https://twitter.com/GolfDigest/status/1178304741648080896

Juuuuust a bit different from this video that made the rounds a couple weeks ago:

https://twitter.com/lads_golf/status/1171368583819157504?s=21

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“No matter if I win one more tournament, 10 more tournaments, whatever it may be, this will be the greatest moment in my golfing career for sure.” —Cameron Champ

THIS WEEK IN CELEBRITY GOLFERS (NOT NAMED TONY ROMO)

Michael Strahan participated in Tiger Woods’ newest charity golf event, the Nexus Cup, and challenged the host to a putting contest on Liberty National’s 18th green. Not only did Woods roll a 20-footer in on his first attempt, but he celebrated like he had just won the Masters. Check it out (40-second mark):

https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1177569369930420224

That and Strahan arguing with Lawrence Taylor over QB sack supremacy were the highlights of the event. Well, other than meeting Tiger. Did I mention I met Tiger?

THIS WEEK IN PHIL BEING PHIL

Mickelson struggled at the Safeway Open, missing the cut in his first event of the 2019-’20 season, but he really stepped up his game when it came to his latest “Phireside With Phil” video.

https://twitter.com/PhilMickelson/status/1176523612532236289

Larry David?! After playing golf (Would that be called a “Round and chat”?) with the comedic legend? Pretty, pretty, pretty good. Yeah, yeah, everyone else already made the same joke, but I don’t care. The part when they talk about Phil’s Hall of Fame jacket was particularly good. Netflix, pick up this show already!

THIS WEEK IN EDDIE PEPPERELL BEING EDDIE PEPPERELL

https://twitter.com/GolfDigest/status/1177670054877507584

He should legally change his name to Eddie PeppereLOL.

THIS AND THAT

M.J. Hur won the LPGA’s Indy Women in Tech Championship by four shots at Brickyard Crossing Golf Club. You could say she “raced away with the title.” Get it? Sorry. … Congrats to Victor Perez on winning his first European Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Perez shot a final-round 70 and still finished (Look away, Rory!) 22 under par. … Five golfers, according to a Reuters report, had their drivers fail tests ahead of the Safeway Open now that the PGA Tour has really started to crack down. Kinda makes you wonder how many hot clubs have been in players’ bags in recent years. … China’s Yuxin Lin won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, earning an invitation to next year’s Masters. It will be the second trip to Augusta National for the 18-year-old. Impressive. … And finally, Costco had to refund its latest batch of golf balls because they were cutting too easily. Bad job making the balls, but good job reacting by my favorite store. And if they are looking to hire someone for quality control their golf balls, I have just the person:

My daughter needs to start earning her keep at some point.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Did anyone test Tony Romo’s 3-wood?

Is Costco ever going to bring back chocolate froyo?

Should I go for the bro-hug with Tiger next time?

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Bài viết Tony Romo’s wild week, Phil Mickelson’s funny chat with Larry David, and my meeting with Tiger Woods(!) – Golf Digest đã xuất hiện đầu tiên vào ngày Funface.

from Funface https://funface.net/funny-news/tony-romos-wild-week-phil-mickelsons-funny-chat-with-larry-david-and-my-meeting-with-tiger-woods-golf-digest/

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junker-town · 5 years

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The wildest summer ever in women’s hockey, explained

Everything you need to know about leagues dissolving, players boycotting, rivals uniting, and what to look forward to in the 2019-20 season.

Professional women’s ice hockey in North America has been shaken up several times this summer. If you don’t know what’s been going on, now is the perfect time to get caught up before the 2019-20 season begins. Although the future is uncertain, it’s an exciting time to be a fan.

The state of women’s hockey before this summer

At the beginning of 2019, two professional women’s leagues operated in North America. The Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) was mostly made up of Canadian teams, with one apiece in China and the United States. The newer NWHL was finishing up its fourth season and had five teams, all based in the United States.

Being a professional player in these leagues was not financially lucrative. The NWHL was the first of the leagues to pay its players, and salaries initially ranged from $10,000-$26,000, although they were reduced midway through the 2016-17 season due to low attendance and the league’s lack of a media deal at the time. The CWHL didn’t even pay its players until 2017, and even then the maximum salary was $10,000. Most players worked full-time jobs in addition to being professional athletes on the weekends, and additional resources provided by both leagues were minimal.

Merging the two leagues would have been close to impossible due to various legal reasons. Though the NHL has expressed interest in supporting women’s hockey, and has provided some financial investment to both leagues, its leadership has not express interest in running either one. Commissioner Gary Bettman has said that the NHL would only explore running a women’s league if there were no other viable viable options for elite players in North America.

But even with two leagues operating on the same continent, things were looking up. The NWHL had recently expanded to include a team in Minnesota. The CWHL’s Clarkson Cup final was broadcast on three television channels in North America. Both leagues were now paying their players and seeing increased attendance. Despite huge obstacles for players and both leagues having their ups-and-downs, women’s hockey was growing.

March 2019: The CWHL announces that it will fold

On March 31, the CWHL announced that it would cease operations. This came as a surprise to players, GMs, coaches, fans, and countless other members of the league’s operational staff who thought that the league was growing, not failing, after 12 seasons of operation.

Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Players with the CWHL’s Calgary Inferno celebrate during the Clarkson Cup Final, the championship game that occurred just days before the CWHL announced it would fold.

In the aftermath of this unexpected news, the NWHL announced that it would be adding two teams based in Canada; however, the league never released a timeline for the expansion. The league later announced that commissioner Dani Rylan met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman soon after the CWHL made its announcement and secured a $10,000 investment from the NHL to use toward the expansion.

As the situation stood, more than 125 ex-CWHL players would no longer have the opportunity to play professionally. Leaving to play in the NWHL or a European league would be difficult for many reasons, including visa issues and the fact that nearly every player would also need to find a second job in a new city if they wanted to cover living expenses while playing.

April 2019: Team USA wins gold over Finland at IIHF Worlds in a controversial victory

Photo credit: MIKKO STIG/AFP/Getty Images

You might remember Kendall Coyne Schofield (center left) as the player who beat Zach Werenski, Noah Hanifin, and Josh Bailey in the Fastest Skater competition at the 2019 NHL All-Star game.

OK, here’s some actual hockey to break up the heavy stuff.

The IIHF Women’s World Championships were held in Espoo, Finland in April. In an unexpected turn of events, the final didn’t come down to the U.S. and Canada as it had in literally every previous world championship in history.

The game was surprisingly close. The Americans outshot Finland in the first period; Finland came back and outshot them in the second. At the end of regulation they were tied 1-1. Then Finland’s Petra Nieminen scored a beautiful goal on an empty net and her team took to the ice to celebrate their first ever world championship.

Then, for immensely complicated reasons that no one understood at the time, and are still confusing after the fact, the goal was taken away minutes later.

Instead, the game went to shootout, and Team USA won its fifth consecutive gold medal. Many players in the tournament returned home without knowing when they would have the opportunity to play next.

May 2019: 200 players declare they will boycott the NWHL #ForTheGame

On May 2, more than 200 players announced through a coordinated Twitter statement using the hashtag #ForTheGame that they will not play in “ANY professional league in North America” until certain conditions are met. These players range vastly in age, nationality, league, and background, but they share a desire for better pay, health insurance, and other support.

We may represent different teams, leagues and countries but collectively we stand as one. #ForTheGame pic.twitter.com/O9MOOL8YOt

— Hilary Knight (@HilaryKnight) May 2, 2019

A few weeks later, some of the players behind #ForTheGame then established the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, to promote “the creation of a single, viable women’s professional league in North America.” So far, the association has over 170 “due-paying members.” The leaders plan to use the association to provide resources and ice-time for member players, as well as host exhibitions.

The driving leadership behind this movement comes from several groups that no one ever expected to unify. Within the nine-member board, players come from the former CWHLPA, the NWHL, and the national teams of several countries. In particular, many vocal leaders are members of the American national team, who you might recall seeing in the news when they won Olympic gold in 2018, or when they held a successful boycott of their own in 2017 to secure better wages and conditions from USA Hockey.

Maybe the single most wild part of the summer is that members of some of the biggest rivals in hockey, the American and Canadian national teams, are working together in this organization. That said, stranger things have happened.

The future of professional women’s hockey in North America

For now, the #ForTheGame movement continues, although some players who initially voiced their solidarity with #ForTheGame have since removed the hashtag from their social media and signed with the NWHL. Other participants have signed with teams in foreign leagues such as the Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SDHL), but it’s unclear where most of the others will play, if at all, this fall.

The NWHL will continue operations with its five teams (based in Boston, Buffalo, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Minnesota) this season, albeit without some of the best players in the world. But that doesn’t mean that the league isn’t growing: teams will now play 24 games rather than 16 like in previous seasons, new sponsors have partnered with the league, and many players have spent the summer running NWHL youth development camps to help train the next generation.

Additionally, leaders from the NWHL such as Players Association Executive Director Anya Packer (née Battaglino) have expressed a desire to communicate with the PWHLPA and #ForTheGame movement about their demands and needs.

Several NWHL teams have had partnerships with their local NHL counterparts in the past, so the possibility of a future relationship with the biggest pro hockey league in the world isn’t out of the question. For example, Pegula Sports and Entertainment (the organization that owns the Buffalo Sabres) owned the NWHL’s Buffalo Beauts for one season, but they returned ownership to the league this summer. The Bruins have maintained their relationship with the NWHL’s Boston Pride, and it’s unclear whether the Minnesota Wild and Whitecaps have maintained a partnership.

For now, these are the five professional women’s hockey teams in North America for the 2019-20 season:

Boston Pride- Warrior Ice Arena in Boston, MA

Buffalo Beauts- Northtown Center in Amherst, NY

Connecticut Whale- Danbury Arena in Danbury, CT

Metropolitan Riveters- ProSkate in Monmouth Junction, NJ

Minnesota Whitecaps- TRIA Rink, St. Paul, MN

Even with the boycott, the NWHL will still feature some of the best players in the world this year. The available roster spots left behind by the #ForTheGame players will give traditionally underrepresented players a chance to play professionally, such as women from the national teams of Slovakia and Kazakhstan, as well as some top DIII players. Games start on October 5, and you can follow along with our coverage of the league and other women’s hockey news at the Ice Garden’s site and Twitter.

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