Dudes. I am alive. Very busy. I have much to share. Most of it non Goon related. I am going to the Lake to drink and fish this weekend, but I’ll be back Sunday. I will post some stuff then. I hope all is well. Hockey is almost here!
Archives for August 2007
Farewell to a Favorite
For all you Lowell Devils fans out there (Insert Cricket Sound Here) I implore you all to circle January 23, 2008 on your calendars right now. When checking the AHL site today at 10:50 because they told us yesterday the schedule was coming out at 11, what can I say, I’m impatient, I saw Mr. Dennis Bonvie has decided to hang up the blades, and retire the axe after this season. I am not sure if anyone else gets as fired up for AHL schedule day as I do. But for me the summer looks like this.
1. Stanley Cup Awarded.
2. Depression.
3. Free Agency Begins.
4. Depression because the Bruins do nothing. Although they did sign Shawn Thornton this year. Then did nothing else. So, elation, then depression.
5. NHL Schedules come out. Glimmer of hope.
6. Starting to watch old game tapes.
7. Really need to see a fight.
8. AHL Schedules come out.
9. Training Camp.
10. Opening Night. All is right with the world.
Usually I pour over the schedule to see about Opening Night, and any possible road trips. This year, I was only looking for if and when WB Scranton was in the house. So, mark your calendars. January 23.
For me, Bones is the type of guy I want at every position. Dennis stands up for anyone, and everyone on the ice that is wearing the same color as him. Whether it’s a fight to get the boys and the crowd going, or a big hit in the corner. He does what is needed. He’ll keep you honest, and a lot of the times, he’ll keep you in stitches too. The man’s mouth is always running. I guess its part of what he does best. From him barking like a dog at Craig MacDonald, to asking if Jan Vodrazka had ever fought before, to telling Eric Staal he’d have gotten a bigger contract if he’d been able to finish, he’s always going. I haven’t seen Bones since he’s been in WB Scranton, and I am glad he’ll be making a final swing through the Paul this season.
Bonvie is a fan favorite wherever he goes. I am sure the Penguins fans will be out in force all over the AHL barns to see old number 27 off proper. I know that they have several special nights planned for Dennis in the home arena throughout the season, and I am planning on a trip down there. He definitely represents the old guard here in the American League as he’s been playing pro hockey for quite a few years now. The man is a one of a kind type of guy, and a sure Goonblog first ballot hall of famer. The Goonsquad would like to wish Dennis Bonvie all the best on the upcoming season, and success in whatever he decides to do after retiring from hockey. Good luck Dennis. We’ll see you on the 23rd.
Shoot, Pass, Punch
Dennis Bonvie once asked a penalty box attendant in Lowell if Jan Vodrazka had ever fought before. The two had just had a little dust up, and Vodrazka lead with his head. Thankfully for Jan, it was quick. Bonvie isn’t a huge man, but he’s been in a fight or two. Had it gone on longer, he may have really hurt Vodrazka. Maybe if he had a fight camp like Derek Boogaard’s he might have been able to defend himself a bit.
A lot has been made about the camp. The Hockey News obviously didn’t like it, and most news outlets decry it. We here at Goonblog love it. I have been to several hockey camps. We learned positional play, shooting and passing, but never punching. I have been in a fight or two on the ice. I won some, and lost some. Had I been at the Boogeyman’s camp, I might have fared better. You see, Boogaard isn’t teaching kids how to fight, he’s teaching kids how to fight properly.
Fighting is part of hockey. Ask Todd Fedoruk what happens when a fight goes wrong. He’s a trained professional, and got smoked twice this year. The Boogaard camp is teaching kids how to defend themselves so they don’t get seriously hurt. Ask Derek how eating sandwiches through a straw was because he didn’t know how to defend himself.
I would think with the new rules in the NHL, anyone that might even have remote chances, or wants to play in the NHL should go to this camp. We are seeing a group of players that have to be able to play as well as fight. Let me ask you this, if you are a young rookie and someone like Billy Guerin, a pretty tough customer, comes after you, wouldn’t it be nice to know you have a Boogaard Fight Camp T-Shirt on? Boogeyman, if you are reading this, send me your address, I’ll send you a Goonblog T as a thank you for the camp. Keep up the good work, critics be damned.