GoonBlog.com

Hockey fight blog with humorous, blow-by-blow commentary on goons, enforcers and donnybrooks

Hockey fight blog with humorous, blow-by-blow commentary on goons, enforcers and donnybrooks.

Goons

Chris Neil Gets His Goddamn Due


in Chris Neil, Matt Carkner

Huge news out of Ottawa last night.

And it has nothing to do with beaver tails, large rinks, elections, or Dan Aykroyd. Hey, The Ref was born in Ottawa, too, but you’ll excuse the citizens of Carleton County for not giving one single, solitary beaver shit. Also, remind me to show y’all that photo of The Ref where he looks shockingly like Dan Aykroyd sometime. For reals. It’s hilarious.

That photo of The Ref where he looks like Dan Aykroyd.

Update 11/10/22:

Thank heavens – the Ref/Aykroyd photo has been found!

And we definitely hope the anticipation/suspense didn’t actually kill anyone. That was touch and go for a while there, but the planets aligned and another tragedy has been averted.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled… horseshit.


No, Ryan Reynolds didn’t buy the pro team and get them that new arena they so desperately need. Neither did my all-time favorite Senator, Matt Carkner, decide to come out of retirement. But we’re still waiting in hope, Matty. Click the link for an outstanding interview we did with Matt way back in 2011.

Get to the Goddamn Point Already, Chris
Sorry, sometimes I drink. In fact: the Senators announced they would be retiring long time enforcer Chris Neil’s number “25” on February 17 when the Chicago Blackhawks are in Bytown. Congratulations, Chris. GoonBlog salutes you. Truly a remarkable honor for a guy that did what he did – for as long as he did – in the National Hockey League.

NHL player Chris Neil in his Ottawa Senators jersey.

What Did He Do?
In looking at Neil’s career, he played 1026 games and recorded 112 goals to go with 138 apples for a total of 250 points. He also amassed a very healthy 2522 PIM.

The PIM total puts him 20th all time, and the number includes roughly 213 fights. He also has a dozen fights in the AHL, and close to 40 in the OHL with the North Bay Centennials.

Incidentally, GoonBlog favorite Trevor Gillies was a part of those North Bay teams for a spell. I think if I were an opposing player, with Gillies and Neil in the lineup, I would mind my fucking P’s and Q’s for sure.


Chris Neil could actually play a little hockey, too. God forbid, eh? As far as tough guys that could play, I would put him right there with the likes of Chris Nilan, and Bob Probert. Obviously, Neil wasn’t counted on to do what Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson were doing. He was there to make sure those guys had the elbow room to do what they needed to do, and pop a couple in on the offense from time to time. Neil did exactly that – and became a solid fan favorite in Ottawa along the way.

Anyone else actually in attendance for this classic scrap back in 2009? No? Sucks to be you.

I, as a huge Bruins fan, fundamentally had to hate this guy. Never had a choice. I thought he was a dirty, no-good-spot-picker of a fighter, and I didn’t like his face. Had he been in the Black and Gold, I may have been low-key stalking him out of undying affection for the 20 years he played in the Show, but since he was on the other side…fuck him. I say that only out of love and respect, Mr. Neil.

Chris Neil, We Hardly Knew Ye
That said, I’ve always believed guys that did what he did need to have that effect (hatred and extreme dread) on the opposing fanbase, and the opposing team for sure, to be effective at what they do. So much of pugilism in the NHL during his time was about turning the energy in the building in your favor. If 19,000 fans see you come on the ice, and they know what’s coming, nothing shuts them up and turns the tide of a game your way like beating the stuffing out of your favorite team’s tough guy.

So, Chris Neil, you beautiful bastard, as they raise your number to the rafters on February 17, I will raise my glass to you. As will The Ref. As will Carleton County en masse. What an incredible honor to be acknowledged for doing what you did for so long.

Going to the roof for being a fan favorite is truly is a testament to how beloved and unsung heroes that did and continue to do what Neil had to do in the NHL truly are.

But I still don’t like your face.

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The Future of the Hockey Enforcer


in Uncategorized, Brendan Walsh, Goons, Shawn Thornton, Trevor Gillies

I get this question a lot these days, as friends and relatives are well aware of my proclivity for a good ol’ professional on-ice donnybrook. While I have strong opinions as to the best answer – the true future of the NHL hockey enforcer and the fights they once graced fans with – I don’t have to like it. And, frankly, I don’t.

Where Have All the Good Goons Gone?
On the ice, are there even any classic goons left? Gone are Shawn Thornton, Trevor Gillies, Brendan Walsh and most of the other Goonblog favorites from the site’s heyday. Replacing them are guys like Trent Frederic, Connor Clifton, and Zack Kassian.

The last hockey enforcer, Ryan Reaves.

The first three were the last of a dying breed of guys that were there to intimidate and keep the other team in line. The latter are all guys that are required to be able to take a regular shift, especially in Clifton and Freddy’s case. Times have changed dramatically over the last 10 years, and there’s not a lot any of us punters can do about it.

The last true enforcer out there, in my opinion, is Ryan Reaves. He’s been plying his trade since 2010 with the Blues – and is a man that truly embraces his role as an enforcer. Intimidating, scrapping, filling out checking lines and doing it all with apparent glee.


The Era of… Grappling? You’re Fuckin’ Kidding Me
Not only has fighting largely disappeared from hockey, but the way in which bouts are conducted is totally different. The days of Bob Probert standing in, going toe to toe trading rights and uppercuts in a Rock ‘em Sock ‘em homage have been over for a long time. It’s a rare thing to see a fight where guys are flat out trading punches. With rare exceptions (see the aforementioned Zack Kassian getting KO’d by the “WiFi” the other night) most of the fighting is in close and involves lots of grappling.

In fact, many of the guys that make a living dropping gloves these days are trained in common MMA techniques. It’s a totally different style, and I’m not sure how anyone that fights now would have fared in the wild west days when guys swung wildly and frequently just to stay in the league and were recruited only for that purpose. Tom Wilson, I’m looking at you.

Exit Staged Left
The staged fights are also largely gone. Does anyone remember the last time two guys came over the boards and the gloves were off before the puck even hit the ice? A lot of people don’t like those fights, especially in the league office, but we loved them. Admit it.

How I long for the days when two fourth liners would get something going because the team needed a lift. Or a Rob Ray gave young rookies like Todd Fedoruk a chance to make a name for himself by taking on established hockey enforcers. It’s just not done that way anymore. The game is played at such a high skill level there’s just not a lot of room for a one-dimensional player anymore.

I’m glad to be back behind my keyboard talking about hockey enforcers and fighting, regardless of how the latter has evolved. We always aim to entertain here at Goonblog, and I missed having a vehicle for my mostly nonsensical stream of “consciousness”.

Once we get our momentum back, keep your eyes peeled for some Goonblog merch, and we were way ahead of our time with the hockey podcast angle which may rear its head once again. Perhaps we can embrace some new media as well. Good to be back. Let’s drop the mitts and get at er!

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A Change is as Good as a Punch in the Yapper


in New York Rangers, Trent Frederic

Siting here at Goonblog HQ eating my Berry Berry Kix, I am thinking about change. For starters, I just sent a work email on a Saturday from my home office/daughter’s room. Secondly, why am I awake? Lastly, I’m eating goddamn Kix.

When this GoonBlog endeavor first started there were no kids, no Kix, or work emails, and most likely I would have been sleeping off a hangover somewhere… only to stumble upon a greasy egg sandwich and a black coffee. Heart healthy Kix? What has become of me?! Yet, I digress, because I do have a point.

Change is inevitable. There is nothing so constant as change. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I’m thinking of change because as I’m eating my Kix and working on a Saturday, I’m getting ready for a Saturday night trap game featuring the beloved Bruins in Toronto against the Leafs. As an aside, every time I say “Leafs”, I think of the time the Ref’s sister, Janet, and I were at a Bruins/Leafs tilt a few beeyahs deep, and she turns and says, “…shouldn’t it be the Leaves?” Yes, Janet. Yes it should. Anyhow, change and things staying the same and so forth.

Bruins Off the Block
The Bruins are off to the best start in franchise history. I don’t like tonight’s game, at all. Classic trap. I want to go back to Thursday however for a minute if I may.

Watching on ESPN+ (don’t even get me started on this new TV package. Again, change) they kept trying to pump up this big Ranger and Bruins rivalry. The announcers were talking about the New York and Boston rivalry and how it pertained to the hockey teams, and then cut to a graphic of the Red Sox and the Yankees. Aside from being confused, I got to thinking about this alleged hockey rivalry.

A New York State of “Frig Off”
Boston and New York don’t like each other. For me, hell is having to go to New York. I simply don’t like that city. I think the rivalry is based predominantly upon the hatred between the Yankees and the Red Sox though. Sure, the Bruins went into the stands at MSG in the 70’s when someone threw a set of keys at a Bruin, and yeah, I guess there’s the whole Original 6 angle, but I don’t feel the distaste for the Rangers, or their fans like I do for many other teams. I don’t think they’re in my top 10. As the game Thursday went on, I could maybe feel a bit of a rivalry building. These teams are both pretty good right now, and perhaps being good and the animosity of two fights at the same time might fuel the rivalry.

It all started at around the halfway mark of the second period. Bruins’ newcomer, AJ Greer, is alongside Trent Frederic and Nick Foligno. This, for me, is a classic Bruins line. I love Greer because he’s willing to do the little things to stay in the National Hockey League. Foligno is rejuvenated after being able to rehab all summer and being waived right as camp broke, and Trent Frederic is my favorite Bruin by far. Now out of Butch Cassidy’s doghouse, Freddy will thrive. He’s got a great motor, never stops running his mouth, can chip in offensively, and can fight. Cassidy, by the way, is a known diddler, and has the worst haircut in the show.

Freddy carries the puck over the Rangers blueline and got absolutely laid out by Rangers’ defenseman, Braden Schneider. You want to talk change? Back in the day, no one had to fight after hits like that. Welcome to the new NHL.

The hit was clean, and Frederic hopped up looking to exact revenge. As he was going after Schneider asking if he would care to fight, enter AJ Greer. Schneider obliged Greer, and the two traded some decent right hands. Schneider wanted to get Greer’s helmet off, and they got locked up. This led to some wrestling, and eventually they fell to the ice. Hockeyfights.com users have it scored as a 61% win for Greer. I guess I can agree. He did get in two rights, and a nice hard left, before they went down.

Not to be outdone, as Trent Frederic was asking Braden Schneider to go and AJ Greer entered, Barclay “Donaldson” Goodrow appears to square up with Frederic. Freddy, not shy about dropping the gloves, gets started early. Goodrow was outmatched the whole fight. Goodrow seemed more interested in getting his face away from the right hands that Frederic was throwing, and Freddy seemed content to give him said rights until he got tired. Goodrow got away from him a bit, and manages to land a good straight left hand. Frederic then gives him the old over and under. Goodrow is throwing rights that don’t appear to land as Freddy channels his inner Lyndon Byers and lands a very hard uppercut. They get locked up and the fight is over. A clear win for Trent Frederic.

Change rears it’s ugly head again, as Boston is assessed an extra two minutes for having two fights at the same time, or some shit. I may need to rethink my unhappy opinion as to the future of the hockey enforcer, too. The Bruins went on to win the game in decided fashion, with Trent Frederic adding a goal.

Here’s one thing that will never change. I love fights in hockey. The Rangers were looking to turn the tide of the game. The score was tied when this went down. It did not work. Here’s hoping the Bruins can “change” my mind about the outcome tonight with a real grudge match type victory tonight in Toronto.

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Stranger Things Have Happened – GoonBlog.com Returns


in Site News, Emma, Goons, PJ Stock

Quite a while since we’ve all gathered on this once popular, and even slightly sacred, little corner of the internet, hasn’t it?

Goonblog.com was cold kicking ass for a couple of years if we’re being honest. We had the traffic, we had the quotes, we had the backlinks. I dare say we even had a sizeable and always growing fan base who we loved interacting with daily. So where did it all go wrong?

Well, the Bruins won the cup in 2011, Goonblog Girl Emma got married, we both had babies… and everything just drifted off into stagnant obscurity. Life got in the way – and that’s OK. Regardless of the years (10 since our last post) and the many ways in which the world has changed (definitely not in our favor), we never could bring ourselves to take the site down. No, boys: we never took ‘er down.

“You know what they call that? They call that a decade.” – Boss Spearman

It’s been so long in fact – even the common vernacular has changed and we’re probably frightfully out of touch. I guess the kids today might say it’s “been a hot minute?” Or maybe even “100 percent”, “not gonna lie”, or “holla!”. Also, fuck those annoying kids.

We had it right the first time, and they need to get comfortable with the idea of working for a living, not taking their parents to job interviews, and fucking fighting in hockey. In spite of their “triggers”.

For God’s Sake – Why?
Because… we knew the day might come when we’d have our own incredibly unlikely reinvigoration – and that day may have finally arrived. We’ll have to mind our P’s and Q’s more closely than we did way back when, but the original Goons had a recent conversation, and we think we’re up to the task.

Stranger things have happened. Like maybe Hatchimals, or Black Panther being nominated for best picture, or even John Scott almost fighting Phil “Iron Man” Kessel back in 2013.

It’s now been said, it’s out of the way, and we’re ready for yet another comeback attempt. Which will hopefully maintain momentum longer than a Bob Probert probationary period.

The Ref and I have been kicking around a serious and lasting Goonblog revival for all of those last 10 years. Most of the time it’s via text – when one, or both, of us have had a few – and nothing gets done. But things are just a little different this time around.

For Christ’s Sake – Why NOW?
Things have changed, on and off the ice as they might say. The Ref is having a hard time recovering from Covid isolation, and has a shocking amount of free time. My kids are now both over the age of 10 and no longer need me to be “not drunk” all 24 hours of the day. As a result, we’re looking forward to being back and trying to entertain the runny-nosed rink masses like never before.

Off the ice, The Ref and I are now separated geographically by about 3 hours. I won’t name exact locations, but think defunded police towns, Lake Champlain, maple syrup, and foliage for Ref. While I am in a place that is very famous for… Deck Hockey. Seriously. The in-depth discussions I have endured with various people around the 88 finals alone could be a 3-hour Goonblog documentary. We can call it Goonblog Presents the 88 Finals. It was 34 Years ago. Let it Go. It’s long, but you get the point. And that is – we’re excited to be back.

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Let the (6) Games Begin!


in Bryan Bickell, Chicago Blackhawks

It’s game day, finally. Nervous? Excited? Both dem things. I really dug the media day coverage NHL network had. Highlights for the Bruins included Jags, and Shawn Thornton. On the Hawks side I dug Patrick Kane and Captain Serious. The message I got from everyone was they were excited to get started and liked their chances. Well, if you’re asking – so do I.

Expect tonight’s game to be the tone setter for the entire series. I realize I’m not really going out on a limb by saying that – but it’s the truth. I would imagine the Bruins are going to want to let the Hawks know they are in for a delightfully physical affair, and I expect them to try and get inside Toews’ head as much as possible. That job ought to fall to Mr. Brad Marchand. The Hawks, on the other hand, will try and push the pace with their puck possession and try (perhaps desperately) to match Boston on the physical side.

For those of you that haven’t seen Bryan Bickell play, you’ll get a good introduction tonight. He’ll lead the way in the physical department and I will be secretly fantasizing about one day seeing him don the black and gold. Good gravy, if there was ever a prototypical Bruin – Bick is it.

There’s not a lot more to say about this series until the horse is out of the barn. On the one hand, you have the regular season juggernaut, and the best uniforms in professional sports. On the other, there’s the Jekyll and Hyde hooligans from Boston.

If the team that’s been showing up in Beantown lately continues to show up through this round, it’s time to cue the Duck Boats. I mean, let’s just make sure the inspection stickers are up to date right now and maybe even flush the transmissions. If not, this Chicago team is so good, and so balanced, they will punish the Bruins and send them packing in short order. Boston has to bring it tonight and maintain the pain through the whole series. I think they will do just that. Bruins in 6.

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Turn out the Lights


in Arron Asham, Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Gregory Campbell, Jay Beagle, Pittsburgh Penguins, Trevor Gillies, Uncategorized, Washington Capitals

Finally the Bruins have gotten on the board with a fight last night in Chicago. Nice work by Gregory Campbell to try to spark the boys. Not much of a scrap, but good on Soupy to get it started. The fight I wanted to talk about happened Thursday between Pittsburgh’s Arron Asham, and Washington’s Jay Beagle. It was a bit of a one sided affair, and the fight got the hockey world talking. Personally, I thought it was a good scrap, and had to be done, but others don’t see it that way.

The fight started after Beagle cross checked Kris Letang, then hit him up high hard enough to knock his helmet off. Asham was on the ice, and in his role as enforcer, he went to Letang’s aid. My buddy Brendan and I had a somewhat heated debate about this Friday. It’s Brendan’s position that Letang A. didn’t do enough to Beagle to require Asham’s aid, and B. It’s not like he’s Gretzky. People can hit Kris Letang. My position is Arron Asham is an enforcer. It’s his job to protect teammates on the ice against any perceived injustice. Asham starts picking and choosing who he sticks up for, and we have a system that breaks down, and chaos reigns supreme. As far as Beagle being a non-enforcer? Well, it’s not like Asham beat up Alexander Semin. Beagle is a big guy that’s been in a scrap or two. He will definitely think twice about any liberties he might want to take with Penguins players or any team’s players for that matter after the beating he took, moving forward. Beagle rang the bell, Asham answered it. These two teams will have a lot of time to think about things as they don’t play each other for over a month. You can bet your bottom dollar DJ King will be in the Caps line up when they meet again. Asham has to answer to someone for this beating.

One more thing about this fight and you can get back to whatever it is you were doing before you stumbled across this madness. The Pittsburgh Penguins announce team of Paul Steigerwald, and Bob Errey, and the whole organization for that matter, has got to be the most hypocritical in all of sports. Let’s say for a minute that Trevor Gillies beat up Paul Martin in the same way Asham beat up Beagle the other night. Steigy and Errey would have been coming down from the press box with pitch forks with Mario Lemieux right behind them. When it’s their guy, who showboated like a punk after turning out Beagle’s lights by the way, they are talking about team toughness and so forth. Can’t have it both ways Pittsburgh. Either way, I’m looking forward to this rematch.

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Turning the Page


in Chris, Brandon Prust, Goons, GoonSquad, Kyle Clifford, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Zac Rinaldo

We are now 9 games into the NHL season, and there has been a total of 1 fight. One. Uno. That’s not a lot. It was a decent scrap in yesterday afternoon’s contest between LA’s Kyle Clifford, and the Rangers Brandon Prust. I am not here to offer any analysis on why there has only been one fight, I’m just saying, there hasn’t been many.

The Flyers and Bruins sure could have used one the other night. I was certain Andy Ference and Zac Rinaldo were going to have it out at one point, to no avail. I am not sure if Rinaldo told Ference global warming is a sham, or what, but after Rinaldo finished his check on the North End’s Favorite Son he said something to him that really pissed him off. Maybe he was asking if Ference got noticed in the women’s department of Marshall’s buying that gawd awful yellow shirt he was wearing for his day with the Cup. My word, I had no idea Andy Ference was into that. Tree hugging hippie yes, but this freaky fashion is going a bit far. At any rate, I would have liked to have seen that tilt. Rinaldo can throw hands (and I suspect he’s probably taken the soon to be waived Jody Shelley’s spot) and Ference, when prompted, is good for a spirited bout.

While we’re on the topic of the Bruins and Flyers, I have to say, the banner ceremony was pretty cool the other night. I have mixed emotions on all the players skating with the cup one last time. On the one hand it was cool to see them with it on home ice. On the other, they didn’t earn the right to skate it around in front of the home fans. It was a nice touch having Recchi there, and I thought Neely killed with his speech. The home crowd took the opportunity, not all, but some, to boo owner Jeremy Jacobs. Nice work Boston, way to be classy. Like him or not, the Bruins won the Cup. Stop booing.

The banner itself is kick ass, and I am looking forward to turning my head slightly up and to the left to see it every night this year. Now with the banner up, and the page turned, it’s time to get down to business. Every team in the league is gunning for Boston right now, and they have to be ready every night, for every team’s best game. Other than the fact that it’s very hard to repeat in the NHL, I don’t see another reason why the Bruins can’t raise another banner next October. Tampa is in town tonight for a game 7 rematch.

Let’s see if the Bruins bring the game they need to bring, or if we’re talking about firing everyone, and the team having no heart tomorrow morning.

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You Will Respect My Authority!


in Chris, Chris Neil, Goons, GoonSquad, Jody Shelley, Matt Clackson, Pierre-Luc LeBlond, Trevor Gillies
Alrighty! Let’s put the negativity of the summer and my last two posts behind us shall we? Why? Its back. Hockey is back! NHL Network has been showing a couple of preseason games a night, and it’s great to see their commitment to the pre- season. It was also great to see Kathryn Tappen in studio, not dressed like a pilgrim. I think so far, the MVP of the pre-season has to be Brendan Shanahan. Shanny is the new Sheriff in town for the NHL, and he’s wasted no time dolling out his brand of justice. I’ve said before that hitting from behind is a huge problem in the NHL, and the re-written rules on boarding seem to corroborate my story. Shanahan doled out some serious justice the other night in the form of a 5 game suspension for Calgary’s PL3 and a 10 game seat in the press box for Philadelphia’s Jody Shelley. Of course, had either of the incidents involved Trevor Gillies, he would have been drawn and quartered, and possibly stoned to death on the site of Chuck Wang’s alleged Lighthouse project. Brendan Shanahan is sending a message: The old ways will not be tolerated, and I WILL make you respect one another. Good on the NHL, and Shanny for handing out these suspensions. I have seen both hits, and neither (especially the Shelley hit) were called for. Listen, I get the PL3 hit. He’s trying to prove to Calgary that he’s a tough kid, and will do whatever to make the team. He hit another enforcer in Matt Clackson (doesn’t make it right, but at least it wasn’t one of the Sedins) from behind, and very high. While there was no need for it, I at least understand it. Jody Shelley’s hit, on the other hand, was completely uncalled for. He’s made Philly’s team. He’s not going anywhere, except for the press box because his coach hates tough guys. He friggin creamed Darryl Boyce from behind, and gave him a nasty cut to boot. Hockey is a physical game, that’s why we like it, but these types of hits need to be taken out of the game. It looks like Brendan Shanahan is on a mission to do just that. Courant News
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Beginning of the End of Fighting in the NHL?


in Chris, Goons, GoonSquad, Trevor Gillies
I really don’t want this to come across as cold, and selfish, but does anyone else worry that the recent deaths of enforcers in the NHL will have negative ramifications on the ice? The harsh reality is that we live in a world of knee jerk reactions. Someone gets killed on a road; speed bumps are installed the next day. Could we be witness to some radical changes this season with regards to fisticuffs? The concussion issue is a hot topic in the NHL right now. Things had to be evaluated when Matt Cooke attempted to kill Marc Savard, and now that Sidney Crosby has been shelved for an extended period of time with his concussion, the talk for change with regards to head hits, and the need to address how concussions are treated has reached a deafening level. While I agree concussions are an issue, these men also accept they have a dangerous job, and it kind of goes with the territory. Fighting was up last season, and in kind of a Catch 22 situation, I think both fighting, and concussions will continue to rise. Something needs to be done about this game, but it’s not the fights. For me, I think the game is way too fast, and body checking has become too predatory. I don’t want to go back to the water skiing off a guy in the neutral zone, or the clutch and grab of the pre lockout days, because that hockey was a little too dull for me, but I do think the game needs to be slowed a bit. The trouble is, these players these days are so big, and so fast, how do you effectively slow the game back down, without stifling the talent on the ice? What with players all wanting to get in on the booming Scott Stevens-esque body checks instead of simply separating someone from the puck, the recipe is there for concussions from the big hit, but the fights go up as well. It seems even legal body checks in the NHL need to be answered for, and when the bell gets rung, you know the tough guys are going to answer it. In the knee jerk reaction department of the NHL, I can see there being an extra 2 minute penalty for fighting after a legal hit being tacked on, or if you’re Trevor Gillies, an automatic 30 game suspension for doing anything. Listen, I don’t have the answers here. I’m just a guy typing away on my new laptop, while the baby sleeps. I do agree the NHL needs Sidney Crosby playing, and not concussed. I am a Crosby fan. There, I said it. I like his game, and I like the fact he understands what the role of Captain means. He’s taken matters into his own hands a couple of times with his fists, and I like it. He needs to be on the ice, and so does Marc Savard. Sadly, I think we’ve seen the last of Savvy, and hopefully Crosby can return to form. I am against taking drastic measures to regulate the physical nature of hockey. After all, it’s one of the main reasons I watch. I’m even more against more regulations on fighting, but I do think something needs to be done about the speed of the game, and how it relates to concussions, and head shots. The NHL Brass needs to address those issues, before some knee jerk reaction to three enforcers dying over the summer regulates fighting right out of the game in the name of safety. Poker for Jokers
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Saying Goodbye to Summer 2011


in Chris, Derek Boogaard, Goons, GoonSquad
With the good news of today being Brad Marchand has sobered up enough to put his name on a very shrewd deal from the Bruins, and the even better news that hockey is indeed right around the corner, I’d be remiss if I didn’t touch on just how awful the 2011 off-season was. What started with the overdose of a current NHL enforcer in Derek Boogaard, ended with 44 players and coaches of a KHL team perishing in a plane crash. In between were the apparent suicide of Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien, and the suicide of recently retired player Wade Belak. To say the least, this has been as awful an off-season as you could ever imagine. Hopefully, we don’t see one like it again. Photograph by: John Russell, Getty Images, Calgary Herald A lot has been made about the three deaths preceding the Lokomotiv plane crash. I have read article after article making the correlation between enforcers, depression, drug use, and suicide. Personally, I don’t think there’s a relationship, it’s just a really shitty coincidence that all three were of the enforcer mold. After reading all these articles, I’m left to wonder, why? Why does a guy like Derek Boogaard wind up killing himself with pills and booze? Why does Rick Rypien allegedly take his own life? Why does Wade Belak, a man by all accounts, a larger than life type personality that loved life, his family, and hockey hang himself in a Toronto hotel? What do these guys have to be depressed about anyway? They were all young, and well paid to play a game for a living. A game that I would give several limbs to play professionally and I’m not the only one. Is it because they fight for a living, and take too many shots to the head? I don’t think so. I think it’s the fact depression is a dark and terrible disease, and in a moment in time, dying seemed better than living. When my daughter Caroline was born, I was so excited! She was an angel sent to me, and I was lucky to be her father. Soon after the initial excitement wore off, and I got into the daily routine of trying to keep a newborn alive, work, and be a good husband, I found myself in some very dark places in my mind. For a few weeks, all I wanted to do was sleep, and cry. What did I have to be so sad about? I have an amazing wife, a great job where I am respected (no, really) and the most beautiful little girl in the whole world looking at me to be her daddy. Was I overwhelmed, or was it male postpartum depression? I can’t say for sure, and I have since gotten it together mentally, but it was not pleasant for me for a while there. The point I’m making, and there is one, is that even in my darkest hour, it probably wasn’t nearly as dark as Boogaard’s, Rypien’s, or Belak’s worst day. I couldn’t imagine hurting myself, or Caroline or anything, but I can’t help thinking of just how dark the recesses of their minds must have been to drive them to the things they did.  I feel so terribly for the people in these three men’s lives that are left behind to pick up the pieces and wonder what happened, and was there anything that could have been done for them. My guess is that no, there wasn’t anything they could have done. Like I said, seemingly they had it all. Great lives as professional hockey players or in Belak’s case a recently retired professional hockey player. Belak leaves behind a wife and two girls. Imagine being that family right now. Imagine Wade Belak being so depressed that the thought of leaving them behind was outweighed by the fact he just couldn’t go on living anymore. Simply heart breaking. Hopefully these men will be remembered as the great people they seemed to be, and not remembered simply as three enforcers that died, two by their own hand in the summer of 2011. In the meantime, the rest of the world goes on. The hockey community mourns their passing, and we pray it doesn’t happen again.
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