Hockey Northwest - Home of the Canucks Outsider Podcast

TOO MANY DAVES - Dr. Seuss

Did I ever tell you that Mrs. McCave
Had twenty-three sons and she named them all Dave?

Well, she did. And that wasn't a smart thing to do.
You see, when she wants one and calls out, "Yoo-Hoo!
Come into the house, Dave!" she doesn't get ONE.
All twenty-three Daves of hers come on the run!

He of the perfect hair, the unheralded hockey career as captain of the Maine Blackbears, a law degree, and a noted contract expert is "relieved" of his duties {Nonis relieved of General Manager and Senior Vice-President}. Alas, as a life long Canucks fans (he and me both), I am sure he is far from "relieved" and likely quite frustrated, possibly embarrassed, and certainly thoroughly disgusted. He wasn't a perfect GM but also managed the team during a absurd lock-out, ongoing lawsuits x2, a messy ownership change and major front office personal changes.

It seemed to me, the GM, the owners, the coach and the players were a bit of an odd mix - also i am not seeing any brilliant young minds who can step into the gig with more valour then Dave.  Some say he wasn't experienced enough or didn't have sufficient respect from other GMs to take get calls answered and deals done but, when you compare his performance to other GMs in flux (Leafs ousted John Ferguson, Sens Bryan Murray, Floraida Jacques Martin, Atlanta's Don Waddell) or consider the mess Doug Maclean made of the ill-fated Blue Jackets or Jay Feaster in TB or Milbury/Snow of NYI, Dave did a decent job.  Unfortunately, when stacked against Detroit's Ken Holland, NJ's Lou Lamarello, Doug Riseborough of the Wilds, he didn't do enough to raise this team to the top.

I give some blame to injuries, a disconnect between coach's system and players' skills, and a legacy of mediocrity but those are part of the game. 

BTW, anyone really thinking Ken Holland will leave the most-successful franchise of the recent era to ressurect the flailing Canucks just cause he's from Vernon is in need of reality check. Ditto on Brian Burke. Pat Quinn is more likely (Is Quinn back IN? by Ian Bell), nevertheless i am leery of going back in time to attempt to recreate lost magic. If Scott Bowman would take the gig though, i'd pay him whatever he wants - he's only won *everywhere* he's worked. Pierre Lacroix used to make some deal magic for the Avs but seemed to be a no-salary cap kinda GM.

Also, no matter who's at the helm, i am convinced the Canucks need to find a solid, money centre to build around.  All successful teams have a clutch goalie (check), a steady, defensive-minded, somewhat intimidating blueliner (sorta check), and centre who wins faceoffs, skates well, knows hockey, and is a strapping - or at least durable - lad who can distribute and snipe as needed a la Lecavailer, Thornton, Sakic, Brind a'mour ... (no check) and, then a second line who can score and take advantage of 2nd tier defensive matchups (possible check). The rest of the team can slot in with the easier to find grinders, chippers, specialist, energy guys, PKers, and so on. 

Right now, i'd trade anyone on the team for Malkin and Jordan Staal and rebuild around them. Since that won't happen, and i don't see much beyond could-be-good d-man and the possibly-a-sniper-but-undersized wingers and a string of "the next great goalie" the new GM has some work to do. The question is: How much of a rebuilding will we see this time around? The old core are gone to make money elsewhere without the drama and lofty expectations we foist upon them and everyone is tradeable i think including the suddenly holy Kesler, the belaugered Sedins, the gotta-be-pissed-off Luongo and all the 3/4 liners.

Rypien ain't gonna save the team, nor is Raymond, Brown, Bourdon or McIver. Sure Edler and Burrows over-performed and we all love a bargain but they aren't guys who will hoist a Conn Smythe (as cool as that'd be). No ones holding their breath for Grabner to fulfill expectations and Patrick White is a complete unknown and Schneider will take time. So where will the next Trevor Linden come from? Trade/FA or possibly a Restricted FA offer sheet (heh to RJ Umberger maybe). And old Markus Naslund - from yearly hero to persona non grata - has a all-time leading scorer ever been treated with such indifference and borderline scorn. My two-nie is on him playing for MoDo next year.

I'd very much like to know about Dave Nonis outside of recent Canucks exploits ~ learn who cuts his hair, what he studied at law school, what kind of player he is/was, who was his fave Nucks growing up, experiences in NYC, and the like but alas, Dave, we hardly knew ya.

For my part, good luck and happy times ahead to Dave. 

All-time Canucks Dave Team

L Dave Balon

D Dave Baybch

D David Dunn

D David Fortier

C Dave Gagner

D David Logan

L Dave Lowry

W Dave Capuano

G Dave Mclelland

R Dave Morrison

D Dave Richter

L Dave Roberts

L Dave Saunders

C Dave Scatchard

L Dave Williams

GM Dave Nonis 

Returning from an ill-fated Mexican vacation in time to see the meaningless season finale, Dave rambles on about a horrential bout of gut sickness and hanging at a beach bar while the Canucks imploded. Wheelchaired and sedated, he arrived home to find the Nucks missing the playoffs, sending off Trevor Linden without a final win and shifting the team in unknown directions with impending free agents, unclear strategy, and unproven prospects and finally, Dave (comfy back in North Van) considers how the now-officially-official ownership might move forward before summoning Canucks heores of the future to step forth.

Download Sick in the Guts - Canucks Outsider hockey podcast #62 (.mp3, 50:26, 41MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider podcast Feed and/or iTunes

See also The Crazy Canucks

Thanks to Dan Funboy for kick ass analysis all season - some one give this guy a contract! and Album Art by Bread 

This episode dedicated to Tom "The Tickler" Larschied - Thanks for "bringing it" even when the players didn't (and he's a guy with a squirrelly gut i hear)

Music: Antonio Carlos Jobim/Astrud Gilberto/João Gilberto/Stan Getz (from Dedicated to Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vol. 1), Black Angels (live at SXSW 2008 + Young Men Dead), The Constantines (live at SXSW 2008), Bill Lenker (live in the Woodshop 2006), Grateful Dead Brokedown Palace (live at Tempe Arizona 1992), the Blackberry Bushes (from Moon Pie), unknown pipers and drummers (St. Patrick's Day parade, Vancouver 2007) 

In the shadow of the NHL trade deadline, Dave ~ and several late night beers ~ bid farewell to Matt Cooke and examine other possible player swaps. Then after some tasty rockin', peers down the road ahead to the hectic schedule of "must-win" games, and recounts of visit with Kent of We are all Canucksleheads while recording with the Crazy Canucks and the Ultimate Canuck Search guys at the Canucks open practice who asked "Can-U-Nuck?".

Download The Pressure Cooker! - Canucks Outsider #61 (.mp3, 43:22, 35MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider podcast Feed and/or iTunes

See also The Crazy Canucks - We are all Canucksleheads 

Music by:

Rodeo Kill - "Outlaw Country Band from Olympia, WA" Old Hank, Hearbreak away from Hell

Derek K. Miller - Striking Silver 

Numbskulz - Wannabe

More Numbskulz: 

Meet the Numbskulz - Choogle on #19

Catching Up with The Numbskulz - Choogle on #26

The Numbskulz Grow Up and Rock Out - Choogle on #55

Canuck Outsider fave Matt Cooke moves on to Washington - recap coming on a future Canucks Outsider podcast.

Good Luck Matt and Washington is bound to be a blast. Caps fans, enjoy this heart and soul player! 

Torino 2006 Skeleton Gold Medalist athlete Duff Gibson chats with Olympic Outsider host Dave Thorvald about having a beer named after him, life as a Calgary fireman, being Canada's (and the world's) oldest gold medalist, training for technical and speed courses, the Whistler track, athletic challenges and the future of the sport at an Olympic rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery in May 2006.

Download The Duff Man! - Olympic Laughs with the Superhero Skeleton-ist Duff Gibson
(.mp3, 8MB, 9:53)

Subscribe:
Olympic Outsider podcast - http://feeds.feedburner.com/olympicoutsider/
Canucks Outsider podcast - http://feeds.feedburner.com/CanucksOutsider
More Dave O podcasts and writing

Duff Gibson and Gold Medal in Vancouver, BC, May 2006, photo by Dave O

Canucks Outsider kicks off 2008 a little delayed but in grand style with Dave and Dan covering wealth of topics in-studio over all-star weekend. In between beers, topics include the recent Spengler Cup tournament in Davos Switzerland, World Juniors in Pradubice Czech Rep (and ask if Canada's domination is good for international hockey?), 2010 Winter Games hockey tournament format. 

Moving on to the Canucks, they discuss the first half of the season in relation to expectations plus Markus Naslund's leadership, Luongo's Vezina chances, revolving defensemen, evolving line combos, regaining divisional intimidation, international beverages, and what's ahead in the South East roadtrip.   

Download All-Star Forecasting and Drinking - Canucks Outsider #60 (.mp3, 49:58, 40MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider podcast Feed and/or iTunes

See also The Crazy Canucks

Music:

DOA "Whatcha gonna Do"

Hoytis "the Bunker" "Leaving Town"

Derek K. Miller (Penmachine) "Striking Silver"

The Weakerthans "Tournament of Hearts" 

Made by Dave Thorvald Olson with Dan Funboy

Coordinator, Consumer Research - National Hockey League (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16586 ]

Research Analyst - Anaheim Ducks (Anaheim, CA)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16612 ]

Media Relations Manager - Detroit Red Wings (Detroit, MI)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16937 ]

Game Entertainment Staff - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16524 ]

Mascot Handler - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16525 ] 

Website Content Writer - Minnesota Wild (St. Paul, MN)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16303 ]

Travel along to a record setting performance as Luongo breaks the Canucks all-time shut out record and Naslund ties Trevor Linden's all-time scoring mark while Dave rants about Alberta teams on HNIC, drama in Maple Leafs land, intermission concourse chat with JJ (of Canucks Hockey Blog and The Crazy Canucks) plus a mystery cameo guest, and rolls the audience fervor with chants of "MVP! while swilling strong winter ales.  Other topics includes: the changed (missing?) rafter banners, Burke's trade/cap proposal, schedule adjustments, Sergei Fedorov's role adjustment, Ryan Kesler's emergence as an agitator, Byron Ritchie finding a role, and an historical, oratory reading of the names of all 48 Canucks goaltenders since 1970.

Download Snow Day Shutout Streak Celebration - Canucks Outsider #59 (mp3, 34:06, 28MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider podcast Feed and/or iTunes

Music:

The Numbskulz

The Misery Whip 

The Black Angels

TTH (live)

{note: link forthcoming, ...}  

For your professional consideration:

Manager of New Media - Phoenix Coyotes (Phoenix, AZ)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16028 ]

Corporate Services Coordinator - Minnesota Wild (St. Paul, MN)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16026 ]

Internet Development Manager - Nashville Predators (Nashville, TN)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=16071 ]

A slow turnaround and a quick edit for this episode of Canucks Outsider with DaveO enjoying a couple conversations with Dan Funboy - one before the home Red Wings game and another chunk from a week or two earlier before the game versus the Sharks recalling twin wins versus Oilers.  Usual banter and wisdom about positions, linecombos, teamplay, faceoffs, with shoutouts to foreign lands - now fortified with Centre ice.

Download Shifting into Gear, Sorta - Canucks Outsider #58 (mp3, 43:15, 35MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider Feed - iTunes

Photo DaveO, arted up by Bread the Producer

Music by: The Numbskulz, The Black Angels, The Crimea, Derek K. Miller (penmachine.com), Bill Janovitz, Rambling Canuck

With a couple of games in the bag, Dave and Dan Funboy comment on the loss versus San Jose, enjoy the OT win over Calgary, give props for Morrison's versatily and clutch-ability, ideas about a faceoff consultant, Luongo's knee and Cloutier's temper and legacy, thoughts on Sanford, and banter on Flames, Flyers and Oilers team building.  Mentions of Andrew Cassels, Joe Juneau, Team Canada Junior, and the Predators' Mason, Trotz and Martin Gelinas.

Download First Week Gone, Plenty to Come - Canucks Outsider #57

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider Feed - iTunes

Season 3 of the original Canucks podcast, the Canucks Outsider kicks off with a fresh beer and a variety pack of Dan Funboy's punditry, shout outs to The Crazy Canucks (and Dave's spiel on the Super/Summit Series) and invitations to participate issued to global Canuck fans from Melbourne to London to Winnipeg.  Plus a segment from the Canuck sweater launch (with a couple of interviews), salutes to Team Canada and their Super Series success, Captain and Bruin Milan Lucic, the Memorial Cup champion Vancouver Giants, plus expectations for the 2007-08 version of the Canucks team, support and acknowledgment for the Captain and expectation for the podcast.

Thanks to Richard Eriksson of CanucksNation.com for clutch technical assistance plus Bryght and Zhonka for their continued assistance in bringing the Canucks Outsider to your hockey-lovin' ears.

Download Fresh Beer, New Season, Same Expectations - Canucks Outsider #56 (.mp3, 28MB, 34:29)

Photo by Roland Tanglao fromCanucks Outsider Live Game 5 Anaheim Ducks May 3, 2007

Art by Bread the Producer 

Bonus (thanks John)

• The Ice Hole
• Wikipedia: 2007 Super Series, 1972 Summit Series

Have something to bring to the people? Wanna contribute to an episode?  Sign up for an account, make comments and all that.

In lieu of the BIG PRESEASON PREVIEW episode of Canucks Outsider, coming soon *really* here's some more hockey jobs lazily pasted for you suckers wanting to work, ya know, at a job.

Office Manager, Food & Beverage Operations - St. Louis Blues (St. Louis, MO)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15109 ]

Manager, Game Night Entertainment - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15102 ]

Senior Manager, Fan Development & Promotions - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15101 ]

Director of In-Game Entertainment - New Jersey Devils (Newark, NJ)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15156 ]

Freelance Writer/Editor - New York Rangers (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15205 ]

Ad Traffic Coordinator - NHL.com (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15157 ]

Manager, Interactive Sales Account Manager - NHL.com (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=15184 ]
 

Surely many young(er) folks and newer hockey fans, particularly those from the USA, don't know the folklore behind the 72 Summit Series and the 35th Anniversary commemorative tourney dubbed the Super Series.  As usual, Ive meant to write more on this but here is a short blurb I wrote to a friend from Boston who asked what was up with the Super Series game Dan Funboy and I attended (won by the Canadians with a great Kyle Turris performance).  Stay tuned to an upcoming podcast for some commentary on the game.

In 1972, the best Canadian NHLers played an legendary 8 game series against the unknown quantity that was the CCCP Red Army team.  They dominated the Olympics because they were "amateurs" and the Canadians always figured they would kick ass since they had whenever they sent their best to the World Championships.  The first 4 games were in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver - in all, Canada was badly outplayed/outclassed and finished with 3 losses.

The Vancouver fans booed Team Canada after a bad loss and Phil Esposito game a now-famous, post-game spiel in which he called out to Canada for support and chastised the fans for not respecting their effort or the Ruskies (remember this is height of cold war).

So the series moves to USSR and the commies do everything they can to thwart and hassle the visitors off the ice and inundated them with propaganda etc.

Coach Harry Sinden says, ""We were having a rough time in Moscow with the defections, lousy hotels, phone calls to the players' rooms in the middle of the night, the Russians snatching much of the food we had sent over for the team, especially the steaks and beer, and the terrible officiating by the European officials," recalls Harry Sinden. "But a long cheer at the end of the first game in Moscow by the Canadian fans was a big lift for our spirits."

After a first game loss, the Canucks dug deep and won the series in turmoil and chaos in the arena as the Rusians tried to lay claim to the crown before the buzzer and in the final moments, a goal by Paul Henderson (who was fairly non-noteworthy NHLer) past by Tretiak became  part of Canadian folklore with his 3 time clutch game-winning goal performances. 

The play of Yvan Cournoyer and Bobby Clarke (who inflicted a famous ankle-breaking slash on Kharlamov), a stunning goal by Frank Mahavolich, Ken Dryden/Tony Esposito all provided compelling storylines along with the tension of communism and foul play vs. capitalism and sportsmanship. The other story from the tourney was Alan Eagleson, the self-styled union baron who sold out the players but was the catalyst to getting the Canadians on board.

The series resulted in some friendship and respect between the two northern 'neighbors' and the very start of the thought that Russians would eventually defect to play in the NHL.

So 35 years later, Vladamir Tretiak (the Russian goalie in the 72 series) and Hockey Canada organized a commemorative tourney this time with the best under-20s from each country.  2 games in Omsk and 2 in Ufa (all won by Canada) and then 4 in Canada (Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Red Deer), the final in Vancouver on Sunday.

Few links:

Jason Bothchford from the Province newspaper wrote a great blog on location in Russia - great drinking stories, legends of fixers and Janbulis vodka shots:http://communities.canada.com/theprovince/blogs/icehole/default.aspx

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/canada_russia_super_series/

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070820.wsptteam20/BNStory/GlobeSportsHockey

http://www.hhof.com/html/GamesSummarySUM1972.shtml 

 

Live the dream and take the fun out of hockey by making it your work!  Here's how: 

FAN DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR - Philadelphia Flyers (Philadelphia, PA)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14811 ]

HOCKEY COORDINATOR - Philadelphia Flyers (Philadelphia, PA)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14812 ]

Manager, Corporate Marketing - National Hockey League (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14763 ]

Fan Relations Manager - Boston Bruins (Boston, MA)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14778 ]

Fan Development & Promotions Manager - Washington Capitals (Washington, DC)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14760 ]

Field Marketing Assistant - New York Rangers (New York, NY)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14721 ]

Director of Marketing - Nashville Predators (Nashville, TN)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14690 ]

Manager, Corporate Marketing - National Hockey League (Toronto, ONT, Canada)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14736 ]

Fan Relations Manager - Boston Bruins (Boston, MA)
[ http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/r.cfm?i=14716 ]

James Mirtle is one of the very best hockey writers - counting both professional and amateur pundits alike.  He is a proud BC boy done good and, while he writes on all NHL teams + CIC sports and so on, he is a Canucks fan and i wondered if he tuned into the Outsider. 

While i still don't know if he enjoys my podcast hi-jinks, i do know he found my photo of Chelios outfront a Vancouver hotel and used the mugshot in a post about Chelios for his (very good BTW) series on the NHLPA inner-workings through the upheaval and current reinvention.

He (in his busy summer haste  no doubt) left the photo uncredited so i figured the backstory should be posted for the record ;-).

So, as i put in the comments:

For the record, ... the photo of the Chelios (in his very nice suit) was taken while Chelios, Draper, Lang and Maltby ordered coffee before getting beat down by the Canucks 4-1 on St. Patrick's Day.

Indeed, I recorded a show about that game as the host of Canucks Outsider podcast and co-host of Crazy Canucks podcast {pardon the plug}.

I ran into them coincidentally (though there were plenty of mouth breather autograph 'pros' waiting) in front of the Pan Pacific hotel at Canada Place in Vancouver.

I asked the "dark lord" about the Bertuzzi addition (traded days before) - he guffawed and accused me of digging up dirt and then gave me crap about taking his photo before chilling out and mugging for a few snaps.

I also helped (the very polite) Draper and Lang get a cab (Lang looked drained and iron-deficient).

Thought it was interesting that the 4 veterans got an early start via taxi to the rink while the rest of the guys (i assume) rode the waiting charter bus.

Added err ...bonus?: More the Red Wings getting coffee (at some heinous international chain).

Mark at Vancouver Courier gave a ring asking my opinion on the whether the Canucks should seek to re-sign venerable local hero Trevor Linden and, if i know of anyone “beating the drum” to re-sign him. Any campaigners out there?

(Miss 604 poses with some grizzled vet)

I mentioned that I’d rather have him run for mayor and take over for Sam Sellout-van and if he did return, adopt a player-coach role (not necessarilty change his name to Reg Dunlop of Slapshot fame) to mentor the youthful forwards in the quest for Cup #1.  I also mentioned that the wimmin want him back before their eyes more than the fellas.  Am i wrong? 

Who's beating the drum?  Holler back and I’ll hook you up with 7.5 minutes of fameage.

On a summer Saturday, Dave heads to the BC Floorball's Challenge Tournament to learn whassup with fast-paced indoor hockey sport and watch the Swiss Selects soundly defeat the Canadian Waveriders in an exhibition besides the 5-nation cup tournament.  While there, Dave talks to Switzerland's Simon and Simon (not to be confused with the TV show), rookie player Boris Mann, Stewart "The Fossil" from England (and another player from London) plus interviews with BC Floorball's Greg Beaudin (AKA Billy Tucker) and the "godfather" of Canadian Floorball, Finland's Juha Mikola.  Topics include rules and regulations, Swiss military training, beautifulness of Vancouver, pro players in Europe, equipment, sportsmanship and beer.

Grab Swiss Dominate BC Floorball Challenge - Canucks Outsider #55 (.mp3, 34:23, 32MB)

Subscribe to Canucks Outsider Feed - iTunes 

Kris Krug's (Vancouver Photographer) kickin' at BC Floorball flickr page
via More Photos from the 1st Annual BCFF Floorball Challenge

BC Floorball's Tournament Coverage

Richard Eriksson's Week of Floorball report on Urban Vancouver and Youtube'd floorball video

The Province (via BC floorball Federation on esports)

North Shore News (via BC Floorball Fancy Footwork)

Greg Beaudin, President of BC Floorball (greg.beaudin@bcfloorball.com) says,

"The Future of Floorball in Canada, proven by the results of the day, is not in the hands of the skilled hockey players turned Floorball enthusiasts but rather in the youth who can grow up learning the skills and tactics of the game as the Swiss team graciously made us realize with the thumping that they handed us. We hope the spectators enjoyed watching true Floorball skill and we thank them for coming out to watch.  Floorball is an amazing team sport for its accessibility, versatility, affordability, energy and sportsmanship.  It is totally Gym friendly and we hope that schools and community centers are quick to value Floorball as an ideal, safe, and economical Gym sport for girls and boys.  We hope that all of you can spread the good word and build the buzz for Floorball.

Play Floorball in BC - Drop in an to experience the co-ed fun - new players welcome and may borrow gear.

When and Where: Register - Poster

Monday Night Floorball - $7 Mondays 6pm-7.45pm at the Roundhouse in downtown Vancouver 

[UPDATE] Summer hiatus Thursday Night Floorball - $7 Thursdays, 7PM Mulgrave School in West Vancouver

More Floorball:

bcfloorball.com - BC Floorball

playfloorball.com - Floorball Canada

floorballontario.com - Floorball in Ontario

floorballpro.com - Floorball Equipment 

Swiss Zimmerman vs. Canadian Zimmerman (by Kris Krug)

Bogus Coverage (no permalinks, tsk tsk ..., just here for posterity and shame):

The Outlook

The Courier

{cross-posted from Ephemeral Feasthouse post: CBC’s lukewarm response to ex-pat hockey fans Re: Why you can’t watch Hockey Night on the web outside of Canada via The Tea Makers: IM chat with Andrew Lundy} 

June 12, 2007
Dave Olson:
Hockey Northwest/ Canucks Outsider

Re: Canucks Outsider #55 – Swiss Dominate BC Floorball Challenge

On behalf of the BC Floorball Federation I wanted to acknowledge the fantastic support you have given us with the release today of your BC Floorball focused podcast!

We truly appreciate the work that went into this and the time you spent attending the tournament and recording the content. In my opinion you clearly have an exceptional talent for capturing the spirit and potential of the sport. Your podcast will really help
us reach out to people at the same time as being a first class marketing tool!

It is without hesitation that the BCFF would like to give you free honorary membership of the BC Floorball Federation. I will organize your membership card and package as soon as possible.

Thanks again for doing this, it is simply Awesome! (capitalized deliberately!)

Sincerely
Stewart Marshall
Secretary Treasurer
BC Floorball Federation

At Vancouver City Halll, Mayor Sam proclaims May 29 as Vancouver Giants day to celebrate the Memorial Cup victory vs Medicine Hat Tigers and Dave O chats with Owner Pat Quinn, Giants Captain Brent Festerling, Coach Don Hay and listens to Ron Toigo thank the people and talk about Gordie Howe's reactions to the win. 

Also snippets with Memorial Cup MVP Milan Lucic and Canadian Gold Medalist Kendal Mcardle along with the usual politcal grandstanding and pompitude.

Topics include Gordie Howe's happiness and sadness, next year's Giants captain, best way to develop young hockey players, future Mem Cups in Vancouver, Pat Quinn's next job, Don Hay's secrets and predictions on future success.

Download Vancouver Giants Day at City Hall - Canucks Outsider #54 (.mp3, 26:40, 24MB)

photo of the BC Floorball goalie,
"The Fossil" by SillyGwaillo

Edited by John Bollwit - AudiHertz blog, Radio Zoom, Crazy Canucks, Flickr

Music by Sebadoh (thanks Lou! who is on tour with his other band Dinosaur Jr.)

Subscribe to Feed and/or in iTunes 

PS Yes i know i said Game 7 rather than Championship game to Milan Lucic - ooops

PPS See also From the Sidelines blog from Dhiren Mahiban and his 2007 Master Card Memorial Cup set on Flickr - he was the other voice chiming in on the Brent Festerling interview

Brent Festerling by Dhiren Mahiban

 

Despite the support of dog nation, the Canucks beat themselves last night with a less than stellar effort in the biggest game of the year.  Sure by halfway through the 3rd period, they were rolling ... a bit ... Burrows (the Uni-brower), sniper of 2 goals this year (and half a dozen disallowed markers) jammed one home to give us life - enough where we knew one of the lads would come through in Overtime like so many times before in this the "season of one goal games," right?  Someone *will* score.

We all made our picks but no one chose what happened - shoot, the shooter was heading to the bench unaware he'd scored.  Luongo knows what happened, he won't forget for quite some time.

So now is the time we seek positives to take away - i spieled on this for much time last night in my post-Neidermeyer haze - but the "isn't it super how we did better than expected" feeling is settling in my belly like a Denny's hangover breakfast - a bit queasy now but should absorb the poison ... eventually. 

Yes records were set (Lou, Hank), pleasant surprises (Beeker and the Brabarian) and old friends stepped up for another kick at the trophy (TL), to balance out a few under-whelming performers (Chounaird, Santala) to go along with the roller coaster years of Wooly Bullis and Taylor MySpace ... And sure the future looks bright - maybe the most depth in a couple of decades (mmmbop Hansen & Elder Edler, where did these guys come from?). But right now, it feels like waiting in the rain for a bus which never came.

I will do a wrap up soon with some of the State of the Franchise recordings to make a 'montage' of where we came from this year and talk about who might be gone next year with 11 free agents of one kind or another. 

Just like Rocky went to Siberia to train in order to toughen himself up, a gut check might be the call for the Canucks to prepare for a serious run next year.  Seriously, a 'serious' run, not an 'underdog' run or a 'big surprise' run but instead a serious run by a team which expects and in fact *demands* to be there, playing in the biggest games, ready with the puck on the stick, ready to pull the tirgger, ready to bring the thrills of June hockey to us - the bealugered fans.

We're ready and we've been ready, already. 

 

Mr. Furley and his cameras are heading to my confines in North Van for the impending Canucks win tonight - Game 5 pucks drops at 6PM PST so we'll try to fire up by 5:30 or so.

Same channels etc. and hopefully a solid stream and working chat for all three periods. 

• IRC: #canucks-outsider on irc.freenode.net
• ustream chat: ustream.tv/canucksoutsider (requires Java)
• skype: northvandave

Vancouver Courier staff writer Mark Hasiak wrote a great article about the Canucks Outsider podcast and my history as a grassroots Canucks chronicler.  The article breaks out a ton of references and anecdotes and really captures the vibe of what i/we are doing with the show and the international Canucks community.

Dan Toulgoet came by my office to take some snaps with me and some gear (including the obligatory headphones making my ears look like wee flaps).  I hadn't seen it yet when the CBC TV called today after seeing it and wanting to send a crew over - fun times for Canucks fans ... and more to come tonight!

There's a snippet below for your reading pleasure but be sure to visit VanCourier.com for the whole article (and again thanks for Mark and Dan for a pro-styley-work): 

Dave Olson is stoked about the Canucks and raring to podcast. Photo-Dan Toulgoet

Hockey night in Canuck land a hit with overseas audiences

By Mark Hasiuk-Staff writer

As local fans catch Canucks fever, Dave Olson is connecting with faraway fans around the world who don't want to miss out on this year's playoff run.

During the team's last run to the final in 1994, the 36-year-old North Vancouver resident recognized a need for an information source for far-flung Canucks fans.

"I was living in Tottori, Japan as a mushroom farmer, so I missed all the Canucks coverage," said Olson, who bills himself as the Canucks Outsider. "Although I could see the box score in the paper, I didn't have that feeling and camaraderie with the rest of Canucks Nation."

Read the rest of "Hockey Night in Canuck land a hit with overseas audiences" ... But here's one more quote which sums up the Canucks Outsider Live shows perfectly, 

"While he doesn't show the Canucks television broadcast, Olson and a rotating panel of guests-mainly friends and local hockey enthusiasts-provide typical "living room" commentary about the game and discuss topics like Trevor Linden's peaks and valleys, the 1982 and 1994 playoff runs and the whereabouts of former Canuck tough guy Gino Odjick. Olson also showcases his collection of Canucks memorabilia, including a Pit Martin hockey card and the Canucks Family Cookbook from 1981 that contains a perogie recipe from Stan Smyl's mother."

 

A bit of bummer to say the least ... up 2-0 we seemed to be driving the bus safely back the garage but alas, ... the Ducks rallied with a couple to force OT and before we could get the OT mojo working, the game was over and the Nucks find themselves at the precipice - holding the short end of the stick in a 3-1 series.

photo of Bob and Doug by Roland

The Alive for the Playoffs event last night had some technical difficulties but we played through it the best we could (i admittedly was not in game shape).  Really enjoyed the communication via multiple channels (Ustream, IRC, Skype, phone) and knowing that fans around the world are in tough with us. 

photo Roland

Special Welcome:

Maddog McCarthy tuning in from Pacifica (hear Maddog talk about Nepalese politics on "Mission to the Homestead and Himalayas - Choogle on #30" Maddog was my amigo in Japan during the 94 cup run.

photo Roland

Happy Funtime Thanks to:

• Crazy Canucks cohorts Miss 604 'The Surrey Girl' for her insight and vibe plus iowa John of RadioZoom for geeking out and taking the mic for a spell
• Hot Wheel Jason of the Kittamat (what were they called again?) & Elastic Path for space
• BC Floorball's The Fossil for extra witty punditry (write blog post about the Blazers since you are the know-it-all).
• JMV (?) the mysterious Flickr photog i didn't get to say goodbye to - great pre-game craft time and general good humour
  
• Mr. Furley for running the board and being responsible for random non sequiters

Plus cheers to Karl from the 'Peg, Bob Sugar, Aussie Tom for coming along as well as "regulars" GZ Expat, Austrailian guy, Dan Funboy, Radio Bread, SillyGwaillo and you!

Photo Miss 604

Topical Links

These are coming at some point ... can anyone remember the topics i needed to link to?  Here's a sart (ugh 'll never get around to this ...)

• Curt Fraser and Glen Hanlon both coaches of the Belarus national team
• World Champioship - Team Canada roster - Division C recap
• Manitoba Moose win Game 7!!
• Cory Schneider at Boston College
  
• Harry Neale and Roger Nielson - coaches of the Canucks in 82
  
• Vancouver Voodoo and the coach Dave 'Tiger' Williams
• New West Bruins comepting for the Stanely Cup(?) Queen's Park arena
• Denman Arena - the now non-existent home of the Vancouver Milliionaires - winners of the Stanley Cup in 1915
• Game 7 Wild Times in Surrey video clip
• Bob and Doug Mackenzie's upcoming 1 hour 24-er special

photo by Roland - Fin by Rebecca

Misc Media Roundup

• Dave O in Vancouver Courier
• Miss 604 Rebecca in the Province
• Crazy Canucks on CTV
• Roland and Dave on CBC Radio One
• Dave, John & Rebecca on Get Connected on CKNW

photo by Drew O on Miss 604's photostream

Stay On Board Outsiders!  This Canucks Bus ain't stalled out yet! 

Will likely see ya Alive for Game 5!

Well... technically this is a small turkey ... Enjoy

Down 2-1 to the Ducks - No Big Deal!   The Canucks have found way to adjust and step it up throughout this season so hop online tonight while they do it again tonight. Canucks Outsider will hit the internets around 7PM via Ustream.tv/canucksoutsider and chat on IRC at #canucks-outsider at irc.freenode.net OR chat on Skype to northvandave.  Just hop on or login for your own chat handle so we know who you are. 

photo Left Antler

Roland "Mr Furley" Tanglao will be running the tech and i'll be running my mouth starting tonight at about 7PM PST for the pre-game from EP Ecommerce 'Arena.  Guests, pundits and beers ahoy - plus Mark the unmotivating speaker will call in live from the game right after Naslnd scores on the Power Play.

Despite Mark the Motivational Speaker's de-motivating crumudgeonly rant, the stalwarts Canucks' coaching staff will have a game plan ready for tonight and the Vancouver squad will deliver with a reenergized powerplay to go with thier tenacious even strength play.  The effort was there in Game 3, the finish was not. 

Tonight, we will see both. 

leftantler's photostream

Remember: May 1st is NOT Brad May day. 

Nice to See Bertuzzi taking a stupid Penalty on some one else's team. Yeeeeeha!. That was great news for my hockey pool.  Anyways now for the important stuff. If the Canucks think they are going to win a game with one of the Sedins standing in front of the net during a powerplay, then this series is gong to be over very soon. Are you kidding me. Cowan has two goals in the series. He will stand in front of then net no problem. He is a big guy. Why is it the Canucks always find away to beat themselves. Can't score on the powerplay if their life depended on it. The powerplay was embarrassing. To much Fancy crap, not enough grit or heart.  Canucks 2 Anaheim 4 / Game 4, Yeah the canucks will win one more, maybe even win tomorrow night. But they did not play well in Dallas , and they are not playing that well here. Stanley Cup Contenders score on the powerplay. Coffee's for closers. The canucks do not even deserve a glass of water.

Maybe next year , when we have a new Captain, that will change

Just before OT in Game 2 versus the Ducks, Dave and Dan Funboy review the recent action including the pandemonium following the Game 7 victory over the Dallas Stars.  They talk about heroes - both new and vintage - stepping it up for playoff glory, plus outline key matchups against the Ducks and highlight noteworthy performances for and against the Stars. 

Finally, after the late night win, Dave recounts Cowan's heroics and drops in a few recent mainstream media appearences (CTV, CBC, CKNW + Dallas Stars podcast and Vancouver Courier). 

Download Roasting Ducks in Overtime - Canucks Outsider #53 (.mp3, 24:24, 45MB)

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photo to Megan Cole on Flickr - remixed by DaveO

Songs and Music by:

The Numbskulz "Roadtrip" & "PoDunk"

One Eyed Jacks "Drinking at Paul's" 

SilverHawk featuring Sam Densmore & John C. Densmore "Kalispell" from Westward
see also Mastan Music

Rambling Canuck "The Bunker"

Bread the Producer "Canucks Outsider Are Us"

Bill Janovitz "Echo Theme" from Here Comes a Regular