79 replies to this topic

[hockey2k]

It seems like a short summer since the Ducks are still galavanting around with the Cup, but the new season is just around the corner! I for one, can't wait to see some live hockey again. (I can only see Anaheim on TV... ) Training camp starts next week and I might have to go watch a few scrimmages to scratch that itch!

Should be an interesting season for the Thunderbirds. This year we have 3 first round draft picks in the lineup; Thomas Hickey, LA's pick, Senators choice Jim O'Brien, and Finnish goaltender Riku Helenius, Tampa's 2006 pick. Riku's expected to play the majority of the games but I think Jacob DeSerres will get more starts than he did his rookie year. Our "goalie of the future" was one of four netminders invited to the Team Canada U-18 tryouts, and although he didn't make the cut, it was a great experience for him. He sounds more confident and ready to go, so I'm optimistic about our goaltending. Hickey will be joined on the back end once again by Scott Jackson, Big Benn Olson and up and comer Sena Acolatse. Scoring may be suspect, but I expect O'Brien to lead the way and hopefully Holloway, Eberle, Rai and Richard will step it up...they seem the most likely candidates to do so.

After a summer of volunteering for the team, myself, Caduck and one other Street Teamer were invited by Seattle's GM to the annual pre camp BBQ at Coach Sumner's house. The BBQ is for the returning players, family and staff and we'll be there! I feel like I'm in the inner circle now!

So tell me about your favourite 'Dub team, player, events, or just smack talk the TBirds...I'm ready for ya!

[DropThePuck]

The BBQ is for the returning players, family and staff and we'll be there! I feel like I'm in the inner circle now!

That's awesome h2k! Congrats and I know you'll enjoy yourself! Hopefully your 'birds will give you lots to celebrate this year.

[Reb]

Oh just rub it in!
Just because I don't remember to check the WinterHawks website on a daily, or even a weekly basis!
I mean, like, it's August. Nothing of interest happens in August. Does it?

Can't wait to enjoy a couple of games with you and Caduck again this season.
'Cept I don't really think I should be wearing a T-Bird ball-cap when I'm supposed to be a 'Hawks fan.
No fish! NO fish! No FISH!
Please make sure Caduck leaves 'em home.

[hockey2k]

I mean, like, it's August. Nothing of interest happens in August. Does it?

Well, let's see what happened in Portland this summer...Sceviour and McLaren were chosen in the NHL draft in the 4th and 7th rounds respecively, Cepek was claimed by the Oil Kings in the expansion draft, former 'Hawk and NHLer Richard Kromm was named head coach, Andy Kemper is the new broadcaster and Frazee was traded to Medicine Hat for Swystun and a draft pick.

Can't wait to enjoy a couple of games with you and Caduck again this season.

We'll have to look at the schedule and let you know about that. Fish, what do you mean, fish?

[DropThePuck]

Hey h2k! Your boy has a special NHL.com feature on him!

From draft, to Super Series to camps, Hickey is a busy guy

Team Canada defenseman Thomas Hickey knows he will be in the spotlight throughout the eight-game Canada/Russia Super Series that kicks off Monday in Ufa, Russia.

He wouldn’t have it any other way.

<link>

[Reb]

Yeah, well, the 'Hawks new coach putting the kids through their paces ...

A Hawk from the past begins tenure as coach
Former team captain Richard Kromm focuses on what Portland can do this year

Friday, August 24, 2007 IAN RUDER Special to The Oregonian

From his seat in Section 16 of Memorial Coliseum, Richard Kromm had a perfect view of the past, the present and the future of the Portland Winter Hawks as he watched his first scrimmage as the team's head coach Thursday afternoon.

The present was visible on the ice below, as many of the players who will make up this season's squad scrimmaged in the first on-ice action of training camp.

To see the past, and what he and the organization hope will be the future, he needed only to look to the rafters across the rink where hang the two Western Hockey League championship banners he helped win as a player in 1982 and 1983.

LINK

[hockey2k]

I was always saying that Hickey was going to be big time...I'm so proud! I just hope the Kings send him back to Seattle for a year or two.

The welcome picnic was cool, seeing all the kids coming back for the year and hob nobbing with the owners, but we mostly hung out with the parents. I love hockey parents, especially the ones from Alberta/Saskatchewan...they are so darned nice and uber-supportive of their kids. Russ Farwell, the GM, made a special mention of the Street Team during the team announcments, and Terry (one of the owners) grills a mean burger!

Went to the first main camp scrimmage last night and was hockey ever a sight for sore eyes! There are some spots that the rookies are battling for and they were sure trying to impress yesterday. I expect more of the same tonight. Calvin Pickard is only 15 but was a real standout in net. First pre-season game is Friday vs Chilliwack.

[Reb]

WAAAH! I can't find our exhibition schedule anywhere on the website.
Oh well. I probably wasn't gonna go anyway.

I see from YOUR exhibition schedule that we are playing you on the 9th at 1pm in Tri.
I din't wanna go.

I wonder if I can afford season tickets.
I qualify for senior rates.

[hockey2k]

At least go for the half seasons, Reb! Caduck and I will most likely be going to the New Year's Eve game in Portland, and of course the fan train whenever that is.

Looks like I'll miss most of our pre-season games anyway...Friday's game is at 11:00am (???), I'll be out of town over the weekend, and I've vowed never to return to Tri-Cities. I'm making the game in the 15th in Kent though!

I wasn't going to go to the last camp scrimmage game tonight, but I was guilted into it by Justin Krabben's father. Justin is a young defenseman trying to crack the TBirds line-up, (he had a killer open ice hit last night). I met his very nice folks from Rocky Mountain House, AB at the BBQ and have kept running into them ever since. The booster club president and one of the sales guys also tut tutted when I said I wasn't going to be in attendence so maybe I'd better go!

Last night was my first glimpse of Helanius and man does he look like a pro already. All his movements are crisp and precise and his glove is unbeatable. He plays the puck with confidence, and that's pretty rare at this level. The play was much more physical and got a little scrappy...we even had some gloves dropped!

[hockey2k]

Well, we haven't been doing too well in the pre-season so far. We beat Chilliwack 5-4, but have had nothing but trouble scoring since...two goals in the next two games. I see the downside of having a load of draft picks on your team...they are all at the pro camps and unavailable at the start of the season. It's good for Seattle's finances though, and it will be exciting to watch once they come back. I miss Hickey!

[Reb]

Portland has had a stunning start this pre-season.
We've mangaged to lose against Spokane, Vancouver, Spokane again, and SEATTLE!!!
We DID manage a win against Everett!!!

[hockey2k]

At least you beat the 'Tips! That's more than we managed to do in this pre-season...we've only beat the 'Hawks and Chilliwack, losing to Spokane, Tri and Everett. We get one more crack at Everett on Saturday...Caduck and I will be at the game with Headless Lincoln so I expect a positive result!

[Reb]

At least you beat the 'Tips! That's more than we managed to do in this pre-season...we've only beat the 'Hawks and Chilliwack, losing to Spokane, Tri and Everett. We get one more crack at Everett on Saturday...Caduck and I will be at the game with Headless Lincoln so I expect a positive result!

Right on!

[hockey2k]

Ok...so we forgot headless Lincoln and we lost. Blew a 2-0 lead to be precise. Arg!

Also lost our first regular season game in Kamloops although we played well against a team many predict will topple the Giants in the BC Division this year. The home opener is Saturday against Everett and we have Hickey and Jackson back, so our defense is set. If only the forwards could gel a bit more and start lighting the lamp!

[Reb]

You what?!?! Forgot "Headless Lincoln"?!?! I can't believe it.

Well, after losing just about everything during pre-season we've begun the season by continuing that streak losing to Vancouver in the opener and Chilliwack the next evening.

I wonder ...

[hockey2k]

Well, you know, it was pre-season and I guess Caduck & I just weren't properly warmed up! We shall not forget HL again. At the home opener (vs Everett...urg) they will be giving the first 2,000 fans in Tbirds gear stadium horns to combat the dratted cowbells. It's about time they got on board with that plan, we've been mentioning horns to anyone who would listen for the last year or so!

Is Portland under a gypsy voodoo curse??

[Reb]

Turned out to be a good investment I made for y'all, ja? Ya Hoo!!!

Is Portland under a gypsy voodoo curse??

I donno! I wouldn't think anyone in Stump Town would be pokin' pins into dolls.
You haven't been usin' "Headless Lincoln" against Portland when I haven't been lookin' have you?

[Ducksfreak93]

Looks like all of our teams are going down, Blades are 1-4.

[JasonAKADfan8]

Portland seems to be having a difficult time finding itself. Hopefully they will get it together and have a decent season but so far they have little to be happy about.

[hockey2k]

HL only works on Everett, and I would never decapitate Tomahawk! I only wish Portland ill when they are playing Seattle.

The only thing Portland can be happy about is that Everett is no better at this point. The mighty 'Tips are also 0 and 4. In speaking with the real Lincoln yesterday (the one with a head) the word is that the Everett team seems to be having a "kicked out of the playoffs early" hangover. The kids have lost their spark and the new coach can't seem to motivate them. Interesting.

Opening night was awesome...the place was packed and the hundreds of stadium horns were so loud you couldn't hear the 'Tips fans or their cowbells, half the announcements, or our goal song! I hope people continue to bring the horns and our arena gets a reputation for being noisy for a change. It's funny 'cause individually the horns sound like a dying moose, but get a bunch going at once and it sounds like a swarm of bees. The game was pretty chippy, but our special teams looked good. Hickey and Helenius, awesome. Jackson on the other hand...he's back and I swore to give him a clean slate to impress me this season but he's alredy wearing on my nerves. Scored a goal, but continues to be unable to hold a puck in at the point. I miss Gagnon terribly and it looks like scoring this season will be more by committee than having one standout scorer...unless that is O'Brien who is still with Ottawa at the moment.

DF93- Do you think the tandem of 18 y-o goalies is affecting the Blades success (or lack thereof)? I don't hear much about your divison over here!

[hockey2k]

Well, Reb...Portland may have only won one game so far...but at least it was against Everett!!

Speaking of voodoo curse...we lost our first shoot out on Saturday...continuing last season's 0-14 stat. It's too bad there's no replay in the 'Dub though, because what the ref called the winning goal looked like it went off the post and out from my seats.

[Reb]

I suppose I should take some small satisfaction from that, but ...

[hockey2k]

Ack! For some reason I never have time to get on the old message board anymore!

Friday was a tough game against Vancouver...I can't figure out how they have this consistantly scary good team every year. And the kids are huge. I'm thinking...steroids?! (joke). It's impossible to get though those guys...they clog up the neutral zone like a bad sinus infection. Seattle fought back from a 0-2 deficit with two highlight reel goals, but couldn't get 'er done in overtime. Not losing to the Giants by a blowout almost seems like a win to me though, sheesh! A bus load of Vancouver fans were in attendence, some shirtless with G.I.A.N.T.S. painted on their chests. Good to see some spirit in the building though...I'm beginning to think most of my fellow Seattle fans are pretty lame. We can't move down to Kent soon enough.

Saturday...oh, I would have killed to be at that game in Portland!! Center Ice Goalie Fight. Need I say more? I've yet to see one of those live and covet the experience of seeing a couple of netminders throw down. Too bad Mucha left the bench to start it though, kids' been suspended...more bad news for the slumping 'Hawks. Not the kind of dumb penalty you want your starting goalie to take. And our guy DeSerres wrecked him to boot! 2-0 shutout for the 'Birds.

[DropThePuck]

Ack! For some reason I never have time to get on the old message board anymore!

Shame on you!

And give Caduck a whack upside her head too!

We miss you gals ... do try to come around here more often!

Saturday...oh, I would have killed to be at that game in Portland!! Center Ice Goalie Fight. Need I say more?

Whoa!
He came off the bench to start it?? Something on the ice must've gotten him all riled up. Maybe it was something our ol' Reb did??

[hockey2k]

Whoa!
He came off the bench to start it?? Something on the ice must've gotten him all riled up.

There were four seconds left in the game, Portland was down two-zip and they had pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, so he wasn't off the ice that long...there was a line brawl happening on the ice after the last buzzer and I think when Mucha saw (Seattle goalie) DeSerres skating into the Seattle bench he mistook his intentions and thought he wanted to go. So Kurtis hopped up and offered to dance. Mucha must not be a very happy camper nowadays anyhow...he was the only good player on a dismal 'Hawks team last season, and this season seems to be a repeat. I don't blame him for getting a little testy! It does seem out of character for both 'tenders though.

I'll try to get up here more often but I barely even have time to watch/listen to Ducks games anymore between following the TBirds and keeping track of various Seattle graduates, so I always feel out of the loop. And now the Canucks have a filmmaker from NYC calling me! He wants to interveiw me and Caduck for a documentary he's making for the team...we better not tell him that we're really Ducks fans!