Absurd Goalie Monday: Don Head

After a week off, the AGM this week focuses on a goalie who stayed to his amateur roots for longer than most in order to play in the Olympics. After that, he took another less taken road by going out west. This week, the profile of Don Head.

Starting in the Junior B system with the Weston Dukes during the 1950-51 season, Head would move forward during the 1951-52 with the Toronto Marlboros for 37 games, winning the Dave Pinkney Trophy for goalie with the best goals-against average for his team. Head would return to Weston for the 1952-53 season to end out his junior career.

Going the amateur route with Senior Hockey, Head played for the Stratford Indians from the 1953-54 season until the 1955-56 season, playing in a total of 74 games over that span. Head moved to the Windsor Bulldogs in the 1956-57 season, where Head would go 30-17-3 in 50 games, six wins by shutout. During the 1957-58 season, Head moved to the Chatham Maroons of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association and would play there for two seasons for a total of 96 games. Returning to Windsor for the 1959-60 season, Head used it as a tune-up for his role for Canada in the Olympics.

Head would pilot the Canadians into a solid position in the Olympics, going 5-1-0 in the seven games he played in, but they were upset by the United States, relegating the Canadians to take silver.

Starting in the 1960-61 season, Head moved onto his pro career with the WHL's Portland Buckaroos, where Head went 38-23-9 in his 70 games, then going 10-4 in the playofs to help Portland to the WHL title-- the Lester Patrick Cup. Head would win the WHL's Rookie of the Year award and Outstanding Goaltender Award for fewest goals-against on the season.

Portland would trade Head to the NHL's Boston Bruins ahead of the 1961-62 season, where Head would play in 38 games for Boston, posting a 9-26-3 record. Head would also spend five games in Portland that season on loan, going 3-1-1 in those games.

The Bruins traded Head back to Portland before the 1962-63 season, where Head would rebound from his NHL downside with a 43-21-6 record in 70 games, then 3-4 in the playoffs-- which was enough for another Outstanding Goaltender Award. Injuries hampered Head for the 1963-64 season, playing in only 16 games and having a record of 6-9-1; but Head would get back to play a majority of the games for Portland in the 1964-65 season, posting a 26-20-4 record in 51 games played, then 8-1 in the playoffs; helping Portland to another Lester Patrick Cup as champions.

Head's workload would decreased starting in the 1965-66 season, playing in only 36 games and finishing with a 20-12-3 record, sharing an Outstanding Goaltender Award with teammate Dave Kelly. During the 1966-67 campaign, Head played in 44 games for Portland, going 26-13-5, then 0-3 in four playoff appearances.

Portland traded Head to the Seattle Totems before the 1967-68 season, where Head would go 23-19-4 in 46 games and then posting an 8-1 playoff record to help the Totems to the Lester Patrick Cup, the team's second in a row. Back for the 1968-69 season, Head played in 44 games for Seattle and compiled a record of 22-13-4 (0-4 in the playoffs), while in the 1969-70 season; Head went 8-10-2 in only 20 games with the Totems. The 1970-71 season would turn out to be the last for Head, going 4-7-3 in 16 games before he would hang up the pads for good.

Head was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame thanks to his time and achievements with the Buckaroos.

Though he had a cup of coffee in the NHL (which resulted in a Sports Illustrated cover....sort of) and Olympic glory, Head's contribution in the the semi-pro side of things made him a memorable aspect of Pacific Northwest sports lore. Though it might not be the big time for most, Head make the most of it and succeeded quite well due to it.

Winnipeg Seeking Western Side One Way Or Another

With Jim Toth of CJOB in Winnipeg breaking the story that True North Sports and Entertainment has been in talks with an unnamed WHL team to bring them out to Winnipeg and play out of the MTS Centre, it has made people wonder how legit it could be and if it could actually work.

To counter the reports of Toth, Gary Lawless couldn't get a quote out of TNSE's spokesman Scott Brown and said that it wasn't discussed during the WHL Board of Governors meetings in Las Vegas last month, but there could be a lot of merit to the reports and wouldn't be a bad idea considering how well the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have done with their WHL teams housed in their arenas.

While Winnipeg has been on the WHL radar for a bit, they would instantly the most Easterly team in the WHL, as it is 133 miles east of Brandon and the Wheat Kings. That would great the rivalry geographically, but overload the East Division with seven team, unless you want to break-up the Saskatchewan team, throwing one in the Central Division.

Regardless of that, the real mystery is what team was discussing, as little as it may be, with TNSE to move to Winnipeg. For me, there's really only one option and that's the Prince George Cougars. When you look at the team, they haven't been the best when it comes to the attendance figures (steadily down since 2000-01), the team hasn't been the best product on the ice (especially with captain Alex Forsberg wanting off the team and not getting it), as well as them being pretty far out there when it comes to traveling, which would strain the budget of the owners just a bit. This year, the Cougars have only had four of their 30 games have had over 2,000 people in attendance in the 5,582 seat CN Centre in Prince George.

Outside of Prince George, I can't think of another team that would be in the market for moving out of their region, mostly because they are set-up nicely and actually having a better than status quo season when it comes to their attendances. At least, no one has been outwardly concerned with their attendance figures in the WHL.

Yet, even though TNSE said almost a year ago that they weren't interested in a WHL club, they seemed to have turned the corner with the lockout and not seeing hockey at the MTS Centre. Also, they probably wanted to gauge the return of the NHL and surveying the fan base in order to see what kind of interest they would have in order to forge ahead with any kind of plans.

It hasn't happened yet and may take some time, but I think the WHL would wanted the presence in Winnipeg for their Eastern crowd and make their league more profitable. With teams succeeding in three NHL markets already (the two previously mentioned and Vancouver), adding a fourth that could be successful would be another notch in the WHL belt.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Jim McLeod

It's getting harder and harder to find unique stories, but this week's could be one for the archives. This week's AGM was bounced around at the beginning and ending of his career, but when he found stability-- he shined. With a lot of team and personal awards at the end-- it's a shame he doesn't get more recongition. This week, the profile of Jim McLeod.

McLeod started in the 1955-56 season with the semi-pro Port Arthur Bearcats, then moved onto the Vernon Canadians from the 1956-57 season until the 1959-60 season totalling up 56 games in the span (no records given), then was loaned out to the Kelowna Packers for the 1960 Allan Cup playdown rounds, where he would go 0-3 in those games.

Turning pro in the 1960-61 season, McLeod played for the IHL's Muskegon Zephyrs for 62 games (no record), then would go 5-8 in 13 playoff games. McLeod got called up by the WHL's Seattle Totems for seven games with a 5-2-0 record. Returning to Muskegon for the 1961-62 season, McLeod would play 47 games, then go 8-1 in the playoffs-- helping Muskegon to the Turner Cup. McLeod again went to play for the Totems, going 6-6-0 in 12 games.

McLeod would roam around the WHL for the next two season, playing in the 1962-63 season with the San Francisco Seals and finished with a 43-23-1 record, then he would go 10-7 in 17 playoff games, helping them win the Lester Patrick Cup. The 1963-64 season had McLeod go down the coast to play for the Los Angeles Blades in the 1963-64 season, finishing 18-15-6 in 38 games, then going 2-2 in five playoff games.

Getting some stability for the time, McLeod would play for the Seattle Totems again in the 1964-65 season, where he would go 35-27-3 in 65 games, then 3-4 in the playoffs. McLeod would win the Leading Goaltender Award in the WHL. With the Totems in the 1965-66 season, McLeod would play in 46 games and post a 20-23-2 record, while going 26-11-4 in 42 games for the 1966-67 season, then 6-2 in the playoffs, leading the Totems to the Patrick Cup. McLeod would win another Leading Goaltender Award after the season.

The Totems traded McLeod before the 1967-68 season, to the Portland Buckaroos, where McLeod would go 18-10-4 in 33 games, then 4-3 in the playoffs on his way to another Leading Goaltender Award, splitting with Marv Edwards. McLeod got back into it with Portland in the 1968-69 season, playing in 42 games and registering a 23-9-8 record, then 4-3 in the playoffs. Another split Leading Goaltender Award, this time with Dave Kelly was to be had. Playing only 33 games in 1969-70, McLeod went 21-9-0 before going 5-4 in the playoffs; while during the 1970-71 season, McLeod had a 32-10-3 record in 47 contests, then 8-3 in the playoffs helping Portland to win the Patrick Cup. McLeod and Kelly would split the Leading Goaltender Award that year.

During the 1971 Intraleague Draft, the St. Louis Blues picked up McLeod to go with the rest of their goalie in their system. McLeod did get into 16 games for the Blues in the 1971-72 season and put up a 6-6-4 record. McLeod would return to Portland later in the season and play 13 games with a 9-3-0 record, before going 5-6 in the playoffs.

With the WHA coming around, McLeod got swiped up by the Chicago Cougars in their Draft and would go 22-25-2 in the 1972-73 season. The Cougars would trade McLeod to the New York/New Jersey Raiders for the 1973-74 season, where McLeod posted a 3-7-0 record in 10 games before being traded to the Los Angeles Sharks, in which McLeod posted a 4-13-0 record in 17 games.

The 1974-75 season was a wild one for McLeod-- the Sharks relocated to Michigan and became the Stag, where he would go 3-6-1 in 16 games. Then McLeod moved to the North American Pro League's Syracuse Blazers when the Stags moved to Baltimore and with the Blazers, McLeod played in three games, winning them all. Finally that year, McLeod played two games with the Greensboro Generals of the Southern Hockey League, but no record is provided.

While he was bounced around from team to team at the beginning and end of his career, McLeod did win multiple top goalie awards, won the same championship with three different teams, and still managed to get some professional games in, as short of a time that it was. Not so bad for a guy who will go under the radar for most people out there.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Hank Bassen

While the west seemed to be the best for this week's AGM, he did make a name for himself but coming out of nowhere in order to get to the NHL and would be noticed from the lower leagues-- though the translation to the NHL game didn't go as planned. This week, the profile of Hank Bassen.

Bassen started off playing for his hometown team, the Calgary Buffaloes of the Western Canadian Junior League starting in the 1949-50 season, finishing his rookie season with a 11-18-1 record in 30 games, while his sophomore season; Bassen played 37 games and went 8-27-2 with the Buffaloes and was loaned out for a game to the Medicine Hat Tigers, losing that game. It was a bounce back year in the 1951-52 season, as Bassen went 21-17-4 in 42 games, then 0-3 in the playoffs. For the 1952-53 season, Bassen played in 30 games, compiling a 14-13-3 record, then again going 0-3 in the playoffs.

Moving out east for the 1953-54 season, Bassen played for the Chatham Maroons of the Ontario Senior League, putting together a 22-30-3 record. The 1954-55 season brought Bassen to the AHL's Buffalo Bisons, where he would play in 37 games and finish up with a 13-19-5 record.

An interesting turn allowed Bassen get some NHL playing time as he would replace the suddened injured Al Rollins for the Chicago Blackhawks and play in 21 games for the Hawks, finishing with a 4-9-8 record for that season. The 1955-56 season had Bassen in 12 games for the Hawks and posting a 2-9-1 record, but spent the bulk of that season in Buffalo going 26-23-4 in 55 games, then posting a 2-3 playoff record.

For the 1956-57 season, Bassen went back out west to Calgary to play for the Western League's Calgary Wranglers, where he would play in 68 games and post a 29-35-4 record, then 1-2 in three playoff appearances.

Even while not with the team, the Blackhawks traded Bassen away with Johnny Wilson, Forbes Kennedy, and Bill Preston to the Detroit Red Wings for Glenn Hall and Ted Lindsay in July of 1957. That didn't make Bassen go back out east, as he would stay in the Western League in the 1957-58 season with the Seattle Totems, putting together a 27-27-6 record, then going 5-4 in the nine playoff appearances.

The Red Wings traded the rights to Bassen away in May of 1958 to the AHL's Springfield Indians, where Bassen would appear in 29 games and put up a 13-14-2 record. Bassen was then traded by Springfield to the WHL's Vancouver Canucks for the 1959-60 season, where Bassen compiled a 44-19-6 season, the a 9-2 playoff record, helping win the WHL Championship. Bassen also was awarded the Leader's Cup for League MVP and Outstanding Goaltender Award.

The Detroit Red Wings claimed Bassen back in the 1960-61 season in the IntraLeague Draft, where Bassen would be behind Terry Sawchuk-- getting into 35 games with a 13-13-6 record and 1-2 playoff record. The 1961-62 season saw Bassen play 27 games with Detroit, posting a 9-12-6 record in those games. The 1961-62 season also had Bassen play with the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets (4-4-1) and EPHL's Sudbury Wolves (1-2-0).

It was another split season in the 1962-63 season for Bassen playing in 40 contest for the Hornets (15-23-2) and 16 for the Red Wings (6-5-5), while Bassen played in Cincinnati for the CPHL's Wings for seven games (0-6-1), 26 for the Hornets (9-15-2), and only one for the Red Wings (0-1-0) in the 1963-64 season. Bassen was firmly planted in Pittsburgh for the Hornets in the 1964-65 season, playing in 57 games and finishing with a 24-25-7 record.

Shipping back to Detroit for the 1965-66 season for 11 games and finishing off with a 3-3-0 record, while in the 1966-67 season, he would only play in eight games for the Red Wings (2-4-0), then ten games for the Hornets (6-3-1).

The Red Wings would trade Bassen to the newly expansion Pittsburgh Penguins for Roy Edwards before the 1967-68 season. He would play 25 games for the Pens and go 7-10-3 record before retiring from hockey.

After hockey, Bassen opened an excavating business and did manage the Calgary Jr. Buffaloes between 1984-86. Bassen's son, Bob, would go on to play 765 NHL games from 1985 until 2000. Hank Bassen would pass away from heart failure in May of 2009.

In a pinch, Bassen would be there-- that's how he got his name "Mr. Emergency" as he filled in during a time where back-ups weren't used frequently. Yet, he did have an affinity for the West and towards the end Western Pennsylvania. He seemed to always keep digging and was able to achieve the NHL dream over and over-- though there was time between appearances and plenty of up-and-down travels.

Better Know A Junior League: Canadian Hockey League

With the impending lockout doom-- DOOOOOOOM-- it's probably for the best that the actual NHL fans actually get acquainted with some other leagues out there. Yes, that's right, folks-- there's other hockey leagues out there besides the NHL. Crazy, I know. So, here we go. 

When you want to talk about the next rising stars that come to the NHL, you have to look at the Canadian Hockey League for the best bang-for-your-buck prospects feeder system for the pros. In the past few years, the CHL has been a cash-cow, growing in exposure and popularity thanks to the products they have developed.

The CHL is broken up into three leagues-- the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Western Hockey League. Each of them have their own style of play and it shows when the winners of the three league championships and the host city meet in the Memorial Cup playoffs to determine the top team in the CHL.

Starting in the QMJHL, the league itself is more of a finesse league from what I've seen. While they do have some contact, the primary focus is on the scoring side of things, more offensive driven game-plans, and overall highlight reel kind of goals. While 12 of the 18 teams are in the Province of Quebec and take up two divisions, the QMJHL has a third division for the other six teams in the Maritime provinces (three in New Brunswick, two in Nova Scotia, and one on Prince Edward Island).  The past two Memorial Cup champions came from the Q-- the Saint John Sea Dogs and Shawinigan Cataractes.

Moving to the other side of Canada, the WHL is a very blue-collar league. It's a grittier, tighter checking, very physical side of the CHL, but also has the ability to be a skill league with such players a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Scott Niedermayer, Mike Modano, Joe Sakic, and Ryan Getzlaf to come out of the league. The most spread out league in the CHL, the WHL has 22 teams-- six in British Columbia, five in Alberta, five in Saskatchewan, four in Washington state, one in Manitoba, and one in Oregon. The spread out nature gives prospects a chance to experience the rigorous NHL travel schedule.

The Ontario Hockey League is a blend of both the QMJHL and WHL style. A lot of finesse players with a gritty edge to it as well. Five of the last six 1st Overall Picks in the NHL Draft have been from the OHL-- Nail Yakupov, Taylor Hall, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, and Patrick Kane. All except three teams of the 20 member teams are based in Ontario-- two are in Michigan and one in Pennsylvania. With a solid display of both physicality and finesse, the OHL brings the best of both the QMJHL and WHL to Ontario.

While there is a great upside to watching the CHL, the downside is the fact it isn't that accessible to the masses to go see unless you visit the Great White North of Canada or some border states that they land in. However, if you do have the chance to go see a game (which is perfect for the family and quite inexpensive), I highly suggest it because there's action across the leagues for kids who have a lot of determination to get to that next level.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Rich Parent

If there's something always focused on this feature--it's the challenge of getting to the pros. With this week's AGM, he had to go through a couple junior leagues, a couple minor leagues before getting signed to a NHL contract and then all he had to take away from that was a rough injury in warm-ups no less. This week-- the profile of Rich Parent.

Parent started his journey first in the BCJHL with the Vernon Lakers in the 1991-92 season, playing in two games (0-1-0) before moving provinces and played 23 games to end that year with the AJHL's Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Parent moved to the WHL in the 1992-93 season with the Spokane Chiefs, playing in 36 games with a 12-14-2 record. In the 1993-94 season, Parent returned to the Oil Barons to play 29 games to end out his amateur career.

Undrafted, Parent went into the minor league route, signing with the Muskegon Fury of the Colonial League in the 1994-95 season; going 17-11-3 in 35 games; then going 7-3 in 13 playoff games. Parent returned to the Fury in the 1995-96 season, going 23-7-4 in 36 games-- being named the Colonial League's Most Outstanding Goalie and named to the First All-Star Team. Parent also spent time with the Rochester Americans of the AHL that season, going 0-1-0 in two games, as well as playing in the IHL with the Detroit Vipers, going 16-0-1 in 19 games. In the 1996-97 would play again for the Vipers, playing in 53 games and finishing with a 31-13-4 record, then going 8-3 in the playoffs to take home the Turner Cup for the Vipers. Parent also won the James Norris Trophy for fewest goals-against with Jeff Reese.

In the summer of 1997, Parent signed on with the St. Louis Blues, but would only make one relief appearance for the Blues. Parent spent most of the 1997-98 season with the Manitoba Moose of the IHL, going 8-12-2 in 26 games, while also playing for the Vipers, finishing with a 4-0-3 record in seven games. The 1998-99 season saw Parent split time with the Blues for 10 games (4-3-1) and their AHL affiliate Worcester IceCats for 20 games (8-8-2), but the most interesting story was during warm-ups. Parent was struck solidly by an Al MacInnis slapshot, which resulted in a ruptured testicle.

In the 1999-2000 season, Parent started off with the Utah Grizzlies, playing in 27 games with a 17-7-3 record, but while he was playing-- Parent was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning and would play 14 games for them, compiling a 2-7-1 record in 14 games, but would be sent to the IHL, again to the Detroit Vipers, finishing 3-5-1 in 10 games there.

Parent was traded twice in the summer of 2000, first to Ottawa and then to Buffalo-- but he would be a free agent at training camp and signed on with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2000-01 season. Parent only spent seven games in Pittsburgh, as he would spend the majority of the year with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, putting up a 17-12-5 record in 35 games, then going 13-8 in the playoffs, losing in the Finals.

After that season, Parent went over to Germany to play for five seasons with four different teams-- the Iserlohn Roosters (2001-02, 2005-06), Kassel Huskies (2002-03), Eisbaren Berlins (2003-04), and the Hannover Scorpions (2004-05). He would retire after the 2005-06 season.

Parent's toils in the minors may not be that memorable to some, but that freak injury he suffered is something that could keep him on some lists of those with a morbid state of mind. He did come away with a lot of minor league hardware, but it's nothing like the big hardware he wanted to win in the NHL.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Jamie McLennan

While we seem to have a lot of commentators that have been AGMs in the past, this week's has only recently taken that step in his career. After dealing with the highs of junior success, to the fear of dying in the off-season, to the rejuvenation of his career, finally settling in with being a back-up to work horse goalies, this week's inductee has been through it all. This week, the career of Jamie McLennan.

McLennan started off by playing in the Alberta Jr. League for the Saint Albert Royals in the 1987-88 season before moving to the WHL in the 1988-89 season, first for 11 games with the Spokane Chiefs before getting traded to the Lethbridge Hurricanes, where he would play for seven games. The 1989-90 season had McLennan in 34 appearances and would respond well to the added time, going 20-4-2 in those games, then sporting a 6-5 playoff record in 13 games. McLennan would take the starting role in the 1990-91 season, playing in 56 games and finishing with a 32-18-4 record, then lead Lethbridge to the WHL Finals with a 8-8 record in the playoffs. McLennan would win the Del Wilson Trophy for top goaltender in the WHL.

After that season, the New York Islanders selected McLennan in the third round of the NHL Draft. That 1991-92 season saw McLennan start out in the ECHL with the Richmond Renegades, playing 32 games and going 16-12-2, while also playing in 18 games with the AHL's Capital Distrcit Islanders, going 4-10-2 in those match-ups. The 1992-93 season had McLennan staying with Capital District and appearing in 38 games with a 17-14-6 record to show for his efforts.

For the 1993-94 season, McLennan split his time between the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the IHL for 24 games (8-12-2), as well as getting into 22 games in the NHL with the Islanders, finishing with a 8-7-6 record. The 1994-95 season had McLennan in the Islanders line-up for 22 games after the lockout happened, going 6-11-2; but would spend the last part of the season with the IHL's Denver Grizzlies, going 3-0-1 in four regular season games, then going 8-2 in 11 playoff games, helping the Grizzlies win the Turner Cup. The 1995-96 season was a whirlwind for McLennan, playing on Long Island for 13 games (3-9-1), then 14 for the Utah Grizzlies in the IHL (9-2-2), then 22 for the AHL's Worcester Ice Cats (14-7-1), but it would be the off-season that would really make things interesting for McLennan.

While on his way back from Salt Lake City, Utah to his home in Edmonton, Alberta; he stopped in Lethbridge, Alberta to visit family. While in Lethbridge, McLennan got sick and went to the hospital thinking he had the flu. However, on further testing, it turned out McLennan had contracted bacterial meningitis and, had he not been treated, would have died. After spending a week in intensive care and on a heavy dose of antibiotics, he was released in good health.

Yet, the Islanders didn't re-sign McLennan, which allowed the St. Louis Blues to pick him up in the summer of 1996. The 1996-97 season had McLennan in the AHL with the Worcester Ice Cats, playing in 39 games with an 18-13-4 finishing record, then going 2-2 in the playoffs. McLennan was able to make the Blues' roster in the 1997-98 season, backing up Grant Fuhr, and playing in 30 games with a 16-8-2 record to show. Coming back that season allowed McLennan to win the Bill Masterton Trophy for dedication and perseverance to the sport of hockey. The 1998-99 season saw McLennan play in 33 games with the Blues, but finished with a 13-14-4 record, while he would only get 19 games in the 1999-2000 season, finishing with a 9-5-2 record.

With the Expansion Draft, McLennan was picked up by the Minnesota Wild, where he would play in 38 games, but would go a dismal 5-23-9. Due to that season, McLennan was sent to the AHL's Houston Aeros for the 2001-02 season, where he would go 25-18-4 in 51 games.

During the 2002 Draft, McLennan was traded to the Calgary Flames for a ninth-round pick. McLennan in the 2002-03 season went 2-11-4 in 22 games for the Flames that first year. The 2003-04 season was better in Calgary for McLennan, who went 12-9-3 in 26 games. McLennan was traded to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline that year with Blair Betts and Greg Moore for Chris Simon, while McLennan would only play four games with a 1-3-0 record.

When the lockout happened in the 2004-05 season, McLennan went to Great Britain to play with the Guildford Flames for three games, winding up with a 2-1-0 record to show in the regular season, then a 4-3 record in seven playoff games.

When the NHL returned in the 2005-06 season, McLennan signed with the Florida Panthers, where he would be behind Roberto Luongo for the season, only seeing 17 games during the season finishing with a 2-4-2 record.

McLennan signed with the Calgary Flames again for the 2006-07, where he would only play in nine games, finishing with a 3-5-1 record. However, how he ended his NHL career was memorable. McLennan was in a playoff game for the Flames against the Red Wings for 18 seconds-- in which he slashed Johan Franzen in the stomach, for which he was suspended five games. He would not play in the NHL again.

The 2007-08 season had McLennan go overseas, first having a five week stint with Russian Elite League's Metallurg Magnitogorsk, then going to play with the Nippon Paper Cranes of the Asian Hockey League, where he would appear in 17 games before retiring.

Post playing career, McLennan was a goaltending and assistant coach for the Calgary Flames for a couple of season, but would move onto the media world in 2010-- first writing a column for The Hockey News, then moving on the NHL on TSN staff.

He's been up, he's been down, and he faced death-- but the man they call "Noodles" always took things light-heartedly and was a guy who was upbeat according to his teammates. His personality helped him get jobs in the league, as well as now in the media side of things.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Doug Soetaert

It's a good thing to have parents who are into the game, even if it only means storing the local arena's gear in the basement of the house. However, if not for that, this week's AGM probably would have never been interested in the position enough to make it to this list. This week, the profile of Doug Soetaert.

Growing up in Edmonton, Soetaert's father was in charge of the community's equipment, including goal gear. That allowed Soetaert to put on the gear at will have his buddies shoot puck at him. That helped a lot, as he was a solid junior goalie from the 1971-72 season until the 1974-75 season playing with the Edmonton Oil Kings, where he would play 184 games in four seasons, compiling six shutouts in that span and 4.05 GAA. Also, Soetaert would be able to get onto the 1975 World Junior team, which was compiled of an All-Star team from the Western Canadian Junior League.

Soetaert played well enough to be drafted by the New York Rangers in the second round of the 1975 Entry Draft. The 1975-76 had Soetaert in the AHL with the Providence Reds, playing in 16 games and putting up a 6-9-1 record, while also playing eight games with the Rangers and finishing with a 2-2-0 record. It was another split year for Soetaert in the 1976-77 season, playing 16 games with the AHL's New Haven Nighthawks with a 6-9-0 record and then 12 games with the Rangers, ending there with a 3-4-1 record. New Haven is where Soetaert would play the majority of the 1977-78 season, playing in 36 games and compiling an even 16-16-6 record there; plus a 8-7 record in 15 playoff games. Soetaert also did get the call for six games with the Rangers-- another even year at 2-2-2.

The 1978-79 season had Soetaert as the back-up for the Rangers the majority of the year, going 5-7-3 in his 17 appearances, but did play in three games in New Haven at 2-1-0 clip. Soetaert would return to New Haven with the 1979-80 season, appearing 32 times with a 17-18-5 record to his name, with a playoff record of 5-3. Soetaert would fair better with the Rangers with a 5-2-0 record in eight appearances there. That allowed Soetaert to spend the 1980-81 season primarily in the Big Apple, playing in 39 games on Broadway and finishing up with a solid 16-16-7 record. Soetaert also touched back in New Haven, finishing with a 5-5-1 record in his 12 games played.

The Rangers were in a logjam with goalies, which made Soetaert expendable as they traded him to the Winnipeg Jets for a draft pick in the summer of 1981. Soetaert jumped into the line-up with the Jets in the 1981-82 season, playing in 39 games and compiled a 13-14-8 record, then going 1-1 in two playoff appearances. Soetaert was allowed more game time in the 1982-83 season by playing in 44 games and finishing with a 19-19-6 record, while in the 1983-84 season; Soetaert had played 47 games with a 18-15-7 record to show and a 0-1 playoff record.

Before the 1984-85 season, the Jets traded Soetaert to the Montreal Canadiens for Mark Holden. That first season with Montreal, Soetaert when 14-9-4 in 28 appearances backing up a young goalie named Patrick Roy. The 1985-86 season saw Soetaert do the same thing, playing in only 23 games and finishing with a 11-7-2 record and being along for the ride as the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup that spring.

The 1986-87 season had Soetaert return the Rangers as a free agent, where he would play 13 games with a dismal 2-7-2 record. It would be Soetaert's last, as he would retire after that season.

After his career, Soetaert went into the front office roles many former players do. Soetaert would first work with the IHL's Kansas City Blades for 11 seasons as a coach and GM; helping them win a Turner Cup and being named Executive of the Year in the IHL in 1992. Soetaert would also build up a solid junior team in the Everett, Washington with the Everett Silvertips, starting from the ground up and putting a solid contender in the WHL from the start. While he did take a small detour to help the Calgary Flames in their new AHL team (Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights), but would only stay there for a season before returning to Everett as a GM, where he is today.

It was from the basement to Broadway for Soetaert and he did have quite the career. He did what he could in order to show his wears for the team he was drafted with, but also made notable strides late in his career, where he would also be witness to the start of a great goalie's career and winning a Cup ring in the process. He made a solid life for himself in the hockey world after his playing career is well. You can't really see much of a downside, if only the happenstance of things getting jammed up a bit stifling some progress.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Daryl Reaugh

I'm quite surprised I haven't gotten to this week's entry sooner. He has a bigger presence in his post-career life than he did during his career. Even so, if not for the experience in the pros that he had, he may not be as good on the mic as he is now. Yet, one big injury shortened his career, though allowed him to get to the booth sooner than usual, which benefits fans ten-fold. This week, the career of Daryl Reaugh.

Reaugh started it off with the Cowichan Valley Capitals in the BCHL starting in the 1982-83 season, but would move to the WHL's Kamloops Jr. Oilers starting in the 1983-84 season; putting together a 34-10-0 record in 55 games, then going 14-3 in 17 playoff games, helping the Jr. Oilers to the WHL Championship. Reaugh went 1-2 in the Memorial Cup, as well. During the 1984 Draft, the Edmonton Oilers selected Reaugh in the second round; but he would play again in Kamloops, posting a 36-8-1 record in 49 games and 10-5 in the playoffs, losing in the Finals. Reaugh was awarded First All-Star Team honors for the WHL West.

During that 1984-85 season, Reaugh played one game with Edmonton, a loss, and would join the organization in the 1985-86 season with the Nova Scotia Oilers of the AHL. Reaugh had a 15-18-4 record in that first year while playing 38 games. The 1986-87 season saw Reaugh get into 46 games and finishing with a 19-22-0 record and 0-2 in two playoff appearances. The 1987-88 season had Reaugh bouncing everywhere. He would play in Nova Scotia for eight games (2-5-0) and for the IHL's Milwaukee Admirals for nine games (0-8-0), but would spend the majority of his time in Edmonton with the Oilers, dressing for 60 games, but playing in only six (1-1-0).

Reaugh dressed enough for the Oilers that year that he received a Stanley Cup ring for the Oilers' victory and was included in the team picture, but did not get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

The 1988-89 season was an interesting one for Reaugh. First, he started out with the Cape Breton Oilers, but would move over to Finland to play with Karpat Oulu for 13 games and going 7-5-1, then returned to Cape Breton. With Cape Breton, Reaugh went 3-10-0 that entire season.

Reaugh signed with the Hartford Whalers in the summer of 1989, but would spend most of the 1989-90 with the Binghamton Whalers of the AHL, playing in 52 games and ending with a dismal 8-31-6 record for the season. Reaugh would split his 1990-91 season between Hartford and with the Springfield Indians, who relocated from Binghamton. In Springfield, Reaugh went 7-6-3 in 16 games, while in Hartford-- Reaugh went 7-7-1 in 20 games, but would have his season end abruptly as his catching hand was skated over by an opponent's skate. Reaugh was back in Springfield for the 1991-92 season, playing on 22 games and finishing with a 3-12-2 record.

There was little work for Reaugh in the 1992-93 season, as he would play only one games with the Hershey Bears of the AHL that season, which was a no-decision. The 1993-94 season had Reaugh in the ECHL wth the Dayton Bombers for four games (1-3-0) before a severe hamstring injury would end his career at age 28.

Yet, Reaugh was able to get back into the game easily, first contributing to the play-by-play spot in Dayton after his injury Then, he would become the Dallas Stars color commentator in 1996, a position he still holds today; as well as blogging for the team's site.. Along with that, Reaugh has been a contributor for the Versus Network, NBC, ESPN, ABC, Fox, and EA Sports. This season, Reaugh will also contribute to CBC's Hockey Night in Canada for the late broadcasts. Reaugh has great comedic timing in the booth, as well as being a very articulate broadcaster with catch-phrases for days....whatever that means.

While severe injuries cut his time in the pros short, at least he was able to get back on his feet just after his career did end. There was a lot of promise, but it just seemed fate wasn't there for him. He did have a couple championships to his credit, though, and you can't take that away from him.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Ken Holland

This week's AGM is a guy people all know very well in many hockey circles, yet don't really remembered that he played in the NHL. While the greatness of his hockey mind can't be matched, his career as a goalie is one that's often overlooked. This week, the profile of Ken Holland.

Holland started his march with his hometown Vernon Vikings in the BCJHL, where he played 16 games in the 1973-74 season. The 1974-75 season had Holland move onto the WHL and the Medicine Hat Tigers where he would go 23-10-4 in 37 games for the Tigers. Holland was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1975 Amateur Draft, but stayed with the Tigers for the 1975-76 season. Holland would go 22-11-1 in 41 games with the Tigers.

Holland jumped to the professional ranks in the 1976-77 season with the North Amercian League with the Binghamton Dusters, playing in 48 games with a 3.80 GAA and taking home Second-Team All-Star honors that season.

Holland and the Dusters moved to the AHL for the 1977-78 season, where Holland would go 12-19-3 in 39 games in Binghamton. The 1978-79 season had Holland in 41 games a finishing the regular season with a 19-17-3 record, then going 5-5 in ten playoff games. Holland moved onto the Springfield Indians for the 1979-80 season, where he would go 15-14-5 in 37 games.

Holland signed with the Hartford Whalers in July of 1980, but would spend most of the year in the AHL with the Binghamton Whalers, compiling a 15-25-4 record in the regular season and 0-2 in the post-season. Holland played in one game for Hartford, which was a loss. Holland enjoyed a better season for the 1981-82 season, going 27-13-4 in 46 games, then going 8-7 in 15 playoff games; both enough to have him garner Second-Team All-Star honors. Holland would play 48 games in the 1982-83 season for Binghamton and finish off with a 23-18-5 record, then 1-2 in the playoffs.

Holland would then sign with the Detroit Red Wings in the summer of 1983, but the 1983-84 season had Holland playing with the Adirondack Red Wings for most of the season, going 19-15-6 in those 42 games; then 3-4 in seven post-season games. However, Holland would play three games with Detroit, but only have an 0-1-1 record to show. Sticking with Adirondack for the 1984-85 season, Holland finished with 13-22-6 in 43 games before hanging up the pads.

After retirement, Holland stayed with the Red Wings organization-- first as a scout for the Western side of North America, then move all the way up the ladder before being named General Manager in 1997. Since then, Holland has had quite the run; building up talent from deep in the Draft and winning three Stanley Cups as a GM.

He may not have had the chance to prove himself as a player in the league, he has made himself a player in the management side of things in the NHL. Many have considered him to be one of the best GMs to ever be in the game and you'd be hard pressed to fight that argument.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Dan Blackburn

It's been a crazed week personally with my real job, so we'll do an AGM who's career was short and somewhat sweet. Much like the others, known as a sure thing-- picked in the top-10 of the 2001 NHL Draft, but then because of maybe being rushed too much and maybe a pre-existing condition-- he was in the game for only a short time. However, when he did try to garner a comeback he became inventive and memorable. This week, the AGM profile of Dan Blackburn.

Born in Montreal, but raised in Western Canada, Blackburn came onto the scene with the Junior "A" Bow Valley Eagles of the AJHL. In his first season in 1997-98, he only saw 20 games and finished with a 9-6-1 record. He returned for another season in 1998-99, where he would play in 38 games, but finish with a subpar 7-19-6 record, then going 0-2 in the playoffs.

Blackburn moved up to the WHL in the 1999-2000 season with the Kootenay Ice, where he would outplay veteran BJ Boxma in camp to take over the starting job. With such an opportunity and a solid team in front of him, Blackburn seized the day and went 34-8-7 in 50 games for the Ice, then going 16-5 in the playoffs, to help the Ice win the WHL and head to the Memorial Cup. However, Kootenay lost all three games in the round-robin; but it didn't take away from Blackburn's season; one in which he took home WHL Rookie of the Year honors and Playoff MVP honors. While it was hard to top a rookie season like that, Blackburn came back to the Ice for the 2000-01 season, playing in 51 games and sporting a 33-14-2 record, however he wouldn't have the same playoff magic-- only going 7-4 in 11 games. That as it was, Blackburn was named WHL Goaltender of the Year and WHL East First Team All-Star.

With his credentials at an all-time high, Blackburn was a blue-chip prospect in the 2000 NHL Draft, where the New York Rangers picked him 10th overall. Heir apparent to Mike Richter's spot, Blackburn was placed on the team's roster in his rookie season, backing up Richter in 31 games with a 12-16-0 record. He would also see time with the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL, going 2-1-1 in four games there. Blackburn would be back in 2001-02, as there was a goaltending carousel in New York due to Richter sustaining a concussion. Blackburn would play in 32 games, going a dismal 8-16-4. That's when it seemed the good times ended, in more ways than one.

Before the start of the 2003-04 season, Blackburn went down with a shoulder injury. While it wasn't seen as much at first, as it lingered-- Blackburn's prognosis became worse and worse, as a nerve in his shoulder continued to give him issues. Exploratory surgery was done in order to see if they could cure the problem, but they could not. Blackburn was not able to rotated his left shoulder properly because of the damage in his shoulder.

The 2004-05 was one that was a lockout season for the NHL and gave Blackburn more time to see if there were any other options he could use in order to play in the NHL again. While playing with the ECHL's Victoria Salmon Kings, Blackburn tried using a system where he would use two blockers instead of one. While he had the normal blocker on one side, the blocker on what would be his catching side was designed as such to protect the back of his hand from shots, as he couldn't rotate his shoulder to make a normal glove save. The underside of the odd-blocker was a modified catching glove as he would usually wear if he wasn't injured. Blackburn played only 12 games with Victoria, going 3-9-0.

While he tried to make an attempt to come back with the Rangers in 2005-06, he was in danger of ruining his $6M insurance payout-- plus he strained his MCL while in training camp. Blackburn hung up the pads at only age 22.

It wasn't all bad for Blackburn, he went to Arizona State University for a semester and then started with the Goaltender Development Institute in Dallas, Texas. Currently, Blackburn is the President of GDI and also does work with the Junior "A" Texas Brahmas.

While he didn't have a long career, he did have a promising one and many wonder what could have been. Yet, Blackburn doesn't dwell on it and has taken this move in stride-- not holding resentment or bitterness towards one thing or another. He has moved on with his life and seems to be in a good head space. Yet, at the same time....what if....

Absurd Goalie Monday: Clint Malarchuk

While we've had a lot of comebacks, this one could be more of the interesting ones-- especially because it was only a week until he played again. Yet, while it was only seven days-- the severity of his comeback made people sit there in amazement after what he had gone through. It's one moment that he will be infamously known for and many will never forget. This is the profile of Clint Malarchuk.

Starting in Junior A with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders, Malarchuk went 23-9-1 in 33 games during the 1977-78 season, as the Traders would be the runner-up in the AJHL season. Overtaking the starting role in the 1978-79 season, Malarchuk would get 52 games in with a 36-15-1 record, helping the Traders actually win the Centennial Cup for the AJHL championship. That season also saw Malarchuk get his feet wet in the WHL, playing 2 games with a 1-0-1 record for the Portland Winterhawks. Malarchuk would stay in Portland for the 1979-80 season, splitting time with Darrell May-- getting in 37 games in with a 21-10-0 record. Malarchuk would split with May again for the 1980-81 season, playing in 38 games with a 28-8-0 record, then going 3-2 in the playoffs.

Malarchuk was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1981 Draft during the fourth round, and he would go to the Fredericton Express of the AHL for the 1981-82 season, gaining the starting role while playing in 51 games, though he sported a dismal 15-34-2 record; while he got a call-up to Quebec for two games, going 0-1-1 in those games. The 1982-83 season started the shuttle years for Malarchuk, as he would shift between Fredericton and Quebec. With Fredericton, he'd go 14-6-5 in 25 games, sharing the Hap Holmes Memorial Award for lowest goals-against with Brian Ford; while with Quebec, Malarchuk went 8-5-2 in 15 games. For the 1983-84 season, Malarchuk stayed up with the Nordiques for most of the season, playing in 23 games, going 10-9-2 overall-- then spent 11 games in Fredericton with a 5-5-1 tally. Due to a logjam in net, Malarchuk was relegated to only Fredericton in the 1984-85 season; going 26-25-4 for the season playing in 56 games, then going 2-4 in six playoff games.

There was a bit of a reprieve during the 1985-86 season, as Malarchuk would stay up with the Nordiques the entire season, while making a play for the starting gig. With a 26-12-4 record in 46 games, Malarchuk was priming himself for the long-haul. However, it came falling down, as he would go 18-26-9 in the 1986-87 season, which pretty much derailed his time in Quebec.

In June of 1987, Malarchuk and Dale Hunter were traded from Quebec to the Washington Capitals for Alan Haworth, Gaeten Duchense, and a first-round pick.....which turned out to be Joe Sakic. Malarchuk would get the starting gig in Washington, while he went 24-20-4 in 54 games, then going 0-2 in three playoff games. Yet-- thanks to the play of former AGM Pete Peeters, Malarchuk had to split time for the 1988-89 season and would go 16-18-7 in 42 games with the Caps before he was moving again.

At the trade deadline, Malarchuk, Grant Ledyard and a sixth-round pick was traded from Washington to the Buffalo Sabres for Calle Johansson and a second-round pick. Malarchuk played seven games to round out the year with a 3-1-1 record....but the year almost finished in tragedy.

Everyone knows the story, on March 22nd 1989-- the skate blade of St. Louis Blues forward Steve Tuttle hit Malarchuk's neck, severing the internal jugular vein. Malarchuk had blood gushing out of his neck and was very close to dying, and would have if he was at the other end of the ice. However, thanks to the quick thinking of then Buffalo trainer and former Army medic Jim Pizzutelli, Malarchuk was able to be saved. The doctors stitched up Malarchuk with over 300 stitches to close up the wound and didn't think he should play the rest of the season-- but he did. In later interviews, Malarchuk said that he left the ice as quick as possible so that his mother wouldn't see him die on the ice. It was bleak in his mind that he had the trainer call his mother and a Pastor was called in for him.

The 1989-90 season saw Malarchuk back in Buffalo to back-up another former AGM, Daren Puppa. Malarchuk would get in 29 games with a 14-11-2 record for the end of the season. Malarchuk would return for the 1990-91 season, but the record wouldn't be as forgiving-- finishing with a 12-14-10 record in 37 games. The 1991-92 season had Malarchuk behind the Puppa and another former AGM Tom Draper, as Malarchuk would 10-13-3 in 29 games and would spend two games with the AHL's Rochester Americans, going 2-0-0. Yet, the Sabres had too many goalies for the 1992-93 season and Malarchuk was loaned out to the IHL's San Diego Gulls and would play 27 games, in which he would regain his form with a 17-3-3 record, then going 6-4 in 10 playoff games, helping the Gulls get to the Turner Cup finals, despite losing. Malarchuk would share the James Norris Trophy for lowest goals-against with Rick Knickle.

That would mark the start of Malarchuk in the IHL, as he would stay in the league, but with the Las Vegas Thunder for the 1993-94 season. He would take the torch, playing in 55 games with a 34-10-7 record. Staying with Las Vegas in 1994-95 season, Malarchuk would see his time reduced, playing 38 games with a 15-13-3 record, as Malarchuk would retire after the season ended. However, it would be short-lived, as Malarchuk would come out of retirement to play four minutes in the 1995-96 season for the Thunder. Malarchuk would have a short retirement again, going 1-1-0 in three games for the 1996-97 season before he would be done for good.

After his playing career, Malarchuk would go into coaching-- first with the Las Vegas in the 1997-98 season, then moving to the Idaho Steelheads of the WCHL from 1998 until 2000. Malarchuk would get the call to the NHL to be a goaltending consultant to the Florida Panthers for the 2002-03 season, then getting on with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2006 until 2010 before catching on with the Atlanta Thrashers this past summer.

Even after his throat incident, Malarchuk almost got into a fatal situation his farm in Nevada, as he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chin after setting his gun between his legs when waiting to hunt. Malarchuk and his wife deny it was a suicide attempt; but he was consuming alcohol, which didn't blend well with his medication for OCD-- a condition he developed after the throat injury.

It's been a topsy-turvy career and life for Malarchuk, but he has been able to overcome things that most people probably couldn't do after it happened. He beat the odds in hockey and cheated death twice-- plus found a career after the game and stayed in the game thanks to it. You can't keep a good man down, and Malarchuk seems to be living proof.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Troy Gamble

The whole point of this project is to take into account the entire career of a goalie who was in the spotlight for 15 minutes and is often remembered at the most random times. This week's inductee does hit that mark, but like the others-- marred by injuries and happenstance, which halted his career going forward. This week, we look at the guy who almost overtook the Canucks' cage in the early 90s, which could have changed their history....or not. This week, we look at Troy Gamble.

Gamble's plight started out with the Hobberma Hawks of the AJHL Junior A level, where he would go 6-19-1. While it wasn't the best record to sport, he turned his fortune around the next season (1984-85) with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, where he would play 37 games and have a stellar 27-6-2 record, while going 1-1 in two playoff games. That season afforded Gamble Eastern First Team All-Star and Goaltender of the Year honors after the season. It allowed Gamble to be drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1985 Draft in the second round. The 1985-86 season saw another solid season for Gamble with the Tigers, going 28-11-0 in 45 games, with a 5-4 playoff record in 11 games in the post season.

The 1986-87 season had Gamble start off with the Tigers, going 7-3-0 in 11 games, before he would get a call-up for his first game in the NHL with the Canucks in late November, losing 5-2. The Tigers then traded Gamble to the Spokane Chiefs in December, where he would play 38 games and put a 17-17-1 record together before getting swept in five games in the semi-finals to the Portland Winterhawks. The 1987-88 season saw Gamble back in Spokane and he compiled another solid year with a 36-26-1 record in 67 games, but going 7-8 in 15 playoffs games; losing in the Division Finals. Yet, it was a good enough year for Gamble to take home another Goaltender of the Year and West First Team All-Star awards for the season.

Gamble would move onto the pro-ranks in the 1988-89 season, playing with the Milwaukee Admirals of the IHL for 42 games, with a solid 23-9-0 record, while getting a five game call-up with the Vancouver Canucks, going 2-3-0 in this stint. Gamble would get the Admirals to the playoffs, going 5-5 in 11 games of the post-season. It was back in Milwaukee for the 1989-90 season for Gamble, as he would play 56 games for the Admirals with a 22-21-4 record, then going 2-2 in five playoff games.

The 1990-91 season brought about an interesting situation for Gamble, who was in the running for the starting job for the Canucks, as incumbent starter, Kirk McLean, seemed to be having issues with consistency. Gamble got more games in than McLean that season, going 16-16-6 in 47 games, while going 1-3 in four playoff games. The 1991-92 season should have been a breakout season for Gamble, however-- he was to deal with concussion problems throughout the season-- only playing 19 games with Vancouver with a 4-9-3 record. Gamble would also play with the Milwaukee Admirals for nine games with a 2-4-2 record.

Gamble would split the 1992-93 season between the AHL's Hamilton Canucks and IHL's Cincinnati Cyclones. With Hamilton for 14 games, Gamble went 1-10-2, while in 33 games with Cincinnati, Gamble had an 11-18-2 record.

The 1993-94 season started the IHL years for Gamble, playing that first season with the Kalamazoo Wings; going 25-13-5 in 48 games, then going 0-1 in two post-season games. In 1994-95 season, Gamble would move south to Houston to play for the Aeros for 43 games that season; compiling an 18-17-5 record and going 1-3 in four playoff games. Gamble would stay in Houston for the 1995-96 season, but to less than desirable results-- playing 52 games with a 16-25-5 record. Gamble would retire after that season.

Gamble stayed in the Houston area, becoming color commentator for the Aeros for a few seasons after his retirement, but faded off into obscurity. Though, his name did come up recently-- however through the tragedy of his son being killed in Afghanistan.

If not for concussion issues, who knows what could have happened with Gamble's career with the Canucks. That said, he didn't seem to be the same after the concussions, as his records would show-- even though you cannot determine if that's from the concussions or if it's due to the teams around him. Yet, after an impressive junior career and promising NHL stint, you would have hoped that if not for the injuries-- he could have done something while up in the Canucks system, which could have changed everything about Kirk McLean that the Canucks fans come to know. But, no need to live in hypothetical, because we didn't have to deal with it one way or another.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Rob Tallas

While the pre-season continues along, we look at this week's AGM as a guy who actually enjoyed the pre-season process because he was able to show off his wears. Undrafted and having to play in the minors, he used the pre-season to get himself into the show, if only for a little while. This week, we look at the career of Rob Tallas.

Tallas first got his feet wet in the BCJHL with the South Surrey Eagles and Penticton Panthers. He would play well enough to get selected by the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds in the 1991-92 season, where he would play 14 games, going 4-7-0 in those matches. Tallas would be sent down to South Surrey that season for 19 games and would sport a 6-12-0 record while down there. After a solid camp, Tallas would get the starter's position in the 1992-93 season, where he would play in 58 games and have a 24-23-3 record on a sub-par club, which would get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Tallas would be back for his overage season during the 1993-94 season, trying to put his best play out there, as he was undrafted. Tallas held steady in his 51 games with a 23-21-3 record for the T-Birds, as well as carrying them to the second round of the playoffs.

After a great junior career despite not much support around him, Tallas was signed by the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers for the 1994-95 season. He would spent most of the season there, playing 36 games, taking home a record of 21-9-3 for his experience. Tallas would get called up to the AHL's Providence Bruins for two game, going 1-0-0 in 82 minutes of play.

The Bruins were impressed with Tallas' performances in the AHL and ECHL, they would sign him before the 1995-96 season. Tallas would be reassigned to Providence, playing in 35 games splitting with Scott Bailey in net and going 12-16-7, while seeing one game in the NHL with Boston with his only game being a win. The 1996-97 season would be a shuttle season for Tallas, starting out in Providence for 24 games (9-14-1), before being called up to Boston as they were going through their goaltending carousel for the year. Tallas would see 28 games with a 8-12-1 record, though his season would come in an end due to an ankle injury. The 1997-98 season would be another shuttle year and one with injury issues. In Providence, Tallas went 1-8-1 in 10 games, while in Boston he would have a 6-3-3 record in 14 games; but Tallas would have to deal with a hamstring injury in January of 1998, which would sideline him for a time. Boston would take a chance on Tallas as a back-up to former AGM Bryon Dafoe for the 1998-99 campaign, and it would do well for Tallas; who would get only 17 games in with a 7-7-2 record. The 1999-2000 would be horrific for Tallas. Not only did he lacerate his finger at the beginning of the season, but he would bomb out in his contract year with a 4-13-4 record in 27 games, even though Dafoe was injured and holding out-- he could not step up.

The Bruins would let Tallas go on the free agent market, where the Chicago Blackhawks would give him an opportunity as a back-up to Jocelyn Thibault for the 2000-01 season. The change of scenary didn't help, as Tallas would only go 2-7-0 in 14 games. It was so bad that he would see a stint with Chicago's affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals (2-2-2 in six games) and Chicago's other hockey team-- the IHL's Wolves, where he had a 0-1-0 record in three games.

The next summer, Tallas was again a free agent and was only able to catch on with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he would see time behind Sebastien Caron and completely crap the bed in that season with a 6-25-5 record in 38 games. The WBS Pens let him have another shot in the 2002-03 season, where it would get better; though things couldn't have gotten worse. Tallas would end up going 14-11-3, while getting most of the starts in the Pens tiny depth and dealing with shuttling goalies.

Seeing his North American options dry up, Tallas went to the European route starting in the 2003-04 season; signing with the Finnish club HPK Hameenlinna. Tallas would play 22 games with the club, while going 8-8-4 and a 1.99 GAA. After that season, Tallas would hope over the Austria, playing for EC Red Bull Salzburg for 12 games in the 2004-05 season, but would post a 4.41 GAA that spent the end for his playing career. He would hang up the pads mid-way through the season.

After retiring, Tallas continued in the game as a mentor and trainer for younger goaltenders. He currently serves as the goalie coach for the Florida Panthers, as well as a hockey instructor at the Florida Panthers practice facility for the area goalies.

While he did shine in a couple places when it matter, Tallas never seemed to have a great string of luck to put forth something that could have prolonged his career in the NHL more, but he was luckier than some who had much success with the minors, but never got a sniff at winning in the NHL. Though he didn't have the best teams in front of him, Tallas showed he could get a win, even if it meant enduring plenty of losses.

Friday Five: Pre-Season Antics

It's another Friday and another gimmick from yours truly. This week, we're going to take a look at the lunacy that is the pre-season....oooo, it's crazy. Like I said earlier this week; not a fan of the pre-season and can't get up for it. Especially now, with people getting hysterical about players performing amazingly in the pre-season-- which leads us to this question:

1. What do you think with some of these rookies tearing up the exhibition games thus far??

Two words: Brandon Bochenski. It's great to hear stories like Magnus Paajarvi (SVENSSON!!) and Matt Hendricks with a hat-trick in their first pre-season game, but at the same time-- it's the pre-season. These kind of hysterics is what makes me hate the pre-season. While it can be a prelude to things to come, but at the same time-- could be a beginning of the end for their 15 minutes of fame.

2. So, does the same go with the likes of Carey Price and Dan Ellis for letting up all those goals??

That's also true, especially in the case of Price. While it could be a backlash to the Habs getting rid of Halak, but he is right to say the fans needed to chill out a bit. As far as Dan Ellis, it could all go back to maybe his focus (or lack thereof). If Ellis's focus is still in question by the end of the pre-season, it could be a long month for him and could get him to lose his spot in one fashion or another, maybe to the lovely city of Norfolk to retool. It's far too soon to throw them under the bus, at least until the first month is over.

3. How about these neutral sites games, like in Winnipeg and Rochester??

The Winnipeg game seems to be tradition and almost is a bit of a tease for those fans who are clamoring for the NHL. With all the speculation, it's something for fans to show how much they'd support NHL hockey. It didn't hurt that they had the Cup champs going there with hometown boy Jonathan Toews there, but still the 14,000+ showed for a meaningless game; they'd be out there to support whomever.

As far as places like Rochester and other minor league cities, that's the perfect display for exhibition games. It's mostly because of the fact that many of these pre-season games have the guys who will play in those cities during the season, but the sprinkle of possible NHLers playing in that game would be an added attraction. If anything, I believe that the pre-season games should be played in the affiliate cities until the last home game in the pre-season schedule so that the home fans can see the roster before the real season starts-- like an advanced screening for a movie or something.

4. Should there be any concern for all the injuries happening??

You're bound to get injuries, but the broken finger for Chris Drury and broken leg for Filip Kuba are a little disheartening, but it gives the chance for other to step up their game and maybe prove their worth to the NHL brass and maybe be the part of the shuttle crew going to and from the NHL this season. The only good thing about injuries is that it gives some other players a chance with the top group, while the downside is that it completely screws up some depth charts and maybe some cap scenarios here and there. That said, once we start seeing a slue of groin and other muscle ailments is when you have to wonder about over and under conditioning issues.

5. The Canadian Hockey League all started this week. How does that make you feel??

Considering that I'm in the same city as the WHL offices and the WHL champion Calgary Hitmen, it's a good time for me. Plus, it's good, affordable hockey for people to go out and enjoy. Plus, it's like a pre-pre-season game, all season, because these are the players of the future and plenty of reason to keep an eye on these youngsters. Especially those who have been drafted, many people can track them as they grow and develop. It's good for everyone to have real hockey action before the NHL starts, just to wet your appetite.

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And that's that for this week. Once again, if you have any questions or recommendations for the F5, email me at will at Scotty.Wazz@Gmail.com and you too can have you name in parenthesis and what not. Plus, you can say-- "I did my part and now I can sit back and reap the rewards."

Absurd Goalie Monday: Corey Schwab

With news this week of a signing, this week's AGM will have a lot to do in order to make sure that said signing can live up to the hype he got. Granted, for this AGM, he's got titles in the top-two North American hockey leagues and knows how be at the top of his game; but also knows how to bounce back from a less than desired result. This week, we'll key in on the career of Corey Schwab.

Schwab's career started with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL in the 1988-89 season. As a rookie, Schwab had to play behind workhorse Danny Lorenz and saw Schwab get 10 games (mostly in relief) in with a 2-2-0 record. Schwab was able to get some more time for his draft year in the 1989-90 season and saw 27 gamed with a 15-2-1 record, which could have been a sign of things to come. However, Schwab was in a talent-rich draft year, which saw him go in the 10th round of the Draft to the New Jersey Devils; who drafted a young Martin Brodeur in the first round the same year. Schwab didn't disappoint in the 1990-91 season, where he was able to get some time as a starter, playing 58 games, going 32-18-3; but he went 1-5 in his six playoff appearances.

In the 1991-92 season, Schwab went pro, playing with the Utica Devils to start off with, fighting for time with Doug Dadswell and Chad Erickson. Schwab went 9-12-1 while in Utica and would be sent to the IHL's Cincinnati Cyclones for eight regular season games (6-0-1) and nine playoff games (6-3). Schwab started in Cincinnati to kick off the 1992-93 season, playing three games (1-2-0) before being called up to Utica. In Utica, Schwab teams with Brodeur, but got the bulk of the workload, playing 40 games; going 18-16-5 for the year. The Devils moved affiliates to Albany with the River Rats, to which Schwab played the 1993-94 season. He would get 51 games, going 27-21-3, but only went 1-4 in the five playoff games he played. For the 1994-95 season, Schwab teamed up with rookie Mike Dunham and would take the AHL by storm. Schwab played 45 regular season games and went 25-10-9 and went 6-1 in seven playoff games, helping lead the River Rats to the Calder Cup. Schwab and Dunham won the Jack Butterfield Trophy for co-playoff MVPs, as well as the Hap Holmes Trophy for fewest goals-against, and was named to the second All-Star team.

The 1995-96 season had Schwab start off with a groin injury, but then played five games (3-2-0) in Albany, before getting called up to be the back-up to Martin Brodeur in New Jersey. Schwab got 10 games in (mostly relief), going 0-3-0. It seemed like that performance wasn't enough, as Schwab was dealt in the summer of 1996 to the Tampa Bay Lightning for former AGM Jeff Reese and two draft picks in the 1996 Draft.

Schwab was in the right place at the right time, as another former AGM, Daren Puppa, was out with an injury and yet another former AGM, Rick Tabaracci, was the starter. Schwab was able to get some back-up time, playing in 31 games and going 11-12-1 in his tenure on a mediorce Lightning team. Puppa came back from injury and was dueling with Schwab for playing time in the 1997-98 season. However, on December 31, 1997; Schwab broke his ankle and put him out for the season, playing in only 16 games with a 2-9-1 record. Fully recover for the 1998-99 campaign, started off with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL, going 1-6-1 in eight games. Schwab got called-up to Tampa and pulled platoon duty with Puppa and then Bill Ranford. Schwab got 40 games in and had a record of 8-25-3 record on a dismal Bolts team.

Schwab got a bit of a reprieve as he was claimed by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1999 Expansion Draft, but would only spend 16 games (9-4-2) with their IHL affiliate, the Orlando Solar Bears before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks for a draft pick. Schwab played six games, going 2-1-1 for the Canucks, but spent most of the 1999-2000 season with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL. With the Crunch, Schwab had a 7-5-0 record in 12 games. Schwab would spend the 2000-01 season with the Canucks IHL affiliate, Kansas City Blades. As the starter, Schwab played 50 games with a 22-24-1 record.

After signing with Toronto for the 2001-02 season, Schwab was to back-up Curtis Joseph, but got a fair amount of time in. Playing 30 games, Schwab went 12-10-5. Though some wanted him back as a sturdy back-up, the Leafs allowed him to walk.

The Devils got back Schwab by free agency and he saw very limited time in the 2002-03 season behind Brodeur. With only 11 games to his name, Schwab went 5-3-1 with a solid 1.47 GAA and .933 save percentage for the trap-happy Devils. Schwab was able to get two playoff games in, both in relief of Brodeur and one in the Cup Finals, as the Devils won the Stanley Cup and got Schwab a ring for his troubles. It was good, because the 2003-04 season was not kind to Schwab. He was only able to play in three games (2-0-1) due to a groin injury that saw him miss 55 games that season. After the 2004-05 lockout, Schwab retired from hockey.

Schwab has stayed in the NHL in a coaching role, first with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2005 until 2008 and now with the San Jose Sharks, where he will be the goalie coach to two new acquisitions-- Antero Niittymaki and most recently, Antii Niemi.

During his career, Schwab had a lot more downs than ups, but was able to do his best when dealing with goaltending carousels and other guys trying to pick up his spot. Of course, he also had to deal with many injuries and sub-par teams. Even so, he does have two championships to his name, which has to count for something.

Hertiage Classic Presser Experience

Today, August 4th, the NHL held their press conference to talk about the Heritage Classic that will be held at Calgary's McMahon Stadium on February 20th, 2011 between the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens. Luckily, myself and The Girl were able to attend, and thanks to Nicole Buckley and the NHL for allowing that to happen.

The experience is none like I've ever been to. Sure, I've attended plenty of Drafts, but there's something about this press conference that was different and had a bit of a more personal feel to it all. Plus, it wasn't a whole slew of reporters, so the intimacy level and the ability to get some kind of one-on-one time with some of the players and team representatives (which I'll share in a bit) was pretty nice to have to. There was some kind of buzz around it because it is a special game, even if some think that the gimmick may run it's course if overused. In any case, the NHL did a great job to set-up the stadium like it would be for the game and to have the fancy dias with the boards as a background.

Off the bat, the logo itself (seen above) is something that's simple, but works amazingly. With the mountains and Calgary cityscape on either side with the Bow River separating the two, it's something that is very well done and up there with one of the better event logos. As far as the jerseys-- first the Canadiens don't stray much, as they are going with close to their same jersey they use now, but I believe with some different font type on the nameplate and numbers.

As for the Flames, that's the most extreme change. First, they are using a modernized-retro-hybrid (I'm patent-pending that, folks), which combines the Flames colors and the style of the Calgary Tigers from the 1920s. It's a great idea to bring the heritage of Calgary hockey, but keeping the Flames logo out there to the forefront. The one interesting thing to see is the cream colored pants that the Flames will wear with the jerseys. Not since the 1974-75 Washington Capitals have there been a light color pant used in the NHL and while it'll be good for a one-off game, it still be interesting to see how they look period-by-period.

The intimacy that I talked allowed me to get some time in with Flames player Curtis Glencross. I asked him about what it felt like playing in a game like this and how he feels about the new duds.



Next, I talked with the Flames President Ken King, who was able to talk about how the jersey came together and how the idea came together about getting the WHL's Hitmen to play the next day against the Regina Pats.



Also, we got to to talk to Kevin Weekes, who was the MC for the event and very chill to talk to about the game. Sadly, didn't get to tape it because I'm a goose, but still. Nice to share some stuff with a former player of the game about one of the bigger events in the game.

All-in-all, it was a great display and should be able to bring a lot of buzz to Calgary and the hockey community around it. The one thing I forgot to ask Mr. King and something he brought up is the weather. Calgary weather is very....odd, to put it lightly. It'll be interesting to see how the weather will hold up for this game and if it'll be a factor in one extreme to another. Hopefully, I'll be able to do a post about the experience at the actual game, but only time will tell.

The Hockey Team Identity Project: Regina Pats

Well, the Girl did it again-- going with the WHL again and head up with the Regina Pats.

As for the name, it comes from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battalion. The regiment was founded in August of 1914, as World War I was underway, Captain Andrew Hamilton Gault was willing to provide $100,000 to finance and equip a battalion for overseas service. The rest of the cost of building the regiment was financed by the Canadian Department of Militia and Defence. The existence of the Regiment was approved by the Governor-General, His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught.

Lieutenant Colonel Francis D. Farquhar was the Duke's military secretary suggested the new Regiment be named after the Duke's youngest daughter, Princess Patricia of Connaught. The request was sent to the Princess and she gave her permission.

When the junior hockey team was introduced in 1917, they chose to honor the Infantry battalion by selecting the same name. In fact, the modern Regina Pats still have the Regiment's insignia as their shoulder patch.

To read more and to find out why they use a bulldog-- CHECK OUT THE LINK!!

My Journey to the Spoke and The Community of Junior/Minor Hockey

This past weekend, I decided to hop in the Pontiac and drive eight hours to hang out in Spokane, Washington. While there, I had some of the best hostesses the city could ask for, which consisted of Princess Curl, The Canadian, and NoStache16; who deserve plenty of thanks for helping me navigate through the thriving metropolis of Spokane. Of course, I planned my trip around the Spokane Chiefs, who were playing the Kootenay Ice in some fantastic WHL action for the weekend.

While I do live in Calgary where the WHL's Hitmen reside, the fact of the matter is that they aren't the only game in town and really aren't the primary hockey focus. Spokane, the only hockey focus is in town is the Chiefs and you can see the true community interaction in terms of interaction amongst people and their love of the team. I experienced that with "The Panel" after the game at the fine Spokane establishment, The Onion; which I thought was a parody of a real restaurant....get it??

Anyway, the community as a whole knew their players very well in terms of disecting their play, knew their habits when it came to playing alongside certain teammates, and pretty much knew the inner workings of the team from a playing level and to an extent, a marketing level. The sad thing is that this team could be so much more, but you couldn't see a billboard in this town about the Chiefs unless you went to the "Roll up the windows and lock the doors" part of Spokane. Yet, the announced 6,702 knew where to show up and showed off their passion for their team every goal. As an aside, the Chiefs went on to beat the Ice, 3-1.

But the community aspect is something you can only seem to get a feel for in most major junior hockey cities and minor league towns, where the team is what brings a community together and where the fans become family through the team. If you notice in both cases, the teams are built in smaller areas or show up in smaller areas, where it's the only thing in town to talk about or care about. You look at the major junior leagues, especially in the WHL-- the towns are mostly smaller towns. I know driving through Cranbrook, BC; they pride themselves in being the home to the Kootenay Ice, because for the most part that would be what the town is known for other than being in-between two resort stops in Alberta and BC. Other towns in the Dub like Swift Current (Sask.), Kennewick (Wash.), and Prince George (BC) are other examples of the small town team and how a community can rally around a team.

Minor league teams are the same way, mostly from ECHL level on down, though you can have some AHL teams get the appeal of the community-- though with many teams relocating in many years; it's hard to say the community can actually come together and support the team in their town. But you go to message boards around, like Into the Boards, and the support for the low minor teams is insane and really good to see. Many of these people have become very close acquaintences because of these boards and because of this interaction. Many have actually gotten married because of the interaction through the boards and then manifested that into real life. It combines the love for a common interest and new media.

I guess through this rambling diatribe, it shows that people don't need to be NHL fans in order to enjoy the game and grow from the game. These fans in the junior and minor league towns are very invested in their team and take pride when their players they've watched go onto bigger things after they leave the town. In fact, to some point I think that these fans are a little more knowledgeable and insightful about the game as a whole because they have to do more research because of the fact their local news outlets don't report on the sport, much less the team, on a daily basis.

To these people, I salute your dedication and salute your support of the team, even if you're the only support that the team has. Local teams are the backbone of many towns and brings people together who may not have come together otherwise-- people you've got to school with, but didn't hang out in the same cliques in order to meet-up and get to know each other. The world works in mysterious ways for sure.