Chad LaRose: The One that almost got away

Here's the highlights from the Jan. 12th game in Raleigh against the Colorado Avalanche.

If you watch the video, you'll notice that the Canes' goals come from an Erik Cole breakaway, a Keith Aucoin rocket-of-a-shot, Cory Stillman slapper and Chad LaRose sweeping up the trash. The irony here is that the first three will not be suiting up in a Carolina sweater come September and that the fourth was nearly lost.

I read mixed opinions that surfaced during the limbo time of not knowing whether the organ-eye-zation was willing to bring LaRose back. Some said that he would be easily replaced. Others threatened to ex-communicate with the team if he was let go (most of those folks added that they couldn't stand to see two fan favorites leave Raleigh in the same month).

Personally, I think Chad is just coming of age. Keep in mind that his third season with the Plymouth Whalers produced a team-leading 117 points in 49 games (including a team record 61 goals). Also keep in mind that he's a homegrown boy, being the only person to play in each level of the CompuWare hockey teams (Compuware AAA Ambassadors, Plymouth Whalers, Florida Everblades, Lowell Lock Monsters, and the Carolina Hurricanes). The Chuck Norris of Hockey himself has been Petey Boy's child prodigy since he was crapping thunder into his little diaper.

As much as I may have a man-crush on him, this could all be a wash as my boy Jimmy could trade him away tomorrow for all I know. But he will be needed if Earl Sleek's stat projections for the 08-09 season are at all accurate.

I'd like to take this time to offer a sneak preview to the Carolina On Ice CafePress store. Stay tuned for some additions over there, but here is the first design:

The Bag Skate for Tuesday, June 24th

The Chicago Blackhawks have re-signed former Cane Andrew Ladd to a two year deal. Come on Tuomo Ruutu, look out for us here...

Darcy Hordichuk gives a collective "F you" to the Carolina brass. I join my boy Jimmy in saying "well to hell with you too then".

ESPN will show the Paper, Rock, Scissors championship but still can't show hockey? WTF?

Hockey blogger extraordinaire and friend to COI Greg Wyshynski showcases some Anaheim Duckies leaving a tattoo parlor (or bar?) in some skimpy girlie clothes. Caniac Nation appreciates how normal our players truly are.

The Charlotte Checkers release their players "protected list".

The UNC-Wilmington club hockey squad has their own little AV Delight showcasing last year's season on Youtube.

The Fayetteville FireAntz have re-signed their puck-moving defenseman, Lawne Snyder.

The Wolfpack hockey squad needs some positions filled for next season.

YouTubery goodness: The Ron Francis Hartford Whalers days:

WTF? A Whaler-Cane Uniform Concept

NHL Tournament of Logos recently had a crazy idea for the ever evolving uniform saga.

Free Wesley 3: The Rescue

I want you to try something. Do a Wikipedia search on "Glen Wesley". A decent bio shows up, picture included, on our veteran blueliner.

What threw me off at the bottom is:

See also: "Free Willy 3: The Rescue"

First thought was that some Buffaslug fan somewhere tweeked with the page trying to be funny. But low and behold - the Wikipage for Free Willy 3 informs us that the crew of whaling ship is named after members of 1996 Hartford Whalers! Glen, Kevin Dineen, Geoff Sanderson and Robert Kron each have their last names used! You learn something every day!

Why Free Willy the third though? Couldn't they have done that for the 4 names of fighters in Gladiator? Or any thing better than Free Willy? I suppose any recognition is nice!

This blogger - among others - is looking forward to writing about some real hockey news! 55 days and counting until opening night!

So is Glen.

Why Peter Karmanos Is The Man

I read D-Lee's post yesterday about the current status of the Nashville Predators and who the lucky bidder will end up being. Immediately after, I began to ponder:

"What if the Hurricanes ownership decided after the 2003 season to cut their losses?"

Preds owner Jim Leopold held out as long as he could trying to successfully breed NHL Hockey in Nashville. You can't really blame him (as sad as it is to say it) for selling the team. If you spent millions upon millions only to watch the debt expand: a certain no-brainer right?

Karmanos and son, Jason, had a vision and stuck with it. The team didn't turn a profit for 8ish years. I love the fact that Pete K is so low-pro about his ownership yet at the same time active in the community through charitable contributions with PowerWare and with the team. With his partner in crime, Jimmy Rutherford, he has the longest tenured GM in the NHL and the stability obviously goes a long way.

Thanks for not giving up on Raleigh & the Carolinas.

( sorry to the Whalers fans)

Ronnie Franchise in the HHOF

Congratulations to Mr. Ronald Francis for being elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year eligible!! It couldn't have happened to a nicer or more deserving person.

Cue the obligatory Bob Seger backed YouTube clip:



Thank you for all you did and everything you still do for us!