Excerpts from "The Ovechkin Project: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at Hockey’s Most Dangerous Player," Part I
by J.P. on Aug 17, 2010 11:31 AM EDT
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[When asked on Japers' Rink Radio this past weekend how he thought his forthcoming unauthorized biography of Alex Ovechkin would be received by Caps fans, co-author Damien Cox answered, "A hardcore fan who just wants to hear good things about their team [isn't] going to be happy," but "people who are looking for a more complete picture of this guy [will] really enjoy an independent look."
The book hits shelves in November (you can pre-order it now through the publisher or online retailers), and you'll have a chance to judge it for yourself. But to tide you over until then, here's the first of two excerpts we'll be sharing this week, recounting a scene from the 2005 World Junior Championship...]
The hate between Crosby and Ovechkin really began with their first meeting—physical meeting that is—midway through the first period. They weren’t ships passing in the night then—more like trains colliding at the crossing. Canadian coach Brent Sutter matched the line of Bergeron between Crosby and Corey Perry against Ovechkin’s line, with the punishing defence tandem of Dion Phaneuf and Shea Weber backing them up. Crosby was only 17, had to wear a full faceshield under IIHF rules and had been moved to the wing from his usual center position in deference to his older, more experienced teammates. He wore No. 9 on his red Team Canada jersey, not the No. 87 he would make famous. With Russia down 2–0 partway through the first period, Ovechkin carried the puck down the left wing and pulled up just outside the Canadian blueline rather than take on Weber directly, taking a sharp turn to his right. It wasn’t that Ovechkin was being too cute—that type of curl-up with puck possession is routine in European hockey, and would become one of Ovechkin’s trademark moves in the NHL. This time, however, he underestimated the danger on the NHL-sized rink at the Ralph Englestad Arena on the campus of the University of North Dakota and the speed that back-checking forwards could close with. He also had his head turned, looking for teammates to catch up and didn’t pick up Crosby skating hard into the frame. He only felt him. In the crosshairs. Though giving away four inches and 30 pounds at a minimum, Crosby drove his hip and shoulder into Ovechkin’s torso, separating him from the puck. Ovechkin was staggered by the blow, and while he didn’t fall, he was clearly hurt as he winced and shook his head. Crosby had been winded himself but didn’t want Ovechkin to know, so he got up the ice like it was just another day at the office. Ovechkin played a few more shifts and continued to absorb punishment, including a pair of hard checks to his chest from Bergeron, plus shots from Perry and Mike Richards. It felt like when he was a kid and every time the elevator door opened The Demon would ambush him. He couldn’t play. By the second period he was watching from the bench. By the time of the post-game press conference, he had his right arm in a sling, protecting a separated shoulder. If the hit wasn’t pre-meditated, exactly, it was an opportunity that Crosby had been looking for, and he took it with relish. "Yeah, I knew it was him [Ovechkin]," Crosby said. "And really it was a situation that we knew to look for. From watching him and from the scouting reports we knew that Ovechkin liked to pull up at the blue line and skate towards the middle."
Ovechkin went back to Moscow where he’d heal and eventually rejoin Dynamo and wait out the rest of the NHL lockout. Crosby went back to Rimouski, a small town in Quebec where he was playing for the local major junior team, and still managed to steal Ovechkin’s thunder.
Reprinted by permission of the publisher, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., from The Ovechkin Project: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at Hockey’s Most Dangerous Player, by Damien Cox and Gare Joyce. Copyright © 2010 by Damien Cox, Gare Joyce.
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Just based on this excerpt, I suspect this book will do little more than make me angry.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
by gotsparkly on Aug 17, 2010 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It’s claiming “behind the scenes” but it’s all in the author’s imagination and his take on various events. he claims to know what is in the mind of these players, but there’s no quotes to back up his guess, and therefore I have to conclude that it’s little more than the flights of fancy of a man with an axe to grind.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Interesting on a few levels. Sounds like Cox confirms that AO does, indeed, hate Sid. Appears that AO has adapted to the physicality of the game and decided that it’s better to give than receive. Also sounds like Cox fuels the “soft Euro” meme here.
Wish the excerpt was longer.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Ovie’s behavior toward Sid at the NHL Awards this year says otherwise.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Yeah, I don’t think there’s any real hatred off the ice…at least nothing too dramatic. On the ice is a different story for sure but as Ovie has said, on the ice you have no friends.
They’re civil enough (or perhaps professional enough) so feign polite hello’s but I don’t think their interactions go much deeper than that. It is an interesting dynamic between the two.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh, I don’t think they’re calling each other up to hang out or anything. But yes, I’d say they have enough professional courtesy to be polite. And to be honest I don’t think they know each other well enough to be friends or hate each other.
We have seen them be kind of friendly when they’ve been thrown together off the ice, though, beyond just being polite. Honestly I think they really respect each other on and off the ice (as much as they approach the game differently) but beyond that they probably don’t give it much thought.
On a substantive note, I found this interesting:
“And really it was a situation that we knew to look for. From watching him and from the scouting reports we knew that Ovechkin liked to pull up at the blue line and skate towards the middle.”
That was five-plus years ago. But it could’ve been this past April, no?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Aug 17, 2010 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
From my experience (I could be wrong), Damien Cox isn’t one to hype up Sid and put down Ovie. This is an interesting excerpt, but the whole book isn’t going to be negative stories about Ovie.
You’ve read it?
No, the whole book isn’t negative stories about Ovie. But I believe that the excerpts I’ve chosen are fairly representative of the book. Stay tuned for the next one.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Haven’t read it either, but I do know that Gare Joyce did write an absolutely glowing biography of Crosby before he turned 18.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess that came out wrong. I was sort of just pre-addressing the masses that I doubt this whole book will be unflattering.
Maybe it will be, who knows. I wouldn’t expect it from Damien Cox though.
Everyone knows Ovechkin fueded with the Canadian media this year. It is clear they feel he broke accepted norms in what access he gave them for interviews and so forth.
Personally, I don’t care how Ovechkin treats the media. His teammates and fans, yes. But the media, no.
I have a hard time believing this book will be fair and balanced, as Damien suggested in the interview. I fully expect it to be a depiction of Ovechkin through the same lens the canadian media has been using since the Olympics.
I’d agree, however I also don’t find Cox to be a “thoughtful” writer. From my viewpoint he tends to read too much or too little into situations. I stopped reading his columns a couple years ago for that reason. Based on his comments on Saturday on JRR I find no reason to believe that has changed. I find it hilarious he kept comparing Ovi to Sundin. His worldview is really clouded by being based in Toronto.
I think the tone of the book will be slightly negative, but there are some legit reason for that. Ovi’s season, both OLY & NHL did not end well. This allowsfor a guy like Cox to draw conclusions that will most likely be negative. Whether they are correct ones is another story.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Aug 17, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t care what anyone says, Mats Sundin is one of the most overrated NHLers of all-time. Ovie has already had a more illustrious career.
Somewhere in that interview, he was faulting Ovechkin for going back to Russia over the summer and not staying in DC. He said Sundin did the same thing and was inferring it was a negative thing for the captain not to stay in the city all year and be the face of the team.
I laughed when he went down that road. Captains/Leaders in all sports go home for the offseason. Guys train all over the place with personal coaches and trainers. I wonder if Ovi’s home was in Alberta instead of Russia if the same comment would be made.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Aug 17, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
so where’s sid spending his summers? i dont think it’s in the burgh…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Aug 17, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
At your local laundromat shooting pucks into dryers with Max Talbot.
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
by Rather Bengt on Aug 17, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
whilst trying to escape the clutches of Pierre Mcguire
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
He’s in Halifax, but you know how a Cox like response would be —
“Sid went back for the WC press conference, he’s still around to be the face of the team when they call on him, blah blah blah”
I don’t fault Ovechkin (or any player) for going home for the summer. They shouldn’t be derided for that.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
exactly. given the heat and humidity here in dc, i’d like to summer in halifax too…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Aug 17, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. I would rather have Ovie go back home and get centered. Maybe this is completely off base but I feel like people wouldnt critique his going home if we had won the cup, as if people believe he should be paying penance for the years loses.
Caps fan trapped in Ragsland
Hopefully they give Ovie his due and at least cover the Calder Trophy race of 05-06.
You had me at no problem.
You mean the year Ovechkin “edged out” Crosby for the rookie tin, with only 124 of 129 first-place votes? (Search “Ovechkin edges Crosby Calder”: 280,000 hits). I’ve long wondered what domination would look like, knowing that 124/129= “edging”…
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
by redlineblue on Aug 17, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Crosby, almost 2 years younger, put up four less points than Ovechkin in their rookie seasons (while playing on a team that ended up 12 points behind Ovechkin’s).
The vote may not have been close, but the race certainly was.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure how you can say that (and what does age or team have to do with it?).
The scoring race? Sure, that was close.
But the Calder race obviously wasn’t, as 96% of voters picked one guy as being better than the other. Maybe all of them thought it was a nail-biter, but AO was slightly better. But when you’re at 96%, that’s not all that likely.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Aug 17, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think that a 20-year-old player with Ovechkin’s talent is more ready to play in the NHL than an 18-year-old with Crosby’s talent. I think that’s a pretty reasonable argument why Ovechkin had more success earlier on compared with Sid.
Right – 20-year-old Ovechkin was better than 18-year-old Crosby. I doubt many voters thought, “Well, what Crosby is doing at 18 really is more impressive than what Ovechkin is doing at 20,” otherwise Crosby would have won the award. The question was, “Who was the best rookie?” and the answer – for 96% of the voters – was Alex Ovechkin.
Sidenote: Don’t discount how tough it must be moving half-way around the world into an entirely new culture at the age of 20. In that respect, Sid most certainly had an easier transition to the NHL.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I just don’t like how Cox is trying to frame Crosby as going back to small, local junior hockey instead of big, urban Moscow. He’s reaching hard for an almost Ecksteinian level of “grittiness” that obviously makes Sid seem like he’s had to overcome these huge odds to become a star hockey player. Screw that noise.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
The question was, "Who was the best rookie?" and the answer – for 96% of the voters – was Alex Ovechkin.
Yes, but as you said Ovechkin was slightly better. The edge in play was not huge.
I can’t speak for anyone who voted, but it’s reasonable to judge both player’s contributions and achievements and come to the conclusion that AO earned the slight edge. Even though the results of the voting were anything but slight, I think it’s acceptable to still see it as a close race given 102 points versus 106 points.
Just because the vote was a landslide doesn’t mean what was voted on was miles apart. Crosby was playing at a very high level too from the time he entered the league (further evidenced by his MVP season the following year).
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate to just chime in during the middle of this debate. . .but we’re also just looking at scoring numbers. The “Scoring” Race was tight, as you’ve shown. The “Calder” Race was not close. 96% of the voters, for one reason or another voted Ovechkin for 1st place. Crosby could have had a close point total; but, Ovechkin had those 4 points, and other attributes that cemented him as a clear #1 over Crosby (for 05-06)
Taking 96% of the first place votes is a landslide “Calder” race victory
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Plus, just this year the Crosby fans have found the virtue of the “goals are more important than assists” position. Funny how it works sometimes.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Where you stand depends upon where you sit.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Aug 17, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
My Art Ross and Hart Trophies beg to differ
Sincerely,
Henrik Sedin
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve called people out on that too, I find it funny how some sentiments shifted.
Not to re-hash this whole thing again, but reasonable minds know that aside from the box score-, not all goals, assists and secondary assists are created equal. As Peerless suggests; the case you want to make is what’s going to be your perspective.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
i’ll sit comfortably by my conceit that goals are worth more than assists in aggregate, since there were 1.7 assists per goal scored in the NHL last year.
by Natty Bumppo on Aug 17, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Taking 96% of the first place votes is a landslide "Calder" race victory
I’ve acknowledged as much. There’s no doubt it was a landslide vote.
If a car driving 200 mph races a car driving 196 mph they are going to finish fairly close, even if the car going 200 mph is a definitive winner in (almost) everyone’s mind. That’s more of the spirit of what I’m saying.
Did Ovechkin win big in the vote? Absolutely. But given the results of the two seasons, is it fair to assume he edged out Crosby? I’d say so.
I mean, it’s silly semantics.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Your example is objective, not subjective.
In the 2005 Calder race, there was one very clear winner and everyone else. Period. End of discussion.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
By the vote, yes. By the caliber of play, no. That’s my perspective and point.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
I struggle to understand this statement. The Calder vote was to award a trophy for the caliber of play, no?
If a 200-mph car races a 196 for 96% of an hour, the two are literally miles apart at the finish—just like Ovechkin and Crosby were in the Calder race, which is determined by votes, not points.
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
by redlineblue on Aug 17, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ah i see. Kinda like . .just because the voters had a clear number 1, the voting shouldn’t detract from an amazing season Crosby had (that was pretty much as stellar as Ovechkin;s)
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m glad you brought up the fact that Ovi had to move halfway around the world, as well as learn to play on an NHL-sized rink and adapt to NA hockey. I think that’s a much greater difference and learning curve than 2 years in age.
I would account for that – it’s not an easy transition off the ice alone and I give Ovechkin a lot of props for that. I still remember hearing an interview he did with Elliot in the Morning it must have been in the fall of 2005, AO could barely, barely even talk understandably, but he was still trying and definitely made a very smooth transition.
If you take that in effect, also consider the pressure and spotlight Crosby’s been under since before he entered the league as the face of the NHL coming out of the lockout, etc. It’s not like he had just your “average” transition into the league either.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing is normal or average about either of these guys. I can’t wait until we can all just watch them and enjoy what they bring to the game instead of all this other bullshit.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Aug 17, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I can’t wait until we can all just watch them and enjoy what they bring to the game instead of all this other bullshit.
The joys of being a neutral/outsider: I’ve had the pleasure of that experience ever since they entered the league. It’s nice not being caught up in the rest.
Lighthouse Hockey: More defensemen than we know how to spell.
I’m glad you brought up the fact that Ovi had to move halfway around the world, as well as learn to play on an NHL-sized rink and adapt to NA hockey. I think that’s a much greater difference and learning curve than 2 years in age.
20 year olds in the NHL tend to be much better than 18 year olds, according to this article from Copper n Blue.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Aug 17, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting that he’s the most “Dangerous” player. Not exciting. Not talented. Not popular. “Dangerous.” Wonder how/why they’re going to explain/define that.
Cox says it’s a double-meaning – (to paraphrase) “dangerous” as in “ability to score every time he touches the puck” and “dangerous” as in “ability to end anyone’s career when he doesn’t.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
But it won’t be read that way, and he has to know that.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
by gotsparkly on Aug 17, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Not by you or me, no. But it’s a relatively clever word choice, I think.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Like AO and predator.
/McGuire’d
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Aug 17, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree- however...
I think it’s as much on the reader to realize what Cox is doing there, as it is on Cox for wording it that way. Very clever- but should be easily discernible as well.
You gotta run to a window and say: "Hey, these floors are dirty as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore!"
Yeah I have more of an issue with the rest of the title, or more aptly the subtitle.
How is this a “behind the scenes” look at Ovechkin? Please do correct me if I’m wrong but does Cox/Joyce have any sort of access to him, or the people who were behind the scenes for the first 24 years of this kids life?
No, in the interview on JRR Cox said the Ovechkin camp declined to give him access.
"Yes, but Rimmer Directive 271 states just as clearly, 'No chance you metal ba****d.'"
He put that more on IMG. “His IMG handlers wanted nothing to do with it”
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
First I’ve heard from IMG since Ovi signed with them in November. I s’pose thay worked on his Reebok thing, but otherwise he’s been on his own.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
Doubtful he’s been on his own for much of anything since signing that deal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Especially if he’s being personally represented by Bob Sugar (who did wonders for Frank Cushman)
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I seriously hope you were open minded enough to read that title and discern both sides of the title. if not, then u realllyyy shouldn’t read the book
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Dangerous in that he’s a threat every time he’s on the ice, he’s won the hart trophy twice and however many other awards that i don’t feel like naming because he’s dangerous. He should intimidate the other team. Not excite them.
"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net." -Brooks Laich
eh, nothing really grabs me other than the last paragraph. the gratuitous shot at ov by saying his thunder was stolen by crosby. ov had a pretty good series but once again played on an inferior team to team canada.
of course, without any insight from ov, who knows whether “he underestimated the danger on the NHL-sized rink at the Ralph Englestad Arena on the campus of the University of North Dakota and the speed that back-checking forwards could close with” or just made a spontaneous move trying to get around the defender. part of the problem with these unauthorized bio’s…writers taking a little creative license while trying to determine what was inside someone’s head.
i like the cover picture though….
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Aug 17, 2010 12:00 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
That Canadian team, btw, was gangsta stacked.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
No kidding. Bergeron/Crosby/Perry/Phaneuf/Weber is a pretty solid defensive unit.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Aug 17, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Off the top of my head: AO, Malkin, Radulov.
They had a good team, but that Canadian team was once in a generation talent.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Washington Capitals Legend Mikhail Yunkov was on that team!
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
meh, he’s OK, but he’s no Ivan Neprayev.
by marky narc on Aug 17, 2010 2:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Jesus. Just the C’s: Crosby, Getzlaf, Carter, Richards, Bergeron. This is nuts.
That’s five legitimate NHL 1C players. That Russian squad had 5 NHL players of any variety (that I can identify off the top of my head), if you’re really kind and include Enver Lisin.
Banonkers.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Aug 17, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Re: “gangsta stacked”
I see no Mike Green on this roster. Gangsta stacked my ass ;)
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
by Rather Bengt on Aug 17, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Amazing how a missing comma makes that statement so funny to me.
John Carlson - Glory follows him.
by boutros23 on Aug 17, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh nice pick-up ;). Would never guess at times I have an Honours English and Writing degree lol
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory
by Rather Bengt on Aug 17, 2010 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Most of those guys are now captains of their NHL teams. Crosby, Richards, Weber, Phaneuf, Ovechkin.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
That’s pretty amazing.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Aug 17, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Somebody should write a book about that team…
Barker, Coburn, Phanuef, Seabrook and Weber on D
Bergeron, Carter, Crosby, Getzlaf, Ladd, Perry and Richards up front
Scary.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
new from damien cox “The Story of the 2005 Canadian WJC Team- The Team that Punked Ovechkin before the 2010 Canadian Olympic Team Punked Him Again”
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Aug 17, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
The 2010 Canadian Olympic team wasn’t even fair. They could’ve fielded two.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
by Chris Burton on Aug 17, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Could Russia have even built a team of all-NHLers (including former NHLers like Fedorov), if they’d wanted to?
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Aug 17, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but it wouldn’t have been a whole lot better imo
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
If memory serves, they left off a couple of NHL guys that could have played, but even still the team would not have had anything like the depth of the Canadian team.
And the way Bikov had them playing, it wouldn’t have made a bit of difference.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
For sure. I don’t think the personel was the issue. . .it was, as you said, Bikov coaching them into the ground
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
and yet it still took them an OT goal on home ice to beat the US….
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Aug 17, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
One thing I’ve wondered about is how Vancouver got dispensation to use an NHL sized rink for an international competition. Is there a home rink rule for the Olympics that I’m not aware of?
The Canadians prepared for YEARS for this tournament. Remember their “Own the Podium” program?
Here’s a few more things they did to ensure victory, or at least masterful gamesmanship:
http://www.japersrink.com/2010/7/23/1585146/ranking-international-hockey#42861991
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
They did have to petition. VANOC’s argument was that it would have cost too much to reconfigure the existing arena and/or build a new one.
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Aug 17, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
That happens with a hot goalie.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
The 2010 Canadian Olympic team wasn’t even fair. They could’ve fielded two.
and Canada’s B team would have lost to Switzerland, instead of needing a shoot-out to get by. (Can you tell I hate the "Canada could have set two medal-winning teams! argument?)
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Sorry, we can’t read your complaints with the 2002 and 2010 gold medals covering our eyes
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Aug 18, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And it’s pretty clear the entire Canadian team had Senior Ocho in their crosshairs
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
If this book is representative of the rest of the book, then it is hardly providing any insights on Ovechkin. What we have here is a description of fact with respect to Ovechkin (he was hit, he fell down, he played a few oe shifts, he didn’t return) though the eyes of Crosby (he is the only one quoted, it is the Canadian players’ perspective on how to play Ovechkin).
And then there is the set-up for this anecdote, the theme being how much younger, smaller, less experienced Crosby was, compared to Ovechkin (has a real “David and Goliath” feel to it). It might be true (except for the less experienced part — Crosby had as much, if not more, hockey experience as did Ovechkin by that age and in rinks that more resembled that on which this game took place), but it does serve to lift Crosby at Ovechkin’s expense.
If this is representative, then it bears asking… Even in a book about Ovechkin, Crosby is the star?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Aug 17, 2010 12:15 PM EDT reply actions 9 recs
He also overlooks the fact that the Richards hit was the definitive hit that took out AO’s shoulder and leaves it open to the interpretation that Sid’s hit may have contributed.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Aug 17, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I came away from the excerpt with the impression that Sid’s hit separated the shoulder, so I’d say he more than leaves it open to that interpretation.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
The history of Richards and AO is played every time they meet and it almost always refers to the hit Richards laid that took AO out of the tournament.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Right. I’d always seen Richards credited with “the hit.” This is the first I’ve seen it implied that it was Sid.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Guess I need to pay more attention.
Wonder if AO “hates” Richards, too?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
You ever see them play each other?
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Yeah, there’s a reason why I call Richards “Ovechkin’s Mortal Enemy”
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. The hate between Ovie and Crosby in the excerpt rings false. They play each other hard on the ice and are neutral off it. However, there seems to be no good feelings between Ovie and Richards and I’ve always heard that it dates from the 2005 championship.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Apparently I really need to pay attention…as you know, I’ve seen the Flyers and the Caps play dozens of times in the AO era.
Somehow I neglected to observe anything out of the ordinary between Richards and AO.
Good to know.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
>>>>>
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Aug 17, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 15 recs
and I could still watch it all day
by ididntdoit on Aug 17, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can’t turn my head away…
In Lou We Trust: Continuing a saga no one really cares about
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly
by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 17, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
David Booth nods in approval.
"HISTORY DOESN’T MATTER!!! .... Who cares if it’s never been done? We aren’t those teams who failed before. We are in control of our own destiny, and we will make it happen our own way.." - A Gordon, June 2010
by bagace on Aug 17, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
But note that that fight was Richards being a punk and grabbing AO as the third man in, and not AO going after Richards because he hates him.
Release the Mackan!
by Killer_Carlson on Aug 17, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
this was my beef. the excerpt implies crosby’s hit was the difference in putting AO out of the game. basically: “crosby had this great hit and AO winced in pain….then a few other guys hit AO and he eventually left the game.” using the facts to enhance your narrative is one thing. altering the facts to fit your narrative is another thing.
by Natty Bumppo on Aug 17, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Crosby was only 17, had to wear a full faceshield under IIHF rules and had been moved to the wing from his usual center position in deference to his older, more experienced teammates. He wore No. 9 on his red Team Canada jersey, not the No. 87 he would make famous.
Good thing Crosby was able to put all those problems in the back of his mind so he could still play and treat it like “just another day at the office.”
“Crosby, knowing that he had the added protection of a full-face helmet, blatantly attacked Ovechkin, who was just wearing a half shield.”
I can slant things, too.
I believe in JC.
by patred48 on Aug 17, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
give this guy a book deal!
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Even in a book about Ovechkin, Crosby is the star?
This was my reaction when reading your excerpt, and I assume it represents much of the whole book.
Why should Ovi’s life and career be framed within Crosby’s? Why should events such as the 2005 World Juniors be only about a supposed conflict on the ice between these two young stars when last I heard hockey was a team sport.
Whether or not the Caps have yet to achieve the ultimate goal, I do think Ovi has accomplished enough in his own career to stand apart from Crosby’s.
Furthermore, I’m tired of the Crosby’s just a teenager narrative. Had there not been a lockout Ovi would have been a teenager too when he started playing for the Caps. It’s not like he went back to Russia right after the draft because he wasn’t ready to play in the NHL.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Aug 17, 2010 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I think crafting AO vs whoever storylines are alright, but they should not be the focus and there should be multiple ones.
AO vs Richards
AO vs Malkin
AO vs Crosby
AO vs Chara (kind of)
AO vs himself
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
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by red army line on Aug 17, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Multiple storylines are fine as long as they are from Ovi’s point of view or “lens” as JP noted in one of these threads.
Whether one is a journalist, commentator, or proper biographer, the writer should tell the subject’s story from their subject’s point of view. Or at least attempt to do so as objectively as he or she can (as we all have hidden biases). Otherwise, it’s really a story of Richards vs Ovi as compared to Crosby vs Ovi and so on. It would then be a composite picture of what his competitors and other outsiders think Ovi is like. Not an intimate portrayal at all. Even if Cox didn’t have immediate access to Ovi himself, I would hope that he has interviewed those who know him intimately. And has availed himself of Russian sources properly translated.
From the excerpt above, I fear that Cox has chosen a larger narrative or big-picture view in which he has arranged or told the facts in way that fits the larger framework, one that is told from a North American point-of-view. It will be a story, even one that contains fragmentary truths about Ovi, but it won’t a good biography.
Also there is a really interesting underlying cultural story to be told here in terms of the development of hockey in post-Communist Russia and how it affected Ovi’s growth, but I fear that Cox has ignored this part of his story. Or has glossed over it.
I had hoped he would ask questions such as: What was the development of hockey in Russia like during his youth? What was post-Communist Russia like? What was it like to grow up in a relatively powerful sports family in Moscow? Dd that have any advantages or disadvantages? What were the differences between his parents’, especially his mother’s, training versus how they had to support and train Ovi personally without the support of the governmental apparatus. And though Mama Ovechkin was a powerful figure in the sports world, I get the impression from what I’ve read that money was hard for them too. But how did that compare to the rest of the country? And I haven’t even gotten into the really personal stuff about which we only know the skeletal aspects—for example, how much did the death of his brother affect him? And so on?
There is so much to tell about Ovi outside of his five years here as a Caps player in the NHL, and far outside of the Crosby story arc. Crosby should only come into Ovi’s biography when their individual stories intersect. Crosby should not serve as the metaphor for the differences between Russian and North American hockey and how it may or may not have affected Ovi’s development. Because that is not a biography.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Aug 17, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
this needs to be green. You raised so many good points and asked questions that I haven’t really thought of but would be fascinated to know the answers to.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
i wonder if the casual hockey audience would be interested in them, though? not that cox has to lower himself to that standard. but in theory most people who buy this book will be hoping for dirt, or at the very least hoping to read about AO’s NHL career, rivalries, suspensions, etc.
by Natty Bumppo on Aug 17, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
i guess that raises the question of what this book actually is.
Cox described it as a biography of Ovi—not as a biography of Ovi’s short NHL career thus far. If his goal is an actual biography then going into Ovi’s childhood and development will necessarily involve evaluating this portion within a Russian context. Or he is just going to give us a short chapter outlining his childhood events, perhaps even mentioning why he kisses his glove and looks to the heavens every time he gets a goal, before getting to his theme of Crosby vs. Ovi. I’m getting far afield here since I haven’t read it but I’m getting a bad vibe off of the excerpt.
Also, isn’t there an audience for good hockey books? I know I’ve read what I can find and many of them are awful. And some are classics. i believe there is an audience for a serious and thoughtful book. As several posters pointed out, Ovi has a lot of Canadian fans as well as American.
I only wanted a balanced and thoughtful book—not a dirt-digging, sensationalized one.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Aug 17, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m 99% positive, though I’d welcome a correction from someone more familiar, that UND plays on international sized ice, not NHL sized ice.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
1%
“The Ralph” lists it’s dimensions at 200 × 85 (standard NHL rink size).
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
by Hooks Orpik on Aug 17, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder what they’re going to be now that they’re giving up the Fighting Sioux nickname?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought they were forbidden from doing that by the terms of the lease to their arena. Won’t they have to pay much more on that lease now? I thought they had a $1 per year lease agreement under the condition that they kept the name.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Via Wiki
On May 14, 2009, The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education approved a motion directing UND to retire "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo, effective October 1, 2009, with full retirement to be completed no later than August 1, 2010. This directive was to be suspended, if, prior to October 1, 2009, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the Spirit Lake Sioux tribe gave namesake approval consistent with the terms of the Settlement Agreement. After extending the deadline for meeting this condition once, to November 30, 2009, the Board on April 8, 2010 unconditionally ordered UND to retire the Fighting Sioux nickname at the end of the 2010-11 season
While UND supports the settlement conditions, the Ralph Engelstad Arena has declined to commit to removal of the Sioux name and logos from the arena, even if they are retired.
Here’s an article from USA Today
The arena is owned by an Engelstad trust that is directed by a three-person board. That board includes Betty Engelstad. She has declined interviews and a request for a statement on the issue is being considered.
Even if the NCAA rules against the school and forces a change, The Ralph won’t have to remove its logos or Sioux references. Although it is on campus, the trust owns the building.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also I know they have carved granite in the floor and something like 250 permanant logos cemented, or otherwise permanantly ingraned into the building. That’s no accident, there’s an out clause that lets you avoid “cost prohibitive removal” or something like that.
They have logos on like, every row of seats, and even down to the last detail, like the foliage out front spells FIGHTING SIOUX when seen from the air. They’ll never scrape enough money together to take down every single Fighting Sioux thing in that building.
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I saw it right after it opened and was fairly creeped out by the excessive use of both the logo and words “Fighting Souix.” Apparently, the phrase “exercise restraint” was not in their vocabulary. The place is like a shrine.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
To me, this excerpt sounds like they’re setting up the story of Ovechkin coming to the US the first time where he underestimates the power of the North American game. He goes back, sees what he had to change, and then comes to the Caps and dominates the league.
That would imply that a newspaper writer could write a proper book. Very rare. The skills to be a proper newspaper writer, opinion or otherwise, are very different than writing a book.
This isn’t just a snipe at Cox, he may have written a great book, I havn’t read more than a page yet. Just a snipe at publishers who hire newspaper writers to cover something that a book writer could probably do better.
"Have you ever played?" "Yes, I was a goalie"
i’m not sure i agree with that. writing is writing, reporting is reporting. book length writing takes a little more touch, but at the end of the day a lot of it is the same type of thing. Many successful book writers started as newspaper journalists.
Midwest caps fan living vicariously through blogs.
Tom Ricks (sorry, I just finished “Fiasco”) begs to disagree. Loved his reporting for the Post, but his book is absolutely required reading on Iraq.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Don’t know if I’ll buy the book, but I would not find it surprising that Ovechkin’s darker (or, in this excerpt, impotent) sides would get more play in this telling. Think a US hockey writer would write a glowing piece on Boris Mikhailov in 1981? Or would he write about how a bunch of kids got the best of him and his more experienced, paid teammates in the 1980 Olympics?
It’s the lens through which one looks.
If you've read this far...seek help.
It’s hard not to. . .i mean look at his amazing hair!
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Point is I love stories that sort of portray Ovechkin as either a bad-guy or this crazy Russian. :) It feels like I’m reading a Bond novel
If the NHL were the WWE back in the 90’s, Ovechkin would be Nailz, and I would cheer for him over Big Boss Man.
by Brainumbc on Aug 17, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hahah, i kinda like it too. You look at his picture and he has the huge gap in his smile (and he is almost always smiling). He just looks like he is having a great time; yet, people try to potray him in a menacing light.
btw, +1 for the 90s WWE reference. ..only because i cant give it +2
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s hard not to. . .i mean look at his amazing hair body!
Fixed.
Lobbies: Green, Carlson, Orlov
by CapsFan2020 on Aug 17, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I bought the book yesterday and I am waiting for it to arrive. I’d be glad to write a review if people have the patience to wait for me to read it.
It's The Wait for Red October. Except rather than Sean Connery, Alex Baldwin, and Sam Neill, it's George McPhee, Bruce Boudreau, and Alex Ovechkin.
Not Tom Clancy, but Gary Bettman. Not the Soviet Kremlin, but. . .well. . . .yeah, the Soviet Kremlin
by kingzman264 on Aug 17, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
It felt like when he was a kid and every time the elevator door opened The Demon would ambush him.
Anyone know the context for that line? Wiki says that he used to take the stairs instead of the elevator in his childhood apartment, but that is the only context I can find.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Aug 17, 2010 12:46 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, apparently in those (dark) stairwells, they’d play a game called The Demons where one kid would climb the stairs and other kids would pop out of doors and scare the shit out of them (or out of random people).
But here again I think we see Cox using some double-meanings and pop-psych.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Damien loves playing armchair psych.
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Aug 17, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
That line seems like some pretty substantial editorialization. How does Cox know what Ovechkin was feeling, especially if this biography is unauthorized? That part reads more like a novel than a biography.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Aug 17, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, and thanks for some context. That line definitely threw me when I read it.
"Do not be afraid to ask for credit, for our way of refusing is very polite."
by Laich It Or Lump It on Aug 17, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Third-person omniscient, FTW!
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
If a linebacker is told to watch for the tight end cutting across the middle and deck him, and he does that, he probably would say: “really it was a situation that we knew to look for. From watching him and from the scouting reports”
Adding
he took it with relishto that statement seems a bit like the author is trying to pump up Crosby’s motivation on a clean hit based on preparation, recognition, and execution
"Tikkanen's miss was not as dramatic as the penalty shot Joe Juneau missed in Washington's quadruple-overtime playoff loss to Pittsburgh two years [previous]." - Washington Post game recap 6/12/98
Thanks for remembering me.
Signed,
Chuck Bednarik
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Aug 17, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
poor giff…guy turned 80 yesterday…still seems to have all his wits about him despite this clothesline..
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Aug 17, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Now see, this fellow should take note of our lad Sid who – after delivering one of his trademark crushing hits – would head
up the ice like it was just another day at the office
"Tikkanen's miss was not as dramatic as the penalty shot Joe Juneau missed in Washington's quadruple-overtime playoff loss to Pittsburgh two years [previous]." - Washington Post game recap 6/12/98
cox
If Damian doesn’t have inside access to Ovie with quotes and stories then to me this book is useless and not worth my time. If he does then I’ll gladly buy it. I don’t care if Ovie has warts and other problems but I’d at least like to here his inside account of these “stories”
J.P. reads it so we don’t have to.
"I wake up in the middle night frustrated because we lost out in the first round and I want to see our players hoist the Stanley Cup." -Brooks Laich
by CapitalCentre on Aug 17, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
it would be awesome if, once the book his published, a group of members did “We Read….So You Don’t Have To.” I know all about American Idol, but not because I watch, ya know?
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
screw that! VH1, Behind The Ice!
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
cox
Just to be clear this book would be a waste if it was a glowing portrait of Alex as well. Unless you have Alex giving you inside dirt about his life as an NHLer. Go read D Wells’ book for instance where he uncovers Cal Ripken as a clubhouse bully(tongue in cheek), Pat Gillick as a heartless bean counter with poor fashion sense and the sincerity of a used car salesman and supposedly straight laced D Cone as a big time rabble rouser. Not to mention the crazy exploits of K Gibson and many others.
My guess is that AO is holding the good stuff for a book of his own – and why not?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
It makes perfect sense. AO is selfish and greedy and doesn’t care about winning so he’s directing his career in the path that will lead to the most post-career financial rewards. Thus, he saves all the good biography stuff so he can cash in on it all on his own, simultaneously undercutting the value of his competitor’s biography. Diabolical motherfucker.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
by Rob Parker on Aug 17, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
I’m surprized that Damien Cox managed to write something that didn’t involve the number “1967” in it.
In Lou We Trust: Continuing a saga no one really cares about
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly
by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 17, 2010 1:54 PM EDT reply actions
But I’m sure there’s something in there about how fighting is an abomination and should be banned.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
That’s a likely scenario too.
In Lou We Trust: Continuing a saga no one really cares about
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly
by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 17, 2010 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Bet you guys can’t wait for the next excerpt, eh?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Is that the one where after the morning skate in Pittsburgh Ovechkin does down to the Monongahela River with a litter of puppies, but before he can drown them, Sidney Crosby races across the water (he doesn’t just walk on it, you know) and saves the puppies before scoring a hat trick that night causing Ovechkin to slink after the game into the inky black night like the cur he is?
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Aug 17, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 12 recs
Are you sure it won’t be about the time Ovi sold out all his friends for 30 pieces of silver?
Money don't make my world go round...i'm reaching out to a higher ground
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Aug 17, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just curious, JP. Are you choosing the excerpts on your own, or is someone telling you (or giving you permission) to use these selections?
"HISTORY DOESN’T MATTER!!! .... Who cares if it’s never been done? We aren’t those teams who failed before. We are in control of our own destiny, and we will make it happen our own way.." - A Gordon, June 2010
Good question. The publisher provided me with a current draft of the book and let me pick what I wanted to excerpt (and had no problem with what I chose).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Btw, I chose what I did based on what I thought would be the most interesting to readers while also being fairly representative of the book on the whole. I didn’t want to pick a passage that was overwhelmingly positive because, frankly, the book isn’t (though there are certainly some sections that are).
Basically, I wanted to give our readers an idea of what this book’s all about.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Not sure. Could be any minute. You probably ought to just sit there on the front page hitting “refresh” like it’s trade deadline day.
Alright, probably Thursday lunch-ish. Maybe tomorrow PM.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Thanks. I was wondering since the excerpt was definitely “dangerous” (if I can borrow that).
"HISTORY DOESN’T MATTER!!! .... Who cares if it’s never been done? We aren’t those teams who failed before. We are in control of our own destiny, and we will make it happen our own way.." - A Gordon, June 2010
Thanks for posting this and saving me the money thay I might have given these guys. If I wanted to read crap like this, I could read anything from any writer at ESPN or in Canada.
-These go to eleven.
I wouldn’t put in on all Canadian or ESPN writers, but Cox definitely has an issue with Ovi, based on some of his columns. Here’s the opening from a piece he wrote after game 1 of the playoffs:
It was a good day for Alex Ovechkin to dump the reclusive Greta Garbo act.
It was a good day for the Washington Capitals captain and star player to be seen as a standup guy.
So there Ovechkin was on Friday at the Caps’ snazzy practice facility built on the eighth floor of a mall parking garage in Arlington, Va., actually fielding questions from an inquisitive international media without looking like he was in a hurry to leave, explaining himself after his pointless, shot-less performance in a series opening loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
Recluse? Has he seen the Caps 360 website, with it’s dedicated “Channel 8”? The dude talks after nearly every game. Besides not talking, did Ovi kick puppies at Vancouver as well?
"HISTORY DOESN’T MATTER!!! .... Who cares if it’s never been done? We aren’t those teams who failed before. We are in control of our own destiny, and we will make it happen our own way.." - A Gordon, June 2010
he ran over Cox’s puppy. Twice.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Ovechkin has more quotable material in a week than Sidney Crosby has in a season (well, I don’t think you can single anyone out, the whole teams played well and we hope we can string a few of these together becausewe’reateamandhockeyisateamsportthatIamthankfultoplayblahblahblahblahblah…)
Guys like Cox should be happy he is as available as he is to cater to their needs in what is his second language.
If you've read this far...seek help.
a season? You’re being generous on how much interesting stuff makes it out of Sid.
Watching the O’s try to use strategy is like watching Mike Green trying to figure out the difference between "your" and "you’re"--Terpgrrl
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
In all fairness, both Ovechkin and Crosby deserve a lot of credit for handling their respective careers in ways that seem a lot more mature than their ages would suggest, even if they do take different approaches to them. Crosby got the reputation as a whiner and a diver early on, but since becoming captain of the Penguins is more of a leader and fights through that kind of thing even with a very bright light on everything he does. Ovechkin has been himself without apology, and that has been a breath of fresh air (or a blowtorch) for a sport that is sometimes a little too straight-laced. He’s handled the Cherry’s and the Milbury’s and the Cox’s with a good deal more respect than the average 20-something might, and does it with a bulls-eye on his back. There is a lot to admire in both, and if a 24 year old and a 22 year old aren’t “on” every waking moment to the liking of media types, well… too freakin’ bad.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Aug 17, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
I just wanted to mention that the book cover looks like a poorly done photoshop by a 12 year old boy.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
W. W. Beauchamp
It’s generally considered desirable in the publishing business
to take a certain liberty when depicting the cover scene.
For reasons involving the marketplace
I believe that to be an accurate
description of the events, sir…
albeit there is a certain poetry
to the language…
"Tikkanen's miss was not as dramatic as the penalty shot Joe Juneau missed in Washington's quadruple-overtime playoff loss to Pittsburgh two years [previous]." - Washington Post game recap 6/12/98
But who in Anaheim is sufficiently “dangerous” to be known as….the Duck of Death??
There's no 'i' in "team". But there's a 'nap' in "champion".
Cam Fowler. Seriously, the most appropriate name-to-team signing in quite some time, if one discounts the short stint of Miroslav Satan with the Penguins.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Aug 18, 2010 5:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Spoiler Alert
Damien Cox is an actual jerk. Not a “he hates my team so he’s a jerk” jerk but a “he actually has vendettas, pretends he’s above his readers, and slants everything he writes” jerk.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Aug 18, 2010 12:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Maybe this is a check it out from the library or glance through it at Barnes & Noble type of book. I’d hate to actually give him any of my money if the book is as it appears from this excerpt.
I listened to the JRR interview of Cox and he was talking about why Ovie’s teammates really liked him and gave an example of Ovie calling Pothier after the trade. But I got the impression that Cox didn’t agree with their opinion of Ovie, he was just reporting what he was told. From the excerpt, it seems he took it another step further and just made up what he didn’t know. No wonder why IMG/Ovie didn’t want to be involved in his project.
And this is from Cox’ target demographic; the market he knows best.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
More importantly, the market that knows him best.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Thanks
I’d like to thank JP for posting this. Saved me from wasting a few days of my life reading it, not to mention the $30 bucks it would have cost. Maybe I’ll donate the $30 to the site instead. How disappointing. I always knew Cox was an idiot but I thought just maybe he might come out with something good….I was wrong yet again.
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| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 9:27 AM EST)
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