Hockey Chat:  Some guys know just how to get under the skin of their opponent.   Sometimes it’s with a discrete cheap shot.  Maybe a whack of the stick.   All for the purpose of getting the guy to swing back.  With retaliation comes consequences.  Those couple minutes spent in the box might cost the team a goal.  All because they had to get ‘em back.

Hockey Chat:  For many folks, the greatest hockey player they know was Wayne Gretzky.  Even his old coach knew that.  While playing for the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA in the 1978-79 season he was sold to Peter Pocklington owner of the Edmonton Oilers for a painting and a million dollars.  He went on to win the scoring title 10 times in his career and blasted through the goal scoring record like he blasted pucks into the net.  Nine Hart Tropheys, 4 Stanley Cups, 2 Con Smythes.  He made the highlight clips nightly but the one clip that has not been talked about as a great feat was a great blunder (I just happen to still have it on VHS tape).  As he was racing back to get in between a 2-on-1 break on his own goal, he stuck his stick out to block the p

Hockey Chat:  Hockey takes a lot of strength.  There are all kinds of ways to build muscle and work on our cardio.  Everything from weights to treadmills.  They all help prepare us physically.  But to win the game you have to not only be able to play it, you have to know it.  NHLr’s get head strong by watching hours of film and studying the game to learn the game with their mind to go along with their body.  They strengthen both.   

Hockey Chat:  We wear all kinds of gear when we’re on the ice.  We put our trust into engineered plastic and padding to be our shield.  Knowing that it’s there, we feel stronger and braver.  When we get hit with a puck or stick in that area, we are so thankful that we have that protection!