MLSE apologizes to Randy Carlyle

Leafs to nominate him for Jack Adams Award

The front office of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment today issued an apology to fired former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle, and tomorrow plan to nominate him for the NHL's Jack Adams Award, which goes to the Coach of the Year. The MLSE statement, signed by Brendan Shanahan, read:

February 5, 2015

To: Randy Carlyle

From: Brendan Shanahan, MLSE

MLSE and the Toronto Maple Leafs extend a sincere apology for firing you in the middle of the 2014-2015 season. There were extenuating circumstances, and due to several mini-collapses, our GM Dave Nonis felt at the time that if he did not act decisively it could be his job that was on the line. The games since that fateful day have proven once again what an excellent coach and motivator you are, and that having the Leafs lead the NHL in goals and be in a playoff position were both significant accomplishments. In light of this, tomorrow we will submit your name for consideration for this season's Jack Adams Award. 

To be fair, we knew that this total collapse was a possibility, and if it had happened under your watch, you would not be nearly as employable as you are right now, smelling like roses and anticipating the offers that will surely come. Now that we have witnessed how this squad performs without your guidance and helmsmanship, it becomes more important than ever that we get a high draft pick this year. Anybody who watches future NHLers in junior and college hockey knows that there is a generational player and several franchise players available in the 2015 NHL Draft. Our focus for the remainder of this year will be on giving our younger players more and more ice time, to see who should be kept for the future and who will be packaged with a veteran or two at the trade deadline. You wouldn't have enjoyed being around for this sort of tailspin.

We want to thank you for your years of service to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and wish you luck in your future coaching positions.

Your friend,

Brendan

by Joseph Trainor (Satire)

Game of the Ages: First Nations Legends vs All-Black Stars

by Joseph Trainor

Saturday, September 27, Brandt Centre
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

NOTE: This is a report of a fictional game that includes players from over a century of hockey, written with the hope of inspiring an actual annual charity match featuring African-Canadian and First Nations hockey players that are still alive and well.

Carey Price


Not every hockey fan is aware that segregation was once prevalent in our sport. During the late 19th and early 20th Century, in Montreal a player would be deemed ineligible to play for an amateur team if he ever played for money, or was “a labourer, or an Indian.”

In Toronto the rules were less overt, yet remained very exclusive. A player would be deemed a pro if he ever played for money, ever played against someone who had played for money, or ever played with someone who had. Also, you would be declared a pro if you were a “lacrosse 
player, or baseball player.”

The 1896 United States Supreme Court ruling (Plessy vs Ferguson) legalizing segregation would have profound influence on North American athletic competitions for at least the next seventy-five years. Without access to the multi-level development leagues and tournaments, minority participation at hockey's highest levels was for many decades just a dream, for it was not until the final quarter (from 1974 on) of the 20th Century that the NHL became a league that was truly open to all.

Organized as a charity game to assist with health benefits for former Canadian soldiers, the Game of the Ages would also support a NGO building pre-fab steel schools on reserves across Canada. The Brandt family of Saskatchewan was also keen to raise awareness of how much of Canada's military history consisted of African-Canadian and First Nations soldiers defending the nation. It was deemed that the first year would be a one-time event with the greatest players from all eras, while future Legends - Stars matchups would be logistically realistic and comprised of roughly half oldtimers and half active players. For these All-Time Stars lineups, there would need to be a bias towards players from earlier eras, when racial barriers were so much higher. Even though this meant that deserving younger players would have to be left off this year's squad, they knew they would be playing in the real annual games slated to start next year. 

Thirty-five to forty players (see tables below) had been invited by each team to indicate their availability for the Game of the Ages, and as each side received over thirty positive responses, final player selection was very difficult. The First Nations contenders were heavy at center ice and on the wings, while the All-Blacks were loaded with big, strong wingers. All the restaurants and hotspots on Victoria just east of Albert were jam packed with hockeyists, and a steady stream of partying fans were heading up Elphinstone Street and filling the rink. The Game of the Ages had been sold out for three weeks now, and hotels all over Regina were booked solid, with a near Grey Cup atmosphere enveloping the city. 

Two busloads of Pasqua First Nations hockey fans had arrived to support the Legends, together with carloads and truckloads of hockey savants from across the province. 

The Regina region had developed many accomplished hockey players in recent decades, including Red 
Berenson (St. Louis Blues star who played for Team Canada 1972), Jordan Eberle, Tyler Bozak, Ryan Getzlaf, Scott Hartnell, and of course the captain of the All-Black Stars, Dirk Graham. Hall of Famer Hayley Wickenheiser was born in Shauunavon SK, while for the Legends, Wade Redden was born in Llyodminster (SK side) and Theoren Fleury in Oxbow.

Former premier Roy Romanow was at the game, and Tommy Douglas's grandson Kiefer Sutherland was also in attendance. First Nations members from across Saskatchewan were well represented in the crowd, and the Centre was humming with anticipation. 

Honoured Special Guest for the evening was Terry Trafford, who played several seasons for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit before succumbing to emotional distress and leaving us far too soon. As a defensive-minded, playmaking center with years of top-level hockey experience, had he lived even a month or two longer, he would have had an opportunity to play pro in the USA or Europe, yet despondency in the moment led to a profound tragedy. Due to a shortage of centers with experience at an elite level, Trafford had been among the forty receiving the initial Black Stars invitations, and had been an eager participant in practices leading up to the game of the Ages. 

Jarome Iginla

Announced as the hockey hero selected to drop the puck for the ceremonial faceoff, as Terry stepped onto the red carpet at center ice, a huge ovation welcomed him. Captain Bryan Trottier of First Nations Legends skated up to shake young Mr. Trafford's hand, followed quickly by Captain Jarome Iginla of the All-Black Stars. Trottier was born in Val Marie, Saskatchewan while Iginla is from Edmonton, and Trafford from Toronto. The three posed for photographers and then the players joined their teammates to stand for O Canada.

Black Stars coach John Paris Jr managed to get in three practices before the big game, but several players had came in late last night and P.K. Subban had just arrived in the morning, though all knew he was match-ready, having suited up for three NHL pre-season tilts in the past week. Defending the area in front of Grant Fuhr, Mr. Paris' starting lineup had the Habs' P.K. paired with 2013 Stanley Cup winner Johnny Oduya of the Chicago Blackhawks. 

At center was Anson Carter, flanked by Iginla on right wing and Tony McKegney and his 639 points playing left. With over 1,300 games played and more than 560 goals scored, Jarome Iginla was one of the greatest hockey players to ever play the game, and Paris would be leaning on him this evening.

Bryan Trottier


For the Legends, Coach Ted Nolan had his own magical offensive weapon, so against Carter for the opening faceoff he lined up center Bryan Trottier, he of the six Stanley Cups (seven if you include his Assistant Coach Cup in Colorado) and 1,425 NHL points including 524 goals. On Trottier's wings Ted placed Theoren Fleury and Reggie Leach, with the defence tandem comprised of Wade Redden and Sheldon Souray. It was a foregone conclusion that Mr. Nolan would designate the starting goaltender role to Carey Price, the Team Canada superstar whose mother Lynda is a former chief of British Columbia's Ulkatcho First Nation.

Anson Carter won the opening faceoff and pulled it back to Oduya, who skated across the red line and fired it in. McKegney gave chase and he and Carter cycled the puck down low until Iginla was spotted in the high slot. As the puck arrived the Legends were closing in so Jarome 
tipped the puck to Subban back at the point, who one-timed a zinger past the shortside post. It was barely thirty-five seconds in, Trottier grabbed the puck off the boards and skated out to the neutral zone, then lobbed it deep and headed to the bench for a change. What happened 
next was miraculous, as it seemed the entire building was focused on the First Nations Legends line change. Nolan tapped George Armstrong on the shoulder, and as the Chief rolled over the boards to replace Trottier, the crowd rose to their feet and went truly wild.

Though half Irish, Armstrong is considered the man who smashed the NHL barrier for First Nations and Metis hockey players in Canada. While Fred Sasakamoose from Sandy Lake had starred for Moose Jaw Canucks and played 11 games for Chicago in 1954, becoming the first Treaty aboriginal to play in the bigs, George "Chief" Armstrong is the star who really changed the game forever. Appearing in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform for twenty consecutive seasons, Chief captained the team for 13 years, scored 713 points (almost all against Original Six opponents), and won four Stanley Cups. Armstrong also won the Allan Cup as a player in 1950 (Toronto Marlboros), and two Memorial Cups as coach of the junior Marlboros (1973, 1975). Toronto has never had a finer ambassador of hockey.

George "Chief" Armstrong

The crowd is on their feet and going crazy, shouting "Chief! Chief! Chief!" at the top of their lungs. Wingers Dale McCourt and Frank St. Marseille join Armstrong on the ice and the puck slides effortlessly between the three. Second D-pair for the All-Blacks, Seth Jones and Dustin Byfuglien, are hemmed in and back on their heels in the face of the buzzing barrage. Coach Paris slotted All-Star winger and former NHL head coach Dirk Graham in at center for the second line, flanked by Wayne Simmonds on right and rising star Evander Kane on left wing. Though diligent in their defensive efforts, it appeared as though the Black Stars had not expected the fast pace and dazzling artistry to emerge so quickly in the game.

On the points now for the legends were Rich Pilon and Mike Peluso, and Pilon aimed a hard wrister toward Fuhr. St. Marseille stood just to the left of the crease, and his deflection tipped the puck over the goalie's shoulder and into the shortside top corner. The fans erupted again 
when the announcer credited "The Chief" with the second assist on the goal. It was 1-0 for the First Nations team as the third line forwards skated out for the faceoff. The All-Blacks iced a line of Wilie O'Ree at center, Kyle Okposo on right wing, and Joel Ward skating on the left side. Willie had been the first black player in the NHL, debuting for two games with the Boston Bruins in 1957-58, then suiting up for 43 matches in 1960-61. The colour barrier in hockey's elite league did not fall again until 1974, spurred by open competition with the WHA, and for the past forty years the NHL has been considered an open league.

The third defense pair was Eddie Martin and Sean Brown. Sean had played over 400 NHL games before continuing his career as a star of European hockey. Eddie was the Team Captain and Cover Point (offensive defenseman) for the champion (1899, 1900) Halifax Eurekas of the Colored Hockey League, and is the first known hockey player to regularly deploy the slapshot as an offensive weapon. 

1906 Halifax Eurekas

The original CHL was formed in 1894, comprised of teams in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and their style of fast, rough hockey would later be emulated in other pro leagues.The legends countered with a line of USA Olympian T.J. Oshie at center, flanked by Stan Jonathan on the left and Jonathan Cheechoo on the right. Pilon and Peluso remained on the defense, but once the zone was cleared, they headed to the bench as Gary Sargent and Chris Simon took to the ice. Simon was a forward who had played over 780 games on the left wing in the NHL, but today the Legends needed defensemen and when Ted Nolan asks you to do something, you say yes. Simon was just happy to be there, among hockey players, repping his people and culture.

The fourth lines featured John Chabot between Gino Odjick on the left and Ron Delorme on the right, up against Herb Carnegie (key playmaker on the famed “Black Aces” line) centering right winger Mike Grier and left winger Georges Laraque. It had been rumoured that the Black Aces line would be reunited for this night, as they had skated together in practice. In the end, Ossie Carnegie had the flu and Manny McIntyre was a healthy scratch.

Angela James

Halfway through the first period, referee Angela James assessed each coach a minor penalty, and Ted and John were escorted to the sin bin as Angela announced to the crowd that each had been penalized “2 minutes for looking too good!” 


Late in the first, Carnegie undressed three opposing players with his wizardly stickhandling and then deftly set up Mike Grier to hammer a hard one-timer into the high corner, a 'half-snapper, top-cheddar' that had Price diving across a fraction of a second behind the play. The game was tied 1-1.

The backup goalies were Ray Emery for the Black Stars and Kevin Weeks for the Legends. Weeks had been the third netminder for Paris' squad however when it was heard that the Legends other goalie wouldn't arrive on time, he was loaned to the Legends. After Weeks crossed over, the third goalie for the All-Black Stars became Henry "Braces" Franklyn, the Dartmouth Jubilees captain / forward / goaltender who had been the first to deploy an exciting "butterfly style" netminding technique of going up or down depending on the action in front of him. In central Canada at the time, goaltenders had to remain standing for the entire game, and many other Colored Hockey League (1894-1936) innovations (forward passing, slapshots) would also become mainstays of pro hockey in the years leading up to and after the NHL was formed in 1917.

Each coach was allowed to dress two goalies, six defensemen and twelve forwards, plus one extra skater and a designated "founder". Nolan's 13th forward was the versatile Rene Bourque, while Paris, knowing the toughness and tenacity of the Legends forwards, dressed Mark Fraser as a seventh defender. Willie Littlechild was the "founder" skating for the Legends, and "Braces" Franklyn suited up in that role for the African-Canadian (mostly) squad. Assistant coaches for the Stars were Mike Marson and Alton White, while the Legends were helped by Craig Berube and Jordin Tootoo.

At the beginning of the second, period, just before the puck drop, Carey Price and Grant Fuhr each skated to center ice and shook hands, then something unbelievable happened. They took off their helmets and gloves and then exchanged sweaters, then proceeded to each other's goal crease, taking up the blue paint at the other end. The fans weren't sure what was going on but they were having tons of fun.

It was less than five minutes later when Price skated over to the Legends bench and sent Weeks into the game to backstop the Stars. They also switch jerseys. Now Fuhr and Price are the netminders for the Legends, with Emery, Weeks and Franklyn minding the other end. Not everyone in the building was aware that Grant Fuhr's birth mother was from Enoch Cree Nation, but for those that did, his playing the middle period for the Legends made perfect sense.

First Nations took the lead again midway through the second, for when Leach delivered a crushing blow to separate Okposos from the puck, Trottier pounced on the disc and spotted Fleury streaking up the middle. A tape-to-tape pass sent Theoren in all alone and he deked Emery and slid the puck between his pads to give his side a 2-1 lead. Before the end of the second period, Anson Carter tied the game and then in the final minute, Oshie netted a 
beauty off the shortside high post, set up crisply by Mike Peluso. Heading into the final intermission, the Legends were back in the lead.

Anson Carter

Val James, the first African-American (USA-born) in the NHL, was the other ref for the evening, and early in the third, he was elated to be able to call a penalty against former Buffalo Sabres teammate Dale McCourt (McKegney was also on that 1981-82 squad), for tripping Halifax Eurekas star Eddie Martin. When Val pointed to centre ice, Dale protested that Eddie had not been in the clear, but the man in the striped shirt had the last laugh.

Tong McKegney

Even though Carey Price was in net to start the third period for the Legends, when Eddie Martin was awarded that penalty shot, a quick conference by the bench resulted in legendary goalie Henry “Braces” Franklyn being borrowed by the Legends and entering the game for the one play, as he was the only guy who knew Martin's moves. Henry had dressed for the Black Stars however was now entering the game to defend against one of their top threats. Eddie screamed in from the left, faked a slapshot and then attempted to cross in front, but Braces poke-checked him and the game remained 3-2 for the Black Stars.

Grant Fuhr

Stay with me here... Price and Fuhr had changed jerseys and ends to start the second. Then five minutes in, Price traded Fuhr's jersey for Weeks' Legends shirt, so while Fuhr finished the second period wearing Price's sweater, Carey got it back during intermission and in the third, Grant sat on the Legends bench backing Price, wearing Weeks' upper uniform. Weeks had played over half of the second in Fuhr's jersey, then Ray Emery entered the net for the Stars in the third period. Got it? Clear as mud? The fans were amused by rinkside chatter and shouts of "Who's in net?" and enjoyed the levity of the “trading places” backstoppers.

During the third period the arena was aghast as it appeared that Chris Simon and Georges Laraque were about to engage in fisticuffs, circling each other near center ice with gloves off. It turned out to be a spoof of an incident from a minor pro game, and before the linesmen could step in, the two players embraced in a hug and then exchanged gloves for the remainder of the match, each keeping the new gloves as a cool souvenir from the other's team. It was reported that they had also exchanged carvings, symbols of Laraque's Haitian heritage and Simon's Ojibwa culture. Though it was surely all fun and games, each was assessed a penalty of “two minutes for upstaging the game.”

Late in the third, Theoren Fleury was assessed a slashing penalty for a chop on the legs of Joel Ward as he steamed down the wing. On the ensuing power play that began with fifty-four seconds to go, Paris sent out Willie O'Ree to play alongside Iginla and Carter. Subban and Jones were on the points. Marson called a timeout, and motioned for Emery to take a seat on the bench. Alton White looked over to John Paris and mouthed the name "Dirk", and as Paris nodded, Alton was tapping the shoulder of Dirk Graham, who had scored 70 goals and 125 points for Toledo in 1982-83, and even more impressively, 33 goals and 78 points for the 1988-89 Chicago Blackhawks, his first year as captain, a position he held until 1995.

Anson Carter won another draw and Seth Jones kept the puck inside the blueline, then sent it across to Subban. Graham and Iginla were crashing the net, battling Redden and Souray for position and drawing atention to the melee. O'Ree skated around the net and popped free on the far side, and P.K. spotted him there and slid the puck across; in one lightning-sweep motion Willie had fired the puck over Price's stretched out pad. The game was tied 3-3 and the Black Stars bench was overjoyed with emotion.

Even the First Nations Legends stood to applaud the good passing play and finishing touch. There had been no provision for overtime, so the game ended in a draw. To hockey aficionados, the 3-all score was pleasingly reminiscent of the New Year's Eve tilt in 1975 between the Montreal Canadiens and Soviet Red Army, Ken Dryden versus Vladislav Tretiak. Many consider that Montreal Forum match the ultimate game of the ages, the finest exhibition ever. 

The amicable outcome in Regina raised hopes that the result was a harbinger of good relations to come between all the players in the game, and the younger dudes vowed to meet up again next year. O'Ree's game-tying goal earned him the the Third Star, while Second Star went to Bryan Trottier. When it was announced that Theoren Fleury, of Oxbow, Saskatchewan, was the match's First Star, the rafters shook like the Pats had just won the Memorial Cup at home.

Immediately after the game there were a variety of receptions and parties to choose from. Grand Council of First Nations Chiefs of Saskatchewan hosted a soiree at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders were sponsoring an event at Taylor Field, to honour the visiting Black Stars players, and the party also included pre-eminent First Nations guests, even Ted Nolan himself.

Key people were also invited to a secretive after-party reception at Brandt House, the family mansion, and the stunning palais proved a hit with all who made it out. By midnight the joint was hopping, as the hosts had limousines bringing guests from the other two gatherings, and later offered chits for waiting taxis to anyone desiring to leave. Can't be too careful these days, especially when you know in advance that alcohol will be consumed. Beer is almost as Canadian as hockey.

There was a grand hall with a winding stairway plus an interior theater bar and tv room where legacy hockey clips were being shown, and a billiards room with fireplace and hockey on the big screen. It was warm enough to swim, and brand new swimsuits were available for those who wanted to take a dip. Several players had agreed to explore business ventures together during the coming months, including plans for a new hockey camp for aboriginal AND inner city youth, plus a program to team up with ex-soldiers to install steel schools and community centres on First Nations land.

The family offered to help host the game every 2nd year, and it was informally agreed at the after party that the game would be held in Regina in 2015 and 2017, with Saint John, New Brunswick getting the 2016 game, and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia would be hosting in 2018.

Winnipeg would get 2019, then Regina would host in 2020, 2022 and every two years forward. A Brandt Cup would be awarded to the winning team, with winning player's names inscribed on the side each year, while the Henry Sylvester Williams Award (named after the Colored Hockey League co-founder) was offered to the MVP of the annual charity game.

All the players and hockey fans left Regina in a buoyant mood, confident of the success of the event, with most making plans to return next year, and travel around Canada for future “Games of the Ages.” Hockey had united people and communities, once again.

22-Man Starting Lineups

First Nations Legends

Forwards

Bryan Trottier, Theoren Fleury, Reggie Leach
George Armstrong, Frank St. Marseille, Dale McCourt
T.J. Oshie, Stan Jonathan, Jonathan Cheechoo
John Chabot, Gino Odjick, Ron Delorme
Rene Bourque
Willie Littlechild (Founder)

Defense

Wade Redden, Sheldon Souray
Rich Pilon, Mike Peluso
Gary Sargent, Chris Simon

Goal

Carey Price
Kevin Weeks (on loan from Black Stars)

Coach: Ted Nolan
Assistant coaches: Craig Berube and Jordin Tootoo.


All-Black Stars

Forwards

Jarome Iginla, Anson Carter, Tony McKegney
Dirk Graham, Wayne Simmonds, Evander Kane
Wilie O'Ree, Kyle Okposo, Joel Ward

Herb Carnegie, Mike Grier, Georges Laraque

Defense

P.K. Subban, Johnny Oduya, 
Seth Jones, Dustin Byfuglien
Eddie Martin, Sean Brown
Mark Fraser


Goal

Grant Fuhr 
Ray Emery
Henry "Braces" Franklyn (Founder)

Coach: John Paris Jr
Assistant coaches: Mike Marson and Alton White

Officials

Referees: Val James, Angela James
Linesmen: Hayley Wickenheiser, Marie-Philip Poulin

John Paris Jr



Full List of Invitees

P.K. Subban

All-Black Stars

F, Jarome Iginla, 1977, Edmonton AB
G, Grant Fuhr, 1962, Spruce Grove AB
F, Tony McKegney, 1958, Montreal PQ
RW, Dirk Graham, 1959, Regina SK
C, Anson Carter, 1974, Toronto ON
D, P.K. Subban, 1989, Toronto ON
RW, Wayne Simmonds, 1988, Scarborough ON
RW, Kyle Okposo, 1989 St. Paul MN
LW, Evander Kane, 1991, Vancouver BC
G, Ray Emery, 1982, Hamilton ON
F, Willie O'Ree, 1935, Fredericton NB
D, Seth Jones, 1994, Plano TX
F, Joel Ward, 1980, North York ON
D, Johnny Oduya, 1981, Stockholm Sweden
C, Herb Carnegie, 1919, Toronto ON
G, Henry “Braces” Franklyn, 1870, Dartmouth NS
RW, Mike Grier, 1975, Detroit MI
D, Dustin Byfuglien, 1985, Minneapolis MN
RW, Jamal Mayers, 1974, Toronto ON
D, Eddie Martin, circa 1880, Halifax NS
LW, Georges Laraque, 1976, Montreal PQ
F, Mike Marson, 1955, Scarborough ON
C, Alton White, 1945, Amherst NS
G, Kevin Weeks, 1975, Toronto ON
D, Sean Brown, 1976, Oshawa ON
D, Mark Fraser, 1986, Ottawa ON
RW, Donald Brashear, 1972, Bedford IN
RW, Ossie Carnegie, 1915 Riviere-du-Loup PQ
D, Darnell Nurse, 1995, Hamilton ON
LW, Manny McIntyre, 1918, Fredericton NB
LW, Val James, 1957, Ocala FL
D, Theo Peckham, 1987, Richmond Hill ON
G, Eldon “Pokey” Reddick, 1964, Halifax NS
D, Jason Doig, 1977, Montreal PQ
G, Fred Brathwaite, 1972, Ottawa ON
C, Terry Trafford, 1994, Toronto ON

Theoren Fleury

First Nations Legends

C, Bryan Trottier, 1956, Val Marie, SK
C, George Armstrong, 1930, Skead ON
RW, Theoren Fleury, 1968, Oxbow SK
RW, Reggie Leach, 1950, Rivertopn MB
G, Carey Price, 1987, Vancouver BC
F, Dale McCourt, 1957, Falconbridge ON
RW, Frank St. Marseille, 1939, Levack ON
D, Wade Redden, 1977, Lloydminster SK
RW, Jonathan Cheechoo, 1980, Moose Factory ON
LW, Stan Jonathan, 1955, Ohsweken ON
LW, Rene Bourque, 1981, Lac La Biche AB
C, T.J. Oshie, 1986, Mount Vernon WA
D, Sheldon Souray, 1976, Elk Point AB
LW, Chris Simon, 1972, Wawa ON
C, John Chabot, 1962, Summerside PEI
LW, Gino Odjick, 1970, Maniwaki PQ
RW, Ron Delorme, 1955, North Battleford SK
RW, Sandy McCarthy, 1972, Toronto ON
RW, Jordin Tootoo, 1983, Churchill MB
C, Vern Fiddler, 1980, Edmonton AB
RW, Arron Asham, 1978, Portage La Prairie MB
LW, Craig Berube, 1965, Calahoo AB
D, Rich Pilon, 1968, Saskatoon SK
D, Mike Peluso, 1965, Hibbing MN 
C, Fred Saskamoose, 1934, Debden SK
D, Gary Sargent, 1954, Red Lake MN
C, Kyle Chipchura, 1986, Westlock AB
C, Cody McCormick, 1983, London ON
C, Dwight King, 1989, Meadowlake SK
LW, Everett Sanipass, 1968 Big Cove NB
F, Willie Littlechild, 1944, Hobbema AB




Goals

1st period
FNL 1.46 St. Marseille (Pilon, Armstrong)
ABS 19.17 Grier (Carnegie, Fraser)

2nd Period
FNL 10.23 Fleury (Trottier)
ABS 16.42 Carter (McKegney, Subban)
FNL 19.45 Oshie (Peluso, Jonathan)

3rd Period
ABS 19.28 O'Ree (Subban, Jones)


Penalties

1st Period
9.56 FNL – Nolan, 2.00 Looking Too Good
9.56 ABS – Paris, 2.00 Looking Too Good

3rd Period
3.42 FNL – McCourt, 2.00 Tripping
19.06 FNL – Fleury, 2.00 Slashing



Goaltending

FNL

Price 20.00 – 0/14
Fuhr 20.00 – 2/12
Price 20.00 – 1/13
Franklyn 0.00 – 0/1 (Penalty Shot)


ABS

Fuhr 20.00 1/11
Price 4.50 0/3
Weeks 15.10 2/9

Emery 20.00 0/12

Willie O'Ree






Joseph Trainor is a freelance writer and Canadian horse racing and Toronto Maple Leafs fan, amateur hockey historian and student of standardbred breeding. Joe is also a perspiring songwriter and lover of inspiring architecture. His first novel, Ari Loves Salome, was published in 2012.

Ari Loves Salome by Joseph Trainor, at Amazon.com

NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs Mid-Season Report, January 19, 2014

Tim Gleason trade steadies Maple Leafs D

Nonis went out and traded for a solid defender, landing 2010 USA Olympian Tim Gleason, and Carlyle has finally found his pairs:

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Gleason - Franson
Gardiner - Reilly

This allows the Leafs coach to play his youngsters against third and fourth lines, and start them in the offensive zone the majority of the time. Mark Fraser would likely come in if Phaneuf or Gleason was injured, while Ranger would be the likely fill-in for Gunnarsson. If Franson, Reilly or Gardiner were to miss games, TJ Brennan may get the callup from the Marlies.

With the 2013-2014 NHL season past the halfway mark and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics approaching, let us have a look at how the Buds have performed to this point (19JAN). 


Premier Players

Phaneuf, Kessel, Bozak, Van Riemsdyk, Bolland, Bernier


Crucial Players

Lupul, Reimer, Gunnarsson, Kadri, Gleason, Raymond, Franson, McLement, Gardiner, Kulemin



Role Players

Clarkson, Reilly, Holland, Fraser, Ranger, Orr, McLaren, Ashton, Smith, Brodie, D'Amigo


Marlies to Watch

Brennan, Abbott, Leivo, McKegg, Holzer



The Horses - Toronto Maple Leafs Top Players


Dion Phaneuf - Captain Dion is a lightning rod for criticism, and his slowness of foot can be deceiving. He's the Leafs rock, and contributes key offence in pressure situations.


Phil Kessel - One of the NHL's top snipers, looking forward to seeing Phil and his sister Amanda at the Olympics. Kessel's game has improved dramatically over the past few seasons, as a floating cherry-picker was transformed into a slick-passing, back-checking frontline winger.


Tyler Bozak - When he was out with an injury, the Maple Leafs found out what it was really like to play without a #1 centre. Crucial on the draw, stellar play at both ends of the ice.

van Riemsdyk - Leafs best forward close-in to the net, has sparkling chemistry with Kessel, which I hope will be evident in all games at the Sochi Olympics excepting those versus Canada.

Bolland - Began the year as Maple Leafs best forward. His return could push Kadri to the right side of a Lupul - Bolland - Kadri second line on the Leafs. Holland can centre the third line and McLement the fourth.

Bernier - Given a heavy load backing a team that many nights lacked effort, JB has more often than not provided the lads with an opportunity to win. Stellar in shootouts, his puckhandling consistency will only get better now that the Leafs D pairs have been settled upon. Being on-call for Canada's Olympic Hockey team has likely given his confidence a boost.



The Fierce - Leafs Competitive Edge


Reimer - Relegated to backup status with the emergence of Bernier as the steadiest starter, James Reimer has continued to play like a number one goalie. This means the Leafs will be in a great position in the stretch drive and playoffs if they get in.

Lupul - A dangerous forward, tough to play against and always ready to snipe a key goal.

Gunnarsson - Plays against top lines of opposing teams, is second only to Phaneuf in plus / minus. 'Nuff said.

Kadri - When he's skating and hitting and drawing penalties, Naz is one of the best young players in the league. When he's floating and taking penalties. With less points than Raymond and sporting a -10, Kadri needs to step up in the homestretch and play like he did (2 assists, +2) against the Montreal Canadiens last night.

Gleason - Steady vet adds huge experience down low for Maple Leafs, bringing a calmness to the bench, the netminders and the coaching staff.

Raymond - UFA has exceeded expectations and earned a contract extension, fits with this group.

Franson - Has been solid all year, now finding a comfort level with Gleason as partner.

McClement - Key player to re-sign in offseason if not sooner. One of the planet's best defensive players.

Gardiner - Now on the third pair with Reilly, this keeps him fresh for first line power play duty.

Kulemin - Being named to Russia's Men's Hockey team for the Sochi 2014 Olymopics has boosted Nik's confidence. Together with McClement, part of primary penalty-kill pairing.

The Grinders - Can we win the battles?

Clarkson - It's too early say that giving a $35 mil contract to a player with only one 20-goal season (30 goals, 2011-12) and a career minus record was a mistake. EVERYTHING will depend on the homestretch and playoffs, where a guy like Dave can come in quite handy.

Reilly - Take care of the disc and keep reading the play for opportunities, listen to coaches.

Holland - Play fast, tough and hard, and the third line or fourth line (after Bolland returns) centre spot will remain yours.

Fraser - Could be valuable to a team needing size and toughness on back end, difficult to see how Mark replaces anyone if D stays healthy.

Ranger - Play had been improving when supplanted by Gleason, so teams may be interested.

Orr - Likely to be in and out of lineup depending on opponent, needs to stay sharp. 


Trade Talk

Fraser or Ranger could be moved as part of deal for a top skater with an expiring contract, as the D seems set. They are both UFAs, so a pick or a prospect will have to be packaged in to get a quality player back.