Hockey Day In Canada

G'day folks,

I know it's been a while since I touched base with you but for one reason or another I had writer's block. Not that there wasn't enough stories to write about what with the Sens' pathetic season so far, Sean Avery, The Bruins in 1st place, Brodeur's injury, the World Juniors, the All-Star game including the penalties to the no-shows, fighting in hockey, etc...heck I could go on forever. It's just that everytime I sat down to write about something another would happen. If only I could get paid to do this full-time...that would be cool...then I wouldn't have any lag time in-between stories. Alas, that is not the case.

But I digress...I would like to talk about something that has become an annual event. Not the Winter Classic although I should've spoken about that one too...it was awesome!!! No...I would like to talk about HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA!!!

This event was first broadcast by the CBC in mid-Feb. 2000. The idea was quite simple. Set aside one day where all 6 Canadian teams play against each other. The brass at CBC also decided it would be a good PR move if they could connect with the community. Obviously not the same folks who decided it was too costly to keep the "Hockey Night In Canada" song...again, I digress. Anyway, the connection would be that if you could prove you had the biggest hockey heart of any other community in Canada the CBC would give you some cash...as well, the whole day would be broadcast from there....Excellent idea!!!

So here we are entering our 8th Hockey Day in Canada...this is quickly growing into another branch of the Canadian Hockey Family Tree!! You gotta love it!!! Ummm...for those of you that are good in math and can't understand why we are only going into our 8th HDIC it's because 2005 was cancelled due to the player's lockout.

So anyway, this is a full day of showing grass-roots hockey...pond-hockey...street hockey...current members of the hockey hall-of-fame, etc. All in the spirit of Canadian's enjoying hockey! Don Cherry and Ron MacLean have a full schedule as they meet the fans and find out what makes their hockey minds click. This year the winning community is Campellton, New Brunswick and that's where Ron and Don will be on Feb 21st.

This year's line-up will be a must-see as the 6 Canadian teams will face-off against each other. Ottawa will be in Montreal; Vancouver will be in Toronto; and Calgary will visit Edmonton (always a great game!!!!) Of course there are other games involved that day...13 games in all that will begin at 1:00pm with Pittsburgh in Philadelphia (a Pennsylvania must-see) and finishing with the classic Calgary vs Edmonton at 10:00pm. Oh yeah...and my Bruins will be busting into Florida to beat the crap out of the Panthers at 7:00pm.

The Nasty Hockey Show will be doing their part this year. We will be filming another episode at Philthy McNasty's right after the Ott. vs Mtl. game. We will have our special guest Liam Maguire talking trivia so please come on out with the family and enjoy this amazing day of hockey love!!! Can you say koombaya...koombaya...???

Once again folks...if you haven't had the chance to catch any of the past Hockey Day In Canada shows then you have truly missed something special. Of course it's never too late!!! Start the family tradition now...it's all for the love of the greatest sport in the world...HOCKEY!!!!

Hope to see you at Philthy's...there will be prizes all day and tons of hockey to keep you energized!!!

CHEERS!!!
The Rokpig