Dear Matt Cooke

I'm going to totally contradict myself here about not bitching about players, but at this point I don't care.



Dear Matt Cooke,

I keep thinking about the jersey I have of yours hanging in the back of my closet, and the fact that not only am I disgusted with myself for having it, I'm even more disgusted with the fact I have it hanging along with 2 Trevor Linden jerseys. I think back to when I was, I think, 12 or 13 and saved up all my money from my first job and was so excited to buy that jersey. In fact one of my favourite birthday presents through my childhood years was a simple birthday card which, thanks to a mutual family friend, was signed by you and Harold Druken.

I can't think back that long to remember why I you were my favourite player at the time, I know I thought you were great, I was so nervous I puked after meeting you before a skills competition one year. I know once I started to understand everything a little more and get more into the game in a knowledgeable level you were my favourite because you were a pest, a little shit disturber. You can ask anyone who knows me how much of a pest and little shit disturber I could and still can be, so it was a perfect fit. Unlike me, however, I do not remember you ever quite crossing the line during that time, something you do way to much of now.

This topic has been beat to death, but I feel the need to bitch as well. One time, maybe I can say agree with it may have been an accident, you didn't mean to do it, blah, blah, blah. Anytime beyond that is definitely inexcusable. You aren't a rookie, you are a player who has been playing in the NHL for over 10 years, smarten the hell up or get lost. There has been enough talk of head shots and stuff this past year that even the newest of rookie knows better.  I don't need my son growing up and seeing you make hits like you have been and thinking it's alright because an NHL player is doing it. In fact, even if you were playing the Canucks, I probably would not allow my son to watch the game. If it was the Matt Cooke I remember in his Canucks days, maybe, a pesky little shit disturber is fine, but I don't want my son to know of the player you have turned into.

How do you explain these things to your children? how do you explain the type of hits you make and justify it? surely you've told your children in the past that ' it was a mistake or an accident' wasn't the acceptable answer to something they did,  so I sure as hell hope that isn't how you are explaining your hits and suspensions to them. Maybe they are to young to understand it now, but your reputation is being set in stone, and unless you  attempt to make a change now, it will stay that way. I feel sorry that your kids have to know about this Matt Cooke.

I know you and your wife are very charitable off ice, I think The Cooke Family Foundation of Hope is amazing, and your family does amazing things with it. I wish you guys the best of luck in the future with it, and maybe one day I'll even contribute, but at this point I just can't justify it. I know you do other things as well, and this is my challenge to you. You need to find a way to reach out to young hockey players, at hockey schools etc, and explain to them why there is no room for head shots and other illegal hits in the game of hockey. These young kids look up to you big NHL players, make a positive out of it.

You need to find a way to turn this thing around, before one day another player has had enough and turns you around, you may not be as lucky as some of the players you have hit, and as much as I dislike you right now, I wouldn't wish an sort of injury upon you. Can't say the same for others.


Christine

Christmas is over...

and by that I really mean Hockey Day In Canada. Aside from Canada Day, I think HDIC is my favourite day fo the year. In fact, when I have my own place I think I will decorate my house for this day. What more can you ask for then a full day of  Canadian hockey teams? I watched the Edmonton vs Ottawa game. Missed  most of the Toronto at Montreal game and of course caught the Vancouver vs Calgary game. Love all the little stories and everything relating to hockey that is played on CBC on this day. I also realized today that Keith Ballard is my first none Canadian favourite player. (Trevor Linden, Mike Cammalleri, Alex Burrows and  Dan Hamhuis)

Big Thanks to Scotia Bank for the awesome contests through the week on twitter, and for allowing me to win that jersey. Pretty cool!. They also sent a toque, a backpack and a water bottle, which my soon to be 3 year old daughter has taken over.

Kevin Bieksa Wins After Hours 

Thats right folks, Kevin Bieksa wins After Hours. He has got to be the BEST interview I have ever seen on there. It can be found here. The way he reacted to Scott Oake's comments with cheekiness and  sarcasm was great, and he always gave good answers to the serious questions. Which is why I've always said if there is one player I could sit down and have a beer with, it would be him.  When I saw Bieksa would be a guest I had some thoughts go through my head.  He bugs Ryan Kesler about RK17, so why not when Scott Oake asks on Twitter for questions to ask "When  is the KB3 clothing line coming out". I didn't mean this as a serious question, I thought maybe a few of my followers might see it and have a little chuckle and that would be that. Then....it happened. Scott Oake had asked Bieksa about Kesler's line and then he said "well I guess you've answered my next question". I knew then that I was doomed. He asked my absolutely ridiculous  question. It led to this outburst


@Canuckgirl16 : JESUS I WASN'T SERIOUS!!!! hahah


@Taryneliza_beth : CHRISTINE!!!!!!!!!!! @Canuckgirl16

Then within seconds I had 10 new followers and people tweeting me saying they had a good laugh over it. Well thats good.

Anyway, thats my mumble jumble for today. All in all it was a great Hockey Day In Canada, and I wont forget it for a long time.

Giving Back

Charity work is huge for me, you have the money, you have the ability, you have the fame,  do it!.  As I've mentioned before, usually, a huge part of picking a  "favourite player" for me is looking at their involvement in giving back to the community. While its not a written rule, it really melts my butter and burns my cheese when these people have the ability to make a change, make things better in the community, and don't put much effort into it. I understand not everyone can be Trevor Linden like, but every little bit helps. From Paul Bissonnette and his t-shirt line after a slight mix up with words on his twitter account, to the likes of other players saying when they reach a certain amount of followers they will donate money. It all helps, no matter how they do it.


I love seeing pictures, and stories on tv of the players visiting kids at Children's hospital, Canuck Place and other places like that. While it can be very heartbreaking it makes me very thankful to have two reasonably healthy children and puts a giant smile on my face. I love seeing the children smiling, happy to meet them.

I give you Dan "The Community Man" Hamhuis (props to PITB for the name)

• When playing In Nashville, Hamhuis would visit patients at Nashville's Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital throughout the season, and would go reverse trick-or-treating dressed up as Winnie the Pooh in 2008 and 2009
• This past off season, Hamhuis was back in B.C. when he received an email from the NHLPA asking if any players would be interested in going to Haiti as part of the Hockey For Haiti program. He was hesitant at first, being the father of 2 young children and knowing there was still many dangers in a place like Haiti. His wife convinced him, telling him it was a once in a life time trip and he had the ability to help people in need. "It's not your everyday trip," said Hamhuis. "This is living in the dirt with a tarp pulled over your head. It takes you out of your comfort zone. But this is a beautiful country too, with the scenery and stuff. But the people are obviously not in the same economic state."
•  He and his wife,Sarah, were regular visitors at Ronald McDonald House and bought an air hockey table for the teen room.
• Sarah  organized a potluck style dinner , and with the other wives on the team, provided dinner for the Families at Ronald McDonald House.
•  He gave his name(and funds) to be the presenting sponsor of the Ronald McDonald House "Extraordinary Evening" fund raiser, which brought in more than $50,000.
•  In 2009 he donated $20,000 to The Teammates For Kids Foundation, which benefits the Nashville Rescue Mission. He and Sarah also volunteered time to the Nashville Rescue Mission.
• While in Nashville he purchased 25 gift cards of $100 each to give to families in need during the holidays.
•  He spent some time around halloween at Canuck Place, with his oldest daughter, carving pumpkins with the children and their families. 
• He recently spent time reading books and making crafts with young kids at Britannia School, Saying "I really enjoy this. Some of these kids don’t get the opportunity to read a lot of books so to be able to come here and spend some time with them and share some stories and have the chance to share a favourite from our house with these kids was special. It was great to see the smiles on their faces and they seemed very attentive and drawn to the books"

These are just a few of the stories I've been able to find on things that he has done, I know there is way more. If anyone reading this knows of more, please message me with a link to the story, I'd love to include it all.

My hats off to you Dan, you're a Small town boy, living the big dream, and doing larger then life things in your community. Like I said in my Trevor Linden post (found here), I wish there was more people around like you guys.

The Man, The Legend, Mr.Canuck.

occasionally I can be serious....

If you were to ask anyone who knows me what two things they would associate with me they would say: The Vancouver Canucks and Trevor Linden.

On April 5th 2008, after the Canucks played the Flames, in what everyone expected would be the last game of Linden’s NHL career, Jarome Iginla called his teammates back out onto the ice to shake Linden’s hand, showing true class.

Later when Iginla was asked by reporters to comment on what he thought of Trevor he responded:

“The career he's had, a lot of us watched him when we were younger, and the runs he's had when he first broke in.  He's played for so long, and also playing against him, he's a guy that plays hard all the time.  He’s a leader.  He's a guy that's a good, honest, hard player to play against.  He’s not cheap. We have a lot of respect also for what he's done for us off the ice as a group of players.  I'm not sure if it's his last for sure, but if it is, it definitely was an honor to play with him."

I dreaded that game, not only was it the Canucks last game of the 2008 season, it was the last time I would get to see Linden play hockey.  I balled my eyes out, cried like a little baby.  The only two things, in regards to hockey, that have ever made me cry more was Linden’s retirement ceremony and the memorial for the late Luc Bourdon.  I thought I would be prepared for it, but I wasn’t.  I get choked up every time I think about the standing ovation the crowd gave when Linden was at center ice for that final period and Iginla’s heartfelt act of getting everyone back out on the ice to shake Linden’s hand.

Trevor Linden is an absolutely amazing man; the more I learn about him I am even more impressed I am by him.  He was a great player in his prime, but not the best, and I don't think anyone is afraid to admit that. His tireless efforts to be the best he could be and his outstanding leadership skills made him stand out from everyone else, something I don’t think anyone else could ever come close to.  What amazes me most is his work off the ice; his involvement with charities and efforts to better the lives of children who may never reach the age of the number on he wore on his jersey.


Throughout his career Trevor has won many awards.  In 1997 he won the King Clancy Memorial trophy, which is awarded annually by the NHL to the player who exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice.  He has made a significant contribution to his community and in 2003 he was awarded the Order of B.C., which is given to a resident of British Columbia who demonstrates a high level of excellence in any field that benefits the people of the province.  In 2008 he won the NHL foundation player award; awarded annually to the player who shows the core values of hockey, which includes commitment, perseverance, and teamwork and uses them to enrich the lives of people in his community.  In 2010 he was awarded the Order of Canada, the highest degree of merit awarded to someone showing an exceptional contribution to Canada and humanity.

When Trevor became captain of the Vancouver Canucks he started Captains Crew, which gave children who wouldn’t normally be able to attend a Canucks game a chance to do just that; a dream for many children living in Vancouver.  He has spent countless hours visiting sick children at the children’s hospital in British Columbia, putting a smile on the faces of children who don’t have much to smile about; he is also a huge contributor to Canuck Place, a Hospice in Vancouver for terminally ill children and their families. He also started The Trevor Linden Foundation which holds an annual golf tournament and has raised more than $650,000 for The Canadian Cancer Society’s “Camp Good Times,” a camp located in Mission, B.C., for children living with cancer and their families.  There are countless other things Linden has done, I could go on for pages; that’s Trevor Linden for you.

There are two stories I would like to share, of the many great stories I have heard, the first is the story of Michael Robinson.  Michael was a young boy with leukemia who Trevor met and always kept in touch with; he wasn’t doing very well.  Six months before a golf tournament Trevor told Michael that he would need a caddy there to help him.  Michael’s family was not sure if he would have the strength to do it, or even make it that long.  He was there for Trevor at that golf tournament, and died four days later.  His family believes that it was Trevor’s friendship that kept him going so long.

Recently a 17 year old boy in B.C. died after a tragic fall while celebrating his birthday. His favourite player was Trevor Linden.  The number on his hockey jersey was 16 and his memorial was held on the 16th for that reason.  Trevor had this read on his behalf at the memorial:

“He was an outstanding young man with a very bright future.  The very fact that I might have had some small part in shaping the way Dan lived his life is very meaningful to me . It’s actually more meaningful than Stanley Cups, individual trophies, or jerseys.  For this at the end of the day is maybe the most important reason that I play in national hockey.”

To me, Trevor Linden is so much more than just a hockey player.  His career had a bigger impact on people then I think anyone could have imagined; I am glad he realizes that and takes pride in it.  I am hopeful that one day I have the chance to meet him.  I would love to sit down and chat with him about his charity work, his hockey career, his new venture into property development, and his new fitness club.  Even if I were to just get a quick “hello” and a handshake I would die a very happy girl.  I hope that one day my son will grow up to be half the man Trevor is, I wont accept anything less.  He has shown me how great people can be and I wish there were more people like him around.

Soundtrack Of My Life

Do you have  a sound that reminds you of a happy time in your past? Mine would be the voices of Tom Larscheid and John Shorthouse.  Unfortunately we don’t get to hear Tommy anymore, but Shorty is still going strong. Their voices remind me of when I lived in Vancouver, somewhere I’d love to live again but have come to face reality, and that is that I never will. I remember so many happy times listening to them call games, so many crazy Tommy comments that still make me laugh. Sure it wasn’t always the happiest of times for the Vancouver Canucks, but it reaches beyond that. I have been lucky enough now to find a way to watch Vancouver broadcasts of games and still get to listen to John Shorthouse. His voice could put me to sleep. I realize that may sound weird to most, his voice is different to say the least, but its just the calmness it gives me. 

Every once in awhile, when I’m having a rough day I'll go and watch the you tube clip of John Shorthouse on stage with Michael Buble, singing “Thanks For The Memories” to Larscheid.  It makes me laugh, then get teary eyed, but in the end I feel better.

I have always said two people I most want to meet are Trevor Linden, and John Shorthouse.  I went to the Canucks game when they were in Edmonton on November 2nd. I had been bugging a few Canucks  reporters on twitter to come have a drink with me, I had  a few(or 6) drinks myself and none of them responded. Seriously, they need to accept my free beer offer next time.

It was a good game, Canucks won, Raffi Torres had a hat trick(say what?!?!), all in all I thought it was an amazing few hours out. I met many Canucks fans, trash talked with a few Oilers fans and we were on our way home.  So there I was sitting on the LRT platform waiting for the next train when coming up the escalator I see a very Familiar face.

Well hi there my idol!. I jumped up and I believe I went up to him and said “ Oh my god you’re John Shorthouse”. I chatted with him and John Garrett for quite awhile waiting for the train. Talking about the game, Trevor Linden (surprise surprise), and Tom Larscheid. I got to mentioning the things I have mentioned here about his voice reminding me of happy times, of being a calming sound for me. He responded with something to the effect of “ Well I guess Im the soundtrack of your life”.  Perfect. I took a few pictures with him mentioning I wanted a couple in case I looked ugly and he replied with “ Oh I don’t think you could take an ugly picture”.....he said this moments before I took a picture with John Garrett

I really should of taken another picture with him to, but I didn’t. I just like to caption it with “ My Love for John Garrett is like the wind, sometimes it’s there, sometimes it’s not”. Sometimes his crazy ramblings get on my nerves, but  I still love him.  He wasn’t quite sure what to do with me, he kept laughing at me being so ecstatic that I was talking to John Shorthouse. I also proceeded to chase him onto the train after they had walked away so I could take a picture with my phone, to put on Twitter and Facebook right away. Im pretty sure the poor guys were tired of me by the time they got off the train a few stops later.


And of course, I can’t end this without a sweet little Ballard: