Rypien's Redemption

Rick Rypien has not followed the typical path of your average NHL player, typical being the easy road. The road where a young star is a sure thing, a "can't miss" kid who is making scouts run out of ink. Rypien has not been drafted at any level of hockey since he was a Bantam player in Southern Alberta. The CHL didn't draft him, and the NHL didn't draft him, suffice to say he has worked hard to get to where he is today.

Rypien played for the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves in a South-Western Albertan town with a population of under 6,000 people that was not your typical hockey hotbed. After a year with the Timberwolves, and going undrafted in the WHL Bantam draft, Rypien joined the Regina Pats. With the Pats he finally had the chance to prove himself at a prestigious junior level. He spent four years in Regina fine tuning his game, became the team Captain and leading scorer in 2004/2005 with 51 Points to go along with 148 PIMs. Rypien yet again had shown that he deserved to play, that he was working hard to get the puck in the net, and wasn't afraid to play in the dirty areas of the ice. When his junior career came to a close in Regina, he was signed as an undrafted Free Agent by the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. It was hard work that got him to that level, but he had to forge his own path the the NHL. Not to say getting drafted is an automatic cakewalk to the Show, as there are many more drafted players who fell down the ladder than those undrafted who were never afforded the luxury of being in a team's "system" that actually made it; players like Rypien, who seemingly slipped through the cracks.

Photo from Vancouver Canucks

Rypien's road to success has never been without its potholes. He was never big enough, never fast enough and never talented enough for a free-ride (or even an easy one), but he found a way to be. He came from a small town, went undrafted throughout his career, jumped through hoops, yet made it all the way to the Big Show. He was called up by Vancouver, but quickly became a victim of injuries. He had a hard time sticking to the lineup due to these various injuries, including a broken finger, a pulled groin, a viral infection and finally missing 70 games in 2008/2009 with a sports hernia. He briefly took a leave of absence from the team; many believe it was the frustrations of being injured, and missing so much time with the team when he had finally made it. No doubt it wore on him, but nothing of the sort has ever been truly confirmed. It's a realistic scenario considering how players like Rypien are required to bring a rough game, physically and emotionally, all the time.

The recent incident in Minnesota brought an instant spotlight to Rypien, something the overlooked player has never really had to deal with through his career. It was a difficult event to watch as a fan, and I am sure a difficult one for him to face up to, as we all knew how much heat he would catch directly following it. He lost his cool and reacted inappropriately, but I do understand why he reacted the way that he did in the heat of the moment. It happens to humans. It happens to the hockey players who feel something about the game. Violence should be kept on the ice at all times, and always within the context of that game; but every so often that passion for the game spills over into real life and is rightfully punished, as was the case with Rypien.

When someone tells him that he is 'not professional' I have no doubt in my mind that it stung him. That was probably the worst part of punishment, being thought of as less of a hockey player. He has since apologized, and received a 6 game suspension from the NHL (which was completely fair and logical). Rypien plays the game hard, sometimes a little recklessly, but that won't change, and the fans love him for it. In a real sense, these are all the things that make someone more of a hockey player. That is how he earned his spot in the league. He has spent the past 15-20 years of his life becoming a professional. Rypien now comes back from his suspension with something to prove to the league and to his team, once again.

“The fact that they're in my corner and helped me out, I'm very thankful for that. My mindset now is I want to make them proud and make it up to them and do the very best I can.”
- Rick Rypien
Source: Vancouver Sun

He needs to prove that he has learned he cannot be a sideshow, he cannot be a distraction, and every time he steps on the ice he knows that he has to earn his next shift (as a 4th liner often does). Despite everything that has happened, he is a team player, a glue guy that is going to make sure he sticks in the NHL for as long as he can.

Flatly, he deserves a lot of credit for the hard work that he has put into his game (Video: Meet Young Canuck Rick Rypien), and his teammates thrive off of that work ethic. They perhaps see someone that has not had it as easy as them, someone who has clawed and scratched to get to where they were practically guaranteed to be; and that should be something that inspires all hockey players. Rypien is a heart and soul player, someone who has shown sacrifice and love of the game. Someone who has put his body and persona on the line to become arguably the 'pound for pound' toughest guy in the league. He is the type of player that only the home fans love, and is hated by pretty much the balance of the league. I think that when we put it in perspective we can see him as an everyman, someone that has earned his spot, and while he crossed the line with his actions, I believe that he is someone that we should be rooting for, not against. Let's hope his road to redemption is paved a lot smoother than his road to the NHL.

We should all keep in mind that while the fan in Minnesota paid for his seats and his jersey, Rick Rypien had to earn his.

BATTLE OF THE BIAS: Throwing Bombs

(Photo Courtesy of fittedid.com)

Battle of the Bias is a coast-to-coast battle from a couple of authentic hockey fans in replica jerseys. Lauren representing the West Coast and Fraser representing the East Coast.



Fraser: Welcome to DGNB first Battle of the Bias! Lauren everyone around the league is bringing it with their NHL previews and predictions. We need to hop over the boards and get things kicked off ourselves. I want to start off with who will be swinging the fists this year.

I'll start with the Eastern Conference. It has been a busy off season, and established pests like Ottawa's Chris Neil and Philadelphia's Dan Carcillo are facing a lot of competition out on the ice. Colton Orr is looking like a heavyweight with the Maple Leafs, and the Rangers brought in Derek Boogaard, who already started things off with a spear to Chris Neil's groin on Sunday. Boogaard, who owns the current NHL goalless streak at 222 games last scored a goal on January 7, 2006 (Hockeyfights.com), he isn't here to score, he is here to stir things up, protect the stars and agitate the other team. The Rangers are looking for him to do more than fight, but we all know what he is there for, protection. Ottawa also has Matt Carkner who can step in to protect the team, and even Neil when necessary. Tampa Bay brings back a gruesome twosome of Zenon Knopka and Steve Downie. Toughness on the first line? Check.

What is going on in the West? Who is going to protect the kids in Edmonton?

Click on any of the links above to check these guys out in action.

Lauren: The Best Coast perhaps doesn’t appear to hold the same “toughness” prestige they once did, compared to the generous contracts some tough guys scored out East this offseason (I personally am of the more-risk-more-reward school of thought, so I favor those moves). The West has traditionally been known for a rougher breed of hockey player, and an emphasis on defensive prowess, and size, where the East favors a more speed and finesse-based game. However the two conferences’ “styles” are bleeding into each other more and more each season.

My boys in LA are minus a Raitis Ivanans, but plus a Kevin Westgarth and a 19 year old Kyle Clifford, two fourth line “energy” players likely to throw some bombs this season (ideally in Corey Perry’s direction). Anaheim’s still got a tough core with Parros, but beefed up even more with the offseason addition of Aaron Voros (as the Rangers cleaned out their enforcer closet); the Ducks have also racked up the most preseason fights thus far. San Jose has been without big hammer Jody Shelley since February of last season, but recently added some grit via wingers Jamal Mayers and Frazer McLaren. I’ve seen McLaren drop ‘em plenty of times vs. my hometown Seattle Thunderbirds back when he was a long-standing tough guy in the WHL; he’s guaranteed to be a fan favorite in San Jose. Hockey in California has been thrilling the past few years, and this season stands to be no exception.

Additionally, look for sparks from old stand bys like Jared Boll (Columbus), Cam Janssen (St. Louis), and Krys Barch (Dallas). On an unrelated note, did you know that Wade Belak had a preseason fight? Neither did I.

My personal favorite saga out West this season, as far as scraps are concerned, is the Battle of Alberta. The whittled down Flames squad aquired a boost of muscle when they signed Raitis Ivanans fresh from the LA Kings during the offseason, and a guy named Tim Jackman (great name), which should guarantee us some gruesome fun (because the best Flames team is a nasty Flames team I say) when they face default tough guy Zack Stortini and the Oilers during the season.

(Photo courtesy of hockeyfights.com)

Stortini’s role on the team this season extends beyond the usual cuddle-fest, as the Oilers are especially focused on developing (and therefore protecting the physical well-being of) their copious young talent, as well as their high-priced top-liners. Also on board to take on a body guard role for the Oilers is the young and ballsy Theo Peckham, who has been a frequent call up when the Oilers require his services; look for Peckham to prove himself during one of this season’s Battles. All of which Fraser Matthews has reenacted on NHL11 several times over already.

So Fras, in my broadest opinion, the West isn’t as tough as the East on paper, but it really remains to be seen when teams in the conferences meet during the season. A team’s blood rival, most often, is the team they play most frequently throughout the season. I would like to see more of an East vs. West mentality in this game. I think it would make the vibe going into the playoffs, going into the finals, a little more competitive, and a lot more exciting. What potential East vs. West fisticuffs are you looking forward to seeing go down? What kinds of storylines can the teams build to make the interconference rivalry a dirtier one?

Fraser: It is hard to build up enough bad blood to create an interconference rivalry in the new NHL. With the changes to the schedule, teams are playing each other one to two times a season. These games aren't the same as what they used to be, but the old school Norris division battles are usually the best. The Norris Division had the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars battling with one an other 8 times a year, plus playoffs. Anytime these teams get together (WATCH THIS!) you can guarantee that the stakes are higher. The games have prestige and pride on the line, especially amongst the Original 6 teams.

Some of the best rivalries include The Battle of Pennsylvania, Washington vs. Pittsburgh, and of course one of hockey's oldest and most tribal, Montreal vs. Toronto, which kicks off the Maple Leafs and Canadiens season tonight. While many of the Eastern Conferences rivalries are based on territory (Rangers vs. Islanders) and tradition (Bruins vs. Canadiens) built over a number of years, the expansion of the NHL has led to a number of major rivalries emerging in the Western Conference.

What are the biggest games you are looking forward to this season? Can the Canucks dethrone the Hawks? Can the Kings win SoCal from the Ducks?

Lauren: I'm just saying that the bad blood should be there, if only because of the difference in location, even if it doesn't come from some long-standing rivalry. The new-school hockey fan part of me says 'fuck tradition'. The only time you really see them hype the Eastern Conference and Western Conference as rivals is during the All Star Game (...yeah)- make them exciting. I would just like to see inter-conference games matter to people, rather than just being a novelty- "Oh hey the Maple Leafs are in town, they're like big right?" Ideally, wouldn't it be exciting if at Cup time, fans supported their respective conference, instead of just shrugging off the series because it doesn't involve their team? Like Tupac and Biggie, only no one gets shot. Perhaps this is a West coast fan mentality, but we want to see the Leafs, and the Habs, and the Lightning, and the Capitals, and we want those games to be competitive and important for everyone involved.

That being said, as far as the West goes, I'm looking forward to a Kings and Wings rivalry this season, I think Detroit is going to give the heavily-buzzed-about Los Angeles team the biggest run for their money. Detroit is our golden child out West, I think even the people who despise them kind of end up rooting for them when it comes down to it. But I regress, the Kings and Canucks still have unfinished business after last season's playoff series, and I'm actually really looking forward to seeing Canucks warrior Rick Rypien in full action. Rypien, dubbed "the pitbull", is a 5'11 winger with a wicked smirk and readiness to throw fists. He's battling a preseason injury but is expected to be back on that fourth line by the start of regular season, and causing ruckus all over the Western Conference. Including Chicago. I think people underestimate the cuts that the Blackhawks had to make in the offseason, namely the multi-tasking Dustin Byfuglien and super-talented Kris Versteeg. That's not to say they still won't come out near the top, they probably will. I suppose if I had to tell someone in the Eastern Conference what Western teams are going to give them hell this season it would be the above mentioned teams.

And obviously I look forward to any game in which Todd Bertuzzi gets booed every time he touches the puck. I love having that guy in my Conference.

Let the madness commence.

FOURTH IS THE BEST

Hey there, DGNB readers. I apologize for neglecting the ten of you (whom I love equally) recently. Mostly, logging into Blogger is kind of a bitch every time, but I regress- no excuses, especially lousy ones like that.

I figured I'd update you with the goings-on in DGNB world. Firstly, and most importantly, not only will you be able to find my insightful prose here (like I'd abandon you, and this forum in which I can say 'fuck'), but I have joined The Fourth Period magazine team for the upcoming season, and this is huge for me. The Fourth Period is the only hockey lifestyle magazine, and if we all agree on something, it's that the lifestyle surrounding our sport is really like no other. The articles are edgy, the photos (especially the covers) are dope, and there aren't 13 pages of stats to skip (okay, I skim them sometimes). The Fourth Period magazine is doing its huge part in bridging the gaps between fan, player, and organization (perhaps bridging the media/blogger gap a little as well); really appealing to the real fan, which most of us are. Keep an eye out for my stuff at TheFourthPeriod.com (or click the TFP logo on the right), and check out the free digital issue of the most recent magazine out NOW.

Lastly, the first ever DGNB t-shirt will be dropping soon, and while we are talking merchandise, let us hear what else you'd like to see via DGNB web store (no worries, none of that 'dot com' stuff, self promotion is really not our forte). All ideas are welcome, even the dumb ones. Especially the dumb ones.


Let's drop the puck already, I'm sick of making LA Kings toast.


Peace + love, fellow hockey fans.


(photos- The Fourth Period)

HE ASKED FOR A 13 BUT THEY DREW A 31

This week some guy named Kovalchuk (or some guy named his agent) finally got their Paul-McCartney-esque contract demands met. He's staying with the Devils for like, the rest of his life, and still nothing in the actual game itself changes, and still I don't care. No, this week I'm relishing in a double goalie mask FAIL.

To be fair, Dan Ellis is my favorite hockey player on Twitter. His darling tweets about how much he loves his family never fail to draw an "aww" out of this stone face, and his opinions on the league and the game are honest, candid and legitimate. I sheepishly admit to not really hearing of Dan Ellis before Twitter, which goes to show naysayers like myself that this stupid Twitter thing may actually be helpful in spreading the Good Word of the game (maybe). But Dan Ellis made himself really popular/unpopular (remains to be seen) with a weird crowd when he unknowingly chose a World of Warcraft figure for his TB Lightning mask art, prompting some to wonder, not about the theme, but if Dan Ellis is, off the ice, a WoW fan. Ellis could have played it off like 'It's a level 60 Grand Marshall PVP set, yeah I'm that good, you should see me in the pipes, mother fucker'. But Dan Ellis wouldn't say that, because Dan Ellis is an honest man (because Dan Ellis is not a 20-something stoner with a dirty mouth and off-color sense of humor). Instead he humbly admits via Twitter:


I had no idea that it was a WoW figure. I google image searched Thor and that came up. Thor god of Thunder and Zeus god of sky/thunder/light

But if my WoW mask makes you happy...rock on! 


Dan Ellis managed to make himself look like a total nerd, while making himself look like a total non-nerd by being totally clueless about the nerdiness of it all. Rock on back, Dan. But still, Google Image FAIL. Consider yourself pwned.

Good thing for Ellis and feline-hoarding-hockey fans everywhere, Yahoo!'s Puck Daddy blog uncovered the latest comic gem to come out of Russia, only a couple days later. 

Look here, meow

This little guy belongs to Vasiliy Koshechkin of the KHL, who either has an amazing sense of humor, or is playing off a mistake like Dan Ellis didn't. Slap on some cloudy  blue skies, throw on a fluffy white kitten (the detail they put into the fur), some Kid Pixx font... pretty straightforward artistic direction if you ask me. Apparently it was originally supposed to be a tomcat (Koshechkin's nickname is "Cat") but it ended up looking like a kitten (it's cool, mask artist, I wouldn't know what to do with the word "tomcat" either, maybe he wanted a portrait of Tom Jones, which considering the outcome, wouldn't have been outside the realm of possibility). Being the man of ironic humor that he might be, Vasiliy Koshechkin rocked the adorable head piece anyway, he even named the kitten on the side and claimed that the little fella is "very bored from being on the side of his head all the time". At which point I'm wondering if I enjoy this because it is classic goaltender eccentricity or because it reminds me of a  mushroom trip I once had. I don't know how good of a player Vasiliy Koshechkin is, but if he isn't getting much pipe time, he can always claim that the kitten on his helmet is bored from being on the bench all the time. Even the guy in the kitty mask doesn't like to be door bitch.

  
Peace + love, hockey fans

(photos- 25Stanley.com, Puck Daddy on Yahoo!)

SOME GUY AND A TROPHY

Would look darling next to the chihuahua in your Dodge Neon

Well I for one cannot wait for Ellen Degeneres bobblehead night in Tampa. What is with making hockey player bobblehead statuettes in "street clothes"? Out of context (out of a hockey jersey, gloves and helmet) Steven Stamkos might just look like some guy (or Ellen) to the unknowing eye (including mine). To be fair, it's actually a good rendering of Stamkos, he just kind of looks like Ellen in person. Bobbleheads are a strange promo when you think about it. As a side note on Stamkos, I wonder about him more than anyone why the TB Lightning forward hasn't cracked a video game cover yet. His fancy shmancy offensive artillery and just plain neon-presence are begging to be exploited, and surprisingly haven't been exploited enough by said gimmick-happy organization (for the record I am not pro-exploitation, I am maybe speaking satirically). He is actually, maybe, perhaps, a little overlooked. I see him as one of the most talented players in the league, and definitely among the best representing young players in the game today. But still, I'd like to see a little more of that tow-headed eccentricity out of our boy, because well, what grown man has blond hair?

About Willie Mitchell, I will get to him later, as I feel the subject deserves more thought put into it than me laying around this 100 degree apartment listening to No Diggity. Casual Wednesdays, you know how it is.  You care about Willie Mitchell, I care about Steven Stamkos' head.

Till Willie...?

Peace.

photo from TBL TwitPic