Chara on the Brink

Chara to the KHL (Photo Credit: Steph Phillips)

The Providence Bruins opened their training camp Friday at the Rhode Island Sports Center to gear up for what should be an interesting and entertaining season.  34 players reported to the festivities yesterday including guys like Chris Bourque, Jordan Caron and Torey Krug who would normally be playing in back-to-back games with the Boston Bruins.

“Finally getting on the ice feels good, and now we’re back in the swing of things,” Chris Bourque told CSNNE reporter Joe Haggerty.

For guys like Sweeney and Chiarelli, it is a chance to finally get back to what they love – a life revolved solely around ice hockey. Yet for guys like Captain Zdeno Chara, it’s decision time as to whether or not to play overseas.  Currently there are seven members of the Boston Bruins Organization playing overseas across different parts of Europe-from Switzerland to Russia to the Czech Republic. Since Patrice Bergeron has yet to sign with Switzerland and took part in the first of the Quebec games, it appears Chara may be the next to head over.

While we can assume that he will be playing for his native Slovakian home, there are rumors that he may be playing for the KHL. With the opening of regular season games just around the corner being expected to be cancelled, the decision may come sooner than anyone expected.  There are already over 100 NHL players participating overseas with the lockout continuing to linger on.

While the whispers around town were insistent the six-foot-nine captain would be playing for Bratislava, his native home team, it doesn’t appear it is the open option.  Granted, he would be reunited with former Bruin teammate Miroslav Satan, friends aren’t a definite deciding factor in situations like this.

As of now Chara remains in Boston, practicing with a few of his teammates and enrolling his daughter in the Boston school system and  nothing is set in stone. We will keep you posted as we get more information.

 

UPDATE:12:45PM: Zdeno Chara has signed with Prague of the KHL and is set to play in games this weekend. 

The List Goes On And On. . .

Ladies and gentlemen, stuff just got real.  Yesterday the NHL announced that all pre-season games scheduled until September 30 would be cancelled, providing us with at least a month of no hockey to get excited for.  The real kicker, two more Bruins players announced today that they would be headed overseas to play.

Forwards Tyler Seguin and Andrew Ference are joining their teammates Sedienberg and Krejci on their foreign hockey journey as they accept contracts from the Swiss and Czech Republic.  Nothing gives me more hope for a hockey season like reading about all of the new signings overseas…NOT!  Seriously, with big names like Joe Thornton and Alex Ovechkin, BIG name guys in the NHL leaving to play overseas so soon, what does this say about the state of the lockout. Granted, these players are getting their playing time in, but who is to say that the second they land in this foreign country thousands of miles away from their US home, that they aren’t going to be called back for the NHL?  Do the players know something that we don’t know?  In having players rush overseas, it allows one to believe that there will in fact not be a season this year and that we are all just kidding ourselves.

Sadly, the cold, harsh reality is that Tyler Seguin is leaving Boston today to play with the Swiss for HC Beil, while Andrew Ference heads to the Czech Republic to play for HC Mountfield České Budějovice.  Along with Anton Khudobin playing for HC Atlant Moscow Oblast (KHL) and Chara being rumored to go play for HC Slovan Bratislava (KHL).  Yup, it looks like a lot of new jerseys are going to be purchased this year along with some pretty expensive plane tickets.  But hey, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime, right?

 

 

Ference and Fundraising

Ference and Chara both support the You Can Play Project (Photo Credit: Steph Phillips)

Earlier this week defenseman Andrew Ference tweeted that he was going to be running the stands at Harvard Stadiumn at 6:30am Wednesday morning and for anyone to join him.  What started out as an every day work out for Ference turned into a fun-filled fundraiser for the You Can Play Project.

Once founder of the YCP Project, Patrick Burke, caught wind of the early morning run, he questioned the defenseman about it, who would then later challenge Burke to run the stairs with him.  Burke and Ference’s twitter followers along with Ference raised $2500 just to see Burke struggle up the stairs, “I think they got their money’s worth,” Burke told Bruins News.

By Wednesday night they had earned over $3000 in just 48 hours.

“That’s the magic of Twitter, I guess,” smirked Ference. “Things kind of get going if you let them.” (via Bruins News)

While the stairs are a usual workout for the defenseman, it is usually a solo effort, but Wednesday morning he was working alongside 300 other runners who came out to support the cause (November Project).

 “It’s one thing to come and do them on your own. It’s another to have a huge group of people who are up and at it early in the morning and just out here to get fit. It’s just about getting together and getting after it.” (via Bruins News)

Burke had his own thoughts on the support he has received for the Project;

“Andrew and the Bruins organization have been behind You Can Play from the start,” he said. “Zdeno Chara has done a video and Shawn Thornton has also spoken out for us, so we’re really honored to have the support of such a great organization.”

 

Seguin Staying in Boston

When the news of Brad Marchand being signed for a four year contract extension was announced, I knew it was only a matter of time before the Bruins locked down Brad’s linemate Tyler Seguin. Today many of the Bruins players, including Seguin, took to the ice for an optional skate in Wilmington. It was here that General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced that Seguin was signed to a six-year contract extension through the 2018-2019 season. His contract is worth $5.75 million annually over the next six years. With this deal, Seguin is the highest paid forward on the team and second highest paid player behind Zdeno Chara.

Though the NHL labor talks haven’t been getting any better, it’s good to see that the Bruins are still continuing to make moves. I think that this move was key for the future of the Boston Bruins. Earlier this summer when the Carolina Hurricanes locked up Jeff Skinner for a six-year contract, I had a feeling that the B’s would make a similiar move with Seguin.

This past season, Seguin led the team with 29 goals and 67 points and became the youngest player in team history to hold the team scoring title. Needless to say in only two seasons, he has made an impact on the club.

Seguin tweeted his excitement following the announcement:

 Shortly after Chiarelli and Seguin took to a conference call to discuss the signing. On the signing Chiarelli said:

“Seguin’s a young exciting player, maturing before our eyes. The sky’s the limit for Tyler.” (via Bruins Twitter)

And it seems as though Seguin is eager to continue his progress with the Bruins saying,

“I have high expectations of myself…that’s going to keep me motivated, keep me going.” (via Bruins twitter)

This is good news for Boston regardless of if a lock out occurs. Seguin and Marchand are the future of the Bruins organizations and it’s nice to see that the Chiarelli and Co. are taking the time to lock down key players.

24/7 Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins 24/7, sounds like a dream doesn’t it? It’s every fan’s dream to see their team featured in a documentary leading up to the Winter Classic in January. However, for Bruins fans, this hasn’t happened.  While the Penguins/Capitals and Flyers/Rangers were equally entertaining to watch, the Boston Bruins could provide some quality television.

Seriously, think about it. What other team around the NHL has greater rivals than the Bruins? The only measurable one I can think of is the in-state Pittsburgh-Philadelphia rivalry.  Aside from that, Boston and Montreal hold the biggest original six rivalry to date. While the year of goaltender fighting may have been the greatest year to watch the rivalry play out, there is never a dull moment when the two play each other.

Love For Lokomotiv

Chara is to play in the charity game in memory of the Lokomotiv team (Photo Credit: Steph Phillips)

Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will be taking part in the charity game being held on August 4 to remember those that were lost in the plane crash carrying the Lokomotiv hockey team last fall.  He is among a group of European and Russian players who were deeply touched by the tragedy with the news hitting close to home as one of the players, Pavol Demitra-a Slovakia native and friend of Chara’s, died soon after take-off when the plane crashed.   Chara left Bruins practices last September to attend Demitra’s funeral services and was understandably emotional while talking about the untimely death of one of his closest friends in hockey.

The game is being held in Switzerland and is being known as a “Memory Night.” In this game there will be two teams, the Swiss League’s Kolten Flames against an All-Star team that is consisted of current and retired NHL players.  Among the players are: Evgeni Malkin,Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, Ilya Beyzgalov, Sergei Gonchar and Alex Semin.  Alexei Kovalev, Alex Yashin, Sergei Fedorov and Sandis Ozolinsh are among the retired NHL players/current KHL players that will take part in the exhibition.

“Memory Night” reminds us how much of a short time it has actually been since the tragic accident took place, a day in hockey that will certainly never be forgotten. May the memories of those lost on that tragic day forever live on in our hearts.

Daily Countdown: 94 Days

Tuukka Rask (Photo Credit: Steph Phillips)

We are yet another day closer to the start of Boston Bruins hockey people. We are in the double digits and getting that much closer to seeing the men in Black and Gold that seem to make the days problems vanish. There are only ninety-four days until we welcome Chris Kelly, Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille back to Boston. Ninety-four days until we congratulate Tuukka Rask on becoming the starting goal keeper and welcome Anton Khudobin to the big league. Ninety-four days until Zdeno Chara plants his first hit against the Philadelphia Flyers(hopefully Tom Sestito). Ninety-four days until we see #18 skating on the ice alongside Milan Lucic and David Krejci. Ninety-four days until we begin, yet another countdown, of when defenseman Adam McQuaid will lose his footing and injure himself…again (I’m a firm believer we need to invent bubbles for the clutz skaters, ahem…McQuaid) The countdown continues on and until the opening day, we promise to continue to keep you up to date on anything and everything Bruins hockey related. Ninety-four days and counting. . .

Daily Countdown: 99 Days

Zdeno Chara (Photo Credit: Steph Phillips)

Since the Bruins announced their official pre-season schedule, we can cut our countdown down just a tad. We are in the double digits people and it is about time! That means we are that much closer to seeing the men in Black and Gold again!

Tonight you also have the opportunity to see a couple of the team’s most prized possessions as thy take the stage at the NHL Awards, in hopes of walking away with a trophy. Make sure you tune into NBCSN at 7:00pm to see if Captain Zdeno Chara and Alternate-Captain Patrice Bergeron walk home with the Norris and Selke.

Also, keep your fingers crossed for forward Benoit Pouliot as Goal of the Year, which will also be announced tonight.

 

Players Playlists

As I was sitting around here thinking to myself while listening to music, I couldn’t help but to think of a few of the Bruins when I heard certain songs. Coincidentally I came up with this great idea to write an article based on songs. Granted this is a similar type article to that of “The Pulse” Tune In Tuesdays, however, I am doing a theme song for each current member of the Bruins team. The first song and/or player that comes to my mind is:

Shirt off by Blank featuring Young Ivy

Hmm, lets see, who does this make you think of? Perhaps a twenty-five year old Brad Marchand and twenty year-old Tyler Seguin, celebrating the Stanley Cup win in 2011?

Next would have to be a song that makes me think of Joe Corvo. A song that is played generally when a team gets knocked out of the playoffs or loses, much like Joe Corvo is leaving Boston. It’s fitting.

…Or this is equally fitting for Joe Corvo:

And what would this playlist be without the song that reminds us of Tim Thomas, our vacation seeker who likes to complicate things:

This next one would be for our not-so-slick on skates, clumsy Adam McQuaid:

Well, going a little bit further down the roster, I can’t help but think of our key enforcer Shawn Thornton every time I hear this song. Why, well, think about it.

And what would an enforcer be without one of his key instigators? You guys can’t tell me you don’t think of Milan Lucic when you hear this song:

As for Big Z, well, what better song would fit him than “Move” by Thousad Foot Krutch.Every time I hear this song I picture a highlight reel of Zdeno Chara’s biggest hits.

As for Nathan Horton, well I consider him to be the most inspirational person on the team what with his efforts in Game 7 with the water bottle and his constant efforts to get back on the ice. This is what makes me think of him:

Then we have our lovely goaltender Tuukka Rask, generally I have to give him a traditional song the ever so glorious Pat Benatar hit:

For Dougie Hamilton who is making his way up in the system I have to go with the CLASSIC:

Oh Benny Pouliot, ever since Ariana and I were discussing the possibility of you being traded this song has forever made me think of you. (For the record, I sincerely hope you do NOT get traded and if you do I hope it isn’t to the Jets)

As for alternate Captain Chris Kelly, I have to go with this one based on the enormous and infamous ‘Chain’.

For those of you that didn’t see the chain:

Chris Kelly sports the new piece of jewelry in the B's locker room (Credit: twitter.com/NaokoFunayama)

Well, this one speaks for itself:

Based on this hit that Paille got served with:

I have to say that this makes me think of him:

What better song to make you think of our environmentalist Andrew Ference than a Michael Jackson piece:

For some odd reason when I hear this song, I can’t help but think of David Krejci’s struggle this season. Now granted this might be a little awkward, but still listen to the songs and try to put it into his perspective if you will:

What better song for Patrice Bergeron than “I Am Perfection”:

While this may not contain every player on the team, I think I have put you through enough crazy madness for one article. Stay tuned to see what we come up with next!

 

 

 

 

Bruins Summer Blues

Chara picked up the silver for Team Slovakia (Credit:Slidingsideways/Flickr)

As Steph pointed out earlier we are just 135 days away from the 2012-2013 Boston Bruins hockey season. While that may seem like a million years away, there are still things going on in Bruins nation. We’ve been rounded up the buzz on the B’s and here some updates on some of your favorite players.

If you’ve been following Intermission Report then you know two of the Bruins players participated in the World Tournament. David Krejci played on Team Czech Republic and scored the game winner for the team in the bronze medal game against Finland. Meanwhile oh captain my captain Zdeno Chara scored two goals in the championship game against Team Russia as he represented Team Slovakia. Ultimately his team ended up with the silver medal. He was name Best Defenseman of the Tournament.

Elsewhere in Boston, Tyler Seguin is in the healing process after having surgery on his hand.

“A few days after our season ended I ended up getting surgery on my hand,” Seguin said. “I hurt it back in March when we were in Florida and the tendon came out of it’s socket and I got that fixed, and finally got the cast off after two weeks and now I’m just walking around in a splint.” (Via NHL Bruins)

The 10 week process is leaving Seguin out of work out mode but that doesn’t mean he’s been out of the loop. Recently, Seguin has been tweeting up a storm (@TylerSeguin92) but he’s not the only B’s player on the social media outlet.

That’s right Andrew Ference (@Ferknuckle) joined twitter two days ago and since has been very active on it even setting up play dates with Seguin. The third B’s player on Twitter is newcomer Torey Krug (@TKrug47).

I guess we should all take the Bruins lead and just continue to live our summers day by day without dwelling over the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, let’s send out good luck and well wishes to the Boston Celtics who have a chance to head to the NBA semi finals tonight! And also sending a big yay to my bandwagon team the LA Kings. Goalie Jonathan Quick is the first UMass  hockey player to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals so needless to say I have a reason for my bandwagon love.