Ottawa Senators Game 12-5-09

At the Ottawa Senators vs. Phoenix Coyotes game on the 5th at Jobing.com Arena, the Sens trainer gave me Jason Spezza's stick!! I was so excited. Spezza's stick is a black Reebok 10k. He uses a composite shaft and a wooden blade. The lower shaft has a hairline crack in it. It has a really wicked curve on it. The tape is all beat up from pucks. The Coyotes won 3-2. Petr Prucha, Taylor Pyatt, and Ed Jovanovski scored goals. Pyatt has two goals in two games. He has three this far in the season.

Happy Holidays,

Hockey Freak

Calgary Flames Practice 12-4-09

I went to watch the Calgary Flames practice on December 4th, at Desert Schools Coyotes Center in Peoria. Jarome Iginla signed a puck, two cards, and an All-Star hat from Atlanta in 2008. He is extremely nice, and wished me Merry Christmas. Dion Phaneuf signed two cards, my All-Star hat, and my McFarlane base for me. When I asked him to sign the All-Star hat he said, "Atlanta 08. I was there." One of the cards I had him sign was his rookie card from 05/06. The other was an Artifacts. Dion is a great guy off the ice. Mikka Kiprusoff signed two cards for me. Curtis McElhinney and Rene Bourque signed a Flames puck for me. Eric Nystrom, Brandon Prust, and Adam Pardy signed a practice puck for me. Jay Bouwmeester signed two cards for me. Daymond Langkow signed a card for me. Fredrik Sjostrom, Brian McGrattan, Brandon Prust, Nigel Dawes, Olli Jokinen, and Daymond Langkow are former Coyotes. The Flames had a fast paced practice.

Happy Holidays,

Hockey Freak

Meeting Gary Bettman and Bill Daly

November 16, 2009 - Dave (Phoenix Coyotes Booster Club VP), NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Heather (Phoenix Coyotes Booster Club President), me, and Siobhan

Before the game versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Phoenix Coyotes Booster Club President Heather told me that Bill Daly and Gary Bettman were in attendance. I had them sign a game used puck. Gary and Bill are two of the nicest guys in the world. My sister had them sign a puck also. Heather had Bill sign three Yotes pucks, and Gary signed three also. She will do a silent auction at a game, and auction them off.

See ya,

Hockey Freak

Dallas Stars Practice

Marty Turco, Dallas Stars goalie, with my sister, Siobhan, and me

We went to Desert Schools Coyote Center to watch the Dallas Stars practice on November 13th. They skate really hard!! Marc Crawford does not let them slack off! After the practice, my sister and I had several players autograph cards and pucks. Steve Ott was joking with us, pulling on my Minnesota North Stars cap, and blowing raspberries at my sister's Coyotes cap.

Mike Modano, Brad Richards, Mike Ribeiro, Stephane Robidas, Toby Peterson, Nicklas Grossman, Jeff Woywitka, James Neal, Matt Niskanen, Karlis Skrastins, Alex Auld, Marty Turco, and Coach Crawford signed autographs for me. My sister and I had our picture taken with Marty Turco.

At the very end, the rink attendant gave me Steve Ott's stick , an Easton S 19 Torx, (broken in half), and Mike Modano's stick, a Warrior AK 27 (with a broken blade).

Montreal Canadiens game

On November 12th, we went to the Coyotes vs. Montreal Canadiens game. The Coyotes lost, 4 - 1, but Carey Price, the goalie, gave me his stick after the game. I was standing beside the visitor's tunnel, getting high fives from the players, when he handed the stick over the railing. He said, "Here you go, buddy." I was so excited!! It's a red Warrior goalie stick with a wicked curve.

11/05/09 Fox Sports Arizona/Sanderson Ford Lincoln Mercury KidKaster

On November 5, 2009, I was the Fox Sports Arizona/Sanderson Ford Lincoln Mercury KidKaster at the Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks game.

On October 17th, Fox Sports Arizona held auditions for the KidKaster program. I was the first person to audition that day. Some of the questions they asked were: Why should you be the Fox Sports Arizona/Sanderson Ford Lincoln Mercury KidKaster? How long have you been a Coyotes fan?

I received a call in late October saying I had been selected as the KidKaster for the November 5th game against the Blackhawks. I was so excited. KidKasters recieve a behind the scenes tour of the Fox Sports Arizona production truck, four tickets to the game, dinner, a tour of the broadcast booth, and five minutes in the broadcast booth with Dave Strader, the play by play announcer, and Tyson Nash, the color analyst.

I had a ton of fun. The production truck is so cool. At least twenty people work in the truck. Two people work on the graphics. They were searching the Internet for graphics and statistics during the game. The truck is like controlled chaos during the game. It is amazing what they do in there. One whole wall is covered in television moniters. The technical director had a sound/video board in front of him that was a least 4 feet wide and 2-3 feet deep.

Here are some of my favorite photos from that night.



Getting ready to interview Coyotes Captain, Shane Doan



Coyotes Captain, Shane Doan

As soon as Doan came in, he immediately recognized me from previous times I had met him. He said, "Hey, buddy!!" I thought it was cool when he came in wearing his jersey, hockey tights and was barefoot.


In the FSArizona production truck with my sister, Siobhan



Eddie Olczyk, Chicago Blackhawks Color Analyst

Before the game, Eddie Olczyk was in the Yotes broadcast booth chatting with Dave Strader. As he came out, I met him, and he autographed my press pass.

Several of the Blackhawk's dads were at the game. I saw Patrick Kane's dad, Jonathan Toews's dad, and Patrick Sharp's dad on the media level.

Tyson Nash (Phoenix Coyotes Color Analyst), me, and Todd
Walsh (Phoenix Coyotes Host and Reporter) before the pre-
game show

Todd Walsh was great! He gave me lots of tips and pointers before the pre-game show, and was really nice. Even though he is a Yankees fan, and I love the Red Sox, we both love hockey!

Graham Taylor (Director) and Mike Roth (Producer)



In the broadcast booth with Dave Strader and Tyson Nash

Dave Strader and Tyson Nash were both really nice. Tyson was laughing and joking with me. Dave Strader didn't even seem to mind when I called him "Strades" by accident during the broadcast! Dave Strader and Tyson Nash make the broadcast look very easy, but there is a ton of prep involved. They always have someone talking in their headset through out the game. It is very hectic during the game.

Everyone was great, but I would like to give a special thanks to Brett Hansen and Rhydon Tigerman from FS Arizona. Also, I would like to thank Mike Roth and Graham Taylor from FS Arizona. They spent a lot of time with me, and made the evening really special.

It was awesome that we finally beat the Blackhawks.

Tippett, King, and Yotes Training Camp 9/25/09

On Thursday, September 24th, Head Coach Wayne Gretzky resigned from his position as Head Coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. He had an all-time record of 143-161-24 OTL and no playoff appearances. The Yotes held press conference, and the new coach is ..... Dave Tippett!!!!!! Tippett has a all-time record of 492 games coached, 271-156-28 T-37 OTL, and 5 playoff appearances. I was doing cheetah flips when I heard that we hired Dave Tippett. We also replaced Goalie Coach Grant Fuhr with Sean Burke, and moved Fuhr to Director of Goaltender Development. Fuhr will scout draft elligable goalies, and work with the prospects.

Earlier in the week, we hired Dave King as Assistant Coach. It seems that King has a billion years of hockey coaching experience. King has won a ton of trophies. He is very well respected in the hockey community. He will probably work with the younger players quite a bit.

At practice on September 25th, Tippett had the players pass, get the puck out of the defensive zone as fast as they could, quick-pass through the neutral zone, and do face-off drills. I had a bunch of fun at the practice. I had Matt Lombardi, Adrian Aucoin, Petr Prucha, Jim Vandermeer, Vernon Fiddler, and Jason LaBarbera sign my hat. Scottie Upshall signed my card. Lombardi signed my rookie card of him, and another card.

When the players were entering the ice for practice, David Schlemko came out with no jersey on, just pads. He stopped by the equipment manager, by the door leading to the ice, and asked if he had any extra jerseys. The equipment manager said they did not have any extra jerseys, and that Schlem would have to go on the ice in his pads, unless the guy standing in the bleachers would loan him his jersey. The guy that was standing in the bleachers is my Dad. Dad took off his jersey, and gave it to Schlem, who shook his hand and said," Thanks man, I really appreciate what you're doing." So, Schlem skated 7-8 laps around the rink before Shane Doan, who had been the last one out of the dressing room at Jobing.com, and had "taken" Schlem's jersey, skated across to the bench, and gave the equipment manager Schlem's jersey. The equipment manager walked around the end of the rink, and gave Dad his practice worn jersey back. On Friday, at the end of practice at Jobing.com, Schelm took his stick, skated across the ice, stuck it over the glass, and gave it to Dad.

See ya,

Hockey Freak

Yotes Training Camp 9/19/09

On Saturday, September 19th, I went to the 9th day of Yotes Training Camp. I got two pucks. Daniel Winnik flipped a puck over the glass to me. I had a ton of fun.

The team lost to the Anaheim Quackers at home, in overtime, the night before. Ulf was MAD!!!!!! At the start of the practice he said, " Whoever isn't ready to put out and work hard can leave the ice now." Nobody left the ice. Ulf had them skate laps, and serpentines, do gassers and a few passing and shooting drills. Everyone look beat after Ulf skated them so hard!

Several players were looking good. Dan Winnik looked good in passing, shooting, and skating. Jason LaBarbera looked the best, because he has a good stick, and range of movement. Zbynek Michalek looked great in the skating and shooting drills. Justin Bernhardt looked the best in the skating drills.

We need to work on a few things. We need to not take so many bad penalties, we need to get the rust off, and we need to get a new Head Coach.

See ya,
Hockey Freak

Yotes Training Camp 9/18/09

On Friday, September 18th, I went to the 7th day of Yotes Training Camp. I heard that Matt Jones has not been at camp because he is injured. I got five pucks, including one that Scottie Upshall flipped over the glass to me. Jovo flipped a puck, it went over the glass behind the net, and I got it. I had a bunch of fun.

The players worked hard. Ulf had them doing shooting drills, gassers, suicides, stick handling drills, passing drills, 2-on 1, 3-on-1, and 4-on-3 keep away drills. I bet the players were reallly tired afterwards.

After practice, Jason LaBarbera and a few other players were goofing off. The guys would take one hard shot from about 10 feet out, then skate in, and try to deke him out. LaBarbera would let them take the first shot, then he would scoop snow from the net area, and when they came for in the second shot, he would flick the snow at them. He did that to Petr Prucha, Justin Bernhardt, and Colin Long.

Daniel Winnik looked good in the 2-on-1 and shooting drills. Jason LaBarbera was good in the 4-on-3 and 3-on-1 drills. He has really good lateral movement. Petr Prucha looked the best in the skating and passing drills. Jeff May looked great in the skating and stick handling drills.

See ya,
Hockey Freak

Yotes Training Camp

On Tuesday, September 15th, I went to the third day of Yotes Training Camp. The players worked their tails off. Mitch Fritz, who is 6'7" tall, played good hockey. Justin Bernhardt was outstanding.

The LA Kings were practicing at Jobing.com Arena. I had my hopes up that I could get some autographs from the players, but after the Yotes finished their practice, the security guards asked everyone to leave. The Kings had requested a PRIVATE PRACTICE!!!!

I got SIX more pucks to add to my collection. I collected three from the section behind the goal, and the ice attendants gave me two more. One puck flew over into the photographers well, so I squeezed my arm through, and got it.

See ya,
Hockey Freak

Yotes Training Camp

On Monday, September 14th, I went to the second day of Yotes Training Camp. The players were working hard. Ulf Samuelsson has been acting head coach. He is a very vocal coach. Wayne Gretzky has not been at camp because of the BK issue, but everything seems to be running smooth.

Mathieu Brodeur was sick. The team was doing gassers, and after Brodeur finished his set, he was hanging on the net, looking like he was going to pass out.

Daniel Winnik was playing really good. I talked to him after practice was over, and told him that he was playing good. He replied, " Thanks. My job is on the line. I need to work my ___ off."

I got two pucks to add to my collection.

Matt Jones has not been at camp. I wonder if he is still with the organization.

On Friday the 18th, the Anaheim Quackers will practice at Jobing.com Arena.

See ya,
Hockey Freak

Yotes Training Camp

On Sunday, September 13th, I went to the Phoenix Coyotes first day of Training Camp at Jobing.com Arena. Matt Jones was not at camp. Ulf Samuelsson is a good acting Head Coach. He had the players do gassers, and worked them hard. I would not want to be on the ice during those drills.

Taylor Pyatt looked really good. He was joking with Scottie Upshall and Peter Mueller. When he came out of the tunnel for practice, he was eating an apple, a banana, two cookies and drinking a cup of cocoa. He finished his apple, then crammed the banana and cookies in his mouth, chewing as he skated onto the ice. He looks like he is having fun.

Justin Bernhardt, Chad Kolarik, and Daniel Winnik looked really good. Bernhardt is a great passer. Kolarik skates hard and has a hard shot. Winnik is one of the better skaters on the team so far.

I had a bunch of fun and got a puck. The camp will go until September 27th. There were about 200 people at practice.

See ya,
Hockey Freak

DSCC Yotes Rookie Camp

On Tuesday September 7th, I went to Rookie Camp at the Desert Schools Coyotes Center. I thought Lucas Bloodoff, Brett Maclean, Joel Gistedt, Jonas Ahnelov, Jared Staal, and Colin Long were looking good. Chris Perugini looked more relaxed on the ice. They worked HARD!!!!!!

I had a ton of fun. They were busing to LA for two games against the King's rookie team. I hope they win the Rookie Tourney.

See ya,
Hockey Freak

Yotes Rookie Camp

On Sunday and Monday, September 5th and 6th, I went to the Phoenix Coyotes Rookie Camp at Jobing.com Arena. There were 27 players at the camp. Mathieu Brodeur, Lucas Bloodoff, Chad Kolarik, Brett Maclean, Ryan McDonough, Jared Staal, Colin Long, Jonas Ahnelov, Nick Ross, Chris Frank, and Joel Gistedt were looking really good.

I got several players to sign two pucks, and had Kevin Porter sign his rookie card. I talked with San Antonio Rampage Head Coach Greg Ireland for several minutes. Sean Burke was helping Chris Perugini, an eighteen year old goalie there on a Professional Tryout. Joel Gistedt gets the "Most Helpful Award". He was helping Perugini a lot, and talking to him all the time.

I had a lot of fun at the camp. They worked HARD!!!!!! The players were really tired. I think they played really good.

See ya,
Hockey Freak

Voluntary Workouts

On Tuesday, September 2, I went to Alltel Ice Den to watch the voluntary workouts for NHL players. Nikolai Khabibulin, Kurt Sauer, Keith Yandle, Zbynek Michalek, Shane Doan, Martin Hanzal, Petr Prucha, Ed Jovanovski, Peter Mueller, Kyle Turris, Al Montoya, Bill Thomas, Stefan Meyer, Lauri Korpikoski, Nick Ross, Adrian Aucoin, Jonas Ahnelov, Vernon Fiddler, Kevin Porter, Todd Fedoruk, Nick Boynton, Sean Burke, Sean O'Connor, Dusty Collins, Joel Gistedt, and Ross Lupachuk were at the camp, along with other players.

I got a chance to talk with Coyotes GM Don Maloney and President Doug Moss. They are doing a great job under stressful circumstances.

Kevin Porter was looking really good. He is a fast skater, and his wrist shot is really good. Porter is looking stronger and faster than last year.

Kyle Turris, who had a herniated disk repaired in the off-season, looks a lot better. "I am about ninety percent healthy. I can go for a month and be fine, then have one painful day," he said. He looks faster, stronger, and more confident than last year.

Peter Mueller looked really good. He is such a smooth skater. He has lost about twenty pounds, and is looking like the Peter from two years ago. I can't wait to see him play this season!

I had a nice chat with Kurt Sauer. I talked to Tyson Nash about the BK situation.

Doaner looks like he could start the season tomorrow. He was helping the younger guys quite a bit. He is a mule!

The camp was a lot of fun. I got several autographs from the players. They are very nice guys. I got Ulf Samuelson and Grant Fuhr to sign a puck.

See ya,
Hockey Freak