The WCHA
That gorilla of a human, David (Silver)Backes, scored four goals for the St. Louis Blues last night. In college, we played against Backes for three years, and he was the picture of the guy I was waiting to be an NHL star (mostly because at one point, an NHL scout called me “the poor man’s David Backes” – still not sure how to take that, but I knew I needed him to be a really good NHLer for me to have any chance at cracking the league).
Backes is just one of many stars to emerge from the WCHA, the NCAA conference where my poor University of Alaska seems to sadly be one of two perennial non-contenders (Michigan Tech is usually in the hunt for the ten-seed as well). The league is insanely deep, moreso than any other college conference (with honorable mention to the CCHA and Hockey East). Take a look at the list of some of the players I played against in college, from 2003 – 2007:
Tomas Vanek — Zach Parise — Travis Zajack — David Backes — Paul Stastny — Keith Ballard — Phil Kessel — Kyle Okposo —Alex Goligoski — Matt Niskanen — Mason Raymond — Blake Wheeler — Joe Pavelski — TJ Oshie — Jonathan Toews — Matt Carle — Tom Gilbert — Drew Stafford
There’s a whole bunch of others, but I either didn’t think the guy was worthy of mention or I didn’t like him.
For a list of all ex-WCHAers currently in the NHL, check here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=puUzT1X4h9sQYAzuOPvdaMQ
Curtis Glencross was the only teammate of mine to establish himself as a full time NHLer, but mark my words, Sound Tigers goaltender Nathan Lawson will be the next (the goalie beside me in that picture).
So that was my plug. There are six NCAA Division 1 conferences, and since 1951 the WCHA has won 36 National Championships. Something to keep in mind for any players or anybody with kids with the opportunity to play college hockey.
“UAA. UAA. We are the Seawolves and we’re ready to play”.
Ugh. That song was abolished the second Charlie Kronschnabel and I got letters on our jerseys.
Attending the University of Alaska Anchorage allowed me to play against the best college players in North America. People are occasionally curious about my decision to choose Alaska after flying down to other schools like New Hampshire, but for me it was an obvious decision. Alaska was offering a full scholarship to play major minutes in a premier league.
Playing anywhere in the WCHA gives players the necessary exposure to pro scouts, and if you’re good enough, they’ll find you. Take Paul Crowder, a three-year Seawolf, who just signed an NHL deal with the Rangers.
There. My college and conference have both officially been plugged. I’m proud to have been a Seawolf, and proud of the major moments we had – like upsetting the #3 seeded Wisconsin in a best of three playoff series to go to the WCHA final five – in their building.
UAA. UAA. We are the Seawolves and we’re ready to play. God I wish you could’ve heard that song…
Jeff "The Hammer" Bourne
Before I get to Jeff, let me ask, in Seinfeldian fashion: …what’s the deal with old people in check out lines?
Why, oh why, is exact change so crucial to the elderly? What age is it that you realize that having extra change is the most burdensome thing to have to bear? Plus, I swear on everything holy the lady ahead of me in line at the grocery store asked (after paying to the penny) “Oh, and one more thing dear… is there a fig section? There used to be a fig section.”
I don’t want to be ageist, but come on with the fig line lady.
*****
Now, more importantly, I want to use my blog to mention something near and dear to my heart. Sledge Hockey.
My brother Jeff is an avid player/coach/general enthusiast. In fact, those of you who saw my Dad’s Islanders-Hall-Of-Fame induction may remember the Islanders bought Jeff a sled as a gift, which was a super-classy move. Plus that sled ruled.
Whenever I play, he chucks me in some old Studebaker model, passes the puck into a corner, and blows me to pieces. A quick explanation of Sledge for those of you who don’t know:
You sit in a bucket seat (with your legs straight out in front of you) which is on two skate blades. You hold two Sledge sticks, which have a hockey blade on one side and a pick on the other to pull yourself. You can really get cruisin’. It’s full contact, and most of the players are better than you at it. That’s really all you need to know for now.
Basically, I just wanted to spread the word about it, and if anybody is interested or involved, feel free to email myself or my brother Jeff at jeff.bourne@gmail.com.
Also, I vote everybody starts calling my brother “the Hammer”, because its the coolest sledge name ever, and he likes to hit. Whiiich is a tad different from the Euro/Canadian hybrid style his younger brother attempted.
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On a totally different topic, yesterday I was listening to a rap radio station here in NY, as I tend to do, and I heard this exchange:
Guy: “I may be only 135 pounds, but I like them big girls. 140+”
Girl: “Boy don’tchu call me big. I’m thick. And I ain’t even big, I wear a size 19, I’m not even in double digits!”
Sigh… yes dear. Yes you are in double digits.
*****
And lastly for today, thank you to Jay Cutler and the rest of the Denver Bronco’s for acting like 10 year olds, it looks like the Jets are in the running to pick him up. Lord knows we need him. J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets! How do you think that affiliation is gonna hold up if I move to Boston?
Final note: If you’re into hockey, which you probably are since you’re on my blog, check out today’s articles on www.thehockeynews.com and www.maxhockey.com.
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Blind To The Obvious
I know you’ve been holding your breath, but it’s okay… you can exhale. My third installment of A Hockey Player’s Life is finally available at www.maxhockey.com Also, the re-vamped and slightly more playoff relevant version of Chemistry Experiment #39 should be up in the next hour or so at www.thehockeynews.com.
Onward-ho.
Part of leaving the game of hockey this year meant I was going to stay with Brianna while I got my new life in order. Staying with her means staying with her parents, Clark and Pam, until she finishes her Masters in June. And in turn, staying with her parents means watching American Idol like it’s a sneak-preview for tomorrow’s lottery numbers.
Forgive my being up on it, but here are my two mini rants (it could be ten full lengthers) on American Idol:
One: The blind guy is still on the show. You know why? Because America is voting, and he’s a pity-case. He’s a talented singer, compared to say, me, but not people who are legit at it. My brother Jeff is a disabled athlete, and has kicked my ass on numerous occasions in numerous sports. But people don’t realize how patronizing it is to say “you’re just like everyone else!” in a high-pitched puppy-voice, because nobody says that to “everyone else”.
If you want to treat people with disabilities equally (and I know they want you to), VOTE HIS BLIND ASS OFF THE SHOW. Being blind isn’t even a disadvantage in a singing contest. It’s a sweet story, great. He’s awful. Stop the madness.
It reminds me of when the Canucks almost got that awful D-Man in the all-star game as a joke.
Phew… okay. Next:
Paula Abdul is so awful at evaluating talent, speaking, and being a human that I propose we use her name as an adjective that describes stuff that sucks. I just threw up on my comforter, I’m feeling so Paula Abdul. God, I hate the humidity, it makes my hair so Paula Abdul. This Paula Abdul of a computer keeps freezing, I’m gonna tear the hair from my head.
Sidebar: Is there a frustration more soul-wrenching than a computer that isn’t functioning properly? I swear, we should make criminals have to send emails, organize a spreadsheet and listen to iTunes while downloading movies on Limewire using a five-year old Dell as punishment for murder.
Anyways, I apologize for today’s negativity. Two things I like:
Earlier, I ran a clip of the Pavel Datsyuk shootout move. Courtesy Neil Corbett, I recieved this video, which, I imagine, is how Pavel would have done it had he been good at hockey:
And last, a major positive: Yesterday was my anniversary with Bri, after another great year. Love ya babe!
I'm a hockey player turned writer. After playing for Alaska Anchorage in the WCHA (NCAA), I carried on with an NHL tryout (New York Islanders in 2007) before spending a couple seasons in the AHL/ECHL (last year was 2008-09). My father, Bob Bourne, won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the '80's, as did my fiancee's dad, Clark Gillies. I'm now the web editor for theScore's hockey blog "Backhand Shelf."
