Ok folks. Your probably saying what? What is Ray up to this evening? I have a theory that I want to share with you. Ready? Ok.
Since 1994/95 there has been a person from Cranbrook, British Columbia associated on the Stanley Cup winning team every year. What you say? Impossible. Here... Let me show you.
1994/95 New Jersey Devils - Scott Niedermayer (Raised in Cranbrook)
1995/96 Colorado Avalanche - Jon Klemm (Born/Raised in Cranbrook)
1996/97 Detroit Red Wings - Steve Yzerman (Born in Cranbrook)
1997/98 Detroit Red Wings - Steve Yzerman (Born in Cranbrook)
1998/99 Dallas Stars - Brad Lukowich (Raised in Cranbrook) name is not on cup, yet he played in 8 games of the playoffs. 2 in the conference finals. Go figure?
1999/00 New Jersey Devils - Scott Niedermayer (Raised in Cranbrook)
2000/01 Colorado Avalanche - Jon Klemm (Born/Raised in Cranbrook)
2001/02 Detroit Red Wings - Steve Yzerman (Born in Cranbrook)
2002/03 New Jersey Devils - Scott Niedermayer (Raised in Cranbrook)
2003/04 Tampa Bay Lightning - Brad Lukowich (Raised in Cranbrook)
2004/05 Cancelled
2005/06 Carolina Hurricanes - Randy Petruk (Goalie) was in the Hurricane system but never played. He was born and raised in Cranbrook. But in my mind... the Oilers won that cup and Jarret Stoll was the captain of the Kootenay Ice, which is in Cranbrook. Take your pick.
2006/07 Anaheim Ducks - Scott and Rob Niedermayer (Raised in Cranbrook)
2007/08 Detroit Red Wings - Steve Yzerman (Born in Cranbrook)
2008/09 ?
So what am I telling you? We need a guy from Cranbrook in our organization. Now that we have traded Stoll we're up a creek. So who could we get? Hmmmm... Scott or Rob Niedermayer most likely won't come here. Yzerman is a Detroit lifer. Jon Klemm is in Europe. And he's old and not worth it.
Brad Lukowich is a plausible option. 32 years old. Decent 5-6 d man. Plus he wins no matter where he goes. Expect San Jose to win the cup this year. (If they can get by the Oilers in WCF that is...)
The best option is Nigel Dawes (was Captain for Kootenay Ice) from the New York Rangers. He is a great leader who plays with proper conduct. Hard worker and is willing to be coached. Someone to think about.
Orrrrrrr.... We could get my old neighbour Tom Renney to come and coach or something along those lines. Not that we need a new one.
Take this for what it's worth, but the facts are the facts. Not my fault.
Smokin' Ray Burnt