Why Not A Wayne Gretzky Award? Sign The Petition

Since the first time the NHL was formed, there has never been an top assists trophy. They have trophies for just about everything under the sun. Points (yes). Goals (yes), The even have a plus minus trophy of all things. Take a look.

So if the NHL can have a Mark Messier leadership award, why not a Wayne Gretzky Assist Leader Award? Considering what he has done in his career (1,963 assists in the NHL), there is no doubt he should have a trophy named after him. His name is all over the NHL assist record book. There is no one better at passing and assists than Wayne Gretzky.

Now I know this trophy idea thing isn't a fresh idea and I know other people have said it before. But what if we go one step further? What if we had an online petition and we submit it to the NHL and maybe, just maybe they consider it and honor a man that SHOULD be honored?

*drum roll* Well, here you go. Click on the link below and electronically sign the petition. Once we get a ton of signatures, we will submit it to the NHL. This award should be made.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/waynegretzkyaward/

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

Stockton Thunder News / New Role Suits O'Dette Well

New Role Suits O'Dette Well

04/27/2010 10:30 AM

By Lindsay Kramer - NHL.com Correspondent

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Matt O'Dette needed more suits, and better ones at that.

The off-ice wardrobe he had while playing defense for the Stockton Thunder was OK, but he admits he had to step up his sartorial game when he was named a full-time assistant with the team.

"I had to pump up the wardrobe being behind the bench," O'Dette said. "I had some, but some of the suits weren't very nice. That's been taken care of."

With that detail out of the way, there's no reason to believe O'Dette won't wear his new job well.

O'Dette, 34, officially was named an assistant to Matt Thomas before the National Conference semifinals against Bakersfield, but that was a formality. O'Dette was a player-assistant for the Thunder this season, and when he was left off the playoff roster, his new role with the team became obvious.

O'Dette played 13 seasons of professional hockey with the ECHL's Thunder, Fresno Falcons and Roanoke Express, and the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, Quebec Citadelles and Saint John Flames. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound defenseman suited up in 662 career games as a professional, totaling 116 points (38-78) and 1,587 penalty minutes.

"I knew that this was going to be my last year (playing). I knew I'd only play when we were short. I've come to grips with the fact the playing career is over," he said. "In a way, it's invigorated me to stay in the game. You see everything from a different pair of goggles."

O'Dette has a well-rounded perspective of the sport's landscape as it is. He never missed the playoffs in his final five seasons, four of which he served as captain. He helped guide the Thunder to their first Kelly Cup playoff series victory in 2008-09 after signing with the club as a free agent at mid-season.

Among his accomplishments was helping lift the Falcons to their first Pacific Division title, 100-point season and berth in the National Conference Finals in 2005-06. He was a part of two Calder Cup finalist teams, with Saint John in 1997-98 and Hamilton in 2002-03, and was a member of the Montreal Canadiens' "Black Aces" during the team's 2003 Stanley Cup Playoff run.

I think the biggest thing I bring to the table is I like to think I was a professional, the way I approached the game," he said. "Guys see how I take the game seriously. It's been a fine line with the coaching aspects and how you handle the players.

"It (being an assistant) is almost the same role (as captain). But it's a step beyond that. It's being on the same side as the guys, but parlaying that on to the coach because I'm an assistant coach."

Written by Lindsay Kramer for the Stockton Thunder.com

Fernando Pisani, Masterton Fail

Today the Masterton trophy nominee's were released today. The three guys nominated were Kurtis Foster, Jed Ortmeyer, and Jose Theodore.

HERE ARE ALL THIS SEASON'S NOMINEE'S

Anaheim: Teemu Selanne

Atlanta: Jim Slater

Boston: Mark Recchi

Buffalo: Ryan Miller

Calgary: Craig Conroy

Carolina: Rod Brind’Amour

Chicago: Brent Sopel

Colorado: Matt Hendricks
Columbus: Jared Boll

Dallas: Mike Modano

Detroit: Tomas Holmstrom

Edmonton: Jason Strudwick

Florida: Bryan Allen

Los Angeles: Brad Richardson

Minnesota: Guillaume Latendresse

Montreal: Jaroslav Halak

Nashville: Joel Ward
New Jersey: Patrik Elias
NY Islanders: Jack Hillen

NY Rangers: Chris Drury

Ottawa: Matt Carkner

Philadelphia: Mike Leighton

Phoenix: Vernon Fiddler
Pittsburgh: Bill Guerin
San Jose: Jed Ortmeyer
St. Louis: Erik Johnson
Tampa Bay: Kurtis Foster
Toronto: Jonas Gustavsson
Vancouver: Henrik Sedin
Washington: Jose Theodore

Now I will never knock those three guys for being nominated, they all deserve the recognition. Here are their stories.

I will however knock the Edmonton Oilers nominee choice -- not the guy, but the choice itself -- Jason Strudwick. Yeah, the guy is a great guy to be around and he's not an NHL regular (due to lack of skill) so he has shown perseverance and dedication. Jason also does a great job in the community.

The definition of the Bill Masterton trophy is, "it's awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey."

By that definition, it does describe Strudwick like I said in the two paragraphs up above, but it describes Fernando Pisani even more.

Pisani has been suffering from a disease called Ulcerative Colitis since August 2007 and it's very deadly. In fact, Pisani was near death when it first hit him. He has since recovered enough and has came back to the NHL and continues to play today. It's very amazing that Pisani is back playing. There was a point in time where he might not have ever played again. But he fought and did a great job at recovering.

Pisani had this to say about his Ulcerative Colitis, "It's not one of those illnesses that a lot of people enjoy talking about and it's obviously a private matter, but at the same time, so many people have come up to me and said I have a brother, sister or uncle or aunt that has been affected by this, and hasn't really been able to come out and say anything because they just felt embarrassed about it until my situation came up."

Pisani's situation has created a lot of awareness for Colitis. His story has been terrible for him, yet good for the public awareness. Fernando Pisani is a hero. A modest hero, but still a hero.

Maybe since Pisani was nominated last year, that took him out of the running this year? I don't know. All I do know is Pisani would have been my choice every year until he won the Masterton trophy.

Since it appears that Pisani most likely won't be back next season with the Oilers (or maybe the NHL period), this year just might be his last chance at this award. It's a shame that Fernando wasn't a winner of the Bill Masterton award. He is that award.

Here is a more in depth look at what Ulcerative Colitis is all about.

-Smokin' Ray-

Joey Moss And The Edmonton Oilers

According to a report by Richard Liebrecht at the Edmonton Sun today, Joey Moss will always have a job with the Edmonton Oilers hockey club.  It's been reported that Joey has a lifetime contract (thanks Wayne) and will not be fired.

With Lyle “Sparky” Kulchisky now gone (fired), it was a question mark on what will happen to Joey. According to Allan Watt, Joey's routine will not be altered. He also says that there are others in the dressing room that has worked with Joe and he will be OK.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but didn't they fire all the guys that have worked with Joey? Isn't he essentially alone now?

I've met Joey and let me tell you, meeting him was no different than meeting Ales Hemsky. He's a really nice guy and a (unsung) superstar and he does a great job. I really have a special spot for Joey and I hope with all the changes in the Oilers organization, Joey really isn't affected much at all.

Don't BS us Oilers. Take care of that guy.

Read it all here at the Edmonton Sun.

-Smokin' Ray-

Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation Spends 65% of All Money Raised

While reading the usual NHL/Oilers reading material today, I came across this nice little gem by the Star.com. It appears like the Oilers Community Foundation spends more than the average person would think.

Here is a few quotes from the article, "The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation shows the highest fundraising costs among Canadian NHL club foundations."

"It spent 65 per cent of its revenues on internal costs last year – down from 80 per cent in 2008."

"That compares to 17 per cent reported by the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation, the lowest figure among the country’s six NHL club foundations"

"The federal Charities Directorate, which regulates the country’s 83,000 registered charities, says fundraising of more than 35 per cent of revenues triggers an examination “to determine if there is a trend of high fundraising costs."

"The Star’s analysis shows five of the six NHL team charity foundations exceed that threshold. All continue to operate without penalty."

"A gala fundraiser held by the (Vancouver) Canucks For Kids foundation raised $300,000 for the charity’s work with children in need last year, says executive director Debbie Butt.  But that’s only after spending $200,000 to stage the event."

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That basically means that the EOCF spends 65% of all monies raised to produce more money. (ie: Gala setups, Hall rentals, Food, etc.) Only 35% of the fans and charitable sponsors money that's raised actually goes back into the programs the EOCF has set up.

The stunning fact in the second sentence of the quotes, is the fact the EOCF spent approx 80% of all monies raised in 2008. Wow! That's a lot of cash that's needed in the community.

So, wouldn't it beneficial for the EOCF to get some pointers on how to be more cost efficient? Maybe then, the proper monies could be put back in the proper hands, the kids.

Assuming this article is indeed correct, this can only be yet another public media black eye for all the Foundations involved.

-Smokin' Ray-