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Since the beginning of last season, ESPN hockey writer Greg Wyshynski has been writing a weekly column called The Best Player in the World of the Week. Starting with 45-year-old former NHL defenseman Darius Kasparitis, who managed a goal and two assists for the Lithuanian national team, Wysh profiles great players from around the hockey world. Sometimes he picks NHL players, but more often the top spot goes to someone with a great story, like 16-year-old goalie Jason Williams, who managed to score a goal in the middle of the game; UK player Patrick Dwyer, who completed a hat trick when the puck got stuck in his pants; Canadian Women’s Hockey League goalie Noora Räty, who earned a shutout in the longest Clarkson Cup game in history; and 11-year-old Riley Scorgie, who scored 50 goals in 19 games after being treated for Guillain-Barre Syndrome (that week’s runner-up list includes a dad who nominated his eight-year-old daughter for getting through practice without crying). [more inside]
posted by goatdog on Nov 8, 2018 - 5 comments

As the expansion Vegas Golden Knights face what might be the impending end of their miracle season, let’s look at another great impossible occurrence in the history of NHL hockey: 1982’s Miracle on Manchester, the greatest comeback in league history, when the Los Angeles Kings overcame a 5-0 deficit against Wayne Gretzky's Edmonton Oilers and won in overtime. Read an oral history. Read an interview with game-winning goal scorer Daryl Evans. Watch a short documentary. Watch the whole game.
posted by goatdog on Jun 5, 2018 - 15 comments

Last month, former NHL enforcer Todd Ewen committed suicide. Earlier this year, former NHL enforcer Steve Montador died suddenly after struggling to cope with substance abuse and depression. In 2011, former NHL enforcer Derek Boogard overdosed on alcohol and painkillers, former NHL enforcer Rick Rypien committed suicide, and former NHL enforcer Wade Belak (probably) committed suicide. In 2010, former NHL enforcer Bob Probert died of a heart attack; his brain showed evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). As of today, the NHL "has 'no desire' to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleges negligence and fraud by the League regarding concussions." [more inside]
posted by goatdog on Oct 1, 2015 - 57 comments