“Goal Cookies” is a periodic look at the little tricks or treats from around the NHL. The Pup (my loyal sidekick) has been well trained that goals scored by the “good guys” lead to treats. She is also becoming equally well versed in the tricks necessary to garner my attention for off-season goodies. With this spirit in mind, I’ll take a swing at the obvious (or maybe even the oblivious) happenings across the league. Each week I’ll find something worthy of goal cookies; and something else that could use a little obedience training. But really, how can any of us refuse a goal cookie??
Goal Cookies
It’s tough to give rewards, but if the pup is going to get her goal cookies watching old games on DVR and the B’s Stanley Cup DVD
This week, the Goal Cookie goes out to the entire hockey community which once again rallied to support those facing tragedy. After the shooting in Aurora, CO earlier this summer, the hockey community learned we had lost one of our own. Jessica Redfield Ghawi became the face of the victims of a horrible event, but it was her life and her quest to chase a hockey dream that has inspired many. There is the Jessica Redfield Foundation and a Sports Journalism Scholarship in her name to which the LA Kings donated $10,000, and The Goalie Guild has established an internship in her name.
Friends and strangers in the hockey community coming together, once again, to support one another and do what they do best: celebrate a life and help others realize dreams. It is only fitting that Jessica was a hockey fan; she was “good people.” She had begun the legwork to establish a used equipment drive to help those victimized by the Colorado wildfires this spring.
This goal will become a reality on September 8th.
Jessica’s life was cut tragically short, but through the love and support of the hockey community, she will live on through the work of the Foundation created in her memory, and the lives it will touch for many years to come.
In Need Of Obedience Training:
Ah, the places we could go with this! There are plenty in need of a Hockey Whisperer (apologies to Cesar Millan) but in the vein of Cesar’s “Pack Leader” there is one that I would like to get paper trained. Yes, the one and only, Count Bettman.
Before you start yanking at the leash, I am well aware that Bettman works at the behest of the owners. However, he is the face of the league and he could use some “media training.” Some of the owners have changed over the years, but one thing remains constant in the (soon to be 3) NHL work stoppages: Gary Bettman and his Napoleon Complex.
He has been condescending and unapologetic when it comes to the owner’s current money grab.
Has there ever been a Commissioner in the history of sport who is more of a vitriolic magnet? He’s not even polarizing—NO ONE LIKES HIM! He has a difficult job, no question, but it is his demeanor and acting like the fans of the game are an ignorant nuisance needs a sharp and quick correction.
He is the face of the owners in a difficult and tenuous negotiation, and yet it seems he is blissfully unaware that anyone except the owners are watching. This is a media age and the news cycle is Internet driven and hungry for sound bites. It would behoove the owners to either train the face of the league in the ways of public relations, or change the face outright.
There are plenty of reasons to blame the owners for this current debacle. No one is questioning that. Still, if Bettman were standing on media relations and labor negotiation manuals (instead of $8 million dollars) to see over the podium, there might feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Until then, all we see is an on-coming train.
As a Bruins fans since birth, my earliest memories are of Johnny Bucyk (The Chief) raising The Cup overhead after “Orr be nimble, Orr be quick, Orr jumped over the hockey stick” sealed the fate of the St. Louis Blues. My passion for following the entire NHL developed after the lockout, and while I have been fortunate to stay within range of my favorite team, the post lockout NHL has given me an appreciation for all the great play across the NHL.
