Toews Shows Why He's The Pride of Winnipeg

From NHL.com:

WINNIPEG -- Jonathan Toews looked beat, just physically and mentally exhausted. His right hand and his cheekbones had to be hurting from the thousands of autographs he signed and hundreds of pictures he posed for.

But there was no way Chicago's captain was stopping now, not with the time remaining on his dream come true bleeding down toward the end.

"You never know what can happen," Toews told NHL.com, "so I'll enjoy this while it lasts."

It was just before 3 on Monday afternoon. Minutes earlier, Toews finished up an emotional stop on his Stanley Cup tour in his hometown of Winnipeg at the Children's Rehabilitation Foundation, where kids of all ages lined up in the courtyard with their parents to grab an autograph and take a picture.

Toews greeted every one of them by asking them their name and talking about something personal. Some couldn't speak, but he knew he was doing the right thing by reading the expressions on their faces, the happiness in their glowing, cheek-to-cheek smiles.

"It's easy to tell how happy and excited they are," he said. "It's pretty awesome to see their reaction."

Likewise, Toews didn't have to say anything to express how happy and excited he was during his 48 hours with the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy, trophies he earned by captaining the Chicago Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup in 49 years just last month.

Winnipeg wrapped its collective arms around Toews for all of Sunday and Monday, and the playoff MVP drained every ounce of energy and emotion he had into giving back to the community that has given him so much.

"I owe it to these people. They are so happy and are great people and they appreciate the small things in life," Toews said before hopping in his parent's SUV, the one he purchased for them, to go visit a local children's hospital. "To see the excitement on their faces when they get to see the Stanley Cup and to get to share a small moment with you, it's a tiny thing that goes a long way.

"You think about what this day could be like and what you want to do with the Cup, and now it's actually happening. I couldn't picture it going any better than it has."

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger called Toews "a local hero who is now a national hero." Mayor Sam Katz referred to him as "Winnipeg's favorite son."

Hundreds of people showed up at an event at City Hall and thousands more lined the streets of south St. Vital, Toews' old neighborhood, to honor him with a parade.

Premier Selinger named a lake after him and Mayor Katz announced that the Dakota Community Centre, where Toews grew up playing the game, would now be called the Jonathan Toews Community Centre. Toews also received a gold medallion for his Olympic achievement and a key to the city for his efforts.

Toews owns a condo near the University of Winnipeg, but for nine months out of the year he only hears about the support he gets in this city because he is living in Chicago, feeling the admiration from those passionate Hawks' fans.

Experiencing the love of Winnipeg firsthand over these last two days was overwhelming.

"When you're trying to win the Stanley Cup you dream about what it would be like to bring it back home to share with family and friends, and what it would mean to them," Toews said. "But you have to fight off that thought and that feeling when you're in the moment, because the more you think about it the more pressure you put on yourself. This is it. It's special and it's that moment I have been dreaming about. It's really cool."

Toews was followed like a rock star. He needed a police escort back to his car after the parade Sunday because fans were chasing after him, screaming his name. During the parade they were converging on the yellow Corvette that carried Toews, the Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy like vultures looking for a handshake, a high-five, a wave, anything.

They cheered for him, and chanted his name. Girls would run up to the car and run away screaming to their friends, "I just got a high-five!" Men would run up to the car and run away screaming to their friends, "I just touched the Cup!"

But, as great as it was for Toews to see firsthand the love his city has for him, what made the two days special was the respect he received.

Everybody NHL.com spoke to expressed admiration for Toews' down home personality, family values and devotion to his own community. He is Winnipeg's biggest sports hero now, but never once has he thought of himself as being any better than any of the 650,000 who live here.

"He puts his pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else here," Premier Selinger said. "He can just be a normal guy like everybody else. I think everybody really appreciates that style. He has a long career ahead of him and keeping his skates on the ice, his feet on the ground will really help him in the future."

The one difference between Toews and everyone else is obvious:

He is Winnipeg's biggest superstar.

"What's it like to have a city love you like they do here?" Mayor Katz whispered into his ear.

Captain Serious struggled to answer that one question throughout the two-day adventure. He crashed Monday night in a state of shock over how he was received.

"Really there is not enough time to give as many thank yous as you want," Toews said. "You try to give a little bit of time and a little bit of piece of mind to everybody that shows up, try to express your thanks to them for what they did for you. They're all so pumped and so happy for you, and you can't even ask for that. It's just absolutely amazing."

The community was genuinely thrilled that Toews allowed them to be a part of his celebration.

"This is amazing," said Luke Trimble, 28, who showed up at the Legislature Building wearing a Toews' jersey and a Blackhawks hat -- both got autographed. "He's the biggest thing to come out of Winnipeg, the best hockey player. He's the voice for our generation. Just a good, clean-cut kid."

Ryan Dech, a fan at City Hall, concurred.

"In my opinion, from what I've seen, it's been absolutely electric," said Dech, who attended the celebration Sunday with his brothers, Travis and Kyle. "I know I was, and all my buddies were, looking forward to this day when we got to see him with the Cup."

"It's just exhilarating having everybody come together to see this," Kyle Dech added. "It's amazing. It's just electric. Everything is so cool."

They chanted his name at City Hall and even louder during his parade. Hundreds of people held up signs, including Darren Brown, whose read, "Tazer, will you marry my wife?"

"It's common law," Brown told NHL.com along the parade route. "So, it'd be OK."

Marilyn Klassen-Magnusson was almost in tears as she snapped photos of her son, Cole, swooping Toews' gold medal over his neck. Cole, 11, has mild cerebral palsy.

"Fantastic," Marilyn told NHL.com. "I think I'm more excited. It was thrilling to see Cole have a gold medal around his neck. It makes me well up. It just shows you what a kind, caring person he is. Winnipeg is very proud of him."

Several of Toews' former coaches celebrated with him, and all were swelling with pride, eager to tell a story.

"I scrimmaged with him in his own backyard," Jacques Levesque, the general manager of the Jonathan Toews Community Centre, told NHL.com. "There's a lot of pride here.

"You know what is really funny is that when you're used to watching guys like Gretzky and going back to Bobby Orr, you always put those guys on a pedestal. Now you have Jonathan that deserves to be on that pedestal, but he's just the hometown boy and he hasn't changed."

Levesque recalled the time when his daughter, Katrine, and Toews used to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

"The guy came to my place at 11 years old and we had an adult conversation. Not too many kids that age can hold a conversation back and forth, but he was grown up, a mature kid, focused," Levesque said. "Another time I was at their house and I was laughing with his parents and it was 8:30 on a Thursday night. He came down and he says, 'You guys have to keep it down, I'm trying to sleep.' I'm going, 'Holy smokes, I'm going home at 10 and I have to beat my kids to get them to go to bed, and this guy is telling his parents to stay quiet.' He's phenomenal. He's always been focused. Whatever he has done, he has accomplished and done it well."

Several family friends credited Toews' parents, Bryan and Andree Gilbert, for his character.

"Bryan and Andree have always preached that type of philosophy where you always remember the people you grew up with," said Bob Saelens, one of Toews' former coaches. "His brother David is the same way. They are so friendly and such kind people. You almost wish everybody would have parents that are as good people as they are, very supportive and caring of everyone."

Andree was obviously emotional after Mayor Katz announced the community center would be named in Toews' honor.

"When Jonathan started at 5 years old there was no community center, so they all played in the back. There were four outdoor rinks, and the parents all lined up by the snow banks and we watched our kids freezing out there," she told NHL.com. "Little by little we did fundraising, a lot of people in the community, to build this rink. Now it's named after my son. I had tears in my eyes. I was amazed. Usually you have to be great and die and then they name it after you."

Bryan, who got the honor of carrying both the Cup and Conn Smythe at various moments during the two days, loved hearing Mayor Katz call Toews, "Winnipeg's favorite son."

"That's so cool," Bryan told NHL.com. "Chicago is great and we love it there, but to hear it in your own city, that support, it just means that little bit more. It's unbelievable. To actually fulfill that dream and come here with the Cup, it brought tears to my eyes."

And smiles to thousands of Winnipeggers, who proudly call Jonathan Toews their own.

"If you want to talk about a true hometown hero, about a role model," Mayor Katz said before pausing … "I'll show you a picture of Jonathan Toews."

It's A Predictable Future

Okay, so update. Some relevant information without all those uplifting comments and shit.

• San Jose won game 5, so Detroit=OUT and Sharks=moving on to Western Conference Finals. This also means that you should now officially ignore the Red Wings tidbit in the poll.
• On Monday, Boston has the opportunity to get rid of those pesky Flyers. They will win. You know, when asked who he thought was the most annoying player in the NHL, Maxime Talbot, without much hesitation I might add, said Carcillo and Hartnell, both belonging to Philedelphia. I thought that was pretty funny. Max was also asked which player he thought was the hardest working in the NHL, and he said Sidney Crosby. I just thought I'd throw that out there.
• Also on Monday, Pittsburgh has the opportunity to eliminate the Montreal Canadiens. They will not win.
• Tonight, the Hawks plays Vancouver. If Chicago wins, they will take out the Canucks and continue on the play the Sharks in the next round.

Okay, now for some wishful thinking. Montreal will win on Monday because they have more desire than the Penguins do. They will tie up the series and send it into game seven, which they will win as well. They will then move on the Eastern Conference Finals and play Boston, who will have beaten out Philedelphia because, let's face it, the Flyers suck shit. It will be an intense series in which Camelleri will reach a new level of domination and Chara will drop down half-an inch. The Habs will win that series in six games and will move on to the Stanley Cup Finals, in which they will play the Chicago Blackhawks, who will have recently beat out first the Vancouver Canucks and then the San Jose Sharks, both in 6 games. By this time, Jonathan Toews will have fully grown out his beard and will have perfected his Wolverine look. Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Adam Burish will notice this improvement and will, without Tazer's knowing, enter him in a superhero look-alike competition, which he will win. Montreal and Chicago will battle it out for the Stanley Cup for seven long games, by the end of which no one in Canada will have any clean underpants left to wear. Much to the Habs' chagrin, game 7 will go to the Hawks, and Johnny will become the second youngest captain to ever hoist Lord Stanley. He will then be interviewed on the ice, during which he will say his youthful team did a "fucking great job", reminiscent of the time he won the world juniors. Montreal, crestfallen, will have a go at Stanley the next post-season, but will come up short, with Pittsburgh winning their second cup in three years. The Canadiens year will come next, though, with their captain Brian Gionta leading them to victory, giving them their first taste of playoff gold since 1993, adding a 25th cup to their collection. This will be their first and only cup of the decade, making a 14 year dent in their record until they win it again.

By this time, Sidney Crosby will have retired, and will have long admitted to his homosexuality. He will live a long and plentiful life, happily married to a skinny man named Ryan with two cats and a beach house in Miami.

This Is Our Time

2 minutes ago, the Penguins beat the Habs.
2 minutes, 15 seconds ago, Pascal Dupuis scored the empty net goal that secured them the win.

I hate empty net goals. And I hate how angry Geno has been lately. Every single thing that's call against them, he yells in anger. The puck got deflected off of someone's stick and up into the mesh, and he got so mad, I got scared. Someone needs to talk to that boy.

The series currently stands at 2-1, but I'm not worried. They'll get the next one. If they go into Pittsburgh to play their fifth game down 3-1, then I'll be worried. But not now. We can handle this. The Canadiens have not gotten even spitting distance to Lord Stanley in 17 years, which was the last time they won the thing. Pittsburgh's time, it's done. Montreal has this. They've got it. This is their time, gents. We know this. You know this. They know this. Now, it's just time for them to show it.

Habs in 6.

Does Anyone Still Have Any Clean Underwear On?

Is. Anyone. Aware. Of. What. Just. Happened.


The Habs. The Montreal Canadiens, Habitants, Blue, Blanc et Rouge. Le vrai, 101 years.
Just beat out.
The Washington Capitals.
Just beat out.
Alex Ovechkin, the Great 8, the Russian Machine.

Does anyone remember what I've been saying ever since the playoffs began? I predicted this outcome. Don't even say I didn't.


HABS. IN. 7.


Holy fuck.

Lord Stanley, Give Us Your Votes

Have you guys seen the new votes we have going on here now? I think they're right about...here:----------------------------------->>>

You should really give your opinion. So far we've got over 10 votes, which is more than the last one I put up at least. This is a super intense question, though. Really makes you think. The TSN and Sportscentre analysists both think that Washington and Chicago are going to face off in the finals, which those of you who have voted have seemed to have agreed on, mostly. You also seem to think some random underdog might take the win. You never know. Pitt was an underdog a little while back, they were hardly even going to make the playoffs two years ago. There's always a chance. I think Phoenix is gonna give us all a run for our money. Not that they haven't done well this year, it's just that...you don't expect Phoenix to win. You just don't. It's some sort of unconscious thing that we all do. They finished pretty high up in the standings, and yet we don't pay them any mind. "Someone will beat them," we all say. And it's probably true. But you never know, kids. These years, things just keep getting wierder and wierder.

We Have An Overpopulation On This Small Small World

Today was Roberto Luongo's birthday. Happy 31st, Bobby-Lu. Jesus Christ, you are much older than I thought you were. You've only got a few years left in you. Use them well, Loooooou. Win a Stanley Cup, how about. Wait, no. Not this year. This year it's time for Washington, and then the year after that Chicago will make it's run, and then the Pens will take it again. But the year after that, kay? You can hold on that long, can't you?

Pascal Dupuis is also turning 31 on Wednesday. Remember, he's the one for Pittsburgh who has permanent mascara and waxed and perfectly plucked eyebrows? At least he takes care of himself. He's having a good year though, and he wears the Rocket's number, so we respect him. He also plays for the Pens. So we love him for that.

We also love that he has twin dogs and an extremely sculpted torso. And that he's a father, and buys super cool swingsets for his kids. And that he got a tatoo to commemorate Lord Stanley. Well done, Pascal.

Brian Elliott and Alex Ponikarovsky have their birthdays on the Friday, turning 25 and and 30 respectively. Elliot, or 'Ernie' as da Sens call him, has held Ottawa (home of the Fat Cats) on his back ever since Pascal Leclaire completely flopped his role. We will be in the playoffs thanks to him. And Ponikarovsky used to be a Maple Laugh. Now he's a Penguin. He is liked much better now.

Sean Avery (!!!) and Dion Phaneuf are celbrating the day after that. Avery is congratulated on surviving 30 years on this planet, and, more impressive yet, 10 seasons in the NHL. He is known around the league as an agitator, and a pest. He is annoying and unsportsmanlike and hated by 66.4% of all the players in the NHL, but, for some strange reason, I like him. Don't ask me why.

BUT I will say that it's funny that he has the same birthday as Dion Phaneuf (turning 25), who was one of the victims of Avery's well-known 'sloppy seconds' comment. When Sean Avery made the comment before a game against the Flames, Phaneuf's team at the time, Phaneuf was dating Avery's ex-girlfriend, Elisha Cuthbert. Which is cool. I like how things like this link together.

And we all remember Avery's "distraction tactic" against Brodeur. Oh, Sean. There's just something about you. I don't want to love you. And yet I do. I can't help it. I hate everything about you. But I just can't help loving you.

SERGEI GONCHAR'S BIRTHDAY IS ON APRIL 13TH. WOOOOOOOOOO. He's turning 36. Now that, if you've been paying any attention, is old. Poor Serge. I hope he doesn't get traded. His contract ends after this season, and there's been some talk about a trade. It's some sort of money thing. But the Pens just don't understand. They need him. Screw the money. He is a leader. He is wise, and experienced, and loyal, and wonderful, and amazing, and adorable. I'm sure the forwards will be fine without him, but what of the D? He is a leader amongst those men. What will become of Kris LeSwoon is Gonch leaves? He'll crash and burn, I tell you. But he won't be alone. Geno (love) will go down with him. He's not grown enough yet to handle this cruel world all on his own. Help him, Sergei. Evgeni needs you.

Aww, right? Don't destroy this love.

Great Things

What a day yesterday was, eh? A gold, two silvers and a bronze. We almost had a sweep in Women's Two-Man Bobsleigh (they should really consider changing that name), getting a gold and a silver. If only we had had a third Canadian group, then we might've knocked USA off the podium.

But we did get a bronze in Women's 5000 meter Speed Skating, with Clara Hughes in her final race of her life getting on the podium and setting an oval record in the process. Of course, her record was broken in the next two runs, but who cares? Everyone remembers the first guy who ran the 4 minute mile, not the other six guys who did it later that same week. We were the ones who opened the floodgates. And boy, what a flood.

And then we got another silver in short track speed skating Team Pursuit, in which we originally got third place but Korea, being the incredible cheaters that they are, got disqualified, bumping China up to first and us up to second. USA, who had come last in that race, got the bronze medal, which I think is extremely unfair, considering how far they were behind the pack the entire race.

All in all, yesterday=great day. And speaking of great things, how much of a great year is Eric Staal having? He lost to his brother in his push for the Stanley Cup last year, but that didn't seem to postpone the amazing time he was going to have next. First, he has a son. Yeah, big deal, I guess. And then he gets invited to the Olympic training camp, along with Jordan and Marc. And then he makes the Olympic team. And then the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes leaves, and he gets named captain. ...Right, so what have we got so far? Baby, Olympic, "C". Okay, and then, as if that weren't enough, he get's put on the top line at the Olympics between two of the best players who have ever lived, Jarome Iginla and Sidney Crosby. And then he produces. And now he's going into the semis. And then probably the finals. And if everything keeps going like it's been going for him, he'll have an Olympic Gold Medal to his name, right next to Lord Stanley which he won a few years ago.

Yeah, I'd say Eric Staal's having a pretty good year.

Staal

Okay, since I seem to be on somewhat of an honest streak, I think it's only fair that you learn all about my Staals. The truth is, I love them. They should all freaking have their own loonie to be engraved on. I'm serious. THERE ARE FOUR OF THEM! Geez. How often does that happen? Four brothers in the NHL all at the same time. That never happens EVER. NEVER.




Awwwww. And, to top it off, they're freakin awesome. Well, I don't know about Jared yet, but so far the first three are pretty damn amazing. Eric is my favorite. I'd just like to point that out, before we get into anything else. I had plans. I had plans for Eric Staal and I. We were gonna make the greatest couple of all time, but then I found out he was married. Yeah. Ouch. I always knew he got arrested, but I had no idea it was at his bachelor party. I blame his wife for that. I blame her for giving Eric and Jordan a record. I hate her. I hear she's really nice though. Speaking of giving Jordan a record, have you seen his mug shot? Geez, that is SOME gelled down hair-do. I mean seriously, I've heard of buisiness in the front, party in the back, but not buisiness all around. Especially at a BACHELOR party. I wonder if they had a stripper.



Yikes. But take a look at Eric's mug shot. That's hotness right there. That's the last picture there is of him before he got married. I'm dying inside as I write this. But, on a brighter note, he looks extremely good in all of the other pics there are of him. Anywhere. Trust me, I dare you guys to e-mail me a picture of Eric Staal that doesn't look good. el-vidge@hotmail.com

I don't feel right making fun of Jordan's hair. Besides, he just won the Stanley Cup, and he was so young and naive, he didn't knonw any better. He does now. I absolutely LOVED his playoff hair. He had the kind of tough guy look going on. Unfortunately, he's taken as well, not in the sickness and health type of way, but he still has a girlfriend, and I hear she's a sweatheart also. What is with these Staal boys and nice girlfriends? One of my favorite things to do is make fun of hockey players' girlfriends, and now I can't even do that. What is the world coming to? Anyway, speaking of Lord Stanley, sorry I couldn't make a post for that, I was just so completely speechless. It was the best day of my life. I swear. I still can't discuss it without getting excited. Follow this link though, this is my friend Gabby's blog, and it's like my life. Well, it was, before I got this thing here. http://underdogobsession.wordpress.com/category/lord-stanley/
This picture just makes my life even more. You'll come to notice that a lot of things make my life. I also want a lot of things to be engraved on the loonie someday. That was kind of the point of this blog in the first place...



That's Eric. Isn't that just the cutest thing you've ever seen? I wish I was the Stanley Cup. I really really do. Do you know how many hot hockey players kiss that thing? Damn strait.
This is just to end this wonderful post. It's probably my favorite saying of all time.

To Break The Ice

Tomorrow is game seven. Yes, Dan Bylsma and his minions stepped it up for game six, and the Cup is still up for grabs. Not for long, though. I have nothing to say about the game that will be, except for the fact that it's going to be the greatest game ever witnessed from a square box. I can feel it in my bones. I have canceled many plans to watch this game, and I will not be disappointed again, like in game 5. There will not be a repeat. It cannot be done. It will not be done. I love it when Geno looks this happy, let's make it happen again.

Karma's a bitch

The first day of my new blog and the only thing on my mind to write about is the heart-breaking event that was game five. Lord Stanley would be ashamed.

Five zip. How often do you get to hear that mid-finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Flower, I mean really, three on your glove-side? And one in the 5 hole? I understand the blocker goal, but I blame Dan Bylsma for not benching you earlier. I love you man, but you were awful last night.

Maxime Talbot makes my life. If it weren't for him, I would have turned off the t.v right after the second. Pavel Datsyuk's first game back after a broken foot, and what does Maxy do? Skates right on over to him and gives him a big whack right on the foot. Ouch. Unfourtunately, it didn't do much for us, giving the Wings a two-man advantage with Crosby already in the box, and causing another goal on Fleury, but what the hell? Might as well give the media something to talk about. Datsyuk doesn't deserve to be on that ice, after missing the entire series. His hesitation looked to be house-league worthy.

Still, Pens, seriously, you've gotta step it up. Geno, stick to the puck. It's your spaghetti. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, bud. Don't let the cripple scare you. Pretend every single person in that crowd is Mama Malkin. Make her proud.

Also, Crosby, Zetterberg is supposed to be shadowing you, not the other way around. I know I have absolutely no right at all the judge you, because I have nothing but respect for you, but you're their captain. Their leader. If you were to jump of a bridge into a mile-deep pile of shit, the rest of the Pens would follow your sorry golden ass into that shithole. No joke. If you lose your momentum, there's no way we're gonna make it all the way.

Do it for Mario and the kids. They've housed you, man. They took you in when no one else would and you needed love and care. Do it for Colby Armstrong. Even though he's long gone now, he still believes in you, and was your roomate and told the press all of your embarrassing secrets. Do it for Geno. The only three syllable words he knows how to say are 'spaghetti' and 'atmosphere'. He's been working so hard to learn this alien language will Sergei Gonchar's little girl, and we're all so proud of him. If you were to look up the definition of 'perserverence' in the Russian-English dictionnary, you would find Geno. Do it for Jordan Eberle. He saved Canada in the very last seconds of our remaining dignity, when the most dedicated of canadian fans had lost all hope and were beginning to turn off the television or radio. Do it for all of Canada. We believe in you, Sid. Represent.

By the way, Max, your beard makes you look like a hobo.