The Puck Stops Here: Who Is My Favorite Player?

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Who Is My Favorite Player?

I receieved an email asking me the rather simple question

Hey who is your favorite player in the league now? just curious.

As simple a question as that is, I dont think I have given many hints to my allegiences in this blog. I have tried to look at hockey in as objective an manner as possible and not cheerlead for one team. That is often the way I look at the game, I am happy if I watched a good game no matter who wins.

So who is my favorite player? In some ways, that comes down to the question of how one defines favorite. The player I think is most exciting to watch is Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, but he is not the player I would call my favorite.

My favorite player is Joe Sakic. Why? Because I knew him before he was a star. I knew him when he was a kid playing in Burnaby Minor Hockey (I didn't know him well - but I did know him). I am happy to see this kid who grew up not too far from me, who attended the same high school as I did, who skated on the same rinks that I did go on to the NHL and win the Hart Trophy and the Stanley Cup. If he can do it anyone can right? Not anyone ... I cannot. But that makes him a real person and not just an athletic figure who is larger than life. And that is why I consider him my favorite player.

# posted by The Puck Stops Here : 2:56 AM

Comments:

It's a small world. The guy I go to Giants games with (a cousin of a friend) played with Sakic for a time growing up. Of course, now the d00ds a huge Avalanche fan.

Also, every day on my way to work, I drive past Joe Sakic Blvd...

# posted by

Unknown : September 30, 2006 9:27 AM

I no longer live anywhere near Burnaby - but I visit sometimes cause my parents still do.

If the guy you go to Giants games with played with Sakic when they were slightly older (like teenagers) I betcha I know him (or at least know of him). If they played on the same team as 8 year olds or something its likely I don't know the guy.

# posted by

The Puck Stops Here : September 30, 2006 9:39 AM

Well, his name is Stan (Warner?) and I think he played with Joe sometime between ages 12-14. I'll have to pin it down some time.

I have yet to see a Darren McCarty way, though.

# posted by

Unknown : October 03, 2006 5:50 PM

Stan Warner is not a name that rings a bell.

Darren McCarty is south Burnaby. We don't speak of him.

Cliff Ronning - now there was a good kid. Another Burnaby North student.

# posted by

The Puck Stops Here : October 04, 2006 4:40 AM

McCarty may have been born in Burnaby (south) but he was raised in Ontario.

Burnaby North is better for many incoherent reasons that go back to high school sports.

# posted by

The Puck Stops Here : October 04, 2006 8:57 AM

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# posted by