Month: January 2020

David Backes was drafted in 2003, 62nd overall by the St. Louis Blues. Backes became their captain in 2011, but later in free agency signed with the Boston Bruins in 2016. Playing primarily center, Backes has filled in on the wing for the Bruins, with his gritty physical style of play matching that of the team. The 35-year old is aging, and is past his prime of being a 25+ goal scorer. Unfortunately since joining the Bruins, his lack of scoring has now gotten him sent down to their AHL team, and leaves fans wondering if this is the last time he will play in the NHL again. 

In 2016, Backes signed a five year, $30 million deal with the Bruins, which was pretty risky and now the Bruins must still pay him $6,000,000 of it until 2021, although the team buries $4,925,000 of that contract by sending him down to the AHL. 

 

Alternative captain, Patrice Bergeron, had this to say about Backes being sent down: “The impact that he’s had ever since he got here, on and off the ice, his leadership that he brought…he was a big part of the mentality that we’ve built here. We wish him all the best. We’re going to miss him.”

 

The 6-foot-3, 215 pound forward contributed one goal and two assists for three points in the 16 games he played for Boston this season. He has been made a healthy scratch for most of the season, as well as last seasons Stanley Cup Final against his former team. 

 

If this is the last time Backes plays for the Bruins or in the NHL; thank you for representing the city of Boston and the black and gold the best you could.

Until Next Time

∼RJ

 

On January 7th, 2020 the world lost an incredible musician in Neil Peart. Peart, best known as the drummer in a Canadian band called Rush, died after a three year battle with brain cancer. Throughout the years, NHL arenas would play sections from various Rush songs, such as YYZ and Tom Sawyer. Subdivisions is a very popular one to be played at TD Garden, because the arena comes with an organ. 

Being the main lyricist for Rush, Peart was able to publish several memoirs about his travels, as well as several other books.

Peart also contributed to Hockey Night in Canada by putting together a new version of “The Hockey Theme” in 2009. Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Neil said “I was a monomaniac about drumming. I was physically awkward. My ankles were weak, so I couldn’t play any sports. I couldn’t skate and I couldn’t play hockey, which in Canada is like football is in the U.K. And that makes you a pariah as a boy”. (Source) 

---

Growing up, Rush was always present in my household. My father has attended almost all of their tours in the USA, some even more than once. His love of drumming was passed down to my older brother, who can crash out an Rush tune on the drums.

I also remember watching their live tour DVD, “Snakes and Arrows” and during “The Spirit of Radio” a man wearing a chicken suit came out on stage, which had rotisserie chicken machines and just messed with the band. Being a young girl, who sadly would rather be interested in Justin Bieber, Rush’s music didn’t interest me as much, although I loved watching that “Snakes and Arrows” DVD.

When Rush decided to retire from music in 2015, Peart was starting his private dealings with brain cancer. A quotes that stands out to me that sums up Peart was that he “didn’t want to be like everyone else. He just wanted to be Neil. He loved being a rock drummer, but he also loved literature. He loved poetry. He loved the outdoors. He didn’t care what society thought a rock star was ‘supposed to be’ — he wasn’t afraid to be himself, and he didn’t really care about fame”. (Source)

If you would like to express your condolences, please choose a cancer research or charity and make a donation in Neil Peart’s name.

Until Next Time

∼RJ

When the Bruins were in the Stanley Cup, during Game One, members of the 2011 Stanley Cup team were there to wave the flag before puck drop. Many people on twitter made jokes about the whereabouts of where the star goalie, Tim Thomas, was after dropping off the face of the Earth.

This past week Thomas made a rare appearance, helping to drop the puck at a Capitals vs. Bruins game with other U.S Hockey Hall Of Fame nominees.

Thomas talked about his issues with concussions, his last one pretty much ending his career, and causing brain damage.

Mental heath is the most important thing, and in hockey it is often ignored for fear of not being “tough” enough. Many other NHL-er’s have spoken up about their struggles with mental health while playing the game.

Some awards Thomas acquired during his 20 year NHL career are: 2x Vezina Trophy winner, Conn Smyth Winner, Stanley Cup Champion and is the first goaltender to win the Stanley Cup, Vezina and Conn Smyth in one season since the 1974-75 season. Thomas also holds the record for most saves by a goaltender in a playoff run with 798 saves, and most saves by a goaltender in a Stanley Cup Final series with 238 saves.

With Tim Thomas making his return to the public’s eye and it being the end of the decade, many fans have voted him as the best goaltender of the decade.

Until Next Time

~RJ