With hockey post season back in a few weeks, lets look back on how the Boston Bruins fared against the teams they will face in a round robin style showdown. These round robin games are to determine the seeding arrangement for the next round in playoffs.

On July 30th, at 7 p.m, the Bruins will play an exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets before the round robin games begin.

August 2nd: Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Date	Score	Game Notes
9/19/19 (pre-season)	3-1 (Bruins win)	Clifton, Heinen, and Cehlarik all scored, Halak was in net for B’s. Niskanen had the lone Flyers goal, Elliot was in net for Flyers
9/23/19 (pre-season)	4-3 (Bruins OT win)	Marchand, DeBrusk, Lauko, and Wagner all scored, Rask and Vladar were both in net for B’s, Elliot was in net for Flyers. Bunnaman, Konecny, and Twarynski got the Flyer goals.
11/10/19	3-2 (Flyers SO win)	Heinen and Marchand scored for B’s, with Halak in net. Konecny, Myers, and Farabee (SO winner) score for Flyers, with Hart in net for Flyers
1/13/20	6-5 (Flyers SO win)	Bjork, Coyle, Krejci (x2),and Pasta all scored for B’s with Halak in net. Couturier, Sanheim (x2), Bunnaman, Hayes and Konecny (SO winner) score for Flyers with Hart in net.
3/10/20	2-0 (Bruins win)	Bergeron and Grzelcyk score for B’s, with Rask in net. Flyers had Hart in net.

Overall, the Bruins took the season series, three game to two. Players to watch out for on the Flyers are Konecny, Hayes, Provorov, with stellar goaltending by Carter Hart. Even though this is a one off game and it is to determine seeding after the play-in rounds, the Boston Bruins have to match the high game energy that the Philadelphia Flyers bring to each game. These two teams might see each other later in the playoff format, so it is important that the Bruins are focused.

August 5th: Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Date	Score	Game Notes
10/17/19	4-3 (Tampa SO win)	Pasta (x2) and Bergeron scored for the B’s, with Rask in net. Point, Joseph, Shattenkirk and Stamkos (SO winner) all score with Vasilevskiy in net for Tampa.
12/12/19	3-2 (Tampa win)	Bergeron and Moore score for B’s with Rask in net. Stamkos (x2) and Point score for Tampa with Vasilevskiy in net for Tampa.
3/3/20	2-1 (Bruins win)	DeBrusk and Marchand score for B’s with Rask in net. Stephens scores for Tampa with Vasilevskiy in net for Tampa.
3/7/20	5-3 (Tampa win)	McAvoy, Kuraly, and Pasta score for B’s with Rask in net. Sergachev, Cirelli, Killorn, Kucherov, and Paquette all score for Tampa with Vasilevskiy in net.

Overall, Tampa took the season series three to one. Tampa is a very skilled team, but got swept last year in the first round. With Stamkos apparently injured and questionable for the game, the Tampa Bay players to look out for are Point, Kucherov, Killorn, with solid goaltending by Vasilevskiy. With emotions high from the last time these two played each other, this round robin game with definitely be full of emotion and skill. 

August 8th: Bruins vs. Washington Capitals

Date	Score	Game Notes
11/16/19	3-2 (Caps SO win)	Coyle and Pasta score for the B’s with Halak in net. Boyd, Oshie and Vrana (SO winner) all score with Holtby in net.
12/11/19	3-2 (Caps win)	Kuraly and Pasta score for the B’s with Halak in net. Carlson and Oshie (x2) score for the Caps with Holtby in net.
12/23/19	7-3 (Bruins win)	Krejci, Marchand, Bergeron (x2), Coyle, Bjork, and DeBrusk all score for the B’s with Rask in net. Eller, Hathaway and Ovi scored for the Caps with Holtby and Samsonov in net.

Even though the Capitals take the season series two games to one, these two teams haven’t played each other in almost a calendar year. A lot can change in that time, but both teams have great offensive core lines, with solid goaltending. Washington Capital players to watch are Ovechkin, Backstrom, Oshie, Wilson, and Carlson.

On July 30th I’ll be watching, will you?

Until Next Time

∼RJ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD8b-0kl4Sg

Since mid-March, all sports activities were put on hold, postponed or cancelled due to the ongoing COVID19 crisis. After four, almost five months the return of the big four sports leagues are slowly coming back to finish out their seasons.

Major League Baseball (MLB)

Training camps reopened on July 1st, with an intended “Opening Day” on July 23rd or 24th. The newly released schedule details can be found here

Fans might not be able to attend, as that status is still to be determined. The league stated that it “aims to play games with teams in their home parks as opposed to a one-site bubble”.

National Basketball Association (NBA)

The NBA will resume play on July 30th with 22 teams playing and living at the massive Disney sports complex near Orlando, Florida. The season will go until mid October without fans in attendance. With Florida being one of the mega hot sports for COVID, one has to wonder and worry if the league is taking the correct precautions with their players.

National Football League (NFL)

The regular season is expected to start September 10th, with fan attendance to be determined. The NFL’s schedule is expected to proceed as scheduled, with the practice facilities slowly opening back up as the players return to them. The league is testing prototypes of face masks that contain surgical and N95 material to fit into the players helmets, as well as wearing masks on the sidelines.

National Hockey League (NHL)

Training camps open on July 13th, with the playoff rounds starting August 1st. The 24 teams travel to the two hub cities July 26th, with the two hub cities being Toronto and Edmonton. Fan attendance is to be determined.

All the leagues will be testing frequently, but with teammates being in close contact with each other, one must hope the push to finish out seasons doesn’t do more harm than good.

Until Next Time

∼RJ

 

The Philadelphia Flyers forward was drafted 138th over in 2014 and made his debut for the team in 2018. The Swedish native was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer, Ewings sarcoma, on December 13th 2019. The 23 year old underwent chemotherapy as the team announced he would miss the entire 2019-20 season. On July 2nd, 2020 Lindblom finished his cancer treatment and rang the bell signaling the start of his remission. Lindblom was gaining confidence in his goal scoring at the professional level before his cancer diagnosis, scoring 11 goals in 30 games and totaling 18 points.

 

What is Ewings Sarcoma?

Ewings sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in bone or soft tissue. The most common areas where this cancer begins are the legs, pelvis and chest wall. The cause of the cancer still remains unknown, although doctors know that Ewings sarcoma begins when a cell develops changes in its DNA.

Symptoms:

• Fevers
• Anemia
• Leukocytosis
• Swelling
• Tenderness/Bone Pain

Research shows that this kind of cancer is more commonly found in males than females, and that it most often occurs in teenagers and young adults. This kind of cancer is extremely rare, with it affecting 1 in a million people in the U.S per year. The survival rate is positive, with a five year survival rate at 76%.

Hockey Players Who Battled Cancer

Oskar Lindblom isn’t the only hockey player that battled a cancer diagnosis in his career. These are some hockey players that have battled cancer throughout their career.

• Brian Boyle: The then New Jersey Devil was battling chronic myelogenous leukemia, which is a cancer of the white blood cells, when he scored his first goal with the Devils on Hockey Fights Cancer Night in 2017. It was also his first game with the Devils. As of 2018, Boyle is cancer free.
• Phil Kessel: In 2006 Kessel was diagnosed with a form of testicular cancer when he was 20 years old. A few days later, Kessel was announced cancer free.
• Saku Koivu: The Finnish player was diagnosied with Burkitt’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system, in 2001. He was expected to miss the entire season, but surprised everyone and make a return for the last few games of that season. He was awarded an eight minute standing ovation when he skated onto the ice. He has since been in remission and was featured in Simple Plans music video “Save You”.

• John Cullen: The Ontario native’s NHL career came to a halt in 1997, when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after doctors found a baseball sized tumor in his chest. He was declared cancer free after an 18 month battle and attempted a comeback in 1998, but ultimately retired as a player to become an assistant coach for his last NHL team, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
• Mario Lemieux: Super Mario was diagnosed with Hodgikin’s lymphoma in 1993. He missed two months of action and on the day of his last treatment, he flew back to play with his team, scoring a goal and an assist. He recived a standing ovation from the Flyers crowd, while playing for the Penguins, which is something unheard of given the Pennsylvania hockey rivalry.

Until Next Time

∼RJ

Hockey players have the ability to show off their sense of style, and in turn their personality, pre-game and post-game. Some hockey players even have their own brand or fashion line. Today we take a look at PK Subban, Henrik Lundqvist, David Pastrnak and Brent Burns.

 

PK Subban

Subban is a spokes person for RW-CO as well as collaborated with them for a suit line. This collection includes six suits and eight shirts. The line also includes belts, ties, pocket squares and hats. The New Jersey Devil defenseman is also known for his colorful yet tasteful style. 

Henrik Lundqvist

Lundqvist created the “Crown Collection” in partners with his charity, and a portion of the proceeds go to the charity. This collection includes a fitted jacket, scarf and a hat. The Swedish goaltender is known for his fitted suits and impeccable taste.

David Pastrnak

The Bruin’s star forward is known for his fashionable suits before a game. He won the fan voted award for best dressed this past season. He tends to mix up the classic style with a fresh twist, playing with different patterns.

Brent Burns

The Shark’s defenceman holds a unique style in the NHL today. Burns owns and operates a ranch in Texas when he isn’t in California, and he dresses like a cowboy at times. His long beard and missing teeth add to his fashion sense.

 

Who is your favorite NHL player with the best style?

Until Next Time

∼RJ

Willie O’Ree is best known for being the first black player in the NHL. He broke the black colour barrier in the NHL in 1958. O’Ree actually became blind in his right eye two years before his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins, but kept it a secret in order to play. He mostly spent his playing career in the minors, like the WHL, playing until he was 43 years old. There have been 94 black NHL players in the league since O’Ree became the first.

O’Ree faced remarks of racism throughout his entire career, such as “go back to the South” and “how come you’re not picking cotton?”. He didn’t let those comments get to him, he just wanted to be a hockey player. Today, NHL players are required to enroll in a preseason diversity training seminar. Since 1998, O’Ree has been the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador, traveling across America to schools and hockey programs to promote messages of inclusion, dedication, and confidence.

Honor’s

In 2018, Willie O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder. Also in 2018, the NHL instituted the annual Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, which recognizes the individual who has worked to make a positive impact on his or her community, culture, and society to make people better through hockey. O’Ree was named into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 2020.

In 2003, O’Ree was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy, honoring his contribution to hockey. He also has a community rink named in his honor near Allston, MA.

In 2019, a documentary “Willie” was made, detailing his incredible and trailblazing journey in the sport of hockey and inclusion.

“Willie” Trailer

Until Next Time

∼RJ

Everyone is born under a Zodiac sign, and these Zodiac signs can tell a lot about a person, including who they are most compatible with. Today we look at the 2019-2020 Boston Bruins team and each players Zodiac sign.

Zodiac Signs

• Capricorn: 12/22-1/21, Earth sign, hardworking, straight forward, stubborn
• Aquarius: 1/22-2/21, Air sign, innovative, admired, eccentric
• Pisces: 2/22-3/21, Water sign, free, sensual, sensitive
• Aries: 3/22-4/21, Fire sign, brave, independent, impulsive
• Taurus: 4/22-5/21, Earth sign, good taste, sensual, down to earth, stubborn
• Gemini: 5/22-6/21, Air sign, dynamic, many talents, likes games
• Cancer: 6/22-7/21, Water sign, sensitive, friend-orientated, practical
• Leo: 7/22-8/21, Fire sign, creative, popular, faithful
• Virgo: 8/22-9/21, Earth sign, successful, creative, clever
• Libra: 9/22-10/21, Air sign, irresistible, adventurous, indecisive
• Scorpio: 10/22-11/21, Water sign, self-reliant, powerful, dominant
• Sagittarius: 11/22-12/21, Fire sign, open-minded, loving, insensitive

Player Lineup

Bruce Cassidy (Taurus)

Marchand (Taurus) Bergeron (Leo) Pastrnak (Gemini)

N. Ritchie (Sag.) Krejci (Taurus) Kase (Scorpio)

Kuraly (Cap.) Coyle (Pisces) DeBrusk (Libra)

Nordstrom (Pisces) Lindholm (Libra) Wagner (Gemini)

Chara (Pisces) McAvoy (Sag.)

Grzelcyk (Cap.) Lauzon (Taurus)

Moore (Scorpio) Clifton (Taurus)

Rask (Pisces)

Halak (Taurus)

Injury List

K. Miller (Libra)

Carlo (Sag.)

Krug (Aries)

Notable Players Not Listed

Bjork (Leo)

Blidh (Pisces)

Kampfer (Libra)

B. Ritchie (Cancer)

Breakdown of Line Chemistry

The Bruins top line in made up of a Taurus, Leo and Gemini. Out of these three, Gemini’s typically are on the outside looking in at a great pair. Although luckily for this trio, they all have great chemistry on and off the ice.

The second line is made up of a Sagittarius, Taurus, and a Scorpio. Out of these three, the Taurus is the one that is on the outside looking in. This line is still finding their chemistry, with DeBrusk and Pastrnak subbing in for the wings at times on the ice.

The third line is made up of a Capricorn, Pisces, and Libra. This lines Zodiac signs get along perfectly, creating a lot of chemistry.

The fourth line is made up of a Pisces, Libra and Gemini. Out of these three, the Pisces is out of the loop, with the other two being a perfect match. This fourth line however, is full of energy and grit.

The first defensive pair is made up of a Pisces and Sagittarius. These two signs normally do not get along well, but the pairing of Chara and McAvoy has worked well for the Bruins.

The second defensive pair is made up of a Capricorn and Taurus. These two signs have a great working chemistry. Grzelcyk’s other partner, Krug who is injured, also make a great pair.

The third defensive pair is made up of a Scorpio and Taurus. These two signs are natural partners and have great chemistry.

The goalie duo is made up of a Pisces and Taurus. These two signs have great chemistry together.

---

With hockey slowly coming back, fans finally have something to look forward to.

Until Next Time

∼RJ

“This is America” is a song by American rapper Donald Glover, professionally known as Childish Gambino that came out in 2018. At the 61st Grammy Awards, Glover became the first hip hop artist to win Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The main message of this song, accompanied with a “controversial” music video addresses being black in the United States and gun violence in the country. It also touches on police brutality.

Justice for George Floyd

On May 25th, 2020 George Floyd, an African American man, was killed by a Minnesota police man Derek Chauvin. Chauvin handcuffed and forced his knee onto Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Two minutes of that time George Floyd was unresponsive. A video that onlookers took caught Floyd begging the officer not to kill him and that “I can’t breathe”. Floyd’s arrest came after he allegedly used a counterfeit 20$ at a local deli. All four officers including Chauvin were fired the next day.

On May 26th, protests were intentionally peaceful in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, but later that day the protests became violent as windows were smashed at the local police precinct, with two stores being set on fire and many others being looted and damaged. Local police fired back at protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets. All throughout the nation, similar protests sprung up in support of finding justice for George Floyd.

On May 29th, Derek Chauvin was finally arrested and charged with 3rd degree murder and 2nd degree manslaughter. This was after protesters figured out his home address and started protesting outside.

On May 31st, 1921 the Tulsa Massacre happened in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This post isn’t going to be about it but please read more about it here. This happened 99 years ago today.

Speak Out Now

Many athletes have spoken out about the violence and protests going on in the world. Some athletes include LeBron James, Evander Kane, Akim Aliv, Colin Kaepernick, Jaylen Brown, Stephen Jackson and JT Brown to name a couple.

LeBron James:

Stephan Jackson: https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1266470760786378752?s=20  

Evander Kane: https://twitter.com/evanderkane_9/status/1266443451760914432?s=20

Akim Aliv: https://twitter.com/Dreamer_Aliu78/status/1266502079645986816?s=20

Something needs to change systematically in order to bring all the people wrongfully killed by people in justice holding positions, like police officers, to justice in order to live peacefully. George Floyd is just another person added to an ever growing list, but now is the time to stand up for what’s right. We are the generation that can stop it.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd 

Until Next Time

∼RJ

Ever since the NHL season went on pause due to the COVID pandemic, hockey fans have been eagerly waiting for the season to resume. The season was put on pause with nine games left in the regular season, with many teams looking for a late playoff push. Typically, the NHL playoff format is made up of 16 teams, but now the NHL is looking at a 24 team playoff format.

24 NHL Teams in Playoff Contention:

• Boston Bruins (Atlantic)
• St. Louis Blues (Central)
• Colorado Avalanche (Central)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic)
• Washington Capitals (Metro)
• Philadelphia Flyers (Metro)
• Pittsburgh Penguins (Metro)
• Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific)
• Edmonton Oilers (Pacific)
• Dallas Stars (Central)
• Carolina Hurricanes (Metro)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (Atlantic)
• Columbus Blue Jackets (Metro)
• New York Islanders (Metro)
• Winnipeg Jets (Central)
• New York Rangers (Metro)
• Calgary Flames (Pacific)
• Florida Panthers (Atlantic)
• Nashville Predators (Central)
• Vancouver Canucks (Pacific)
• Minnesota Wild (Central)
• Arizona Coyotes (Pacific)
• Chicago Blackhawks (Central)
• Montreal Canadians (Atlantic)

For some of these teams, they are thankful for the expansion of the playoff format to be able to get more exposure and revenue after losing the last nine games. No games would resume until July and the NHL would jump straight into the playoffs.

The NHL plans to use four arenas in eight or nine different cities, with the teams not allowed to play in their home arenas. The whole state of California is up for contention, as the Kings, Sharks, and Ducks did not make the 24 team playoff cut.

When hockey comes back, some rules that would seem to be applied would be: wearing full face shields, no fighting allowed, no scrums after whistles for referee’s to break up, coaches wear masks and social distance on bench, and no spitting on the ice or bench.

 

What team are you rooting for when the NHL comes back?

Until Next Time

∼RJ

Since 2011, only five players from that roster still remain on today’s roster, six if you count Chris Kelly being named the Bruins Player Development Coordinator. In this post, we take a look back at the 2011 roster and where all the players are currently.

Patrice Bergeron: Bergeron is still with the Bruins, being drafted by the team 43rd overall in 2003. He is the longest active Bruin on the team, and continues to show amazing leadership qualities, donning the “A” on his jersey since the 2006-07 season. At 33 years old and signed until the 2022-23 season, Bergeron still has a lot more playing time left.

Johnny Boychuk: Johnny Rocket is currently playing for the New York Islanders. Known for his rockets from the blue line and his grittness. In 2014, due to the salary cap the Bruins traded Boychuk to the Islanders, where the 35 year old is currently signed until the 2021-22 season.

Gregory Campbell: Campbell was traded by the Panthers with Nathan Horton to the Bruins in 2010. He left as a free agent and is currently on the Columbus Blue Jackets as a developmental coach and retired from professional hockey in 2017. He is most remembered for in 2013, against the Penguins he suffered a broken leg during the play, but stayed out on the ice for a full minute, killing off the penalty.

Zdeno Chara: The 43 year old is still with the Bruins on a one year contract and still has some hockey left in him. He is the oldest active NHL player and the oldest defenseman in NHL history to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Final. He has been a good leader on both the team and making sure our young defensive core is all set for when he eventually retires.

Andrew Ference: In 2013, as a free agent, Ference signed to play with is hometown Oilers. Since retiring in 2017, Ference is the NHL’s first director of social impact, growth and fan development.

Nathan Horton: Since 2014, Horton has not played a single game due to a lower back injury, that with surgery would end his NHL career. He is currently still under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs until 2020-21 although the Leafs have him on LTIR.

Tomas Kaberle: Drafted in 1996 by the Leafs, Kaberle is the second-highest scoring defenseman in the Maple Leafs history. He was traded to Boston in 2011, soon winning the Stanley Cup with them. He retired in 2016 after playing with his hometown team HC Klando.

Chris Kelly: In 2011, Kelly was traded to the Bruins from the Senator’s. In 2016, Kelly signed back with the Senator’s after six seasons with the Bruins. He was hired by the Sen’s in 2018 as their developmental coach and has since signed with the Bruins as their Player Development Coordinator.

David Krejci: Since 2004, Krejci has been with the Bruins, being a consistent point leader in the playoffs. Signed until the 2021-22 season, Krejci has proven to be a great role model to fellow Czech David Pastrnak. He has played a key part in the Bruins most recent Stanley Cup Final appearances.

Milan Lucic: Currently Lucic is a Calgary Flame, traded after playing with the Oilers for a few seasons. Sadly, Lucic’s style of play has gone down since playing with the Bruins. He can’t skate that well, hopefully a change of scenery will help this 31 year old, after a lackluster season.

Brad Marchand: The lil ball of hate is signed with the Bruins until the 2025-26 season. Selected 71st overall in 2006, Marchand has matured into a scoring machine, still able to maintain a “pest” edge to his game. The Bruins top line of Pastrnak, Bergeron, and Marchand is a deadly combo.

Adam McQuaid: Currently an unrestricted free agent, McQuaid most recently played with the team who originally drafted him, the Columbus Blue Jackets. McQuaid was a powerhouse defenceman for the black and gold,always sticking up for his teammates when the time called for it.

Daniel Paille: Paille became a free agent in 2015, and was invited to the Blackhawks camp for tryouts. He signed with their AHL team, the Rockford Icehogs, before being signed for depth for the New York Rangers. After a brief stint in the SHL, Paille is now happily retired.

Rich Peverley: Pev’s was involved in the Tyler Seguin trade to the Dallas Stars in 2013 which involved Loui Eriksson, Reilly Smith, Joe Morrow and Matt Fraser coming back the other way for Boston. Before the 2013 season started, Peverly underwent a procedure to help a irregular heartbeat. Six months later, Peverly suffered a heart attack on the bench of a game againt the Columbus Blue Jackets and had to be revived. He has since had surgery to correct the issue, and is now involved in the Dallas Stars organization as the teams Player Development Coordinator.

Tuukka Rask: Tuukka Rask is still with the Bruins and has led them deep into the playoffs, including two Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2013 and 2019. The 33 year old goaltender has one more year left on his contract, with rumors about retirement floating around.

Mark Recchi: After the 2011 win, Recchi retired. In 213, he joined the Dallas Stars as a consultant, and in 2014 he was hired by the Penguins as their player development coach. He was apart of the Penguins 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup Champion team and was promoted to director of player development in 2017. He was then promoted to assistant coach in 2017.

Michael Ryder: Ryder signed with the Dallas Stars after winning the Cup in 2011, scoring a career high 35 goals. He was then traded to Montreal in the shortened season in 2012. After his initial contract was up, Ryder signed with the New Jersey Devils in 2013 and ultimately retired at the end of 2014, when he was not resigned after struggling.

Marc Savard: Although Savard didn’t play at all during the 2011 playoffs, as he was injured, the Bruins got permission to add his name to the Cup. The injury Savard sustained ultimately ended his career earlier then expected. He didn’t officiallt announce his retirement until after 2016-17 season, which is when his current contract ran out.

Tyler Seguin: Arguably one of the worst Boston Bruin trades, Seguin has found success in Dallas since being traded there in 2013, after losing in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals with the Bruins. He has developed into an offensive force and has since signed an eight year extension to stay in Dallas in 2018.

Dennis Seidenberg: Seidenberg’s contract, which had two years left, was bough out in 2016. He then signed with the New York Islanders and retired in 2019. He became the second German-born defenceman to win the Cup after Uwe Krupp, his favorite player growing up.

Tim Thomas: Thomas led the Bruins to victory in 2011, and won the Conn Smythe and Vezina Trophies. He decided to take a break for hockey to be with his family. In 2013, the Bruins traded him to the Islanders although he did not play any games for them. He spent the 2013-14 season split between the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers. Since retiring in 2014, Thomas has come forward with his struggles of concussions and brain injuries which has clung to him towards the end of his career.

Shawn Thornton: At the end of the 2013-14 season the Bruins informed Thornton that he would not be re-signed. He signed with the Florida Panther and played until his retirement in 2017. Upon retirement, Thornton announced he would be taking a front office role with the Panthers.

 

Until Next Time

∼RJ

Brett and Nick Ritchie join an exclusive club which consists of brothers playing together on an NHL team. Some notable brother duo’s in the NHL include: Jamie and Jordie Benn (Dallas Stars), Pavel and Valeri Bure (Florida Panthers), Peter and Chris Ferraro (NYR, Pen, Caps), Dougie and Freddie Hamilton (Calgary Flames) and Henrik and Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks).

Brett Ritchie (RW)

Drafted 44th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2011, the older Ritchie brother played most of his career for the Star’s organization, winning the Calder Cup in the AHL in 2014. The 26 year old, six foot four, 220 pound right winger left in free agency after seven years in the Stars organization. He joined the Boston Bruins at the start of the 2019-20 season, and scored the Bruins first goal of the season against the Dallas Stars. He is currently playing for the Bruins AHL team, the Providence Bruins, and his contract is up in the 2020-21 season. His scouting report described him as having a great size, hands of a goal scorer, being a “power forward” and being an asset in the man advantage.

Nick Ritchie (LW)

Drafted 10th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2014, the younger Ritchie brother floated between the AHL and NHL while playing for the Ducks organization. The 24 year old, six foot four, 234 pound left winger was dealt to the Bruins at the trade deadline in exchange for Danton Heinen. He is an RFA in the 2021-22 season and is making $1,498,925 a season. He currently plays on the second line, with David Krejci and former Ducks line mate Ondrej Kase. His scouting report described him as a prototypical power forward, who can score goals and be a top six winger, as well as a tough customer who can protect teammates.

Until Next Time

∼RJ