Dan Kamal Gives Voice To Thrasherville, Pt. I
“He shoots…SCOR-R-R-R-R-RES”!!!!! “Ilya Kovalchuk goes upstairs where momma stashes the cash… ‘cuz it’s safer than a bank these days”!
The voice that comes booming from the speakers, treating residents of Thrasherville to those type of calls for the past eight seasons, is none other than that of Dan Kamal…delivering the games into our homes and vehicles from his WCNN AM-680 “The Fan” broadcast nest high atop Philips Arena.
There are many fine radio guys in the NHL these days, but I regard Kamal as one of the best. He brings the excitement and thrill of Atlanta Thrashers hockey to listeners in a way only he can and we are fortunate to have the Grand Kamalian giving voice to the team. His official title is Senior Director of Radio Operations and he oversees the programming, production and distribution of Thrashers broadcasts for the team’s network.
Kamal grew up in Lawrence, Massachusetts where he learned the love of hockey by playing the sport outside on the frozen ponds. “Growing up in New England”, Dan told me, “It’s that old story of not having enough money to buy the equipment but wanting to play hockey…and we’d skate on the ponds and wrap whatever we could find around our legs to keep from killing ourselves [by being] hit by sticks and pucks”.
“You appreciated the game by playing the game”.
Kamal attended U-Mass/Amherst where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications studies and he holds a Masters degree in communications from Boston University. Although he had aspirations of becoming a writer, he soon found another interest.
“When I got to college I had a chance to work with the college radio station…WMUA…and I had this thick Boston accent and for whatever reason, even though the school was only 80-something miles from my hometown, they had a pretty neutral accent. So the program director said, ‘I’ll let you on the air when you lose your accent’”.
So at the tender young age of 18 he started trying to take the edge off of his New England style of pronunciation. As he became successful at it, they let him on the air and he began working hockey and baseball games for the school…and he also began to generate the love for radio.
Then it was off to the corporate world for Kamal. “When I look back on it, [corporate life] probably had more influence than I would readily admit”.
The company he went to work for as director of corporate communications was called Herco…a sister company of Hershey Foods… and they owned the Hershey Bears. “They knew my radio background in hockey”, he recalled, “And so I became the third guy in the broadcast booth… for home games only because I had, obviously, major corporate responsibilities”.
“Well, the very next year, our play-by-play guy graduated to the NHL…and this happened very close to the season and so my boss asked me if I’d fill in for a few games”.
With the help of a “wonderful” office assistant who helped him manage the office load, Kamal was able to handle both the work at the corporate level and in the broadcast booth. But that kind of schedule couldn’t go on forever.
“So the next season, (1983), much to the dismay of the company and to my wallet, I asked the general manager if he thought enough of the job I did for his team and I could do the job full time”.
He was indeed given the job…at a 70% pay cut…and started his career in hockey play-by-play.
After 12 years in Hershey…11 as the full-time broadcaster…he came to Atlanta in 1994 where he worked for two years in radio and television for the Atlanta Knights. He then went to work for Turner Sports, CNNSi. During that time he was also getting involved with some projects for the new NHL franchise that had been awarded to the city of Atlanta…building the radio department and consulting the organization rearding the sort of equipment that was needed to facilitate the broadcasting aspect of the franchise.
“Essentially I had a bit of a hand in helping structure and create the radio department and when we were ready to get up and rolling the team brought me over in August of ‘99″.
So he’s been with this team since it’s very beginning. He’s seen it being built…put together…start…improve…and un-improve. He’s witness it all first-hand.
And along the way he’s work with a couple of very fine booth partners, Jeff Odgers and Billy Jaffe. “Working with Odgie was like a party every time we turned on the mic. I mean, a guy like that that has so much knowledge of the game, passion for the game, sense of humor…just a charismatic guy to be around…and the same is true with Billy Jaffe. I mean, I was very, very blessed to have two guys I consider to be among the very best”.
“They were very different broadcaster. Odgie was there in the trenches for twelve years in the NHL playing one of the toughest roles the game has ever seen…and playing it very, very well. Jaffe made more of a cerebral breakdown of the game but could do it in a way that the average listener, the casual listener, could understand it”.
“Just being in the NHL booth is exciting enough in and of itself, but to have worked with guys who could bring that much to the table made it even that much more fun”.
As for specific Thrashers moments that stick out in his mind…”Certainly I remember opening night and how electric the atmosphere was…[also] the first victory”. He continued on, ”Then I remember that first overtime win in the franchises history…Ray Ferraro scored it. It was almost like a moment of passage, like we moved from expansion hockey to part of the NHL”.
He went on to discuss how the team grew while making their way through their initial seasons, “Then there was the way the team got really good really fast in that second season… and come November people are looking around saying, ‘Whoa, what’s going on here’. Ya know, they had that line of Audette, Brunette and Ferraro which was as good as any line there was”.
“But that team lacked depth and injuries caught up to it”.
The smile that beams from his face while remeniscing about such times reveals just how passionate he is about the team and how much pleasure he gets from being a part of it.
He also went on to cite certain eras and time frames…like when Heatley and Kovalchuk were drafted and started playing with each other as well as the three or four seasons in the middle of this decade as the team continued to show improvement.
“Then there was that run the team made when they went through all those goaltenders in ‘05-’06 but still managed to make a playoff run in the second half of the season. It was probably the best team we ever had, even better than the one that made the playoffs…it just needed goaltending. They went through, what, five goaltenders in the first ten games and even at that, what a second half run and still had a chance to make the playoffs up until that next to the last game of the year…then of course there was the next year with the run to a playoff spot”.
He described the playoff games as “electric”, like nothing he’s ever witnessed prior. “When Kovalchuk scored that goal in game two to tie it…between then and when they dropped the puck, the area was the loudest I’d ever heard”.
Like I said…he’s been here for it all.
In part two of my interview with Dan Kamal, we discuss his son Chris and his play at prospect camp as well as where this Thrashers team is right now and just where they might be heading.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
104 comments Add your comment
Sara
July 20th, 2009
11:13 am
Actually Hokie to me that’s more of a relief than anything. As Brendan has pointed out on numerous occasions, Army’s one of those guys that got traded here, never asked to play here, and may have been looking for the nearest exit – hence the one-year deal. I was more concerned about *that* than anything. It’s not like contract extensions never happen and given the opinion the organization has of him, I imagine Waddell will see to that at the first available opportunity (which I think is January when a player has signed a one-year deal?).
kracker
July 20th, 2009
11:47 am
Ice Dog – “In every city there are always fans who cry for the sake of crying and you can see it here as well.”
Nicely put and certainly true on both counts.
Back to continue the blog…
R. Stroz
July 20th, 2009
11:58 am
Waddell dragging his feet…say it isn’t so….
Now, just for kicks and giggles, wouldn’t life be grand if Wadley re-signed Kovy and Little to an extension before the season started.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
12:07 pm
Any news on resigning Kovy? Hot topic around the first of the month that has cooled off. Who is the prime negotiator, Dudley or DW?
Ice Dog-add Schmidt’s the list of beers that is an insult to the buddy, along with “Your Host” french fried onions.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
12:09 pm
Malhotra played some first line center in Columbus after Brassard got hurt. Four years makes me nervous.
GaVaHokie
July 20th, 2009
12:12 pm
Sara… it was the interviewers who had a tone of “it must be nice to be a UFA next summer” as if he wasn’t happy here. Colby was the one who spoke up and said “well actually, i was hoping for something more long-term but we ran out of time.”
I think Colby generally likes his situation in Atlanta.
However, personally, I am happy it’s only one-year for the moment because it leaves the door open for guys like Espo, Kane, and Mahachek to impress and get a permanent spot on the roster next summer.
In fact, I’m hoping that’s our 2nd line next year… Kane/Espo/Mahachek
Tony C.
July 20th, 2009
12:20 pm
Hokie- With a “top” line of #17/Little/Antro?
GaVaHokie
July 20th, 2009
12:27 pm
Tony… Yep.
We’ll see what kind of year Peverley and White have… Peverley could make for a tough decision next summer. It would also require not re-upping with Kozlov.
Billsen
July 20th, 2009
12:32 pm
I’d rather listen to Kamal over the snoozefest that is JP Dellacamera any day. Sure Dan may go a bit overboard, but that makes even a poor game entertaining.
Oh, and regarding Genny Cream, which I learned to like as a poor college kid in the 80’s, consider this: “A case of Schiltz today brings a case of Schitz tomorrow!”
Smoothie
July 20th, 2009
12:35 pm
Hokie, wouldn’t you rather see Peverley solidify himself as a Top 6 player while Machacek proves his mettle and worth as a fierce-checking 3rd line LW (assuming we still have Colby)? I like the idea of Kane playing alongside Espo though. Overall I would love to see this in two years as it would mean a) Peverley is for real & gets an extension b) Colby wants to stay LT c) Kovy signs an extension d) Kozlov gracefully retires opening the way for Kane and e) Antropov proves that he can thrive on the top line with Kovy.
Kovy — Pevs — Antro
Kane — Espo — Little
Machacek — Marty — Army
Tony C.
July 20th, 2009
12:39 pm
Don’t forget White’s signed for another 2 seasons beyond this too Hokie-personally, I’m thinking Peverly continues to blossom and may make the choices of who stays and who goes next summer rather difficult.
Personally, I’d like to see Peverly in between #17 & Antro- because of his speed and confidence he showed in his passing.
Smoothie
July 20th, 2009
12:44 pm
Getting back to the present and the rumour about Malhotra, and after looking at some numbers (thanks Falconer), I think I would rather see us invest our money in a guy like Taylor Pyatt who is only 28 y/o.
He did not have a very good year statistically last year, but he has averaged nearly .37 PPG (almost as high as Reasoner and higher than MM) over his short career and had back to back seasons of 37 pts prior to last season. He may not be lookng for as much money as Malhotra as a result of the bad year and the fact he is still looking for work.
Most importantly, his 2 year PK numbers are better than Malhotra and certainly anyone we’ve had since some guy named Hossa. In addition, he is 230 lbs and really gives us a more intimadating look for our 3rd line. My only concern is did he get too big and lose a 1/2 stride thus accounting for the drop-off in production? Funny thing is his PK GAA went down nearly 1.5 goals from 2008 to 2009 so perhaps he was just asked to focus more on defense and locking down opponents.
Smoothie
July 20th, 2009
12:49 pm
Tony, the Todd has 2 years left total and only 1 beyond this year. Thus, he could become a prime candidate for the trading block since he would be more than just a rental. And his value has never been higher. However, I’m willing to give him the benefit of his recent success and would prefer to see him get another full year in JA’s system playing alongside either Kozzy / Little or Kovy / Antro. He really showed me something last year not only improving his overall offensive awareness and scoring knack, but he seemed to play a more physical game and was not afraid to mix it up in the conrners. He’s still not ideal as a 1st C option, but he’s looking pretty darn good as a 2nd C if he can produce 60 pts or more this coming season.
zoltar
July 20th, 2009
1:12 pm
whats going to happen when we are 2 months into the season and we still stink. Antropov is not the top 6 forward we needed, Kubina is going to be traded at the deadline. This is the same thing that happens every offseason, we sign mediocre players or has beens and get all excited, and then two months in, we are in the same sinking boat.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
1:13 pm
Smoothie, hate to disagree but again, we are talking about another former Sabre when speaking of Pyatt. Taylor was a high draft pick, discarded by the Islanders int he Peca trade from Buffalo. BUF tossed him too, in trade to Vancouver. Now the Canucks have had enough of Pyatt.
Pyatt is a big guy who plays small. His size and relative youth are enticing, but I think we’d be better with Malhotra, who has progressively gotten better over the past few years.
Alan
July 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
Antropov is not the top 6 forward we needed, Kubina is going to be traded at the deadline.
Antropov was requested by Kovalchuk, and Kubina is a far better D-man than Exelby. Ex was a great person and locker room presence, but he just wasn’t the guy we needed going forward.
Trade Kubina at the deadline? No problem. We have guys in the system.
I am cautiously optimistic at this point. We’ve gotten better. Well… on paper, we have.
Hockey Biltong
July 20th, 2009
1:24 pm
Smoothie,
I’m with you on Taylor Pyatt.I’m inclined to think that youth will win over age in the Trashers dealings.They have specifically pointed that out in numerous conversations.
Hockey Biltong
July 20th, 2009
1:26 pm
At least someone below 30 with an upside, even if it isn’t Pyatt.
Sara
July 20th, 2009
1:32 pm
Hokie I agree with you – that’s the whole point. Prior to that interview, I had been concerned that the one-year contract was Army’s choice. After listening to the interview, that obviously was not the case. Hence my relief.
Also – that story about the first day of free agency is rather interesting. Here he is in the middle of a crazy day – working on Antro, working the trade with Toronto, working who knows what else potentially – and Waddell takes the time to personally call Army to assure him all the rumors are just that. Granted – that’s what a GM should do … but since Waddell often gets accused of not doing what any normal, sane, and classy GM would do…
Smoothie
July 20th, 2009
1:49 pm
WBF, last time I checked, “playing big” doesn’t have anything to do with effectiveness on the PK. Pyatt’s numbers are simply better than Malhotra’s in just about every facet save for face-offs. But we don’t really need a center as much as a LW. Apparently, Pyatt had some family tragedy issues to deal with last year and you know what that can do to a guy (see Havelid 2 years ago). I think a 2 year deal for TP would make a lot more sense than a 4 year deal for Malhotra.
At any rate, he has been a hell of a lot more productive in VAN over the last 3 years (.42 pts per game) than he was in BUF for 4 seasons (.35 pts per game) with a -12. It bears noting that he was never a minus player with VAN posting a +14 in 224 games with them. One year setbacks aside I would say that’s better improvement than Manny’s 3 year stretch of 25, 29 and 35 pts with a cum -2.
Brendan
July 20th, 2009
2:31 pm
Almost every team has an infusion of new talent … and it needs time to gel. If, however, by Thanksgiving, things for such a hypothetical team are, indeed, atrocious, there are some remedies. Sometimes teams make trades. Sometimes they throw a guy on the waiver wire, to shake things up. Sometimes they fire a Head Coach or a GM.
But in the case of Atlanta, I still think we’re in YEAR THREE of a four year building project that ends in 2011. I just hope Kovalchuk is onboard, with at least a one-year extension. And I hope that the 2011-12 budget is a robust one. If things still aren’t fixed, by thennn, Kovalchuk will be gone. And few would blame him. He wants to win a Stanley Cup.
Why do the Four Year Building Project in the first place? Well, for starters, it is the most intelligent way to build a team. “Slowly and through the draft” is one of the best strategies I’ve ever heard. The net results, if done correctly, should be that the team is young, fast, and highly skilled, stocked with high-end draft picks, and high-end picks in each subsequent round of drafting. In theory, it works. Especially when you acquire some decent players, as a bottom-feeder, off the waiver wire.
Will the Atlanta Spirit, LLC ever ADMIT to employing this strategy? Will a politician ever say, “Look, I’m taking this job for the pension and to be exempt from all the laws we’re about to create?” (Not to mention how GREASED his palms might be by special interests.) But I digress.
This is why we play the games. We don’t know, with certainty, how well or how badly the season will play out. Now, I certainly listen to the theory that says, “You get what you pay for.” If our budget is $8-10 million under the cap … is it really wrong to assume we’ll come in around 76-points again, give or take a few? If the “Opening Night” budget is up over $50 million, I wouldn’t expect a 76-point campaign. I’d expect more. Even though … (grabbing a pot, and a wooden spoon, and banging it loudly enough to drown out the sound of the upcoming, trite expression,) “spending doesn’t guarantee success.” It’s WORTH the resulting HEADACHE not to hear someone say that again. Ever.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
2:31 pm
His wife died during the season. That horrible tragedy aside, viewing his hockey sense and skill he’s been a disappointment and deemed expendable by 3 clubs.
As for playing big, I am sorry, if you Pyatt’s size you should be banging people around. We don’t need a purse-carrying power forward (no offense Sara). I’ll take Malhotra over Pyatt anyday.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
If we are talking about Pyatt and Malhotra, what about Dominic Moore?
I think we can get Moore for less than Malhotra. He may not be as good as Manny, but he’s in the same field with Malhotra and Pyatt on penalty killing.
Thoughts-sorry to be so hard on Pyatt.
William
July 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
I just caught up with everything that was said over the weekend.
Boris may not ever be a fighter. With that said, he can still be a hard hitting tough guy. As his skating improves, his checking should also. He should get some checking lessons and have a few sessions on fighting from Bolton.
From what I saw of Pavlic when he was called up, I am not a big fan…though I have don’t know much about his playing with Chicago. Is he starting material?
I have always been a fan of Kari and think he can continue to improve and hone his skills. A push would probably be good for him.
What’s the goalie coach situation for us? Do we have a full time goalie coach? We could try out Moose as the goalie coach next year?
Thrashers27
July 20th, 2009
2:46 pm
I gotta believe we come in with more than 76 points this year. Considering the help acquired. (Antro and Kubina, possibly Kane.) If this team plays the entire season as it did the second half last year that worth at least ten points. So, figure the possibility of another five simply due to added players and you’re contending for the post season. If Kane can contribute I say we’re in.
Sara
July 20th, 2009
2:48 pm
No offense taken WBF – though it did bring to mind the image of Jay McKee dressed as Marilyn … which is simultaneously extremely funny and extremely disturbing.
Alan
July 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
Nice Armstrong interview, Hokie. The fact Army said he likes the area and looks forward to playing here makes me feel a lot better about his one year contract. I also found humor in the thoughts of Valabik’s first NHL goal and resulting celebration.
Sara
July 20th, 2009
2:53 pm
William I would strongly recommend Hokie’s earlier link to the interview with Army for thoughts on Boris as a fighter. It’s toward the end of the interview but it’s most humorous. Though it didn’t escape my notice that Colby side-stepped right around the comment about Crosby on Big Bo.
Brendan
July 20th, 2009
2:56 pm
Smoothie, Spudd Webb, Ice Dog, World Be Free, Tom, and Smitty, and other Sabres onlookers. Take note of this headline: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=450972. Looks like Sekera and “MacArthur Park” got inked. Although, the NHL article mentions arbitration decision. Is that right? They went through the arbitration process with Clack MacArthur?
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
Sara-he too played soft at times for his size. I would have taken McKee here, even with his milage. He’s a shot-blocking machine.
five_hole
July 20th, 2009
3:21 pm
Did anyone notice this posted on the AJC’s front page?
http://www.ajc.com/sports/espns-erin-andrews-vows-to-prosecute-video-spies-95811.html?cxntlid=thbz_hm
This seems to be an outrageous invasion of privacy, but I’d like to review the evidence before rushing to a judgement. In fact I may have to spend hours reviewing the evidence. All in the name of fairness, of course.
Smoothie
July 20th, 2009
3:42 pm
There you have it Brendan, the Sabres are a mortal LOCK for the playoffs now! (snicker, snicker). Anyway, looks like Boston got D-man Matt Hunwick locked up to round out their blueline thus tightening the noose around Chiarelli’s neck with respect to Phil Kessel. Time for Waddudley to step up and make Chiarelli an offer he can’t refuse like:
Marc Savard for Todd White and a prospect not named Evander Kane or Carl Klingberg.
I don’t buy into the bad attitude rap Savard had here in ATL. Give me Savard’s 70-80 assists to Kovy and Antro any day of the week over Todd White. Talk about an unstoppable PP much like the one we had in ‘05-’06. Savard, Kovy, Kozlov, Antro & Enstrom. 2nd unit of Bogey, Ronsey, Pevs, Colby and Little. Thank you very much.
Trade White for Savard, ink either Malhotra or Pyatt to a two year deal and “Wyatt, we are rolling” our way to the SC playoffs!!
Tony C.
July 20th, 2009
4:21 pm
Dude, if Chicharelli is drunk, and OK’s that deal, you do it. NOW.
Would love to see #9 back with The Kaptain.
Ice Dog
July 20th, 2009
4:22 pm
Smoothie I have to agree with World Be Free on Pyatt. I’ll pass on him and take MM if we can get him to sign.
However, I couldn’t agree more with you on your lineups for this year and next. This year we go with AK-47 and the Kahlua line. The only ones not in their 20’s are Kozlov and White. And I have said all along to others that Espo and Kane with replace Kozlov and White.
On a final note to Smoothie, Spudd Webb, Brendan, World Be Free, Billsen and Smitty I just have two words for you: UTICA CLUB! When you are a poor college student up north and you have no money for some beer, have no fear. Gather your loose change from the couch and from the ashtray in the car and a case of Utica Club is here!
Thrashers27
July 20th, 2009
4:42 pm
Smoothie, if we were to see the return of Savvy, why would we need Malhotra? Is he gonna play third line LW, or are you saying you’d get rid of Reasoner, Peverley, or Slates?
Smoothie
July 20th, 2009
4:50 pm
Interesting to see so many of the Buffalo / Western NY contingent down on a guy who leaves Buffalo only to improve his numbers offensively on a team that plays a more conservative style of hockey than the Sabres. And on top of that, he does it in such a fashion that his +/- numbers improve as well.
Perhaps your opinions of him are skewed a bit because Lindy Ruff either didn’t give him the best chance to succeed or because TP didn’t fit their system mold of smaller and speedier players??
I don’t know because I never paid much attention to Buffalo between 2000 and 2005 when I started following the Thrashers so avidly. Malhotra may very well be the better fit here, but the point remains, a 4 year deal is a bit worrisome when such a long deal could clog up the pipeline for our future prospects.
Smoothie
July 20th, 2009
4:57 pm
Thrashers27 — I’d still want either Malhotra or Pyatt to bolster our checking line that will be used against the other team’s top line so a line of Kovy — Savvy — Antro isn’t exploited too much defensively. By all accounts, while MM is a C, he is capable of playing wing. And he could still take the majority of faceoffs when he’s on the ice for PK. Let’s remember that Reasoner is still pretty darn good in the circle at ES and a 5% difference amounts to 1 out of every 20 draws won.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
5:05 pm
Sabres ownership must have broken out their First Communion money.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
5:13 pm
Smoothie, I think Buffalo wanted Pyatt to play more physically than he did and that’s why he did not pan out with the Sabres. He improved his game Vancouver, but they are still letting him walk.
I’d take Malhotra or Moore because they both play center and you never have enough centers. Good discussion on Pyatt though, not sure where he will end up this year.
And for the record, I am a Thrashers fan first, Sabres fan second at least until the season starts.
Ice Dog-Utica Club, Utica Club Lite, Matts (beer ball rules), Blatz, PBR, Stegmeier, Narraganset, Goebels and Kochs-pick your poison.
Toby
July 20th, 2009
5:16 pm
Kane has signed
Tom
July 20th, 2009
5:32 pm
One thing that is cool is that we are talking about younger exciting players today. Last year at this time it was all about how we were collecting retreads. Now we have players, Army, looking for longer term deals and younger players that we are making a push for.
What would be interesting is if MM did get signed and then went public that he was wrong about ATL and it is a great place to play. We need some of that chatter out there for the other players to take a look at us.
Brendan
July 20th, 2009
5:32 pm
The worst beer I ever tasted was “Old Milwaukee” in a can. You could buy a 6-pack for $1.29. And even the cashier would say, “Look, I’ll chip in a buck or two, don’t do this!!” There was also something called, quite generically, “Bavarian Beer.” I dout it was accurate. But it was always on sale. That was like $1.99 a six-pack. If I were up that far north, I supposed I’d grab a real, brewed and bottled in Canada, Labatts or the real Molson. Golden or Ice or Canadian. I liked them all.
stendec
July 20th, 2009
5:55 pm
Hi Rawhide. Two things I truly miss. Announcer Jiggs McDonald. Atlanta Flames theme music. IT ROCKED! Any place on web that it can be downloaded? Best Bill. What is latest on Kari Letemin. Been away from hockey world for awhile.
Ice Dog
July 20th, 2009
6:02 pm
Perhaps your opinions of him are skewed a bit because Lindy Ruff either didn’t give him the best chance to succeed or because TP didn’t fit their system mold of smaller and speedier players??
Smoothie here’s a list of Sabres who are at least 6 feet tall and 200+ lbs that played with Pyatt in Buffalo and did all right in that system: Dumont, Grier, Hecht, Paille, Mair, Gaustad, Kotalik and Peters. Afinogenov and Conolly are both 6′1″ but only 190 lbs, Pominville 6′ and 185 lbs. So it’s not like that whole team then was all small and speedy like Briere, Drury & Roy.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
6:24 pm
I guess we don’t have to worry about Kane going to the KHL.
Tom brings up a good point about players wanting to play here long term. Kovy’s signing will go along way towards legitimizing Atlanta as a desired hockey city, especially since nobody in Canada thinks it is going to happen. We were heading in that direction before the Heatley tragedy. I think that was the start of a difficukt time for the club.
Brendan-let’s not leave out Iron City, Iron City Light and the worst beer I ever drank, a beer called DUKE from northern Pennsylvania. Known as “The Prince of Pilsners”.
Brendan
July 20th, 2009
7:25 pm
Man, I didn’t know there were that many bad beers out there. Just goes to show ya how far people will go to get a “buzz” on. Comedian Dennis Miller once opined, “If all the drugs on the planet disintegrated or were eradicated,” people would go out on to their front lawns and spin around real fast in a swivel chair until they got spit-faced disoriented.” Or words to this effect.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
8:09 pm
The buzzes of our youth were the cheap ones!
Smitty
July 20th, 2009
9:59 pm
I always liked the old HNIC announcers on Saturday nights. Foster and Bill Hewitt in Toronto, Danny Gallivan(the best) and Dick Irvin on Montreal. Ted Darling started out in Montreal then moved on to Buffalo. I always liked Rick Jenerrat but he was not as good as old Ted. Does Maximus Super ring a bell for anybody out there? That was a bad hangover.
World Be Free
July 20th, 2009
10:10 pm
Smitty, HNIC was a pretty classy group until Cherry arrived. GAllivan was the best. Also, I like Gary Dornhofer and Mickey Redmond with HNIC. No idea where Dorny went; Mickey is in Detroit, but he’s turned into a real Red Wing homer. Nothing against the Wings, but whe was really good when he was objective and neutral.
The new HNIC No.1 guy, Jim Hughson was on CHCH in Hamilton before making it big in Vancouver.
Ice Dog
July 20th, 2009
10:36 pm
Smitty, World Be Free, Spud Webb, Smoothie and all you other guys – how is it we were talking about the Buffalo Sabres and beer for so long and I am just now thinking of The Earl of Bud? LMAO.