Alan May's Hockey Truth

Old Man Chelios

2008-01-09T06:16:00.001-08:00

The only thing old about Chris Chelios is the birthdate on his birth certificate, after that it might be the odd fleck of grey hair, but who doesn't have a few of those after age 30.

The story of Chris Chelios has always been amazing and it just keeps getting better and better. The path he took to the National Hockey League was filled with many road blocks, detours and a few chopping blocks that had his head on them.

Chris may very well be the mentally toughest player that has ever played in the NHL and professional sports for that matter. He has perservered with his love of the game and a never say die or quit attitude. People talk about how he takes care of his body and how he works out with TR Goodman in Venice, California in the summer, but it is his mental toughness that keeps him getting out of bed every morning to workout, skate and play the game with that very nasty chip on his shoulder edge every single game.

How long will he play? I don't care, in my opinion very few players have ever played such a consistent style of game their whole career. He may not have the numbers he once had offensively, but he has never changed the way he plays without the puck. He still hacks and whacks every single shift, gets in physical and verbal altercations on the ice and still gets pissed at the coach when he doesn't have the right guys on the ice.

There has never been a teammate of his that has said a bad word about him and there have been a lot of teammates. His friends, family, teammates and coaches have always idolized him and it has nothing to do with age, it has to do with his loyalty, passion and I am who I am attitude every single day.

What a great player, teammate and person.

People like Wayne Gretzky, Mike Modano and Chris Chelios are why hockey has the greatest people in professional sports from top to bottom.

NHL Winter Classis is a HUGE HIT!!!!

2008-01-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

The National Hockey League came up big with Winter Classic in Buffalo yesterday.

This may have been the NHL's finest hour in decades, the roar of the crowd, the huge snowflakes and the always amazing Sidney Crosby at his best. A true hockey fan couldn't ask for much more than was provided in this game. There was end to end action, solid goaltending and the ambiance of the blowing snow. This game had it all and then to finish with a very exciting overtime and shootout highlight that will be shown for decades, was hockey heaven.

Way to go Gary Bettman, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the great hockey fans of Buffalo and their hard-working and exciting Sabres.

I have talked with so many hockey fans about the game yesterday and more importantly non-hockey watching people that watched the game and absolutely loved it.

I know yesterday that I missed being a kid playing shinny hockey on the outdoor rinks in Edmonton, Alberta where I grew up.

This was a great moment for the National Hockey League and all of those ever associated with the great game of hockey.

Thanks to the NHL, NHLPA and most of all to the players on both the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins for putting on such a great show.

Allan May vs Basil McRae

2007-12-11T23:15:00.001-08:00

McRae vs May Feb 21, 1993

2007-12-11T23:13:00.003-08:00

Odgers vs May Feb 9, 1992

2007-12-11T23:13:00.001-08:00

Washington Capitals / Pittsburgh Penguins line brawl

2007-12-11T23:06:00.001-08:00

The Best Coach in the NHL is? Dave Tippett

2007-12-11T22:33:00.000-08:00

The Dallas Stars were floundering in the standings on November 13th when they fired then General Manager Doug Armstrong, since then the Stars have been on a tear and have moved to 3rd place overall in the league as of this post.

What Tippett has done with this team of average Joe's for the most part is absolutely phenomenal. He has taken a team average skill, with the exception of aging superstars Mike Modano and Sergei Zubov and made them one of the best penalty killing teams in the league and fairly successful team on the power play.

How does he do it. He has a great knack for spotting other teams weaknesses through hours of watching video and finding new and creative ways/systems that take advantage of these weaknesses. Tip is also a great and fearless communicator, he will tell anyone in the franchise from owner to player how he feels and what he expects from them.

If the Dallas Stars can find a way to obtain a high-end goal scorer, they certainly have the coach to lead them to Stanley's Cup.

Crosby in Western Canada

2007-12-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

This week's Pittsburgh Penguins road trip to western Canada is proof that the NHL needed to change their schedule format to one in which fans in every city are getting to see all of the great players and teams in the league on a regular basis. Sidney & company have put on a great show in Edmonton & Calgary the past few nights, with Crosby providing quite a show in Edmonton in the 3rd period with a comeback win. Then, in Calgary the next night, a thrilling shootout victory for the Penguins, which I know made the Flames fans secretly happy. They really do appreciate the talented hard working players of the NHL in those western Canadian cities.

At one time during the 1980s Western Canada had an embarrassment of riches when it came to having top calibre players playing every night in every game played. There was Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and the rest of the high-flying Oilers. You also had Dale Hawerchuck & Thomas Steen in Winnipeg (now Phoenix) and Lanny McDonald, Kent Nilsson, Hakan Loob & Paul Reinhart in Calgary.

In the later 90s all these teams had to get rid of their great players because they couldn't afford them, but now the league is on a more equal footing and the talent can be spread around and retained for years.

In the 1979/1980 inaugural season of my hometown Edmonton Oilers, there were 21 teams in the NHL and we were able to see every team in the league twice and it was awesome. I got to watch my favorite team at the time the Philadelphia Flyers twice, as well as the Rangers, Maple Leafs and my favorite team to hate at the time - the Montreal Canadiens. What a thrill. Watching the Habs play in person was incredible and I have to admit I have never seen a more amazing team than they were with Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt & Larry Robinson leading the way.

Way to go GM's and Board of Governors, what a great decision for the fans.

Avery & Tucker Pre-Game Antics

2007-12-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

If it wasn't for these two super-pests getting at it in warm-up, no one in the United States would have talked about hockey for the week. Way to go guys, next time drop the gloves and go at it until the last man is standing.

This little tussle made for a very exciting game with lots of drama and emotion. Every game should have a couple of players like these two going at it all night. Avery, Tucker and Ryan Hollweg of the Rangers are great for the game. If it wasn't for these guys no one would be getting suspended.

Lets make sure the league doesn't take out yapping and pushing after the whistle.
I miss the old-fashioned face-wash with the smelly old gloves.

Philadelphia Flyers are a dirty team and they play rough?????

2007-12-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

All of a sudden the Flyers are a dirty, physical team. What a bunch of BS! Ever since the Flyers came into the NHL they have been a big, bad and very physical team. Are you kidding me? Coaches, players, the NHLPA and all of the beat writers in the league just figured this out? Give me a break. At least the Flyers have an identity, their arena is always packed and you know as a player that you played a game after leaving Philly.

When I played Philadelphia was one of my 3 favorite places to play on the road. You know why, I always came out with a black eye or two, a broken nose, some stitches or a chipped tooth. THATS HOCKEY!

To the Flyers, "This Buds for you", keep it up, don't ever change. Finish your hits, drive to the net & never ever sit back and play the trap.

To all of you clowns in the media that just figured out that the Flyers are a nasty team to play against, find a new sport to talk or write about.

Why I'm blogging

2007-12-06T07:42:00.001-08:00

I am tired of watching National Hockey League games, pre-game & post game shows, between period segements and listen to broadcasters not tell the truth.

I'm tired of the politically correct or safe opinions.

I'm also tired of reading articles in the newspaper and Internet that are completely full of it and often fabricated to make the story sexy.

Let's tell the truth.