PHIL MYRE TALKS HOCKEY

The NHL salary cap continues to climb every year! Average players are handed out exorbitant amounts of money on the free agent market. Players coming out of their Entry Level contracts are banking excessive amounts and long term contracts. One General Manager, Dale Tallon, spent and guaranteed in excess of $100 million dollars in one day in his attempt to rebuild his team, the Florida Panthers.

Many hockey fans are bewildered and confused. With unemployment hovering at around 10% in the US, home values deflated up to 45% in many areas and the many other issues facing the economy, it’s hard to understand the amounts of money that NHL teams are willing to pay their players.  

I can’t say that I understand all of the reasoning or agree with all of those contracts but I can offer some plausible explanations:

The 2004 NHL lockout gave the owners what they wanted most: COST CERTAINTY. They wanted to control the high spenders and have the ability to project player cost by establishing a salary cap.

The NHL salary cap is formally titled the “Upper Limit of the Payroll Range” (the ceiling) in the new CBA.  Following the NHL lockout, for the 2005–06 season, the salary cap was set at $39 million dollars per team, with a maximum of $7.8 million (20% of the team’s cap) for one player. The CBA also contains a “Lower Limit of the Payroll Range”, (the floor) which is the minimum that each team must pay in player salaries. The lower limit was originally set at 55% of the cap, but is now defined to be $16 million below the upper cap.

The NHL salary cap in 2011-12 will be $64.3 million per team, with the “floor cap” set at $48.3 million dollars. That is $8.7 million more than the “upper cap” was in 2005 after the lockout.

How did all this happen?  Is our game so good that hockey fans and corporate sponsors will spend money to watch hockey regardless of a poor economy? The NHL has done an excellent job in increasing the visibility and exposure of our sports and developing a new fan base by promoting our great stars. Is that enough to justify the increase in revenue and spending? I don’t think so.

One of the reasons for the continued increase in revenues that the league has enjoyed in the past few years is the “Canadian Dollar”.

Revenues for the six (now seven) Canadian teams have all increased significantly since the lockout due to the fact the Canadian dollar has risen in value, reaching parity with the U.S. dollar. As a result, league-wide revenues measured in U.S. dollars have been inflated accordingly. Most Canadian teams play to near capacity; ticket prices are generally higher in Canada to reflect the supply and demand and the difference in monetary exchange. All six Canadian teams pay into the current revenue sharing plan which was designed in the new CBA to provide some protection to small market teams.

Consequently, the cap has been raised each year to its current figure of $64.3 million for the 2011–12 season, with a cap of $12.86 million for one player.

The league as a whole is happy regardless of the increase in salary as long as the fixed percentage of total league revenues doesn’t go over the 57% stipulated in the CBA. 

To ensure compliance with this provision, a percentage of each player’s salary is withheld in escrow until the season is over, at which time the funds are divided between the players and owners to reach the agreed percentage. In the first season of the current CBA, revenues exceeded expectations to such a margin that players received the entire escrow back plus additional funds from the owners, however in subsequent seasons this has not been the case.

While Canadian teams are enjoying this increase in revenues, the percentage paid to the players (57%) is a figure calculated league wide. Some U.S. teams are far below the league average in revenues and are struggling with the unexpected increase in salaries. Not all teams benefit from the revenue sharing and the money THEY spend on players’ salaries far exceed the league wide 57% of THEIR revenue.

It will be interesting to watch the posturing from both sides in preparation for the next bargaining agreement which expires at the end of the 2011-12 season. My guess is that the players would like to have “status quo” but don’t like the “escrow”.  I believe that the owners have some issues that will surface at the negotiation table. The NBA and the NFL will be first at modifying their CBA. Although specific issues are totally different, some fundamental principles may pave the way to solving some of the NHL issues.

HAVE A GREAT HOCKE DAY!

PHIL MYRE (www.philmyretalkshockey.com)

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHL_salary_cap

Occasionally, I like to bring in a “Guest Blogger” whenever I read one that is worthy. 

This was written by Kerry Huffman from Platinum Hockey Group.  

http://platinumhockeygroup.blogspot.com/ 

July 1st is Canada Day! So for all us goofy Canadians, this one is for us. (remember it’s all in good fun.) 

 You know you’re Canadian if :

 

You’re not offended by the term, “Homo Milk”.
You understand the sentence, “Could you please pass me a serviette, I just spilled my Bowl of Poutine!”
You eat chocolate bars instead of candy bars.
You drink pop, not soda.
You had a Prime Minister who wasn’t fluent in either of the official languages (English & French).
You know that a mickey and 2-4′s mean “Party at thecamp, eh?!”
You talk about the weather with strangers and friends alike.
When there is a social problem, you turn to your government to fix it, instead of telling them to stay out of it.
You get milk in bags as well as cartons and plastic jugs.
Pike is a type of fish, not some part of a highway.
You drive on a highway, not a freeway.
You have Canadian Tire money in your kitchen drawers.
You know that Mounties “don’t always look like that.”
You dismiss all beers under 6% as “for children and the elderly.”
You have an Inuit carving by your bedside with the rationale, “What’s good enough protection for the Prime Minister is good enough for me.”
You wonder why there isn’t a 5 dollar coin yet.
Like any international assasin/terrorist/spy in the world, you possess a Canadian Passport.
You know the French equivalents of “free”, “prize”, and “no sugar added”, thanks to your extensive education in bilingual cereal packaging.
You are excited whenever an American television show mentions Canada.
You were mad at the CBC when “The Beachcombers” were taken off the air.
You know what a touque is and you own one and often wear it.
You know Toronto is NOT a province.
You never miss “Coach’s Corner” during Hockey Night in Canada.
Back bacon and Kraft Dinner are two of your favourite food groups.
If you live in some of the colder Canadian provinces, your car has a cord and plug sticking out of the grill … it’s a block heater for those sub-zero (in Celsius) days.
You only know three spices: salt, pepper and ketchup.
You design your Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
The mosquitoes have landing lights.
You have more kilometres on your snow blower than your car.
Canadian Tire Store on any Saturday is busier than most toy stores at Christmas.
You’ve taken your kids trick-or-treating in a blizzard.
Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled in with frozen snow and slush.
You think sexy lingerie is tube-socks and a flannel nightie with only 8 buttons.
You owe more money on your snowmobile than your car.
The local paper covers national and international headlines on 2 pages, but requires 6 pages for hockey.
At least twice a year, the kitchen doubles as a meat processing plant.
The most effective mosquito repellent is a shotgun.
Your snowblower gets stuck on the roof.
You think the start of deer season is a national holiday.
You head South to go to your cottage.
You know which leaves make good toilet paper now that there are no more dollar bills..
You find -40C a little chilly.
You know 4 seasons: Winter, Still Winter, almost Winter and Construction.
The municipality buys a Zamboni before a bus.
You understand the Labatt Blue commercials.
You perk-up when you hear the theme from “Hockey Night in Canada”.

Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!!!!!  

Posted by Platinum Hockey Group-Kerry Huffman-Member of the NHL Alumni Association.

 

 

IS IT OVER YET?

The Stanley Cup Final is finally over! Not that the hockey season and playoffs weren’t exciting, but let’s face it, June 15^th is late for the average fan to be thinking about hockey. But wait, it’s not over yet. The NHL Entry Draft is coming up on Friday, June 24^th and 25^th in St-Paul Minnesota.

The two day event is hosted by a different NHL city every year and attracts thousands of hockey staff, media, fans, players, their families and agents. The NHL draft has evolved over the years and seems to grow in exposure and popularity as each city wants  to be the best host.

Here are a few facts about the NHL Draft that a good hockey fan should know and a personal story:

The first draft was held in Montreal, June 5, 1963 and has been held every year since. Once it was known as the “NHL Amateur Draft” until 1979 when the name was changed to “NHL Entry Draft”. Why the name change, you ask? The reason for the change was because the NHL was drafting players who had played Professional in the World Hockey Association and were no longer “amateur” players.

The two day format was introduced in 1993. The first round which takes about 3-4 hours is held on the first day and the remaining 6 rounds the next day.

Toronto was the first city to hold the draft other than Montreal in 1985 and the first NHL Draft held outside of Canada was at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in 1987.

For the players, it’s much more exciting today than it was when I played Jr. Hockey in the Quebec Jr. Hockey League. I was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in 1966. The draft system was in its infancy then. Prior to the development of the “Amateur Draft”, NHL teams sponsored junior teams, and signed prospects through them. Players were signed to one of three forms: the “A” form, which committed a player to a tryout; a “B” form, which gave the team an option to sign a player in return for a bonus; and the “C” form, which committed a player’s professional rights. The first drafts only included players who had not signed with an NHL organization except for the Montreal Canadiens.

A rule that favored the Canadiens, allowed them to draft two French Canadiens every year whether they had signed a form or not. The Habs drafted me away from the Boston Bruins with their #1 choice and 5^th overall in 1966.

Being drafted was much different than the “BIG SHOW” they put on today. I learned of my fate in the newspaper and nobody from the Canadiens contacted me until it was time to report to training camp. Being drafted was a total surprise for me as I knew nothing about this rule allowing the Canadiens to swipe players away from the other teams. Former Bruins General Manager Milt Schmidt told me later that they contested my French Canadian status because my father was born in Hawkesbury, Ontario. But I was born in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec and although Hawkesbury is in Ontario, it is a French town and the Bruins checked my dad’s birth certificate which was written in French.

This rule was applied until 1970 when other NHL teams realized that a young “star” named Gilbert Perreault was coming through the Quebec league and was eligible for that draft. With expansion looming, the rule was abolished. The last two players to be selected by Montreal under that “French Canadian” rule were my former teammates, Marc Tardif and Rejean Houle.

So anybody who is somebody in the Hockey Circles will be in St-Paul Minnesota this week-end to participate in the NHL Entry Draft and, in some way, celebrate the conclusion of another NHL season…BUT WAIT! The official Free Agent List comes out July 1^st which will open the 2011-12 season. Here we go again…! It never seems to end…!

HAVE A GREAT HOCKEY DAY!

In memory of my good friend E.J. Macguire who loved draft day.

PHIL MYRE (www.philmyretalkshockey.com)

Chara lifts the cup

The Boston Bruins won the 2011Stanley Cup! It was in a very tough 7 game series against the Vancouver Canucks where each team won their home games… until the last one which the Bruins won by a score of 4-0. Three of the four series that the Bruins won went to a seventh and deciding game.
They beat the Montreal Canadiens in seven games in the first round after losing the first two games at home. Tim Thomas was a pillar of strength in the Bruins goal as they won the other two “game seven” by shutout, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 1-0 and finally the Canucks 4-0.

The uncontested MVP, Tim Thomas was instrumental in the Bruins conquest of the Cup. His numbers are among the best in the NHL ever in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but more importantly, his consistency and competitiveness was contagious to his teammates and proves that nice guys don’t finish last. He is a player that exemplifies courage, character and determination. No NHL team wanted him for a long time. His unorthodox style made it an uphill battle. He is a great role model for young players aspiring to play in the NHL . . . and very inspiring even for a veteran like me.

Certainly, all the players deserve accolades for a great triumph. But the man who made it all possible is undoubtedly Peter Chiarelli, the Bruins General Manager. He took over a team that was going nowhere in 2006. They had missed the playoffs the previous season and 4 of the last nine years. The Bruins had not reached the second round of the playoffs since 1999. Attendance and interest in the team by the Beantowners was at an all-time low. They missed the playoffs in his first year as GM. He showed a lot of courage after that first year, firing Dave Lewis, the man he had hired as Head Coach to guide the team out of the doldrums. It didn’t work out, so he bit the bullet and hired Claude Julien who soon will be wearing a Stanley Cup Ring.

Peter is not afraid to pay the price to get what he needs and his owners have stood behind him in some bold and audacious moves. He started building this team when he signed Zdeno Chara as a free agent for big money. This was the player around whom he could build his team. He went on to clear the dressing room of unwanted players, acquiring draft picks and assets that he could use to mold the team to his specifications. 

He added the controversial “sniper”, Michael Ryder from Montreal, veteran and team leader Mark Recchi as a free agent and acquired Daniel Paille from Buffalo. All three of those players played an important role on the road to winning this Championship .

His biggest accomplishments were done between the trade deadline in March 2010 and the deadline of 2011. He acquired six players who played major roles in their Stanley Cup Run.

The Florida Panthers helped the Bruins win this Stanley Cup. Peter made deals to acquire Dennis Seidenberg, Gregory Campbell and, my favorite player in Florida, Nathan Horton from the Panthers.

I was still a pro scout with the Panthers when Dennis Seidenberg was traded to the Bruins at the trade deadline of March 2010.  We had signed Dennis as a free agent for one year with a $1.5 million dollar signing bonus payable at the end of the season. The owners in Florida insisted that we trade him so that they wouldn’t have to pay that money. Chiarelli made the deal for a 2nd round pick and change without batting an eye, he paid the bonus and then resigned him long term. He played as Chara’s partner against all the opposition top lines throughout the playoffs. Getting Horton and Campbell from Florida was a master piece. Horton is a legitimate top line player, a difference maker who can score, skate and play physical. He is the type of player who is never available and that GM’s always look for.  Campbell is an excellent role player, character player who can play in all situations.

Getting Rich Peverley from the Atlanta Thrashers really gave him a pivotal player who can play all forward positions, provide some offense and help on the Power play. I always liked Peverly while he was with Nashville and I was a Pro Scout. We tried to acquire him in Florida but couldn’t get it done.

Chris Kelly was an important acquisition for Boston from the Ottawa Senators. He gave up a 2^nd round pick but Peter knew exactly what he was getting. A character player, a hard worker and a great team player. The final piece of the puzzle was Thomas Kaberle acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline.

A total of six new players acquired since the trade deadline of 2010 helped the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup. In today’s Salary Cap world, where trades are so difficult to make, it is amazing that he was able to pull that off. It may be unprecedented and likely won’t be duplicated any time soon.

 There is no doubt in my mind that the “Man behind the Cup” is Peter Chiarelli.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BOSTON BRUINS!

HAVE A GREAT HOCKEY DAY!

PHIL MYRE (www.philmyretalkshockey.com)

The Buffalo Sabres Alumni reunion I attended earlier this month as part of the 40th Anniversary of the Sabres was a “Blast”. I reunited with some former teammates, former opponents and some former players I had never met. The NHL is such a small circle of people, a hockey family. Former players, management, trainers have a special bond or connection.

The Sabres new owner, Terry Pegula and his wife Kim were very gracious hosts. On the first night, the cocktail reception for the players only was filled with lots of stories and jokes and a few gibes on looks and weights. . .

On game day, we had a luncheon with season ticket holders and sponsors. The renewed energy created by the new ownership could be felt in the crowd. There was positive vibes in the air even though the pressure of making the playoffs weighed heavily on a win against my other alumni team, the Philadelphia Flyers.

Before the game, we were picked up in limousines and dropped off in front of the HSBC arena for a Red Carpet Walk. It really felt like Hollywood Stars on Oscar night. As we climbed out of the Limo and walked through a very loud crowd gathered to get a glimpse of their favorite former Sabre. There was a big cheer when I climbed out of the car. I waved and smiled, but I knew that the cheer was directed to Pat Lafontaine who was right behind me. Thousands of enthusiastic, loyal fans stood outside the roped area cheering us on and getting autographs.

Before the big game against the Flyers, we were all introduced on the ice one at a time. Rip Simonick, the Sabres equipment manager was honored as the only original Sabres. Rick Rick Jeanneret was also cited for his 39 years as radio play by play announcer. There was an emotional moment when Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert and former coach Joe Crozier walked on the ice holding a Richard Martin jersey. Rick Martin, who passed away two weeks prior to this event, was a member of the famous FRENCH CONNECTION with Perreault and Robert. The whole ceremony can be seen on Youtube.

The 70’s included players like Larry Carriere, Joe Daley, Gerry Desjardins, Danny Gare, Gerry Korab, Jimmy Lorenz, Don Luce, Terry Martin, Dereck Smith, Gary MacAdam, Paul MacIntosh, John Gould, Jocelyn Guevremont, Perreault and Robert and more.

The players from the 80’s who walked on the ice counted Adam Creighton, (I looked like a “shrimp” standing beside him on the ice) Steve Dykstra, Phil Housley, Tony Mackegney, Wilf Paiment, Larry Playfair, Darren Puppa, Jody Robertson, Donald Audette, Randy Burridge . . .

The 90’s highlighted players like Pat Lafontaine, Grant Ledyard, Brad May, Craig Muni, Mike Peca, Wayne Primeau, Rick Vaive, Brett Warrener, Jay Wells, Jason Wooley etc..

Finally, Jay McKee, Teppo Numminen and Andrew Peters closed out the 2000’s.

I met with several members of the Goalie’s Union. Gerry Desjardins played for the Los Angeles Kings expansion team in the late sixties and was behind Tony Esposito in Chicago for several years.

I met Joe Daley, one of the last goalies to play without a mask.

Darren Puppa and I had an interesting conversation (yes goalies can do that). We had never met but after just a few minutes, we were exchanging common stories.

Rocky Farr who has the best “Show Biz” name in hockey was there, former London Knights goalie.

I always enjoy meeting with Don Luce and Mike Robitaille because I have bragging rights to the Memorial Cup in 1968 with the Niagara Falls Flyers for whom Rick Jeanneret was the play by play announcer. Don and Mike played for the powerful Kitchener Rangers which we upset in 8 hard fought games.

Phil Housley was just a young “pup” coming out of high school hockey when I was with the Sabres organization is now a high school coach.

Larry Playfair, the President of the Sabres Alumni, one of my favorite people in Pro Hockey was very hospitable to all the alumni members. As a good host, he made sure that he was always around even until “last call”.

Steve Dykstra, Jody Robertson, Jim Weimer, Gary MacAdam were all members of the Rochester Americans who won the Calder Cup with me as their assistant coach.

I renewed connections with my (former) Pro Scouting colleagues, Paul MacIntosh (Dallas), Terry Martin (Colorado), Adam Creighton (Boston) and Larry Carriere (Montreal).

Gerry (King-Kong) Korab is always the life of the party. His gigantic frame makes him very noticeable and jovial behavior is contagious.

Dereck Smith won an award for the fewest games played (3) by an alumni present. Terry Pegula presented the award as a symbol that all alumni are important.

Gilbert Perreault was there. I love to listen to his Elvis voice. They play a video of Gilbert singing an Elvis song after each game at the HSBC.

There were 6 former captains of the Sabres at the celebrations: Gerry Meehan, Danny Gare, Gilbert Perreault, Lindy Ruff, Pat Lafontaine and Michael Peca.

The Sabres won the game and clinched a position in the Playoffs. Good luck to them!

HAVE A GREAT HOCKEY DAY!

Phil Myre (www.philmyretalkshockey.com)

The Hockey World lost a great guy and a friend last week. At 58, he was much too young to leave this world. But I remember the impact he had on many of us.

My friend E.J. McGuire passed away last week following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Nicole and I attended the funeral in Oakville, Ontario on Tuesday. There were many people there honoring a man who defied the odds to make it to the NHL. People came from the Buffalo area where Ernest John was born. They came from his university background. Several NHL executives were there, including the Commissioner, Gary Bettman and his staff. Several NHL General Managers were also present to pay their respects. The funeral service was followed by a luncheon where Shawn McCrossan his long-time college friend, Mike Keenan, his mentor and friend and Rip Simonick, his brother-in-law and Buffalo Sabres equipment manager delivered very emotional tributes to a great guy.

I first met E.J. in 1983 when I was a player/assistant coach for the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League. Mike Keenan was the coach and also a friend of E.J’s. It was E.J.’s first encounter with Pro Hockey. Together, we coached the Amerks to the Calder Cup Championship.

E.J. was a fitness fanatic. He was the only person I witnessed to run a 5 minute mile. I dared to train with him a few times . . . We ran a ¼ mile track and both finished at the same time… He ran around the track twice while I ran it once.

E.J. was a scholar, gaining a Master’s Degree in Physical Education and a Doctorate in kinesiology and sports psychology. He showed respect to everybody. He felt comfortable talking and listening to all people, from the Commissioner to the Zamboni driver in the smallest rink.

He played college hockey at Brockport University. He never played professional but he had the vision of working in the NHL. He knew he wouldn’t make it as a player. One of his coaches once told him “You’re a small player and you’re slow too”. So, he found a way to make it through perseverance and hard work as a coach and a scout. His passion for the game made him a student of the game. He was a perfectionist. He analyzed plays very accurately and he would find a solution when things were tough.

He worked as a head coach at the college, junior and American Hockey League levels; he was as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators; He was a scout for the New York Rangers and Flyers. All those positions paved the way to his most recent post as V.P of Central Scouting for the NHL. His attention to details, his ability to express himself and his outstanding people skills made him a perfect candidate for the job. He cared about his staff, the kids they scouted and about his responsibilities to the NHL.

Despitehis demanding work schedule, he loved to spend time with his wive Terry and their two beautiful daughters. He had an impact on many people and influenced many lives. He made hockey and the NHL a better place. He will be missed.

HAVE A GREAT HOCKEY DAY!

Phil Myre (www.philmyretalkshockey.com)

Spring always reminds me of two things. April fool’s Day and the Hockey Playoffs.

April first in my household has always been a lot of fun with everybody trying to fool the other with wild stories. The best at it and the most consistent is my wife Nicole. She always manages to get my daughters Stephanie and Natalie and I with some scheme that seems so true and yet is just an illusion.

April also brings playoff fever for me and for many hockey fans. The milder weather generates new energy with the vision that the STANLEY CUP playoffs are almost here and that the race for the prize will soon begin. Sure, we love to play hockey in the winter when the weather is cold and the snow is on the ground. It reminds us of the roots of our sport. But nothing compares to playing hockey in the spring when the weather begins to warm up and the flowers start to bloom. If your team is still playing, it means that you have achieved a certain level of success. Although we can’t win a championship every season, we want to be playing beyond April and into May and June.

That feeling was engrained into me very early in my career. In five years of Junior Hockey we won the league championship four times, including the GRAND PRIZE in my final year, the MEMORIAL CUP.

As the NHL playoffs begin next week, I look forward to many exiting games and some hard fought series. Any team that makes it to the dance has a chance to win it all. That’s what parity in the NHL has created. Once on the dance floor, you want to be the last one standing, on a stage where only the strongest survive.

There will be many one on one battles to win. Emotions will run high. Players will go beyond their physical limitations. Energy and determination will often decide the winner. Players will camouflage their injuries to avoid giving their opponent an edge. Four series. . .28 possible grueling games. . .16 victories to win the ultimate Prize. The team who will stick together, stay the course, and above all, stay healthy through this demanding war on ice, with a little luck on their side, will prevail.

The challenge is great and only one team will lift the STANLEY CUP above their heads for all the fans to see. For everybody else who tried and didn’t win, it may feel like it was an April Fools illusion. . .

HAVE A GREAT HOCKEY DAY!

Phil Myre (www.philmyretalkshockey.com)

Just recently, I attended a week-end long seminar as part of the Coaching Education Program for USA HOCKEY in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The purpose was to obtain my coaching certification, Level 4. The program requires coaches to follow certain instructions in order to qualify as a youth hockey coach. Different age groups and certain caliber of play require coaches to obtain specified Certification Levels. * (see levels at the conclusion)

Because of my involvement with youth hockey with the Michigan Warriors AAA program this year, I had to attend this clinic and get my Level 4. This particular session was very well attended. There were approximately 130-140 coaches seeking their level 4. The speakers were excellent and catered to the needs of the attendees. The main persons responsible for the success of the coaching certification program, Jack Witt and Don Moffat treated all the coaches to a very informative and entertaining week-end.  The staff of volunteers were very helpful and well-informed. Although the itinerary was full, speakers were on time, topics were appropriate ranging from USA hockey information to off ice conditioning to the art of skating. There were some presentations about system application but most of them dealt with “concepts” which is what the youth hockey coach really needs. Skill development and running an effective practice were and should be the main focus for coaches at this level.   

 I was in professional hockey for 43 years as a player, coach and scout. I have participated in many hockey seminars and coaching symposium over the years. I spoke and presented in many of them. I was also the first former player to apply for a Canadian coaching certification, level 4. I coached youth hockey for the first time this season. It has given me a new appreciation for people who give their time and knowledge to coach young hockey players.  Believe me, there is a big difference between coaching pros and coaching kids. The fundamentals are the same, the game is the same but the application and the behavior are different by a wide margin. A youth hockey coach must be attentive to the level at which his young players can execute. He must also pay special attention to his players’ level of comprehension and attention span.

Just because a coach knows a great drill or a special system of play that work at a higher level doesn’t mean it will work with younger players. Simplicity, small area play, repetition and consistency are qualities needed by a coach to succeed in the development of young hockey players.  Patience and organization are also prerequisites. My longtime friend Pat Quinn once described coaching very simply. He said: “ coaching  is constantly searching for new ways to say the same thing”. I find that to be very true and attending different coaching clinics is one strong step in achieving just that.

HAVE A GREAT HOCKEY DAY!

Phil Myre (www.philmyretalkshockey.com) TUESDAYS AND FRIDAY

*Check out the different Coaching Education Program Levels for USA HOCKEY below

 COACHING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Level Of Play      Coaching Education Program Level

8 & Under (Mite)             Level 1

10 & Under (Squirt)         Level 2 (Prerequisite Level 1)

12 & Under (Pee Wee)  Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

14 & Under (Bantam)     Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

16 & Under (Midget)      Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

18 & Under (Midget)      Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

Midget I (Tier I & Tier II National Tournament-bound)    

Level 4 (Prerequisite Level 1, 2 and 3)

Level Of Play      Coaching Education Program Level

High School                         Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

Level Of Play                      Coaching Education Program Level

Junior Tier I and II            Level 4

Junior Tier III                      Level 4

(Prerequisite Level 3 Required)

Level Of Play      Coaching Education Program Level

Girls/Women 8 & Under               Level 1

Girls/Women 10 & Under             Level 2 (Prerequisite Level 1)

Girls/Women 12 & Under             Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

Girls/Women 14 & Under             Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

Girls/Women 16 & Under             Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

Girls/Women 19 & Under             Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 and 2)

Girls/Women 16/19 & Under National Tournament-bound

Level 4 (Prerequisite Level 1, 2 and 3)

-          The NHL was founded in 1917 including the following teams: the Montreal Canadiens, the Montreal Wanderers, the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Arenas

-          The Boston Bruins were the first American team to be admitted to the NHL in 1924

-         Before being called the Redwings, Detroit came into the NHL as the Cougars and changed their name to the Falcons. They were named the Redwings in 1932.

-          In 1942, the Brooklyn Americans folded to make the NHL a SIX TEAM LEAGUE, creating what is now commonly referred to as the ORIGINAL SIX.

-          The next expansion came 25 years later when the NHL doubled its size. They added two teams from the East (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh), two teams from the Midwest (St-Louis, Minnesota) and two teams from the West (Los Angeles, Oakland) in an attempt to get National Exposure.

-          The expansion teams stayed in the same “expansion” division for three years until the Vancouver Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres were awarded franchises. Both those teams were placed in the “original division”, now called the “East” and Chicago transferred to the “expansion division” now called the West. That put Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in the West Conference and Vancouver in the East division. Does that make sense to anybody?

-         The cost of the expansion in 1967 was $2.5 million dollars. The last expansion, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild cost $80 million dollars.

-          The cost of a dozen sticks in 1970 was around $40.00

-          The entire payroll for the expansion St-Louis Blues in 1967 was $300,000. And the highest paid player was making $55,000.

-          The payroll for the Detroit Redwings in 1982 was $2.8 Million. That’s about the salary of an average player in the NHL today.

-          While the expansion teams remained in the same division, the Montreal Canadiens missed the playoffs in 1969-70 with 92 points in the standings, while the Oakland Seals made the post season with 58 points in the Expansion division. I have vivid memories about this because I was playing for the Canadiens. We missed the playoffs because of a “goal for differential” tie breaker with the New York Rangers. On the last day of the season the Rangers easily beat the Detroit Redwings 9-2. to move even with the Habs in standings. We needed at least a tie or score 5 goals to clinch a playoff spot in the final game in Chicago.

In that  final game, less than 10 minutes remaining and down 5-2, coach Claude Ruel pulled goalie Rogatien Vachon in an attempt to get at least a tie or score 3 more goals.  The strategy failed as the Blackhawks add five unanswered goals to finish the game with a 10-2 win.

The result left the Canadiens tied in points with the Rangers, who had scored two more goals and claim the fourth and final playoff spot in the East. For one of the few times in league history, the defending Stanley Cup Champions missed the playoffs for the first time since 1947-48.  The rule for tie breakers was changed the next season.

HAVE A  GREAT HOCKEY DAY!

Phil Myre (www.philmyretalkshockey.com) BLOGS EVERY TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

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Original Sabres Logo

The Buffalo Sabres celebrate 40 years in the NHL this season. . It appears that the  first owner Mr. Seymour Knox and new owner Mr. Tom Pegula are the bookends of success, standing tall against a period of uncertainty and financial problems from the owners in between. The Knox family was very classy and brought a sense of pride and family to the Sabres for 26 years.  The new owner, Mr. Pegula wants to regain that pride and the sense of belonging to the Sabres organization. Yesterday, I received an invitation to participate in a series of activities which will conclude the Sabres 40th anniversary season. As part of Fan Appreciation Night on April 8th, Tom Pegula, a long time Sabres fan, wants to reunite with the Sabres Alumni. He has invited all alumni members to be present.
I didn’t play many games for the Buffalo Sabres but I feel a special connection with this team. My memories include some very special moments and some unusual achievements.
My first encounter with the new Buffalo expansion was in 1970. I played in the first NHL regular season game played at the Memorial Auditorium as the goalie for the Montreal Canadiens. We beat the Sabres that night and I recorded my first NHL shutout. It was a relatively easy game for me but it was a very special moment to get my first NHL shutout. Playing in the “Aud” was a different experience in itself. It was one of the smallest ice surface in the league at the time. It was loud and had a great hockey atmosphere. The music they played then still plays today in their beautiful HSBC arena and typically identifies the Sabres.
My second special moment with the Sabres came in 1972 when I was the goalie for the Atlanta Flames, a new expansion team. Our arena, The Omni, wasn’t quite ready for us at the start of the season so we began our inaugural season on the road. Coming home for our GRAND OPENING game, we faced (you guessed it) the Buffalo Sabres. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. I was much busier in that game. I do remember getting a couple of “standing ovations” from the new fans, the first Southern team in the NHL. Flames fans were not very knowledgeable then, so when I made a couple of acrobatic saves, their reaction was a little exaggerated . . . but I loved it.
The third memorable moment with the Sabres was a very somber one. On February 22nd, 1974, the Atlanta Flames were scheduled to play the Sabres in Buffalo for what appeared to be just one of many games in the NHL that night. However, it was nothing but ordinary. On the previous night, the All Star defenseman, Tim Horton, was tragically killed in a car accident while driving back to Buffalo from playing a game in Toronto against the Maple Leafs. I was the backup goalie that night at the “Aud”. I still feel the emotions when I think about it. I had the best seat in the house to see the faces of the Sabres players. That moment is forever stamped in my mind. I remember vividly Jim Shoenfeld crying while standing on the blue line during a moment of silence in honor of Tim Horton and during the National Anthem: Jim said: “. . . There was a moment of silence. It was like I felt everyone’s loss all at once. How the whole community felt about Tim . . . And suddenly, there I was crying at the start of a game”.

(cut and paste this address to see the picture engraved in my mind): http://books.google.com/books?id=ZLZbMvs5qjUC&pg=PA180&lpg=PA180&dq=buffalo+sabres+feb+22,1974&source=bl&ots=kXPSHnPVY9&sig=lo3HKOrK6lxNk72Tc_zXNxYMvLo&hl=en&ei=3ruRTfX7AoHC0QHVkvjMBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false
In 1982 the Buffalo Sabres gave me my first coaching opportunity. Scotty Bowman offered me a player/assistant coach position for the Rochester Americans, the Sabres minor league affiliate in the American Hockey League. Mike Keenan was the coach and we had a very successful season, winning the Calder Cup. That year, I played 5 games for the Sabres.
Finally, while member of the Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo was the site where we set a new all-time Professional record of 35 games without a loss. A record which still stands today. The game was memorable, not only for the record we set but also because I came into the game with 7 minutes to go after Pete Peeters got sick *!&!* in the crease.

There is a Special Connection for me with the Sabres. I believe that as a new owner, Mr. Pegula will bring many more memorable moments to the Buffalo organization, its Fans and to proud Sabres alumni as we celebrate the conclusion of the 40th season and the beginning of a new era, the new bookend of success.

HAVE A GREAT HOCKEY DAY!

Phil Myre (www.philmyretalkshockey.com) Tuesday and Friday Blogs