Pics and Pucks

The past week has seen quite a bit of hockey news, with the Free-Agent signing day of July 1.

Marion Hossa signed with the Chicago Blackhawks for more money per year than I will make in 105 years. Does he enjoy signing with his previous teams' rivals, or is it just me?

The Canes re-signed both Erik Cole and Chad LaRose (the Chuck Norris of Hockey) to two-year contracts. Both players tested the open market, if only for a little while, before deciding to stay in Raleigh.

The more recent news is that Restricted Free Agent Tuomo Ruutu has filed for arbitration. I guess the Canes offered him his qualifying offer to retain his rights, but it must not have been up to what Ruutu wanted. Ruutu has definitely earned a raise over what he made last season. I would imagine he may only want a 1-year deal, arbitrators normally give 1-year deals, so that he can become an Unrestricted Free Agent next summer and cash in a bit more. I'd bet that the Canes have probably offered him a multi-year deal for a bit of a hometown discount.


And recently, we went down to the beach for the July 4th weekend for a nice little vacation. Here's some pics from the trip.

Hurricanes Season Ticket Holder Party

So earlier this evening the Hurricanes hosted their exclusive Season Ticket Holder Party. All the STH's got to have a free meal, me a few of the Canes and tour their locker room and "behind the scenes" areas. We actually almost forgot to go to it this evening, but thankfully remembered in time (just in time as it turned out later).

Most of our time was spent waiting in line to get autographs. The team had set up 6 different tables around the RBC center with 4 players/coaches at each table. The schedule only allowed for an hour and a half of time allocated for autographs from the players, and with all the STH's attending, waiting to get those autographs took about 45 minutes per table. Our first table we went to had Assistant Coach Kevin McCarthy, Michael Leighton, Joe Corvo, and Eric Staal. Here's some pics from that table.

Notice out of all of those, who looks like they are most used to being in the spotlight, in the fish-eye lens, and getting the publicity. Someone's been groomed for the public eye.

Next up we waited in line for Jussi Jokinen, Joni Pitkenin, Chad LaRose(The Chuck Norris of Hockey), and Ray Whitney. We were actually the next to last people to get to see those guys. They closed the doors right after us (see the timing part above). The people behind us were pissed. Here's some pics from that table.

The Locker Room tour was much quicker but offered a lot for the camera. Here's some shots.

A Win!

The Canes did something last night that they have not done in a while, well a few things.




First off, they beat a team who is below them in the standings. That hasn't happened in a bit. They also scored a shorty. The first all season. Yep, we were the last team in the league to score a short-handed goal this year. Of course it would come at the hands of Chad "The Chuck Norris of Hockey" LaRose. Here he is in celebration after the game.

Whilst at the game, I took a few pics from the warm up:

Someone should tell Brandon Sutter he may score more if he shoots with his eyes open.

Even Eric Staal was in amazement of Chad LaRose.

And here's one for the Leaf Fans out there.