POLAR OPPOSITES?
When you think of polar, you think of ice, when you think of ice, if you were a sports fan, you’d probably think of hockey. So, you might as well think of the best hockey in the world, the National Hockey league. In the NHL this year, there is a classic example of two players who are headed in totally opposite directions. Polar opposites. One is a rookie who is making a major statement towards wining rookie of the year even though he is playing on a team that this year has struggled to say the least. The other is described as a “classic super-pest” along the lines of one of the most famous of NHL agitators, Theoren Fleury, but unlike Fleury, other than his constant disturbances, he does not seem to follow through with many points.
SEAN AVERY LA KINGS
Sean Avery is probably known more for his off-ice quotes that he is for his on-ice accomplishments. On the ice his numbers are certainly not those of a budding super star, but in the media room after games he has sure come up with some classic comments that put him up there in the Jeremy Roenick, Terrell Owens category. Here are a few of his gems…
- After coach Andy Murray was recently fired, to the writers gathered, “ why did you guys get brainwashed by that guy?” “You can’t call him for a quote now, he doesn’t work here any more.”
- This one got him into more than a bit of trouble, “ typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on running around and playing tough and not backing anything up.”
- After being blamed for calling George Laraque of the Edmonton Oilers “a monkey” during an on-ice disagreement, Laraque who is black, accused Avery of racism. “(He) fabricated the whole thing,” Avery has been quoted in response.
ALEXANDER OVECHKIN WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Before the season began two rookies came into the season with the media stamping of greatness already attached to their names. Sidney Crosby of the Penguins and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals have both accomplished what was expected, but lately Ovechkin seems to have edged ahead of Crosby for Rookie of the year honors.
Owner of the Caps, Ted Leonis, “he’s exceeded my expectations in his maturity and his hockey sense and grasp of our strategy.” Ovechkin is closing in on a 50-goal rookie season and may end up with the second best points season for a rookie ever in the NHL But it’s been his ability to carry himself as a true professional that has impressed those that follow the Capitals regularly. He is on a team that won’t make the playoffs, but he continues to improve and observers say he is a joy to be around as he has so much fun playing the game he learned as a youngster in Russia.
It can’t have been an easy time for him coming over to the USA as a #1 draft, not knowing any English and being put into the situation of carrying the burden of high expectations that goes with the number one pick. He asked to have an English-speaking roommate so he could improve his language abilities, he may be learning our language, but no one is questioning his fabulous hockey skills.
If you had your pick of one of these two guys, who would you want on your team?
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