Does anyone else remember the good ol’ days of the All-Star weekend when it was eagerly awaited?  In an attempt to make the game better with more parity and greater fan appeal, the game is tweaked each year.  Yet it seemingly only appears to continue to lose its luster. With that in mind, I have some of my own suggestions.

  - Let the players choose the participants.  Who knows the talent better than those who play against these guys?  GMs picking the roster?   Seriously, guys.  It’s gone downhill since they switched the selection process.  Yes, I know why it was done, but it probably wasn’t the best solution.

 - Allow competitors into the skills competition that may not make the All-Star team.  We know there are exceptional skaters, stick handlers and shooters that don’t always make the squad.  Let’s see more talent represented there.  That might woo audiences a bit more.

-  Speaking of wooing audiences, can we get rid of the lame breakaway goal competition?  It was a big flop, in my opinion.  Trying (largely unsuccessful) trick shots on non-NHL goalies did nothing for me.  Of course, Alexander Ovechkin did bring some character to the game with his silly props and use of long-time enemy Evgeny Malkin to assist him (although I found the actual story behind the “make-up” of these two much more interesting.)  However, call me old fashioned but I preferred the class that fellow Russian Alexei Kovalev displayed in the All-Star game the next day, taking the game seriously, giving it his all and showing the fans what a fantastic stick-handler he is.  So, let’s bring back skill competitions where real skills are highlighted.

 - Finally, as we move back towards more intra-conference play, let’s resurrect the North America vs. The Word format.  East-West has little intrigue to most people, but pitting the two different playing styles against each other gets Don Cherry and others ranting about the non-North American players and at least resurrects a real rivalry.

So what do you say guys?  You have two years to think about it.

I know this blog is a bit Thrasher heavy right now but having attended the Atlanta Thrashers’ Annual Casino Night this past Sunday with fellow goddess Kaatiya and her hubby, I feel the Thrasher organization deserves some kudos for actually doing something right.

Not that getting to the event was without issue. Apparently, the ticket coordinator for the event took a three-week vacation a month before the event and fans that called the number advertised for the event had to leave voice mail. But I digress.

Traditionally, each NHL team has held an annual charity event that allows fans to come interact with their favorite players. However, the term “interact” is used loosely. The amount of access one has to these players varies by team. Some teams charge an arm and a leg and while the notion of the proceeds going to charity is certainly commendable (and having a chance to write off the event on ones tax return), one can’t help but wonder if the high price is intended to keep the event just out of reach of your average fan. Not-so-coincidentally, these are also the organizations that give you 10 seconds twice in the event (if you’re lucky) to give your table’s designated “player waiter” to suffice as player “interaction.”

Living in Colorado, I have never been tempted to spend $250 for the charity brunch the Avalanche organization holds each year. From speaking with former attendees, I have gleaned that your meal is served by a less popular player and are lucky if he has time to say more than “hello” and sign a program. Big name players are explicitly shielded from the (cough) average fan, merely speaking to the audience from the stage.  Oh yeah, there is that fashion show (and if you don’t have Sean Avery on your team, how exciting can it be?)

Not at the Atlanta Thrashers Casino Night. No, for $200 you get 3 + hours of full access to all the players whom are held prisoner by their respective poker tables, an open bar, and delightful appetizers and pastries (that is, if you’re not too busy ingratiating yourself with the players and actually have time to eat). And really, if you’re a diehard fan of that team, it’s the least the organization can do.

Young puckbunny looking to chat up the new guy? This is your gig. Cougar who just wants to sit and stare at Bryan Little all night while your wealthy husband chums around with Garnet Exelby? You’ve come to the right place! Fellow hockey player who wants to gab with her (new) favorite defenseman, Tobias Enstrom? Much obliged. Long-time fan wanting a picture with his man-crush Ilya Kovalchuk? The new captain will be more than happy to indulge you. Best of all, if Slava Kozlov is your hero, butter him up with a bit of Russian and a pinch of fawning and the usually reserved legend will give you a big smile.  And let’s not forget — it’s all for a great cause!

Yes, this fabulous event was enjoyed by all and has made this goddess into a new Thrashers fan. The only negative comment I can offer is that it could have been better attended with a bit better coordination by the organization, which is seemingly lacking in the marketing department. But, that topic is reserved for another post, coming in the near future.

Congratulations, Thrashers. You now have a new fan in Colorado!

OK.  First things first.  A few notes on the Thrashers.  And, no, not game notes.   We don’t do that here.  The Associated Press and TSN do that much better than we possibly could. Why reinvent the already wonderful wheel?

Item A:  Kovalchuk on Semin’s Crosby Rant, the new U.S. President and more >>

Items B1 and B2:  A couple of remarks from the comments section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution site brought on the giggles:

• Hey, isn’t Tampa still paying Feaster, Tortorella, and now Melrose … to NOT do ANYTHING for them? And they’re paying Brian Lawton, too! If there were a “salary cap” for paying people NOT to work for you, the Tampa Bay Lightning would be over it. (more)
  Oh dear!
• Goalie development is fine, but what’s there to develop? In case of Pavelec, he is far from being technically savvy out there, but the guy is a winner: he has a dominating presence in the crease and he is in the game mentally. Lehtonen is near perfect technically most of the time. But he is not in it all the time mentally. His Niittymaki hang up is just ridiculous. How do you develop from here? (more)
  His Niittymaki complex is ridiculous, but this made me laugh and laugh — almost as much as knowing he was once known as The Hamburgler!

Item C: It really bothers me that TSN never seems to edit its pages. Are there no copyeditors there? I worked for a major news network’s website for 7+ years and to have a “Thrashers squaked by…” type error on the site all night would get you in trouble. This is a major issue at TSN. Great hockey coverage, serious copyediting meltdowns. (Referencing the text under the video on TSN.com “Johan Hedberg stood tall and made 27 saves as the Thrashers squaked past the Hurricanes.”)

It’s also somewhat debatable to say the Thrashers “squeaked by.” But that’s an argument for another time.

I visited the Pepsi Center twice this past weekend for NHL games — Avs vs. Wild and Avs vs. Predators.  I have to say, I was sorry find that the Avalanche have discontinued their use of the Avalanche warning siren as part of their goal celebration.  Now it’s kind of a run-of-the-mill affair.  That siren, coupled with Blur’s Song 2 was distinctive and cool.  Let’s listen, shall we?

You’ve got to admit that siren makes it pretty cool. Now let’s listen to an Avs goal celebration from 2008. It’s missing a bit of panache and could be the goal celebration just about anywhere. Hell, it could be the music they play when the Nuggets win. Very nondescript.  On top of that, they are using Gary Glitter’s Rock and Roll, Pt. 2.  I have a big problem with that.  Gary Glitter is a convicted child molester.  I’m sorry, but his music should not be used in NHL arenas or any arenas — particularly any place that children frequent.  That’s just a slap in the face to his young victims.  No royalties for convicted felons, thank-you-very-much!

Everything old is new again, let’s bring back the siren and ditch the music of the dispicable child abuser Gary Glitter.

In case you were wondering, Goddess Kaatiya was visiting this weekend and we watched a couple of games to give you a unique perspective.  Here are my observations:

Thrashers at Sabres 11-7-08 , 3rd period

- Hedberg in net.  Kari still “under the weather.”  Someone on the Thrasher’s forum said they wondered when he’d be “above the weather.”
-  Kotalik fanned on the rebound. I’m glad I’m not the only one that does this.
-  Which Kovy is a smoother stick handler?  That’s what I want to know.
-  Oystrick who?
-  Kovy is working on a creepy molester moustache today
-  Why does the color guy call Enstrom “Tobi?”
-  Does everyone have a man crash on Hainsey?
-   Slava Kozlov. Dirty Russian.  ;)
-   4-4 Now.
-   Wow. Let’s state the obvious, guys. I think it’s pretty obvious you’d like the Thrashers score next.
-   Left buttock.  What is this?  A medical physical?
-   “Tobi.”  I am beginning to wonder what kind of relationship they have.

Calgary at Chicago 11-9-08

-  Patrick Kane scores.  He is such an adorable young man
-  Ouch, Kiprusoff.  Need I say more?
-  Double ouch.
-  Frost and Brouwer going at it. Who? Yeah, that’s what I was wondering.
-  Ouch, Sharp.  Are you ok?  Sarich – you should know better.
-  Can I say Patrick Sharp is cute without sounding like a puckbunny?  No?  Ok, well I’m going to say it anyway.
-  Oh, linesman hit dead on with a puck.  No sign of life yet.
-  Prust and Walker now go at it.  Hey boys, lets stop the dancing.  Start throwing them or stop torturing us.
-  Oh, Kipper.  I even feel sorry for you tonight.
-  Patrick Kane is so diminutive.  But awesome all the same.  Second star of the game.  First star personality.

3rd period -Atlanta Thrashers at Carolina Hurricanes (11-07-2008)

- Johan Hedberg is so tiny … and cute with his moose mask

- Not a big fan of Darren Eliot. He was kind of a jerk when we called him on the Thrashers post-game show a few years ago. Total homer who refused to allow a negative opinion.

- “Pinching” — the word makes me laugh.

- Ilya and Afinogenov look very similar when they skate.

- There’s a whole lotta spitting going on!

- Darren Eliot calling Enstrom “Toby” throughout the game seems so unprofessional.

- Hainsey is such a weird last name.

- Slava is not a dirty Russian!

- Slava is so cute. I can’t stand it

- Oh the Little-White-Russian line is on fire!

- I think the Thrashers need to take a weekly trip to Fort Benning.

- Way to go Johan! Getting the left buttock on the puck!

- I flunked my first blog-along.

- Yay Thrashers.

2nd period – Calgary Flames at Chicago Blackhawks (11-09-2008)

- I like Cristobal Huet’s mask.

- Patrick Kane just had a great goal and an even greater goal celebration.

- Facewashes rule.

Goddess Sasha and I were practically kicked out of Avalanche practice for observing the team from ice level at their practice facility.  I’m a photographer and like to take pictures, and as I was shooting Andrew Raycroft, we were politely asked to move up to the balcony to watch.  I explained that I was there to take pictures and the nice man explained that it was a distraction for us to watch practice from ice level — like you’re allowed to do at every other NHL arena (!).   If little Goddess Sasha, her pal Master A and I can distract a whole team of professional hockey players by our mere presence, the team must have bigger problems than fans wanting to watch practice from downstairs.  Anyway, I was disappointed and  I told him I wouldn’t get any good pictures from upstairs.  He assured me I would.  How, exactly, do you get good pictures through a white net and two panes of glass?  Then he told us that the coaches said it is a liability for us to be there watching from behind the glass.  Last time I checked, about 100 or so people watch every NHL game from behind the glass.  Is that not a liability?    I’ve been to many NHL practices and at all of them people happily milled around, watching through the glass or sitting in the bleachers adjacent to most sheets of practice ice.

Lesson One: Fans attending practice generates interest and buzz for the team.  People who go to practice tell their friends “I saw Darcy Tucker today at practice doing …”  whatever.  It’s irrelevant, but people will tell their friends about the funny or cool thing that happened at practice.  Or show their pictures to their friends.  Or post it on a photo sharing site or message board, where people will get excited, not just about the Avalanche, but hockey in general — and that’s a good thing!   Treating fans like they are nuisances is going to have a similar effect, only negative.  “Some guy basically kicked me out of practice today” or “I went to take goalie mask pictures for my collection, but I didn’t get any shots — they wouldn’t let me!”   Not good buzz or PR at all.

So far I have been very disappointed with the Colorado Avalanche.  They won’t allow attendees to go down to the lower levels to watch warmups before the game.  Why?  Goddess Sasha (an Avs season ticket holder, by the way) witnessed an entire team of youth hockey players from Saskatchewan being told they could not watch the Edmonton Oilers warming up because they did not have lower level seats.  That’s not right!

Lesson Two: Young people grow up to be old people with money — why alienate your future customers?  Why make your city and your team look bad by treating customers — yes customers — this way?   Without the fans, all you have is a bunch of grownups playing a kids’ game.

Boo Avalanche marketing team!