Three Blind Mice, See How They Skate...

Referees and linesman in the AHL and UHL (now the IHL) have a difficult job no argument there. Ideally they have the skating skills of a player,full knowledge and understanding of the game and it's rules. Lastly they must posses poise and the confidence to believe in their own judgement of on ice observations. Not an easy position for somebody officially on the learning curve of the job in a "development" league hoping for the call up to the NHL.Just like the players and coaches on the ice with them. All this aside it is the shortsighted policy that calls for one ref and two linesmen in the AHL and UHL(IHL)as opposed to the NHL's two refs that often results in poor referring of games. Refs are only human(some more "human" than others) they can't be everywhere and the lack of the second set of eyes results in over dependence on linesmen and missed or just plain bogus calls. Plainly, more more zebras need to be added to the herd.



This blog is the first in a long series of photos of what the ref missed. Every image has a foul that the ref or linesman did not acknowledge in any way. If possible I will comment on the specifics of the event as I or my partner Patrick Kissane, http://ciachort.blogspot.com observed them.

Three blind mice see how they skate....




Powderhornhockey

Still in short pants and one beauty of a goalie, Hamilton's Carey Price.

Last May during the Calder cup semifinals we were fortunate to see a goalie fresh up from the Ontario Hockey League, Cary Price. Hamilton started the 19 year old Price in game one against the heavily favored Chicago Wolves and he was quickly shelled out of the net. In the end Hamilton won the game but the sight of this gifted young goalie facing his first defeat in the AHL was devastating.
It would prove to be one of his last. Hamilton,starting Price in every following game would loose just one more to the Wolves in the semifinals and then go on to beat the Hershey Bears for the AHL's Calder Cup. Hamilton has emerged from the 06' season with two things, a lovely set of championship rings for their team and a young golaie in Carey Price who's "future is so bright he has to wear shades"


powderhornhockey

Hockey in the Cornfields? Two Iowa Stars!

I'll just admit it up front, many of the players I photograph and will write about because I might possibly know them, respect something about them or their play. That can't be said about the subjects of this blog, I photographed these two goalies simply because they are two of the most photogenic players I have ever encountered. Simply put Iowa's Dan Ellis (#30) and Tobias Stephan(#31)can't take a bad picture. Faces like theirs are what eight gig memory chips are made for.......Lordy Lou, I hope at least one of them is back between the pipes next year in the AHL!






powderhornhockey

It's hard to type with little bunny feet....Ode to Boris...

One of the great advantages of being a fan of development leagues is you get to see players grow from raw talent into launching their careers in the NHL. Last September Patrick Kissane and I attended the Red Wings Rookie Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. At TC besides having a glorious time, we learned much from the staff, other fans and parents of players that also were the bleacher rats in attendance. It was here I first spyed the player that will be the subject of a blog entry solely dedicated to him, Boris Valabik all 230 pounds 6'7" first round draft pick of him of him. The Chicago Wolves (and I mean this with love) "Excitable Boy". So let me brush my little bunny feet and adjust the long ears for a minute...


First the dry facts, Boris Valabik was born Valentines Day 1986 in Nitra, Slovakia he is a Slav national,not a Check as he quickly points out to those of us geographically impaired. Boris came to the Wolves directly from the Ontario Hockey Leagues perennial powerhouse Kitchner Rangers along with golaie prospect Dan Turple. When in Hamilton for the Calder Cup semifinals Patrick Kissane and I encountered several fans that were at the games to see Valabik. He is remembered warmly as a stand up player and a team member who was there for every charity event. This hasn't changed since moving to the AHL, Boris defends his teammates and is always there for every booster club charity fundraiser. A painter off the ice one of his paintings was sold at auction this season for Wolves Charities.But enough of this litany of perfection our Excitable Boy has his faults,mainly born of his temper. It could be his passion for the game, personality, or dedication to his teammates, he can and will be drawn into fights by agitators. Valibak eagerly takes on the role of the enforcer at 21, role typically played by a more seasoned player. His temper consistently brings him to the attention of the men if stripes making him less effective on the ice. In fact some photographers have been known to follow him on the ice for where #27 goes action and a great shot usually follows. This combined with a nagging ankle injury from December may have lead to the decision to "scratch" him during at times during the Wolves reticent playoff series.

Despite his "youthful enthusiasm" this kid has the real stuff in him. I expect we will be seeing Valibik only for part of the 07'season in Chicago. He will move up to the Atlanta Thrashers with the first injury for his shot at the big show. I can only hope that chance comes later not sooner, this hot tempered chick needs more time with Todd Nelson (Wolves defensive coach) before he can become the cock of the walk he dreams of being. But that is just this photogs opinion, the fact that I love to shoot this guy has nothing to do with it.