Silly NHL owners & CEO May 21, 2009
Posted by jphebert in Business, hockey.Tags: arizona, bettman, coyotes, hockey, nhl
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The Coyote’s future is at stake, or at least where they’ll play in the future. We’re now seeing two investors willing to keep the team in Arizona (where the only ice outside the rink is in your glass) and sell this to a public with “prior engagements” (Nascar, NFL, NBA, etc.). Local culture is around these sports, not hockey.
I think the goal of making a franchise work is a great one, but they’re at the point of cutting losses and moving on, loosing 70+M$ in the last few years should be a clue any investor should look at. Just move the team where it can be profitable (and that means somewhere people like hockey), I’m not saying go with Jim’s plan but where it snows would be a start..
The NHL needs to be held accountable to selecting cities for new teams. Arizona? Someone needs to go back and hit the books..
PowerDirector is impressive May 10, 2009
Posted by jphebert in family, technology.Tags: blue-ray, dv, dvd, hd, hockey, making dvd, video editing
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I’m in the process of making my son’s hockey team post-season DVD and decided to try the software which came pre-loaded on my wife’s new laptop we got last December. First – egad – I’m using low-feature OEM software! How many time has this happended? Almost never.
OK, I’m in and I have a bunch of slideshows to do with pics we took (easy as pie!), clean the source tapes (easy but not as efficient as others) and built the DVD template (not bad not great). What struck me is that I’ve done this all in minutes very easily without manuals just a few “F1″ moments.
When I upgrade my trusty DV camcorder to HD, I’m getting the full suide for HD/Blue Ray for sure. Rarely have I been impressed with a combination of simplicity and results.
Reference:http://www.cyberlink.com/products/cyberlink-dvd-suite/overview_en_US.html
Please someone fire Bettman May 7, 2009
Posted by jphebert in Business, hockey.Tags: arizona, balsillie, bettman, blackberry, coyotes, hockey, nhl, research in motion, rim
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I’m your average hockey watching and playing and coachign dad, but also a business decision maker. When I see egos get in the way of product/service quality and most importantly the customer it drives me nuts.
Seeing that Jim Basillie is offering a mountain of money to take a team which has filed chapter 11 in a non-natural hockey market to a place it can be profitable and create a strong following in record time makes a whole lot of sense to me. Yes I’m in Canada and would love to see a 7th team here. I’d prefer Quebec City but Hamilton is in a hot market for this product.
Now seeing good old Gary get all defensive on this is shameful. He said that he does not abandon markets, but when attendance is 10-20% of capacity, once has to ask the sanity of moving the Jets from Winnipeg to Arizona. I love Arizona by the way – phenomenal state. But seriously, who cares about hockey there as the best way to ensure attendance is to build a franchise in a market when people “get it”. Nobody plays recreational ice hockey there (lack of rinks, staff, coaches, etc.), and other sports are stongly entrenched.
So why keep Gary? He wants to put teams in the US to “expand” the audience and create growth. Not a bad idea at all, but secure your core markets first. Since he does not get it or his ego prevents logical decisions, the govenors should fire him. He’s costing the league millions and the NHL can barely make it on occasion on NBC and nowhere on the ESPN grid. Shameful.
For the future of hockey and its growth, there you have it, sending a team to an owner who will not be a fan in a dead market or to a passionate billionaire fan in a hot prospect market. If I’d behave like that I think I’d get fired.
Novice 2008/9 Hockey! August 22, 2008
Posted by jphebert in Sports, family, hockey.Tags: hockey, minor league, novice, timbits
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I’ve been designated to be my burb’s novice hockey coordinator, not too had to get the job since I was alone in the cadidate list:)
I already ordered TimBits jerseys from Tim Hortons’, it’s a great program where you also get medals, food stuff for your end of year party and a prize for the kids. Last year was a Crosby mini stick and ball, the year before was a 6′ tall Crosby poster, very very cool and the kids went nuts. All our thanks to the folks who run TimBits!
Esso Medals are October 1st and the Habs’ RAP program is not yet open, soon I guess!
Can’t wait to start! The only concern is the number of players, I expect that we’ll be over 60 (around 65 in fact) which forces us to do 6 teams (2X A, 2X B & 1XC), but all teams are weaker in this strategem, we’ll see where we end up and look into a 1XA, 2XB & 2XC mix with our region’s management. Last year we had 5 weak teams, and one won nothing.. Tough for the kids.
NHL salaries: Bettman & Co. are back to square 1 July 2, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: bettman, hockey, nhl, salaries
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NHL general managers for the most part are mental. They spent a gazillion dollars on players that are not necessarily worth the moolah. I don’t mean to pick on any player but some are lucky to have found idiotic cash-spending loonies like the GM in Chicago, Huet now makes more than Brodeur and how much does that make sense?
Let’s face it, Bettman & Co. are back where they were 2 years ago, with the same financials (give or take) at play, where they can spend waaaay too much then they’ll complain about making money. They should ALL be fired, Bettman first for allowing this 2 years after the strike.
Congrats to the GMs who did not go berserk, namely our GM Bob Gainey who is criticized on a regular basis for “inaction” but heck, he’s not sinking his ship with contracts.
Habs win! Congrats to Bruins nonetheless April 22, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: bruins, canadiens, habs, hockey, nhl, stanley cup
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Habs won!!!!!!!!!!! I was sitting stressed out on my couch last night untl Andrei put the 3rd one in. I usually have the game on and I work on the laptop at the same time but last night it could not happen.
Boston came in the 1st period really strong and thought to myself, we’re goners. When Mike put the 1st one in, hope appeared, when Mark put the 2nd one in (and what a beauty, eh!) there was reason for stress to go down.
With the riots we got last night (idiots), could it have been worse if the Habs lost?..
Also, congrats to Boston and their coach Claude Julien (who was nick’ed Mr. Potato Head a few years ago), they really came out to play. Considering that like the Habs, nobody expected the Bruins to even make it even close to a spot in the playoffs.
Now let’s hope we go against Philly, since it’s an easier prey.
Habs Vs Bruins: let the games begin! April 6, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: boston, bruins, canadiens, habs, hockey, Montreal, nhl
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The season is over for the Habs, let’s move on to the real season!
I’m happy we’re facing the Bruins, but worried at the same time. Out of 16 possible points, the Habs got 16 while Boston got 1. I think that’s motivation & payback for the season for the Bruins.
With Saku out, and Komisarek coming back possibly for the playoffs, looks like the healthy players will need to double up efforts.
Hockey: how to fix the fighting issue and injuries April 2, 2008
Posted by jphebert in family, hockey.Tags: bettman, fire bettman, hockey, nhl, nhlpa, stanley cup
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I think ice hockey must be the last sport on Earth to allow fights the way they do and I think it’s just plain stupid. Some claim the NHL will loose some audience, good, send these fans over to rastlin’ (pro wrestling) and new fans will come for the same reason.
A simple yet efficient way to improve player protection and eliminate fights is actually very simple: full-face helmet protection. If they guy in front of you has a full metal grill or an I-Tech style transparent unit, how can you punch him in the face? The ones to loose the most will be dentists anyway..
Also, on the topic of player protection, force them to wear kevlar neckguards. The NHL has the ability and authority to impose (with the NHLPA) equipment obligations. Look at Richard Zednik’s injury. ’nuff said!
The problem in all this revolves around Bettman and the ruleset. Take out fights and the players will pull dirty moves. How to manage dirty moves? 5 to 10 game suspensions without pay. And the NHLPA should go with this because they’re protecting the well-being of their members. If a dirty players gets caught 4 times (and yes such penalties should be given after the game from video replays), he looses half the season and half the pay. I call that motivation.
Also in that line of thought, actual hockey players will get promoted to more ice time and the show will get better with more plays and more passing and more goals. Don’t mess with the goalies’ equipment, just make the players play. Sometimes I think rules for women’s hockey should be applied to the NHL..
Leafs out of the running March 28, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: canadiens, habs, hockey, leafs, maple leafs, nhl, stanley cup
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Well, the ‘67 curse ain’t getting broken any time, eh? Same time last year both Habs and Leafs were fighting for a place in the playoffs and both failed. This year, Habs are fighting for 1st place in the Eastern conference. Gotta love this 
Habs-Leafs in the playoffs? The math works today March 12, 2008
Posted by jphebert in hockey.Tags: canadiens, habs, hockey, leafs, maple leafs, nhl
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With the Habs in 1st place in the Eastern Conference, and the Leafs still mathematically able to make it to 8th place (72 points, Philly has 79 with 10 & 11 games to go respectabily), it’s conceivable today that both teams could meet in the 1st round of the playoffs this year. Now that would bring a rivalry to the forefront and make for very intense hockey. Habs would still win
