Tazer and Kaner pic their ultimate hockey team for NHL2K11

From this article by Rocky Bonanno on NHL.com, the NHL11 game has a mode that allows you to play in a league. There are some serious AI's added to it and scenarios almost like The Sims, except you don't have to raise a family or worrying about feeding them. But this will definitely achieve what they want for the fans, which is a great, realistic experience of the game.

You assemble your team through a player card system, beginning with a starter pack that contains players from every league in hockey -- NHL, American Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League, and various European leagues -- logo and home and away uniforms, an arena to call your own, a coach, training, contracts, and more. With this starter pack, you are free to begin assembling your lines, managing your contracts, working on team chemistry, training your players, etc.

Wow, this is pretty sweet! I have played many sport games such as MLB10The Show, MLB2K Series, and Madden and I am curious as to see how NHL11 plays out. I am itching for a copy of this for Playstation 3 or Xbox 360!

Toews, Kane and Sedins choose their Ultimate Hockey Team for NHL 11.

Patrick Kane to get Stanley Cup on Friday

Buffalo is getting a gleaming visitor this week.

The Chicago Blackhawks said Monday and Patrick Kane Sr. confirmed today that the Stanley Cup is coming to town Friday, as Patrick Kane's turn to host the trophy has arrived. The Blackhawks' forward and South Buffalo native scored the Cup-winning goal in June, giving members of his organization their own day with the Cup this summer.

Kane Sr. had no information about his son's plans for the Cup but said a news release about the agenda is expected to be released today by the office of Congressman Brian Higgins.

The Cup has had a busy week already. Chicago goaltender Cristobal Huet, a Frenchman, took the trophy to the top of the Eiffel Tower on Monday. After the Cup's handlers haggled with Air France -- which, according to NHL.com, was going deny access to the trophy because of the airline's weight restrictions -- Lord Stanley's chalice made its way to Sweden.

Upon arriving there, Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson took the Cup to a childrens' hospital, a playground barbecue and a parade Tuesday.

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2010/08/patrick-kane-to-get-stanley-cup-on-friday.html

Patrick Kane gets the Stanley Cup Friday in Buffalo!

According to this report (Still looking for more local information on this) Pat will have the Cup on Friday in Buffalo!

WGR News Reporting
Lord Stanley's Cup will be arriving on Friday in Western New York for Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Here's a quick quote from the Chicago Tribune on what Kane wants to do with Lord Stanley's Cup:

"I am going to take it up to Niagara Falls and try to get some pictures. It is going to be really cool with Niagara Falls in the background."

Click here to read where the cup has been so far!

WGR - Sports Radio 550 will share more details with you as they become available.

I am checking some local Buffalo news stations for more info and will update this post when I find some new information!

Media Round up: Huet with the Stanley Cup in France!

Blackhawks TV uploaded some great videos from Huet's time with the Cup in France (One of my most favorite countries)!

A link to a video from a French article - (Google Translator)
*VIDÉO* La Coupe Stanley au sommet de la Tour Eiffel avec Cristobal Huet

The videos were very candid and fun, as is the characteristic of many of the Blackhawks TV Cup video coverage.
Huet is honored with a banner at his hometown rink.


Huet takes the Cup for a visit to his old rink.



Family and friends of Cristobal Huet gather to take pictures with the Stanley Cup in France.
http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=894&id=74448

Cristobal Huet recieves the Stanley Cup for his day in France.
http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=894&id=74452

Cristobal Huet brings the Stanley Cup to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=894&id=74459

Huet talks about his time with Stanley Cup before it's Niklas Hjalmarsson's turn.
http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=894&id=74460



Hedican hoists the Cup with Huet
Tom Hedican holds the Stanley Cup with his longtime friend and former student Cristobal Huet. Photo submitted.

North Bay's Tom Hedican got a chance to celebrate with the NHL goalie he helped discover.

Cristobal Huet invited his former goalie coach to his Stanley Cup celebration in Grenoble, France on Sunday.

Huet was the back-up netminder for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks.

"It was an absolute dream to see this humble guy receive the attention and credit he got from the people of France," said Hedican in an email to BayToday.ca.

Hedican has been credited with discovering the veteran goaltender in Switzerland and brought Huet to North Bay for a Hockeyville/Coach4Food autograph session in the spring of 2007.


Cristobal Huet's agent eyes new team

"It almost becomes a case that for him to remain in the NHL, there has to be a combination of either someone getting hurt or something unusual happening, opening the door," he said. "Short of that, you have to suck it up and find an alternative outside of the league."

Huet was 26-14-4 for Chicago with a 2.50 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage.

"It's been very difficult for him, but I give extremely high marks to Cristobal," Bartlett said. "It was difficult for him throughout last season [losing his starting role to Niemi], but he was the consummate team guy. He never brought any disappointment to the locker room. He's a character guy. I think Stan and the Blackhawks would reiterate what a terrific guy he is."

^I agree with Bartlett, Huet handled himself extremely well despite all the disappointment that fans felt from his performance. If this was any other sport such as MLB, I am not sure if the same player would be as classy or respectful to his teammate, especially if that player was a "star player" at his position.

Huet is awesome and I wish him the best!

The Cup in Slovakia - Media roundup

Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky shared the Stanley Cup during its stay in Slovakia!
Blackhawks.nhl.tv put up many videos from the ceremonies and events including Hossa's knightship - congratulations what a great honor :D !

Here are some embedded clips and links to videos !


Marian Hossa is presented with a statue of his likeness while returning to Slovakia with the Stanley Cup.


Cup Champion Marian Hossa gets knighted in Slovakia.


Tomas Kopecky talks about the Stanley Cup reception in Slovakia.

Tomas Kopecky brings the Cup home to his childhood rink in Slovakia.
http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=894&id=74431

Tomas Kopecky brings the Stanley Cup to the Mayor's Office in City Hall.
http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=894&id=74437

Marian Hossa and his buddies play street hockey for the Stanley Cup in Slovakia.
http://blackhawks.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=894&id=74441

More Chicago Blackhawks Convention Media!

Blackhawks Convention: Complete coverage from second day of the convention - 7/31


Check out the sights and sounds from the 2010 Blackhawks Convention - 7/31

Blackhawks Convention Day 1!

Patrick Sharp hugs the Stanley Cup during player introductions at the opening of the Blackhawks fan convention on Friday night. (Abel Uribe, Chicago Tribune / July 30, 2010)

It was a busy Friday in Chicago for many Blackhawks fans who attended the Blackhawks Convention! Luckily, with social networking tools like twitter and Facebook as well as the Blackhawks and CSN streaming, I was able to enjoy the festivities from here in New York!

The HockeyBroad took some photos from the event as a summary blog post.

Credit picture to HockeyBroad

CSN interviews:
Patrick Kane


Jonathan Toews


Jonathan Toews greets the fans:


Patrick Kane lights the lamp to start the convention:


Cup Entrance:

Patrick Kane l