Archive for June, 2011
AHL Returns to Newfoundland and Labrador
Posted by: | CommentsThe AHL is returning to Newfoundland and Labrador as former premier Danny Williams managed to snag a deal with the Manitoba Moose, the designated farm team for the newly awarded Winnipeg NHL franchise.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government was asked to provide a subsidy to the tune of $500,000 but quickly decided to not get involved with pro hockey. To save the deal, Williams went another route and worked with Mile One Entertainment to provide alternate funding for the team.
Williams inked a 3-year deal for the franchise and it’s likely this will be Newfoundland’s last chance to keep a pro hockey team in its capital. The St. John’s Maple Leafs pulled out after 10 years and the Fog Devils had a short stint in the capital.
While Newfoundland Hockey Talk is happy to see pro hockey return to the province, one must ask the question if there will be enough support to keep the team in the city. Initial indications are this is a long term commitment by both Williams and the league and early ticket sales and marketing measures show the team is headed in the right direction.
The name of the team has yet to be announced.
Michael Ryder Raises the Cup
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Photo Courtesy cbc.ca
Boston Bruins Michael Ryder has reached the pinnacle of what many hockey players dream about. He can now call himself a Stanley Cup champion and take his place in the history books.
The Bonavista native became the second Newfoundlander to raise the Stanley Cup after the Bruins stunned the hockey world and defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in game seven.
Many people had written the Bruins off after Vancouver jumped out to a 2-0 series league but the Beantown heroes battled back at home to even the series at 2 games a piece. The teams traded home wins again, setting the stage for game 7 in Vancouver and there were those who thought the Bruins could go all the way, especially the fans in Ryder’s hometown.
In dramatic fashion, the Bruins did the unthinkable, upsetting the number one seed in the playoffs and put the game away with a decisive 4-0 victory.
It was unlike anything Ryder had ever experienced and he had described it as being “Almost like a dream.”
Ryder played a key role throughout the playoffs, contributing goals and points when needed as the Bruins continued through team after team in post-season.
The Stanley Cup will be making another trip to Newfoundland sometime this summer and Bonavista is sure to celebrate!