Team Up and Bring Home The Cup is developed by Pepsi®, Lay’s® and Gatorade® to make one amateur hockey team’s dream come true when they bring the Stanley Cup™ home accompanied by Mark Messier.
This is an amazing opportunity and I recommend that anyone who knows someone who plays hockey enter their team here at the Bring Home the Cup Official Website!
I AM GIVING AWAY THREE $75 GIFT CARDS TO THE NHL STORE! EVERYONE WHO TAKES A LOOK AT THIS POST AND COMMENTS WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN THE GIFT CARDS!
How do you win one of the gift cards you ask?
1. Comment on this post below (not in Twitter, Myspace, or Facebook)
2. In the comment, you must tell me who your favorite NHL player is and why (can be past or present).
3. Please give me a good reason. I dont want to see “Alexander Ovechkin because he is awesome!”
4. I will leave the contest open for one week and then next Saturday March 13th, 2010 I will pick three winners and you will be sent your gift card code via email, so please leave your emails when you comment.
5. Good luck and please enter your team so you can Bring Home the Cup!
my favorite player is martin brodeur…he hAS inspired me to become the best hockey player i can be and he is gonnna become the best goaltender in the world!!! i love him!! my team is the inside edge runners bantam b team of glendale arizona!!!
Here is my example:
My favorite NHL player of all time is Jaromir Jagr.
When I was about 8 years old in 1992-93, my dad took me to a Buffalo Sabres game and the Pittsburgh Penguins were visiting.
Some guy scored two goals and basically by himself beat the Sabres that night. His name was Jaromir Jagr (Jar – O – Meer) (Jagger). Say it without the silent J’s.
So I went into school the next day and asked my friends for a Jaromir Jagr card and one of my friends happened to have one.
The rest is history and for the next 18 years or so I have followed Jagr’s career and he has been my favorite player.
I learned how to say his name correctly eventually.
Let me know who your favorite player is and win $75 towards the NHL Store.
My favorite player is Ryan Callahan. He has been my favorite ever since he started within the organization. The reason why I like him so much is because he isn’t a flashy player like a Crosby or Ovechkin who has the natural skills to make it in the NHL, but rather he is a work horse. The way he plays is the way that every hockey player should play. He gives it his all on every shift of every game. His goals come as a result of hard work, and his selflessness in giving up his body is incredible. Ryan Callahan is the ultimate team player, and that is why he is my favorite.
favorite current player- Mike Richards. Fantastic all around player. One of the best completel players in the game today, in fact. Solid defensively, and on the PK. Willing to make a big hit or drop the gloves when needed, does what he can to take the team forward. Actually lives up to the C on his jersey, unlike some players who have it plastered on there because they expect it(*cough Sidney Crosby cough*) Always gives 100% every time he’s on the ice.
My favorite player is Zach Parise. He is a great role model- he never gives up, he is loyal to his team, and he doesn’t get into a fight every 5 seconds. A couple years ago, when I went to a preseason game and Parise scored, I knewhe would be a star. Well, now he is just that. He has a great future ahead of him, and he is already an American hero.
My favourite player is Jonathon Toews
He’s a hard worker who never gives up on a play
He’s inspired me to become a better player myself
When you watch him play, you can tell that nothings going to be able to stop him from playing his hardest.
My favorite NHL player is Ilya Kovalchuk. I like him since 2OO4, when I won tickets for the public practise in Hawkesbury. After the practise, I meet Kovy and he was so nice with the others kids
In 2OO4, I became a huge fan of Kovalchuk because I discover his heart side for the fan + kids and his side of good player 
, I became fan of the Thrashers and a NHL fan 
I know this is very bizarre my reason why I like Kovalchuk, but when you saw a hockey player before the game, normally, the player can be snob with fan. But this day, I found a Kovalchuk true, sympathic, gentle and who loves kids ♥ Oh, and Kovy is a good player too 
A speed skater and a good counter 
That’s why Kovalchuk is my favorite players 
Now, I’m a Devils fan and I will be in NJ soon..and last year I was in Atlanta to see Kovy 
A real huge fan.
Kristina
*Sorry for my mistake, English isn’t my 1st language*
My favorite player is Joe Sakic. Probably one of the strongest forwards in NHL history. He never really instigates any fights with anyone. I remember watching him when i was about 4 and hes the reason i became a decent hockey player. He worked so hard to get where he was and earned that nice C on his jersey. Defensemen could never stop him once he loaded that wrist shot. He may not have gotten as much recognition as that big great ovechkin or crosby, but he got mine.
My favorite player of all time is Mark Messier.
My very first autograph that I got was of Mark Messier. It as after one of the practices and he was just all around person. He is is and was so nice that he took as many pictures with me and my friends and wasnt a stuck up person which was great because back in the day (especially in baseball) all the players don’t care about the fans, but Messier wouldn’t leave until every last fan was happy and satisfied.
My favorite player is Claude Giroux. I’ve followed him since he was drafted by the Flyers in 2006. And although I was disappointed that he didn’t make the roster out of camp last season, when he did finally get his chance halfway through the season, he made it count, and he’s never looked back.
His vision on the ice is incredible. He’s got such a sick pair of hands, and his stick-work is unbelievable. I could leave the room and hear a phrase like “Passes it from his knees” or “And makes a no-look pass” and I automatically know it’s Giroux.
Every time he touches the puck, I cling to the edge of my seat. He always leaves me curious as to what spectacular pass or goal he may try this time. He has the ability to leave you with your jaw dropped after some amazing move he just made. He can certainly dazzle even the most non-hockey fan.
Not only that, but he’s also so passionate about what he does. When he was going through a slump earlier this season, you could see the guilt on his face. When he can’t help the team, he takes it to heart. He always wants to be able to contribute every night.
And lastly, he is one of the nicest players I have ever met. No matter the outcome of a game, he’ll always greet you with a smile.
My favorite player is Alexander Ovechkin. When he is on the ice, the opposition has to completely change the way they play. You can see the fear and hesitation in the other team. It’s the fear that with one mistake, he can put the puck in the net or pass to someone that can. There is also a hesitation because he will just as soon put you through the boards then to score a goal. Also, his pure childlike enthusiasm for the game and his fearless, sometimes reckless guns blazing attitude is the best thing that the NHL could have ever hoped for. People go to NHL games just to see what he’s going to do. The NHL has never seen a player like him and probably never will again.
Favorite player is Marc Savard.
He has incredible on-ice vision and foresight and is very deceptive, both with his feet and hands. You have to expect the unexpected when he is on the ice (i.e. no-look, backhanded, long-bomb saucer passes banked off the boards). This makes him one of the funnest players to watch in the league. Just wish the Bruins could find a legit scoring winger for him.
My favorite player is Sidney Crosby. what can you say about the kid, Stanley Cup Champion, Gold Medal Winner, Scoring Title. He brings his game everynight to the rink can carry the team on his back setup his teamates night in and night out, starting to put the puck in the net more. I try to play the game just like Sid and also carry the team when we arnt playing OUR game, he is the next one!
my favorite player is adam graves. we share the sam name so as a kid he caught my eye. he had the goal scoring record before jagr and he does so much charity work off the ice. he inspired me to do this kind of work as well. i give some of my money to charity and i donate clothes to foundations and stuff. The way he played on the ice was amazing the life he brought in locker room was crazy. He was an all around player and those are rare to come by. Long live #9 Adam Graves!
My favorite player was Bob Boughner. When he played with the Predators his family lived across the street from the grocery store that I worked at. He and his wife were always so friendly and always had time to talk hockey with anyone that approached them. I got to know him pretty well when he was here and he was always down to earth and appreciative of his role in the NHL…and appreciative to the fans. Although he isnt playing anymore I still collect his memorabillia and follow the Spitfires now that he is coaching them.
Good luck to all on the contest and thank you to Snipers.com
Favorite player: Zdeno Chara.
I like him because of how hard he works to be the best. He grew up hearing that he shouldn’t be a hockey player because he was too tall and lanky. Instead of quitting he focused on fitness and learned to control his body. It took many years of hard work to be the best defenseman in the NHL. Even when he was drafted into pro hockey from Slovakia he faced an uphill battle in getting anyone to believe in his skills.
Even now that his accomplishments are recognized, he is one of the hardest workers in the NHL. He is a fitness monster and can dominate opposing forwards with his size, strength, and skill. He can even shut down Ovechkin!
He is a team leader on and off the ice, inspiring his teammates to work harder by example. He consistantly logs high minutes and low PIMs. And he has an absolute bomb of a slapshot!
Chara works hard, plays well, and respects the game. I look forward to watching Big Z for years to come.
sergei fedorov, because he scored my first goal in ea nhl’95 demo version and got me excited about hockey
My player favorite player that made me like hockey was Esa Tikanen. I remember during the 94 playoffs I had no clue about hockey. Never really followed it. When i tuned in i said why not and it was during a scrum. During the scrum i saw Esa tikannen getting under the skin of the Devils while blowing them mock kisses to them on the bench. I loved it every second of it and from there i started watching hockey hardcore. It’s been almost 14 yearsnow that I have followed hockey faithfully thanks to Esa….
Favorite Player: Markus Naslund
I probably started watching hockey as a kid at around 2 years old. Nazzy wasn’t a Canuck yet so I don’t remember much. But when I was about 5 years old, I started watching hockey more intensely. The guy that I noticed right when I focused on hockey intensely was Markus Naslund. Every game, he seemed to have played with a spark like it was his last game as a Vancouver Canuck. He was basically the Alexander Ovechkin during his prime 10 years ago. The one thing, however, that I didn’t like was how he was chased out of Vancouver once his numbers started to drop. As with scoring comes with age and to be chased out of town when he revived hockey in Vancouver.
My favorite player is Daminik Hasek
I first became interested in hockey around the age of fourteen. one night i found a game on it was the Buffalo Sabres and in goal was “The Dominator”. I saw an incredible save he appeared to stand on his head for. His unorthodox style reverberates with my own style of out of the box thinking. Though i was disappointed he had to leave Buffalo to get a Stanley cup. His determination and focus also led him to bring home a gold medal for the Czech’s in the 1998 Olympics. Thank you MR. Hasek for all of those great poke checks and head saves.
Joe Sakic. His altruistic approach to the game delivered dependable consistency and served as a cornerstone for a franchise for years. A locker room leader by example, he defined walk quitely and carry a big stick. One of the good guys who is truly missed.
Patrick Roy. He always was out there to win, he had a strong passion for the game, and has carried that drive into his coaching career with the Ramparts. I think this is why I began to collect his cards and continue to this day owning nearly 500 cards and other items of his.
My favorite player is Troy Brouwer from the Chicago Blackhawks.
He was playing for the Rockford Icehogs when I first became a hockey fan. He was the fighter and one of the major goal scorers on our team at the time. He was the first player that caught my eye and I thought he was such a good.
One day I got called into work bc one of my co-workers got sick and within 5 min of me getting there, Brouwer walks in. I hadn’t been a fan for very long and wasn’t sure if it was really him so when he went to check out, his name popped on the screen. I was so excited. I started talking to him and wished him good luck for his next game. He was a little stunned that I recognized him but smiled and talked to me. He was so nice and meeting him made my day. All of my co-workers would laugh at me because I didn’t stop smiling the whole night.
I have followed him to the Blackhawks and he has been doing so well lately. I am so proud of him and am glad to say I have watched him since the minors. My parents got me a Brouwer jersey for Christmas. He recently visited Rockford to sign autographs at an Icehogs game but I didn’t get my jersey signed because the line was too long. I hope to get my jersey signed someday and plan to follow him throughout his career.
My favourite player growing up was Eric Lindros. My dad, being a die-hard Flyers fan, introduced me to the game of hockey and the Broad Street Bullies at a young age. He still recalls me as a 5 year old girl, staring at the TV; my eyes following Lindros’ every move.
At the time, I don’t think I could tell you what it was that attracted me to him, but as I got older, I was enamoured by his size, his strength and the way he played the puck. He possessed the skills I still love in NHL players today. He was an all-around player who was a goal-scorer, a playmaker and could hold his own in a fight. I remember watching the Legion of Doom line with pride and could picture Big E hoisting the Cup over his head.
Even as a child, I would defend Lindros’ honour to his numerous “haters”. That’s part of the innocence of a young hockey fan. The politics, his attitude, his famous feuds and his injuries meant nothing. All that mattered was what he did on the ice.
To this day, I still love Eric Lindros and wish his career ended on a higher note. The politics and the feuds are still minuscule in comparison to the effect he had on the sport, the league and the 5 year old little girl who would grow up to love the game of hockey more than anything.
I started skating at 5 years old when my grandfather who was a speed skater took me to Abe Stark ice rink in Coney Island Brooklyn. Back then no one from Brooklyn had any interest in hockey at all. One year later Mike Bossy was drafted by the Islanders. The first game that my grandfather took me too, Bossy scored!!! I fell in love with the game and have been playing ever since(I will be 40 this year). Too see the “Boss” play was always a treat. This is a man who scored atleast 50 goals 9 years straight and 60 goals 5 out of those 9 years. In his 10th and last year he only scored 38, but that was done in only 63 games. Mike Bossy, in my opinion the greatest natural goal scorer to ever play the game!!!
my fav player is Martin St.Louis. He may be small but he racks up some big goals and assists. I call him Mighty Mouse…
My favorite player of all time is Bobby Orr. He revolutionized the defensive position. There is no telling what he could have done if his career would not have been shortened by his knee injuries.
Fave Player: Jose Theodore
He is a great goaltender. Despite the loss of his son in 2009, he returned to the Caps. Even while he had a few bad games, he continued to work on his game. He worked his way to the 12 game win streak and hopefully he keeps up the great work. His inner strength and focus make him a great role model.
My favorite players is Brooks Laich and Quintin Laing of the Washington Capitals. I like them because they’re unsung heroes. I do really like Alexander Ovechkin but he’s the star of the team and I think that these players are quite good and don’t get half the credit. They’re pretty consistent and are rather accepting of Ovechkin’s role as captain and super star status.
Other favorite players are Alexandre Giroux and Keith Aucoin. I know they predominately play for the AHL but they do sometimes play for the NHL. In the AHL, They’re huge stars that lead the league with scoring. They’re amazing and it’s a shame that they can’t seem to make their mark in the NHL. Hopefully one day they will be able to find their place in the NHL especially with the Washington Capitals.
My favorite player is Jussi Jokinen.
During the 2008-09 Season, when Jussi was trade to Carolina, I was unsure about him but he started to grow on me. It was the first year I had ever been to a playoff game and the way he stepped up in the playoffs last year was absolutely remarkable. I liked him so much that I got an authentic jersey with his name on it. And waited 2 hours after the game in below freezing weather for him to sign it. He’s become my role model and inspires me in my sport to be the greatest. (He’s not a bad dancer either (see game 3 against Boston 2009 Playoffs). His tremendous stick handling and shootout ability is unfathomable and he is my favorite player in all of sports.
Bobby Orr… he changed the way the game was played for ever and up to this day he set the standard for defenceman.his skating speed, stick handeling, and shot,would give any player a run for there money today.his end to end rushes were prior to him only for the fastest of fowards.he was the most dangerous player on the ice either on the pp or the pk.thats who the greatest player ever was!
My all time favorite NHL player would have to be Steve Yzerman. Looking back at his prolific career, he has won 3 Stanley Cups while playing for the Red Wings; he has also played multiple games through injuries in which he probably shouldnt have played. Also faces adversity very well and is one of the reasons why I love hockey to this day.
There has been so many outstanding players to lace up for the National Hockey League that its near impossible to pick out just one as an all-time favorite. However, only a few players have been able to even be mentioned in the same sentence. My favorite player is Scott Stevens.
Scott Stevens arrived in New Jersey in 1991 as part of transaction with the St.Louis Blues in exchange for Brendan Shanahan. Stevens did not waste anytime converting as Wayne Gretzky so eloquently put it a “Mickey Mouse” organization into a perennial contender every year for the Stanley Cup and played a huge role in winning 3 Cups in 9 years.
Scott Stevens to in my perspective is a hero. He is the ultimate fearless leader. Every game was a battle and he was a warrior. He was prepared to do whatever it takes to help the team win. From his physical presence to his glaring eyes instantly sparked intimidation and fear into the opposing team. The offense zone was not kind for competitors as you would be hit hard and shut down as you tried to penetrate the zone.
Stevens did not do much talking, matter of fact, he was actually humble and soft spoken but he made his intentions clear on the ice. He led by example. His signature hits on Lindros, Kozlov, Kariya, Francis..etc helped change the momentum in the game and left impressions on not only his teammates but opened the eyes on everyone else across the league.
Nobody will ever play the way Scott Stevens played. As a Devils fan, I miss him dearly as there will never be another player like him again. He will always have a place in my heart.
My favorite player now is Nick Backstrom. He is the glue that holds the Caps attack together. His is the next Forsberg in that he is smart, plays with an edge, very responsible in his own end and has plenty of offensive talent to boot.
CAPS FOR THE CUP – LET’S GO CAPS
My favourite player is Brent Seabrook
He is my favourite player because he is a good hard working offensive defensman who I look up to. He must be good because hes on the second place team in the western coference (3rd in NHL) and made team canada 2010. he is +21 and has 3 goals, 20 assists. 2 of the 3 goals have been game winning.
Joel, age 11
My favorite player is Rick Tocchet. While I didn’t get to see him play a lot, when he returned to Philly to finish his career in 2000, he quickly became my favorite player. I loved how hard he worked, and his fearlessness on the ice. He was a guy who could score, or set someone else up, and he wasn’t afraid to drop the gloves or deliver a big hit. When I started playing hockey in high school, that’s the type of player I tried to be. The combination of grit and skill is what makes for a very well rounded player, and I’m just sad that I only got to watch him play for a few years.
I would have to say my favorite player is Zach Parise. Especially after the olympics he showed a never give up attitude. When the US were losing to Canada he never quit he played with all the heart anyone could ask for. To me he is what a team player is. I feel he also brings that never quit attitude to the Devils as well. He is the kind of player I would want to mold my game around.
I’ve had a few different favorite players but right now my favorite player is Vladimir Zharkov. He isn’t the best player and could use a little more development but every game I watched him play, he works harder than anyone else on the ice and is arguably the hardest working player on the Devils. He is probably the only player I’ve seen earn a spot in the NHL because of hard work and not because of talent.
My favorite player of all time is Mario Lemieux. Mario Lemieux is the single reason why the Penguins are still in Pittsburgh. Aside from winning 2 stanley cups and being one of the greatest players in NHL history Mario Lemieux saved the franchise multiple times. In 1999 he helped buy the Penguins out of bankruptcy. In 2007 as the owner he helped the Penguins get funds for a new arena so that they stayed in Pittsburgh. Also Lemieux has done many other things including starting the Mairo Lemieux foundation after he was diganosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in 1993. On the ice he was truely something to watch and the level that he played after having so many injuries and cancer was unbelievable. Lemieux defines inspiration!!
Scott Stevens.
I first got interested in hockey about the time that Stevens became a Devil. And I’ve always liked the guys that play that physical, punishing defense. Stevens was one of the greatest ever at that.
My favorite player is Joe Sakic because he played for my favorite team: Quebec Nordiques.
I spent his entire carreer with the same organisation. A class player like Yzerman.
My favorite player is Jonathan Toews. I just think no one in the team is as complete a player as he’s become. He rarely takes a shift off, he makes everyone else around him play better just by virtue of his incredible work ethic, and he’s not afraid to do the dirty work to ensure his team succeeds.
I remember one game against the Penguins last season. They were giving out hard hats that night and the announcers were joking amongst themselves, saying it’d be pretty funny if someone got a hat trick. Well, that sounded like a pipe dream, especially since the Hawks were playing pretty badly and it came to the point where Huet was pulled for Niemi. Jonathan Toews was one of the few Hawks playing doggedly, and it showed, because he DID get a hat trick. Hard hats rained onto the ice, but the officials called the goal off–they said it was a high stick. Any other player and that’d be the end of that, but Toews is special–instead of letting that defeat him, he scored ANOTHER goal, and hard hats rained on the ice for the second time that night. Hawks forced overtime, but lost during a 4on3 penalty kill. Nevertheless, that to me cemented the kind of player Toews is and will be for years to come.
I was so proud of the way he played during the Olympics and was not at all surprised when he got the first goal there. He’s a hardworking player with a lot of heart and is truly the most valuable player on the Blackhawks.
My favorite player is Jason Blake. He is my favorite player because he is small hard working quick player , and most importantly over came cancer. he really does alot for me and my family because cancer is a big problem within my family , being that my grandfather recently died from Cancer.
My favourite player is Kyle Wellwood because of the creativity he shows on the ice, as well as the perseverance he has shown in his career. For a small not-so-physical guy, he also shows toughness (I’ve never seen him stay down in 5 years of watching him), and the ‘fat jokes’ and ‘short jokes’ make for some good comedy as well.
Fave Player: jarome Iginla
He is a great Player all around. When i first started watching hockey & i saw jarome play he became my fav that moment. His inner strength and focus make him a great role model
Favorite player: Robert Lang
Lang’s solid, long-term career in hockey is a big reason why he is my favorite player. At 39 years old, Lang is a veteran that continues to work hard and play consistently for every team he has been on (nationally and internationally). He was one of my inspirations when I began playing hockey last year at 39. And my current team jersey number is #20!
Brent Burns of the MN Wild is my absolute favorite hockey player. Less than 3 years ago I knew NOTHING about hockey, and on a whim I decided to take my husband to a game as a Christmas present. Figuring I would surely be bored out of my mind, I brought along my IPod and a book to read. When we got to our seats, I noticed this one player during practice that was constantly smiling and could not stand still- he was almost like a little energizer bunny. All of the other players were calmly running their drills, but this guy was all over the place and could not stand still. It was my Burnsy
I didn’t understand a whole lot of what was going on that 1st game of mine, in fact my husband still teases me to this day about when I pointed out that our goalie went to the “wrong” net after 1st, but I loved, loved watching the game. Burnsy was a joy to watch, skating up and down that ice effortless, always a smile on his face. As the years have passed and I have become a hockey fanatic, the one thing that has never changed is my admiration for Burns. He is still the ball of energy he was the very 1st time I watched him, and his smile and love for the game has never wavered. Not only is he a great player, he is a good guy as well. On the Wild there are only 5 players that purchase suites for worthy causes- Burns is one of them. Every home game members of the military and their families wave from “Burnzie’s Battalion.” He has a deep appreciation for the soldiers and the sacrifices they make, and this is his way of honoring them. When Burnsy is having a great game, he always gives his stick away to some little kid in the stands after the game. The look on that child’s face? Priceless. This past January I got to meet the guy I adore for the 1st time ever. The first thing I did upon reaching him was blurt out “Burnsy I love you!” Being as awesome as he is, he rolled with it- he gave me a big smile and said thank you. He than proceeded to carry on a conversation with me for a couple of minutes and signed my jersey. It was a special moment for me, one that I will never forget. So while Burns may never be one of the huge names in hockey like Ovechkin or Crosby, to me he is so much more. He has a passion and love for the game that you can see in his smile each and every game, he has a lot of talent, he is a great role model, and he shows a deep appreciation to his fans. Burnsy Rocks!!
I would have to put up my vote for Marian Hossa. Here is player that has so many talents that it is hard to list them all. He is a great offensive man, defensive man and everything in between. His ability to keep his head under pressure is amazing to say the least as he handles the puck in through three people. I would imagine my favorite quality is his decision making. As any good hockey player will tell you, he is in the right place when it counts and has the ability to position himself to make the best play possible. One second he will be taking an amazing shot on goal and the very next he is clear in the defensive posture stopping a scoring chance. Another great quality is his humbleness in that he will be the first to pass the puck to someone if he sees that the person has a better position to make a play. He isn’t the type of person to want all the glory but he seems to get it just the same. This kind of action speaks volumes to the man’s character. I have to mention that there are several others that I would consider, Toews being on the top of the list. It is my opinion though that Hossa’s experience keeps him in a class all by himself.
Tim Gleason.
The man personifies toughness and team character all the while keeping a low profile.
My favourite player of all time is Mario Lemieux. He was a big man that could handle the puck like a much smaller player, but he still used his body to create space. Plus, the way he overcame cancer and numerous other health issues was incredibly inspirational. And he saved the Penguins several times.
My favorite player is Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins because he is one of the best players to watch play the great game of hockey. He is a goal scoring machine all while keeping his composure and not being a superstar puck hog. Also because when he scores in a big game or in a shootout thriller he plays with integrity, leadership, and elusivness. He is always willing to give or take a hit for the team as a captain should do. He looks up to the greats as the greats look down upon him. He is a great role model and a great player overall. e brings the quality and team leadership skills to the Pens. These are the the main reasons i pick Sid the Kid Crosby.
My favorite player is Tuomo Ruutu.
When first traded to Carolina in he flew to Raleigh after many delays, received a police escort from the airport in the back of a police car with Ron Francis. He arrived at the RBC Center at 6:48 pm for a 7 pm game, missed warm ups and got to the bench during the National Anthem. During the game he registered three HUGE hits, and assisted on one of the only two Carolina goals of the game. At the end of the game, he took the end of the stick to face and received 50+ stitches on his face. The next day during a press conference he was there smiling the whole time while one of his eyes was completely swollen shut. He played the next day as well.
Besides his first game with Carolina, he is my favorite because of the constant energy he brings to the team with his hits. He always puts 100% effort into every shift and never takes a shift off. He also is versatile, as his natural position is center and usually plays right wing with Carolina; and he plays it well. He goes to the net and gets into the dirty areas of the net and takes the hits and cross checks that come to him in the front of the net to make plays.
Another reason is the intensity he brings to the game. When seeing him after practices or games you would never be able to tell how intense he is when he is playing. Intensity is always necessary when playing any sport, and he brings it.
He is always smiling and always grateful to his fans. After every game he stops and signs items for the fans and often walks through the line instead of driving, making himself even more accessible to the fans. Overall he is a great player as well as a great person.
Did you choose winners?
I am going to pick the winners right now. All 50+ comments were great!
I am not going to choose which ones are my favorite, but am going to pick them out of a hat at random to be fair to everyone.
I will contact the winners via email.
Thanks for commenting and hopefully more companies will give me cool stuff like this to give away again!
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