2017 Selke trophy preview

 

It\’s that time of the year again. The NHL will be announcing the finalists for all of the trophies, and the winners will be announced in Las Vegas on June 21. The first finalists that were announced were the finalists for the Selke trophy. The trophy, named after Frank J. Selke, is awarded to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in defense. This year\’s Selke finalists are Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, Ryan Kesler of the Anaheim Ducks, and Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild.

      For Bergeron, this is the 6th consecutive time he\’s been nominated for the award. He\’s taken it home 3 times, and is looking for number 4. Bob Gainey has the record for the most Selke wins, winning it 4 times. Pavel Datsyuk, Jere Lehtinen and Guy Carbonneau are the only others to win it 3 times, or a hatrick. In 79 games this season, Bergeron scored 53 points (21 goals and 32 assists) and was a +12.

Bergeron with the Selke trophy in 2014
Kesler with the award in 2011

     Kesler is also a familiar face in this race. He was nominated last year, and is now a 5 time finalist. He won the trophy once. Kesler played in all 82 games this season, scoring 58 points (22 goals and 36 assists), and was a +8.


     Koivu, the captain of the Wild, has never been nominated before. As the Wild finished 2nd in the Central division, Koivu excelled at both ends. He played in 80 games this season, scoring 58 points (18 goals and 40 assists) and was a +27.

     I think that Koivu will win. It\’s his first time being a finalist and the others have won, so I\’m rooting for him. I think he\’ll win because of the Wild being so successful because of their defense. His +27 rating is amazing for a defenseman, let alone a forward.

How the New York Islanders help in the community

     

    The New York Islanders played on Long Island for 43 years, before moving to Brooklyn in 2015. Despite the move, the Islanders remain active in the community of Long Island, and now Brooklyn. They are sincerely devoted to getting fans into hockey, honoring veterans and helping kids and adults with diseases or disabilities. The Islanders initiatives allows the fans to interact with their favorite players, while joining together to benefit the community. The Islanders view the fans as part of the organization and together can make a difference. “You buy a sports team because it’s a community trust and you’re really the trustees of it. You really don’t own it because the fans own the team. A sports team is a great platform to create change in a community,” Islanders owner Jon Ledecky said.

     “The Islanders are incredibly involved in the community, they do a variety of initiatives to give back to their fan base and to kids and families in need. The players always find time to give back to the community even though their schedules are extremely hectic between games and practices,” Islanders social media coordinator Rachel Schwartz said. Examples of their off-ice production includes the Islanders children foundation (ICF), which has an objective of getting youngsters into hockey, and helping with childhood diseases. The ICF has many programs, including Islanders Golf Outing, Casino Night, special themed jersey auctions, and league wide promotions, like Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) and Hockey is for everyone, just to name a few.  The Islanders also show their appreciation for veterans, with their Wounded Warrior program. During each home game, the Islanders recognize and honor a vet for their service.  “It’s an honor for me to be a part of something special. I was only willing to do it because I love the Islanders,” said Army National Guard Captain Eddie Molina, who was honored for his service at a recent Islander game. The Isles also show people with disabilities that they can still play hockey. They skated with visually impaired children in December, and played wheelchair hockey with kids in February.  These programs don’t just bring joy to the fans, it’s satisfying to the players as well. “It’s nice to talk to fans in a different setting than being in the rink. That was always interesting and we enjoyed those days,” said former Islander Miroslav Satan. Since their arrival to the NHL in 1972, the Islanders have been leaders on and off the ice, creating generations of passionate hockey fans.

MLB news: Starling Marte suspended 80 games

    In 2016, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Starling Marte had a career year, hitting .311, and swiping 47 bases. He also made the all-star game. But, did he cheat? On Tuesday, Marte tested positive for Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing drug. He was suspended 80 games. In just 13 games in 2017, Marte has hit .241, with 2 homers and steals each. The 28 year old is a career .288 hitter, with 162 steals. The only MLB team he has ever played for is the Pirates. \”I have been informed that I have tested positive in one of the tests that are regularly done in my job,\” Marte said in a statement. \”In this very difficult moment I apologize to my family, the Pittsburgh Pirates, my teammates, my fans and baseball in general. Neglect and lack of knowledge have led me to this mistake with thehigh price to pay of being away from the field that I love so much. With much embarrassment and helplessness, I ask for forgiveness for unintentionally disrespecting so many people who have trusted in my work and have supported me. I promise to learn the lesson that this ordeal has left me.\” Marte won a gold glove in 2016, and was good enough for the Pirates to move face of the franchise Andrew McCutchen from center to right so Marte can play center.

My interview with Stephen Gionta

      Many people don\’t think of Stephen Gionta as a big hitter. But, he showed in his first season as a New York Islander (2016-17) that he can really lay the lumber. The Rochester, New York native was undrafted. His brother, Brian Gionta captained the Montreal Canadiens, but is currently the captain of the Buffalo Sabres. After 4 years at Boston College, Gionta signed an amateur tryout contract with the Albany River Rats, the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils (the River Rats soon became the Lowell Devils, before returning to Albany, and are still called the Devils). Eventually, he made the team. He played 5 seasons for the NHL Devils, scoring 50 points (15 goals and 35 assists) in 270 games. When his contract expired, Gionta signed a one year deal with the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and signed with the Islanders early in the 2016-17 season. In that one year there, Gionta scored 6 points (1 goal and 5 assists).
      At his teammate Anders Lee\’s Kan Jam event, I was able to catch up with Stephen. Here are the questions I asked him.

      Me: \”After starting the season in Bridgeport, you were called up. Is it tough to be back in the NHL after playing in the AHL?\”
      Gionta: \”I broke my leg in training camp. I had to go down to Bridgeport to get back in game shape. They called me up. It\’s great to be back here.\”

      M: \”What do you think of this event Anders Lee is running?\”
      G: \”It\’s great being able to come out, and contribute as best as we can. Any dollar amount that\’s raised will help some kid with his treatment, and to be able to help out with that is a great feeling.\”

My interview with Adam Pelech

      At 22 years of age, New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech still has more years to play in the NHL. The Toronto, Ontario native was drafted 65th overall (3rd round) of the 2012 NHL draft. He made his NHL debut in 2015-16, but was injured after 9 NHL games, and didn\’t play again that season, though he returned in 2016-17. In 53 NHL games, (all with the Islanders), Pelech has 12 points (3 goals and 9 assists). He\’ll probably get a starting job to start the 2017-18 season.
      At his teammate Anders Lee\’s Kan Jam event, I was able to catch up with Adam. Here are the questions I asked him.

      Me: \”Injuries and trips to the AHL have prevented you from being the starting lineup. Is it hard to sit out multiple games?\”
      Pelech: \”It is tough when you\’re switching around like that all the time. Especially when you\’re hurt, it\’s tough to not be playing, and being away from all the guys. I\’m glad that I\’m here now, and hopefully we can have a few good weeks here.\”

      M: \”What do you think of this event Anders Lee is running?\”
      P: \”It\’s always great when we can use what we do to help a great cause. We had a great time today, and a lot of people showed up. Hopefully there\’s more of this to come.\”