Tag Archives: NHL lockout

More Things That Amuse Chris During The Lockout

With the NHL continuing to alienate fans and sponsors at a rate not seen since the Foxtrax puck, I’ve taken to finding other ways to amuse myself recently. There remains an entire world of sport out there, and that world even includes hockey! Let’s take a look.

NHL Fans
Yes, NHL fans, you amuse me. Your desperation amuses me. Your “cautious optimism” regarding the players and owners meeting without Bettman and Fehr amused me, too. Let’s be clear here: every time you send a rage tweet @NHL or @NHLPA you are sending the message loud and clear that you’ll be back. That makes you part of the problem. The NHL doesn’t fear its fans because its fans have given them nothing to fear. You know what would make the league perk up and take notice? Silence. We’re in this position right now because everyone involved knows they can get away with it. If you really want to help, be quiet. A lack of attention is the only thing these corporate scumbags will understand. “Oh wait,” they’ll say, “those people who used to care enough to beg and plead with us to bring the game back are now eerily quiet.” I seem to have trouble taking my own advice, but that is not the point!

(More after the jump).

Pucked in the Head is taking part in the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer. You can help us reach our fundraising goal by throwing a few bucks at our campaign, at http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/jasonkurylo2013.

Continue reading More Things That Amuse Chris During The Lockout

Fans have lockout options galore, part 1

I said it in our last podcast: to all of those people crying “There is no hockey”, I call you on your bullshit. Our Victoria puckhead Adrian Charlie is putting together a little rundown of some options y’all have to quench your thirst for icy fast goodness. First up, the  American Hockey League.

“The dirty little secret of Canada… Canada isn’t a hockey country, it’s an NHL country.”

Chris Withers (Jason’s note: “That Withers bastard always steals my stuff.”)

The Abbotsford Heat and Peoria Rivermen are just two AHL teams that offer top-tier puck for a fraction of the cost of NHL games. In any given year, this league features solid, fast, entertaining hockey. This year it also features loads of the NHL’s younger players, such as the Oilers Kid LIne. This image (taken by Amy Williams) was stolen gratuitously from the Rivermen website: http://www.rivermen.net/schedule/46-abbotsford-heat-peoria-rivermen/

by Adrian Charlie

Far too many fans have uttered, “I miss hockey.” I ask why? There are loads of worthy, quality hockey games. Everywhere. These posts are inspired by my own need to seek high quality hockey with a focus on Vancouver/Victoria. Of course, you’re not so limited. There are several well-represented hockey leagues underway across Canada and the USA — but even if you’re not in one of these cities, you’ve got minor hockey, college hockey, women’s hockey, hell even roller hockey someplace nearby. Most of them are either free or embarrassingly close to it.

And let’s not stop there. How about finding a community rink, strapping on some blades and going for a skate your bad self? Don’t let Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr steal your game from you.

Continue reading Fans have lockout options galore, part 1

Episode 47 — Of Tears and Children and Lockouts

Vancouver Giants captain Wes Vannieuwenhuizen
Captain Wes Vannieuwenhuizen and the Vancouver Giants offer just one alternative to the No Hockey League. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

With loads of people complaining about “NO HOCKEY”, Chris and I decided to talk about the options that abound for puck-crazed fans to scratch the itch left by Gary Bettman and his immovable shitshow. Along the way we tackle the disaster that replacement players would present, and Chris makes several points that I have no answer for. History in the making!

Give us a listen, won’tcha?


• Opening theme by the Orchid Highway
• Is second honeymoon like second breakfast?
• Are replacement players on the NHL horizon?
• Calling out supposed “hockey fans”
• Closing theme by the Orchid Highway
• Thanks for listening