10 Reasons Why The Chicago Blackhawks Will Repeat As Champions

Go Hawks!

Although the Blackhawks got rid of some big name players during the offseason, they certainly do not have a "Stanley Cup Hangover." Holding a solid second place in the league and first place in the Western Conference, the Hawks' record thus far is 31-13-4. Stan Bowman certainly knew what he was doing because this team gels really nicely. Tying the franchise record, they are on their eleventh consecutive win. At this pace, the Blackhawks are set to win yet another Stanley Cup, making "dynasty" a common word to be used when discussing this hockey franchise. I mean, come on, if you really think about it, who can really beat the Hawks in a best-of-seven series? Here are 10 reasons why they're going to repeat victory again this year.

1. Patrick Kane

ADVERTISING

Leading the league with a whopping 69 points just over halfway into the season, Kane has been a crucial part in leading the Hawks to all the success they have had. This caliber of play is almost unheard of since the Greztky era.

2. Artemi Panarin

This kid really knows how to play hockey. Often referred to as "the Russian Kane" or "Breadman" -- because his name sounds like Panera... Panera Bread... Breadman -- The rookie Panarin is one of the best players on the team.

3. Marian Hossa

Man, Hossa is a human fire hydrant. No matter how fast you skate at him and attempt to check him, you can't move him. He's like rooted into the ground. The veteran is an asset to the Hawks throughout the years he has been on the team. He knows how to protect the puck and can do it while stiff arming another player. He's just awesome.

4. Jonathan Toews

See guys, he's not so serious! But, thank god he's good at hockey! Toews is the best captain in the league. He leads by example and communicates with the team. With 19 goals and 16 assists, this captain is leading a team to another cup. Although the stats might not be as impressive as Kane, any hockey fan would be able to tell that Toews is the key to guiding the Hawks to success.

5. Corey Crawford

First of all, I would never be willing to put myself in front of a puck traveling at 100 miles per hour. Second of all, I'm definitely not as flexible as Crawford. He is leading the league in shutouts with six, fifth in the league for save percentage at 92.9 percent, closing my argument for one of the best goalies in the league. And hey, at least they found someone willing to put their body in front of a flying puck.

6. Duncan Keith

Last year, Keith won the Conn Smythe for Most Valuable Player. His average TOI per game was a whopping 31:06. He basically played half the game, non-stop. Although Keith's TOI is significantly lower this regular season, his presence on the ice is not overlooked.

7. Brent Seabrook

Seabrook has been one of the best defenseman in the league! He has 31 points so far this season, and is eighth in the league for point leaders by a defenseman.

8. Niklas Hjalmarsson

Niklas Hjalmarsson is the most underrated defenseman in the entire league. He blocks shots like nobody's business, skates ridiculously fast, hustles the most out of everyone, and it all pays off in the end. Coach Joel Quenneville gives him practices off to heal up for the next game because he takes such a beating each game.

9. Andrew Shaw

Small but mighty, Andrew Shaw is a force to be reckoned with. I am glad he's on our team, or else we would hate him. He is a pest on the ice if you're the other team. He fights for his teammates and is always on the hunt. When he's not happy with a call, he is always bickering with someone. He yells so much during the game that, "There are times when I almost have to tell him to shut up," says Patrick Kane about Shaw. Let's just let him do his thing and be glad he's with us.

10. Joel Quenneville

Joel Quenneville has been with the Hawks for eight years so far, with three more years guaranteed. As a matter of fact, he just signed another contract for the Hawks. Quenneville is arguably one one of the best coaches in the league and boy, does he sure entertain. He is the most animated out of all the coaches, but when he cracks a smile you can tell that he's not alway an angry guy. He has led the team to three Stanley Cups in the past six years and, God-willing, four in seven years. Let's have Q and his mustache reign in Chicago forever, shall we?

Go Hawks!

Hawks Win Stanley Cup 2015!

IN RECENT NEWS:

      The Hawks won the cup for the third time in six years! How amazing is that?! Lead by none other than the World's Best Hockey Player, Jonathan Toews. At just 27 years old, Toews has 3 Stanley Cups, 2 gold medals, a Conn Smythe Trophy and countless other awards. He has achieved much more than the majority of hockey players can ever accomplish in their entire careers. I'm not sure he could've done it without the amazing support from his other teammates. Some veterans, some rookies, everyone on the team helped him conclude his eighth NHL season with his third cup. Patrick Kane has been along side him throughout all his career and they definitely had their share of getting to know each other. "We kind of grew up together," Kane said. "I kind of look at him like a partner in crime. You grow up…you spend five years rooming with each other, and you're going to get sick of each other at times. And you're going to have some good times as well."(USA Today Sports) Well, seems as though living together for five years really paid off for both of them, because Kane became more controlled with his young party attitude and Toews has loosened up a bit from his "Captain Serious" vibe. They work together like Batman and Robin, fighting crimes of the opposing team and coming out in the end to keep the city of Chicago and its fans safe. :)

     I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Blackhawks Championship Rally, but I was not one of the lucky ones to get tickets on ticketmaster. I had three computers open at 11:15am waiting for the tickets to go "on sale" at noon (they were free so they didn't really go on sale). Twelve o'clock came around and my computers all changed to a screen saying, finding your perfect tickets or something. I was on the phone with my dad who was at work also trying to get tickets. After 45 minutes of waiting on the same screen, I got a notification on all of my computers saying all tickets were sold out. I thought it was a joke because there was no way I could have not gotten tickets. Befuddled and saddened, I didn't think I would be able to uphold my "tradition" of going to the rally. Notice I put tradition in quotes, where this is usually a one time thing. But being a Blackhawks fan gave us all the opportunity to make it a tradition, even kids and young teenagers nowadays are already planning for the next parade and rally, just assuming it will happen next year. Let's hope it does. Anyway, I went on with my day by going to party city to pick up face paint and decorations for the parade. My dad and I decided that night that we would go down to Soldier Field and just see if anyone has any extra tickets. We asked probably around 300 people starting at 6:00am on the train but no one had any. We got to Soldier Field and asked more and more people, but no one was answering us. Frustrated, yet determined, we walk around the line of people scouring for tickets. A couple about 50 years old, stopped us and said that their friends couldn't make it to the rally and they had extra tickets on the field. Willingly, we took them expressing much gratitude for their generosity and we gave them what we thought they were worth. We proceeded to find gate zero where the field admittance was, which was a harder task than we anticipated. We didn't see a line, so we walked and put our bags down to have them checked only to be stopped by head security telling us to, "Get in line, buddy. These people have been waiting here since three in the morning." We began walking to the back of line, which seemed to go on for infinity. Security opened the gates and someone was kind enough to let us slide in line. We got into the field with a crowd of probably ten thousand people behind us, so insane was an understatement. We ended up being 10 people deep from the front part of the general admission section. We were about 30 yards away from the stage because the press and VIPs were in front of us. Nonetheless, it was exhilarating and hectic being apart of history. I took many videos, but these three 10 second ones are my three favorite. I'm sorry I haven't been around to write for you, but I recently got over a severe concussion after being out for 6 months. I want to thank you if you are still around reading this, because I just realized how long it is! I really appreciate you coming back and checking to see if I wrote anything new and hope this article is gratifying! Thank you again and GO HAWKS! :)

 

Interview with a Legend

As my senior year spirals down to a close, I began to think about all of the inspirational people that have walked the halls of Loyola Academy.  One name immediately came to mind, the legendary Pat Foley. I decided to write a letter asking him for an interview.  A week passed and I received an email from Mr. Foley asking when we could do the interview.  I responded with a few options and awaited his reply.  A few weeks passed and my phone rang with an unknown number. Not knowing what to expect, I reluctantly answered the phone.  To my surprise, I recognized a familiar voice, it was Pat Foley.  For those of you who are not familiar with Mr. Foley, he is known for being the voice of the Chicago Blackhawks.  He is an alumni of Loyola Academy and a member of the Loyola Hall of Fame. Graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Telecommunications, he pursued his childhood dream of becoming a broadcaster.  He had recently been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and has been a part of the Blackhawks organization for the past 32 years. Needless to say, to me he is one of the most inspirational alumni of Loyola Academy.

What inspired you to work as a broadcaster?

"Well I got lucky when I was about 10 years old my dad took me to a Cubs game and we got to sit in the radio booth with Jack Quinlan and Lou Boudreau and I was a really young kid. It was a beautiful day at Wrigley Field and I was sitting next to these guys that are calling the game on WGN radio and I was just out of my mind. I fell in love with the whole thing and that was the day the seed got planted. I was very lucky that I had a focus all through high school and college pointing toward one thing. I wanted to be a broadcaster."

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

"Being able to be the voice of the Blackhawks for these 32 years and counting. When I started with this idea of being a sportscaster I always wanted to do a big league team in a big league to town and I wound up working at home. I mean this is…more than a million to one shot. I got lucky and got a break and stayed at home the entire time and I'm pretty proud of that."

Who was your hero growing up?

"My dad is my hero. He is a terrific role model and I always wanted to be more like him. He is very humble, gracious, and honorable man. Anyone who is ever dealt with him loved him. He is actually also a graduate of Loyola Academy."

Of your 32 seasons with the Hawks what was your favorite season?

"My favorite season was 1991. We went to the Stanley Cup finals. The reason that was my favorite was that I got to do all of the games. Back then I did simulcast, so I was on the radio and the TV at the same time. Even if the network took away the game on television I would do the radio. So I did every game. But you know now, I do the first round of the playoffs then I'm done. Then the network takes over. So when the Hawks win the Stanley Cup, I don't get to call it but I certainly get to enjoy it."

When you're not broadcasting with the team during the playoffs, do you travel with them or do you stay at home?

"I usually stay at home, until the finals. The team has invited me to go with them. I've done that it's very cool of them to do, they certainly don't have to but they say 'you're part of us and we want you coming and we have a spot for you on the plane.' So they have been great with that and I appreciate them thinking of me."

Your chemistry with Mr. Eddie Olczyk is very noticeable and admirable when you're on the air together. Was it always like that since you started working together?

“Yeah. I mean, I was pretty well into it. I've known him since he was 18 years old when the Hawks drafted him. I was doing the game then and he came in as a rookie. So I've known him for a long time. He is a great broadcaster and a terrific friend and we both look at the game and want to be informative and describe what's happening. He is a real good teacher on the air but we also know that part of what we do is to have fun this is the entertainment business. We like each other and like to laugh and some of that squeaks and when were on the air."

Congratulations on the awards you have received. Where do you keep them?

"They're just kind of laying around the house. This plaque from the Hall of Fame is just here on the kitchen table and the Emmys are just sitting around the house. I don't know what to do with them. I don't make a big deal about them. It's nice to be recognized,but it's no big deal. "

Did you do any sports at Loyola?

"I did. I played football as a freshman and I played basketball for the last three years. Well, I shouldn't say played… I should say I was on the team. That's about the extent of it. We had a decent team in those days. They put me in the Loyola Hall of Fame and I've got to be one of the only benchwarmers to be inducted."

How were your overall years at Loyola?

"I had a great time. It was an all boys school. There definitely wouldn't have been a girl calling me to interview for the paper. It’s very cool and awesome the girls are there now."

Where did you go to grade school?

"I went to OLPH. Many people know sister Paulanne and she taught me and she is a wonderful person."

Who would be The one person you would like to spend the day with?

“This new pope. This guy seems like a great guy. He's unbelievable. I'm a Catholic and this guy has definitely got something going for him."

What is your favorite snack and beverage?

" Well I love Snickers bars. My favorite beverage, well if it's unfortunate or fortunate... I like beer."

Who is your favorite band?

"I'd have to say Tragically Hip. A couple of them are friends of mine. They’re Canadian band and a lot of hockey people like them a lot. It's a really good rock 'n roll band."

Where is your favorite place to eat in Chicago?

"Tuffano's. I eat it plenty of fancy restaurants, but there's nothing like walking into a place that has the menu on the chalkboard. I love that place."

Looking back on your experience from transitioning from high school to college, is there any advice you can give us seniors on this new chapter in our lives?

"First thing I would say is right now you don't have to know what you're going to do with your life to make a living. But you better be thinking about it. It's never too early to be thinking about how you're going to make a living. To me, the key to life is finding something that you're passionate about and find a way to get paid to do it. To me, it's better to make less money doing something you love than making more money and not look forward to going to work every day. You have to work for things you like and can get paid to do. That's the key to life in my opinion. College was some of the best years of my life and I'm a lucky guy and I've had a lot of happy and great years in my life. You just have to find a way to figure it out. My experience at Michigan State University was frustrating in the beginning and traumatic at times, but hey, that's part of growing up and we all have to deal with it."

I am very grateful to Mr. Foley for making this an enjoyable and fun interview. He is a very modest, humble, and kind man who is a pleasure to talk to. I hope this interview gives some insight to one of the most influential individuals that have graduated from Loyola Academy. Go Hawks!

8 Game Winning Streak!!!

I know that I havent posted in a very long time...but Ive been really busy applying to colleges!! Im starting to write more again! I hope you can forgive me!! Enjoy!!

Can we just talk about the Blackhawks for a few minutes here? They have been playing fantastic. Like Stanley Cup fantastic. They just came back from a 6 game circus road trip, kick starting in Calgary against the Flames. They then played the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and wrapped up the road trip in Los Angeles, facing off against the Kings. The trip started off well, winning their first two games 4-3, and 7-1. Vancouver gave us a tough game, as the Hawks lost 4-1. They went on to win the rest of their games on the road trip, 3-2, 4-1, 4-1. They came home bursting with confidence and went on to win their next 3 games, extending their winning streak to 6 games. The games that they have won have been among the few Stanley Cup contenders in the NHL, the Avalanche, Kings, Ducks, Blues, Canadians, Predators, and the Flames. Each of these teams make up some of the spots of the top 10 teams in the league. If we keep this up, I see a Stanley Cup in our near future. The past 3 games the Hawks have played have been without our starting goalie, Corey Crawford. He injured his foot and is out 2-3 weeks. He didn't give out any details on how sever the injury is, but he did explain how it happened. He was at a Rise Against concert and misstepped as he was going up stairs to leave the concert and injured his foot. He explained to the media, "I was at a concert the other day and was on the way out and I missed a step. I didn't think it was that bad. I got up the next day and it was worse than I thought. I am very embarrassed by the injury.” If they choose to, the Rocky Wirtz and John McDonaugh could suspend his pay while he is healing from the injury. They can do this because he did not injure himself on the ice, during practice, or during a game. He injured himself in his personal life, not his hockey life. This is what happened to Wild goalie, Josh Harding earlier this season, in September. According to NBCSports.com, “Josh Harding, arguably the Wild’s No. 1 goaltender heading into Thursday’s training camp, broke his right foot while kicking a wall after an off-ice altercation with a teammate and is expected to miss at least two or three months.” Thus, resulting in a suspended pay and his contract will not count against Minnesota’s salary cap. They claim they will not be paying him because it was a “non-hockey related” injury. There is no word on whether Crawford’s pay will be suspended, but as of right now he is still getting paid and most likely will continue to be paid throughout his injury. But, thank God we have amazing back up goalies (if you're reading this you should probably knock on wood), Antti Raanta and Scott Darling. To make it even cooler a hometown boy is playing on our team, Darling is from Lemont, Illinois…about 40 miles away from here. Although the goalies are playing great, let’s hope for a speedy recovery from Crawford and an extension of the winning streak they are on. Go Hawks! 

The Olympics!

The Winter Olympic Games. I know it sounds quite cliché, but it is where dreams come true. Athletes from all around the world come together to compete for their country. Most have been practicing their sport since they have been toddlers. Take Gracie Gold for example. She has been figure skating since she was able to walk and is already a gold medal contender at the age of 18. Polina Edmunds, a 15 year old described by her teammates as "dynamite"', has also been praised, "despite the pressure of being at the Olympics, she is completely unfazed, with iron in her bones". Bode Miller, a veteran to the Olympics, just received his sixth Olympic medal in the Men's Super G. In an interview after his run, he was asked about his eventful past year, and things began to get emotional. His brother, Chelone, Chilly called by his friends, and who was an Olympic hopeful for snowboarding, had experienced a traumatic brain injury in a dirt bike accident a few years prior. Bode and Chilly became even closer when Bode realized that he could lose his brother at any given moment. That dreaded moment came in April of 2013, when Chilly was found in his van unresponsive. He died that day of an apparent seizure due to his epilepsy, a lasting effect from the accident that he was in. Although in different sports, Bode and his brother were planning on competing in the Olympics together. During the interview, he began to break down as the interviewer asked him about his brother. He claimed his brother not being there was his motivation to do better, hoping to make him proud. Sure enough he did, tying for bronze in the Men's Super G. The Team USA two-man bobsled, including Steve Holcomb and Steve Langton received a bronze medal, the first bobsled medal for Team USA since 1956. In the men's freestyle skiing, the Americans swept the medal stand, earning the gold, silver, and bronze medals. Team skate, new to the Olympics this year, resulted in the US taking the bronze medal. In the ice dancing part of the competition, a pair of skaters became the best in the world. Meryl Davis and Charlie White conquered the medal stand by taking home the gold and a new world record. In the women's luge, American Erin Hamlin took home the bronze. In snowboarding, the US has taken four medals, three gold and one silver. The most known snowboarding medal is Sage Kotsenburg, who had received the gold by less than a point. In skeleton, Noelle Pikus-Pace took home silver and Matt Antoine got bronze. The US women's hockey team has only lost one close game against Canada. The other games they played have been complete domination. Their first game against Finland was a three to one win. Their second game, versus Switzerland, was a shutout and a nine goal win. Their next game, against Canada, they lost with a score of 3-2. The gold medal qualifying game was against Sweden, and the US crushed them in a 6-1 victory. The US and Canada are expected to face off for an epic gold medal game on February 20th. The US men's hockey team has not lost a game yet this tournament. Since there are 12 teams in the tournament, there are three different groups of teams, Group A, B, and C. Through the preliminary rounds, USA is the leader of group A, Canada is the leader of group B, and Sweden is the leader of group C. All teams have their own special advantages. USA and Sweden are bulked up with stars from the NHL.  The Canadian team has 8 captains playing on their team, three of which are the co-leaders of Canada, the Captain Sidney Crosby and alternates Jonathan Toews and Shea Weber. But hockey is only one sport. The Winter Olympics is something that happens once every four years and showcases some of the best athletes from all around the world.

The Wild West

The Wild West

Here come the 'Hawks! The Blackhawks are dominating in the West to become the best team in the NHL for the second time in a row. They have definitely earned it in the 7 game road trip they just returned from. They came back with faces full of pride and success, as they won 6 out of the 7 games. After opening the annual "Circus Trip" with a 5-1 loss in Colorado, it seemed as though the trip was at a loss. They got their head in the game for the second game and stormed back to take six in a row. Finishing off the road trip in Phoenix with a 5-2 win, in front of an audience encumbered in Indian head sweaters, increased their NHL-leading point total to 44.

​With Nikolai Khabibulin injured, Antti Raanta is the back-up goaltender. Coach Quinneville figured he should give Crawford a break, because he started for 14 consecutive games. The first game of the road trip, Raanta made his NHL debut in relief of starter Corey Crawford, who gave up 3 goals before being pulled.  Raanta gave up 2 goals in the same game, not an ideal way to start off your NHL season. Towards the end of the road trip, he gave Raanta another chance… this was a risky move. You have a great record so far on the road and you put in your back-up goaltender? I figure you must have a lot of trust in him to do such a thing. Raanta only gave up 2 goals in this game against the Calgary Flames. Patrick Kane, the star player in the NHL, for the month of November had a few things to say about Raanta's game. "I thought he played really good," Kane said of Raanta. "Both goals he didn't really have a chance on and made numerous saves that he's not really expected to make, but at the same time, he made them. They were big for us. He was our best player tonight for sure, 100 percent and nice to see a start like that out of him. I know he was excited and it seems like he has a bright future, for sure.” He has been playing very well so far with his record being 2-0-1. The loss that he acquired was in a shootout versus the Anaheim Ducks on Dec 6.

​The 'Hawks have not won a game since they returned from their road trip. They are still seeking a win for the month of December, as of December 7th. Injuries that have happened in previous games are starting to heal and players are slowly coming back on the ice. Michal Handzus, a veteran center, returned on Monday night against Edmonton, after suffering from an upper body injury. Andrew Shaw, a center-man, returned to play on Friday, against the Ducks, after suffering a foot injury. Bryan Bickell, a left winger, left the game early against Colorado, after crashing his leg into the goalpost. He is expected to miss 'several weeks', according to 'Hawks GM Stan Bowman. Hopefully he gets better soon! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! Go 'Hawks!

Guess who's back!

The Blackhawks are the defending Stanley Cup Champions and they sure do show it. Whether it's the line changes, different players, or if they decide to really bring their game face, you never know what's going to happen. The Hawks' stars, such as Toews, Kane, and Seabrook have been taking a back seat and letting the rookies shine throughout the past couple games. Head coach, Joel Quinneville, began to bring up players from our farm team, the Rockford Icehogs. Brad Mills, Jeremy Morin, Brandon Pirri, and Joakim Nordstrom are the rookies who are beginning to become known around the Chicagoland area. With a combined plus/minus rating of +11, as of November 15th, the rookies are starting to command their presence. The veterans have been helping the young ones through, teaching them tips and tricks. Brandon Saad, for example, was a rookie last year. It's starting to be more evident that he's beginning to emulate Jonathan Toews' style of play. He still has many years to come but if he keeps this up, they could have a real star on their hands. The Hawks record so far through the 2013-2014 season is 13-4-2. Although they did not start the season undefeated like last year, this doesn't mean that they're not capable of reaching new heights. The heads of the organization are putting together their ideas and wishes for the team, making anything seem possible…like acquiring old teammates. Goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin is one example. Many fans were questioning whether this was a good move. The heads of the organization were optimistic and believed the move was good for the team. An experienced veteran, 40 years old to be exact, who has had plenty of opportunities to play, was assumed to be a valuable element for the team . He's  only started in two games throughout the season so far, and has been replaced both times. Coach Q claims that he "will not start Khabibulin on home ice until he boosts his confidence".  Quinneville's reasoning is, when he starts Khabi at home and he lets up goals, Khabi will get booed, which will snuff his self esteem. It's a very good coaching decision.  According to 13-time Stanley Cup Winner, Scotty Bowman, a high confidence level is the ultimate key factor in separating average goaltenders from the elite in the NHL. One very recent, exciting trade that the Blackhawks agreed to on Thursday, November 14th was, acquiring  two players from the Florida Panthers for two players from the Hawks. The Hawks traded right winger Jimmy Hayes and D-man Dylan Olsen to the Panthers, while acquiring left winger Phillipe Lefebvre and right winger Kris Versteeg. For those of you who jumped on the band wagon in 2010, after their first cup win, you should be thinking, I've heard of that name before. For those of us who have been watching the Hawks from since we could open our eyes, you should be jumping for joy right now. Kris Versteeg was a solid player who played for the Hawks from 2007-2010, gave his memorable speech/rap at the Hawks rally, then was traded within a few weeks, due to the salary cap. Versteeg is ecstatic that he has returned to Chicago. "It's where my heart is," Versteeg explained, "there were a lot of emotions when I was told by Dale (Tallon) that I have been traded back to Chicago." Well, we are excited to have you back, Steeger, and wish you well in your days as a Hawk. Go Blackhawks!