Nice article on Brad Chartrand, who got his first career playoff goal for the Kings on Saturday, in Sunday's L.A. Daily News. Not sure when it will be on their Web site, but here's the address: http://www.dailynews.com/sports/index.asp
...and a tease:
By CHRIS COCOLES
c.2002 Los Angeles Daily News
LOS ANGELES -- Brad Chartrand lived in luxury Saturday.
The Kings forward scored his first career NHL playoff goal to key a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Staples Center and force a decisive Game 7.
But he remembers his roots.
He remembers those 14-hour bus rides and fast food team meals during a career that has included several stints in the minor leagues. A portion of his 2001-02 season was spent with the Manchester (N.H.) Monarchs of the American Hockey League.
"I've bused three games in three nights and come back on a Sunday afternoon when you've eaten McDonald's the night before," Chartrand said. "I've played in some barns that bring me back to my days in the wilderness of Manitoba. But it makes you grow as a person right? I knew coming in I'd have to be that guy, that bubble player that's going to have to prove himself.
"I'm not a first-round pick, not a superstar. I'm just a guy trying to fill a role."
Chartrand, currently at 1-1-2, will be the highest point and goal scorer in the Cup playoffs among Cornell alums. This is the first time those honors will not have been held either by Joe or by nobody (i.e., no alum points) since Joe entered the league in 1987.
So, is Manderville no longer playing with Carolina?
Great article. Here is the direct link:
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/articles/0402/28/spo06.asp
JTW: Manderville was traded from Carolina to Philly during the 99/00 season, and was traded from Philly to Pittsburgh this year.
Watching the games in that series, and especially after Brad's game-winning goal, I was hoping there would be some real reporting going on (too much to ask for from TV). Brad's story of perserverence and the hard work he has put in to get where he is, is really something. We all enjoyed his play at CU, but I'm not sure we realized what a gem he is. Imagine what some other guys - with more size, speed, skills - could accomplish if they had a heart like Brad's.
he got a lot of brief mentions in the LA/Colorado series and I was quite impressed with how well he played. he saw a decent amount of ice time too. Still, I gotta say, that as proud as I am of the fact that he's a Cornellian, I was damn glad to see the avs finally put those sunshine boys away.
While Brad's hard work is commendable, quite frankly there are probably dozens of guys in the league that can tell similar stories.
Hello again, buzzkill! (Of course, you're right . . . )
No doubt there are dozens - but not from Cornell.