Alumni in the pros - January 2010

[ftyuv]

What the heck is there to not stand about Thomas? The guy's awesome.

You obviously weren't around to see the act that crybaby ding-bat put on whenever he lost while at UVM in the mid-90s.  I remember after a tie at Lynah, he smashed his stick over the crossbar then stormed right to the locker room without handshakes.  He gave an interview (during the ECACs, which they never won, mind you) about how Patrick Roy should step aside being over the hill and all, and he, as a draft pick of the Avs (nee Nordiques), was going to win the starting job.  It only took him NINE years to make the NHL.  While I disliked the Keebler Elves stick-twirling, fist-pumping antics, I could at least respect their game.  Thomas was an ass.  Kinda grinds my gears that he still somehow has a job, especially after it looked like he was done after '99.

I wasn't, no. But then, I also don't hold grudges for a decade...

[nr53]

Looks like douglas is doing his best to show that he can chip in offensively as well. He scored his 3rd of the season, 2nd in two games tonight against the kings, on a power play no less.

[cth95]

That kind of goes without saying, really, given that neither Thomas nor Vermont has ever won anything, doesn't it?

I think winning a Vezina Trophy is pretty good.  

I don't remember what he was like in college, but this acceptance speech is pretty gracious and emotional.  "I had been more worried about getting my name on a roster than about winning the Vezina Trophy,"
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2RhfmUQtR0

As a side note, he also won the the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award for the best save percentage in the NHL (.933) and, along with Manny Fernandez, the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest total goals allowed by a team's goalies.

[RichH]

What the heck is there to not stand about Thomas? The guy's awesome.

You obviously weren't around to see the act that crybaby ding-bat put on whenever he lost while at UVM in the mid-90s.  I remember after a tie at Lynah, he smashed his stick over the crossbar then stormed right to the locker room without handshakes.  He gave an interview (during the ECACs, which they never won, mind you) about how Patrick Roy should step aside being over the hill and all, and he, as a draft pick of the Avs (nee Nordiques), was going to win the starting job.  It only took him NINE years to make the NHL.  While I disliked the Keebler Elves stick-twirling, fist-pumping antics, I could at least respect their game.  Thomas was an ass.  Kinda grinds my gears that he still somehow has a job, especially after it looked like he was done after '99.

I wasn't, no. But then, I also don't hold grudges for a decade...

Oh, I'm sure you do...maybe not for hockey players.

Also, I wouldn't call my personal feelings a grudge, since I don't particularly care about the NHL.  I was just trying to give you perspective about how someone could be looked at here less than favorably.

[ftyuv]

What the heck is there to not stand about Thomas? The guy's awesome.

You obviously weren't around to see the act that crybaby ding-bat put on whenever he lost while at UVM in the mid-90s.  I remember after a tie at Lynah, he smashed his stick over the crossbar then stormed right to the locker room without handshakes.  He gave an interview (during the ECACs, which they never won, mind you) about how Patrick Roy should step aside being over the hill and all, and he, as a draft pick of the Avs (nee Nordiques), was going to win the starting job.  It only took him NINE years to make the NHL.  While I disliked the Keebler Elves stick-twirling, fist-pumping antics, I could at least respect their game.  Thomas was an ass.  Kinda grinds my gears that he still somehow has a job, especially after it looked like he was done after '99.

I wasn't, no. But then, I also don't hold grudges for a decade...

Oh, I'm sure you do...maybe not for hockey players.

Also, I wouldn't call my personal feelings a grudge, since I don't particularly care about the NHL.  I was just trying to give you perspective about how someone could be looked at here less than favorably.

I actually can't think of anyone I still hold a grudge against. :-)  I'm a pretty mellow guy.  But anyway, fair enough. My point was more to the fact that how a guy acts in college could be different than how he acts after nearly a decade of struggling to get to where he wants to get. To quote Calvin's dad, it builds character.  (Thomas is still a bit of a hothead, but I don't think enough to warrant a "can't stand him" on its own.)

[Trotsky]

It was irritating to see the Tim Thomas interview after the Winter Classic because he was (a) articulate and (b) gentlemanly, in contrast to expectations for a two-time winner of the Melrose-Nickerson Award.

In the miserable annals of the Earth he will be duly enshrined.

[ugarte]

What the heck is there to not stand about Thomas? The guy's awesome.

You obviously weren't around to see the act that crybaby ding-bat put on whenever he lost while at UVM in the mid-90s.  I remember after a tie at Lynah, he smashed his stick over the crossbar then stormed right to the locker room without handshakes.  He gave an interview (during the ECACs, which they never won, mind you) about how Patrick Roy should step aside being over the hill and all, and he, as a draft pick of the Avs (nee Nordiques), was going to win the starting job.  It only took him NINE years to make the NHL.  While I disliked the Keebler Elves stick-twirling, fist-pumping antics, I could at least respect their game.  Thomas was an ass.  Kinda grinds my gears that he still somehow has a job, especially after it looked like he was done after '99.

I wasn't, no. But then, I also don't hold grudges for a decade...

Just one more year before Osama gets the invitation to Thanksgiving?

[Josh '99]

That kind of goes without saying, really, given that neither Thomas nor Vermont has ever won anything, doesn't it?

I think winning a Vezina Trophy is pretty good.  

I don't remember what he was like in college, but this acceptance speech is pretty gracious and emotional.  "I had been more worried about getting my name on a roster than about winning the Vezina Trophy,"
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2RhfmUQtR0

As a side note, he also won the the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award for the best save percentage in the NHL (.933) and, along with Manny Fernandez, the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest total goals allowed by a team's goalies.

Let me rephrase.  Neither Thomas nor Vermont has ever won a championship.  (I don't have time to look it up, but I'm sure either he or St. Louis or Perrin must've won some individual awards at Vermont too, but that's not what I meant.)

[ftyuv]

What the heck is there to not stand about Thomas? The guy's awesome.

You obviously weren't around to see the act that crybaby ding-bat put on whenever he lost while at UVM in the mid-90s.  I remember after a tie at Lynah, he smashed his stick over the crossbar then stormed right to the locker room without handshakes.  He gave an interview (during the ECACs, which they never won, mind you) about how Patrick Roy should step aside being over the hill and all, and he, as a draft pick of the Avs (nee Nordiques), was going to win the starting job.  It only took him NINE years to make the NHL.  While I disliked the Keebler Elves stick-twirling, fist-pumping antics, I could at least respect their game.  Thomas was an ass.  Kinda grinds my gears that he still somehow has a job, especially after it looked like he was done after '99.

I wasn't, no. But then, I also don't hold grudges for a decade...

Just one more year before Osama gets the invitation to Thanksgiving?

A grudge to me is a lot more petty than that.  It's more along the lines of "that guy was a prick to me, grumble grumble."

That said, I'd be happy to have Osama over for Thanksgiving. The bounty on his head is around $27 mil, according to the google.

[RatushnyFan]

What the heck is there to not stand about Thomas? The guy's awesome.

I agree.  The guy gutted it out in the minors for years.  NHL allegiances aside, it's hard to understand why anyone would despise guys like Parise, Langenbrunner and Komisarek. Parise in particular plays every shift with lot of intensity, his willpower is off the charts in my book. Let's go USA!

[Trotsky]

Let's go USA!

I start each Olympics rooting for the US.  After fifteen minutes of American network TV coverage, I'd root for anybody to grind us into the ground.

Haup Sverige!  (Or whatever.)

[RatushnyFan]

Don't let the announcers and biased coverage disguise the fact that these players have worked for this opportunity for years.......as have all the players from all countries, but these are our guys!

My $0.02!

[CU at Stanford]

I was at the Jan 4th SJ Sharks game vs. L.A. Kings.
Ugly game for the Sharks.
The only bright spot for me was indeed Doug Murray's goal in the 3rd period.
He rifled that sucker home!

Player of the Month (Dec 2009) continued his hot streak, no doubt....

[Jim Hyla]

Douglas has been named Shark of the Month for December 2009.

Here's the Sharks website on it and some interesting quotes.

Honors like this, along with being named to Sweden's Olympic team, show it's not all about numbers.

"Everybody likes to be recognized in some way shape or form for what they are doing," Murray said.

Still, as a defensive-minded blueliner, Murray doesn't look outwardly for praise.

"You've got to be able to be happy with yourself," Murray said. "If you're satisfied with yourself, everything else is extra."

Murray is rewarded for his play by knowing his teammates realize how important he is to their success.

"This team always makes you feel good about good defensive play," Murray said.

Murray's defensive partner, Dan Boyle, knows a thing or two about offense, but knows solid defensive skills are important.

"Statistics get guys recognized as far as the everyday fan," Boyle said. "In this room, he's one of four top guys and he doesn't need top numbers. He's important and (the award) makes everyone feel very happy for him."

Boyle still chuckles to himself when opponents try to take a run at Murray.

"I enjoy watching guys try to run him over. I don't know why they try and do it," said Boyle, referencing the fact that the opposition usually ends up on the ice.

Murray has been mention by Head Coach Todd McLellan as the most improved player during his tenure.

"I believe since training camp last year, he has improved more than anyone on our hockey club," McLellan said.

[oceanst41]

What the heck is there to not stand about Thomas? The guy's awesome.

I agree.  The guy gutted it out in the minors for years.  NHL allegiances aside, it's hard to understand why anyone would despise guys like Parise, Langenbrunner and Komisarek. Parise in particular plays every shift with lot of intensity, his willpower is off the charts in my book. Let's go USA!

The best way I can explain it is that he is the Nickerson that actually made the NHL. Always there for the stick work and after the whistle extracurriculars, but never there to answer the bell when someone wants to go. ::wank::