Hockey Clips

How Many Teams Play Hockey In The NHL

www.hockeyclips.net — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The National Hockey League (NHL) has come a long way since it was eight team league based mainly in Canada. Currently, there are thirty franchises in the NHL. The teams are split up into two fifteen team conferences and six, five team divisions.

The Eastern Conference is home to the Atlantic, Northeast and Southeast Divisions. The Atlantic Division compromises the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Northeast Division contains the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs. This helps explain it more. Finally, the Southeast Division is made up of the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lighting, Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets. The Winnipeg franchise has recently relocated from Atlanta, Georgia.

The Western Conference is home to the Central, Northwest and Pacific Divisions. The Central Division hosts the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues. The Northwest Division is home to the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks. The Pacific Division houses the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks.

Today there are seven Canadian teams and twenty-three United States based teams.

What Are The Hockey Rules In The NHL

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The rules in the NHL may look complicated at first but are actually quite simple. The objective of the game is to put the puck in the opposing teams net. To accomplish this feat, you must use a stick, not a skate or your hand or any other part of the body. If the puck inadvertently hits one of those parts of your body and goes in, the goal is allowed, but if the player does it on purpose it does not.

A player can not swing his stick above the crossbar. This baseball like swing is not allowed in hockey as it can lead to injuries.

You should also be familiar with offsides. Offsides occurs when a player passes the blue line into the opposing team’s ice before the puck. This infraction leads to a face-off outside the zone. You are also not allow to make two line passes. If you pass the puck from behind a blue line and then past the red line, that is not allowed.

Also, icing is an important rule. If you are standing behind the red line and shoot the puck so it crosses behind the net, if the opposing team touches the puck first, that is icing.

Where Is The Pro Hockey Hall Of Fame

admin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Every major sport has a hall of fame to marvel at its’ greatest players. Baseball has its’ hall of fame in Cooperstown, NY. The Football Hall Of Fame calls Canton, Ohio home. So what about Professional Hockey you ask? The Professional Hockey Hall of Fame is in downtown Toronto. It’s on 30 Yonge Street just a couple of blocks from the Gardiner Expressway. The NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs play just down the street from the hall at the Air Canada Center.

The Hockey Hall of Fame showcases the best of the best on the rinks. Players such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Gordie Howe have joined its’ ranks over the years. It was created in 1943 in Kingston, Ontario by a joint agreement between the NHL and the CAHA (Canadian Amateur Hockey Association). The original idea was to build the Hall of Fame in Kingston. But due to escalating building costs and general bureaucracy, it wasn’t opened until 1961 in Toronto. The original building site in Kingston was still pursued and they finally opened the International Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965 on that site.

The original Toronto location was on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds. By the 1980′s it remained clear that the hall of fame needed a bigger building. In 1993 the hall was moved to its current location on Yonge Street.If you like what you see, keep going: Chelios leads U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame group – NHL.com – U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Best Hockey Channels on TV

www.hockeyclips.net — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Let’s say you’ve just gotten directstartv.com satellite and you’re trying to determine which channels are going to be your go to for hockey. We’ve got the scoop! Find out below which satellite channels are our favorite for hockey…
ESPN 2: This one’s a no-brainer but the “other” ESPN has more obscure games and features more in the way of hockey. Sure you can catch clips on Sportscenter but what you really want is whole games and player interviews.
NHL Center Ice: The undisputed champ in terms of hockey channels, Center Ice gives you up to 40 regularly scheduled games a week. You’ll be hard pressed to find a game this network doesn’t air and you’ll love all the in-depth specials and player segments as well.
Versus: Another great catch all for hockey, Versus has a lot of games as well as some interesting feature pieces where coaches and managers are interviewed. It’s a good bet if ESPN doesn’t have what you’re looking for.
If it’s not yet Stanley Cup time you’re gonna need somewhere to watch your games – get in on the action with your local satellite provider!

Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night tonight

www.hockeyclips.net — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:33:48 +0000

As October is the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness month, the Los Angeles Kings are contributing tonight with a special game against the Vancouver Canucks at the STAPLES Center. Both teams will be wearing special decals, the coaches and broadcasters will have limited-edition ties, and the players will be wearing commemorative Reebok caps during interviews and on the bench (back-up goalies only). Fans will be able to buy these items at shop.nhl.comportions of the profits will go to Hockey Fights Cancer.If you get to the Center early, you can donate blood in the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Maxmobile or LA Kings BloodMobile. For those of you who need a little tempting to get a needle in your arm, each donation comes with a chance to win a 2010-11 Kings jersey. The City of Hope Bone Marrow Drive will also be on hand. If you’re between the ages of 18 and 60, come and see if you’re eligible with only a few cheek swabs. This act of kindness comes with two free tickets to a later Kings game.The Kings get social (media) next week with the first NHL HashTag Battle with the Colorado Avalanche. During the game, players can tweet GoKings or GoAvs and 1 will be donated to a cancer charity of that team’s choice.

Street hockey keeps the sport hot in players’ minds

www.hockeyclips.net — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:27:02 +0000

The wait between hockey seasons can be rough on the most patient fans, and sheer torture for the rest of us. There’s not much that can recreate the thrill of the ice in the off-season, and many fans and players are left in the cold during the summer months. Street hockey provides one way to keep the game going all through the year.Even professional hockey teams support the sport, as in the case of the Everett Silvertips-sponsored Street Hockey Tournament, which took place in Everett, Washington starting on July 17. Despite its basic appearance, though, the game isn’t all that similar. For example, running in tennis shoes is much different than gliding on skate. An orange plastic ball moves much differently than a puck. And outlawing pushing, checking, and shoving (while advisable on asphalt) still limits the professional hockey player’s moves. There are also fewer players and smaller rinks. However, many fans enjoy it for its own merits. Pat Pawlak, who participated in the Silvertips Tournament, said that street hockey is more physically exhausting than on the ice.It’s also easier for kids to pick up, since there’s unlikely to be a frozen pond anywhere nearby in most places during the summer. In Woodland Park, New Jersey, the local Boys & Girls Club even sponsors an annual street hockey season for local kids, and created a temporary rink this summer when construction got in the way. Not only does street hockey provide entertainment during the slow summer months, but it helps keep kids out of trouble, and provides a way for them to come together with their families. If that’s not a ringing endorsement of the sport, I don’t know what is.

Plan a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame

www.hockeyclips.net — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:22:10 +0000

Thousands of hockey fans will flock to Canada next year for the 2011 Heritage Classic outdoor game. If you’re planning on being one of them, why not plan a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame while you’re there? Apart from honoring the players and “builders” who have made the game what it is, the Hall features 15 exhibit areas, covering a total of 57,000 square feet. Among them, you’ll find the histories of every member inducted into the Hall of Fame, along with classic trophies and equipment from the most historic games. Of course, the Stanley Cup is always on hand tooboth the modern version (sometimes replaced by a replica) and the original, which is located in a vault off of the Great Hall.There all also plenty of interactive exhibits in the NHLPA Be a Player Zone for the would-be NHL stars in your entourage. Visitors are invited to take their best shot against a computer version of goaltender Ed Belfour, or practice goaltending against virtual versions of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Just because they’re pixelated doesn’t make them any less intimidating.The Hall of Fame was founded in 1943, although the building itself did not open until the Canadian National Exhibition Fair in 1958. Originally founded as a way to honor the most outstanding players, the exhibit soon expanded to feature coaches, referees, and other personalities who contributed to the sport. Some of the earliest inducted builders are Foster Hewitt (sports broadcaster), Clarence Campbell (NHL President 1946-1977), and Lord Stanley of Preston (founder of the Stanley Cup). Today the Hall of Fame also focuses on promoting hockey around the world, with regular exhibits on Olympic competitions and in-depth looks at all of the International Ice Hockey Federation member countries.

Great hockey films in history

www.hockeyclips.net — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:12:02 +0000

Like any great sport, hockey has its fair share of fine cinema representations. Not all of them are as well known as Raging Bull or White Men Can’t Jump, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth tracking down. Here are a few of the best titlessome of which you’ll recognize, and some of which will be new favorites.

Mystery, Alaska: One of the best-known hockey films, this classic from director Jay Roach (Dinner for Schmucks, Meet the Fockers) and writer David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, The Practice) focuses on a small-town team that ends up facing off against the New York Rangers. Full of both comedy and drama, the film has a rousing end that’ll have you cheering.
The Rocket: The Rocket is a recent addition to the hockey film category, but considering it won 9 awards at the 2007 Genie Awards ceremony, the film has proved its staying power. The story is a historically-accurate representation of the life of player Maurice Richard, one of the most recognized players of all time.
Slap Shot: This comedic representation of hockey politics stars Paul Newman and is directed by his Butch Cassidy collaborator, George Roy Hill. The Hanson Brothers from the film have become cultural icons, and were probably most responsible for the two sequels that followed.
The Mighty Ducks: Many kids growing up in the 1990s remember this classic comedy, which stars Emilio Estevez as an aggressive lawyer who coaches an underachieving youth team. The movie inspired an actual NHL team, two sequels, and somehow an animated science-fiction series.
Youngblood: Some people view this more as an unintentional comedy than an actual film, but stars Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze make this an entertaining ’80s look at hockey culture. Keanu Reeves also appears in his first film as the French-Canadian team’s goalie.

Gearing up for the hockey season

www.hockeyclips.net — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:46:12 +0000

When it comes to hockey, it’s important to have the right equipment to fully enjoy the game. After all, your entertainment will be severely hampered if you end up on your way to the emergency room. But hockey equipment isn’t just about protection. The right skates and stick can make all the difference in an otherwise closely-matched game, and there are a number of online vendors that can give you the edge you need. All prices below are current as of August 19.HockeyMonkey offers some great deals on protective equipment for men and women. CCM Pro Tacks Gloves, which have a wide cuff to allow mobility and a special thumb to prevent hyperextension, are on clearance for only 69.98. The gloves normally retail for 139.99. The Nike Bauer 9500 Hockey Helmet, a highly-trusted (and highly expensive) model, usually costs 229.99, but you can get it on clearance for 89.98.HockeyGear is another leading online retailer, and they offer affordable prices on a number of popular brand-name skates. When picking hockey skates, it’s important to focus on three things: the comfort of the skate, the fit (in length and width), and the maker. At HockeyGear, you can select several choices from all of these, such as the CCM 892 T-Blade Tacks Junior Ice Hockey Skates (regularly 329.99) on closeout for only 99.99.Finally, HockeyGiant is another site you’ll want to investigate during your online shopping excursion. Check out their deals on hockey sticks, where they’re always offering specials. On August 5, it was “Buy 1 Stick and Get 10 Off All Additional Sticks.” That’s right, “sticks” plural. You might need a variety of sticks considering all the options, from wooden sticks to one- and two-piece composites. Or, maybe you just want to gear up the rest of the people in your neighborhood for a little friendly match. Whatever your reasons, you’re sure to find what you need at these sites, leaving you prepared for the matches to come.

2011 Heritage Classic pushes hockey’s boundaries

www.hockeyclips.net — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:39:44 +0000

On February 20, 2011, hockey fans will be treated to a rare event: the second Heritage Classic outdoor game. Only once before has this event been attempted, in the 2003 Edmonton Heritage Classic. Next year’s game will be held in Calgary and matches up the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames. Both teams have shown their excitement since the official announcement on Wednesday, August 4. Calgary Flame Steve Staios is happy to be paying tribute to the old-time hockey players who came beforemost notably the Calgary Tigers of the 1920s, whose colors and design are emulated in the Flames’ special event uniforms. The Canadiens, who were founded in 1909 and defeated the Tigers at the 1924 Stanley Cup, will be wearing a classic version of their own uniform.If you’re not a regular hockey fan, you may not realize just how big this event is. The setting is McMahon Stadium, which usually seats 35,650 spectators, but is adding additional seating for this rare opportunity to get a glimpse of hockey’s past. Outdoor games are where both the sport itself, as well as many modern players, got their start. Some players, like Curtis Glencross, have a family tradition of outdoor skating on Christmas day. When the weather dips down cold enough, it’s an invitation to lace up and take to the ice. There should be no concerns in February in Calgary, where the weather often ranges between 12.2 F and 34 F. However, that little bead of mercury has reached -36.4 F in 1884.The event is being broadcast on the Versus channel in the US. America has its own outdoor game coming up as wellthe 2011 NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, 2011, where the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals will face off at Heinz Field.