Taking off the writer's block

I haven't really felt like writing for a while. Don't know why to be honest. Just didn't feel like it. There were lots of ideas, topics or just nothings to share but I did not even feel opening the blog and starting something.

Then today on my way to work I, as usual, listened to the Team 1040, our local sports radio. The topic regarded Vancouver Canucks Defense man Rory Fitzpatrick and the drive to vote this, at best, 5th defenseman onto the starting roster of the NHL All-Star game.

Rory played for years in Buffalo and some guy out there back East thought it fun to put Rory onto the ''fan write-in". The NHL allows for fans to chose their own players besides the obvious ones like Sidney Crosby or Joe Thornton. As much as that is a great idea, the voting program the NHL uses allows for fans to vote as many times as they want for any player, ie: Rory at last count stood 2nd among Western Conference D-men and is slated to start if he gets #1 or #2.

So, I am listening to the two morning hosts, one of which is actually program director of the station, and they both rip through the fact that this is all a joke. Lets have fun with it but GOD forbid Rory should actually go.
The world would come to an end because a mid-level player at best may outvote the likes of Pronger, Niedermayer, Lidstrom or Blake, amongst many others.

What are they afraid of? That he accepts the fans vote and goes to have fun? That he makes a fool of himself? That he enjoys this once in a life-time opportunity for him as a player?

Annecdote time:

A caller mentioned that since Rory plays in the arguably best and most competitive ice hockey league in the world he is one of the best players in the world. One of the hosts of the morning show completely ripped into that comment saying that at best Rory is "just" an NHLer.

Moj: I aint seeing YOU playing in the league. Nor me. Nor BMac, Pratt or Taylor.

So that comment is just about as stupid as it gets!!

Get it right, guys!

Lets face it, the NHL is a joke. As long as Gary Bettman runs the ship it will not change. As far as I am concerned, the fans are saying what the GM's, Owner and Press are too afraid to say.
That the NHL has become the laughing stock amongs major sports in North America.

It is the first league to ever cancel a whole season. It is a league of too many teams in places that dont even know that ice and snow exist. It is a league that is so watered down in talent that a guy like Rory Fitzpatrick can be voted onto the All-Star Team. Heck, is even CONSIDERED to be voted in. Never mind as starter but as a skater, period!

Here is my take:

Rory - you go and have fun. If we the fans get you voted in - you better make sure to enjoy it as long as you can. Show the NHL brass in NYC that we the fans laugh at them as long as they run the best game in the world into the ground.

Oh - and bring me back a signed jersey by both Western and Eastern Conference players!!

Cheers