Standing At The Crossroads

Fans annually look back at the various wins and losses in their favourite team's season and select the second where things went right, or when they went wrong. In spite of the season running 82 games, we feel that there must be one singular moment that, had things just gone a little bit better, the team's fortunes would have been far more fortunate. One goal, one save, one better call by that blind jackass referee ... the margin for success is just that narrow nowadays. But sometimes it isn't so clear.

And sometimes it isn't so frivolous.

The Rangers have unfortunately been forced to confront their fateful moment a full month before the season is even due to start. The team has arrived at the fork in the road and what happens next will determine how they fare when the puck drops. As if it hasn't been difficult enough for the boys to battle through the loss of Derek Boogaard, they now have to start coping with the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl crash. It will not be easy. More friends and more familiar former foes fell in a hard-to-grasp manner.

The upcoming season can go one of two ways. The Blueshirts can unite in their grief and help each other work through the pain by playing as hard as they can. They could immerse themselves in their work and honor those lost by doing what they do best as best as they can do it. Or they can go down the other path. They could get lost in the losses. They can go through the motions as they deal with their emotions. And, you know what? Absolutely no one could blame them.

The players need to know that it is alright to grieve. They need to do it however fits them best. Getting through it is a personal battle without a one size-fits-all solution. Whether it is hitting the gym or breaking some stuff, screaming their lungs out or even just talking, the guys need to find a way to move on.

The loss from this horrific crash is even more poignant as it comes just days away from the anniversary of 9/11. Sure the reasons for the tragedies are far, far different but treasured lives were lost the same. It has been hellish working through the horror of 9/11 over the last 10 years just look around this city - we have moved on but the day has been forgotten, those lives that were snuffed out so long ago have not been lost to time. The Rangers saw that firsthand this week while visiting firehouses and they need to remember the strength of those they met and find it in themselves.

The former teammates, foes and friends who died on the other side of the world will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved them. But the ones who are left need to start healing and they need to start moving on soon.

Some may think that talking about the upcoming season at this point in time is heartless and I can certainly understand where their minds are at. But this city found respite in sport 10 years ago we can only hope that our sportsmen can do the same now.

Honouring 9/11

Just wanted to put something up to remind everyone to hold their love ones a little tighter today and to remember friends and family that may have been lost that day or any day. Not necessarily because of the events of 9/11, but just because ...

For some topical reading, here is an old article on how the NYPD and FDNY hockey teams honoured their lost. It mentions the stirring tribute at the Rangers opening night game, but as I am quick to point out to folks, the Rangers played preseason games against Jersey, Philly and Boston at home prior to that (on September 19, 23 and 29th respectively). The Garden was half empty for them but every time they showed a firefigher or cop in the stands, or person with a sign (I remember one little girl with a tribute to her dad, a firefighter), the whole place erupted louder than I had ever heard it before. To say it was 'moving' wouldn't do it justice. It was remarkable and something I remember with astounding clarity, perhaps because it meant so much.

And before I go wipe my eyes, I just want to mention my friend Paul, who was also lost in the attack. I worked with him at the campus radio station in Binghamton. He was a class act, a pain in my ass, but a classy, good-natured person nonetheless. As his memory still lives on with his family and friends, so does his own webpage. Wow, he is missed.

R.I.P. buddy ...

Honouring 9/11

Just wanted to put something up to remind everyone to hold their love ones a little tighter today and to remember friends and family that may have been lost that day or any day. Not necessarily because of the events of 9/11, but just because ...

For some topical reading, here is an old article on how the NYPD and FDNY hockey teams honoured their lost. It mentions the stirring tribute at the Rangers opening night game, but as I am quick to point out to folks, the Rangers played preseason games against Jersey, Philly and Boston at home prior to that (on September 19, 23 and 29th respectively). The Garden was half empty for them but every time they showed a firefigher or cop in the stands, or person with a sign (I remember one little girl with a tribute to her dad, a firefighter), the whole place erupted louder than I had ever heard it before. To say it was 'moving' wouldn't do it justice. It was remarkable and something I remember with astounding clarity, perhaps because it meant so much.

And before I go wipe my eyes, I just want to mention my friend Paul, who was also lost in the attack. I worked with him at the campus radio station in Binghamton. He was a class act, a pain in my ass, but a classy, good-natured person nonetheless. As his memory still lives on with his family and friends, so does his own webpage. Wow, he is missed.

R.I.P. buddy ...

Honouring 9/11

Just wanted to put something up to remind everyone to hold their love ones a little tighter today and to remember friends and family that may have been lost that day or any day. Not necessarily because of the events of 9/11, but just because ...

For something to read on two members of the hockey community that were lost that day, click here. To read about the Rangers tribute, click here. The interesting thing is that that opening night gets all of the recognition but the team played preseason games against Jersey, Philly and Boston at home prior to that (on Sept 19, 23 and 29th respectively). The building was half empty for them but every time they showed a firefigher or cop in the stands, or person with a sign (I remember one little girl with a tribute to her dad, a firefighter), the whole place erupted louder than I had ever heard it before. To say they were moving wouldn't do them justice.

And before I go wipe my eyes, if you want to read about my friend Paul who was also lost in the attack, click here.

R.I.P. buddy ...