Guest blogger: Jon V
“I believe in Hockey”
When Carp told me I could write a guest blog I immediately started thinking about all the different Rangers off-season topics worth commenting on. The choices seemed endless—Marc Staal’s ongoing contract negotiations, the potential impact of new acquisitions like Boogaard, Frolov, and Zuccarello-Aasen, the growing (hopefully) youth movement—the list goes on and on. However, after rummaging through these issues, I decided that most of you probably don’t care what I think about these things. It’s all been said before, and probably will be a thousand times over before the season even starts. Given the humbling reality that I’m no hockey god who can solve all of our beloved team’s problems with one blog post, I’ve decided not to try. Instead, I’ll provide something I’m more certain of; a taste of what this team, and more importantly, this sport, means to me.
I graduated from college in May, and find myself in a very confusing world. Growing up the world seemed so simple: Do well in school so you can get into a good college. Do well in college so you can get a good job. Get a good job so you can make a lot of money. Seems easy enough, right? What no one tells you is that the simplicity ends there. You realize the world isn’t as black and white as you once thought. Those clear lines of right and wrong, good and bad, and fair or not fair all begin to fade to gray. I find myself spending a lot of time trying to make sense of everything-trying to find some stability in a chaotic world. Of course we find the stability we’re looking for in many different places—family, friends, community, etc. For me, one of the greatest sources of stability is hockey.
The solace I find in a cold ice rink can just as easily be found on a football field, or a baseball diamond, but hockey is my sport of choice for reasons that need no explanation to the Ranger faithful. It provides me with certainty in a world filled with nothing but uncertainty. The Rangers are always the good guys, and 29 other teams are the enemy … no matter what. Life in the hockey world is great on any night our team wins, and absolutely miserable any time we lose. Our hired guns are fighting for justice when they drop the gloves, while the Dan Carcillos, Steve Otts, and David Clarksons of the world don’t even deserve to be called the scum of the earth.
I will always remember the way I felt every time I went to hockey practice as a kid. No matter what was wrong at school, at home, or in life, nothing could touch me while I was on the ice. All of my burdens were lifted, and for at least an hour and a half each day, everything in the world seemed right. I feel the same way when I watch the Rangers. Win or lose, happy or sad, at least it all makes sense. I’ve never been a religious person, but I’ve always thought that people believe in God, at least in part, because it helps them to make sense of the world. I may not believe in God, but I believe in hockey, and I hope I never lose that faith.
—Jon V
————————————————————————
Hi kids. It’s Carp.
Thirty-eight days until Opening Night.
38: Pacifist Jeff Bloemberg when he was pummeled by Mick Vukota in that famous end-of-game playoff brawl with the Islanders.
Also, Rico Fata and Robbie Ftorek.
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Nice work John.
First.
Oh, no
Yay, guest bloggers! Further proving my point from the previous thread.
Other 38s in the Rangers Universe: Sylvain Blouin, Terry Carkner, Jarkko Immonen, Chris kenady, Bryce Lampman, PA Parenteau, Ronald Petrovicky, Ronnie Sundin and Jeff Ullmer.
BRING, you obviously have the address for Andrew Gross’ blog. Go there.
Carp way to go! Little smack down.
Jon. I hear ya about sports. There is something in there simplicity that lends itself to order, sense, and safety. Which BTW is why my last post on the previous was so firey. As for making sense of the world hang in there. I “finished” college 4 years but actually got my degrees this year. Life is full of everything. Best advice I ever heard.
“Worry about what you can control, don’t worry about the rest it’s gonna happen anyways.”
“Let’s Go Rangers!!!” is a close second though
Lovely post John. Good morning all again!
good morning all!
love the “tags” for the blog.
Great post John. Good luck in making your way in the world, and congrats on graduating! Mornin’ Blogmama!
Morning ILB and all!!!
Jon
nice post!!
carp
way to throw down the gauntlet!
mickey
just curious, but where are you interviewing at in the Lou? I went to grad school there and still know quite a few people so if you need anything let me know and i’ll see what I can do. You can contact me through FB if you would rather. Good luck either way!
can we stop feeding trolls? thnx
good post Jon V
woo hoo TR in the hizzy!!!
Thought you might find this interesting. I’m doing the daily crossword in my local paper and the clue for 9 down is…Czech hockey player Nedved.
Rather random. Did they think less people would have known Czech player Prucha?
BRING ON THE SEASON!!
1. You didn’t have any points
2.I’m dying to see YOUR guest blog or any thoughts of ANY matter, hockey or not- I can bet your damaged DNA, it will be blank list – all you showed so far is just a barking reflex, which proverbial Pavlov’s dog will be ashamed of.
3. I’m pretty sure that the purpose of your pathetic life is only to serve as a warning to others.
And finally: Like all brainless creatures of lowest life form YOU are so boring…get lost already. Back in your septic tank, shine box is too good for you.
wicky
hey im always here!
i got nothing to add lately, lol.
Good post Jon.
38 – Curt Schilling (one for you Yankee fans!) & Pavol Demitra
funniest tweet of the morning
stevezipay
1st John Tortorella sighting: Glimpsed him passing through workout area. Didn’t return my wave. Nah, I’m not hurt
UKRanger, Joke and CTB
invites for fantasy league were sent… faster you join higher pick you get… top 13 picks are taken already! Thanks!
good article on McDonagh…I sure hope this guy makes the roster (which at the same time should hopefully
banish redden to Hartford)
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/34926-Top-Shelf-Ryan-McDonagh-ready-to-embrace-the-New-York-Rangers.html
isn’t matteau’s birthday today??
is carp or mama in the league?
TR
yep, you are like a “spooky2”, on the blog for me. Always there for fire support if needed.
CCCP,
I think I will have to drop out of fantasy league. I just went through all the registration stuff and then it said there is already an account set up with my e-mail which isn’t possible as I have never done anything on espn. Kind of weird but I don’t want to go through all the hassle of trying to figure it out. Thanks for the invite.
CCCP, signed up. Try to guess which team I am.
Joke no problem
CTB
mmmm Pizza with Clutch!! my favorite! NOT!!
Delivered with a full no enjoyment clause.
extra sluggish with stuffed “dough” pockets!
Great post, Jon.
Mama, id never abandon u or the P&C. Without my beloved P&C, Ive got to find cute puppy pics somewhere :)
All in the espn fantasy lg, prepare to be engulfed by Jagr’s Mullet! :)
Great post, Jon. Older than you and still find comfort in the Rangers. And it’s nice to read something that isn’t simply pretend GM’ing.
Good morning, ‘heads!
4ever- ne tron’ gavno, ne zavonyet.
Good post, Jon.
fri 10/29 vs carolina
sun 11/7 vs st louis
sun 12/5 vs ottawa
thurs 12/16 vs phoenix
looking to get rid of these games. cant make them.
section 330 aisle seats row G Face is 58. have a pair
let me know if interested email is baum27@aol.com
rather sell to people here who are the real fans
Happy 9-02-10 day everyone!
4everranger:
Get a life lol. This site sucks and everyone knows it. Sam made this site what it is. People used to be able to come here to get up to the minute Rangers news. If somebody found this site today, never having seen it before, they would look at it and see nothing of value and leave. Its a joke at this point.
Is it a fun community here? Ehhh, sort of? I don’t know anymore. The general level of hockey knowledge here is embarrassing. There are very, VERY few posters here who know anything. You all make fun of the other sites out there by saying, “Oh lets talk about lines all day and blah blah blah” but at least those sites discuss hockey news.
Sad, sad, sad.
#38 John Connor (The Terminator)
rather sell to people here who are the real fans
——
yeah but those are not such hot games bro! give us some division games, kid! lol
CCCP
will have division games in feb. wife is due with first child feb 17th. most feb games i am selling. only put first half up now.
kings vs rangers feb 17th any takers for that.
CCCP- this kid sounds pretty mature for his age. And at 6-1, 222, he could be ready physically. Let’s hope.
38 – Robbie Ftorek
nice post!
anyone else see Niemi sign with Sharks?
Attempt to light analyses for next season:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/447863-season-preview-will-the-new-york-rangers-be-a-play-off-team
I do agree with article conclusion – Rangers definitely will be in a play-offs, where exactly-anybody guess, but off season activity (without big splashes, but useful) so far creates some cautious optimism. That’s basically what is it about. It could be corrected during the season, particularly by factor of other teams’ improvement, most of them like Isles and Lightning being serious contenders in my opinion.
4everranger:
I see what you did there.
This is the greatest thing ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB9nkghgwj0&feature=related
We need this dog on the team.
Miami- absolutely amazing! I haven’t seen anything like that!
I bet you she would skate smoother than some of our regulars on the team. But can she do Bachata ?
Miami
that is the best dog ever! what a good animal!
That dog is cool, but it’s nothing compared to the hockey bear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PEl9PJCC48
There’s Wicks crease clearing d-man.
4everanger
not sure about Isls, but i agree with you on Bolts… Stamkos, VL, Marty StL, Malone and now Gagner…that is one of the most talented lineups in the entire league! With new management and if they could get good goal-tending from Ellis or whoever else they got…this could be one the most improved teams in the league.
Pretty good article, but I lost my belief in hockey with the loss of Aaron Voros. With no players like Voros, Hollywood Hollweg, Strudsy, or Colton the game just isn’t the same and the Rangers will continue to struggle. Miss the good old days where Tom Renney made life make sense. Until we replace those types I’m fearful of yet another year stuck at the #9 seed
Hmm, I’ve never done a hockey fantasy league before…mind if I get in CCCP?
Sather’s dream team—-
Tim Kennedy, White, pigface Jokernen, Brashear, Kotalik, Higgins, Christensen, Redden, Rosival, Krog, dawes, Jessiman, Montoya, sanguinetti
and etc etc
That’s not Sather’s Dream Team- it’s Sather’s 10 year legacy- two playoff series wins in 10 years. Don’t look for any playoffs this year either…
4everanger – Islanders improved? How? That team is utterly dreadful. Even if Taveras pulls a Stamkos this season, it won’t make up for their horrendous defense or the fact that their top goalie needs to be followed around by a surgeon and ambulance 24-7. And on Tampa…while they’ve improved up front, and I expect better things out of Hedman this season, they still have a defense that is weak as hell and a sieve for a goalie. Until they change one of those two issues, they’ll be bottom feeders.
CCCP – I’m among the hopefuls about McDonagh…hell…the kid is 6’1 and 222 pounds. That’s a goddamn beast, especially if he can skate(which he can). But the issue here is that McDonagh costs the Rangers $1.3 million, and unless Redden is demoted, he’s all but assured to start the year in the AHL.
Phil- unless Redden is demoted, they are unlikely to be able to afford Staal.
the sharks fans are talking about Staal. they would like an offer sheet for him. and the return would be lousy because the picks would be the near last in every round
Joekuh, i’ve never done any fantasy league, and going over the site and the rules and the everything is giving me a headache!
Nora, argh! I had no idea what I was doing when I signed up and you grabbed my team name!!!
I’m going to love seeing who picks Avery with their first round pick. We know Sally is going to take Dubinsky with hers.
So Profound and such a feel good blog. I pray you feel the same 20 years from now. Keep the faith
38, one of my favorite Mets, Skip Loockwood, and Giants running back John Tuggle.
Mama, since I’ve got Jagr’s Mullet, you can be Jagr’s Heinie! Ive got a picture if you need :)
Laurel, pay attention…
Poor Avery
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536780
Joekuh – send your email to odessitbk@msn.com
last spot available… if everyone else replies to my invite.
new post.
phil
I’m not here to make deep analyses about Isles, it would be a funny role for me, but I respectfully disagree with you and try to explain my position. Their D doesn’t look so “dreadful” anymore with addition of very solid trio of Eaton, Jurcina and Wisniewski. They have bunch of young, talented and hungry guys(Moulson-their unsung hero last season with his 30 goals could play only better),knocking in a door NHLready Niederreiter, Nelson and may be Kabanov. Admit them having real leadership in old but 100% now healthy and always committed DougW. as well as young Okposo and Tavares. They even have now what was problem since Simon left – ever loosing, but legit fighter Konopka. Agree, goaltending is their big question, but they have nothing to lose except 26 place in league and could give Rangers harder time this season and ride for the money, so, that is my point and I would warn every ranger(including fans)to not underestimate them. GO Rangers, but watch out.
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