Meet the Player: Kyle Calder

I’ve decided this off season I’m going to learn more about hockey players. In honor of Tim Russert, the consummate Buffalonian, this is “Meet the Player”

Uh...wow... That's AWFUL.

Team:	LA Kings
Name	Kyle Calder
Jersey #	19
Position	Left Wing
Shoots/Catches	Left
Date of Birth	January 5, 1979
Age	29
Hometown	Mannville, Alberta
Height	5′11″
Weight	180
Previous Teams	Chicago Blackhawks (2) Philadelphia Flyers Detroit Red Wings
Nicknames	Grease

The Good
See “The Ugly”

The Bad
Drafted in ‘97 but didn’t make it to the NHL until 2000-2001.
In 2006, he was traded from Chicago to Philadelphia, back to Chicago and then to Detroit.

The Ugly (My Comments)
Played in Sweden during the lockout.
I can’t find anything non-statbitty about this dude…I hate Statbits

Red, White or perhaps a little Rose instead?

My weekend kicked ass.

My friend “JD” came up from Washington, DC to spend the weekend with me. Yea!!!! I’ve finally got someone to the middle of nowhere, on their birthday no less. JD and I have spent countless HOURS watching and re-watching every episode of the “Golden Girls” we could get our hands on. That includes versions in other languages. With the passing of Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty) last week, I felt it appropriate to honor JD and Sophia.

mmmm...cheesecake

 

We spent Saturday driving around the Finger Lakes region, specifically, Cayuga and Seneca lakes. This region of NY is really a hidden gem and I highly suggest you make a day trip or make a whole weekend of it.

Our day started at the Ithaca Farmers market. Not only was there a lot of great produce, flowers and wine, but there was a high number of booths serving food. It’s also right on the end of Cayuga lake which meant we had a kick ass view while we ate lunch. While on our way to the first winery, we passed this itty bitty sign that said, “Falls Overlook”. Intrigued, we turned around and followed the signs.

 Ithaca is gorges

After taking the beauty in for a few minutes, we decided we needed to move on. Off to Americana Vineyards! We arrived to a packed parking lot and greyhounds (the dogs) EVERYWHERE. Turns out it was the “Grapehound Festival” this weekend. The Grapehound festival brings together greyhound owners who saved their greyhound from sure death. After taking a brief taste test, I bought a few bottles.

First Stop

We then headed up to Bellwether Hard Cider. Having spent some time in France, JD and I enjoy a good glass of cider. My saturday tour collection was up to four bottles.

Count after Bellwether

Our next stop as we cut over from Cayuga to Seneca Lake, was the Lucas winery. Lucas Winery has a nautical theme running through many of it’s wines and I was after some their “Nautie” Wines.

The view from Lucas Vineyards

 

Wine count after Lucas

I’ll be, thanks to the Grapehound Festival, the Nautie wines came with a free gift.

I got Nautie at Lucas Vineyards

Our final stop of the day, was at Wagner Vineyards. We ran through the door with just 5 minutes left before the final wine tasting. After enjoying a few wines, we set off to grab some more wine. Unfortunately, for my wallet, Wagner is where I did the most damage. They have a great program where you buy a case and get 15% off AND a free bottle of wine. Needless to say, this is what JD looked like pushing our purchases out of the vineyard.

JD pushing our purchases to the car

Wine purchases after Wagner

 

 21 bottles + 1 Nautie Bag = Perfect Saturday!

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

 

What a great weekend.

 

Meet the Player: Tomas Vokoun

I’ve decided this off season I’m going to learn more about hockey players. In honor of Tim Russert, the consummate Buffalonian, this is “Meet the Player”

Team:	Florida Panthers
Name	Tomas Vokoun
Jersey #	29
Position	Goalie
Shoots/Catches	Right
Date of Birth	July 2, 1976
Age	32
Hometown	Karlovy, Czech Republic
Height	6′0″
Weight	195
Previous Teams	Montreal Canadiens Nashville Predators
Nicknames	T-Vo Voki

The Good
He’s good for a 9th round draft pick
One of the few good players on the Panthers

The Bad
He had a blood clot in his pelvis and missed the rest of the regular season.

The Ugly (My Comments)
He only played one game for the Canadiens.
Chosen by Nashville in the expansion draft
Diagnosed with OCD with left him with an overpowering fear of failure. It’s now under control. The Diagnosis and treatment marked a turn around in his play and a trip to the All-Star Game.

Look ma, I can dance!

Hmm..not bad from this angle.

Meet the Player: Steve Staios

I’ve decided this off season I’m going to learn more about hockey players. In honor of Tim Russert, the consummate Buffalonian, this is “Meet the Player”

Mouth breather?

Team:	Edmonton Oilers
Name	Steve Staios
Jersey #	24
Position	Defenseman
Shoots/Catches	Right
Date of Birth	July 28, 1973
Age	34
Hometown	Hamilton, Ontario
Height	6′1″
Weight	200
Previous Teams	Vancouver Canucks Boston Bruins Atlanta Thrashers
Nicknames	The Wolverine

The Good
He can also play Right Wing
He actually shoots right. Either a lot of players shoot left, or just most of the ones I picked for my first round of “Meet the Player”
He was captain of the Thrashers during 2000-2001.

The Bad
He’s not overly quick on his feet. (Seriously, what do you expect he’s 34?)
He does not have a huge offensive size.

The Ugly (My Comments)
He’s practically from Buffalo! 

 

Karma's a bitch!

Meet the Player: Tomas Holmstrom

I’ve decided this off season I’m going to learn more about hockey players. In honor of Tim Russert, the consummate Buffalonian, this is “Meet the Player”

He does this too much

 

Team:	Detroit Red Wings
Name	Tomas Holmstrom
Jersey #	96
Position	Left Wing
Shoots/Catches	Left
Date of Birth	January 23, 1973
Age	35
Hometown	Pieta, Sweden
Height	6′0″
Weight	203
Previous Teams
Nicknames	Homer Demolition Man Holma

The Good
Has a gold medal and 4 Stanley Cups

The Bad
He plays for Detroit.
Wears extra pads since he spends so much time screening goalies….wuss..
He plays for Detroit

The Ugly (My Comments)
Have I mentioned I hate Detroit? If I was forced to like someone on the Dead Things he would be in the short list. But don’t ever ask me that in person, because I will not admit it.
He plays for Detroit.
He just had sports hernia surgery, so here’s to wishing your testicles a quick recovery.

Meet the Player: Tobias Stephan

I’ve decided this off season I’m going to learn more about hockey players. In honor of Tim Russert, the consummate Buffalonian, this is “Meet the Player”

 

Convict?

 

Team:	Dallas Stars
Name	Tobias Stephan
Jersey #	31
Position	Goalie
Shoots/Catches	Left
Date of Birth	January 21, 1984
Age	24
Hometown	Zurich, Switzerland
Height	6′2″
Weight	180
Previous Teams
Nicknames	Toby Steher

The Good
He played in one game last year and stopped 38 shots. Not bad…

The Bad
He only played in one game…ever…in the NHL. Did I mention he stopped 38 shots? Oh, and the Stars lost that game.

The Ugly (My Comments)
Seriously, how do you expect me to find stuff on this guy? He’s played ONE game. I google him and I get his team mates.
Let’s hope Turco doesn’t get hurt. Unless of course, you don’t like the Stars in which case feel free to wish for a bum ankle or knee.