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CANUCKS HOCKEY BLOG

Friday, June 23, 2006

My Night at the NHL Awards Show

I went to the NHL Awards Show with a good friend of mine last night. For $85 each, we got to walk down the red carpet and see the some of the world's best hockey players gather in one place.

Though it was a good experience, I found the show itself to be just okay. For some reason, there didn't seem to be a lot of stuff going on. Ron McLean emceed, Will Sasso provided some goofy entertainment, Tom Cochrane and 54/40 provided the music and there were various video montages throughout the show. But something seemed lacking, and to be honest, the show lacked a bit of oomph. A few of the award winners - Pavel Datsyuk (Lady Byng), Mikka Kiprusoff (Vezina and Jennings) and Teemu Selanne (Masterson) - weren't even there. For an event that was supposed to celebrate the best individual accomplishments of the past season, there sure wasn't a lot of celebrating, But then again, I wasn't at the VIP after-party so what do I know.

Best acceptance speech: Nicklas Lidstrom (Norris), during his acceptance speech, said "Kenny (Holland), we'll talk later." I wonder how much that Norris trophy is worth on a contract extension?

Funniest acceptance speech: Alexander Ovechkin (Calder). He made it a point to thank his girlfriend for cooking for him, cleaning the house and fixing his car. Lucky man.

Click here for the complete list of award winners.

I took lots of photos, but unfortunately was too far from the stage and most of them didn't turn out. Here are some of the ones that did:


Walking down the red carpet. Really there was a red carpet.


The NHL really does have the most beautiful trophies in pro sports.


More trophies. You know, the Hart kinda reminds me of a chess piece.


Me and Staalzy. God, am I really that short?


Me and Cam Ward. From an virtual unknown to Conn Smythe winner in one season. Ron McLean mentioned that it was Kevin Lowe's idea to include him in Team Canada's Olympic long list. So Kevin Lowe knew something the rest of the hockey world didn't. And yet the Oilers still couldn't beat him.


Me and Ron McLean. Weird, he did that thumbs up thing on every photo. Has he always done that?

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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

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posted by J.J. Guerrero, 6:33 AM

9 Comments:

At June 23, 2006 8:09 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great job, very enjoyable read. The pictures are great!

 
At June 23, 2006 11:14 AM, Blogger The Acid Queen said...

Great pix, mang--and you're not that short, Eric is just that tall. Too bad I couldn't be there--but I probably would have collapsed in a tearful mess at the sight of the Cup, because I still can't believe the 'Canes won.

 
At June 23, 2006 3:00 PM, Blogger d-lee said...

Dude, you're totally a closet Canes fan.

Good pics.. Have fun at the draft!

 
At June 23, 2006 7:09 PM, Blogger J.J. Guerrero said...

haha! Maybe it's my love for the Tar Heels and all. It's almost like a natural progression to lovin' the 'Canes.

 
At June 23, 2006 8:03 PM, Blogger The Acid Queen said...

So when you coming out here for the State/Carolina game? ;)

 
At June 23, 2006 8:07 PM, Blogger d-lee said...

Is that Jim "Goat Boy" Breuer in the distant background over Cam's shoulder?
Just kidding.

 
At June 23, 2006 8:48 PM, Blogger J.J. Guerrero said...

AQ - One of my life goals is to watch a Duke/North Carolina game. Failing that, I'd love to watch a game with Duke or a game with UNC. I know you Raleigh folks won't want to hear this, but I don't particularly follow NC State, though they do usually show the UNC/NC State games here in Canada.

Hopefully I'll find my way there in the next couple of years soon. :)

 
At June 23, 2006 10:20 PM, Blogger Joe Pelletier said...

Great Pics!

Joe Pelletier
http://www.legendsofhockey.blogspot.com

 
At June 23, 2006 10:52 PM, Blogger d-lee said...

You should totally come down here. If we're lucky, the southeast division will host the northwest. You could come down, watch your team in our arena, and take in a UNC game in a span of a few days.

 

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