Around the NHL

Dominik Hasek Retires

 

Future hall of fame goaltender Dominik Hasek will always be remembered for his unorthodox goaltending style, which earned him six Vezina Trophies and two Hart Trophies during what has been a successful 16- year NHL career.

Hasek, who began his NHL journey with the Chicago Black hawks in 1991, and ended the glorious ride on Wednesday in hoisting the Stanley Cup against the Pittsburgh Penguins, will be announcing his retirement on Monday at the Joe Louis Arena. Hasek enjoyed his greatest individual success from 1993 until 2001, when he collected awards such as the Lester B Person Award (Player of the year selected by the NHLPA), William M. Jennings Award while also playing in various NHL All-Star games. From Buffalo, Hasek who stared in leading his Czech Republic team to a gold medal at the ‘98 Nagano games, went to the Detroit Red Wings in 2001. A year later, he made some history by becoming the first European net minder to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.  After a turbulent year with the Ottawa Senators, Hasek came back to what is known as Hockey town in 2007 and a year later has decided to retire while on top of the mountain of winning his second Cup.  Splitting goaltending chores with Chris Osgood this past season, Hasek managed to win a respectable 27 games while posting a 2.14 goals against average. In his career, Hasek has earned 389 wins and will now need to polish his hall of fame speech.

 

 Ovechkin T-Shirts

 

Last Friday the NHL official website accidentally jumped the gun when they posted a blue Reebok Washington Capitals shirt advertising 22 year old Alexander Ovechkin as this year’s Hart Trophy winner. This news drew a lot of questions in the hockey world since the NHL Hockey Awards aren’t being announced until this coming Thursday in Toronto. According to NHL spokesman Frank Brown, who is a representative of the NHL, he explained that the shirt advertisement for Ovechkin was accidentally posted. Apparently, the shirts are prepared for all possible three winners so that they can be bought in a timely manner right after the official announcements are made at the Awards. “We regret the error and have since taken steps to amend,” said Brown. Ovechkin scored 65 goals last season and 112 points in leading the Capitals to the Southeast Division title.

 

Brian Burke Involved With U.S. Olympic Team

 

On Friday the long awaited rumor became a reality as USA Hockey made the official announcement that Brian Burke will be the general manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic team. “I’m very grateful and honored to be part of the U.S. Olympic Team,” Burke said. “We hope to put a team together for 2010 that Americans can be proud of.” Burke who is the present day general manager of the Anaheim Ducks, will be aided by Nashville Predators president David Poile who will have the title of associate general manager with the Olympic team. Burke, who won a Stanley Cup in Anaheim two years ago has been rumored this off season to be in line as the next general manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs next summer. The last time the States won the gold was in 1980  

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