Photo: @RMHCCHI/Twitter

It’s Chicago versus The World, and it’s all for charity.

Members of the 2010 Stanley Cup-winning Blackhawks team — including Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Adam Burish, and Brian Campbell — will be taking on various other hockey stars in “Champs for Charity” at Allstate Arena. This exhibition game will take place on October 26 at 7:30pm  and will benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Streeterville.

To get your tickets, go here. For a list of who will be there, check it out after the jump.

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: Getting The Band Back Together For Charity”

Derp.

Before Bryan Bickell and Niklas Hjalmarsson were on the Blackhawks, embarrassing themselves by attempting to sing Christmas songs, they were on the Rockford IceHogs… embarrassing themselves by attempting to sing a Christmas song. Wow, the AHL really DOES prepare you for the NHL!

This video features an appearance by Corey Crawford, as well as some former Blackhawks you may remember…

» Continue reading “The Rockford IceHogs Sing “Jingle Bell Rock””

Happy trails, Dowell. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The Dallas Stars announced that Jake Dowell signed a one-year contract worth $800,000 with the team yesterday. The Blackhawks chose not to make him a qualifying offer, so he became an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

Dowell scored six goals and had 15 assists with the Blackhawks last season, his first full season with the club. His greatest asset to the team, however, was the fact that he battled every shift he played. He isn’t one to give up on the puck so easily. In a year where the Blackhawks’ star players looked to be slacking, Dowell never allowed himself that luxury. Despite his hardworking attitude, however, I never felt that he was a “Q guy,” which is probably why he was let go. Hopefully, he can gain the respect of his next coach.

The best part of this signing, as far as I’m concerned? Dowell gets to reunite with his old Wisconsin teammate, Adam Burish. The Badger connection lives on in Texas.

We have some catching up to do when it comes to Blackhawks news (thanks to my little detour to the NHL Draft). So what better time to do so than tonight, on Free Agent Frenzy Eve?

The Dearly Departed

See ya later, guys. (Photos: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The Blackhawks have said goodbye to three players — Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky, and Troy Brouwer.

Campbell has ended up in Florida with Dale Tallon and the Panthers. According to the Sun-Sentinel:

“I’ve had guys call me, guys I’ve played with before, saying, ‘Dude, you’re lucky, get me down there,”’ Campbell said on WQAM radio. “Dale said to me, ‘I’d like to bring you in to be the [pioneer], making this the place to be where everyone wants to play.’

“Obviously, with Dale there, I’ve had guys under contract and free agents say that to me … If it’s going to be a good situation guys want to be involved in it.”

Campbell played a similar role in the Blackhawks’ rebuilding — also thanks to Tallon. Let’s hope that it works out for the Panthers, as well. I always thought that Campbell never got a fair shake here in Chicago because of his inflated contract, but maybe his skills will be more appreciated down in South Beach since his contract is helping the Panthers make the cap floor.

Kopecky, too, has ended up on the Panthers. According to the Chicago Tribune, he was signed to a four-year contract worth $12 million. Wow, really? The Panthers really do need to make the floor, don’t they? (As of right now, they’re about $23 million below the floor, according to CapGeek. Jesus.)

Troy Brouwer, however, was dealt to the Washington Capitals in exchange for their first-round pick in this year’s draft. Though there was some controversy earlier this week when he claimed that Blackhawks players were “frustrated” by the recent moves, we still wish him the best of luck in Washington. He hopes to bring some leadership to the Caps, according to USA Today:

“Sometimes you need a little bit of outside views, just to come in and make sure that guys are doing what they need to do in important games,” Brouwer said. “There’s no boundary on leadership age. Whether you’re wearing a letter on a team, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not a leader. I want to come in and help out with all the experience that I’ve had.”

The Capitals made him a qualifying offer on Monday.

» Continue reading “Your Daily Cup: The Free Agent Frenzy News Round Up”

There’s no real news on the Blackhawks right now, so here’s a touching little video I just found on YouTube. Ryan Johnson and Jake Dowell surprise Eddie Snype, who is awaiting a heart transplant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

If only this were true, Reebok.

In not-at-all surprising news, Jonathan Toews is excited that the NHL is returning to his hometown of Winnipeg and is touting the positive aspects of the city:

“I grew up in Winnipeg, so I know what it’s like, but I could see how people might view Winnipeg from the outside looking in. It is cold. They’re not exaggerating about how cold it is. It’s (really) cold,” he said.

“(But) it is a fun town. It’s a really good town, especially when you get to know the people. It’s a big enough town where there’s a lot of stuff to do. There’s a lot of cool concerts that come in to Winnipeg. It doesn’t get overlooked, especially with the new building.”

There are already rumors that Toews might, ahem, jet to Winnipeg — but remember, he’s still signed with the Blackhawks through the 2014-2015 season. It will take a lot to pry him from Bowman’s iron grasp.

After the jump, see who the Blackhawks signed yesterday and check out Turco’s new gig.

» Continue reading “Your Daily Cup: Toews Is A Giant Winnipeg Homer”

It’s a slow news day today, so here’s a picture post.

These pictures come from the Rockford IceHogs Players and Pets 2010 Calendar. I only scanned in the pictures of the three IceHogs which came up and stayed up with the team this year — Corey Crawford, Bryan Bickell, and Jake Dowell.

Hockey players and their dogs — always a winning combination.

Photo: Debbie Zimmer-Petiot

» Continue reading “Gratuitous Picture Post: Former IceHogs and Their Pets”

Via The Hockey News

Huntington’s Disease is a genetic disorder that affects the neurons in the body. It starts off with a lack of coordination and an unsteady gait, but as the disease progresses, the body’s movements becomes more uncoordinated and jerky until it leads to a total loss of normal physical function. It also inevitably leads to dementia. Once a patient is diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, the life expectancy of the sufferer is drastically reduced — a majority of sufferers die within ten to twenty years from the onset of symptoms.

Jake Dowell knows exactly what disease does to the body and mind, as both his father and his brother suffer from this disorder — a disorder that will eventually lead to both of their deaths.

In the May 2 edition of The Hockey News, Dowell talks about this disease — and why, despite the fact that he may just carry the gene that causes HD, he refuses to be tested at this point in time.

He also sat down for a one-on-one video interview with THN.TV. Click on the images below to watch.

APRIL 19, 2011

8:00 PM EDT/7:00 PM CDT

CSN Chicago, VERSUS, CBC, RDS, WGN 720

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CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (8)

Regular Season Record: 44-29-9

vs.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS (1)

Regular Season Record: 54-19-9

The Enemy’s Aerys Sports Site: Dekes and Dangles

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It’s pretty simple.

Lose and the season is over.

Win and fly back to Vancouver to continue the fight for their playoff lives in Game 5.

Let’s be honest though, Chicago is 0-17 when down 0-3 in a series and only three teams in the history of the NHL have come back from 0-3 (nhl.com).

This is where the cliche one game at a time comes into play. Nothing else matters but winning this one game.

This is it.  Put up or shut up. Win or go home and stay home.

Just get this one.

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INJURY REPORT

CHI: Forward Dave Bolland (concussion) is back in tonight, along with forwards Bryan Bickell and Ryan Johnson. Forward Jake Dowell is questionable. Defenseman Brent Seabrook is out and so is forward Tomas Kopecky. (csnchicago.com/@TramyersCSN)

VAN: Andrew Alberts (wrist) could return for the series. Manny Malhotra (eye) is done for the season. (nhl.com)

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QUOTED

Jonathan Toews, CHI: “We haven’t been able to prove that we can be a better team than them on one single night. We’ve got one more chance to do that. This is our last string of life here.”

“Everyone has to do it. No one is an exception now. Everyone has to bring something out now. If you’re a goal scorer, you have to score goals and hit and do everything. If you’re a role player, you’ve got to hit and maybe find a way to score a goal or two as well. Everyone has to bring their best game and be a complete player, not leave anything out there. There’s nothing to hold back now.” (nhl.com)

Kevin Bieksa, VAN: “Nothing changes here. We go out, we’re physical and we get pucks behind them and we play a little bit cleaner game. They’re the ones that are playing the guessing game right now. For us, we haven’t made any adjustments. We don’t have to adjust going to Game 4. It’s up to them to do whatever they have to do” (Vancouver Sun)

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STATS

via NHL.com

The birthday boy. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/Flickr)

Jacob “Jake” Dowell was born on March 4, 1985 in Eau Clare, Wisconsin. He’s been a BAMF ever since. For his birthday, I’d suggest donating to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.

In other fluffy-type news, Patrick Kane is playing in his 300th game, the second-youngest Blackhawk to reach this mark (at 22 yrs, 105 days). The youngest? Grant Mulvey (who played in his 300th game at 22 yrs, 32 days). (via @NHLBlackhawks)