Mike Commodore Photo by Jason Haas

As a journeyman than has spent part of the last 11 NHL seasons with 7 different teams, it’s not too surprising to see that defenseman Mike Commodore is on a new adventure. Commodore has signed with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs on a Professional Try-Out Contract. He’ll join the team for a practice on Saturday.

Commodore is an avid Twitter member and he had this to say about his new team:

“If I want to continue my career I need to play. I felt the @BulldogsAHL is my best option. Young team looking for some experience. Perfect.” (@commie22)

Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, the 33 year old blue liner is an easily identified figure with his giant red afro and giant personality. In 484 regular season games he has accumulated 106 points and 686 penalty minutes.

Already a familiar face for long time Lightning fans, Commodore was a member of the 2004 Calgary Flames that faced off against the Bolts in the Stanley Cup Finals. He went on to win the Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. His status as a free agent is affected by the lockout, so it’s good to see that he’s found a place to play that may lead to more opportunity in the future.

Mike Commodore Photo by Jason Haas

During the NHL lockout of 2004, social media as we know it was in its infancy. Facebook had just been founded and Twitter was years away from being born. In order to get the players’ opinions on the negotiations, fans were left with sports publications or NHLPA statements.  Given how much time hockey players now have on their hands, that may have been a blessing.

Sure, there have been some signings in Europe but no giant exodus has started yet. A lot of guys seem to be sticking close to their respective cities and skating with their teammates. This is pretty much business as usual for them in mid-September, albeit on their own dime post CBA expiration. What’s different is how much activity has been going on on Twitter in particular.

» Continue reading “Bolts On Twitter Offer Lockout Insight & It’s Terrifying”

Silly posts demand silly pictures

Let’s keep it light today and not discuss the impending CBA doom.  As Alexis and I were waiting in line to meet Eric Brewer after last night’s radio show, we began pondering something.  If  Thunderbug was captured and unmasked Scooby-Doo villain style, which player do you envision being the culprit inside and why?

My vote is for Marc-Andre Bergeron.  He seems shifty enough to pull it off and hearing him curse those meddling kids and their dog in a French Canadian accent would be hilarious.

Alexis’s vote goes to Mike Commodore.  The ex-Bolt enjoyed his time in Tampa Bay so much that he just wanted to stick around. Far from an evil mastermind, Commie enjoys the sunshine and is glad to finally have a job where the headgear has enough room for his red afro.  He would inevitably stray from the straight and narrow and use his spare time to mess with former teammate Teddy Purcell.  After Teddy allowed him to stay at his place this summer, the urge to make spare keys and go joy riding in his Porsche was too much to bear.

What do you think?  Let us know in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter.  Zoinks!