St. Louis Blues Looking Forward

COMMENTARY | Many of my readers have been emailing me and asking why I have ignored the start of the NHL season, there is not some profound reason as to why I have been so quiet. Simply put, I have been very sick and the start of the NHL season was the farthest thing from my mind! I am very happy to report that after almost 6 weeks of being in and out of doctors’ offices and countless prescriptions later, I am feeling much better and cannot wait to get back into the swing of things.

That said, let’s talk hockey! The St. Louis Blues have been off to an interesting start. From key injuries to bacterial infections to uncertain coaching and inexperienced goalies, the Blues players have gotten off to a rocky start. First, let’s talk injuries.

Key Injuries:

Paul Stastny -- Paul Stastny was injured (shoulder) on October 18^th and has not played since then. Although, Stastny is currently participating in team practices doing limited puck handling it may still be a while before he returns fully to the line-up.

TJ Oshie -- Oshie is suffering from a concussion. With Oshie out for an indefinite amount of time due to the concussion as well as having a bacterial infection, the team has to look elsewhere for leadership both on the ice and in the locker room.

David Backes -- The fearless captain of the Blues has also suffered a concussion. Backes is out indefinitely. Since the Blues are near their salary cap so even the option of calling up talented players to fill the void is no longer an option!

Carl Gunnarsson -- Gunnarsson went through hip surgery and missed the start of the season. While I would like to say that he was greatly missed, he was not. The presence of Roman Polak on defense is what was greatly missed. I have to question how long he will remain active. He is an injury prone player and it is being hinted that he has to be babied along after games, missing team practices the day after a game.

Bacterial Infection -- As if the injury plagued Blues were not tormented enough, many players became infected with a bacterial infection that was picked up on the west coast. This left many with flu-like symptoms and swollen jaws. Not the ideal situation for any team to step out on the ice and face their opponents. It is suspected that TJ Oshie is one of the affected players with a bacterial infection.

Uncertain Coaching Situation:

I have been a proponent for Hitchcock since he arrived in St. Louis and I think that given the right combination, Hitchcock could help bring the Stanley Cup to St. Louis. It is my belief that Hitchcock was sabotaged last season. He had the winning combination that was needed to go all the way within his grasp, but then management decided to court disaster by making the infamous Miller trade. This disrupted the entire flow and feel of the team both on the ice and in the locker room.

The team has many new faces and it is Hitchcock and his staff that have to determine where these new faces fit. Not an easy task for such a short training camp and pre-season. He is still shuffling and trying to find the right combinations. Last season the Blues were a heavy favorite because they were able to work so well together. Hitchcock spent much of the previous year building that team into a winning unit. Then upper management shattered the bonds of the team and now Hitchcock is charged with re-building and doing so quickly to keep his head off the chopping block.

Inexperienced Goalies:

With the ungraceful exit of Ryan Miller from the Blues organization, which I have to say, “Thank God”, Brain Elliot was given the nod as the starting goaltender. Taking a back-up goalie and inserting him into the starting slot is a risky thing. Elliot spent the off season getting ready for his chance to shine. Since the start of the regular season Elliot has been good between the pipes and has shown the fans and his opponents that he really can handle the rigors of day to day play.

The Blues decided to promote from within the organization rather than go courting experienced goalies and gave Jake Allen the go-ahead as back-up goaltender. Allen is quickly becoming a fan favorite and helped his cause with a shut-out against the Anaheim Ducks. This was his second shut-out in his short NHL career.

Overall, the St. Louis Blues have not had the impressive start to their current season as they did last season. However, they are starting to pull together as a team and become the unified group of players with the ability to win hockey games. Once the team is able to fully get healthy and work together consistently they should produce a solid season of fun hockey for everyone to enjoy.

Professionalism: Where Has It Gone?

COMMENTARY | My first experience of talking with and getting information from executives of the St. Louis Blues organization were always positive. The executives were intelligent, articulate and excelled at customer service. With the changing of the guard, sort of speak; the newer executives that I have had the absolute pleasure to speak with are nothing like the courteous and mild mannered men and women of the past.

For the past three years I have been watching and dealing with certain people in executive roles during events and activities. The social graces and communication skills of most of the people I have encountered mirror those of a goat. When I do finally get someone on the phone, they start bleating out irrelevant information or pass me onto the next voice mail because they do not want to deal with me. Email communications, when they even bother to respond, could very easily have been typed by a chimpanzee, no salutation, one word or line body and no closing. The professionalism is absolutely astounding and something that they, the St. Louis Blues organization, should be so proud. Yes, that was intended as sarcasm.

There are of course exceptions – not every executive can be likened to a goat or chimpanzee. The Community Relations Coordinator, Hannah, has exhibited complete professionalism every time I have spoken with or emailed her. I am sure that there are others who also exhibit such professionalism.

It is the hope of the St. Louis Blues to have a world-class organization and be thought of in terms of greatness. Greatness begins on the inside and radiates outward. Right now, I’m not seeing an organization that can achieve greatness. I’m seeing an organization that needs to get back to the basics and learn a little social grace along with a lot of professionalism.

The actions of the employees directly reflect upon the organization that employs them. When you have people that achieved an executive level position who are not able to conduct themselves in a professional manner, you have internal problems that will eventually leak outward and affect the public’s perception of that organization.

2014/2015 Season Preview: St. Louis Blues

Check out my thoughts on the upcoming season. The Blues have a long road ahead of them and it will be an interesting season for the fans. Fans have stuck with the team through thick and thin, but they are starting to get restless and a little testy. Can the Blues come together as a team and produce the much coveted Stanley Cup for the city of St. Louis?

Read what I think on IceNationUK.

2014/2015 Season Preview Toronto Maple Leafs

While I do not follow the Maple Leafs as doggedly as I do the Blues. Since one of my favorite defensemen to cheer for is now a part of the Leafs, I felt it only right that I give my take on how their season should shape up. I also admit to being a closet Brendan Shanahan fan, when he played in St. Louis I remember him taking time to really be a part of the community.

So, thank you to Chris Hext and Sam Skelding of IceNationUK for allowing me the opportunity to sound off about the Toronto Maple Leafs' upcoming season. Maybe I was a little harsh, but let's face it, the Leafs have the talent but not the commitment or leadership necessary to go far.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

2014/2015 Season Preview - LA Kings

Although I do not normally write about the Los Angeles Kings, I could not resist doing a season preview from the perspective of a non-Kings fan. IceNationUK has published my 2014/2015 Season Preview for the LA Kings. Thanks to Sam and Chris of IceNationUK for giving me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone!

St Louis Blues Make Changes to Improve Fan Experiences

So I’m reading through some of the news stories that I missed the past few weeks about the St. Louis Blues and I come across this interesting article that I had to stop and read fully, Blues Announce Changes to Executive Management. The Blues organization has re-vamped their structure to make them an even more fan and community friendly organization. A team of four successful executives are charged with the challenge of making the St. Louis Blues organization a “world class organization”.

Having followed the Blues since the mid-90s, I have never seen them able to be rightfully called a world-class organization. Fan experiences are severely lacking at games and if you do not have the right amount of cash, those in-game experiences are just a dream. For a large lump of cash, lucky fans can play games on ice between periods, visit the broadcast booth, fist bump the players or sit on the Zamboni while it cleans the ice. 

Their Jr. Blue Note Kids Club is at best pathetic. My daughter is disappointed every year when she gets a small gift pack and two tickets to a game. The highlight is getting to shoot a puck on the ice at Scottrade Center following the game. By the time the game has ended the little ones are so tired and just a little bit cranky that you pray the poorly run event goes quickly so you can head home.

The blue crew members are on hand, in their scantily clad “uniforms” – excellent role models for impressionable little girls, by the way – to help the children while on the ice. Louie, the team mascot is also on hand and it is sad to say that is probably the highlight of the event. The Blues staff that is in charge of working the event is always super helpful – notice my sarcasm here – and makes the children feel important.

Freedom is also a part of the St. Louis Cardinals Kids Club and that is a kids’ club that is run so smoothly by people who really like children and want them to have a good time. There is a kids’ party date set where every child gets to come and meet select players and coaches. They can play games and pig out on a buffet. They feel that they are important. The Cardinals have figured out they need to cater to the children as they are the future ticket buyers and fans who will carry the club through years to come.

Last spring I wrote an article about the fan experiences of three young men and how it varied from my experiences. I have gotten a lot of feedback from that article and have realized that if you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, you are essentially treated like a would-be criminal when attending a Blues game at Scottrade Center.

The Blues, I have noticed, pride themselves on their promotions throughout the season. Come for Star Wars night and purchase a t-shirt at a discounted price. Really? Why not, come for Star Wars night and we will give you a t-shirt for supporting us? Or, my favorite was come to Faith Night and fans get a free hot dog and soda along with hearing an inspirational message from local church leaders. I attended this and while I was happy to see them hosting an event that featured faith and family in hockey. But it was sadly lacking in things for the fans to enjoy. Other sports venues in St. Louis offer Faith Day or some such variation. They go all out and advertise the event as well as have a myriad of activities for fans to enjoy. The only reason I knew about the Blues’ Faith Night was because I stumbled across it on their promotions’ page. Pretty sad. if you think about it.

The fans that I have spoken with during Blues’ practices at the Ice Zone or during games are emphatically saying the same things. The Blues organization does not care about the fans or the community. The fans will support the organization until they turn blue…but what has the organization given back to the fans? The new executives in charge of turning the Blues organization into a world class entity has their work cut out for them.

I do not see how this is going to bring the fans closer to the organization. Those within the organization that I have spoken with and complained to – especially about the Jr. Blue Notes – do not see that there is anything wrong with how the organization is currently being run and see no reason to change a thing. The rudeness of the staff and the extremely limited activities for fans need to be the first things addressed for this upcoming season. In recent years, I have only had one usher at a Blues game act as if he truly cared that you had the best experience possible while sitting in his section. I would like to extend a thank you to Scott usher for section 126 for your commitment and caring while Freedom and I have sat in your section.

In closing, I raise my glass to Jeff Ajluni, Josh Bender, Phil Siddle and Jay Roberts as they tackle an enormous task this season. Best wishes gentlemen and please, I implore you, do something great for the kids this year.

Paul Statsny "Coming Home" To St. Louis

COMMENTARY | It took me a little while to comment on the signing of Paul Statsny simply because of the overwhelming emails that I received regarding this event. Then other more noteworthy, at least in my mind, things were occurring in the Blues organization. Notably the trade of Roman Polak and the defection of Vladimir Sobotka.

When the St. Louis Blues were able to sign free agent Paul Statsny, it seemed that Armstrong may be able to redeem himself slightly from the horrible signings and trades that he has made in recent years. Then Armstrong started droning on and on about Statsny and insinuating that he was the missing link to the success of the Blues.

While the campaign following Statsny's signing was cute -- Statney is "coming home" to St. Louis -- it was just a little redundant and over-rated. I enjoy watching this guy play just as much as the next fan, however, by placing the pressures of great play-off hockey on his shoulders before he even steps on the ice for the Blues was a little ridiculous.

Statsny needs to get to St. Louis, meet his new coaches and teammates and get comfortable with them before any claims of grandeur should be touted throughout the city. Armstrong is a general manager who is known for making dumb and confusing trades, just look at the Perron/Paajarvi trade, the Halak-Stewart/Miller-Ott trade and the Polak/Gunnarsson trade.

Do I think Statsny will fit into the line-up and be an asset for the Blues? That is what many of my readers have been asking me. My answer to that is this: Statsny is a smart player and he will adjust to head coach Ken Hitchcock's style of play. Within the coarse of the year, yes, Statsny will be an asset for the Blues. Is he the play-off messiah that Armstrong seems to be seeking? The answer is no. To win in the playoffs it takes a cohesive team full of players who will give more of themselves for the good of the team, not for the spotlight and fame that it will bring them.

If the Blues hope to be successful this year, Hitchcock has his work cut out for him as the team has become disjointed since the infamous trade for Ryan Miller. I wish the best for Statsny and his family as they come to St. Louis and make a home. 

Vladimir Sobotka Defects To The KHL

COMMENTARY July 11, 2014 | The St. Louis Blues have had numerous changes this off-season. One of the biggest surprises for fans was the re-signing of Steve Ott and the “elephant in the room”, Vladimir Sobotka opting to sign with a team in the KHL. While this is still not actually confirmed at this time by either the Blues, Sobotka or his agent, it is alleged that he will be making a name for himself in Omsk for the next three seasons (and probably beyond).

Many are reporting that the Blues were simply outbid by Omsk and lost out because they could not afford to meet the 4 million a year deal that Sobotka inked in the KHL. This was not the only reason that Sobotka has chosen to defect to Russia and the KHL. There were internal issues at play and Sobotka was in talks with the Blues since at least February of this year for a contract extension.

Sobotka was feeling out of sorts when injuries kept him out of the Winter Olympics. He was able to use the Winter Olympics as a time of recuperation in the Caribbean with Roman Polak and his family. When he came back after the break, he fit back into the line-up and made things happen on the ice.

Then the Miller/Ott – Halak/Stewart trade occurred and the Blues locker room was thrown into turmoil. Changes happened quickly and the team had to adjust to losing two important members of the team, they had to welcome into their close-knit family two new members. There was much hype surrounding the trade and expectations ran high.

Fast-forward to the Blues play-off flop and the major disappointment that the Blues organization had to face. They lost two keystone players who were rocks in the locker room and gained a sub-par forward in Ott and a narcissistic goaltender in Miller.

Throughout all of this the Blues and Sobotka’s agent have been volleying offers and demands back and forth with no satisfactory agreement in sight. The Blues thought, according to general manager, Doug Armstrong, that they were close to a deal with Sobotka. But they failed to understand that while Sobotka liked playing in St. Louis, he is an emotional person. He may seem calm, cool and quiet when you meet him in person, but he has let his emotions rule his mind in the past.

Sobotka wth Roman Polak (courtesy of Instagram)

Sobotka was angered and devastated when he was traded to St. Louis in 2010 and wanted desperately to go back to Boston, as he stated over social media many times the first few months he was in St. Louis. He lost a good friend and fellow European player when Jaroslav Halak was traded. But the final nail in the contract coffin was when his great friend, Roman Polak, was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While the Blues made a qualifying offer for Sobotka and are now headed to arbitration, Sobotka chose to go outside the NHL and give the proverbial finger to the Blues organization and its fans. The Blues will retain rights to Sobotka and if he decides to come back to the NHL, the Blues will hold his contract. The big question going through my mind is this: if Sobotka returns to the NHL after his contract is up in the KHL, will St. Louis fans forgive him and accept him back into their hearts as a treasured player?

Vladimir Sobotka is an amazing player; I have even in the past called him an elite player. He will flourish in the KHL and while we will miss him here in the NHL, especially the St. Louis Blues fans. I truly believe that his decision to leave the NHL for the KHL was a combination of being overly emotional and an inflated sense of self-worth. The Blues made a solid offer to Sobotka, several offers in reality. Sobotka seems to think that he is worth more than the $3 million per year top offer given by the Blues and it seems that the KHL also thought so, giving him $4 million per year.

Best of luck to you, Vladimir, it has been great watching you grow as a player these past years while in St. Louis. I hope that you do decide to return to the NHL as you are a fun player to watch and analyze.

Yahoo Contributor Closing Down

I am saddened to say that Yahoo has made the decision to close its doors in regards to contributors. Therefore, most of my work regarding the St. Louis Blues that has been posted on Yahoo Sports will no longer be available on Yahoo.

I am in the process of moving those articles to this blog so you can still enjoy them. Any links that you find within this blog that do not work correctly, please message me and tell me where the link is located. I will go in and update it.

It saddens me to lose this writing venue, but it will give me the opportunity to write more content for this blog. You can also check out my other blog, Micki Holley - Freelance Writer for additional pieces, although those articles do not necessarily pertain to the St. Louis Blues.

Blessings,
Micki Holley

St Louis Makes Another Bone-headed Move: Roman Polak is headed to Toronto Maple Leafs

St. Louis Blues General Manager, Doug Armstrong, is at it again. He is wheeling and dealing to the ultimate detriment of the team as a whole. The man should really be muzzled and stuffed in a closet when he gets on these power trips.

NHL draft in Philadelphia, PA has been going smoothly. The Blues have an opportunity to bring in some very talented players in the system. Then a deal comes across that involves Blues defenseman, Roman Polak and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, Carl Gunnarsson plus a draft pick. Of course power-hungry Armstrong jumped at the opportunity to once again look like a grade A ass.  

That said, Polak is on his way to the Maple Leafs and we get the pleasure of watching another sub-par defenseman flounder in front of the net. I will agree with the Polak critics that his post-season was less than stellar, but pick a Blues’ player who did not fumble and fall on their face during the Chicago Blackhawks series. Polak is a solid player and I have been a proponent of his since he came to the Blues.

Unfortunately, Armstong’s bone-headed deal to move Polak out is one of his best “worst-ever” trades. I place this one right up there with the Miller/Ott – Halak/Stewart trade and the Perron - Paajarvi trade.

Polak will be missed my many Blues fans and there will be a huge hole in the Blues defense as well as in the locker room next season due to this trade. I personally wish Roman and his family the very best in their new city. He is closing this chapter of his career and embarking on a new venture. Show them what you are made of and make Armstong regret his hasty decision.

Blues Make Strong Move and Re-Sign Brian Elliott

The St. Louis Blues have made a strong move to regain their equilibrium when they re-signed goaltender Brian Elliott and announced that they would not be seeking a contract with goaltender Ryan Miller. In a tweet on May 19^th, Elliott thanked the fans for making his decision easy to stay in St. Louis.

Photo courtesy of blues.nhl.com

Elliott has been a member of the Blues organization since signing as a free agent in July 2011. In the three years short years he has been in St. Louis, Elliot has become a household name and a fan favorite. His wife, Amanda, has also made her presence felt through the charity work she spearheads throughout the community.

It is true that the Blues have not had a successful playoff run since Elliott joined the team. To be honest, the Blues have never had a successful playoff run since the inception of the team. Many people feel the Blues should be shopping for two new goalies since their ungraceful exit from the first round of the playoffs this past season. But Elliott has had limited playoff time between the pipes.

The Blues made a tremendous error when they traded for Ryan Miller and gave up Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart and a strong prospect. This will be a move that people will reminisce about with a grimace. Doug Armstrong, general manager for the Blues, looked like a class A moron for making one of the worst deals in Blues history.

Miller imploded and head coach Ken Hitchcock kept him in goal even though Elliott was waiting in the wings. So, I guess fans should really being placing the blame for a horrible playoff run at the feet of Armstrong, Hitchcock and Miller.

As the Blues look toward next season, it is a given that Brian Elliott will be a part of the team. His three year deal will make him a mainstay and help this team pick themselves up. The Blues will need to regroup and rebuild a strong bond on and off the ice to give them any hope of making a playoff run in the 2014-2015 season.

I am happy to see Elliott returning. The big question mark will be which other goaltender will join the Blues. Will they bring up their hot prospect, Jake Allen or will they go fishing for a seasoned goaltender? Allen has proven to be good, but he is not ready to take over the number one slot. He still needs experience at the NHL level.

Either way, I am excited for the start of the 2014-2015 season and watching the Blues built themselves back up into the powerhouse they have the potential to become.

St. Louis Blues Ken Hitchcock gets Contract Extension

COMMENTARY | After the St. Louis Blues made a rather ungraceful exit from the first round of the playoffs, many fans wanted head coach Ken Hitchcock ousted from his position of power. The upper management of the Blues sees things much more differently than the fans. They have given Hitchcock a contract extension for the 2014-2015 season. In my opinion, this was a strong move on the part of the Blues organization.

The Blues have also made a move to insure that associate coach Brad Shaw and assistant coach Ray Bennett will also be a part of the upcoming season. Assistant coach Gary Agnew as well as goaltending coach Corey Hirsch will not be returning next season. With the vacancies, the Blues can search for additions to the coaching staff that will enhance the staff and work well toward the good of the team.

Courtesy of blues.nhl.com

Hitchcock came into the Blues organization as head coach mid-season on November 7, 2011. Since then the team has made three consecutive playoff appearances. This past season, the club had their best season with 52 wins. He is the all-time leader in point percentage. He won the NHL’s Jack Adams Award, honoring him as the league’s best coach.

Throughout his illustrious career, Hitchcock has won a Stanley Cup in 1999 with the Dallas Stars and Olympic Gold Medals for Team Canada at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 games. He is the seventh all-time winning coach and is second in all-time wins among active coaches. As for the Blue’s organization, Hitchcock is ranked third for most wins.

Enough about Hitch’s stats though, everyone knows that he is a good coach who can condition players to win hockey games. The big question though is why did the fans turn on him like rabid dogs? I think it was a variety of factors including the fact that the Blues once again were shut down after being called the heavy favorite to win the Stanley Cup. Fans truly believed that a miracle would occur and that the Blues would go all the way. They believed this even though the Blues had traded for a goaltender that was extremely fragile emotionally and would not be able to shut down the opposing team. The team after the Olympic break slowed down and several injuries to key players right at the close of the season was a sneak preview of things to come in the first round of the playoffs.

It is true that how well the team plays is a reflection of the coaching staff, however, take a look at how well the team played and the cohesiveness of the organization prior to the Miller/Ott – Halak/Stewart trade. This season, even with the implosion at the end, was a franchise best with 52 wins. That should account for something in Hitch’s favor. But fans are fickle creatures and they tend to only focus on the immediate ups or downs or the final result of the season. In other words, since the Blues self-destructed against their nemesis, the Chicago Blackhawks, that is what the fans have focused on. They do not focus on the fact that the team made history with their winning record or that the cohesion of the first part of the season was magic.

Hitch had to make the most of the Halak/Stewart trade. The locker room felt the emptiness of their departure. Ryan Miller and Steve Ott were unable to fill the void that was left. That hole was felt all through the remainder of the season. Jaroslav Halak was the type of person that his teammates looked to for a calming and levelheaded presence. Chris Stewart was the player who lit a fire under his teammates and rallied around those who were struggling. The players had worked hard on cultivating closeness and a trust that could not be built overnight. With the addition of two players and the departure of two close friends, the Blues as a team had to focus on rebuilding. With only a short time left before the post-season started, this was a virtually impossible task for Hitch and his coaching staff.

Many people have asked me if I think Hitchcock deserved a contract extension. My answer to them is emphatically yes. Hitch is a rock in the locker room and he has the ability to shape a team into a unified group and win hockey games. The post-season is a nasty monster that takes great teams and destroys them but lifts up mediocre teams to greatness. We have all seen this happen and know that while a team may be a heavy favorite to win it all, the pressure and the desperation of other teams can easily shake that team off its foundation.

The Blues have an excellent leader at the helm and this off-season we will see who else will join him for next season’s journey. Blues fans need to look ahead to next season and the expectations of a Stanley Cup instead behind at past disappointments. The Blues organization has obviously moved ahead and is confident in their head coach. I wish Hitch the very best and hope that the Blues are able to have another winning season.

St Louis Blues Playoff Woes Continue

I recently finished an article for Ice Nation UK, St. Louis Blues Cursed with Playoff Fizzle. The 2013-2014 season started with expectations high. The fans were certain that this was the year that the Stanley Cup would grace St. Louis. The players felt the anticipation and they rose to meet the challenge. It did look like they would truly go all the way to the Stanley Cup finals.

Then the Olympic break happened. The Blues had ten players slated to make the long trek to Sochi, Russia. Nine of the ten were actually able to make the journey. Forward Vladimir Sobotka was unable to play due to a knee injury.

After the players returned from the break they looked slow and tired. Distractions started weighing the team down and a breakdown in leadership was evident. Then Blues management made a monumental mistake. They completed the dreaded trade for Ryan Miller. While I’m sure this trade looked great on paper, the reality of bringing in Miller, who has choked in high-pressure situations before, was a blunder they could not afford to make.  Miller started strong but then quickly fizzled. The Blues pre-Miller trade had the composition and the endurance to go all the way. The Blues post-Miller trade looked frazzled and uncertain. They still won games, but they were winning them in overtime or shootouts. The Blues went from being a well put together team, a cohesive unit into a team scrambling for the slightest edge over their opponents. 

Injuries at the end of the season played a large role in shaking the confidence of the organization. The Blues had to rely on untried players to create offense while the defense scrambled to keep pucks away from a drowning Miller. The combination was not conducive to winning hockey games! The Blues simply imploded and ended up losing their bid for the President’s Trophy. They then had to

face their dreaded division rival, the Chicago Blackhawks.

I’m not going to re-hash the disappointing series and the disgraceful exit of the Blues in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Everyone already knows that story and feels the pain of the Blues’ playoff curse. While fans are sounding off loudly that the Blues are a horrible team and that they suck, let me offer a bit of level-headedness here. The Blues were strong contenders until general manager went out and destroyed the cohesiveness that head coach Ken Hitchcock worked so diligently to build at the start of the season. Bringing in a goaltender that was extremely vocal about his unhappiness in any situation he has faced whether it is a disappointing showing at the Olympics, not enough ice time at the All-Star Game or simply a bad game with his team was not the smartest move that could be made. Jaroslav Halak and Chris Stewart were able to fire their team up without breaking down or playing the blame game. Both offered a steady presence in the locker room and their teammates respected them. 

Hitchcock’s goal for training camp and the next season will be to rebuild that bond that he worked so hard to cultivate this past season. Hopefully Miller will not be resigned and the Blues can wash the bad taste that was left behind when that trade took place.

Blues Fans Become Fanatical During Playoffs

Chuck Herrmann supports the Blues even after major surgery...
What a fan!

With the St. Louis Blues up 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs, fans are showing that they truly do “bleed blue”. They are some of the most interesting creatures to watch as they paint their bodies, their hair, their children, anything they can get their hands on to show the pride they have in their team. One such fanatical fan is Charles “Chuck” Herrmann. He may not paint his body or his hair – I have a feeling his wife would disassociate from him if he did – he has taken to YouTube to voice his desire to see the Stanley Cup come to St. Louis.

Published in March of 2012, Chuck’s video, “We Want the Cup” brought a smile to my face and made me wonder if St. Louis would ever be graced with a Cup winning season. Last year’s playoffs started with much bang, but quickly fizzled out and the Blues went home empty handed. The season before that looked very promising until the Los Angeles Kings splattered the hopes and dreams of the Blues all over the West Coast.

This year, the Blues are scratching their way to victories in overtime. How long will this be able to last? The players have to be feeling the pressure and the rigors of playing extra periods game after game. If they can figure out how to win in regulation, then they may actually have a chance to advance further into the realm of the playoffs. Blues fans are doing their best to lift up their “boys” and show them that they are beloved members of the city. The rallies that have been hosted prior to each playoff home game have brought out a menagerie of characters that have come together to celebrate the Blues as they lay their hearts on the ice night after night.

Blues fans gearing up for Game 2 against the Hawks!

Players have commented time and again about the closeness of the fans in St. Louis. We do have a sense of community when cheering for our professional teams. We live and die with them, our hearts twist and break with each crushing defeat. Fans just like Chuck Herrmann make the Blues a more exciting team to cheer for simply because of the camaraderie between fans, media and players. Rallies and watch parties bring fans closer together and show the city of St. Louis and the Blues organization that they are standing firmly behind their team.

Just Days Away from Playoffs Blues are Plagued with Injuries

The St. Louis Blues are fighting for their dignity and their dreams of a successful playoff run. They have dropped their last five games and have looked tired and amateurish. Injuries to key players have taken its toll on the mental toughness of the team. Superstar goaltender, Ryan Miller, has been less than stellar and is showing much wear and tear. Pinning their playoff hopes on Miller may prove to be the downfall of a good team. I would unfortunately never call them a great team as they are not consistent enough to be a great team.

A Blues’ fan and hockey enthusiast, Charles Herrmann, said it best. “The Blues are sadly not a great team, as much as I want them to be. When you watch great teams play, they are good every night. They may not win every game but you are not scratching your head at the end of the game wondering who you are watching. They do not rely on winning games in shootouts. They grind out three periods and win in regulation.” Greatness and consistency go hand in hand. 

Even with a healthy team, the Blues were never great. On paper, they were phenomenal. Analysts picked them to be on top of the heap when the dust settles, with captain David Backes hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head in triumph. As much as I would be elated to see that sight, I have been skeptical. When the Blues traded their soul for goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott, I thought they were grabbing at straws and were desperate. Watching them implode the last five games, I wonder if they have the ability to step up and make magic happen.

Key players have been injured and while the Blues are hopeful to have Brendan Morrow, Vladimir Sobotka, Derek Roy, TJ Oshie, David Backes, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Berglund back for game one of the playoffs, I wonder if these magnificent seven will truly be ready or will the Blues have to limp along with out some, if not all, of them through the first round.

Having to rely on players who are not used to stepping up into playoff intense games is showing on the team. Head coach Ken Hitchcock will have a difficult time on his hands preparing them for a playoff fight. 

Ice Nation UK

I am very pleased that IceNationUK has given me the opportunity to join them in their endeavors and spread the word about what is happening in the ever-volatile world of hockey. This is a great team to learn from and I am looking forward to becoming more acquainted with them.

IceNationUK has been generous enough to give me a warm welcome and publish my first article with them. Many St. Louis Blues fans will revolt at my take on St. Louis Blues: Can They Finally Bring Home The Cup? 

As always, I welcome comments and feedback as long as my readers remain courteous and respectful.

Again, a big thank you to IceNationUK. I look forward to working more with you, especially as the NHL Playoffs begin and the drama unfolds.

Patrick Roy Calls David Backes Gutless

COMMENTARY | The St. Louis Blues made a poor showing when they hosted the Colorado Avalanche on April 5, 2014. The Blues have clinched their spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs and are now hunting the President’s Trophy. However, with today’s lack of effort on the part of the Blues, that prize is falling farther and farther out of reach.

The Avalanche’s head coach, Patrick Roy delivered a harsh and somewhat whining opinion of Blues captain, David Backes. Roy outright called Backes “gutless” for a hit that Backes delivered on Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon. Roy complained that the hit on MacKinnon, an 18-year-old, was uncalled for. Correct me if I am wrong, but the kid is playing with the big boys now and should be expected to take hard hits when he steps onto the ice. If Roy is so concerned that the 18-year-old cannot handle the rigors of the NHL, then maybe Roy should send the kid back to his mommy until he is mature enough. It could be that Roy was concerned because the kid missed his afternoon nap and snack time.

I am actually embarrassed for Nathan MacKinnon. Roy made him out to be the biggest sissy of the NHL. He has been portrayed as the wimpy teenager who cannot handle playing with the big boys. Roy essentially put a target on MacKinnon’s back for other teams, especially during the playoffs. He has been painted as a player unable to take a hit and therefore is an easy mark.

I understand the frustration and the fear that Roy may have felt with the playoffs right around the corner and it would not be a complete game without Roy making off-the-wall comments or trying to incite the other team through outrageous accusations. My thoughts would be that Roy needs to clean house and remove the plank from his eye before pointing out the speck of dust in the eye of others. Now my ordination training is starting to come out here. In this case it does fit. Roy is renowned for his dramatic, over-the-top antics as well as his out-spoken, whiny demeanor.

Photo by Mark Buckner/NHLI via Getty Images

To call one of the classiest NHL captains gutless for hitting a player on the ice is ridiculous. Next, Roy will be calling for a player’s age, weight and height to be prominently displayed on their sweater as well as the inception of rules outlining that 18-year-olds cannot be checked by 30-year-olds or some such nonsense. Backes showed his class and integrity by refusing to be drawn into the cattiness of Roy’s remarks. Backes understands the beast of the game and is able to rise above the nastiness of petty players and coaches.

Blues head coach, Ken Hitchcock, also showed his integrity by ignoring the comments Roy made regarding the game and the way players handled themselves during and after the game. Hitchcock’s first priority is to get his team back on track and focus on the daunting task of hunting the Stanley Cup.

The Blues need to rise from this disappointing loss and finish the season strong. With only four games left to play, each game is critical to the mental state of the team and the momentum that they will need to push through the first round of the playoffs.

As for Patrick Roy, he needs to clean his own house before pointing fingers at others. Calling out a player for delivering a hit during a frustrating game is classless and just plain crass. I would have expected more from a NHL head coach, but then again, we are talking Roy.

I am now on Twitter

It is time that I joined the social media circus. I have been avoiding Facebook and Twitter since their inceptions but am finding it more and more difficult to do so. I finally broke down and opened a Facebook account and a Twitter account.

You can follow me on Twitter @themickiholley

St. Louis Blues Host First Ever Faith Night

The St. Louis Blues organization embraced for the first time Faith Night. The St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams already host similar events for fans to enjoy uplifting messages and family oriented activities. I have attended events from all three professional sports teams and as an ordained minister I have thoroughly enjoyed each one. I have brought various friends and colleagues with me when I attend these events. Their level of delight has varied depending on the event.

The most enjoyable time I have experienced was during a Faith and Family Night hosted by the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinal organization goes all out for their Faith and Family Night. They advertise extensively and offer fans the unique experience of interacting with players, coaches and executives in the organization. Fans are able to listen to how faith has impacted these individuals and where they are in their walk with the Lord.

The St. Louis Rams also offer a similar experience. Although not being a football fan, I only attended one game that was geared towards faith and family. Following the game fans were able to hear from players past and present. The players shared their experiences and offered uplifting messages. The Rams also advertised this event extensively and offered discounted tickets as well as fan packs.

Image from Country Primitive Gatherings

The Blues made a valiant effort in hosting their first ever Faith Night. I admit to being surprised that the Blues organization actually followed through and offered this event. I had written an informative letter to the Blues organization prior to the start of the 2013-2014 season detailing my experiences with other professional sports’ organizations hosting this type of event. I had not heard anything from the Blues organization and to be honest, I did not expect a response. The Blues organization is notorious for less than stellar communication skills. Their number one concern is not excellent customer service; it is milking fans for every penny they can as ticket prices keep soaring as do concession prices and gift shop prices. I found out about this event simply from browsing the Blues’ website.

I was excited to learn that about Faith Night with the Blues, hosted on April 1^st. It was certain to be an amazing game since the Blues were hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. The Blues offered an incentive to purchase tickets in the form of a free hot dog and soda per ticket. Wow, what a deal! For those who do not know me, this is a sarcastic remark aimed at the Blues organization. Fans had the opportunity to hear a message from first Chris Mizel of Child of God Luthern Church and then Troy Merseal of SunRise United Methodist Church. Interspersed before, between and after the speakers were trivia questions about the Blues and some pertaining to current Christian artists. While the speakers delivered excellent messages and I was riveted to my seat as I listened, I was actually disappointed in the preparations that had been made. This was indeed a unique experience for me. Maybe the St. Louis Blues organization does not have players, coaches or executives who wanted to participate in such an event, but the organization as a whole could have offered a little more to the fans that supported their first attempt at Faith Night.

The Blues organization has a long way to go before catching up with the Cardinals and Rams in the fan experience during Faith Night. I am happy to see them taking strides toward incorporating this into their promotional schedule and wish them the best of luck in future seasons hosting this event.

Fans Experience Different Treatment During St. Louis Blues’ Game

COMMENTARY | This past Tuesday, April 1^st, the St. Louis Blues faced off against the Philadelphia Flyers and I decided to conduct a little experiment during the game. I was there with my sister and partner in crime; we had glass level seating and all-access to the Blue Note Lounge. We have never come across a Scottrade employee that has been rude, unkind or unwilling to go the extra mile for our comfort and enjoyment of the game. I gave three young men tickets to the game as well. Their seats were located in the upper bowl of Scottrade Center. They were dressed like typical young guys; clean clothes, baseball caps turned backward, clean cut albeit a little loud and somewhat rough around the edges.

Kristy and I arrived first and enjoyed a nice meal in the Blue Note Lounge. The guys arrived with the general admission when the gates opened at 6:00 p.m. We met up near the Lounge entrance and I watched usher and security reaction to the guys. Security guards remained close and ushers seemed to guard their areas with extra caution. This to me was interesting because I have been able to move freely around the concourse and club sections of the Scottrade Center without feeling as if I were under surveillance or would be barred from certain areas. The guys tried to enter the club level and were immediately barred by the usher. The usher went so far as to physically put his hands on one of the guys. Prior to the start of the game, I invited the guys down to the glass level seating to watch the players warm up before the start of the game. As they enjoyed being so close to the ice, I observed the reactions of those around us. The ushers were friendly and helpful to Kristy and me; however, they kept a close watch on the three guys.

The "Guys" enjoying the game!

We parted company after the warm-ups, the guys made their way to their upper bowl seats while I once again enjoyed the amenities of the Blue Note Lounge. I stopped and spoke to our usher, a very nice gentleman who had just had hip replacement surgery. Kristy came through a different section to get to our seats and was met with helpful and friendly ushers and event security. After enjoying the first period, we all met up again and I had another experiment to try. The game day photographers who snap photos of the fans and hock their wares have a green screen set up where fans can be placed in the locker room or at ice level wearing quirky jerseys and holding beat-up hockey sticks. Kristy and I have had this done before simply for the fun of it. The photographers at the green screen have always been quite funny and easy-going. When we arrived with the three guys in tow there was an immediate shift in the attitudes of the workers. I noticed it immediately as did Kristy. This being the first game for all the guys, they did not know anything was amiss. After getting the photos taken and hearing the sales speech that is always given, one of the photographers became absolutely irate with one of the guys who snapped a picture of the photos that was on the screen for us to look at. Rather than explain to him that it was not allowed, the photographer started yelling at all three of the guys. I will point out that there are absolutely no signs posted that states taking pictures of the photos on the screen is prohibited. Kristy and I walked away unscathed and finding the situation very amusing.

After leaving the green screen area and the rather irritated photographer, I noticed that a security guard was following us as we made our way through the crowd towards the Blue Note Lounge. We parted ways again; the guys back to their seats and Kristy to the Lounge while I headed back to my seat. This time I went through a different section to see if I would get stopped trying to go down to the glass seats. The usher, a smiling, older woman, let me walk right past her without looking at my ticket or questioning where I was going. I walked back to my seats to find an interloper parked there. After telling the enthusiastic fan that he was in my seat, a security guard came up and asked me if I were experiencing a problem. I told him the other person was just a little lost. The security guard told me that if I needed anything, just find him and he would be happy to help. An interesting note is that the security guard allowed the interloper to remain down at glass seats even though he was bragging that his seats were “way up there”.

With about ten minutes left in the game I sent a text message to the guys and told them that there were three seats open right in front of us. The seats had been open the entire game. The usher and security guard refused to allow them down to the seats even though there were others who had been allowed to sit down there. This was a little frustrating and showed a bias against these three young men. They were finally able to “sneak” down before the shoot-out started and the usher let them stay.

I admit that I used these three young guys as an experiment because I had heard other fans complain about their experiences with employees at the Scottrade Center. I have only had one issue with a bad-tempered employee in all the years that I have attended Blues games and events. I do admit to trying to sit in sections where my favorite ushers are located. My absolute favorite usher is a young college student named Scott. He is always so upbeat and willing to go the extra mile to make sure that the game is enjoyable. Watching the trials that the three guys went through during their visit to the Scottrade Center, I can fully understand why people do complain. These guys were followed by security everywhere that I observed them and they were treated with disdain by several employees. While the Blues pride themselves on great game day experiences for their fans, there are preconceived prejudices that prevent certain fans from being free from scrutiny and being shadowed while in the Scottrade Center. I was truly surprised that not every person had the same level of courtesy and enjoyment while attending a Blues game.

I do apologize to the three guys that I observed during the game. I used them for my own investigative purposes and while they claim they enjoyed the game, I did purposely place them in situations just to watch the reactions of the employees. My findings helped to rip the rose colored glasses off my eyes regarding a fan’s experience during a Blues game at the Scottrade Center.

Vladimir Sobotka Returns to St. Louis Blues Lineup

COMMENTARY | The St. Louis Blues have been without one of their elite forwards since before the Olympic break. Vladimir Sobotka is a power forward who motivates his team with his tenacity and finesse on the ice. While the Blues have been still winning hockey games, there has been a hole on the team for the past six weeks.

Sobotka was injured during the January 31^st game against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was placed on injured reserve and not only missed 12 games with the Blues; he also missed the opportunity to represent his beloved Czech Republic in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Sobotka proved that he was truly missed during his injury with his exceptional performance against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2014. While he is a scrappy player, he also is a smart player. His ability to read the play and find his way into the right place at the right time is uncanny. The Blues, during the Oilers game, are showing that they are serious in their hunt for Lord Stanley’s cup.

Having Sobotka back on the bench and ice has lit a fire within the hearts’ of his teammates. The veterans and the newbies are showing exceptional calm and talent. It will be fun to watch the Blues as they finish the regular season and then head into the grind of the playoffs.

Welcome back, Sobotka. St. Louis fans have missed your electrifying presence on the ice.