Hey, looks like this Winter Classic thing is finally official

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So, it was on. Then it was (maybe) off. Then I think it was on again, but no one really knew for sure. I think Sean Lennon wrote a song about this once. (BTW: that song is a good song.) But yeah: the Sun-Times — the same publication that reported it was on originally — is saying it’s back on like Donkey Kong. (American Pie reference. SO HIP.)

The details:

The worst-kept secret in Chicago sports is official as the Blackhawks are set to host the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 1 at Wrigley Field.

The Hawks will make an announcement around noon today.

Hawks president John McDonough, who formerly held that position with the Cubs, and Rocky Wirtz continue to return the Blackhawks into prominence. The Hawks’ first-ever fan convention is this weekend.

It will be interesting to see if the Blackhawks do indeed become relevant again after this. The buzz started a bit last season and McDonough seems to be lining his ducks in a row nicely with both the fan convention and this coup. The man knows what he’s doing.

Now to score a ticket for this …

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Patty Kane has hos in different hemispheres

patrick_kane.jpgWhen you’re a young hockey star like Blackhawks stud Patrick Kane, you get to live life. Travel. See the sights. Survey women all over the world. You know, the things rap stars say they do when they’re pretending they have more money than they actually do. Your A&R’s not gonna cover that, son!

Anyway, Patrick Kane gets to really live that life. And he’s only 19. For most of us, that means learning about the female anatomy through studious, bleary-eyed observation of wild drunken college girls at grimy midwestern sports bars. Ooh, what’s that one doing? Kissing the other one? Does that mean they’re lesbians, or just really good friends? Conclusion: Maybe both! Kane’s not in college though, so he’s taking a more diversified approach:

You’ve played in a lot of different countries in this world … who’s got the best chicks?

Russia. If you go there, you’ll see the hottest chicks you’ll ever see. It’s not a great area but the girls down there, they’re pretty good.

You’ve played in Canada … how are Canadian ladies?

They’re pretty good. You know it’s funny - they know if you’re a hockey player. It’s pretty good. You don’t really have to initiate much out there, they’ll just come up and talk to you out there so it’s pretty cool.

What about the Euro girls? What about the Swedes and the Fins?

Yeah, the Swedes - they’re all blondes out there. If you like that, I’d head out there too, because they have some pretty good looking ones. I didn’t see too many in Finland that I really liked but I would probably have to say Sweden and Russia were the best for the European countries.

Everyone knows Sweden and Russia bring the heat, but Canada? Is Kane sure he was talking to females? Those weren’t just Canadian men with mullets, right? Because I can tell you from first hand experience: Canadian hockey fans are indistinguishable by sex. If you can’t recognize beer paunch vs. pregnancy, or notice hair length down to the centimeter, it can get pretty confusing.

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Outdoor hockey inching closer for Hawks, Cha-city

wirtz.jpgI don’t claim to be a huge Hawks enthusiast in any regard, but I must admit if they score a game in Wrigley or Soldier Field next season, I am so totally there, man. And things are still looking pretty good on that tip.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said last week that the proposed game at Yankee Stadium isn’t as likely to happen because of a “variety of issues,” according to Newsday.

“There are some winterization issues, because it is an older stadium,” Bettman told reporters in a conference call. “… I don’t know whether or not they can be resolved.”

Chicago is considered one of the other finalists to be the host for the game, which was played for the first time on New Year’s Day at Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium.
[ … ]

McDonough has pitched the idea of playing the game at Wrigley Field, but Soldier Field would seem a better fit. McDonough, who said it’s possible a decision will be made in the first week of June, simply wants the game in Chicago and the location doesn’t matter.

My own self-serving, let’s get some drinks and go watch some hockey at Soldier Field WHOOOOing aside, this is just what the Blackhawks need. For a team that actually televises home games now, generated a decent buzz and some excitement about themselves this past season and have some great young talent, this can only help.

But yeah: HOCKEY AT WRIGLEY WHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

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Jonathan Toews was excited

Here’s Chicago Blackhawks rookie Jonathan Toews — who scored what the cool kids of 2002 would call a “dope” goal over the weekend — dropping the f-bomb during one of his Team Canada stints. Usually, when someones drops an f-bomb during an interview, it’s in anger or frustration.

Not young Jonathan here. He was just uber-pumped, bro.

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