Thursday, July 20, 2006

 

View from the Red Road


Indigenous Man Leads NHL

Jonathan Cheechoo, an Indigenous First Nation Cree man from Moose Factory Ontario, Canada, received the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy at ceremonies honoring his 2005/2006 National Hockey League Regular Season Goal Scoring championship. Cheechoo is only the second Indigenous player to reach 50 goals or more in a single NHL season. He also had a record tieing five (5) Hat Tricks as he led all NHL players with 56 goals - recording his final Hat Trick to overtake hockey superstar, Jarmr Jagr, of the New York Rangers who ended up second with 54 goals for the season. In the 2003/2004 season, Jonathan scored the "Goal of the Year" by receiving a pass from the corner - with his stick between and behind his legs - to deflect the puck into the net past an NHL top goalie. He also helped his fellow teammate, Joe Thornton, receive awards for the most points in a season and for being a most crucial player for his NHL team.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

 

Ted Nolan to New York Islanders


 

Chris Simon To Islanders


View from the Red Road

NHLer CHRIS SIMON Joins New York Islanders Hockey Club

Respected veteran role player adds grit and experience
The Islanders have signed veteran left wing Chris Simon to a one-year contract, reuniting him with Ted Nolan, his head coach during his final year of junior hockey. Last season with the Calgary Flames, the 6-3, 220-pound Simon was 8-14-22 with 94 penalty minutes in 72 games. The previous NHL season, Simon helped lead the Flames to the Stanley Cup Final after he was dealt by the Rangers to Calgary at the trade deadline, scoring five goals in 16 playoff games.
"Chris brings so much experience and so many intangibles to the Islanders," said Vice President and general manager Neil Smith. "He's been one of the game's most respected leaders and effective role players for more than a decade. As he proved in Calgary by averaging around 12 minutes a game, he still has plenty of hockey left in him. Chris is going to be a terrific mentor for our young players because he is all about the team. We're very proud to have Chris Simon as a member of the New York Islanders."
The 34-year old Simon won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. In 677 career NHL games with Quebec/Colorado, Washington, Chicago, the Rangers and Calgary, Simon has 133 goals, 142 assists, 275 points and 1,690 penalty minutes. He also has 10 goals and 18 assists in 79 playoff games.
As a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League in 1991-92, Simon was coached by the Islanders' new head coach, Ted Nolan. Like Nolan, Simon is an Ojibwa Indian and is very active in the First Nations community. "I was extremely interested in coming to the Islanders and I'm very happy things worked out," said Simon, originally selected 25th overall by Philadelphia in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. "I've known Ted for a long time and I'm so excited about having him as my coach again. Neil Smith said I had an important role with the Islanders, and as a player you love to hear that from the general manager. I'm really looking forward to my first training camp as an Islander."

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