Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Future Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Brodeur and Jag...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Future Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Brodeur and Jag...: Future Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Brodeur and Jagr Speak in the Bronx (Facebook Photo) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUA...

Future Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Brodeur and Jagr Speak in the Bronx

Future Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Brodeur and Jagr Speak in the Bronx

(Facebook Photo)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 27- The players of the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils had their practice sessions on the recently constructed ice rink on the field of Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Although the result of the regular season game on Sunday is important to both teams in the tightly contested Metropolitan Division of the NHL, the seriousness of the practice was tempered by the pleasure of the presence of so many family members on the ice with the players of each team.

After the Devils’ practice concluded, two special players, Jaromir Jagr and Martin Brodeur, were invited to the Interview room in the Yankee Stadium basement for a mass press interview. Although each was born in a different part of the world, Jagr in Kladno, Czechoslovakia, then a part of the Communist world, and Brodeur in Montreal Canada, they have much in common. 

Each was born in 1972, Broduer less than three months later; each is a left-hander; each was drafted in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft of 1990, Jagr the 5^th overall selection and Brodeur the 20^{th ;} each has earned an Olympic Gold Medal with his native country’s team; each has been an integral member of a Stanley Cup champion and each will be elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame shortly after his legendary NHL career concludes.

The two greats were good humored, patient and open to all questions from the journalists in the room. Jagr humorously spoke of the huge size of the locker room, “There’s a lot of great dressing rooms, but I’ve never seen nothing like that, so big you can’t hold a team meeting; if you make a mistake, the coach can’t find you in 15 minutes. “When he first entered the Yankee clubhouse, he jokingly asked for a GPS.

The 41 year-old was asked if he believed the frigid weather would affect him. He had mixed feelings contrasting New York’s weather to Moscow, where he played in Red Square and in Los Angeles, where the Kings and Ducks were competing that night, “This is like summer compared to Moscow. If I had to choose to play here or L.A., I would choose L.A. [he laughed]. It would probably be a lot better for my body to play in different conditions.”

He was asked to express his feelings regarding playing in Yankee Stadium, “When Czechoslovakia was Communist I didn’t even know about the NHL. Since I came here [24 years ago], I follow baseball, basketball and American football. It’s very special just to play here. I took pictures, Babe Ruth.”

The experienced professional was very concerned about how the result affect the goal of reaching the playoffs, “Any points and any victory can make a big difference. We have to play better than we did yesterday. We have to make sure we get some points tomorrow.”

Brodeur shortly followed Jagr to the Interview Room. After the Devils’ practice, Devils coach Peter DeBoer announced Brodeur would start in goal on Sunday. The veteran goalie reacted, “I’m happy to play a game; it’s been more than a week.” [Brodeur last played on January 18]. The veteran said, “They felt it meant a lot to me. For me, it’s the last one [rivalry game outdoors].”

The Canadian understands the importance of the Yankees and Yankee Stadium, “After 21 years in the New York area, I know what the Yankees mean here and to the world of sport. It’s a good feeling to be in this building. To be in the first game here is very exciting. It’s an unbelievable setting.”

Brodeur recalled childhood experiences when speaking of playing hockey outdoors, “When I grew up in Montreal, for us, we took it for granted. I did it every day; it’s great memories.” He felt he was overdressed even for the cold, ‘I had too much, gloves, ski mask two tee shirts; it wasn’t bad.”

Like his teammate, Jagr, he also spoke of the importance of the game, “It’s a big event, but at the end of the day, it’s just hockey. The points are important.” 

Of the idea of this series and the game in California, he opined, “It’s a great idea to have these rivalry games outdoors.”

Hopefully, those in attendance will realize they are watching two of the legends in NHL history, Jagr and Brodeur.

Tags: NHL, Jaromir Jagr, Martin Brodeur, Yankee Stadium

Fans Slap Happy that Hockey Comes to Yankee Stadium

Fans Slap Happy that Hockey Comes to Yankee Stadium

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 24- Preparations are currently underway for the construction of a hockey rink on the field of Yankee Stadium that will serve as the “playing field” for all three local NHL franchises, New York Rangers, New York islanders and New Jersey Devils. 

 

Each of the three rivals will have an opportunity to play an outdoor NHL game at the legendary baseball stadium. A Saturday matinee beginning at 12:30 pm on January 26 will feature the Rangers and Devils in a regular season contest. Three days later at 7:30 p.m., the Rangers will return to the ice to face the Islanders. Both games will be hard fought contests as they will count in the regular season standings, and thus, have a direct effect of the teams qualifying for the playoffs.

The intricate and time consuming work of setting up a hockey rink on the Yankee stadium grass is being supervised by Michael Craig, the NHL’s senior manager of facilities, who remarked with awe of his surroundings, “Yankee Stadium is a bit of a fairy tale. I’m from a small town in Western Canada, so to be standing here in New York at Yankee Stadium is pretty special.”

Craig was not the only NHL employee thrilled to be at Yankee Stadium. Matt Moulson of the Islanders, who was at the August 8 Yankee Stadium press conference during which the games were publicly announced, expressed his excitement, “I grew up in Toronto but I go to a lot of games at Yankee Stadium. When the Yankees aren’t playing the [Toronto] Blue Jays, I cheer for the Yankees. Every time you come here it’s exciting. We’ll be a little part of the history of Yankee Stadium.”

A veteran of the Devils since the 2006-7 season, Travis Sajac, spoke of his joy in making his first visit to Yankee Stadium, “I’ve been with the Devils for eight years and never been to Yankee Stadium. I’m kind of excited about that. You hear all about it and I love following the Yankees, but I’ve never been to a game.”

There will probably be several thousand hockey fans attending the games that have never been inside the showplace on 161st Street before and will also feel the thrill of bring inside the world renowned sports venue. 

To add to the excitement of the debut of NHL hockey at Yankee Stadium, the 161st Business Improvement District (BID) has scheduled Winterfest, an exciting day of related activities, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., on 161st Street. Placards posted in the neighborhood announce an ice statute of Yankee hero Mariano Rivera, free autographs, games and food. 

The statue was commissioned by the BID, in the words of its executive director, Dr. Cary Goodman, “to honor the pitcher, celebrate the renaming of River Ave. in his name and enhance the beauty of the district.” 

The other fun and interactive events were scheduled because, according to Goodman, “We want the neighborhood to be part of this historic event.”

Those attendees who never viewed hockey in person previously will be seeing it played at a very high level and outdoors, the manner in which youngsters in Canada first experience learning the game. 

The Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, in the Bronx, televised nationally one week before the starts of the Winter Olympic Games, will also enhance the interest of people in the borough and the entire country in the sport that will be played in February in Sochi.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): You Call This Freezing?

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): You Call This Freezing?: You Call This Freezing?   Photo by: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 23- Brown Bears at the ...

You Call This Freezing?

You Call This Freezing?

 

Photo by: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 23- Brown Bears at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo “bear-ly” notice the 8-degree temperatures and feel right at home in 11 inches of fresh snow.

To plan your trip, visit bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Was Pol Railroaded in Bribe Conviction? Former Aid...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Was Pol Railroaded in Bribe Conviction? Former Aid...: Was Pol Railroaded in Bribe Conviction? Former Aide says ‘Yes’ 100 PERCENT By Robert press BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 23- Letting you kn...

Was Pol Railroaded in Bribe Conviction? Former Aide says ‘Yes’

Was Pol Railroaded in Bribe Conviction?
Former Aide says ‘Yes’

100 PERCENT

By Robert press

BRONX, NEW YORK, JANUARY 23- Letting you know well in advance, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will be holding his “State of the Borough” address on Thursday, February 20th at Hostos Community college 450 Grand Concourse, starting at 11:30 a.m. It is expected that all major elected officials from Mayor Bill de Blasio to each and every Bronx council, member, and some from other boroughs will be in attendance. The only problem with scheduling an event in the winter is the weather. All one has to do is ask Councilman Andy King what bad weather can do, as he had to reschedule his inauguration when a huge snow storm canceled almost everything. I do hope the weather is good for BP Diaz.

The Liberty Democratic Association has scheduled an event for Sunday, January 26th. Since its President is now Councilman Ritchie Torres there is a vacancy for the position of President, and there is also an open position of treasurer of the club. It is quite possible that another position could open up if another officer decides to run for and win one of the two current vacant seats. The election is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with Liberty's New Year Party starting at 2 p.m. The location is the community room of Janel Towers 801 Neil Avenue, and you can call Joe McManus at (718) 644-1841 or Monica Major at (917) 208-3886 for more information.

On Sunday, February 9th the Bronx Republican Party is having a Lincoln Brunch from 2 – 4 p.m. at Villa Barrone Manor located at 737 Throggs Neck Expressway. This could be the rebirth of the Bronx Republican Party as there are many prominent Republican leaders statewide who are expected. They include possible 2014 Gubernatorial candidate Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, former U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia, former Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota, New York State Republican Party Chair Ed Cox, and many other local and state Republican officials. For more information you can check my blog archive for the listing Republican Brunch or you can go to TheBronxGOP.org.

State Senator Jeff Klein stopped by the Morris Park Community Association this past Friday for “Bedtime Story Time”. Many pajama clad children listened to Senator Klein read to them from the collection of children's books that were on hand at the MPCA office. You can go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com to see photos of this event including MPCA President Tony Signorile, Vice President Al D'Angelo, and Treasurer Chris Allessandro receiving a check for $250.00 to help subsidize the cost of the holiday lights this past holiday season.

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has announced that for the third quarter of 2013 all tax revenue is down $534 million dollars from the projected totals.

Also down was former State Senate Democratic Conference Leader (in 2010 when Democrats controlled the state senate) John Sampson's cash flow. According to Sampson's January filing his negative cash flow has increased from -$20,283.60 in 2013 to -$40,724.41 in this latest filing. It is also reported that Sampson will face a primary for his state senate seat. It will be a tough year for some in the State Senate this election year as several members have announced that they will be retiring, while others should face tougher than usual primaries. Right now it is anybody’s guess as to just how the state senate will break down Democratic or Republican, and then there is as some loyal Democrats who say and the 4 members of the IDC.

Lastly, I had an opportunity to speak to one of former Assemblyman Eric Stevenson's staffers who said that the former assemblyman was railroaded into the conviction. He said that evidence from Stevenson's lawyer was suppressed, and the staffer claims that government witness, Sigfredo Gonzalez, lied on the stand. As for getting Con Edison to turn on the gas quickly, the normal route of going to the person who works with elected officials was used, and it still took 6 months to get the gas turned on. He also said that he was in the room with the government witness, Sigfredo Gonzalez, when the recording was turned off by Gonzalez. He said that the reason the convicted Russian owners of the day care centers were not called was because they never gave Assemblyman Stevenson any money. He added that the feds got Sifredo Gonzalez when he was caught by them when Gonzalez tried to use former Assemblyman Nelson Castro who was wired by the U.S. Attorney. There was also talk of the Bronx Democratic County organization being a target, and the current and past county leaders also in the sights of the U.S. Attorney, as well as others close to the county leaders. He ended by saying that Eric Stevenson would appeal the conviction on several points.

If you have any comments about this column or would like to have an event listed or covered in this column or on my blog you can e-mail us at 100percentbronxnews@gmail.com or call 718-644-4199 Mr. Robert Press.