#116

Biscuits and Breezers

  Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Unfortunately, there hasn't been a regular article in over two weeks, but now this will be an article packed full of news! As usual we will start off with the injury report for the week. Anaheim defenseman Eric Brewer will be out 4-6 weeks with a broken foot, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford will be out 2-3 weeks after injuring his left foot as a result of missing a step at a recent concert, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz will be out for a few weeks due to a fractured foot, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is day to day with a lower body injury, New Jersey Devils forward Travis Zajac has been placed on IR, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artem Anisimov will be out 2-3 months with a torn triceps muscle, and finally Winnipeg Jets defenseman Zach Bogosian will be out 4-6 weeks with a lower body injury. There have been a few suspensions this week, starting off with the two game suspension of Robert Bortuzzo. Bortuzzo laid a massive hit on NHL great Jaromir Jagr at a moment when Jagr was unsuspecting of what was coming. The LA Kings have been fined $100,000 after violating Slava Voynov's suspension and allowing him to workout with the team. Voynov was charged with felony domestic violence about two weeks ago and has been barred from all team activities. Also, Wild defenseman Marco Scandella has been fined $2,755.38 after an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie.

  The hockey world saw three major headlines this week. The first two announced the retirements of two of the Show's most prominent skaters and the third was the announcement of the passing of one of the hockey world's most memorable and legendary players. On Tuesday, December 2nd, Jean Beliveau, one of the founding skaters of the 1950's Canadiens Dynasty, passed away at the age of 83. Beliveau played alongside many Montreal greats such as Maurice Richard and Bernie Geoffrion and was able to win 10 Stanley Cups in his 18 season career with Montreal. Jean was part of a dynasty that led the Canadiens down an unforgettable road and he will always be remembered as one of ice hockey's greatest forefathers. Rest In Peace Jean Beliveau, 1931-2014.

(All photos found on Google Images)

  We all know the man, the mustache, and the fury fueled fights, but after nine seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, LA Kings, and the Montreal Canadiens, George Parros is hanging up his skates for his NHL career. Parros was able to win a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and also spent the majority of his career in Southern California; 6 seasons out of the 9. Deciding to move on with his life as well as forward with his family, George Parros will be remembered by hockey fans all over the world for his work that brought a very positive light to the enforcer's role, his humor and wit, and above all, appreciation of mustaches everywhere. Best of luck Parros with your future endeavors! Thanks for all of your hard work!

(All photos found on Google Images)

  For the longest time, the Ottawa Senators were synonymous with two things; the Sens Army and captain Daniel Alfredsson. After 17 NHL seasons with the Senators (he wore the "C" for 13 of them), Alfredsson signed on for one season as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings. Due to back problems, Daniel decided to not participate in this season and shortly after that came the announcement of his retirement. To end his NHL career however, Alfredsson signed a one day contract with the Senators so that he was able to end one of the most respectable NHL careers in the very place that it began. Daniel was able to wear his captain's jersey and skate with the team during warm ups for his last time on the ice as a Senator. Alfredsson brought one of the most admired careers to NHL ice and he will leave as one of the most memorable skaters in this past era. Best of luck Alfredsson with the future and what it has in store! Thanks for all of your hard work!

(All photos found on Google Images)

  Now for the "Players of Today" segment of this article! For the European pick we have Rimbo IF forward Jesper Tiselius. For the Junior/College player we have Colorado State University forward Andrew Baggen. For the Prospect pick we have Halifax Mooseheads forward Connor Moynihan.

 Jesper is 6 ft 0 in, 157 lbs, and is from Uppsala, Sweden. In the 2013-2014 season, he had 1 goal in 27 games played, 7 assists, 8 TPs, and 72 PIMs. When you get a player like Jesper on your bench for the season, you've received a player that puts in highly effective ice minutes every shift, one that is a great asset to plays that need to be executed, and one that will push himself, as well as his team mates, to play the best they can every chance they get. Jesper is great to watch out on the ice because he plays a very large game that encompasses the entire ice sheet not just certain areas. He is always on the lookout to assist on a play or to get things back in motion. Tiselius is the type of player that is gives the team a great back bone to rely on. Jesper plays a very impressive physical game and definitely adds strength to the line up. He isn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers or to take on a goon or two. Jesper would be the type of player most often described as a mucker. He fills in where he is needed, he gets the biscuits where it needs to go, and he puts in strong strides for the team. It is very apparent that Tiselius has a strong hockey sense as well as very high hockey smarts. He stays true to the logo on his jersey and will never fail his team. Tiselius will be a great benefit to any team that he chooses to sign with due to the heart and passion for the game that can be seen in any practice or in any match. Best of luck Jesper with Rimbo IF and the rest of your hockey career!

(Credit to laget.se)

Andrew is 5 ft 7 in, 176 lbs, and is from Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. In the 2013-2014 season, he had 4 goals in 46 games played, 6 assists, 10 TPs, and 80 PIMs. When you watch Baggen skate, there is one quality that you see above all others; leadership. Baggen is a natural born leader and you see that every time his blades hit the ice. Andrew is a very strong player during games and his presence is not forgotten. He brings a vast wealth of knowledge to the table and isn't afraid to embrace all aspects of the sport at once. Andrew plays rough, he plays sharp, and he is always in tune as to what is happening on both benches. He does not step down from a challenge, and when he is confronted with one, he deals with it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Andrew has a fantastic physical side to his game and will make the boards rattle on the way to putting the biscuit in the basket. It is very evident that Andrew possesses a very high hockey IQ and this shown by how cleanly he carries out his shifts. When his coach (whoever it may be at the time) sends Baggen out with a mission to complete, he does not come back until it is done to the best of Andrew's abilities and in a way that will best benefit the team. Andrew has moved on to college hockey for the 2014-2015 season, and in no doubt, will we see a continued advancement in his skill resume as well as in his movement throughout the leader boards. Best of luck Andrew with Colorado State University and the rest of your hockey career!

(Credit to cheyennestampede.com)

Connor is 6 ft 4 in, 214 lbs, and is from Windham, New Hampshire, USA. In the 2013-2014 season, he had 6 goals in 65 games played, 10 assists, 16 TPs, 63 PIMs, and a +/- of +13. Moynihan is eligible for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and is currently one of the top rated prospects. Moynihan is the product of three great aspects coming together in a finely tuned skater; physical strength, mental strength, and perseverance. Not only does Connor understand and see the game at extreme levels, he lives the game. Every face off is seen as an opportunity to change the path he travels down and to do better than he did previously. Connor plays a great physical game and is a force to be reckoned with at any given point. Moynihan is wickedly quick throughout both ends of the ice and will stop at nothing to bring home a win every chance he has. To describe the way Connor plays would be to compare him to a barracuda. He's strong, he's fast, he's aggressive, and if he sees an opportunity to advance, there is no doubt that he will take it. He watches the ice and anticipates every movement that his opponents could make and shapes his game that way. When you are on the ice, there is a certain flow and movement that one picks up on, and Connor never misses a step of this existential heart beat. It will be interesting to see where Connor advances to in his hockey career because he has everything to make it to the top. Best of luck Connor with the Mooseheads and your future hockey career!

(Photo Credit to metronews.ca)

  Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews, and much more! Until next time remember, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember, it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle not just a sport!