Check out this after NHL Awards interview with me and Sarah Spain, an aggressive blogger. She was all over the Awards ceremony and events for Mouthpiece Sports. I just found this online and thought it was a straightforward and good interview. Check it out by clicking here.
Posts Tagged ‘NHL Awards’
After Party Interview
Monday, June 29th, 2009What Happens in Vegas
Friday, June 19th, 2009Yesterday was a full day.
Hit the golf course with friends, partners, sponsors and NHL execs at 7:00 am to get out before it got too hot. At 7:00 am it was close to 90 degrees and when we finished our round it was close to 100 degrees. I hit it pretty good but was truly exhausted by the 15th hole. I honestly believe I drank 6 bottles of water during the round - didn’t perspire at all - and still felt dehydrated. I can’t imagine what that round would have felt like had we had any alcohol. Since I don’t drink, it was not an issue. But I saw some hurting cowboys out on that range. Drinking and playing golf in the desert doesn’t mix - that is for sure.
A Good Day
Thursday, June 18th, 2009Thanks to the Washington Times for reminding us all what a good day June 26th, 2004 was for our franchise. We picked up two prospects who are nominated for MVP and the Norris Trophy tonight. Quite a feat.
Wish Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green luck tonight. They both deserve - I believe - to win their respective categories of awards. Alex had a MVP worthy season again and Mike Green did what no D man in the NHL accomplished - ever - during the season.
We have a fine young core at the heart of our team. We are blessed.
Vegas Baby, Vegas
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009I am in Vegas. It is hot. It is sunny. It is 100 degrees but as they say, ”It is a dry heat”.
Vegas is packed. My hotel is a total sell out. My room wasn’t ready upon check-in and my bag got lost but all is well. It is Vegas baby, Vegas. My cell phone doesn’t work either. I am brother from another planet now.
Who are all of these people in Vegas? They all look like they have been transplanted from Disney World. They wear shorts, athletic socks, sneakers; and fanny packs. They walk the malls but they don’t go into the stores. They walk the casino halls but they don’t gamble. Lots of people smoke cigarettes here. It is packed. The dining establishments are packed. Doesn’t anyone here know that we are in a recession? 
The Red Skate
Friday, June 13th, 2008I met him last night. He flies in from NYC to go to our games at Verizon Center and he came to Toronto to meet us all. Thank you so much. Go Caps!
Live from Toronto
Friday, June 13th, 2008Toronto is a hockey mad city and everywhere you go, the NHL Awards Show is being promoted and Alex Ovechkin’s face is literally everywhere.
We fly in and arrived on time. It was a glorious day: sunny, crisp, zero humidity. We checked into the hotel; showered up; put on our dark suits; and hit the red carpet. The walk was a long one - perhaps 2,000 feet - with literally thousands of fans and hundreds of media reps all calling your name; looking for NHL players; and some chanting “MVP! MVP!” when they see Alex Ovechkin strolling by.
We meet Mike Babcock of the Red Wings and have a nice chat. We meet Vinnie Lecavalier who was very smart and very complimentary of our team. We see many NHL execs along the way and many hard-working reporters. There is a positive buzz about the NHL and about the Washington Capitals in the air.
We finally get to our seats. I am seated with my son and Bruce and his wife. Raul Fernandez and George McPhee are sitting with Alex. I take note that we are in rows A and B. That must be a good omen, right?
The awards start out with Alex winning the Pearson Award. He is so nervous but so authentic in his speech. Way to go Alex! He hugs us and then leaves to do media. A young lady then comes and fills his seat just like the Oscar ceremony I think.
The other awards fly by and then Coach of the Year goes to Bruce. Wow. We are all stunned. His wife is so gracious. Bruce is shocked - having an out of body experience - and humbled. What a great story! I should make my next movie on Bruce’s life! This award is so well-deserved!
The Rookie of the Year goes to Patrick Kane. I am disappointed. I think Nicklas Backstrom deserves the award. Nicklas is here with his mom and dad and agent. It is so great to see the friendship and bond that Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have developed.
The MVP award goes to Alex Ovechkin. It is a clean sweep for Alex. It has been a historic year for him. Gary Bettman comes by and congratulates us on a special evening. We then all go down to the media room. I meet Martin Brodeur, Nick Lidstrom, Scotty Bowman and Gordie Howe. It is Hockey Heaven! (I am a fan too, you know!) :-) Then on to the after party.
The party is loud and kinda boring. We mingle and schmooze with agents and league officials and then leave for dinner. We find a place showing the NBA Finals. We grab a bite to eat and we meet people who know we own the Washington Capitals. We talk hockey, watch the game and end the night at midnight. As we head back into the hotel, we run into Ron Wilson and we hang out together with Ron and George breaking the place up with stories and jokes.
It was a memorable night. I am so tired. My head hits the pillow and I am out like a light.
I am up now blogging away. I have more than 100 emails. We will leave today to head back to DC. Alex and his small entourage are flying back with us as are two NHL officials who will be carrying all of the trophies won by our franchise last night. We will arrive; go to the Caps offices; then head to the Mayor’s office; and then to our VIP party later tonight. What a whirlwind. What a fun time. Embrace it. Go Caps! Thank you.
A Shout Out to Nicklas Backstrom
Friday, June 13th, 2008It was a great gesture last night by Alex Ovechkin to thank Nicklas Backstrom for all of his help in making Alex the MVP of the NHL. We all saw Nicklas and his family last night and it is great to see how close Alex and Nicklas are as teammates and as friends. They have become true brothers in arms.
