Andrew Gordon Answers Our Readers’ Questions: Part II

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In part two of our Q/A with Andrew Gordon (part one can be read here), Gordo discusses his favorite NHL players and teams as a kid, if he reads blogs or newspaper articles about himself and what he did on his day with the Calder Cup this year. Mixed in is also a question submitted from a 9 year old reader, Cody, who asks Gordo what he thinks it would take for him to make it to the NHL someday.

In conclusion, all of us here at RMNB hope that you have enjoyed Andrew’s insightful responses to your questions over the past two days and his blogging throughout the Calder Cup Finals. Please join us in wishing him good luck for the upcoming season and a successful training camp. With that said, let’s get started with our first question.

Bill C. asks, “Andrew, who was your favorite player as a kid growing up and why?”

Thanks for the question, Bill. As a kid growing up I had all kinds of guys I really looked up to. When I became old enough to really follow hockey and understand the game, it was the 1992-93 season and I was 8 years old. This may have been the year that hockey took over my life, as my favorite team (brace yourself people…and I apologize in advance) the Montreal Canadians won the Stanley Cup and Teemu Selanne scored 76 goals on his way to a record-setting rookie season. Seeing as my father grew up in Winnipeg, the Jets were the other team I followed closely. So Teemu became my instant favorite. My father and I actually went to see a game in Winnipeg that season where the Jets faced Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings. Although I don’t remember all the details of the game (aside from Seleane getting two goals), I remember being amazed by the stadium and the fact that the guys on the ice were real live NHL players! In the same room as me! It was a day I hope I never forget.

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Andrew Gordon Answers Our Readers’ Questions: Part 1

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A few weeks ago while the blog took a week hiatus, we asked if any of you had questions for player-turned-blogger Andrew Gordon. And boy did you! Tonight we present to you the first five answers out of the ten best questions we received. Also, make sure to check out the photos in this entry. They are from Game 6 of the 2010 Calder Cup Finals where the Hershey Bears celebrated the franchise’s 11th AHL Championship. The photos are from Gordo’s digital camera that he had on the ice. Take it away, Andrew!

Hi, everyone! Looks like this will be my last blog of the summer. Training camp is right around the corner, and once that hits my focus will be on hockey, not writing! I’m going to try to answer all these questions as best I can, but keep in mind some of them would take me forever to fully explain, so I’ll try to cover as much ground as I can without making this a complete yawner of a read. Thanks for reading!

tfirey asks, “Gordo: I have a lot of questions about how pro athletes train (as it’s a world that I’ll never know — alas!). Can you tell us what you do in your workouts? Are any exercises hockey-specific, as opposed to standard endurance and strength-building? How does your routine change throughout the year?”

Thanks for the question, tfirey.  All players have different things they like to do to prepare for upcoming seasons. It’s kind of a trial-and-error thing. The majority of us have had trainers growing up, in junior, in college, and at various pro levels.  They each have their own philosophies and training methods to get a player to the optimum level of fitness.

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This Email About Sidney Crosby is Craaaaaazy

Leave Sidney Alone!

Leave Sidney alone!

RMNB is unafraid to plumb the depths of the ethical basement.  When we heard rumors of a scandalous email about Sidney Crosby circulating, we knew we had to get our greasy little fingers on it.  Thanks to our pal Erika, we did, and now we’re not really sure what to do.

Here’s the story:  we first heard about this email from those arse gremlins at the Pensblog (NSFW: language).  Even they, despite deliberately living in Pittsburgh and rooting for the Penguins, were wise enough to call it nonsense.   Without mincing words, this is fiction.

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Oh look! It’s another adorable promo. This time featuring everyone’s favorite Caveman Captain, Alex Ovechkin. In the above clip, Ovechkin joins the Capital One Vikings on the ice to help prepare customers for the end of the Chevy Chase Bank name. I’m not sure how checking a viking through the glass is gonna help me with said transition, but boy am I entertained. And God, Ovi’s gap-toothed smile at the end there connects with my inner bro-ness in a way some of you will never understand.

Anyways, let us know what you think of Sasha’s acting chops in the comments below! I’m sure we all agree this is Oscar worthy material, no?

S/T to Wyshynski and long-time RMNB reader Michelle (Thanks!)

What Is Alex Semin Worth In Fantasy Hockey?

As close as we could get to Alex Semin in a Fantasy!

“Is it October yet?” takes a back seat to “Is it Draft Day yet?” for us Fantasy Hockey poolies. We eagerly wait to draft Ovechkin or any other Capitals our forwards, defensemen and goaltenders and trash talk our way to victory! However, one player’s value seems to be fairly uncertain: Alexander Semin. ESPN has him ranked as the 8th best player overall for your fantasy team, while Yahoo’s Puck Daddy ranks him 33rd. We here at RMNB try to answer the most important question facing you on draft day: What is Semin worth in fantasy hockey?

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Ovechkin Speaks!

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

A full week after his first appearance on Russian radio this summer, Alex Ovechkin made his second appearance on the radio station Mayak, Saturday.  Ovi spoke with Regina Sevostyanova and their conversation covered a variety of topics including Russia’s failure at the Vancouver Olympics, how the Russian National Team should respond in Sochi, and the dreaded smoking scandal.

Below the fold, we translated the Sports.ru article which did a transcription of the interview.

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NES Ovechkin: Stick Of Fire, I Score Goal

Enjoy. Created by clockwize. S/T to Puck Daddy.

Is Mathieu Perreault A Clutch Player?

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Some think Mathieu Perreault is a no-brainer to start the year at #2 center whose points-per-game (PPG) would increase in the NHL as much as it did in the AHLdespite there being significant proof to the contrary. Others think he could score 45 points, which I think is high based on what we have seen from him so far in his career.

In fact, if we look at Matty P’s AHL stats they translate to 4G/9A/13P in 21 NHL games. His actual 2009-10 stats in Washington were: 4/5/9 in 21GP. Weird, huh?

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This is the first video I’ve seen where Semyon Varlamov has spoken in English, and boy is it adorable. In the advertisement above, Varly invites fans to come meet the team at the second annual Capitals Convention at the Washington Convention Center on Saturday, Oct. 2.

But there’s a bit more to this 15 second clip than Varly’s high-pitched english, manicured eyebrows and accompanying gold chain. It’s clear that Semyon is on a mission this year to change things up after missing most of last season with various groin and knee injuries. He returned back to DC more than a month and a half before training camp, changed his number to #1 (hint, hint Neuvy) & today started his own Russian language blog. Wuh oh. Somebody’s extra motivated.

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Today, Semyon Varlamov started his own blog in the Russian language. It’s based off of LifeJournal technology and is a part of the blogging network in one of the biggest Russian sports sites – Championat.ru. Varly’s blog is entitled “The Last Stronghold of Capitalists.” Take a look here.

Below the fold is the English translation of his first post:

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