Page 25 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No_122

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #122 March 2023 25

Continued from page 24 the upcoming highly regarded 2023 The Hockey Card Report
draft, as well as forward prospect
strong defensemsn was at the top
of the list for GM Ken Holland Zach Dean. They also acquired
Jakub Vrana from the Wings in a By Bennett Harty
and he did so by acquiring Mattias
deal looking for a return-to-form
Ekholm. The Oilers are primed for
a run with their prized 1,2 punch of from the troubled player.
Nashville Predators - Like the
Conor McDavid and Leon Draisatl.
Blues, the Preds sold off some pieces
Ottawa Senators - They may
for draft capital. They received
not make the playoffs, but they 5 draft picks from Tampa Bay
sure did improve their young core
including a 1st rounder for rugged
- a deal with Arizona to acquire
forward Tanner Jeannot, a 2nd
defenceman Jakob Chychrun for
far less a return than what the round pick for F Nino Niederreiter.
Additionally, they acquired another
Coyotes were originally thought
1st round pick from Edmonton, as
to be seeking worked out well in
the Senators’ favour. GM Pierre well as defenceman Tyson Barrie
and prospect Reid Shaefer in the
Dorion is quietly going about
Ekholm deal.
rebuilding the Sens into an Eastern ith the NHL playoffs fast
These are the teams that I think
Conference power. did the best job at the deadline. Wapproaching, all eyes are on
St Louis Blues - By trading some the standings. Who makes it in and
Only time will tell. The playoffs are
pieces from their underachieving who will be booking tee times will
only a month away and the league
roster (Tarasenko, O Reilly, Acciari, come right down to the wire. Unlike Bruins fan, like me, who was raised
Ivan Barbashev) they acquired 2 has many teams that feel they are the years of the dynasty, the salary by a father trained from birth to
set to make successful runs to the
additional first-round draft picks in cap era certainly makes for some of hate the Leafs! Ironically, this card
Stanley Cup.
the most entertaining playoff action is from my father’s collection, and
in all pro sports. Many teams have a when I asked why he has a Gilmour
Continued from page 23 felt like we had won the Stanley Cup.” legit shot at the Cup, bringing us to card as a Leaf, he said it’s because,
explains. Last year, Eli played nets for Holy everyone’s favorite question; is this although he hates the Leafs, there
On the soccer field, Eli plays center Trinity at the East vs. West Boys the year for the beloved Leafs? This are a few he has respect for, with
back, working to keep the other team Hockey Challenge - it was organized month’s featured card was printed Gilmour and Dave Keon topping
away from the net. On the ice, he’s a to replace the Bishop Cup. “We over 20 years ago and might be the his list! Dad says all Leaf fans will
goalie. “I never played out as a hockey couldn’t play the actual Cup game last time the Leafs even came close! whine about the “Gretzky” high stick
player. I wanted to be a goalie from the because of COVID restrictions. But on Gilmour when they read this!
very start, even when I was in IP. My the community hosted an unofficial The Pinnacle (by Score) card Surely every hockey fan has a story
dad had my brothers pin me with shots competition. I was only in Grade 9, but #226 is celebrating that year’s Selke
in the barn to try to change my mind, I got the nod from Coach Robertson. Trophy winner and fan favorite, about why they cheer for their team,
but it didn’t work.” HT took the title. It felt so good to win Doug Gilmour, who was named the often involving family tradition, or
Eli enjoys the challenge and competition because HT hadn’t won in a while. game’s best defensive forward while allegiance to a particular player or
of playing sports. He likes to win and This year’s Bishop Cup is next week. putting 127 points on the board in the town. My father, like his dad, is a Red
to achieve, and he admits that he has a Hopefully, we (HT) can do it again.” same season. This is a great example Wings fan. When I asked him why,
hard time with losing. “I hate it. I like As for school, Eli isn’t a huge fan – he of a card that holds no value given he said, “Two reasons: I was born in
for me and my team to be on top.” explains there’s too much sitting and the era it was produced in - it can Windsor, and I hate the Leafs.”
There are a couple of wins that Eli book work. Even though, he works be purchased online for as little as
holds special. One was his spring hard to do well, knowing that school is 21 cents! This example is worth The Ovi watch has slowed down
team’s Montreal Meltdown win back in important for the future. His favourite more because it is autographed in some, with Alex having to return
2017. “We were losing in the semi-final subjects include science and history. blue Sharpie, likely bringing in a home to Russia to grieve the death of
game, down like two or three goals with He isn’t quite sure what career path little over $20 on the current market his father. He sits at 33 this season.
only half the third left to go. There was he will take going forward, but he is with no COA. A signed and graded Next month, we’ll likely feature
a goal-mouth scramble, and I made the interested in different ideas. “I like to someone moved at the deadline and
save, and then the team just lit it up. We work with my hands, so a trade makes Gilmour rookie card would be valued still “in the chase”. Don’t bet against
tied it and went into overtime to win the sense. But I’ve always had an interest at over $200 for comparison. my Bruins, especially since they’ve
game. From there, we moved on to the in the army. Training K-9s for the We had hinted at featuring added Orlov to their blueline…
finals and won the title. At that age, it police service or the military would be a Leaf this month, which is and enjoy all that comes with the
awesome too.”
undoubtably hard for a die-hard homestretch of the season!