John Himpe's Blog

I don't know how excited you were to open a gift on Christmas morning, but this kid was a little more than excited... 

In a matter of days, millions will be going through a societal ritual that I used to have much faith in, but have fallen out of favour with.  That ritual is the crafting of the new year's resolution.

Since they're pitiful at winning games (see the 11-14-4 record so far this season), the Dallas Stars figured they might as well be good at something.  And that something has become mastering the art of riding the moral PR high horse.

Rewind two weeks : loudmouth hockey player Sean Avery put on a show for the TV cameras saying things that NHLers say in the comfort of their own little world all the time.  (His comments just so happened to be about ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert.)

Taylor Field is a provincial embarrassment.  The ancient, single-use facility continues to be held together with little more than duct tape and bubble gum.  It is treated like the private clubhouse of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (complete with the authentic "built in Joe's garage" feel to various parts of the place) rather than the city-owned facility it is.  It is a relic from an era that has long passed us by.  There is no hope in rejuvenating this old beast.

So, that brings up the discussion of what should replace it.

Like monarchists, audiophiles and other equally annoying purists in life, the hypocritical holier-than-thou sports fraternity which defends the sanctity of hockey doesn't have much love for Sean Avery.

Why?

Maybe it's because Sean Avery doesn't keep his inappropriate comments to the boys nights out at the strip clubs... or to the golf course with buddies... or the hometown bar with childhood friends.  Or wherever else hockey players hang out.