2012 January

The Hockey News – 40 Years Ago

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 30) – This edition of my memorabilia photo-blog series is simple and to the point: 72 covers of The Hockey News dating from Oct. 27, 1972 to Apr. 22, 1977. The hockey bible – as… Read More

Cease-Fire Prevails on All-Star Saturday

By HOWARD BERGER OTTAWA (Jan. 29) – Hockey players are among the most fascinating species on Earth. They spend time between October and June each year perpetrating intolerable acts upon one another, to the extent the National Hockey League deploys… Read More

Catching Up With Darcy Tucker

By HOWARD BERGER OTTAWA (Jan. 28) – The perfect summary of Darcy Tucker’s playing career in the National Hockey League occurred during a ten-day span in October 2009 – a transitory blip that connected elation and despair. Having returned to… Read More

Weather Hell on All-Star Media Day

By HOWARD BERGER OTTAWA (Jan. 27) – So, let’s see… winter has officially been here for one month and six days – a period during which the climate in Ontario has resembled mid-spring or early-autumn. That can only mean one… Read More

Toronto Sports History in Logos, Photos

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 25) – Each one of us that grows up a sports fan in this city will develop his or her personal connection. You may have a favorite team; logo, or a memorable experience relating to… Read More

When Gary Bettman Cuts, Does He Bleed?

By HOWARD BERGER NEW YORK (Oct. 28) – A sage, hardened veteran of the media that covers the National Hockey League warned me, in no uncertain terms, about attempting to write the blog you have just started to read – … Read More

Leafs Celebrating ’67 Stanley Cup

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 23) – A substantial part of my collection – perhaps too substantial, given the storage space required – is old newspapers… most of which I’ve kept through the years; some of which have been given… Read More

Leafs Typical, Not Alarming

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 22) – After consecutive victories over Montreal early in the season, the Maple Leafs lost a game to the Canadiens on Saturday night and hockey observers here are reacting the way sports fans, in general,… Read More

Burke: NHL Concussion Epidemic an “Aberration”

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 20) – Brian Burke is not easing up on the “rats” in the National Hockey League. When I spoke with the Maple Leafs president and general manager in the second intermission of Thursday night’s Toronto-Minnesota… Read More

It’s Optimus Reim or Bust

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 17) – Here is a word to the wise, and an encouraging one, for fans of the Maple Leafs: Do not give up on James Reimer. The upstart netminder that stole the heart of… Read More

Leafs Without Energy on Troops Night

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 15) – It is difficult to decide which was more predictable: the Maple Leafs losing in Buffalo on Friday, or getting swamped by the New York Rangers at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday. Given… Read More

Where Else Would Leafs Streak End?

By HOWARD BERGER BUFFALO (Jan. 14) – Friday the 13th and a game at First Niagara Center wasn’t exactly a prime combination for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who wore their new alternate jerseys on the road for the first time … Read More

An Ode to Buffalo

By HOWARD BERGER BUFFALO (Jan. 13) – If I didn’t like this city and its people so damned much, I might have difficulty crafting this blog. But, I figure the folks down here have developed an innate sense of humor … Read More

Welcome to the Blizzard of 2012

By HOWARD BERGER BUFFALO (Jan. 13) – This could be a very long day. Having slept for maybe 90 minutes overnight, as a raging blizzard developed out of a Monsoon rain-storm here in the Queen City, an afternoon nap is … Read More

Bobby Hull Perspective Long Overdue

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 12) – A good book almost always begins with a great idea. Sure, the subject matter has to be compelling, but a gripping cover-photo; a catchy title and a splendid scheme are invaluable in the… Read More

Protecting Bowen and Watters From Ron Caron

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 10) – Every person involved with the National Hockey League over the past half-a-century almost surely has a story about Ron Caron, the legendary former executive with Montreal and St. Louis – known as… Read More

Leslie Loves LSU

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 9) – The mother-lode of football parties will occur tonight – likely all night – in a region of the southeastern United States. New Orleans is a given… revelling in the “Big Easy” all but… Read More

Leafs Love Home-stands

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 8th) – Give the Maple Leafs a wayward home game in the middle of a cold January week, and fans will often be treated to an exercise in futility. Provide this year’s team an extended… Read More