(NOT SO) Deep Thoughts
David Ayres a hockey phoenix rising from a battered Viper
A few random thoughts for the weekend we celebrate National Horse Protection Day. Because one thing we don’t want in this country is unwanted foals ...
Hardly a star
By now, you’re probably getting fatigued by the David Ayres story. For the three people who’ve been in Coronavirus quarantine and don’t know what we’re talking about, he’s the Zamboni driver who got called out of the stands to play goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Maple Leafs and actually won the game. So, we’ll keep it brief.
His last competitive games before Saturday were in 2014-15 for the Norwood Vipers of the Allan Cup Hockey League, the same league that includes the Dundas Real McCoys and Hamilton Steelhawks. Senior hockey. Not highly paid NHL stars. Even so, he wasn’t great.
In eight games, the man who shut out the $95-million salary Leafs for a period went 0-8 giving up 4, 5, 8, 10, 5, 8, 7 and 11 goals. Four times, he was pulled and didn’t play the entire game.
“Norwood wasn’t that good,” says Real McCoys general manager Don Robertson. “But they weren’t that bad.”
Has his number
Stoney Creek’s Mike Ruberto scored 21 goals in 23 games that season for the Stoney Creek Generals. Eight were against Ayres in parts of just four games.
Hmm ...
Fans at the first Houston Astros game of the spring training had signs taken from them by team staff.
Ironic, no?
Often overlooked
No player in the OHL has as many points over the past three seasons as Hamilton’s Arthur Kaliyev. In fact, the closest guy is 55 points behind. Yet somehow Kaliyev has been named Player of the Week just once in his career.
Interesting pivot
Forty-three years ago this week, Slap Shot landed in theatres. It’s still the greatest sports movie ever made by a fair margin. In it, Ned Dowd — who’s sister, Nancy, wrote the movie — played legendary goon, Ogie Ogilthorpe.
He’s still in the business, though times have apparently changed. His most recent credit was as a producer for the eight-part History Channel documentary, Jesus: His Life.
Your Question
This week, Kyle Lowry had his college number retired by Villanova. From what NBA team did the Toronto Raptors acquire the point guard in a 2012 trade?
Bonus points if you can name the player for whom he was dealt.
Answer below.
Black and blue
Astros batters are getting drilled often in spring training. Seven different hitters were plunked in the first five games. Which, of course, is accidental and simply the result of pitchers not yet being sharp with their control.
Yeah, right.
Getting old
Ten years ago Friday was Sidney Crosby’s
Golden Goal at the Vancouver Olympics.
Nine players who were on Canada’s roster are now retired and only five — Marc-Andre Fleury, Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, Patrice Bergeron and Sidney Crosby — would likely still be considered stars in the NHL.
Doesn’t seem that long ago. But a decade sure changes things.
Why the weird name?
The NFL Combine started this week. Which leads to the annual question: Why is it called the Combine?
There is a logical answer. In the early 1980s, there were three scouting camps. Different teams went to different ones. In 1985, all teams decided to agree upon one leaguewide assessment. They combined their efforts. Hence the Combine.
What? You thought it had something to do with heavy farm equipment?
Room to improve
If you totalled all the games in the OHL since Hamilton came into the league five seasons ago and created standings from that, the Bulldogs would be in 14th place, one spot behind Barrie and one spot ahead of Niagara. Perhaps predictably, London, Sault Ste. Marie and Kitchener would be first, second and third.
Thought it would be more
There are 15 players in the NBA this season who are seven-feet or taller.
Papi for sale
Former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz is having an estate sale at his Bostonarea home this weekend. You can look at his stuff at exceptionalestatesales.com. While there are some cool items, there are also some oddities.
Even if you are a diehard Sox fan, do you want Big Papi’s faux potted plant? How about his framed kimono? Or his miniature charcoal barbecue, worn pair of green overalls or a used computer printer?
Buried ice
Many people would make the case that coverage by ESPN is crucial to the NHL’s continued growth in the United States. So far, it’s not exactly going well. On ESPN.com this week, you had to click down 13 screens before you found any hockey news. After basketball — college and pro — football, golf, soccer, Zimbabwean basketball (not kidding), dunk competitions and even e-sports.
On a positive note, the league was ahead of the WWE.
Who?
Any idea who Jarrett Stidham and Cody Kessler are? You might soon if Tom Brady leaves New England as many are predicting. Because these two are the only two other quarterbacks under contract to the Patriots right now.
Your Answer
The Raptors got Kyle Lowry from the Houston Rockets for Gary Forbes and a first-round pick that turned into Oklahoma City Thunder centre Steven Adams.
sradley@thespec.com 905-526-2440 | @radleyatthespec Spectator columnist Scott Radley hosts The Scott Radley Show weeknights from 6-8 on 900CHML