Santa for the W!

Wade Redden got his picture taken with the jolly red rancher!

Santa loves RED! And @WadeREDden6, @NHL defenceman with over 1, 000 games played! #GreatDad #Bruins #STLBlues pic.twitter.com/DorVhkVBv3
— Ralph Hass (@RalphH_VO) November 24, 2013

Watch your Weight Santa! Don't be tempted by this commercial:)

Water creature, Ogopogo, waited in line to meet Santa!

Red (Santa), Green (Shrek) & Back In Black!

Santa duty, day one parade last night at Orchard Park Shopping Centre. I ran into Shrek from Kelowna Actors Studio. I think he stole my black belt...I am looking forward to day two this afternoon and packing on a few pounds (via a pillow)!

Ralph "Santa" Hass and Darren "Shrek" Scuffi

By the way, "Shrek - The Musical" opens December 4th!

Fighting in hockey? Don't punch a guy with glasses! 

The first Annual Kelowna Christian School Future Champions Luncheon with guest speakers, Ryan and Jennifer Walter, took place this past Wednesday, November 20th. It was great to meet them and hear their insights on leadership! Click here for Ryan's bio.

L-R: Ryan Walter, Jennifer Walter and Ralph Hass

I narrated a video for the event that showed the life changing education and world changing students at KCS. Did you know former Vancouver Canuck, Bill Muckalt (like our three kids), is an alum of the school? Ryan and Jennifer have five kids and three grandchildren. Four of their children were born in Montreal, where Ryan won a Stanley Cup in 1986! His ring was passed around at our luncheon. Ryan is currently the President of the AHL's Abbotsford Heat, the Calgary Flames' farm team.

Ryan Walter's tough teammate (222 NHL fights!) back then has just written a book. Chris Nilan had a great love for the Montreal Canadiens and has a sports radio show in the city now. Read more here.

Yes, I WILL look good in a RED Santa suit too!

IF you want to see me smile...
1) Support someone participating in Movember. Here is the VO-MO group captained by Jeffrey Kafer. I made a donation in memory of my dad.

2) Buy a poppy (can you see it above?) in advance of Remembrance Day/Veterans Day on November 11.

3) Sponsor a child through an organization like www.ChildOfMine.ca.

Want an Adrenaline Rush? Cue Pavel Bure!

It was a special night in Vancouver on Saturday. Score it a perfect 10 thanks to Pavel Bure having his number 10 jersey raised to the rafters! By the way, his first game as a Canuck was on Nov. 5, 1991 (22 years ago tomorrow) against the Winnipeg Jets.

Enjoy the "Russian Rocket" memories below via two links, enthusiastic announcing (with Jim Hughson, Jim Robson and Tom Larscheid) and some great music! Time flies when you are having fun...with the puck...

Blast from the Past: @VanCanucks tribute video to Pavel Bure. http://t.co/FJw9oksivo #Canucks #Bure10
— NHL (@NHL) November 3, 2013

RT @b0undless Here's the Chilliwack "Fly At Night" @hockeynight opening #CBC #HNIC #BURE http://t.co/ccxW3h7Bgi
— CanuckStruck (RH/DC) (@CanuckStruck) November 3, 2013

Home Sweet Sports Home: St. Louis, Buffalo or Denver?

The Monday night football game will be boring tonight as the St. Louis Rams host the Seattle Seahawks minus their star quarterback, Sam Bradford. But, did you know he was a big Vancouver Canucks fan growing up in Oklahoma?

How do you compete with game five of the World Series anyway as the
St. Louis Cardinals host the Boston Red Sox?

The St. Louis Blues host the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow night. When they played in Winnipeg on October 18, Alex Steen scored twice in the city where he was born and his dad, Thomas, starred.

Tonight the Buffalo Sabres welcome back their former coach, Lindy Ruff, who was behind the bench for 15 years until being fired this past February. He is now the coach for the Dallas Stars. Ironic, since they beat Lindy and the Sabres to win the Stanley Cup in 1999...

The Buffalo Bills lost yesterday in New Orleans, 35-17.

Yesterday, coach Mike Shanahan returned to Denver. Ouch! His Redskins gave up 38 straight points to Peyton Manning and the Broncos in a 45-21 loss. During Shanahan's 21 seasons with the Broncos as an assistant and a head coach, they reached five Super Bowls and won two! Did you know Peyton Manning lived temporarily in Shanahan's Denver mansion last year until he found one of his own?

Last weekend Peyton Manning had his homecoming in Indianapolis spoiled. The Colts' 39-33 victory ended the Broncos' 17-game regular-season winning streak in Manning's first game against his former team since being released in March 2012.

That puts a wrap on blog post 31 for 2013. Enjoy the 31st day of this month and maybe dress up as a pro athlete or coach...

Basketball is for Big Men & Polar Bears

My last post mentioned teams named Giants in football, baseball and hockey BUT I wonder why is there no professional basketball team named Giants? Seems like a natural to me. The only NBA team name that starts with a G are the Grizzlies in Memphis and the only city is Golden State, which is actually Oakland.

Today's local newspaper quote from coach Wooden is surrounded by my key chain. I love Thursdays because I play basketball in my men's rec league!

Now watch this video of a polar bear dribbling:)

This brings back memories of the Calgary Zoo for me...and when the Grizzlies played pro basketball in Vancouver. The polar bear actually resembles Bryant "Big Country" Reeves:)

Season number 7 for me voicing WHL promos on Shaw TV!

I am pleased to be back promoting the best up and coming junior hockey players around!

Tonight's matchup features a great Pacific Northwest battle:


The Vancouver Giants struggled last season and were the worst team in the league with just 44 points in 72 games. They will be much better this season!

Sporting Giants have sure stumbled on the diamond and gridiron recently.

• The San Francisco Giants won the World Series last season but are only 72-85 this year.
• The New York Giants are off to an 0-3 start in the NFL after going 9-7 last year and winning the Super Bowl against New England the previous season.

Ouch! So much easier being a sports fan on the couch...

28th Blog Post In 2013: Happy 28th Ovi & Welcome Back NFL!

Happy 28th birthday today to NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin!
Light (smashed), camera and action on this TSN commercial shoot earlier this month...


28 points is a popular total for football teams to score in a game.
In week one of the NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 28-2, while the Green Bay Packers scored 28 BUT lost to San Francisco, 34-28. Last Monday night (Sept. 9) the San Diego Chargers collapsed in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans and lost 31-28.

Week two just wrapped up in the NFL but NO team scored 28.
24 seemed to be a more popular number. The Buffalo Bills beat the Carolina Panthers, 24-23. Miami won over Indianapolis, 24-20, but 24 wasn't enough for the Titans and Rams in their respective losses to the Texans (30-24) and Falcons (31-24).

For the record, I picked the Atlanta Falcons to win the Super Bowl before the season started.

I will pick the Atlanta #Falcons to win the Super Bowl this season. Gotta feel bad for a city that has lost it's #NHL team twice:( #NFL
— Ralph Hass (@RalphH_VO) September 5, 2013

HA! She Said "I Do" 25 Years Ago Today!

Today I celebrate a silver anniversary with my sweetheart, Darlene.

We have a history (about 10, 000 days!) and many Hass stories with three children. But it almost didn't happen. I believe our engagement was broken three times by Darlene:(
I remember one of those times I went to the Steve Martin movie, "Roxanne", on my own.

We worked through the doubts "back in the day" and have not looked back! Darlene has been a great encourager on my life's path and has a kind, gentle spirit that all who know her will confirm. I have learned that communication IS the key to a good marriage and a willingness to keep improving in all areas. However, as a couple, we realize our limitations and know we wouldn't be a good team on "The Amazing Race." Tough news last night on the Canadian edition of the show for the couple who have been together for 25 years!

It is good to be different though! Perfect example of that in this blog post by family friend, Melissa Feddersen: A Marriage Letter: To The King of the Exclamation Point.

Darlene and I just purchased our first truck on the weekend so many new memories will take place in the future with biking and kayaking excursions and moving items from my Mom's home (she sold it yesterday!). Meanwhile, the cabin property below has been in Darlene's family for 45 years. We will enjoy more time there later this month.

Some of my voice talent friends let me know how important their wives are too in the grand scheme of life.

Bob Souer says: "It's been 24 years and 3 months now for us. Cinda has been a great partner, especially since I went full time in voiceover. Not only does she manage our home wonderfully, she helps direct me when I'm recording audio books or other long form projects."

Dave Courvoisier shares: "My wife, Victoria, and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary in October. To mark the occasion we're traveling to Ireland for a 10-day self-driving tour. What I'd like to say about our relationship is that from the start she has embraced my crazy idea of working two full-time jobs. She saw and understood what it meant to me, and while it makes me generally less available to her, she's always encouraging me. How wonderful to have that built-in support system for something that is my passion. Each year brings a greater understanding of the rock...the foundation she is for me."

Michael J. Schoen let me know that, "Diane and I have been married 22 years. We married when I got an assignment from CBS news to cover the first Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm - and told her I wouldn't go, unless she married me first."

Jason Randle filled me in that, "Our anniversary comes up on the 20th of this month. We have been married for 2 years. Her support of my career and being my friend have made my life incredible!"

If you would like to share some thoughts or feelings about your better half, Darlene and I would love to hear it!

HA! Does Baseball HAve The HArdest Names To Say?

After showing you my shorts in a recent blog post, I think my sports shirts/jersey here will make you go "Ha Ha Ha!"

2/3 are Seattle based.

Sadly, no Ken Griffey Jr, who was inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame on Saturday night! One was a teammate of Griffey's. Big bonus points to you if you know his first name...

You are ready for a career in voiceover if you know how to say the name:)

Hockey Commercials, Hotel Ad & Hot Weather

It has been a record setting month for sunshine and hot weather here in British Columbia!

At 9:42 a.m. this morning, B.C. broke the record for the sunniest July since 1985.
— Global BC (@GlobalBC) July 30, 2013

Kelowna has had a great weatherman/humanitarian on TV for forty years. But retirement is finally in the forecast for Mike Roberts on September 6th. He will no doubt be playing a lot more golf. Many NHL players do a lot of golfing here in Kelowna and the Okanagan.

Yesterday, Sports Illustrated released their list of the 12 greatest hockey commercials! The Vancouver Canucks are represented by the Sedins and Markus Naslund. Click here.

Hot off the press today, this could have made it a lucky 13 list:

The @ovi8 "This is SportsCenter" Spy ad named one of @ESPN's best in history. Details: http://t.co/1pNoacOrT9 #Caps
— NHL (@NHL) July 31, 2013

Here is my recent Nova Hotels TV ad for Western Canada.

Stay out of trouble and stray into the water (or an air-conditioned voiceover studio) to beat the heat. But be safe!

Sports, Shorts & say "So Long" Luongo

I am a man of many sports and many shorts...

The copper pair were just added to my collection...

Speaking of short...

I doubt this quote from Mark Twain will work for the #Canucks, Roberto Luongo & Mike Gillis #Forgive #Rules pic.twitter.com/14V6vKA6cL
— CanuckStruck (RH/DC) (@CanuckStruck) July 15, 2013

If I was Luongo, I would retire from the Canucks (like Kovalchuk in New Jersey!) and concentrate on a poker career. Unfortunately, Lady Luck was not with Luongo recently in Las Vegas.

It IS going to be a LONG season in Vancouver...

Thirtysomething on the 30th + Cats, Bats (baseball) & Draft (NHL)

I never watched this TV show between 1987 and 1991. Did you? It was before my time I guess. I didn't turn 30 until 1994...

That clip has just over 30, 000 views.

                                                              ===============

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift played BC Place last night and celebrated hitting 30 million Twitter followers:

In Vancouver- just realized you guys got my twitter up to 30 million followers?!?! So cool considering I only tweet about my cat and food.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 29, 2013

One of my top blog posts came in the summer of 2010:
The CATS are in charge!
It ended with these famous words:
No, I am not on Twitter yet. Once my cat, Bunzo, is on there, I will consider it:)
For the record, I officially joined Twitter in early March of 2011:)

===============

The major league home run leader reached 30 with two yesterday. Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles actually played for our Kelowna Falcons a few years ago.

I was at the Kelowna Falcons game this past Wednesday with my daughter and tweeted out a picture of NHLer Jordin Tootoo throwing out the first pitch. By the way, Jordin Tootoo is 30 years old. I almost won the $760 dollar 50/50 jackpot at the game:) A lady two rows in front of us won as my ticket was just two numbers off:(

                                                              ===============

The NHL Entry Draft has been taking place this afternoon. Flashing back to 2001, Jordin Tootoo was taken 98th overall in the fourth round by the Nashville Predators. Today, Nashville picked fourth overall and added to their depth on the blueline with Seth Jones. Colorado picked first. In the Avs' situation I would have picked Jones. Seth learned about hockey growing up in Denver, where his dad, Popeye, was a pro basketball player. The marketing wheels were in motion but MacKinnon was Colorado's man. Congratulations Nathan and all NHL draft picks!

Happy Canada Day tomorrow! 

BC History Is Made & Plenty of Dancing (cue Phil Collins!)

Happy 30th Birthday yesterday to BC Place in Vancouver!
Last night, the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team celebrated the occasion with a 3-1 win over Chivas USA.

21 years ago this month I got to enjoy Phil Collins and Genesis at BC Place. Here are some #ThrowBackThursday items:

This is a limited edition lithograph for "We Can't Dance." There is an autographed one somewhere in our house - but in our move six years ago, it got lost in the shuffle:)

**Want to throw your back out on this Thursday? Then try some of the moves in these 77 memorable and not so memorable Hollywood movie dance scenes.**

You can also watch Phil Collins (when he had hair!) on "I Can't Dance." His best moves are saved for the end after being upstaged by a lizard at the beginning...

Cue the J's: Jaromir Jagr, the Stanley Cup coaches and my sons!

Jaromir Jagr is in the Stanley Cup final tonight for the first time since he and the Penguins defeated the Blackhawks in a four-game sweep in the 1992 Cup final. Jagr lines up with the Boston Bruins tonight.

Neither of our sons (Justin, far right below or Jordan, rockin' the red) were even alive back in '92. But our daughter was:)

Congratulations to Jordan for graduating from high school this month and Happy Birthday tomorrow to Justin! I am very blessed with Father's Day on the way!

Maybe my wife is cheering for the Boston Bruins as she sports a bit of yellow? I think Jordan's red ties in with going for the Blackhawks. There is no way he could be a Bruins fan after they knocked his team (Toronto) out of the playoffs in round one.

I am going to pick coach Julien and the Bruins to beat coach Joel and the Hawks in seven.

• One of them will become only the fifteenth coach in NHL history to win two or more Stanley Cups. Their roots go back to junior hockey with the Windsor Spitfires, where both were defencemen. The 54-year-old Quenneville played three seasons with his hometown Spitfires between 1975 and 1978 before turning pro. The 53-year-old Julien was traded to Windsor from the Oshawa Generals early in his second year of junior in 1978-79, the season after Quenneville had left to play for the Maple Leafs. 

Nine other cool Stanley Cup tidbits about the Blackhawks and Bruins were mentioned in the same article by CBC's Tim Wharnsby.

Hockey, Pizza & Mics: Can't TOP Chicago!

Detroit visits Chicago in an exciting game seven western conference semifinal tonight! If you are a fan of pizza, pick the Red Wings. Their owner, Mike Ilitch, started Little Caesars in 1959.

Who is having pizza for dinner? Frozen? Herman @gocomics - gocomics.com/herman/2013/05… #herman #GoComics #FoodForThought
— Ralph Hass (@RalphH_VO) May 28, 2013

As a voiceover talent, I like mics. Now, besides owner Mike Ilitch, Detroit has coach Mike Babcock and right winger Mikael Samuelsson. However, he has a pectoral injury so he should not be in the lineup tonight.

More Mics on Chicago too. In game six on Monday, Michael Frolik scored his third of the playoffs on a penalty shot while Michal Handzus had his first. The Blackhawks also have Michal Rozsival on defense.

I am picking Chicago to top Detroit tonight on home ice!
Just a warning for you: Watch your pizza toppings!

Click here.

Iceman, Birthday Girl and Humility from San Antonio's Spurs

Our daughter, Ashley, turns 22 today - so Happy Birthday!
How about Happy Spurs-day!

George "Iceman" Gervin presents the Western Conference Championship Trophy to the @spurs!twitpic.com/ctqpra
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2013

Ashley is going from one number to another...

The Spurs go about their business humbly. They are Classy, Not Sassy.

Maple Leafs, Barenaked Ladies and Classic Bikes

As a hockey fan living in British Columbia, and with a provincial election tomorrow, here is who we should be voting for on the ice tonight in these crucial game seven playoff matchups:

• Toronto over Boston (the Bruins beat the Canucks for the Stanley Cup in 2011)
• Washington over the New York Rangers (NYR won the Cup in 7 games against Vancouver in 1994)

Toronto last won the Stanley Cup in 1967! Here is a flashback with yours truly on my bike in the fall of 1967 in northwest Calgary. PS Had a great lunch and dinner and family time with my mom yesterday for Mother's Day!

(L - R) the late David Hass, Marianne Hass & Ralph Hass (1967)

Below is a photo from 1994 when I was working for Warner Music Canada in promotions, sales and marketing. It was to draw attention to Barenaked Ladies' new album "Maybe You Should Drive."

Kamloops This Week writer Warren Footz (standing) & Ralph Hass (1994)

Barenaked Ladies are BIG Toronto Maple Leafs fans! You can see that here with a cool offer now at their website:

Control Your Speech. Be positive - NOT negative

Wise words from Pastor Tim in his newspaper column this week and he issued a challenge:

See how often you can incorporate the following phrases into your language and just watch your environment change:

"I believe in you."

"I trust you."

"I am proud of you."

"I respect you."

"I love you."

"You can do this."

Tim has hockey in his blood and he references Roberto Luongo in his column. We should build people up rather than tearing them down. My two cents? Please apply this to social media too.

===================================

Be careful what you say. 

Case in point from Derek Chappell: 

You Mean You Can’t Say !@#$%^&*???

• Blackhawks' Duncan Keith claims no disrespect to female reporter.

• Winnipeg Jets coach, Claude Noel, has a way with words. Call it an honest approach:) A Top 10 list starring Noel made it on Sportscentre last night as the coach takes shots at his team, players and...his clothing. Watch all the way to #1 right here for that "line of clothing"...

Boston Strong! Chicago Voice Pat Foley

BOSTON STRONG indeed!
Check out the link from voice talent DB Cooper.

The powerful voice of the Chicago Blackhawks is Pat Foley. He was honored for thirty years of service before last night's 5-4 overtime win against Nashville. Hat tip to Adam Santic for the link!

Our cat, Bunzo, might prefer a headline like Hass-Pawer?

2013 Buffalo Sabres Sports Imaging = my Verbal Fastball?

The 1970 expansion cousins in the NHL just played on a Saturday afternoon. The Buffalo Sabres won, 1-0, against Philadelphia while the Vancouver Canucks lost, 4-3, in Colorado.

Maybe you heard me on the MSG-TV broadcast in Buffalo?


Did you know today is National Scrabble Day? I love Scrabble! I came out ahead (324 to 288) last night playing my wife:)

Baseball announcer Tim McCarver probably has Scrabble nightmares. Read this excerpt from the latest Sports Illustrated:

Tim McCarver's 31 year broadcast career will come to a close after he works his 24th World Series this fall. Are you a fan or not of Tim? Who do you like behind the mic for a baseball game?

Seattle versus Kelowna Was A Modern Day David versus Goliath

It was a "David versus Goliath" matchup in their opening round WHL playoff series for the Kelowna Rockets. They finished a whopping 50 points ahead of Seattle during the regular season! And I guess their answer to Goliath would be Golbourne, who had a team-leading 135 penalty minutes during the season. But we all know how that Bible story ended...

Seattle started strong in the series - winning the first three games against the Rockets - ALL in overtime! But in an epic comeback, the Kelowna Rockets won four straight (including overtime last night!) to advance to round two!
This had happened only once in league history - when current Detroit Red Wings coach, Mike Babcock, coached Spokane in 1996.

Overcoming a 3-0 playoff series deficit has never happened in the NBA and only three times in the NHL (Toronto in 1942; New York Islanders in 1975; and Philadelphia in 2010). By the way, the largest point differential overcome in the NHL playoffs was 48 - when the LA Kings beat Edmonton in the 1982 playoffs. The "David" was Daryl Evans and, of course, the "Goliath" was Gretzky!

March Madness & Voiceover talents

There were 50 basketball games played in March Madness between Wednesday and Sunday night. It wasn't until the 50th and final game that a team ended up with exactly 50 points in their score.

Maybe the most disappointed voiceover artist with that score is my friend, Jane Ingalls. Not too long ago, her daughter played basketball on the Creighton women's team.

This hockey guy picked ALL 12 games correctly in the East Regional for Sports Illustrated's Bracket Challenge. I have Indiana winning it all two weeks from tonight!

If Kansas and Florida collide this weekend, there could be a little friendly trash talk going on between Derek Chappell (Jayhawks fan) and Caryn Clark (Gators fan).

But I think if Tim Tebow shows up with a pre-game speech for his alma mater, you will be cryin' the blues Derek:)

Rockets 50, Spurs 50, Ralph Hass 49

I shared a milestone yesterday with the Kelowna Rockets!

You can never have too much cake on your birthday, right? 

50 and 14 were a winning combination for the San Antonio Spurs too. They beat Dallas 92-91 yesterday to hit 50 wins for the 14th straight season.

Want a winning formula to hit 100 years of age? Read below:

Kelowna Christian School Knights: Senior Boys AA Basketball Champs

The Kelowna Christian School Knights started the season with UNITY in mind and they went through the season that way. The ICING on the cake was winning the Senior Boys AA Basketball Championship in Kamloops on Saturday! Read a wrap of the final here as we knocked off #2 ranked Brentwood College, 58-47.

A day before in the semi-final our son, Jordan, came through in the clutch against the #1 ranked team in BC!

Photo and link updated April 15, 2013.

Respect that Voice: the Ref

I will be back on PA tonight for the Kelowna Rockets. I may be busy announcing penalties as, I believe, the Victoria Royals are the most penalized team in the WHL. The Rockets won last week, 4-1, when I did PA for the Seattle game.

I just tried to blend into the background and not make any mistakes.
The same approach was taken by the referee - but he had a lot more eyes on him.

Click on this link and see the Seattle coach and a little old lady question Steve Papp's accountability as a ref.

I prefer a little Black Puck more than Grey Poupon!

What an exciting finish to last night's game five at Rutland Arena as the Kelowna Chiefs scored with just 1:07 seconds left to win 1-0 against Summerland! They now have a 3 games to 2 lead in the opening round KIJHL playoff series!

Tonight, my hockey PAssion sees me handle PA (public address) for the first time for the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place against the Seattle Thunderbirds in a possible WHL playoff preview!

Sunday I will be on PA for five games at the historic Memorial Arena for Kelowna Minor Hockey's Showcase of Champions.

Did you watch the Oscars last Sunday night? I probably only had it on for a couple minutes. There was an ad that ran 32 years after it's original "Pardon Me" campaign. Read all about the Grey Poupon branding here. The extended footage is rather charming here:

"Amazing Race Canada" starring Pastors Mike & Joel?

Being a pastor is SO easy, isn't it?
Don't they just work on Sundays?
The answer is NO. They work hard and with their hearts!

I know Mike and Joel personally and they would be a great fit for "Amazing Race Canada!"
They have a passion for hockey and Tim Hortons (PS get down there now for the Roll Up The Rim contest!) and let them rock 'n' roll into your path right NOW...

Please - NO laughing (like Mike)...

Voiceover and Sports with George Lopez

Voiceover is SO easy:)
Just roll out of bed...be ready with water and breath mints...
Don't spill anything in the studio - or on the basketball court...

Enjoy this five minute interview with George Lopez by clicking here.

Seeing Sports RED for Valentine's Day

Stan "the Man" Musial passed away last month at the age of 92. He played his whole baseball career with the Redbirds, the St. Louis Cardinals. Sports Illustrated said: In Musial we had a man who was unfailingly loyal to his organization, to his wife and most especially to his craft. Musial was married for 72 years to his wife, Lillian, before she passed away last year. Wow! My wife and I are a third of the way there:)

Michael Jordan turns 50 on Sunday. He "showed up" before my son's basketball game last night:) We won 86-52 @sinow twitter.com/RalphH_VO/stat…
— Ralph Hass (@RalphH_VO) February 13, 2013

As someone with hockey in my entrepreneurial spirit, this is a great quote from Gretzky @dfernandes33 @accelerateok twitter.com/RalphH_VO/stat…
— Ralph Hass (@RalphH_VO) February 13, 2013

Congratulations to Wayne and his wife on a long marriage too! They are just a month ahead of us:)
From Wikipedia:
While serving as a celebrity judge on Dance Fever, Gretzky met his future wife, American actress Janet Jones. According to Wayne, Janet does not recall him being on the show. They met regularly after that, but did not become a couple until 1987 when they ran into each other at a Los Angeles Lakers game that Wayne and Alan Thicke were attending. Wayne proposed in January 1988, and they were married on July 17, 1988 in a lavish ceremony the Canadian press dubbed "The Royal Wedding".

Remembering Jackie Robinson & 2 hockey movies

94 years ago, a hero was born. Today, his legacy still lives on.Here’s to you, Jackie Robinson. ->yfrog.com/0etz86j
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2013

In exactly 42 days (March 14) it will be my birthday:)
I am looking forward to "42" on the big screen! April 12th is the release date for the Jackie Robinson movie.



As reported two days ago on his blog, Kamloops' Gregg Drinnan says: Trilight Entertainment Inc. has optioned Sudden Death: The Incredible Saga of the 1986 Swift Current Broncos and has already begun the process of making a feature film based on the book that was released in November. For more information, click right here and read the press release that Trilight Entertainment and Dundburn issued this morning.

There is another hockey documentary being made out east in Canada and will include current Sabre/former Canuck, Cody Hodgson. It's called "There's Something In The Water" - based on the book "There's Something About This Place." Haliburton, Ontario is a small town of about 5, 000, which has sent four players to "the show" (NHL).

PA for the Kelowna Rockets Feb. 28 & March 6!

Well, I can cross that off my buck(puck)et list soon!
Two nights ago I had a chance to sit in with the Kelowna Rockets' public address announcer, Bill Barnes, as the team won their 19th straight on home ice! I had a great view "above the crowd" (see previous post) and look forward to filling in for Bill for two games down the road.

Rockets salute fans after 5-3 win against Vancouver Giants!
#11 Carter Rigby had a hat trick.

I had a great view like this from the press box one other time: Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 when I was in the Shaw suite when the Rockets beat Medicine Hat, 10-1. Before that game I had a chance to meet Rockets Skills Development coach, Kim Gellert. Nice guy - who also happens to be employed by the Buffalo Sabres as an Amateur Scout.

Here are a few more great Kelowna Rockets memories I have shared on this blog:

• Live Long and Prosper (May 13, 2009) - I met head coach Ryan Huska.
• A picture worth a thousand words? Thousands of calories... (May 5, 2009) - Hear Bill Barnes with the 3 stars!
• Hockey History Being Made in Calgary (March 1, 2009) - Meet play by play voice Regan Bartel.
• Voice-over: You may be in the minors, but play like you’re a major (January 20, 2009) - Bonus blog post from Jeffrey Kafer with a hockey flavor.

POINT & Shoot the Camera + Point & Drive the Zamboni!

Here is a great shot (in more ways than one) of my son playing basketball on the weekend!

Lights, camera...Zamboni. Here is a recent shot I took at ice level at Rutland Arena, where the Kelowna Chiefs will host Princeton this Friday night and Osoyoos on Sunday.

Princeton has a cool Zamboni! Click here to view - BUT don't bring up gun control...

Over 10, 000 Zambonis make hockey more enjoyable:) 

Frank Zamboni was born on this date in 1901. He passed away in 1988.

Making their POINTS: Steve Nash and Sports Illustrated

The points ARE piling UP!
You can thank Canada's Steve Nash for much of that!
He hit a big milestone last night:

Remember when that Division III guard (Jack Taylor) scored 138 points on November 20th? Well, that was more than all the football playoff teams managed over the weekend:)

With 137 points scored in four wild-card playoff games combined, this was 4th-lowest scoring Wild Card Weekend since WC was added in 1990.
— Ben Maller (@benmaller) January 9, 2013

Best for last? You'll find this column at the back of every issue of Sports Illustrated:

Winter Basketball or Ice Hockey?

I had a bit of snow to deal with today on our driveway - but feel free to come over and shoot some hoops now...

Because of bad weather I moved the three-point line in a bit...

Is court in session - or season?

Look who's ready for some pond hockey!

Drop the puck - NOT the duck...