Hamden’s own

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / AP

A tip of cap to the Los Angeles Kings and their Milford-native goalie from Hamden on their first Stanley Cup. Jon Quick wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after a 6-1 win tonight in Game 6 in L.A., getting love from the media (Pierre McGuire gave shoutouts to Hamden and Avon Old Farms in the postgame interview on OLN Vs. NBC Sports Network) and of course from his brothers-in-law. And then Quick’s daughter stole the show afterward.

Between Quick and Cheshire’s Brian Leetch in 1994, two of the three American Conn Smythe winners grew up along Route 10 in neighboring towns. Amazing.

Don’t think that gets Trent Hunter’s name on the Cup; he played 38 NHL games, three below the threshold. Sure he had a part in it somehow*.

The Islanders announced this afternoon they’ve signed Johan Sundstrom, Pick 50 of last year’s draft, to a three-year, entry-level deal. Not sure if this affects Bridgeport immediately. He’s only 19 (and doesn’t turn 20 until Sept. 21), so I don’t think this upcoming season would count toward the three years if he doesn’t stick in the NHL. And he could well go back to Frolunda to play the upcoming season, anyway. Edit: Then again, it sounds like Frolunda is preparing for life without him, so maybe he will come over here.

Hunter’s former teammate, Steve Valiquette, didn’t want to use the word “retire” when he popped up here for a day last year. He adds a country to the tour today, as Djurgarden announces he has signed to play in Sweden.

Meanwhile, reports in Germany that Eisbaren Berlin is after Mark Katic. (H/T Elite Prospects)

Craig MacTavish leaves the Wolves to go back to the Oilers (albeit in hockey ops).

TEAM Old New
TEX Jeff Pyle (4/16)  — 
SPR Rob Riley (4/16) Brad Larsen (5/21) 
BIN Kurt Kleinendorst (5/8)  Luke Richardson (5/23)
ADK Joe Paterson (5/22)
MIL Ian Herbers (5/30, U Alberta) 
CHI Craig MacTavish (6/11, EDM Sr VP/hock.ops) 


Until @Gameopsgirl and the Interns release their cover, I think we’ve found the definitive version of That Song. That version answers one of my three big concerns with That Song — the record surrenders every lick of its momentum once it gets to the chorus, enough that I felt the real hook was “where you think you going, baby?” — and it somehow ameliorates another, which is that I’m old. (Plus, ?uestlove almost playing the recorder backward is one of the great moments in musical-cinema history.)

The CIAC has an SID.

And RIP, Warner Fusselle.

So. June 22-23 for the draft in Pittsburgh, June 25 for qualifying offers, that following week for rookie camp, July 1 for free agency, Sept. 15 for the NHL CBA. A long summer begins in earnest.

*-By ridiculous coincidence, this afternoon I saw the play that ended Game 3 of the 1986 Wales Conference Final, when, midway through the first overtime, James Patrick got tangled up with linesman Ray Scapinello in the neutral zone, giving the Canadiens a two-on-none against John Vanbiesbrouck, setting up the Claude Lemieux goal that put them up 3-0 in the series on the Rangers. So when people were yapping about Pierre Racicot on Twitter… Yeah, that was nothing.

Michael Fornabaio

Hamden’s own

Photo: Mark J. Terrill / AP

A tip of cap to the Los Angeles Kings and their Milford-native goalie from Hamden on their first Stanley Cup. Jon Quick wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after a 6-1 win tonight in Game 6 in L.A., getting love from the media (Pierre McGuire gave shoutouts to Hamden and Avon Old Farms in the postgame interview on OLN Vs. NBC Sports Network) and of course from his brothers-in-law. And then Quick’s daughter stole the show afterward.

Between Quick and Cheshire’s Brian Leetch in 1994, two of the three American Conn Smythe winners grew up along Route 10 in neighboring towns. Amazing.

Don’t think that gets Trent Hunter’s name on the Cup; he played 38 NHL games, three below the threshold. Sure he had a part in it somehow*.

The Islanders announced this afternoon they’ve signed Johan Sundstrom, Pick 50 of last year’s draft, to a three-year, entry-level deal. Not sure if this affects Bridgeport immediately. He’s only 19 (and doesn’t turn 20 until Sept. 21), so I don’t think this upcoming season would count toward the three years if he doesn’t stick in the NHL. And he could well go back to Frolunda to play the upcoming season, anyway. Edit: Then again, it sounds like Frolunda is preparing for life without him, so maybe he will come over here.

Hunter’s former teammate, Steve Valiquette, didn’t want to use the word “retire” when he popped up here for a day last year. He adds a country to the tour today, as Djurgarden announces he has signed to play in Sweden.

Meanwhile, reports in Germany that Eisbaren Berlin is after Mark Katic. (H/T Elite Prospects)

Craig MacTavish leaves the Wolves to go back to the Oilers (albeit in hockey ops).

TEAM Old New
TEX Jeff Pyle (4/16)  — 
SPR Rob Riley (4/16) Brad Larsen (5/21) 
BIN Kurt Kleinendorst (5/8)  Luke Richardson (5/23)
ADK Joe Paterson (5/22)
MIL Ian Herbers (5/30, U Alberta) 
CHI Craig MacTavish (6/11, EDM Sr VP/hock.ops) 


Until @Gameopsgirl and the Interns release their cover, I think we’ve found the definitive version of That Song. That version answers one of my three big concerns with That Song — the record surrenders every lick of its momentum once it gets to the chorus, enough that I felt the real hook was “where you think you going, baby?” — and it somehow ameliorates another, which is that I’m old. (Plus, ?uestlove almost playing the recorder backward is one of the great moments in musical-cinema history.)

The CIAC has an SID.

And RIP, Warner Fusselle.

So. June 22-23 for the draft in Pittsburgh, June 25 for qualifying offers, that following week for rookie camp, July 1 for free agency, Sept. 15 for the NHL CBA. A long summer begins in earnest.

*-By ridiculous coincidence, this afternoon I saw the play that ended Game 3 of the 1986 Wales Conference Final, when, midway through the first overtime, James Patrick got tangled up with linesman Ray Scapinello in the neutral zone, giving the Canadiens a two-on-none against John Vanbiesbrouck, setting up the Claude Lemieux goal that put them up 3-0 in the series on the Rangers. So when people were yapping about Pierre Racicot on Twitter… Yeah, that was nothing.

Michael Fornabaio