Backman to Berlin: new-week notes

Among those players heading overseas is a triply local guy: Sean Backman is off to Germany after four years in the L.A. Kings’ organization. (What with the ties between the Polar Bears and the Kings, as noted, he sorta still is.)

While we wait for the Calder Cup Final to start, the Stanley Cup Final got going with a wacky one in Pittsburgh. NHL.com will apparently get thoughts from Harry Zolnierczyk along the way.

Host Windsor won the Memorial Cup, though Dylan Strome was named MVP for runner-up Erie.

Colorado has grabbed a 2-0 lead in the Kelly Cup Final.

And RIP, Frank Deford.

Michael Fornabaio