Two absent Thursday: Stephen Gionta, as expected, but John Stevens again. Brent Thompson said Gionta is “week to week” with his lower-body issue, so that sounds like it could be a long-term thing. Stevens (upper-body) is day to day, again, set back after a couple of good days of practice earlier this week. Neither one appeared to be going to Allentown for tomorrow’s game against the Phantoms; Kyle Schempp filled Stevens’ spot this morning.
The Tragically Hip was playing in the Bridgeport room before practice Thursday, as it surely was in dressing rooms across the continent the past couple of days after Gord Downie’s passing on Tuesday night. Connor Jones said he watched Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau’s interview yesterday about the effect Downie had on Canada. “I grew up listening to him, for sure,” Jones said. “My parents listened to everything the Hip did.”
“You kind of grow up listening to your parents’ music,” Kyle Burroughs said. “They were something my mom and dad always had on.” His grandfather, too, Burroughs said, and to add to the emotion, he said, his grandfather also had brain cancer. “I’m sure everyone across Canada had his last concert on. It’s a tough day for Canada. His legacy’s left in his music, but it’s a sad day for Canada.”
It’s a sad day beyond the borders, too. Probably tough to be around the game for any length and not be exposed to the Hip, even if you never heard of them before or never heard them around here outside a rink. “Ahead By A Century” played as the doors opened at Harbor Yard for a few years. “My Music At Work” was on the warmup playlist for a time. Late in the ’06-07 season, I was gabbing at Shelton with then-assistant coach Bernie Cassell, who though a Boston guy had been introduced to the band through Canadian teammates. He insisted I ought to give them a further listen. As usual, Bernie was right.
In the city-Howard Saffan-Sound Tigers love triangle, there’s a public hearing on the amphitheater set for Oct. 30. Edit: Brian Lockhart’s story this afternoon has the latest.
Bunch of photos newly hung in the hallways at the arena. A row of captains in the hallway leading out to the ice from the room. Throwbacks as the players come in, like Raffi Torres’ Hamilton Game 6 goal. Nice.
Elsewhere, Colin McDonald is closer to his season debut, though that may not be tomorrow.
Ryan Pulock makes his season debut at the Garden tonight.
Things are up in the air in Boston and Providence: Tuukka Rask’s practice run-in has Zane McIntyre called up, leaving this duo in Rhody. Kenny Agostino was called up yesterday.
And RIP, Michele Marsh.