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My dad hates everything about today’s NHL — except Jonathan Toews. That and more in the latest ARMCHAIR ASSASSIN. 

FIRST OF ALL… My dad is an old school hockey fan.  He just turned 75 which means he watched the six team league (Or should I say listened to the six team league).  Like most men his age he still regales about the grand old days of hockey.  Back when hockey players were real men who didn’t need helmets or curved sticks.  They rode the train, chain smoked and drank hard.  Needless to say nothing much about today’s game impresses Darryl Aubrey.  The players are soft, the equipment is too big, the game is over-officiated, blah, blah, blah.  But there is one current player that my crotchety father loves.  That player is Jonathan Toews.  My dad gives the Blackhawks captain the ultimate old guy compliment, “Toews is a throwback player – he could’ve played in any era.”  I don’t agree with my dad on everything, but it is impossible to disagree with him on Toews.  The guy is clutch. The bigger the moment, the better he plays.  Stanley Cup playoffs, World Juniors, Olympics – you always know what you’re going to get from #19.  There are several crucial cogs in the Chicago machine, but there is no doubt in my mind who their most important player is.  The Stanley Cup Final starts Wednesday night in Tampa Bay.  I’m taking the Blackhawks because they have Jonathan Toews. I’ll give my dad credit on this one, he knows a gamer when he sees one.  Now leave him alone, he’s off to cut his grass with his white socks pulled up too high.  Go dad!

RANDOM MUSINGS… The Tampa Bay Lightning are also an impressive organization — I expect the final to go seven exciting games… The Lightning seem to be pretty good at finding talent. Tyler Johnson went undrafted and Ondrej Palat was a 7th round pick. Not bad at all… It’s time for my annual “Beat Lebron” chant. The Golden State Warriors are my favourite basketball team for the next two weeks… Thank god I don’t give a crap about soccer; otherwise this FIFA debacle might actually bother me… Best news I heard this week: They’re planning a remake for “Big Trouble in Little China” starring The Rock… I was recently in Las Vegas and saw their half-built new arena. It’s essentially right off the strip. I can’t help but think NHL hockey would do very well in Vegas.  I hope it happens.