Spring Thaw

It is that time of year in Northern Ontario when the warming spring sunshine signals an end to the outdoor rinks. The ice on the north side of the rinks where the sun shines more gets softer and softer causing the wingers to crowd centre ice more and more. It is a time of transition as boots replace skates. The games move from the ice to the streets as young people begin to pick their favourites for the Stanley Cup, the players taking on the names of the men who will be in the final games.

Not this year. Those NHL players who are still skating have dispersed around the globe. Who knows the name of the goalie for the Swiss Cheese Nationals or the centre for the Bavarian Beer Kings? Besides, a number of the girls now have their own heroines of hockey with junior Haleys trading slap-shots with the boys. At least the women are still playing. In fact, I now prefer to watch our women’s National team to the NHL’s version of WWF hockey any day. More hockey and less theatrics.

Maybe the women could play for the Stanley Cup since the men have decided to pass on it this year. I wonder if Lord Stanley ever envisioned the day when men entertainers would go on strike for more money when they were already pulling in dollars that would have made even Lord Stanley, the Earl of Preston, envious.

In offering to provide the original Cup, Lord Stanley wrote: "I have for some time been thinking that it would be a good thing if there were a challenge cup which should be held from year to year by the champion hockey team in the Dominion (of Canada).” Nothing there about it being a men’s team.

"There does not appear to be any such outward sign of a championship at present, and considering the general interest which matches now elicit, and the importance of having the game played fairly and under rules generally recognized, I am willing to give a cup which shall be held from year to year by the winning team."

Since we do not appear to have any outward sign that there will be a championship this year, maybe we should let the women play for the Cup. We already let teams from outside the Dominion play for the trophy, why not the women? It might be a nice reminder to the next NHL team whose name is engraved on the cup in 2006 that they are not the be all and end all when it comes to playing hockey.

For the 2006 season our current Governor General could offer up a new cup for Women’s hockey. Heaven knows she has spent money on less worthy causes. She would not even have to write a speech, having to only insert the word ‘Women’s’ in the first sentence of Lord Stanley’s speech. The Lady Clarkson Cup – has a nice ring to it.

I am certain others would step up to give trophies for individuals, just as they did for the NHL. If Lady Byng could present a trophy for the Most Gentlemanly Conduct, maybe Lord Black of Cross Harbour could find a few pounds for a Most Ladylike Conduct trophy, the Lady Black. Don Cherry would be happy to pick the MVP for the Rose Trophy.

Instead of the Bill Masterson for Perseverance and Sportsmanship, we could have a trophy named after Olympic rower Silken Laumann who showed more true grit in one week than most of us will in a lifetime. Dollars to donuts, Tim Horton wouldn’t mind having his name on a cup for the best defense player. MP Ken Dryden might spring for a top goalie award – you never know when you might need a few more votes.

You know, I am warming to this idea of the women playing for the Stanley Cup this year. It might give our young boys and girls playing road hockey somebody to look up to. It’s either that or have the kids watch the 1975 Russia / Canada series to see how the game ought to be played. Someone might have to explain to the kids about the lack of helmets though – you see the game used to be played just like road hockey.

Car!