Shaved Ice – Jan. 27

Good morning, hockey fans.

Quick hits

Last night featured one of the NHL’s new traditions – the All-Star Player Fantasy Draft. Obviously it’s something new, people probably still don’t know how they feel about it, somebody gets stuck getting picked last, etc…but I like it. The set-up might make the game itself a little bit more confusing, because there’s no clear separation of who is on which team, but overall, it’s something to talk about the next morning, something to add to the NHL’s exposure in the media, and it’s just fun to watch.

Congrats to Mr. Datsyuk, who went first overall. We even made him our honorary Michi-gamer of the night. Zdeno Chara is a smart man for picking the Wings’ all-world center so quickly.

Highlight reel

Backstage interview with Datsyuk, courtesy of DRW.com. Gotta love it.

Outside the Mitten

Former Spartan Tim Kennedy was traded by the Florida Panthers to the San Jose Sharks.

Gary Bettman says there’s three groups interested in buying the Phoenix Coyotes.

Joey the Junior Reporter – of Blackhawks TV fame – asks out NHL Network reporter Heidi Androl.  Here’s the video:

Way to go, kid.

Last one – people dug up a time capsule that was buried underneath Maple Leafs Garden in 1931. Now that’s cool.

Check it out

How did Darren Eliot’s mock draft stack up to what the fantasy GMs did last night?

Next up

See you on Monday to chat about the All-Star weekend.