As we've always done here at NOHS, today is the day that we give out the coveted NOHS Blogging Awards for the 2009-2010 hockey season. It has been a great year, and I'd like to congratulate the winners in advance. Trust me, you've earned it.
(NOHS waiver - this was not written by Drew, he's too classy for this.)
Most Journalistic Blogger - Pinky from Hockey Wilderness
As noted on both this site and A2Y, Pinky, from very solid Hockey Wilderness blog exudes nothing but class and intregity. If all bloggers were like this man, we would all have hockey credentials, just like Pinky himself. He's a writer that lessor blogs such as A2Y and Winging it Motown should remember before sitting down to write a post, as he'd never take shots at someone who's suffering due to the national recession. Plus he knows when to quit a discussion, and would never pretend to threaten a lawsuit and play the victim just so the beat-down would end. No, that's too classy for someone who will only drink a frosty beverage is with his pinky out in full salute.
As a busy hockey journalist fighting for us all, he proves he is even more of a role-model volunteering at the local Home Depot when he is not doing his investigative reporting. Detroit bloggers everywhere are so impressed they've taken to renaming the Wild after the man himself. If that isn't an honor, I don't know what is.
Least Over-Reacting Site - Adrian Dater (On Twitter...mostly)
Mr. Dater, while a journalist, you really missed your calling as a blogger. You work for a paper that strangely doesn't seem to care what you do. But you know, really, what harm can getting into a pissing match with a blogger, one day announce to the world that you are quitting twitter, only for that to last around, oh, 24 hours before you reappeared in all your glory. Even though you've shown almost all the signs of a blogger, the one thing that does set you apart is your ability to really look at the situation at hand and not overreact, like a stupid blogger would. Last night was a perfect example, even though the Avs lost, your twitter was the model of calm collective thoughts that a journalist's should be. Here's a glimpse:
Oh wait...he's not level-headed at all! Ah hell with it. This one's just filler anyways.
Blog of the Year - The Puck Stops Here
Here's to you, Mr. Puck Stops Here, for presenting us with a, ELITE daily blog we can always rely on to enlighten us with your statistical analysis. Each morning, I wake up, grateful that I now know who you feel is the current Lady Bing Trophy leader is. And it was you sir, who nearly ended world hunger and figured out how to get runaway Toyotas to stop accelerating with your incredible use of the Corsi stat. You've shown how this stat makes watching and playing the game obsolete, as you can find out anything you want simply by looking at this perfect little numeral. I tremble each day at the anticipation when you will announce the exact moment in time you feel that Paul Kariya has earned his spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Never afraid to rely on his own opinions as fact, Mr. PSH has shown us that it's a waste of time to use actual analysis when one could simply state a conclusion, and then back it up, daringly, with that very same conclusion. Of course, during these insightful discussions, he never forgets to stress how much smarter he is than everyone else, the bedrock of a good blog.
And who can forget his creativity as shown by: "Hershey Bears Take Over AHL Scoring Race," "New Selke Leader," or everyone's favorite, "My Team Canada Selections," where PSH boldly took a stance that he's watched more hockey games than Steve Yzerman, which obviously makes him a better GM. Not many people have the sack to make that claim, but the great PSH stepped up and called out the so-called "Captain," a move that can only help everyone in blogging community gain respect from the mainstream. Take a look for yourself and marvel at his greatness:
This sort of stuff is why I read the internets.
PSH, your willingness to accept constructive criticism shows your openness to other's ideas and makes your site all the better. But most of all, it's your incredible sense of humor that really makes your blog stand out as the Blog of the Year. It's one that makes even the great Triple Deke Tyler cry himself to sleep, while mumbling to himself about moving to a place where no wifi can be found (probably most of Detroit would work). I often find myself laughing hysterically when reading your posts, a talent that so very few bloggers posses.
So while I hope you enjoy your NOHS Blog of the Year Award, Puck Stops Here, I know this sort of recognition won't mean that much to someone like you. Because as cool as you seem online, you probably have even more friends in real life.
(Note: I actually do think the Hockey Wilderness is a solid blog (minus one waste of life) and it is refreshing to see a journalist actually speak his mind. And remember, I never said I had class.)
