Mike Lange Reveals His Secrets to Broadcasting

There are 3 generations of Pittsburgh hockey fans who know the comfortability that comes with Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange. His unique style his his trademark on the game which, in my opinion, transcends the game to the point that it never really feels like a Penguins game without him.

But even though the seasons have piled up on the veteran broadcaster, Lange still keeps up with the changing lineups adapting to the constantly changing updates with the teams.

"You have to do your due diligence, you have to do your work. You have to find out what is going on with that team, how much they have changed? They could have a coaching change. What's the philosophy?" Lange said.

Watching the interview video from KDKA actually feels like it should be required viewing for any broadcasting student. Learning from Lange's routines and dedication to his craft is what makes a standout broadcaster even better.

[Via: KDKA]

[Cross-posted at Mike's Adventures in Broadcasting]

NHLPA Gets Help from Fehr

While the state of the National Hockey League is in disaray, retiring MLBPA union leader Donald Fehr has made himself available to the new commitee trying to find a suitable leader as well as revising the Union constitution.

"Hopefully, my experience at the MLBPA will be of help as the NHLPA members consider the reorganization of their union," Fehr said. "You have an organization of professional athletes who are in a period in which they can use some help, and if I can be of some assistance to them in the process, given the long experience I've had, I'd like to try and do it."

Fehr, according to the CBC article, boasts his long tenure in baseball's union. His track record with the MLB brought on large escalating salaries, something that the NHLPA was always concerned about during the recent 2004 lockout.

"I didn't represent professional athletes for 32 years because I thought that was not the thing I wanted to do," Fehr said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to give them some assistance which will make this task a little easier for them."

Since the NHLPA heads have since rolled on the chopping block quite frequently, Fehr would be a great model to measure any future candidate.

[Via: CBC]

NHL Average Franchise Value Rises

The Annual assessment by Forbes, the leading business publishing and media company, have released their values for each of the 30 NHL hockey franchises as well as operating income.

For the fourth straight year, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL's most valuable franchise estimated to be worth $470 million dollars - an increase of 5% from last year. But As the numbers break down, the report shows that the top valued hockey franchises are the "original 6" with the Philadelphia Flyers included in the top 5.

What is most likely going to be fodder for the Bettman-haters and hockey snobs, the report also stressed that 14 NHL teams have lost value, most notably Colorado Avalanche who are down 11%.

Forbes suggests surprise that the NHL was able to show such improvements despite the status as #4 major sports leagues in North America and while the economy is struggling.

So leave it to the National Hockey League to have its most profitable year smack in the middle of a recession. During the 2008-09 campaign, the league posted an average operating profit (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $6.1 million, the highest figure in the 12 years Forbes has been tracking the league's finances

So, perhaps the NHL has something to hang their helmets on despite the smear campaign by critics and those associated with RIM CEO Jim Balsillie.

The Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly worth $222 million dollars and rank 11th of the NHL teams. Their rival Washington Capitals have also reported a huge gain in value to 183 million dollars as a 15% increase from last year.

[Via: Forbes and Yahoo! Sports]

Millionare Players Are Targets For Scams

While NHL players are debating on the safety on the ice, some players are also speaking out about the ways players have fallen victim to scam artists as well as false investment schemes.

Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch has a great article that highlights budding NHL superstar Rick Nash putting up with as well as some risky business investments.

At least twice a month, Nash estimates, he is asked to invest in projects ranging from real-estate development to restaurants.

I can only imagine that with a sudden windfall of money arriving with a huge athlete contract also rises the people who are in most need of it.

According to the article, the most common way for athletes who suddenly find themselves missing a lot of cash are blaming unscrupulous agents and money managers.

"Somebody is always asking to invest in this and help in that," Nash said. "It's tough to be the bad guy, so it's nice to have someone you can trust, an adviser who can help you with decisions."

And even then, players are still focused on playing hockey and not about the backgrounds of the people they get involved with. Players, according to defenceman Mike Commodore, are not as knowledgeable about financial issues to the point that most advisers can talk over the heads of many NHL players - leading them to even bigger risks.

"It's easy to get in bad habits when you are young," said Commodore, 30. The financial adviser "talks to you, and you have no idea what he's saying. You don't pay attention; you don't check (investments) online. More often than not, things will work out fine, but they could blow up in your face."

With the economy as rough as it is, multi-millionaire players should be on constant guard for those who want to get a piece of their pie.

[Via: Columbus Dispatch]

COHF to Provide Content for Fadoo.ca Hockey Website

What a great hockey season it has become for the COHF blog! I am proud to announce the working agreement to provide original content for Bob McCown's Fadoo.ca I have been a real fan of Bob's broadcasts because they were always discussing hockey in a round table format. His tinted sunglasses view and grizzled attitude won me over along with the interaction he got from his guests and panelists. If you have Sirius satellite radio, you can pick up Prime Time Sports on Ch. 97.

The website does a better listing of credentials:

McCown is the host of FAN590's Prime Time Sports, Canada's top rated sports radio talk show. Heard nightly on the FAN in Toronto and around the country, the show is also simulcast on Rogers Sportsnet.

So, I am thrilled to be tapped to write some content for the website. I consider this an honor.

After looking around the growing website, I see that even in it's own mission statement that Fadoo will take on the same attitude which made Bob so popular in the Greater Toronto Area media.

Fadoo.ca's sole purpose is to spark debate, and maybe even incite a riot along the way. Led by the always combustible Bob McCown, the tone of this site is to inform and illicit a response.

But not only will bloggers be writing for the website, you can too! Sign up now to comment and pen your own opinions by becoming a registered fadoo.ca member.

Quebec City Meets With Bettman for Possible Nords Return

In a surprising story that I hope doesn't fizzle away into "just a tease" category. It was reported today that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had a positive meeting with former Quebec Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut and Quebec City mayor Regis Labeaume.

It immediately made me think of this news item that I highlighted several years ago. But since I have not heard anything else about the progress towards rebuilding the Hartford Whalers, I hope that this idea for Quebec is not just a tease gift-wrapped up in wishful thinking.

"It was very welcoming, very profitable, very worthwhile," Labeaume told the media. "But we'll get back to you in a few days -- we still have work to do."

Take note that it was not Bettman who said this quote, but the Mayor who does not have any stake in the current NHL business plan nor "La Commissionare"s reputation with Canadian fans.

Personally, I think it would be great to see a revival of the Montreal/Quebec rivalry.

[Rogers SportsNet]

Battle of Pennsylvania 2009-10: Game 1

Another season for the Battle of PA rivalry began tonight as the bragging rights stakes were geared up a little higher now that the Penguins are defending champs and the Flyers collected a lot of "muscle".

As Game 1 ended, it was going to be another game where it adds to the Flyers/Penguins lore. All through the game, the Flyers were trying to intimidate the Penguins by throwing heavy hits and provoking fights. Even when the game had its share of fights, one last brawl between Hartnell and Letang which resulted in Letang's hand recieving a bite mark. Of course, Penguins fans are sure not going to forget this along with the Flyers fans not able to live it down. Gotta love this rivalry, right?

The game was in Philadelphia this time around as the Flyers fans seemed to be bursting with bloodlust from the start. The Flyers would get caught with a 2 minute Briere hooking penalty and the Penguins would make them pay with an Evgeni Malkin Power Play goal just 48 seconds into the game. But that wouldn't deter the Flyer-ladened goon squad as many more dumb penalties were exchanged. But with all of the fighting, there was some goal scoring as Jordan Staal remined the hockey world just why Emery was not a great goaltender. Staal faked Emery with a great side-to-side switch with the puck before making it hit the twine.

Second period saw the Flyers bring back some respectablitiy where they kept up on the scoring sheet. Briere added his 2nd goal of the night, but not before the ageless Penguins veteran Guerrin knocked one by the goal as well. The game went into the locker room intermission with a fragile 4-3 lead. Whoever could capture the game's momentum in the third would have the better chance of winning.

The third period saw the Flyers flop and fumble their way out of the game as they continued roughousing and taking stupid penalties. The Penguins Tyler Kennedy would make it a 5-3 game at the period's halfway point. But not to be outdone, Jeff Carter surprised everybody by scoring his 4th goal of the season. That again heighened tensions back in Flyers favor with a chance to tie things late or frustrate the Penguins to make a big mistake.

That didn't happen as the Penguins brawled their way out of Philly with a 5-4 win.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]

Penguins TV Ratings Reach Record

Now that the Penguins have climbed back to Stanley Cup prominence, all of the fans that are now interested in the team again have been a small part of a historic night in more ways than just one. With the Stanley Cup banner that went up on Friday, so did the ratings to a phenomenal degree.

Friday night’s telecast of the Pittsburgh Penguins season opening 2009-10 game versus the New York Rangers registered a 10.5 average HH rating on FSN Pittsburgh, according to Nielsen Media Research. The telecast, viewed by more than 120,500 households in the Pittsburgh DMA, set a new record rating as the highest ever for a Penguins season opening game telecast

I am amazed at the record being that high! Congratulations to the Liberty Media Group who runs the FSN Pittsburgh studios.

Did they count in the research that the FOX Sports Network telecast was seen in homes all across North America having been simulcast on the NHL Network?

[Via: Pittsburgh Penguins Official Website]
[Cross posted: Michael's Adventures in Broadcasting]

COHF Blog Continues The Fight Against Cancer

For the duration of October, the COHF blog will be using one of it's many alternate versions of it's logo. I am not going to make a case for my readers to make a conscious effort to do anything for any specific charity, but....

I would just like to point out that the disease epidemic of cancer has torn apart too many lives to the point that I think everybody knows at least one person in their lives that have been befallen to this tragedy.

If you would like to see a short list of the charities that I blogged for a couple of years ago COHF (Blogathon), I endorse them all and recommend that you at the very least educate yourself about the disease during this time.