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Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - December 16th Edition

By 250 News

He's playing on a winning team, getting lots of ice time and enjoying life in the big leagues. 

Yes, Dan Hamhuis is living the Canadian Dream. 

The Smithers resident is among 11 former Prince George Cougars playing in the NHL this season. Hamhuis, drafted 12th overall, by Nashville in 2001, was a two-time WHL all-star, and captured the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as league Player of The Year in the 2001-02 season. 

The 6-foot, 205 pound Hamhuis is now anchoring the Predators blue line, logging more than 22 minutes per game, ranking him second on the team, in this category. After 28 games, the 23 year old has 2 goals, 10 assists and 18 penalty minutes.
Injuries to other key Predator defensemen, have allowed Hamhuis to take advantage of an opportunity. “You know, there's a couple of holes to fill and ice time to fill....Everybody's ice time has been bumped up and mine has been up more than usual. It's been fun. I enjoy being out there in all situations”. 

The youthful Predators have completed one-third of their season, and boast one of the best records in the league. There is no question they have caught several teams off guard. Hamhuis says, “Were very happy with the position were in right now. We could not of asked for much better than that. Our team has been playing very well and when you’re winning its fun”. 

Although Hamhuis and his teammates are enjoying the season, there was one game that wasn’t fun. On November 21st, the Predators were playing in Detroit, when Red Wings defenseman, Jiri Fischer, suffered a seizure while sitting on his team's bench during the first period. Fischer’s heart stopped, and he was given CPR at the bench by team physician Dr. Tony Colucci before the 25-year-old native of the Czech Republic was removed on a stretcher. 

Hamhuis admits that this was a scary situation. “We didn't know what to do. Three guys on our team were close friends with him, so they were obviously really upset. We were sitting in our dressing room just waiting for some good news and they said he's recovered, it was a big relief”. The game never did resume after the incident, a decision which was applauded by players on both teams. 

Although there are many people, like myself, not thrilled with the “new” NHL, the former Cougars captain is impressed. Hamhuis says, “Scoring's been up and there's a lot of penalties being called which slows down and takes away from the game, but it will iron itself out here....The players will understand the rules better and learn not to use their stick which will create more scoring and I think the shootouts have been a lot of fun”. 

The Predators are making “noise” without a huge payroll. Dan Hamhuis is living proof you don't have to love “country music” to enjoy the good life of the NHL in Nashville.

From the quote rack: 

• Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post, “So Pete Rose Jr. got pinched by the feds for peddling pseudo-steroids to his minor league teammates in the Reds' system. Does that make him a chip off the old cellblock?” 

• Greg Cote of the Miami Herald, after the Dolphins lost backup offensive lineman Anthony Alabi for the season: "Alabi offered no excuses.'' 
. .
• Ian Hamilton of the Regina Leader-Post, on the Philadelphia Eagles having to eat a good portion of Terrell Owens' contract: "Although head coach Andy Reid looks like he has already started." 

• Randy Turner of the Winnipeg Free Press, offering his reaction when he heard Keith Tkachuk, who reported to the St. Louis Blues 30 pounds overweight last summer, would be out of action for five weeks with cracked ribs: "Good gawd, man! He tried to eat those, too!!'' . .


And, how is your week?

--Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97FM. He also writes for the PG Free Press, and is author of You Don't Say (Andrews-McMeel, 2005).

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