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December 31, 2009
The 'decade' that was
Dan Kingerski,
host of The Fourth Period Radio Show, runs down his last nine years
covering the NHL.
[PITTSBURGH, PA] -- As 2009 closes, I
feel the need to point out that this is not, in fact, the end of the
decade. That will officially come next year. However, since everyone
else counts 0-9, instead of 1-10, I'm feeling a little nostalgic about
the past, ahem, nine years.
It has been a tumultuous decade for hockey, compared to the remarkably
boring and oppressive 1990s. Beginning my hockey media career in 2001,
blessedly making the move from being an FM DJ named Curt Daniels, I
was witness to some of the greatest stories in hockey history.
The "decade" began with, in my opinion, the second most talked about
story of the era: The return of Mario Lemieux. Hockey was stuck in the
doldrums of the trap, gone was Wayne Gretzky (the player) and Jaromir
Jagr was superior, but he was never able to completely carry the
"world's greatest" mantle.
Lemieux, a couple years removed from his legal battle to rescue the
Pittsburgh Penguins from bankruptcy, began working towards a comeback
in October. Word never leaked until December. The hockey world was
like little kid waiting for Santa Claus. Who could blame us? For two
straight weeks, news of the impending comeback dominated coverage.
Think Tiger Woods scandal, only with positive stories, which
culminated in a goal and two assists Dec. 27, 2000. Lemieux scored 76
points in 43 games that season.
I began covering Lemieux and the Penguins the following season. It
was, and always will be, the thrill of my life.
In 2003, we began a little radio show called Face-Off, for an internet
con-man, who still writes on the NHL. I was doing that show, when my
crew met a young man named David Pagnotta with a great website, called
The Fourth Period. A few months later, The Fourth Period Radio Show
was born, which led me to another much discussed hockey story of the
past nine years.
With the NHL lockout looming, the ill-fated WHA used our radio show,
at the time syndicated only on a couple stations (one in Calgary, one
in Minnesota), as a platform to announce they were pursuing the
17-year-old Sidney Crosby. The announcement made national news, as
networks like The Score played and replayed my interview with WHA
brass. That exposure led The Fourth Period Radio show into one of
TSN's top 10 hockey moments of the decade: Canada's five straight
World Junior titles.
In 2005, I am proud to say that I had more than a rink side seat for
what was the first of Canada's championships. During the lockout of
2004-05, like many lower level hockey peeps, I didn't have a full time
job—and the idea was born to syndicate the broadcasts of Team USA,
just like they do in Canada.
It's fair to say that USA Hockey had no idea what to make of our offer
to do the radio broadcasts. It had never been done before (and sadly
not done since). Eventually, I convinced the men of USA Hockey there
would be a market for the broadcasts. I was right... kind of.
The 2005 World Juniors saw the greatest Canadian team ever, with a
mission to avenge a 2004 upset at the hands of Team USA. C'mon, Sidney
Crosby centering a line with Patrice Bergeron, who had already spent a
year in the NHL? That alone was not fair. Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry
and Jeff Carter also played up front. Dion Phaneuf, Braydon Coburn,
Cam Barker and Brent Seabrook anchored the defense. Yes, the greatest
junior team ever, though Team Russia did boast Alex Ovechkin and
Evgeni Malkin.
It wasn't planned, but a series of twists placed me in the
play-by-play chair of Team USA. Having never before called a hockey
game (I used to do other sports), I held my own, but only after a few
periods of what were probably awful calls. Ok, completely awful,
dreadful calls.
In addition to crowning Sid the Kid, the 2005 World Juniors also saw
the beginning of the Ovechkin-Crosby rivalry. The Russians were a
cocky bunch, taunting the benches of opponents, before being stopped
cold by the Canadians in the gold medal game. (The Russian players
also allegedly snuck out of a couple hotels to eat at McDonalds! A
story my Cab Driver, who allegedly took them on one late night trip,
was only too happy to whisper.)
The 2005 World Juniors was also were I met Wayne Gretzky. Well, not
actually met, but nearly knocked him to the ground when I barged off a
private elevator as the Canadian entourage was marching towards it. I
apologized, sort of, before a few large people whisked me aside. I
spent the next few hours looking over my shoulder for a Marty McSorely
right cross.
Big moment No.3 of the "decade" came a few months later, as my path
would again cross with Crosby. With the 2006 season saved, the NHL
hurriedly held a draft in an Ottawa hotel ballroom. The draft would
serve as the beginning of the new era, led by Crosby and Ovechkin.
After the Penguins selected Crosby, TSN personnel ushered the phenom
to their on site studio—except a pesky David Pagnotta snagged Sid for
a interview for The Fourth Period Radio Show's live draft coverage.
Yes, I was the first to chat with a drafted Sidney Crosby. Score one
for the little guys!
During the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, my burning eyes watched a
victorious Brian Rafalski pour beer from the Stanley Cup into
Pagnotta. I had just been hit with a champagne blast from defenseman
Brad Stuart. We should all be so lucky. That cork, which floated my
way, shall forever remain in my possession as a symbol of the joy of
reaching one's goals.
I also saw Crosby sitting in his locker stall, paralyzed with grief
over losing the deciding Game 6. A year later, Pagnotta and TFP newbie
Anthony Grossi had the privilege of watching the Penguins drink from
Lord Stanley's chalice, though the 2008 series may well prove to be
the re-birth of the NHL in the US.
Along the road, I have been witness to some amazing moments, talked to
the people responsible, made national news and in one case, body
checked the game's greatest player. The moments have been
unforgettable, but the friendships (Dave Pagnotta, Mark Lazerus,
Dennis Bernstein and new addition Anthony Grossi) have made the
journey worthwhile. We should all be so fortunate to enjoy the people
around us.
It has been an amazing nine years. Next year, I will tell you it has
been a great decade.
Daniel Kingerski, host of The Fourth Period Radio Show,
is the Pittsburgh Correspondent for
The Fourth Period Magazine and a Columnist for TheFourthPeriod.com.
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