NHL All-Star Game

The NHL All-Star Game is quickly approaching and yesterday the NHL announced the players that will participate in the event.

For Canes fans, we have come to associate the appearance of Eric Staal at the All-Star game an annual occurrence and that is the case again this year as Staal will make his 4th appearance.  This year will definitely be different as the Hurricanes are the hosts.  In talking to the media yesterday Staal said, "You want to be recognized among the elite in the league and for me to be a part of that this year is an incredible honor, especially being in our home building in front of our fans."

Making his first All-Star game will be goalie Cam Ward.  In my opinion, probably the most under-rated goalie in the league.  This is a well deserved selection as Cam has played outstanding this season.  He is the Canes all-time wins leader.  As Ward noted, "It'll be my first All-Star appearance and that's one thing, and then to have it at your home building is going to be a special experience and I'm really looking forward to it."

Rookie Jeff Skinner was selected as one of the 12 first-year players for the SuperSkills Competition.  This is going to be special to see Skinner showing off his skills that we have seen throughout the season so far.  Skinner is leading all rookies in scoring at this point in the season.  Think back to when you were 18, can you imagine being in the position he is?  Absolutely amazing!

Caniacs, this is going to be an exciting time at the end of this month.  With the draft January 28 live on Versus and TSN, I wonder if Staal and Ward will be on the same team????

2011 NHL All-Star 5K

This January the NHL All-Star Game will be coming to Raleigh!  This is going to be a great way for the Caniac Nation to show how enthusiastic we can be and why we have the reputation for the loudest "house" in the NHL.

Announced earlier this week, NHL All-Star Wide Open will take place January 28-30. 

The “all-star” line-up will feature hockey’s best and a free Friday night show at the Downtown Raleigh Amphitheater from  Three Doors Down.

•NHL Fan Fair - A hockey fan festival featuring interactive games and attractions, special appearances, Hockey Hall of Fame trophy and memorabilia displays, live TV and radio broadcasts, pin trading and trading card zones, music, food, official NHL All-Star merchandise and dozens of other dynamic activities in the Raleigh Convention Center (Friday-Sunday, Jan. 28-30).

•All-Star Live at the Amphitheater: A series of free concerts featuring Three Doors Down (Friday-Saturday, Jan. 28-29).

•All-Star Streets: A street party on Fayetteville and Cabarrus Streets in the style of the popular Raleigh Wide Open spectaculars (Friday-Saturday, Jan. 28-29).

•All-Star 5K - A charity 5K run/walk through Raleigh, starting and ending at the RBC Center, to benefit the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ‘N Community Foundation (Saturday, Jan. 29 at 9:00 am).
 
The 5K is a great addition to this outstanding weekend.  I wonder if any of the all-stars will take part in this event?  I have already signed up and you can't beat a $25 entry fee with no processing fees.
 
Anyone interested can sign-up by going to http://www.ncraces.com/.
 
What a awesome way to actually showcase the name of my blog.  I am a huge Hurricane fan and love running.  Having the All-Star game and a 5K is perfect for the......Running Caniac!

Caniac Nation....It Is Time!

The NHL season has arrived. 

The Hurricanes open the season on Thursday in the NHL's Premiere in Helsinki, Finland against the Minnesota Wild.  This is a homecoming for  Jussi  Jokinen, Joni Pitkanen and Tuomo Ruutu.  Tuomo Ruutu played for the club team in the arena where the NHL Premiere game is being held prior to coming to North America.  In the off season he lives only a few minutes away from the arena.  After a long off season, the Hurricanes and all of you Caniacs out there should be eager to get the season started.

This year the Hurricanes are led by captain Eric Staal as he begins his first full season as the captain with the retirement of Rod Brind'Amour this summer.  I am looking for a big season from Staal.  The Canes also had a youth movement this off season and it will be interesting to see how the young guys perform.  A lot of eyes will be on first round draft pick Jeff Skinner and he has even been mentioned as a possible Calder Trophy candidate.

The Canes have also brought back a couple of veteren defensman in Joe Corvo and Anton Babchuk.  Corvo was traded to Washington at the deadline last season and Babchuk returns after a year playing in Russia.  The Canes have some youth on defense as well, but I am looking to the leadership of Tim Gleason, Joni Pitkanen and Joe Corvo to bring the young guys along. 

Last season was a difficult one for goalie Cam Ward.  He had issues with his back and then received a nasty laceration on his leg from the skate of Rick Nash that kept him out for several games.  I am looking for Cam to regain the form he had when the Canes won the Stanley Cup in 2006.

No one seems to give the Canes much of a chance this year of making the playoffs.  Well, this Caniac sees the Canes making the playoffs and contending.

We get to see this Thursday what the Canes will be bringing to the table....or should I say ice.

Let's go Canes!