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 Blast from Z Past |
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Blast From "Z" Past - Question 1
On January 30, 2000 the 1992 Flint Icelanders won the 15th Annual Brantford Friendship Tournament beating the Brantford Saints 3-2 in the championship game. The player in the picture played for Brantford several years ago, what is his name? Bombers, if you know who it is send me his name on the "Message Board".
Jared Trebtoske picks "The Great One"
It didn't take long for Jared Trebtoske to come up with the answer to our first "Blast from Z Past" question. Yes, it was Wayne playing for Brantford when he was about 9 or 10 years old. I wonder what team the next "Wayne Gretzky will come from, could it be the "Bombers"? Good job Jared.
Blast From "Z" Past - Question 2
Born in Montreal, this lefthanded sniper has 590 goals to his credit. In 1986 he was the Canadian Junior "Player of the Year". He was drafted by the NHL when he was 18 years old and is still playing. If any Bomber knows who he is you can send his name to me using the "Message Board.
Spencer & Jonah Team Up For Luc
Spencer Spurlin had to use a life line (Phone-a-Jonah) but managed to come up with the correct answer to the 2nd "Blast from Z Past" question. Still playing for the Los Angeles Kings and a future Hall of Famer, Luc Robitaille is our mystery player. Luc and Spencer have something in common, they both wear number 20. Last year Luc's salary was $3,500,000, Spencer makes a little less than Luc because of his age. When he was 18 years old, Luc was drafted into the NHL. Will any of the Bombers be ready for the NHL in 9 more years.... Maybe so.
Blast From "Z" Past - Question 3
These 3 "Cowboys" are very well known in the world of hockey. Dave played for the Detroit Red Wings. Steve played for the Edmonton Oilers and the L.A. Kings. And Jeff played for Muskegon in the IHL. Who are they? If you know, send me the answer on the message board or email me at Jon94@aol.com
Stoney Says Hanson Brothers
Austin Giesey (Stoney) has his own way of answering the Blast From Z Past Question. He doesn't use the Message Board or E-mail. He takes the coach out to dinner and tells him in person. Coach Mike and Mrs. Van Norman had dinner with the Giesey's at the famous Boone's Steakhouse in Traverse City last Sunday. During dinner Austin told me that the answer to Question #3 was the Hanson Brothers. I think he had a little help from his brother Adam but I told him I wouldn't tell anyone. You may have seen the Hanson Brothers when they skated in Flint between periods at the Generals Game. There are 3 Bombers that remind me of the Hansons....I wonder who they are.
Blast From "Z" Past - Question 4
Ok Bombers......someone should know this Hockey Player. He played Right Wing, Center and Defense. When he was only 15 years old he was invited to his first NHL training camp to try-out for the New York Rangers. He was so young that he got homesick and left the try-outs. Before he was played in the NHL, he played for "Galt" in the Ontario Hockey League. Our mystery player was selected to the NHL All Star Team 21 times which is an NHL record. Ok.... one more clue and it is a big one, our mystery player shot the puck left handed and right handed. Who is he?
Ivan Knows Mr. Hockey
 |  | | Mr. Hockey |
The latest Blast From "Z" Past question didn't make it a day. Ivan says it is Gordie Howe and he is right. Mr. Howe played in the Ontario Hockey League for "Galt" and their home ice was at Galt arena. The Bombers played in the same arena during the 42nd Preston Internationl tournament. We beat the Markham Waxers 3 - 1 on that ice. Do you remember the big picture of Mr. Howe at the end of the rink? That was a clue for you. Gordie Howe is also known as Mr. Hockey. His stick was not curved.... it was straight and he could change hands anytime and shoot lefthanded or righthanded. Mr. Hockey has 4 Stanley Cup Rings. He has won the "Hart" trophy (MVP)6 times and the "Art Ross" trophy (Most Points) 6 times. He started playing for the Detroit Red Wings when he was only 18 years old. Next time you go to Joe Louis Arena just look up in the ceiling and you will see his famous #9 jersey retired forever. No Red Wing will ever wear the #9 again.
Blast From "Z" Past - Question 5
In 1994/95 he was invited to attend the U.S. Select 16 and 17 Camps. He went on to play for the Rochester Mustangs in the United States Hockey League where he was a 5 time nominee for the USHL Defensive Player of the Week. In 1995/96 he was selected to the NAHL All star game. He currently plays for the University of Michigan and at 6' 2" and 212 pounds is one of the biggest defenseman on the team. In his sophomore year he led the Wolverines with a +29. WHO IS THIS GUY?
Zach and Dalton Say Jay
Thursday night at about 10:30pm I got a call from Zach Makimaa. Zach was a little excited as he gave me the answer to the latest Blast From "Z" Past question. Zach and Dalton Hammond (who was spending the night) teamed up to get the correct answer. If you skated in the Mike Nichol's Clinic you should have known the answer because he skated with you all 4 days. Our mystery player is Jay Vancik from the University of Michigan. Jay will be a senior this year and we want to wish him the best in the upcoming season. Good job by Zach and Dalton (and Jim). Watch for the next Blast From "Z" Past question.
Blast From "Z" Past - Question 6
He was 5 years old when he got his first pair of skates. His favorite position was Center but when he was 6 or 7 he had already began to play goal. In Carman, Manitoba, Canada where he grew up it was very cold in the winter but that didn't matter if you loved hockey the way he did. At 15, he tried out for his High School team (the Carman Cougars) but they cut him. He made the team the following year and in 1983 they won their High School Championship. His next stop was in the MJHL with the Winkler Flyers but it was at the University of North Dakota that he made a name for himself leading them to the 1987 NCAA Championship. He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1987. His first NHL game was a 3-4 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Ok, one last clue..... In 1999 he helped his team win the Stanley Cup. Who is this guy?
Stoney Wins His 2nd Blast From "Z" Past
The email I got from Austin Giesey said "It's Ed Belfore, well thats not spelled exactly right but the answer is correct. Eddie the Eagle, alias Ed Belfour plays for the Dallas Stars. Moms and Dads will remember him from his days in the IHL with the Saginaw Hawks. He has played in 6 NHL All Star games, was Rookie of the Year (Calder Trophy), won the Williams Jennings trophy 3 times and the Veinza trophy twice. Ed loves Scuba diving, Flying, Muscle Cars, Fishing, Golf and Drag Racing..... who has time for Hockey? This year Ed has several new teamates at Dallas including Pierre Turgeon, Donald Audette and Val Kamensky. Look out for the Stars this year. Congratulations to Austin on his 2nd correct answer.
Blast From "Z" Past - Question 7
This weeks "Blast From Z Past" is a player everyone should know. He is one of the best to ever play in the NHL. Let me tell you a little about him. He started playing hockey at the age of 4 when his dad was asked to coach a team. When he was 9 years old his family moved to "Nepean" just outside Ottawa, Ontario Canada. He must have been very good because at the age of 11 he made the Nepean Raiders Junior A Hockey team. That is very young to play on a Junior A team. After playing for the Raiders for 5 years he joined the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey league and played for 2 seasons. When he was 18 years old he was drafted into the National Hockey League (but I can't tell you which team drafted him, that would be too easy). How about a couple more clues? He has 2 very famous nicknames and he is the youngest player EVER to play in an NHL ALL STAR game. One more thing, when he was a young boy growing up in Ottawa he had 3 hockey heros, I will give you the names of 2 of them. Gordie Howe and Mike Bossy. I am sure you have seen him on TV, who is he?
Detroit's Own Stevie "Y"
Ivan Gaydayenko came up with the correct answer to this weeks "Blast From Z Past" question. It is Steve Yzerman, alias Stevie "Y" or "Stevie Wonder". The Detroit captain was born May 9, 1965 in Cranbrook, British Columbia. His family moved to Nepean, Ontario when Steve was nine years old. At 16 he played for the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League. Drafted in 1983 by the Detroit Red Wings, he is youngest player ever to play in an NHL all-star game. Steve is one of only 4 players to record 150+ points in a season. The other 3 are Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Phil Esposito. Steve chose the #19 for his jersey because his favorite player growing up was Bryan Trottier. Steve Yzerman is a perfect role model for young players. He works hard, always plays his best, puts his team first and respects his coaches. Steve Yzerman, one of the best ever.
Blast From "Z" Past - Question 8
In March 1992 Dalton Hammond was sucking on his new pacifier while Carter Foguth cried for his baby bottle. Andrew Lay was getting his diaper changed and the rest of the 1992 Flint Icelanders were no where to be found especially Zach Makimaa and Spencer Spurlin. But the two guys in our Blast From "Z" Past question were 9 years old and just coming off a big season winning their first Squirt League Championship. Look at them close (check out those yellow laces) if you know who they are you can email me (jon94@aol.com), use the "message board" or call me at home with the answer.
 | | 1992 Adray Squirt Champions |
 | | 1992 Adray Squirt Champions | |
Spencer Spurlin Answers Blast
It was Spencer Spurlin that came up with the correct answer to the 8th Blast From "Z" Past question. The 2 guys in the picture are Coach Brad and Coach Adam. The picture was taken in March 1992 at the University of Michigan, Dearborn Campus Arena. The boys were 9 years old and had just won the Adray Squirt Playoff Championship. Good work Spencer. Dane was the first one to guess, he knew Coach Brad but he couldn't identify the other guy. If you go back and look close at the first picture you will see Ryan Hoover peeking out from behind the trophy. Do you remember Ryan? I introduced you to him when he helped out in our try-outs this year. He was the player that played Juniors in Canada. Look for the next Blast From "Z" Past in about a week. See Ya.
Blast From "Z" Past - Question 9
This Detroit Red Wing player has more gold medals than he has neckties.
1979 - Gold Medal (World Jr. Championship)
1980 - Gold Medal (World Jr. Championship)
1981 - Gold Medal (Canada Cup)
1982 - Gold Medal (World Championship)
1983 - Gold Medal (World Championship)
1984 - Gold Medal (Olympics)
1986 - Gold Medal (World Championship)
1988 - Gold Medal (Olympics)
1989 - Gold Medal (World Championship)
Most players are drafted (picked) by the NHL when they are 18 years old but this player was 25 years old before he was drafted. He was drafted in 1985 but never made it to the NHL until 1989 when he was 29 years old. In the 1985 draft there were 213 players picked before him but he has outlasted all most all of them. He is a "Centerman" that is often compared to Wayne Gretzky because of his passing and smart play. He has played for 4 different NHL teams. Before he came to the NHL he was a member of a very famous line called the "Green Unit". Here is our last clue:
1996-97 - Stanley Cup
1997-98 - Stanley Cup
Who is this Hockey Great?
Spurlin takes Gaydayenko by 11 hours 46 minutes
FLINT (IP) Spencer Spurlin has won his 3rd Blast from "Z" Past beating out Ivan Gaydayenko by 11 hours and 46 minutes. Both Icelanders had the correct answer but an email from Spencer at 9:05pm on Thursday edged out 2 time winner Ivan Gaydayenko. Of course the right answer is Igor Larionov who was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 1985 and has gone on to play for the San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings. He was born in Voskresensk, Russia on December 3, 1960 and is now the oldest active player in the NHL. Igor's nickname is the Professor. In Russia, Igor played center for the Red Central Army team and was a member of the famous "Green Unit" with forwards Vladimir Krutov and Sergei Makarov and defencemen Viacheslav Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov. Nice work Spencer and Ivan. Here is a picture of the Green Unit.
Blast From "Z" Past Music
Jaws
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