Hockey

[shadows]

-Part 3-

But now that you are "out," can you successfully pursue a job in hockey, specifically in the NHL, if that is a wish?

You are applying to law schools right now. Hockey management and politics are two things you care about the most, and a law degree is required for both, so it leaves the door open for either. You say you would be lying if you said you don't think sexual orientation affects a job in pro hockey. You believe it would make some things more difficult. There are going to be people who aren't comfortable knowing they are working with a gay person.

"He's incredibly brave. He went back to our all-boys high school and gave a speech about the struggles gay teenagers go through and got a standing ovation from 200 kids who spend half their time insulting anyone different than them.

In so many ways, I look up to him for who he is and what he does.

Obviously, there are gay players in hockey right now, just no openly gay ones. And there are gay people in management, whether they're scouts or front-office people or coaches. We just don't have any openly gay ones right now. I think it will be a challenge for the first person that comes out, because they'll be putting themselves under a microscope.

The scary thing for me is that it might be Brendan, if he chooses to go into hockey. I don't think it's fair the face of homosexuality in hockey should be a 20-year-old college kid, but Brendan is more than willing to be the guy, which awes me. I think it's a matter of when, not if, players and management start coming out." -- Patrick Burke

At this point, you are still undecided about your career options. Although you think there definitely would be challenges to being openly gay and working in hockey, you also think hockey is ready for it. There has been a lot of discussion about when a current player will come out. You've always viewed most hockey fans as being very well educated and accepting of diversity. You say fans are much more focused on the on-ice product than on the sexual orientation of players or management, and you say hockey is too good to be dragged down by this.

The Burke Family
Brendan says his family, including father Brian, has been completely supportive since he told them he was gay. You believe that if an NHL player came out today, he would face a unique set of challenges but would generally be supported. He might face more verbal abuse from opposing fans, but you believe the overwhelming sentiment would be, "If he can play hockey, who cares?" That's the perspective you've encountered at Miami. You say a good way to start would be for ex-NHL players who are gay to be more vocal and talk about their experiences and challenges.

Whatever happens in your life, whatever career path you choose, you know Dad is in your corner. His long shadow of a hockey r?sum? that once looked like a crutch might now prove to be just the thing you and others need -- a powerful and eloquent voice shouting from the mountaintops.

This is far and away more than what you personally expected from your hockey-famous Dad as you prepared coming out to him. When people ask you about your dad's reaction to your Vancouver sit-down, you initially say, "He's been great, but I don't think we'll see him at any gay pride parades any time soon. But he has been really supportive."

So, you are startled this past summer when you get a call from Dad saying, "Hey, Toronto Pride is this weekend, you should fly up." So, sure enough, you fly up, and you and Dad go to the Toronto Pride Parade together.

If someone had told you before coming out that your dad, Brian Burke, would be attending a gay pride parade with you, you wouldn't have believed it. You never suspected Dad would disown you or anything like that, but the way he has handled it and the way he talks about it now has, honestly, really moved you. He was a little awkward about it at first. Today, he doesn't even think twice about it.

You want it known that he has been 100 percent supportive of you. It's important to you that people know that even the president and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who has a less than sunny public personality, has a gay son and is a firm supporter of gay rights.

Imagine that.

"Imagine if I was in the opposite situation, with a family that wouldn't accept me, working for a sports team where I knew I couldn't come out because I'd be fired or ostracized. People in that situation deserve to know that they can feel safe, that sports isn't all homophobic and that there are plenty of people in sports who accept people for who they are." -- Brendan Burke


Rest in peace Brendan.

[shadows]

Sorry for the length everyone. It is a very long article.

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

Sorry for the length everyone. It is a very long article.

If there was ever anything for which no apology is necessary, this is it, my friend.

[ila]

Okay, shadows, as I write this there is 5 minutes left in the first period. Toronto is winning 1 - 0 and Toronto is on a poweplay. (They just scored goal #2). The way Toronto is playing I am amazed that they are in the lead. As an example during the powerplay (another goal by Toronto - holy s#$%) Toronto was in Ottawa's end and the three forwards all went into the corner against 2 Ottawa players. No one was in front of the net to take a pass. What are they thinking? Then again the strategy must be working as they are winning 3 - 0 right now.

Ottawa just woke up and they are starting to play. (Edit: Ottawa just went back to sleep.)

Before the game started I was predicting an Ottawa win. Now I'm not sure. If Toronto keeps it up they are going to win and maybe teach Ottawa some humiliation.

[ila]

I saw in today's paper that Montreal just called up two players from Hamilton. I hope that puts some spark in the team's play.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by ila

Okay, shadows, as I write this there is 5 minutes left in the first period. Toronto is winning 1 - 0 and Toronto is on a poweplay. (They just scored goal #2). The way Toronto is playing I am amazed that they are in the lead. As an example during the powerplay (another goal by Toronto - holy s#$%) Toronto was in Ottawa's end and the three forwards all went into the corner against 2 Ottawa players. No one was in front of the net to take a pass. What are they thinking? Then again the strategy must be working as they are winning 3 - 0 right now.

Ottawa just woke up and they are starting to play. (Edit: Ottawa just went back to sleep.)

Before the game started I was predicting an Ottawa win. Now I'm not sure. If Toronto keeps it up they are going to win and maybe teach Ottawa some humiliation.

Toronto ended up winning 5-0. This is Giguere's second straight shutout! A first for the Toronto Maple Leafs(where a goalie records a shutout during his first two games with the team).

I'm kind of tired(long shift) and I am kind of bummed. Part of my plant was drooping when I got home this morning. I accidentally hit that part with the watering container last night(I was in a rush to get to work) and I think it "stressed it out". This is what happened to my last plant over a year ago, but that time the entire plant drooped(and no amount of TLC brought it back), this time it is only part of the plant(I am not sure of the species of the plant, but it has many different stalks which may work in my favour so it survives).

You may say "It's only a plant. Big deal!", but I like it. I love Spring with all of the different colours and the onset of greenery, so I like having a plant in my house during the winter(gives it a little life). It is a neat looking plant that has grown like crazy the past year and I want it to survive. Hopefully if the one part ends up dying(fingers crossed that it doesn't) the rest will survive.

Anyhoo, no report for today but I will say the scores for the relevant teams.

1. Toronto beat Ottawa 5-0.

2. Vancouver beat Boston 3-2.

3. Montreal beat Pittsburgh 5-3.

4. The Rangers beat New Jersey 3-1.

5. Minnesota beat Philadelphia 2-1.

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

Anyhoo, no report for today but I will say the scores for the relevant teams.

2. Vancouver beat Boston 3-2.

At this point, I feel I must ask that you define "relevant" as a justification for including the Bruins score. Oh, I forgot, there might be a Vancouver fan reading this. Otherwise, what's the point?

The Bruins last won on January 14, and that was in a shootout. If they lose today, they'll match the franchise's worst losing streak ever, in the 1924-1925 season! In other words, the inaugural season!! And just to make it worse, it'll be the Canadiens today. And when Boston is truly humiliated, at whose hands is it by? The Habs.

Okay, you can tell me that it's still relevant because the Bruins are still in the mix for a playoff spot -- they're only two points out of 8th place in the East -- but that only reminds me that there are way too many teams in the NHL playoffs. I mean, gimme a break, 8th place! A playoff berth! What a joke.

Can you tell I'm discouraged?

P.S. shadows, I truly wish the best for your plant, and I understand exactly what you write about its meaning to you.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

At this point, I feel I must ask that you define "relevant" as a justification for including the Bruins score. Oh, I forgot, there might be a Vancouver fan reading this. Otherwise, what's the point?

The Bruins last won on January 14, and that was in a shootout. If they lose today, they'll match the franchise's worst losing streak ever, in the 1924-1925 season! In other words, the inaugural season!! And just to make it worse, it'll be the Canadiens today. And when Boston is truly humiliated, at whose hands is it by? The Habs.

Okay, you can tell me that it's still relevant because the Bruins are still in the mix for a playoff spot -- they're only two points out of 8th place in the East -- but that only reminds me that there are way too many teams in the NHL playoffs. I mean, gimme a break, 8th place! A playoff berth! What a joke.

Can you tell I'm discouraged?

P.S. shadows, I truly wish the best for your plant, and I understand exactly what you write about its meaning to you.

Thanks smc. Actually, it looks like the plant will be okay! The affected stalks are not drooping as much and the leaves are pointing up again like they were before.

And your good vibes for my plant payed off for you! Boston beat Montreal last night 3-0.

I hate when two teams of fellow hockey lovers from here play(as I don't want to "choose sides", but at least it was a good game.

[dauls]

Originally Posted by shadows

4. The Rangers beat New Jersey 3-1.

That result was bad enough.

But Monday night's 3-2 loss to the Flyers after the Devils lead 2-0 is

Probably payback for Friday's comeback win over the Leafs.

Are the rest of the Devils in awe of Kovalchuk?
He should sign some autographs for them and maybe they'll find it easier to play alongside him once the hero adulation has died down.

Congratulations go to Jen.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by dauls

That result was bad enough.

But Monday night's 3-2 loss to the Flyers after the Devils lead 2-0 is :

Probably payback for Friday's comeback win over the Leafs.

Are the rest of the Devils in awe of Kovalchuk?
He should sign some autographs for them and maybe they'll find it easier to play alongside him once the hero adulation has died down.

Congratulations go to Jen.

He was held pointless again. Two assists in the game against Toronto, but no points in the other two. Maybe he is in awe of himself?

Toronto lost tonight, but Toronto made it a good game. They only lost 3-2 and did not give San Jose a huge amount of shots. This game could have gone either way, and I look at the positives that they did not curl up and go in a shell playing against a powehouse like the Sharks. I like having Giguere in net, as I felt they could have come back due to him preventing more goals from scoring once they were down 3-2.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

If there was ever anything for which no apology is necessary, this is it, my friend.

Thank you.