Greatest Athletes of the 21st Century

Who doesn't love a good debate. That's what keeps things fresh in the sports world. There's been a number of great athletes that have graced our screens over the decades. It would be a lot tougher, in our minds, to be able to try and compare the likes of Kobe Bryant to Babe Ruth. The games have changed so much since the Days of say the Babe to right now. So it would be a little bit easier to compare athletes of this century. Since the year 2000, there have been many outstanding sports stars. And not just in the big four either. So let's get into it right now.

With a little help from a poll done by ESPN, and some input of our own, here's how we see the 100 greatest sports stars since the turn of the century. Yes, we take into account stats, titles ect. But we also throw in popularity and name recognition as well. So with that being said, here we go with the list from one hundred on down to number one.

100. Shaun White (X-Games)
99 Caitlin Clark (WNBA)
98. Lauren Jackson (WNBA)
97. Ed Reed (NFL)
96. Charles Woodson (NFL)
95. Darelle Revis (NFL)
94. Landon Donovan (Soccer)
93. Ronaldinho (Soccer)
92. Rory McIlroy (Golf)
91. Pedro Martinez (MLB)
90. Aaron Rogers (NFL)
89. A'Ja Wilson (WNBA)
88. Annika Sorenstam (Golf)
87. Roy Halliday (MLB)
86. Ronaldo Nazário (Soccer)
85. Venus Williams (Tennis)
84. Kawhi Leonard (NBA)
83. Steven Stamkos (NHL)
82. Chris Paul (NBA)
81. Chuck Lidell (UFC)
80. Sheryl Swoops (WNBA)
79. Andy Murry (Tennis)
78. Bryce Harper (MLB)
77. Bernard Hopkins (Boxing)
76. Alex Ovechkin (NHL)
75. George St Pierre (UFC)
74. Xavi Hernandez (Soccer)
73. Lisa Leslie (WNBA)
72. Mookie Betts (MLB)
71. Manny Pacquiao (Boxing)
70. Andrés Iniesta (Soccer)
69. Jason Kidd (NBA)
68. Phil Mickelson (Golf)
67. James Harden (NBA)
66. Jon Jones (UFC)
65. Martin Brodeur (NHL)
64. Mia Haam (Soccer)
63. Dan Severn (UFC)
62. Shohei Ohtani (MLB)
61. Ray Lewis (NFL)
60. Candice Parker (WNBA)
59. Mariano Rivera (MLB)
58. J.J. Watt (NFL)
57. Calvin Johnson (NFL)
56. Conor McDavid (NHL)
55. Luka Modric (Soccer)
54. Alex Ovechkin (NHL)
53. Derek Jeter (MLB)
52. Adrian Beltre (MLB)
51. Steve Nash (NBA)
50. Zinedine Zidane (Soccer)
49. Aitana Bonmati (Soccer)
48. Thierry Henry (Soccer)
47. Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)
46. Max Scherzer (MLB)
45. David Ortiz (MLB)
44. Jon Jones (UFC)
43. Alex Rodriguez (MLB)
42. Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA)
41. Dirk Nowitzki (NBA)
40. Justin Verlander (MLB)
39. Kevin Durant (NBA)
38. Barry Bonds (MLB)
37. Ichiro Suzuki (MLB)
36. Maya Moore (WNBA)
35. Dwayne Wade (NBA)
34. Tamika Catchings (WNBA)
33. Miguel Cabrera (MLB)
32. Conor McGregor (UFC)
31. Clayton Kershaw (MLB)
30. Mike Trout (MLB)
29. Amanda Nunes (UFC)
28. Nikola Jokic (NBA)
27. Randy Moss (NFL)
26. Peyton Manning (NFL)
25. Floyd Mayweather (Boxing)
24. Albert Pujols (MLB)
23. Kevin Garnett (NBA)
22. Sidney Crosby (NHL)
21. Diana Taurasi (WNBA)
20. Aaron Donald (NFL)
19. Rhonda Rousey (UFC)
18. Patrick Mahomes (NFL)
17. Shaquille O'Neil (NBA)
16. Tim Duncan (NBA)
15. Kaite Ledecky (Olympics)
14. Stephen Curry (NBA)
13. Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer)
12. Rafael Nadal (Tennis)
11. Novak Djokovic (Tennis)
10. Kobe Bryant (NBA)
9. Usain Bolt (Track)
8. Tiger Woods (Golf)
7. Simone Biles (Gymnastics)
6. Roger Federer (Tennis)
5. Tom Brady (NFL)
4. LeBron James (NBA)
3. Lionel Messi (Soccer)
2. Serena Williams (Tennis)
1. Michael Phelps (Swimming)

So what do you guys think of this list?

Play Like An All Star

The mid summer classic is right around the corner. We are a week away from the best of the best from around Major League Baseball converging on Globe Life Park in Arlington Texas. The National League is looking to build off last years win, the first time they had won the game in ten years. The American League holds the head to head record with a record of 47-44-2

Now then, down to the business at hand. The rosters for this years game have been announced. So here's who got the call for the mid summer classic this season in Texas.

American League:
Starters:
Catcher Adley Rutschman Orioles (2nd)
1st Base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Blue Jays (4th)
2nd Base José Altuve Astros (9th)
3rd Base José Ramírez Guardians (6th)
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson Orioles (1st)

Outfielders Aaron Judge Yankees (6th), Steven Kwan Guardians (1s), Juan Soto Yankees (4th)

Designated Hitter Yordan Álvarez Astros (3rd)

Reserves:
Catchers: Salvador Pérez Royals (9th)
1st Base: Josh Naylor Guardians (1st)
2nd Base: Marcus Semien Rangers (3rd)
3rd Base: Rafael Devers Red Sox (3rd), Isaac Paredes Rays (1st)
Shortstop: Carlos Correa Twins (3rd), Bobby Witt Jr. Royals (1st)
Outfielders: Jarren Duran Red Sox (st0, Riley Greene Tigers (1st), Kyle Tucker Astros (3rd)
Designated Hitter: David Fry Guardians (1st)

Pitchers:
Tyler Anderson Angels (2nd), Corbin Burnes Orioles (4th), Emmanuel Clase Guardians (3rd), Garrett Crochet White Sox (1st), Logan Gilbert Mariners (1st), Clay Holmes Yankees (2nd), Tanner Houck Red Sox (1st), Seth Lugo Royals (1st), Mason Miller Athletics (1st), Cole Ragans Royals (1st), Tarik Skubal Tigers (1st), Kirby Yates Rangers (2nd)

National League:
Starters:
Catcher: William Contreras Brewers (2nd)
1st Base: Bryce Harper Phillies (8th)
2nd Base: Ketel Marte Diamondbacks (2nd)
3rd Base: Alec Bohm Phillies (1st)
Shortstop: Trea Turner Phillies (3rd)
Outfield: Jurickson Profar Padres (1st), Fernando Tatís Jr. Padres (2nd), Christian Yelich Brewers (3rd)
Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani Dodgers (4th)

Reserves:
Catcher: Will Smith Dodgers (2nd)
1st Base: Pete Alonso Mets (4th), Freddie Freeman Dodgers (8th)
2nd Base: Luis Arráez Padres (3rd)
3rd Base: Ryan McMahon Rockies (1st)
Shortstop: C. J. Abrams Nationals (1st), Mookie Betts Dodgers (8th), Elly De La Cruz Reds (1st)
Outfielders: Teoscar Hernández Dodgers (2nd), Jackson Merrill Padres (1st), Heliot Ramos Giants (1st), Bryan Reynolds Pirates (2nd)
Designated Hitter: Marcell Ozuna Braves (3rd)

Pitchers:
Tyler Glasnow Dodgers (1st), Ryan Helsley Cardinals (2nd),  Jeff Hoffman Phillies (1st), Shōta Imanaga Cubs (1st), Reynaldo López Braves (1st), Chris Sale Braves (8th), Tanner Scott Marlins (1st), Paul Skenes Pirates (1st), Matt Strahm Phillies (1st), Ranger Suárez Phillies (1st), Robert Suárez Padres (1st), Logan Webb Giants (1st), Zack Wheeler Phillies (2nd)

So who do you feel got left out of the Mid Summer classic this year?

2024-25 NHL Schedule

Yes the season did just end for the National Hockey League. But fear not, we are three months away from the start of next season. The schedule has been released for the 2024-25 NHL season. Don't worry we will post schedules for the Lightning, Rangers and Islanders. Before that, here's some of the big dates on the calendar this season. 

October 4-5: New Jersey Devils vs. Buffalo Sabres (Global Series Czechia)
November 1-2: Dallas Stars vs. Florida Panthers (Global Series Finland)
December 31: St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks (2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic)
February 10-21 4 Nations Tournament
March 1: Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets (2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series)

Now then, here's what we got for the teams we cover here on the show!

OCTOBER:
Oct 10 vs Utah 7:30 PM
Oct 12 @ Dallas 8:00 PM
Oct 14 @ Colorado  9:00 PM
Oct 17 @ St. Louis 8:00 PM
Oct 19 vs Montreal 7:00 PM
Oct 22 vs Detroit 7:45 PM
Oct 25 @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
Oct 26 vs Florida 7:30 PM
Oct 29 vs Anaheim 7:30 PM
Oct 30 @ Columbus 7:00 PM

NOVEMBER:
Nov 1 @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
Nov 3 @ Rangers 1:00 PM
Nov 5 vs Pittsburgh 7:30 PM
Nov 7 @ Ottawa 7:00 PM
Nov 9 vs New Jersey 7:30 PM
Nov 12 @ Edmonton 9:00 PM
Nov 14 @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
Nov 16 @ Seattle 4:00 PM
Nov 19 @ Calgary 9:00 PM
Nov 21 @ Detroit 7:00 PM
Nov 23 vs St. Louis 7:30 PM
Nov 25 vs Detroit 7:30 PM
Nov 27 vs Boston 7:30 PM
Nov 29 @ Washington 3:00 PM
Nov 30 vs Buffalo 7:30 PM

DECEMBER:
Dec 3 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Dec 5 vs Seattle 7:30 PM
Dec 7 vs Carolina 5:00 PM
Dec 8 @ Ottawa 5:30 PM
Dec 10 vs Los Angeles 7:30 PM
Dec 12 vs Chicago 7:30 PM
Dec 15 @ Chicago 3:00 PM
Dec 17 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Dec 21 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Dec 23 vs Buffalo 7:30 PM
Dec 28 vs Pittsburgh 7:30 PM
Dec 29 @ Pittsburgh 5:30 PM
Dec 31 @ Toronto 1:00 PM

JANUARY:
Jan 2 vs Toronto 7:30 PM
Jan 5 @ Boston 6:00 PM
Jan 9 @ Vegas 10:00 PM
Jan 11 @ Utah 9:00 PM
Jan 14 vs Ottawa 7:30 PM
Jan 16 vs Philadelphia 7:30 PM
Jan 18 vs San Jose 7:30 PM
Jan 20 vs Columbus 7:30 PM
Jan 24 vs Philadelphia 7:30 PM
Jan 25 vs Carolina 7:30 PM
Jan 28 vs Colorado 7:30 PM
Jan 30 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM

FEBRUARY:
Feb 1 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Feb 2 @ Florida 6:00 PM
Feb 4 vs Vegas 7:30 PM
Feb 7 @ Winnipeg 8:00 PM
Feb 8 @ Minnesota 8:00 PM
Feb 23 vs Dallas 7:30 PM
Feb 25 vs Rangers 7:30 PM
Feb 27 @ Boston 7:00 PM

MARCH:

Mar 1 vs Nashville 12:30 PM
Mar 3 @ Rangers 7:00 PM
Mar 4 vs Winnipeg 7:30 PM
Mar 8 @ San Jose 10:00 PM
Mar 9 @ Anaheim 9:00 PM
Mar 11 @ Los Angeles 10:30 PM
Mar 14 vs Edmonton 7:30 PM
Mar 16 vs Florida 7:30 PM
Mar 18 @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Mar 20 vs Montreal 7:30 PM
Mar 22 vs Calgary 4:00 PM
Mar 24 vs Columbus 7:30 PM
Mar 26 vs Vancouver 7:30 PM
Mar 29 @ Tampa Bay 2:00 PM
Mar 30 @ Carolina 5:00 PM

APRIL:
Apr 1 vs Tampa Bay 7:30 PM
Apr 4 vs Minnesota 7:30 PM
Apr 6 vs Washington 12:30 PM
Apr 8 @ Nashville 8:00 PM
Apr 10 vs Rangers 7:30 PM
Apr 12 @ Philadelphia 1:00 PM
Apr 13 @ New Jersey 1:00 PM
Apr 15 vs Washington 7:30 PM
Apr 17 @ Columbus 7:00 PM

OCTOBER:
Oct 9 @ Pittsburgh 7:30 PM 
Oct 12 vs Utah 7:00 PM
Oct 14 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Oct 17 @ Detroit 7:00 PM
Oct 19 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Oct 22 @ Montreal 7:15 PM
Oct 24 vs Florida 7:00 PM
Oct 26 vs Anaheim 7:00 PM
Oct 29 @ Washington 7:00 PM

NOVEMBER:
Nov 1 vs Ottawa 7:00 PM
Nov 3 vs Islanders 1:00 PM
Nov 7 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Nov 9 @ Detroit 7:00 PM
Nov 12 vs Winnipeg 7:00 PM
Nov 14 vs San Jose 7:00 PM
Nov 17 @ Seattle 9:00 PM
Nov 19 @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
Nov 21 @ Calgary 9:00 PM
Nov 23 @ Edmonton 10:00 PM
Nov 25 vs St. Louis 7:00 PM
Nov 27 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Nov 29 @ Philadelphia 1:00 PM
Nov 30 vs Montreal 1:00 PM

DECEMBER:
Dec 2 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Dec 6 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Dec 8 vs Seattle 1:00 PM
Dec 9 vs Chicago 7:00 PM
Dec 11 @ Buffalo 7:30 PM
Dec 14 vs Los Angeles 1:00 PM
Dec 15 @ St. Louis 6:00 PM
Dec 17 @ Nashville 8:00 PM
Dec 20 @ Dallas 8:00 PM
Dec 22 vs Carolina 12:30 PM
Dec 23 @ New Jersey 1:00 PM
Dec 28 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Dec 30 @ Florida 7:00 PM

JANUARY:
Jan 2 vs Boston 7:00 PM
Jan 4 @ Washington 12:00 PM
Jan 5 @ Chicago 3:00 PM
Jan 7 vs Dallas 7:00 PM
Jan 9 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Jan 11 @ Vegas 10:00 PM
Jan 14 @ Colorado 9:00 PM
Jan 16 @ Utah 9:00 PM
Jan 18 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Jan 19 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Jan 21 vs Ottawa 7:00 PM
Jan 23 vs Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Jan 26 vs Colorado 1:00 PM
Jan 28 vs Carolina 7:00 PM

FEBRUARY:
Feb 1 @ Boston 3:30 PM
Feb 2 vs Vegas 6:00 PM
Feb 5 vs Boston 7:00 PM
Feb 7 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Feb 8 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Feb 22 @ Buffalo 5:30 PM
Feb 23 @ Pittsburgh 3:30 PM
Feb 25 @ Islanders 7:30 PM
Feb 28 vs Toronto 7:00 PM

MARCH:
Mar 2 vs Nashville 7:00 PM
Mar 3 vs Islanders 7:00 PM
Mar 5 vs Washington 7:30 PM
Mar 8 @ Ottawa 12:30 PM
Mar 9 vs Columbus 6:00 PM
Mar 11 @ Winnipeg 8:00 PM
Mar 13 @ Minnesota 8:00 PM
Mar 15 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Mar 16 vs Edmonton 7:00 PM
Mar 18 vs Calgary 7:00 PM
Mar 20 vs Toronto 7:00 PM
Mar 22 vs Vancouver 1:00 PM
Mar 25 @ Los Angeles 10:30 PM
Mar 28 @ Anaheim 10:00 PM
Mar 29 @ San Jose 10:30 PM

APRIL:
Apr 2 vs Minnesota 7:00 PM
Apr 5 @ New Jersey 1:00 PM
Apr 7 vs Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Apr 9 vs Philadelphia 7:30 PM
Apr 10 @ Islanders 7:30 PM
Apr 12 @ Carolina 3:30 PM
Apr 14 @ Florida 7:00 PM
Apr 17 vs Tampa Bay 7:00 PM

OCTOBER:
Oct 11 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Oct 12 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
Oct 15 vs Vancouver 7:00 PM
Oct 17 vs Vegas 7:00 PM
Oct 19 @ Ottawa 1:00 PM
Oct 21 @ Toronto 7:30 PM
Oct 22 @ New Jersey  6:45 PM
Oct 24 vs Minnesota 7:00 PM
Oct 26 vs Washington 7:00 PM
Oct 28 vs Nashville 7:00 PM
Oct 30 @ Colorado 9:00 PM

NOVEMBER:
Nov 1 @ Minnesota 8:00 PM
Nov 3 @ Winnipeg 3:00 PM
Nov 5 @ St. Louis 8:00 PM
Nov 7 vs Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Nov 14 vs Winnipeg 7:00 PM
Nov 16 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Nov 19 @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Nov 21 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Nov 23 vs Dallas 7:00 PM
Nov 25 vs Colorado 7:00 PM
Nov 27 vs Washington 7:30 PM
Nov 29 @ Nashville 3:00 PM
Nov 30 vs Toronto 7:00 PM

DECEMBER:
Dec 5 vs San Jose 7:00 PM
Dec 8 @ Vancouver 4:00 PM
Dec 10 @ Edmonton 9:00 PM
Dec 12 @ Calgary 9:00 PM
Dec 14 @ Seattle 10:00 PM
Dec 17 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Dec 19 vs St. Louis 7:00 PM
Dec 22 vs Florida 5:00 PM
Dec 23 @ Florida 7:00 PM
Dec 28 vs Rangers 7:00 PM
Dec 29 vs Montreal 5:00 PM

JANUARY:
Jan 2 @ San Jose 10:30 PM
Jan 4 @ Los Angeles 9:00 PM
Jan 5 @ Anaheim 8:00 PM
Jan 9 vs Boston 7:00 PM
Jan 11 @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
Jan 12 @ Pittsburgh 5:00 PM
Jan 14 @ Boston 7:00 PM
Jan 16 vs Anaheim 7:00 PM
Jan 18 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Jan 20 @ Toronto 7:30 PM
Jan 21 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Jan 24 @ Chicago 7:30 PM
Jan 25 @ Detroit 7:00 PM
Jan 28 vs Chicago 7:00 PM
Jan 30 vs Los Angeles 7:00 PM

FEBRUARY:
Feb 1 vs Islanders 7:00 PM
Feb 4 vs Ottawa 7:00 PM
Feb 6 vs Ottawa 7:00 PM
Feb 8 @ Detroit 1:00 PM
Feb 9 @ Montreal 1:00 PM
Feb 23 vs Seattle 6:00 PM
Feb 25 vs Edmonton 7:00 PM
Feb 27 vs Calgary 7:00 PM

MARCH:
Mar 1 @ Washington 12:30 PM
Mar 3 @ Florida 7:00 PM
Mar 4 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Mar 6 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Mar 8 vs Boston 3:00 PM
Mar 11 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Mar 13 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Mar 15 @ Boston 7:00 PM
Mar 17 vs Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Mar 20 @ Dallas 8:00 PM
Mar 22 @ Utah 5:00 PM
Mar 23 @ Vegas 8:00 PM
Mar 25 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Mar 27 vs Utah 7:00 PM
Mar 29 vs Islanders 2:00 PM

APRIL:
Apr 1 @ Islanders 7:30 PM
Apr 3 @ Ottawa 7:00 PM
Apr 5 @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
Apr 7 @ Rangers 7:00 PM
Apr 9 vs Toronto 7:00 PM
Apr 11 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Apr 13 vs Buffalo 6:00 PM
Apr 15 vs Florida 7:00 PM
Apr 17 @ Rangers 7:00 PM

End Of An Era In The Bay

Sixteen years of service. That's what the Tampa Bay Lightning got out of Steven Stamkos. He was the big name that was on the free agent market. There had been some hope that a deal would get done to keep Stammer in a Lightning jersey. Steven even said he really wanted to stay in the Bay. That era came to an end today, when Stamkos signed a four year deal at $42 Million, which comes to $8 Million a year.

There's so much to digest take out of all of this.

From the Lighting point of view is where we going to start. You going to have to find a way to replace two different aspects of Steven Stamkos. First is the point production. He's a forty goal scorer. He was a regular at being able to find the back of the net. Over 500 goals (all in a Bolts uniform) is proof of that ability. To try and replace that, Jake Gentzel was traded for and signed to a long term contract. It might not get the exact desired result, but it's what Bolts management is hoping for (more on that later).. To try and fill the role of captain, that's too be determined. Whoever that is, is going to have some big skates to fill. Stamkos knew how to be able to carry himself both on and off the ice and lead the way for this hockey club. He set the bar very high for being a captain for this Tampa Bay hockey club.

Tampa Management dropped the ball here. It has been well document that both sides tried to reach a deal to keep Steven here before the free agency period kicked off today. Julien BriseBois many feel could have handled this whole situation better. By not getting this done before the start of last season. The way he handled this and not getting his captain back here where he belongs in Tampa, a place Stamkos has said he would have loved to stayed after playing his whole career to this point, is such a sad state of affairs. Look, most of us understand that this is a business, and every teem goes through rebuilding phases. This maybe the start of one in Tampa with Stamkos going out the door. But the timing didn't seem right and the way Stamkos left leaves a bit of a sour taste in the mouths of a lot of people around the organization. From management to players to fans alike.

As for Stamkos himself, he will still going to prove in Nashville that he has a lot left in the tank. He is going in to help a Nashville team that is right now full blow in win now mode in a tough and talent heave Western Conference. Predators GM Barry Trotz has a game plan and went out to get players he felt he could help bring the Cup to the Music City.

There's more to this in the days to come as free agency continues. But the immediates fall out is shock and disappointment from the Tampa faithful.

Thanks for everything you did here in Tampa Steven and best of luck in Nashville!

Hockey Hall Makes Call

The time has come. The Hockey Hall has elected the class for induction in 2024. And its a solid class too. The inductees for this years class are builders Colin Campbell and David Poile. In the players category will see the induction of former United States women's national team forwards Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl, Shea Weber, Jeremy Roenick and Pavel Datsyuk. The induction ceremony will take place at the Hall in Toronto on November 11th.

The two men going into the builders category have a long history in the game. Colin Campbell started as a coach in the league, working with the New York Rangers in 1994 when they won the Cup. After that, he spent twenty five years with scouting, officiating and hockey operations. He played over 600 games in the league on a couple different teams, but was mostly known for his post playing career. He then coached in the game from 1985 until 1997, spending four years as head coach with the Rangers. After the Rangers fired him in 1998, he went into hockey operations, a role he still holds to this day.

David Poile has been a general manager in this game for 40 years. He began his career in Atlanta with the Flames in 1972 as an administrative assistant.  He then took over in 1982 as the GM of the Washington Capitals. It was a role he held for fifteen years. Then he was tabbed to run the expansion Nashville Predators when they came into the league in 1997 and built them from the ground up. He finally retired as GM at the end of the 2023 season. Back in 2018 he became the winningest GM in the history of the league, passing Glen Sather.

Darwitz and Wendell-Pohl were both stars on the international stage, representing the Untied States multiple times at the Olympics and in several other international tournaments. Darwitz was at three Olympics (20026, 2006 and 2010) and eight more world championships. From 1999 to 2007 Wendell-Pohl played in 147 games on the international level, scoring 106 goals.

Jeremy Roenick finally got into the hall after a long wait. Roenick started his career in Chicago in 1988 and ended it in 2009 after 1,363 games 513 goals and 1,216 points. He added in another 122 points in 154 career playoff games. Roenick numbers speak for themselves. He may have been very outspoken, sure. But when it came down to it, he was able to produce on the ice.

Pavel Datsyuk. They didn't call him the magic man for nothing. He broke into the NHL in 2001 and played his entire 14 year career in Detroit. He won two Stanley Cups, played in multiple all star games, was a three time winner of the Selke Trophy.  Datsyuk played in 953 games scoring 918 points. But his game was more than just his numbers. What he could do handling the puck was better than most players can ever dream of.

Shea Weber is the last player to get in. Weber broke into the league in 2005 and played 16 years and 1,038 games. He scored 224 goals and 589 points. He was a seven time all star. weber was one of the best captains in the league a a proven all around defender.

Congratulations to the 2024 hall of fame class!

Stanley Resides In Florida

It seems as of late that Lord Stanley likes to reside in the state of Florida. For the 3rd time in the last five seasons, the Stanley Cup calls the state of Florida home. The Lightning won back to back in 2020 and 20201. Now the Florida Panthers for the first time in their history can call themselves champions. Florida won their first cup in franchise history, beating the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.

Before we get into it from the winning side, lets take a look for a moment from the Edmonton point of view.

Conor McDavid. Conn Smyth winner as MVP of the playoffs. Yes, its only the sixth time in league history somebody from the losing team has won MVP of the playoffs. It could have gone to Sergei Bobrovsky of the Panthers, but lets be real here, McDavid was the main reason why the Oilers were even in game seven of the finals. Sure, you can make the detraction that Conor was held off the scoreboard at the start of the series and over the last two games. But consider this. McDavid joins Gretzky and Lemieux as the only guys to collect 40 or more points in a single playoffs. He broke Gretzky's record for most assists in a single playoffs with 34.

McDavid is the best player on the planet and got a chance to really show it off. He came up just a tad short of the end goal, but he was a big reason that the Oilers were even in this game seven to begin with. There were times where it looked like this was going to really be the Oilers year. They had their high powered offense clicking and their defense was on lockdown. Then there were times they looked lost and at the end of game seven they had flat out run out of gas. And the drought for a Canadian franchise continues, as it has now been 31 years since a Canadian team has hoisted the Stanley Cup.

Now then, on to the Champs. This year was the 30th season of Panthers hockey in Sunrise. It was the 3rd ever finals appearance and second in a row. This year it had a different feel to it. Sure, in the middle of the finals it looked like this Panthers team was on the verge of having one of the greatest meltdowns in the history of professional sports. But they got it together when it mattered most in game seven.

For the longest time, the Panthers had played the role of little brother in a sense to the cross state rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa has had all this success over the last almost twenty five years. The Panthers couldn't seem to hit that level that the Bolts had. So you always wondered what if, if you were and are a Panthers fan;. Over the last two years the chips started falling into place. They got the right mix of scoring defense and goaltending and in the end it finally paid off. The Panthers have stepped out of big brothers shadow.

Congratulations to the Florida Panthers. Your 2024 Stanley Cup Champions!

Say Hey!

The Say Hey Kid! That nickname carries a lot of weight. When you hear that nickname, you think of one of if not they best to ever play center field in a Major League uniform. Of course we are talking about the one and only Willie Mays. To many a baseball fan he was a hero on and off the field. The star passed away earlier this week at the age of 93.

His list of accomplishments on the field is the stuff of legend. And very lengthy at that. All of what you are about to read happened with missing two prime years due to military service.

He played 23 years and 3,005 games with the Giants and Mets. He won a World Series in 1954. Finished as a .301 lifetime hitter, with 2,068 hits, 660 home runs, 525 doubles, 121 triples, 1,909 RBI's and 339 stolen bases. He won rookie of the year in 1951, MVP in 1954 and again in 1965, was a 12 time gold glove winner and 24 times an all star. He was elected to the baseball hall of fame on his first year of eligibility in 1979. At the time of his retirement in 1973, he held the NL record for career runs scored (2,062), and ranked second in league history behind Stan Musial in games played (2,992), third in home runs (660), at bats (10,881), runs batted in (1,903), total bases (6,066), extra-base hits (1,323) and walks (1,464), fourth in hits (3,293), fifth in slugging percentage (.557), and eighth in doubles (523); his 140 triples ranked fourth among players active after 1945. He holds major league records for games as a center fielder (2,829), putouts as an outfielder (7,095) and extra-inning home runs (22), and ended his career behind only Ty Cobb in total games as an outfielder (2,842), ranking seventh in assists (188) and third in double plays (59) in center field.

The numbers really speak for themselves in that very few, if anybody, was better than Willie. He could do it all on the field. He could hit, hit for power, run, steal bases and play great defense. To put it like this, there was almost nothing that man could do on a baseball field (except pitch, but I'm sure if he wanted to he could have done that too). Now in the course of baseball history, there have been plenty of great centerfielders. Mike Trout, Tori Hunter, Carlos Beltran, Jim Edmonds, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Duke Snyder. Just to name a few. But when you ask most people who's name is at the top of that list of the greatest, Mays is always at or near the top.

His impact on the game both on and off the field will never be forgotten.