NEWSLETTER
It has been 20 years since the September 11th attacks on the United States. 20. It’s incredible how time can fly and yet also feel like it’s standing still. I don’t want to throw a ton of emotions and memories of September 11th at you because, if you’re like me, reliving that day or looking back at all those images in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania, is a real triggering event. We all experienced a shared trauma that day and in the days, weeks, months, and even years after it, those who were around for it or experienced the ripple effects of the attacks. There will be plenty of content elsewhere today, for those that want it, that will look back at the attacks, the fallout, and the heroes of that day and beyond.
• Sports became an escape and a sign of healing for the United States in the following days and weeks. In New York especially, with the Yankees and Mets providing some of the most iconic moments in baseball in the following days after the attacks. In hockey, the New York Rangers continued to provide that honor and pride in the city and the country. Dan Rosen provides more on the impacts the Rangers at that time had and moving forward, 20 years later.
Twenty years. Has it really been that long? Doesn't feel like it with thoughts and visions still as vivid as the day it happened.
On 9/11 with the Rangers, Mark Messier and Eric Lindros, harrowing memories, impossible times, healing, uplifting moments:https://t.co/NHdkWdTYJL
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) September 10, 2021
• We say “Never Forget.” I don’t know how anyone could.
• There’s no easy way to change gears, but take a look at this really cool old-time photo of Stan Mikita…
1967. Stan Mikita, Kenny Wharram and Doug Mohns catch a breather. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/70bKADUaZc
— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) September 10, 2021
• Mikita is 27-years-old in this picture, while Wharram and Mohns are both 34-years-old. If you were to ask me without knowing the year, I would have said they all look no younger than 45. What is it with people from older generations always looking way older in pictures than they actually were? Like, I remember seeing a picture of my grandpa at his high school graduation, and he looked 30. I look at my high school graduation and I look 14. What is that? Does anyone else see that?
• Yesterday was an emotional one at Wrigley Field. Kris Bryant, the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year, 2016 NL MVP and star of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs, returned to Chicago after being traded to the San Francisco Giants earlier this season.
Kris Bryant Got Emotional During His Tribute Video at Wrigley Field, and To Be Honest, Same – https://t.co/QNjFf98MVT pic.twitter.com/IzJmVKlpdl
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 10, 2021
• I can understand that this was a tough day for Cubs fans to see Bryant coming back with another team and having been so integral to the magical run the Cubs had. It would be as if Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews were one of the players that had to be moved by the Blackhawks after the 2010 Stanley Cup. Ooof, I shudder at that thought. But Bryant was back in town and properly honored by the Cubs upon his return.
• In the building for his return were Blackhawks Dylan Strome (and family) and MacKenzie Entwistle…
https://twitter.com/BN_Blackhawks/status/1436422195509702660?s=20
• Not a bad day for an afternoon ballgame.
• Today is also the 27th Birthday for former Blackhawks first-round pick and 2015 Stanley Cup Champion Teuvo Teräväinen.
Happy 27th Birthday to former #Blackhawks 2015 Stanley Cup Champion Teuvo Teräväinen pic.twitter.com/HcaV777vkN
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 11, 2021
• Pain.
• Someone hoping to get the Blackhawks back to the top of the NHL mountain and have his own championship parade in Chicago is newly acquired defenseman Jake McCabe. Yesterday, McCabe was on the Blackhawks Talk podcast and covered a range of topics, from living in Chicago during the last six offseasons, going to Cubs games, and getting used to a new defensive system, again.
Jake McCabe Speaks: Finally Joining the Blackhawks, Getting Used to a New Defensive System, Morehttps://t.co/Pn5SnM9VfD
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) September 10, 2021
• McCabe has spent his entire NHL career in Buffalo with the Sabres. He’s never experienced Stanley Cup Playoff hockey before. Here’s to hoping that the 2021-22 Blackhawks can provide McCabe with that kind of experience, and maybe one day, give him that Chicago Championship parade experience, too.
• In news around the league, after the Minnesota Wild revealed their 2022 Winter Classic look, their opponents, the St. Louis Blues, unveiled theirs…
This choice was obvious. #WinterClassic #stlblues https://t.co/P092Uuiiwt pic.twitter.com/VpznI1lMBQ
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 11, 2021
• Replicating the look of the Blues from their inaugural season in 1967, St. Louis’ Winter Classic look is simple and just fine. It looks like if my high school had a hockey team, these would be the sweaters. We had the same color scheme. They’re fine. I guess.
• Another team joining the fray with regards to requiring COVID vaccinations to attend games this season are the Ottawa Senators. This, according to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, the Senators are expected to have full capacity seating this season, but with only full vaccinated fans.
The @Senators expect to have the permission to play in a full building to start the season on October 14. Only fully vaccinated fans will have access to the @CdnTireCtr
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 10, 2021
• That is a modified way than we have seen other teams go with, including the Blackhawks, where a recent negative COVID test was also acceptable for entry to games. Ottawa, along with the Seattle Kraken, have made entry to games this season only possible with proof of full vaccination, of course as long as you are eligible for the vaccine.
• The former NWHL, now the PHF (Premier Hockey Federation), has also released their guidelines for the 2021-22 season regarding COVID, including a full vaccination policy.
https://twitter.com/NWHL/status/1436397308636172309?s=20
• The full vaccination policy applies to players, coaches, officials, team staff, volunteers, and rink partners who may come in contact with each other on a daily or weekly basis. Players had the option to opt-out of the 2021-22 PHF season, but they’re would not receive their pay for the season if they did opt-0ut.
• The more we see this, the better.
• That will do it for today. Enjoy your Saturday!
• A weekend reminder, be sure to send your Blackhawks questions to me on Twitter using the hashtag #BNHawksMailbag or email them to me using Mario.tirabassi at bleachernation dot com and I will get them answered for the Monday Mailbag segment!
