By K.C. Weldon
Image Source: Pixabay
If you’re over the age of 20 you might feel like the days of picking up new hobbies and skills are behind you. The prospect of taking on an entirely new sport could seem even more daunting.
Follow paulmbanksChicago Wolves Celebrate a Quarter Century; Showcasing Franchise Strength
August 14, 2018 By 1 Comment
Nathaniel Hawthorne once said that “families are always rising and falling in America,” and the same can be said of Chicago sports franchises. If you’ve lasted a quarter century, as the Chicago Wolves have, and you’re still going strong- that’s a true testament to your franchise viability and durability.
The Chicago sports scene is an extremely crowded one, and the competition for attention can often be quite fierce. The task is made even more difficult by the fact that this town very often gets tunnel vision for one team. You see that with the Cubs now, and you just witnessed it with the Blackhawks in the first half of this decade.
Follow paulmbanksMan with Blackhawks Face Tattoo Went in Sewer System to Evade Police
May 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
An Elgin man, who sports a prominent Chicago Blackhawks logo tattoo on his cheek, tried to evade suburban police by taking an unorthodox route that be believed would lead him to freedom. Spoiler alert- it did not.
Bryant, Torres, who also has a giant #2 tattooed on his neck to honor Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, attempted to flee police by jumping into the Fox River, swimming through it, and then entering a drainage pipe. Torres, doing his best Richard Kimball impersonation, then entered the sewer system, believing the police wouldn’t know where to find him.
Follow paulmbanksIs Major League Sport Ready to Take Hold in Vegas?
November 8, 2017 By 1 Comment
By John O’Leary
Over the decades, Las Vegas has become famous for many things but major league sport hasn’t been one of them. However, the signs are that this is all about to change and, indeed, it has already started to with the arrival of the Vegas Golden Knights NHL team. Now ice hockey may seem like an unlikely sport for a city where the average October daytime temperature is over 80o F but the team has already started to make itself at home at the T-Mobile Stadium enjoying a record-breaking run of wins for an inaugural season.
Follow paulmbanksMike Pence, Donald Trump Sports “Boycott” Inspiring Wagering Now
October 15, 2017 By 1 Comment
At this point, anyone who’s been paying attention and possesses a basic adult human intellect realizes that Mike Pence was simply pulling a blatant publicity stunt at last Sunday’s Indianapolis Colts game versus the San Francisco 49ers.
Upon “leaving in disgust” at the national anthem protests, Pence then commenced a twitter storm which consisted of obviously pre-planned statements and talking points.
Follow paulmbanksJonathan Toews Makes Passionate Call for Action on Climate Change
June 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Climate change is real and there is certainly no debate on that. Science has decided that, whether global warming deniers or skeptics choose to accept it. Of course, the major key to resolving the climate crisis is to get everyone on board with the cause and on the same page with their beliefs.
Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews has once again shared his views on climate change, and he’s made his plea to people on both sides of the debate. This is exactly what he hope to see from big time pro athletes like Jonathan Toews, using the tremendous platform he possesses to project a powerful social message.
Follow paulmbanksEx Blackhawks LW Daniel Carcillo is Literally Saving Lives During His Retirement
May 7, 2017 By 2 Comments
Former Chicago Blackhawks winger Daniel Carcillo gave about as meaningful a response as you’ll ever hear from a professional athlete during Q&A. Carcillo speaks from the heart, and he’s true to the game, just like Honest Hockey’s website. “To have a purpose in life, to be selfless, to put others before myself, helps me to stay happy and healthy,” he said at the Sheraton Grand Chicago at the Go Beyond Challenge, an event benefitting the ICE (Inner-City Education) program.
The 31-year-old former left wing was referencing his Chapter 5 Foundation, a non-profit he created upon retirement in 2015 to help former NHL players suffering from post-concussion syndrome and mental health issues. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksFormer Blackhawks Star Bryan Bickell Feeling Better in Battle Against MS
May 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment
On the day that we caught up with former Chicago Blackhawks star Bryan Bickell, healthcare was the transcendent national story overshadowing all other news. With Bickell individually, the very first question on everybody’s mind is of course, “how’s his health?”
It’s actually that way for all of us, every day of our lives, because the old adage, “if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything” is always true no matter what physical shape you are in.
In the case of Bryan Bickell, “how are you doing?” means a lot more than just your typical small, elevator talk.
Follow paulmbanksESPN 30 for 30: Top 20 of All Time List
April 12, 2017 By 1 Comment
Rating the best films in the ESPN 30 for 30 series is a highly debatable endeavor, as there are so many great documentaries to choose from. Click the title where highlighted for a review/feature on that specific film.
A year ago, I would have told you that there’s Hillsborough, the college football docs, and then there’s everything else. Still true, except now there’s Laettner, which towers above everything else.
Follow paulmbanksRed Wings Final Game at the Joe: Saying Goodbye to Joe Louis Arena
April 8, 2017 By 1 Comment
Hundreds of venues I’ve attended, thousands of games and I doubt I’ll ever see another promotion like this again. Entire rows of people, not a couple fans here and there, but entire rows received free Little Caesar’s Pizza. Not just pieces of pizza, but an entire, whole pizza! Yes, whole rows of people getting whole pizzas, every period of a hockey game.
Indeed I saw it thrice.
Now that’s brand awareness, and it’s brilliant. It’s been a week now since I witnessed this publicity stunt, and here we are a week later, and I’m still talking about it. Not just talking about it, but leading my “Saying Farewell to The Joe as the Detroit Red Wings move on a new home write-up.”
Follow paulmbanksChicago Blackhawks America’s Team as Winter Classics Convey
January 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment
We’re now just 11 days away from the ninth edition of the NHL Winter Classic, and once again the Chicago Blackhawks, truly America’s hockey team now, are involved. A total of eight games of this nature have been held, with the Blackhawks hosting the 2009 event, and serving as the road team for the 2015 version.
Follow paulmbanksWorld Cup of Hockey 2016 Predictions
September 17, 2016 By Leave a Comment
This weekend the 2016 World Cup of Hockey will begin, bringing with it the biggest superstars in the National Hockey League. Starting September 17th, 8 teams will vie for the championship in a tournament not played since 2004. Let’s take a guess at how each nation will finish, and who will take home the 3rd edition of the World Cup of Hockey.
by Bryan Vickroy
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