Wherein My Team Makes Me All Gushy About Sports

I spend a lot of time thinking about sports, and more specifically, why watching sports matters. Seriously, a lot of time. I’m sure I’m weird, but it keeps me up at night sometimes. A lot of nasty things happen that tend to be centered around sports. It’s easy to start wondering why you bother supporting something so strongly that can have such a dark edge.

Then, if you fall in love with a team like the Canucks who always manage to lose it all in the most hulk smash of your heart way possible, you really start to wonder why you bother watching sports. But, sports do matter.

They matter for me because they connect me to people. They make me feel a part of something. Sometimes life isn’t going how you imagined it is supposed to. Sometimes all that’s getting you through a day is knowing you can turn on your TV at night and watch some Swedish twins score a beautiful goal. Other times, you are shuffling along in a fabulous mood, and hockey is just an excuse to energetically cheer and clap and put a voice to your fabulous mood.

The Canucks have shown me twice this week that sports matter. This article from the team website about a transgender goalie named Cory and his meeting with Cory Schneider is amazing. The Canucks have been one of the pioneers for LGBT support in sports and it continues to be one of my favourite things about them.

How wonderful that in a society that is so often ignorant or insulting to transgender individuals, Cory Schneider and the Canucks are saying you’re important and we support you.

The Canucks also announced an initiative with the other Canadian teams in the NHL called Hockey Talks to encourage people to speak out about mental illness.

Here’s an article from The Province about Rick Rypien’s story and more details about Hockey Talks. This issue is especially meaningful to me, and I couldn’t be happier the Canucks are spearheading it.

It’s really incredible to hear your team vocally support such important and valuable issues. Sports do matter.

The Humming Giraffe is 5 Years Old

My blog is in kindergarten, yo. I know I’ve been a sporadic blogger the last year and a half, but I do plan to change that this year if the season ever gets off the ground. I was pretty convinced when I started I would write about a week’s worth of posts. Five years is rather wonderfully surprising.

Hockey blogging is one of the best things I’ve done. It’s given me a love for sports that I never had growing up. Thanks to blogging, I have an obsessive passion for writing I never expected. My nicest dreams involve being a comfortably paid published writer. And through this little website I have met some of the greatest people in my life.

Thank you to anyone who has left a comment here over the years, mentioned in passing that you loved reading my blog, re-tweeted a post on twitter, or told me I made you laugh. All these moments have meant a lot and have bucked me up if I’m not at my sparkling best. Y’all are the best. Here’s to five more years!

XOXO

Alix

I Have A New Post

Up on Canucks Army! I have an NHL awards show fashion round up. Head on over if you like!

2 Sedins 1 Hospital Wing

See that fancy new t-shirt graphic on the side bar there? If you click on it you can buy a t-shirt! I will also have Bally is My Homeboy t-shirts up by the end of the week. Any leftover money will be given to the Canucks For Kids Fund. Enjoy, darlings!

T-Shirt Designs

Whooooo! What a great win that was. Swedish twins are the best, huh? Anyways, I’ve been wanting to get some Canucks t-shirts designed. If you were interested, I would love to get your opinion on which logo you prefer on a shirt (There’s always room for more than one if you like a few). The awesome @ryanclassic took my ideas and ran with the designs. If you have a preference please leave me a comment here or tweet me @alixiswright37. Thanks, lovelies.

 

Canucks Launch Mind Check

Today, the Canucks announced the launch of their mental health initiative through the Canucks For Kids Fund in partnership with the BC Children’s Hospital, Fraser Health, and Provincial Health Services. Mind Check is a website designed to get people talking about mental illness as well as helping young people and their families that are dealing with mental health issues. The Canucks published a press release with more details about the website.

Kevin Bieksa gives a heartfelt pledge that is important to hear. You can buy the t-shirt he’s wearing through the Canucks stores with proceeds going to the Canucks For Kids Fund.

Mind Check also honours Rick Rypien’s memory. He fought so hard through his own depression and wanted to help others by telling his story. Sadly, he never got the chance but this is a wonderful legacy that will help others and the Canucks will be able to tell Rick’s story through the website. As one of the biggest fans of Rick Rypien around and as someone with loved ones that battle metal illness this is something near and dear to my heart. Often you’re told that being a Canucks fan must be hard. No Cups to cheer about and horrific playoff disappointment. But you know what? I couldn’t be prouder being a Canucks fan because of the incredible work they do day in and day out in the community. Haters to the left!

Canucks Army

My new weekly Friday post The Wright Wing is up at Canucks Army. This week I wrote about charitable causes and various other things.

New Post

Just in case anyone still dropped by my poor neglected blog, I have my first post up at Canucks Army. Take a peek if you’re so inclined!

Happy Dance!

If totally wicked smart and kind of fetch James Mirtle is to be believed, the Canucks have clinched a playoff spot.  Wooooohooo!  Everyone do your best happy dance.  This season already rocks so much harder than last season.  I was deep into my tequila bottle this time last year.  

Huge game against the Hawks tonight.  A first round preview and a battle for home ice.  The Canucks better be skating well right from puck drop.  The Hawks are speedy and talented and are definitely not the Avalanche.  I guess you would say this is the biggest game of the season so far.  The Flames game later in April might end up topping it.

Friday Afternoon Link Roundup

This video of Ryan Kesler visiting EA sports in Vancouver is worth a watch.  I love his sense of humour.  He should bring out that Robin Hood goal celebration in Canucks games again.  Heh.

Here’s a sweet article about Matty Ohlund from Canucks.com.  He’s having more fun this season than he did when he was younger.  Make sure you check out that smile.  It sounds like he kind of wants to stay around.  He’s dreammmmy.

Here’s quite an interesting article from Team1040 with quotes from Mike Gillis about the culture around the team and in Vancouver and how’s tried to change it since coming in as GM.  He’s the man with the plan.   

“My linemates [Mats Sundin, Pavol Demitra] are telling me to shave my head to match them, but I don’t know if my wife would like that too much.”  Kes in the Vancouver Province. 

Heh.  His wife is right, he does have nice hair.  But how rad would that be for the playoffs?  It would grow back eventually.

Lady BaBa is rumoured to be in net tonight against the Avalanche.  Let’s hope the boys play better than they did last night.  What a lazy effort that was.  Go forth and kick Colorado ass my darlings.