Screen Shots: The Hockey Show host more than just a pretty face
Carrie Milbank grew up in Houston and now hosts The Hockey Show on NHL.com. (Photo by Katie Ambrose)
Adam Proteau
2008-08-21 13:57:33
It’s no secret I have no time for misogynist oafs who believe women don’t have any place in the hockey community.
Those nitwits obviously haven’t read Hockey Hall of Fame-honored writer Helene Elliott, checked out devout Islanders booster Dee Karl, or watched Kings broadcaster Heidi Androl.
They also likely haven’t heard from Carrie Milbank, host of The Hockey Show on NHL.com and one of the newest noteworthy females on the hockey scene.
And what do we have to thank for Milbank’s affection for hockey? Would you believe Blades of Steel, a video game released in 1988?
“I loved that game!” said Milbank, a former cheerleader captain for the NFL’s Houston Texans who also hosts Internet programs on TennisWeek.com and People.com. “I used to play that game every day and that’s why I became a hockey fan. That’s how I got to know hockey, and I fell in love with it back then.”
When Milbank landed The Hockey Show gig during the 2008 playoffs, the prospect of interviewing hard-edged hockey players was somewhat intimidating, especially given the fact she wasn’t steeped in hockey culture growing up in Houston.
But a lot of research, and a bit of trial-by-fire, had her in a comfort zone in no time.
“Honestly, I was so scared at first,” said Milbank, who has been working in broadcasting since 2003. “I really wanted The Hockey Show job, and when I got it, I was like, ‘uh-oh, what am I going to do?’ Because not only was I scared of the players, I was scared of the fans, because they’re so intense.
“So I bought the book Hockey For Dummies. I bought The Smart Girl’s Guide To Sports to help me prepare. But talking to the guys and being around the game really helps you get to know what hockey’s all about.
“And that’s what The Hockey Show is about – it’s the other side of the NHL. We pay a lot of respect to the sport, because it deserves that. But we also give hockey fans a front-row seat to the entertainment side of hockey.”
A seasoned interviewer who has sat down with the likes of Dennis Quaid and Sarah Jessica Parker, Milbank sees a large part of her duties at The Hockey Show as helping to connect gritty, grizzled NHLers with the glitzy, glamorous world of celebrities.
“Hockey certainly already crosses over into the world of celebrities,” she said. “We’ve got the Mike Comrie/Hilary Duff relationship going on, the Rachael Hunter/Jarret Stoll relationship. On the show I do for People Magazine online, we actually featured Hilary Duff and Mike one time. And I hope to do more of that, because there really is more to hockey than just the score.”
Although she focuses on many off-ice aspects of hockey on her NHL.com show, Milbank’s passion for the game is already at the level where it can boil over.
“Hockey is the only sport that makes me yell at the TV without even realizing I’m doing it,” she said. “I’ll yell for whoever’s doing good or whoever’s doing really bad. I think I lost my voice during the Stanley Cup playoffs last year.”
Her interest in the NHL doesn’t end when The Hockey Show stops taping in Manhattan.
“I’ll do The Hockey Show, and when I get home I’ll get online and log on to Facebook or MySpace and really get into serious hockey talk with fans,” said Milbank, who counts interviews she’s done with Mark Messier, Scotty Bowman, Dave ‘The Hammer’ Schultz and Alex Ovechkin as some of her personal hockey highlights. “It’s amazing to me that they’re logging on and talking from all over the world; from Germany, Sweden or the Czech Republic. You see the worldwide appeal of the sport, and that’s awesome.”
Like many NHLers, Milbank is a bit superstitious – at least, when it comes to her long-term future plans – but in less than a year on the job, she’s built a bond with hockey she doesn’t plan on breaking.
“I’d love to stick around the game for a long time because I’ve fallen in love with it even more now that I’ve really got my hands dirty with it,” she said. “So I’d like to see how the league develops, because it’s really growing again and I hope that trend keeps going. There’s so much history in the NHL and I hope more people learn to appreciate that, the way I have.”
Adam Proteau is The Hockey News' online columnist and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears Mondays and Wednesdays, his Ask Adam feature appears Tuesdays in the summer, and his column, Screen Shots, appears Thursdays.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
she sucks (Posted 2008-12-08 15:55:01)
To cranky,
you are the man!
Cranky (Posted 2008-11-21 15:51:39)
She's no more than a bit of T and A to spice the lousy NHLNetwork. She is the single most annoying thing on that channel and I cannot stand her. I rather they play 6 hours or "Don Cherry Takes a Dump: Weekly Edition" than see one more minute of her. It's just fluff to attract USers (of which I am one). I don't need her to get me to watch hockey. I've been doing it for years and years.
jeff costa (Posted 2008-11-19 12:43:28)
She's a great TV Host! I'll take her as a host anytime over the pock marked,crater faced, grey haired dude, on the NHL Channel at Noon any day!
She's good marketing and intelligent and in great shape! The dude should stick to radio....he has a great face for it. I'd rather see Carrie Milbank interview a player and I'd bet they would rather chat with her too! Most NHL announcers wear more makeup than her and have bad "Rugs" or just plain "sick" haircuts....Why the NHL has so many BAD announcers is anyones guess must be because they are local programming. Ever listen to Chico Resch?? YUCH... Andy Brickley is the best color man.
HELLNO (Posted 2008-10-04 11:28:04)
how cute she bought a hockey book for dummies. LOL! Sadly I will watch her show because of how she looks. I don't have any interest in what she have to say.
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-26 23:47:44)
Did anyone else even notice she was wearing a Red Wings shirt?
DucksFan09 (Posted 2008-08-26 22:54:02)
what's that fine chic doing sporting a Wings jersey?
Mike (Posted 2008-08-26 19:38:18)
When he bought the Islanders, Wang admitted he knew little about the NHL, but was reading Hockey for Dummies. "A lot of this is new to me, but it will be run like any good business." ..... If Charles Wang can do it, than Carrie Milbank can probably do it better! Plus look at that outfit! Charles Wang doesn't look half as good!
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-26 15:57:35)
Jim, I've got to give you credit, you're always entertaining.
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-08-26 15:36:29)
To Flyer guy 16: What, that last post of mine? No hours, chum. It took approximately 6-7 minutes. What are you, Longines? It also hasn't escaped my attention that you immediately go "third man in" when your fellow Flyer follower is taking a shellacking. Standard operational procedure for your marauding horde of Cossacks as well as its demented (oops, sorry! That should have been "devoted") fan base. I'll give you credit for a rather frightening consistency that's deservedly earned the "Broad Street Bully" sobriquet. (4 minutes, 38 seconds if you're still keeping track.)
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-26 15:14:15)
I hope you enjoyed having those books read to you eldrick. Seems you took the fourth one to heart. I can hardly wait until the season starts so that at least some of the posts are about hockey.
eldrick (Posted 2008-08-26 14:48:32)
Maxime- I am sorry I left out 1 more required read- Being a Disrespectful Hypocrite For Dummies- please keep sharp objects out of reach when reading and applying!
Amanda Murdough (Posted 2008-08-26 12:47:31)
I thought this was a HOCKEY column... my mistake...
Maxime (Posted 2008-08-26 12:25:55)
Although I have no quarrel with any of you, saying that "Philadelphia" and "good-looking" don't belong in the same sentence is pathetic and childish. I'm pretty sure there are some good-looking people who got lost on their way to anywhere but Philadelphia :P
Come on people SMILE! Because a team plays like savages doesn't mean the whole city is full of them. Don't attack innocents, i'm sure many people in Philly don't follow hockey, probably agree with whatever you say and would be pissed that some hoser disses their town (and themselves) because of some pathetic feud between hockey fans (which often brings arguments you would normally expect from drunkards). I like a good sarcastic rant, but please stay respectful. By the way, the Philly comment beginning this post (because i know some wisecracks will point it out) was meant as a joke, to lighten the mood a bit :)
eldrick (Posted 2008-08-26 03:14:33)
FLYERKLAN- The terms "Philadelphia" and "good looking" will never be found in the same sentence.... Thankfully the words "ugly flyerfan" are not used often in conjunction due to redundancy issues.... Let's get you caught up and back on message with some suggested reading:(1) City of Brotherly Love History For Dummies, (2) Philly Has No Celebs Just Dummies For Dummies, (3) Rangers have 1 Cup In 68 Years- Flyers On Their Tail For Dummies. Enjoy!
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-25 18:37:52)
Jim, how many hours did you need to spend working on this one?
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-08-25 15:13:04)
Flyerfan52: Now among your usual "Ready, Fire, Aim" collection of verbal dry heaves, you also seem to think that you're an authority on my social life. Let's just say that it hasn't reached the magnitude of Mick Jagger's in his heyday but as your contact with the opposite sex has probably been restricted to a foot massage from your frequently jailed on morals charges cousin and a rather embarrassing episode with a life-sized cutout of Miley Cyrus, I would not be afraid to say that it doubtlessly dwarfs yours. Cheer up though, FF52! As that wild band of dingoes that you and your other 51 Flyer fans calls a hockey team prepares to embarrass the sport with its barbarism for yet another season, you can flock to that poor man's Field of Athenry (AKA the Wachovia Center) where maybe Steve Downie will give you first dibs on the next demented groupie that he savagely beats before tossing her to the local peasantry! Good luck, you warmed-over cheesesteak!
Maxime (Posted 2008-08-25 12:23:55)
How to reconcile the American public with the incredible sport that is hockey...have a drop-dead gorgeous woman talk about it for an hour or so. Down side : A lot of people won't be watching for the cultural content of the show :P
Conor WingHater Corrigan (Posted 2008-08-25 11:16:23)
HOW DARE YOU PUT HER UP THER WITH A REDWINGS UNI ON!!!!!!!!! She's not hot anymore.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-24 21:12:36)
Also eldrick, since most everyone's been writing about good looking women and you go to something like that, I have to wonder if you don't like women.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-24 21:02:16)
eldrick, I never heard of any incident resembling that. By your traditional parades, do you mean there are cities that don't have Santa Claus parades? And, though I'm not big on the NYR, they won the Stanley Cup in 1994. Hardly deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the Leafs.
eldrick (Posted 2008-08-24 19:55:13)
Hey Flyer fan- was that your huge female philly fanbase that booed and tossed projectiles at Santa in one of your traditional parades or was that your male fanbase gearing up for the next 25 years (and counting) as the city of runner-ups? Are not your flyers beginning to wade into NYRanger/Mapleleaf territory?
bostonblueline.blogspot.com (Posted 2008-08-24 18:41:55)
Give me a freaking break, the article is about a girl named Carry.
sholi2000.com (Posted 2008-08-24 16:49:04)
Yeah that Carry Campbell, was a female superstar. What did you say? Know the game? It's Cassie you Bean Town Blogger :)
Go Canadiens Go
bostonblueline.blogspot.com (Posted 2008-08-24 15:30:10)
I have no problem with women broadcasters as long as they know what they're talking about. NOTHING is worse than some bubble-brained bimbo interviewing a guy like Yzerman or Sakic in the post-cup celebration. You need someone who knows the game, preferably someone who has been there before. There is a HUGE difference between Erin Andrews, who has no sports experience and a sorority-girl personality, and Carrie Campbell who had a successful career as a competitve player. www.bostonblueline.blogspot.com
whatsthatsmell (Posted 2008-08-24 15:06:38)
She'd look better in a Leaf's uniform.
FlyersFan97 (Posted 2008-08-24 10:47:22)
Well, not for anything, most of the pro women come from the Flyers' ranks! It's not like we have bandwagon fans like they do in Pittsburgh! Us and the Rangers are the ONLY two teams who have solid fanbases, the rest are just a damned joke!
GO FLYERS!!!
BRING THE CUP BACK TO BROAD STREET!
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-23 20:03:44)
Read the posts j.b. Seems to me that most of the pro women ones come from fans of the Flyers. Maybe you can get Jim Reinecke to count them for you. We know he doesn't have a date.
Sean (Posted 2008-08-23 19:46:45)
Matt - funny you should say that . . .
j.b. (Posted 2008-08-23 19:40:26)
hey Flyerfan52,
you wrote: "What does it say about a guy if he'd prefer to look at Don Cherry instead of Carrie or Lauren?"
it means you miss your grumpy, sometimes tipsy grandfather. give him a call, he'd love to hear from you.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-23 14:32:32)
What does it say about a guy if he'd prefer to look at Don Cherry instead of Carrie or Lauren?
Cid from Indiana (Posted 2008-08-23 14:04:14)
This is amazing. I mean seriously, this has to be the only site where a story about a hot girl who covers hockey actually gets attacked by a predominantly male fan base. Lighten up folks- it's hockey coverage for christ's sake.
Matt (Posted 2008-08-23 14:03:50)
I wouldn't watch this show if my life depended on it.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-08-23 12:24:08)
Thanks, BARNA, for coming to my defense. RedToronto, yeah, I've heard of imagination. It's not the same as knowledge. Knowledge comes from learning what is, imagination is picturing what could be. Regardless, like a few have said, Carrie has at least put in the time reading to fill in the gaps in her knowledge, which is a lot better than some talking heads on TV have done.
sulko (Posted 2008-08-23 09:24:57)
Let me start by saying that lady reporters do a great job and there are men who should not have jobs.but they no someone and got in. I love looking at women, but do not call your self a hockey reporter and promote yourself with T/A . This contridicts everything you say...
EBGB (Posted 2008-08-23 04:37:13)
If in her show prep she works as hard as that push em up & push em in bra she is strapped to, she may just make it- heck she can sharpen player's skate blades with that set-up as she does the interview... and yes her next best friend is the tele-prompter...and speaking of tele-prompter Flyerklan, is Lauren Hart that make-overed Ellen DeGeneres clone who has been reading the lyrics to the anthem before Philly contests for over 4 years now- that's all you got?...I'll take Kate Smith and a fifth of Jack Daniels over her anytime.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-22 21:03:36)
She was intimidated about talking hockey to current and ex-pros so dhe did research. I wish all hosts of sport TV did. It takes guts for somebody that wasn't a world class player to interview professionals for the first time. She didn't want to be that bubble-head getting her questions from the teleprompter.
Dan (Posted 2008-08-22 18:27:07)
IMB is right
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-22 17:46:48)
Good point on Lauren Hart. Good looking and she can sing. Don't forget the Delta Dental Ice Team. On the rare occasion I can catch a game originating in Philly, I notice a lot of pretty women when they scan the crowd. Probably another reason the young players like it there.
Roberta K (Posted 2008-08-22 16:55:57)
IMB -- I give her credit for wanting to educate herself about the game rather than just relying on those "good looks" to get ahead. We've got a couple of TV hosts around here who could use a couple of copies of "Hockey for Dummies"...
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-22 15:58:46)
EBGB- Have you ever heard of Lauren Hart?
Tommy P (Posted 2008-08-22 15:40:27)
Yo boys thanks for the sympathies, I'll make it. In the meantime, I hope EBGB walks into a door frame.
Flyers guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-22 14:48:35)
Can any of you blades of steel fans help me out? What was the announcer in the game saying "make the pass, flip the pass..." Anyone remember? And you can hate Mcguire all you want, as if he doesn't know the game!
Strandy (Posted 2008-08-22 13:30:41)
ah, The Blades of Steel - The most fantastic graphics and sound. All your friends will want it! I remember it like yesterday. This gem is also what go me and my friend into hockey. To think if it hadn't been for that game I would never have found the joy that is hockey over here in England. Thank you Nintendo I am forever in your debt! Why oh why is the offseason so long, I want more hockey now!!
IMB (Posted 2008-08-22 13:27:33)
Gimme a break, if she had to buy hockey for dumbies she obviously wasnt that into or knowledgable of the sport.....I think Adam is just trying to get into her good books if you ask me ;) and who could blame him.
Bruce (Posted 2008-08-22 12:57:39)
When she got the job she went out and bought a copy of "Hockey for Dummies"? Wow, I bet thats how Pierre McGuire started out too.
Bob Roberts (Posted 2008-08-22 12:37:20)
Hired for her looks? Duh. Think she would've being hired if she was even average-looking? Oh ya sure.
Name your favourite hockey broadcaster/commenter. If looks were the deciding factor how likely is it that this on-air "face" would've been hired?
Patrick (Posted 2008-08-22 12:05:02)
I'm willing to bet this is the first time anyone's ever used the zoom button on a picture in the hockey news website
Philly-Phil (Posted 2008-08-22 11:34:36)
Ummm, yes there are so many single women in NYC that they will go pretty much anywhere that they think they may find single men...let's just cut to the chase though and have an "insider's look at the NHL players" show on TV - hosted of course by Elisha Cuthbert with special apperances by Ann Kornikova.
Andrea (Posted 2008-08-22 11:09:30)
Speaking of pretty hockey girls, Cammi GRANATO anyone? Also, Philly fans would do well to see a few games at MSG where there are PLENTY of hockey-smart, attractive females fans of all ages. Now, whether Ranger fans would DATE Flyers fans is a whole 'nother discussion.... :-)
Bill (Posted 2008-08-22 11:07:48)
She looks great, enough of the "buy a Cup Red Wings."
Marketing for the NHL still stinks. Plus, get the games on ESPN (but not the Canadien teams, sick of those losers in the news)
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-08-22 11:04:55)
Jane Fonda: Perhaps you should have stayed retired, Janie Girl. Live off the money from your workout videos and whatever you cadged from Ted Turner in your divorce settlement. "Monster-In-Law" was hardly "Klute", "Coming Home" or "The China Syndrome". Call us back when Hanoi gets and NHL franchise, okay?
Jane Fonda (Posted 2008-08-22 10:52:10)
Adam, Adam, Adam...you're really trying to establish your street cred as a progressive, feminist-friendly male by fronting for an ex-cheerleader-turned-hockey-commentator-because-its-the-next-step-up-the-ladder
for-her-broadcasting-career???? What impressed you most - the cleavage or her girlish charm?
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-08-22 10:30:43)
Tommy P, you have my sympathies! Move to St. Louis (you'd have to become a Blues fan, and that's been rather painful recently!). I know quite a few female hockey lovers here. Several of my former girlfriends were taken to a hockey game on our first date and none griped about it afterwards (yes, in most cases, there WERE second dates!). So come on down, buddy! Just lose that Flyer-itis. It would go over like feces in a punchbowl here. Oh, and Andy Foster: Just out of curiosity: Are you suffering from some sort of vitamin deficiency?
Patrick (Posted 2008-08-22 10:08:46)
"She's more than a pretty face", so even though she's completely unqualified to talk hockey, she gets a job covering the 08 playoffs. I'm sure she has a bright future in the sport as her looks start to fade... oh wait, no she doesn't.
Lame.
Saints13 (Posted 2008-08-22 10:03:36)
I agree with most people here great window dressing, but hey there’s a place for that in hockey. We all like pretty girls to look at but one thing she said scares me do death. And that is, “The Hockey Show as helping to connect gritty, grizzled NHLers with the glitzy, glamorous world of celebrities.” Please don’t turn the NHL into the next NBA. We already see the league (Gary Bettman) selling us on the “Next Great Player” the next face of the NHL. The problem is these faces they are selling are 19/20-year-old kids. These kids are good, it’s just they need to win something before we Knight them. And now the Hockey Show comes along and wants to sell us glitz and glamour. Please turn down the glitz we already have way too much hype. What makes hockey great is we’re not the other sports.
JCM (Posted 2008-08-22 09:56:05)
I remember back in the day when all we needed was the beer and the brawls. Ha! Babes? Bonus!
dDrumz (Posted 2008-08-22 09:08:44)
Babes, Beer, & Brawls ~ Hockey just got better!
bloodbathpete (Posted 2008-08-22 08:49:10)
Only one thing comes to my mind when i watch the hockeu show...
MARRY ME CARRIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!!!!
IceMan-UK (Posted 2008-08-22 08:47:39)
Flyerfan52 ... you nailed it bud. A northern girl would have been the best bet to do the job properly. When I lived in Minnesota, and used to go to UMD Bulldog games there were hundreds of knowledgeable women in the crowd. Last I heard there were over 4000 female teams in Minnesota alone ... Must be a few good lookers amongst that lot who could take Carrie’s place. I am now like back in the UK and play (non-checking) rec’ hockey and we’ve got 2 or 3 ladies on each team. Women do love the sport; some grow up loving it and play, others learn more about it as they go along to games. I’ve not seen the show that Carrie is on, but it would appear that she’s a pretty face who has had to study up to get the part, rather than being a truly passionate fan / player with any modicum of pedigree in the sport. Hockey Night in Canada has tried out Haley Wickenheiser, who has many years of experience in the top ranks of women’s hockey and now plays for a men’s team in Scandinavia. It was good to see her having a go at presenting, but it didn’t work in my eyes ... something grating about her voice. However, women do have a place in presenting the game, playing the game, reporting on the game ... but let’s not kid ourselves, Carrie is just window dressing.
Brian (Posted 2008-08-22 08:45:38)
There are a lot of true female hockey fans out there. But some ditzy model who has to read "Hockey for Dummies" is obviously not the best example. What an insult to hockey girls everywhere. Jeez, Adam, this isn't like you.
BARNA (Posted 2008-08-22 08:10:07)
I think Brian was talking about hockey rules and strategy and such. Long-time fans of a sport making fun of new fans that don't know what offsides is, instead of just explaining it to them. At least that's what I thought.
JCM (Posted 2008-08-22 08:07:54)
PS: Adam, Carrie, I challenge you both to a Blades of Steel tournament! Adam, you get the greenish red team... I get Carrie's Wing's shirt.... and like Leafs in the Draft Lottery, you're going down first buddy! Now if we can only find an original working Nintendo set.... darn... now I'm going to be thinking about this all day... someone needs to remake a Flash version.
JCM (Posted 2008-08-22 08:03:21)
I thought everyone loved hockey because of Blades of Steel. "Bump, bump, bump, fight!" and "he passes, he scores" were my favorite memories of sitting in my friend Eli's basement in 5th grade playing it! Between that and watching the Red Wings anyway! It's not like my dad (Michigan Football Coaches Hall of Famer) was going to try to get me to watch hockey or take me to a game. So, go Carrie for scoring big on the Blades of Steel deal! Hey, it got me a job in the AHL so it can't be all bad!
Martin (Posted 2008-08-22 04:03:45)
Yes, Adam, women certainly has a place in the hockey world. Just not as writers at THN, it seems.
Patrick (Posted 2008-08-22 03:26:33)
There are a lot of nice and hot girls all over the world who are very interested in hockey. I mean, since when aren't bloody, sweating hockey players hunted by a whole girls convoy after a game? There must be a reason I began to play hockey on my own...!
RedToronto (Posted 2008-08-22 02:35:15)
Brian, people are born with innate knowledge, not everything people know comes froms acquired knowledge. Ever heard of imagination?
I think you made some tremendous points until you got all preachy at the end but.
eldrick (Posted 2008-08-22 02:15:50)
I have noticed many an avid female hockey fan. Just last week I read that Whoopie Goldberg is a Devil fan and has had season tickets for many years. The TV cameras pick her out all the time. And as cool a revelation as that was, it forced me to realize that I was terribly wrong all these years in my perception and thinking that "Wow, How is it that Manny Ramirez of the Red Sox attends so many Devil games.
jimbo (Posted 2008-08-22 01:53:39)
i hear ya EGBG- caught a couple of flyer games along with my brother and we were expecting a rough crowd- our spelling error, we witnessed a ruff-ruff crowd.
EBGB (Posted 2008-08-22 01:36:47)
TommyP- I am rooting like hell that you find a pretty women to enjoy hockey with and bring her to a Flyers homegame cuz if you are successful, she will be the first female ever to enter that confine who doesn't howl on full moons.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 22:47:19)
Tommy P, there are loads of gorgeous American women that enjoy hockey. ND and Minnesota are hotbeds and almost every game on TV up here originating from the US shows good-looking women in the crowd. Meet one that enjoys the game. Maybe you can convert her to cheering on the team.
neilw (Posted 2008-08-21 22:44:35)
Tommy, there's more to life than hockey. And there's more to hockey than the NHL. And who really cares if one person more or less got what amounts to be a marketing job with their looks and not strictly qualifications. That said, why is this girl not wearing an old school retro jersey with laces and plunging neckline instead of a cheesy t-shirt? The Hockey News and the NHL have both missed a chance to really lower the bar. Perhaps an even more pertinent question, Adam, would be: What are her views on fighting?
Tommy P (Posted 2008-08-21 22:24:44)
I really don't mind a pretty face giving me the hockey news and other nooks of info. Especially Carrie. I really need to meet some hockey chicks. I have never met a girl that likes hockey let alone be a Flyers fan too. My life really and truly sucks. Sometimes I wished I lived north of the border so I could meet some hockey chicks. (sigh)
Caroline Marie (Posted 2008-08-21 21:21:30)
Adam Dahhhhhhhling! I believe you forgot an amazingly fabulous other female in the hockey world!! Humph!!!!!!! I'm so NOT feeling the love!
Lyle (Posted 2008-08-21 21:10:55)
Looks like Proteau is trying to get lucky! She ain't half bad Adam!
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-08-21 20:03:17)
She's not hard to look at, but she's not bringing in any new fans if the only place you can see the show is on NHL.com. The only people on that site are already fans. As for Hockey for Dummies, who cares? At one point, everyone on this site could've used a book to explain things to them. For some, they learned the rules earlier, for others, say a kid in Houston with no NHL franchise, they wanted to know more about the sport later. It'd be nice if people stopped pretending they were born with the knowledge they have now, and accepted the fact that at one point, they were as ignorant as the "pretty face".
Logan (Posted 2008-08-21 19:58:59)
effin right a man more qualified would not get that job.
i wouldnt watch this show if it was any man on the planet hosting it... even Michael Landsberg (that dude is a champ in my book)
she got the job cuz shes hot and learned, thats hollywood, thats showbiz, thats life, who cares!
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-21 18:40:16)
Who cares she had to read a few books to understand hockey and that it's her good looks that induce people to tune in. If non-hockey fans get interested in the game because of her it only helps the game. They might want to know whats she's talking about and actually watch a game. The game does have a tendency to addict. I wouldn't doubt a lot of people that tuned in to racing to see what the talk of Danica Patrick was about found they enjoy watching the actual event.
Ian Altenbaugh (Posted 2008-08-21 18:11:04)
Although I agree that females should be allowed to participate the same as men in sports, especially sports broadcasting, I have to say that she is in fact a pretty face.
A man of the same qualifications would not get that job.
Mike (Posted 2008-08-21 18:09:24)
She certainly is gorgeous, even in a Red Wings outfit. But sadly I lost most of my respect for her after reading the article. I know lots of long-time women hockey fans, surely some woman who doesn't have to go buy Hockey For Dummies is more qualified for the job. Sex sells I guess!
j.b. (Posted 2008-08-21 18:01:47)
clearly my years of watching the game, studying the game, actually attending academic conferences on sport and even playing the bloody thing were all a waste. what i needed was two books and legs that go up to... wait... i've actually got pretty good legs. now all i need is two books and... wait... breasts, I forgot about breasts. Damn. Now I'll never be a hockey media star. Oh well, back to summer power skating.
Puck Head (Posted 2008-08-21 17:54:49)
Dias, I guess that makes you the ugly face? She liked hockey but didn't have the knowledge of someone who's grown up in Canada, so she took steps to get the basics that she'd need to get started in her job. Just because you live in your mother's basement and lack ambition is no reason to denigrate her for lack of exposure...
RedToronto (Posted 2008-08-21 17:41:42)
She has a great set....of clothes on! :)
Brian Dias (Posted 2008-08-21 17:41:18)
“So I bought the book Hockey For Dummies. I bought The Smart Girl’s Guide To Sports to help me prepare.
=========================================================
Oooooooh. Impressive.
Actually, Adam, you're wrong. She IS just another pretty face.
Miss .S (Posted 2008-08-21 16:41:35)
Great article, a lot more women are into the NHL than people realize, but from the outside it seems like an impossible genre of sports to get anywhere career wise.
Any suggestions?
Tiger Woods (Posted 2008-08-21 16:26:06)
Adam you're too smart. Put a picture like her's on the front page of the website and everybody is obviously going to read it. Do you make some sort of commision....
Andy Foster (Posted 2008-08-21 16:18:04)
Gwyneth Paltrow? Yuck!
Maverick (Posted 2008-08-21 16:16:47)
Definitely agree with Flake. :D
Tommy P (Posted 2008-08-21 15:34:11)
Carrie could read the rulebook and I would be enthralled. Shes something else man...
Flake (Posted 2008-08-21 15:32:36)
We need more smokin' hot chicks like her to be associated with hockey!!! Don't we all agree?
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-08-21 15:20:11)
Adam, as much as I respect your writing, I have to admit to being a little jealous of you when I consider that your job brings you into contact with so dazzling and delightful a creature as Carrie (who I consider the loveliest woman on the planet, with the possible exception of Gwyneth Paltrow!). She definitely seems like a woman with a head on her shoulders and her love for the game is infectious. She proves to all the naysayers that the NHL must be doing something right. They can't seem to get a commissioner who's worth the powder to blow him to h-e-double hockey sticks with, but they can sure pick a sensational host for their online Hockey Show. Hey, there's an idea. . .Carrie for Commish! Anybody else in favor?
Seb (Posted 2008-08-21 14:08:51)
I love Carrie. She makes hockey look so sexy and gorgeous. She could be talking about the blue line and still be interresting!
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