by Justin Bourne - January 3, 2011 1:10 PM EST
The former pro player takes an inside look at how the trickle-down effect of injuries shows a team's quality of scouting.
For most fans of an NHL club, “organizational depth” - your strength of personnel from the top league to the bottom - pales in importance to the depth of your current team.
by Justin Bourne - December 20, 2010 10:57 AM EST
Being injured is difficult enough, but what makes it harder is the work you have to put in to come back and just being off the ice.
With Chris Pronger’s recent foot injury, fans of the Philadelphia Flyers have been quick to remind the rest of the hockey world that, if there’s anywhere they can afford to lose some talent, it’s at the defense position.
by Justin Bourne - December 6, 2010 1:45 PM EST
Having games on back-to-back nights can be challenging, but there are a few routines you can follow to stay on your game.
Most hockey players are aware of the phenomenon that is the inability to sleep after a game. The only thing different in rec leagues is that there’s usually one or 30 more cans of beer left in the dressing room.
by Justin Bourne - November 22, 2010 1:50 PM EST
When you're losing a one-sided contest it can be hard to just finish, but if you're winning, all you want to do is build up numbers.
When a blowout is building, sometimes there’s just no way to stop the snowball from becoming an avalanche.
On Saturday, the Chicago Blackhawks put the boots to the Vancouver Canucks 7-1 – one night after those same Hawks took a 7-2 licking from the Calgary Flames.
by Justin Bourne - November 8, 2010 4:20 PM EST
Being able to catch an opponent off guard by hitting him first in the corner is an effective way of creating space.
“Playing the body” is more than just trying to blow your opponent to pieces.
It’s a valuable tool meant to help separate your opponent from the puck, eliminate scoring chances against and, sure, in some cases, intimidate.
by Justin Bourne - October 25, 2010 4:19 PM EDT
Sometimes players think too much when they're in close on a goalie and instead of trying to fool him, should just shoot the puck.
Just because the goalie knows where you’re going to shoot doesn’t mean he can stop it.
That’s one of my favorite offensive lessons from my playing days.
by Justin Bourne - October 11, 2010 5:30 PM EDT
In light of Mike Ribeiro being arrested in Texas Sunday night, Justin Bourne looks at how off-ice issues can spill over to the ice.
Hockey players have to find a way to perform at the rink when things away from it aren’t perfect, just as the rest of us have to deal with our jobs when our personal lives aren’t cooperating.
by Justin Bourne - September 28, 2010 10:46 AM EDT
If John Tavares is to make a leap in production the same way Steven Stamkos did, the Islanders must first provide him with better talent to play with.
Can John Tavares make a Steven Stamkos-like jump during his sophomore season? Unfortunately for Islanders fans, the answer is “no.” Actually, it’s more of a “no” with a disclaimer: “at least not with his current supporting cast.
by Justin Bourne - September 13, 2010 1:56 PM EDT
The former pro player writes about the trials of being cut by a team and the lead up to the inevitable.
Roughly three days before it actually rears its ugly head, ‘Cut Day’ embeds itself in the stomach of bubble players in the form of a knot.
by Justin Bourne - August 30, 2010 3:25 PM EDT
As training camps near, the former AHLer and NCAA player writes about the mental difficulties when trying out for a team.
We’ve reached that special part of the off-season where hockey players pay as much attention to roster moves as fantasy hockey geeks. For the guys who know which training camp they’re attending, but haven’t splashed any ink on a contract, it’s a bit of a nerve-wracking time.
by Justin Bourne - May 20, 2010 11:05 AM EDT
The former ECHLer and son of Islanders great Bob Bourne explains what it takes to play with an injury and the impact it has on your play.
Playing with injuries has as much effect on your head as it does your body.
It’s not always pain that limits your movement; it’s usually your brain.
by Justin Bourne - April 21, 2010 11:39 AM EDT
Close games and tough calls are breeding conspiracy theories across the board, but it's all a bunch of hooey.
As Round 1 of the playoffs heats up, crazy things are starting to happen: Some fans are seeing their favorite team lose.
Inexplicably.
After how hard they’ve cheered and how hard their boys have worked, some team has had the audacity to finish with more goals at the end of a game than their team.
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"If we do pick first, we're leaning more toward one of those three forwards."
- Colorado's executive vice president of hockey operations, Joe Sakic, on what the Avalanche plan to do with the first overall pick at the June 30 entry draft. Many were expecting Colorado to take defenseman Seth Jones.
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