Former Hot Stove panelist. Author of The Wrongly Executed Airman, a non-fiction account of a travesty of Justice and RCMP incompetence in New Brunswick in 1942
Once again, Bruce Arthur, the world’s most perfect human, tells us how every person, every newpaper, every journalist, every politician could be so vastly improved if they were more like Bruce himself and followed the course he has so graciously and nobly provided for them.
@IanKennedyCK
Ridiculous. It was people like you who pushed it to the forefront and amplified it. The Sharks simply issued a press release, one of hundreds they issue every year.
"Tavares couldn't handle the
@NYIslanders
challenge & took the easy way out. Meanwhile, Lou has been out marketing this week with some compelling returns." -
@StanFischler
#Isles
In case you Brian Burke lovers missed it, Larry Brooks pointed out in the New York Post that when the Pittsburgh Penguins made a first-round playoff exit last month, it marked the 11th time in 12 years that a team with Burke in the front office failed to get to the second round.
John Shannon was the best TV person I’ve ever met. Also an exceptional human being. He created Satellite Hot Stove, doubleheaders, pre-game shows for HNIC and many other innovations that put HNIC at the top of the list.
Professionally, I learned more about television from John Shannon than anyone who I've ever crossed paths with. Exceptional pro; great human being; and came to my rescue during the awful Calgary Herald strike, for which I will be forever grateful. Good luck old friend.
Am I the only one who finds it somewhat ironic, on the day when we pay homage to those who died to preserve our freedom of speech, that we now allow freedom of speech only if you agree with us? Disagreeing is one thing, imposing penalties for expressing a view is another.
Well, it’s only 55 years TJ. You can’t expect to be treated with any dignity after such a fleeting presence in the business. Apply to the Toronto Star. They love columnists who have never had a scoop in their lives.
My last scoop. At 1 p.m. today, after beginning my career at The Edmonton Journal in 1967 I received a phone call from Toronto informing me my position had been eliminated by Post Media. Thank you all so much for reading. Hardly the way I hoped it would end. -30-
When my son was about 4, he met your dad. Dale asked him if he could skate. Andrew said he could sometimes skate from one end of the rink to the other without falling. “Me too,” said. Dale.
My dad is recovering in hospital from a successful gastrectomy. Thank you to everyone who has been asking about/thinking of him. I can’t believe how great his fans are. I’ve been showing him all your messages and tweets. He is so thankful.
#duckystrong
#ducky
Stepped off a plane and of course the news is of James Reimer, who is absolutely a homophobe despite the PR statement.
Unfortunately he plays for the Sharks, who have always been leaders in social inclusion.
So, rather than watch the Bruins put the boots to Columbus tonight I went out to the garage and assembled this bad boy. Madam seemed to think it was a good idea as she brought me a beer or two for one of the few times since I've known her. Any guesses what it is?
When you are able to maintain your own highest standards of integrity - regardless of what others may do - you are destined for greatness.
#neverprouder
Happy
#MothersDay
to all the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives and friends we're all so lucky to have in our lives, guiding us with unconditional love. And to these two amazing women especially!
When guys like Morgan Barron take 75 stitches and come back to the game, you’re proud to say you’re a hockey fan. But when you se David Pastrnak flop twice and fake a high hit to get a power play, you have to be ashamed. The Bruins should be ashamed as well.
As a builder. He promotes the game; tells kids to dress well, respect opponents, show class, play clean, practice hard etc. Respects the military and Canada. He's not in but Jacobs, whose only contribution was promoting lockouts and gouging fans is?
From what I hear about the Montgomery firing, he merely did something that, in a broader sense, many of us have done. It was not illegal, just a lapse in judgment. I’m not free to be more specific right now but you’ll see what I mean when it comes out.
No wonder The Athletic is losing money and laying off staff by the truckload. There are lots of real hockey stories out there that are ignored for this kind of thing.
I recently spoke with
@SeanFitz_Gerald
about the recent incidents in the hockey world that impact the LGBTQ+ hockey community, which is deeply important to me. (1/4)
It’s nice to know that Bruce has checked with the majority of the 12million people who voted Conservative and thereby learned their precise views. Surely that’s the case and he’s not just parroting the views of the party that uses tax dollars to fund his money-losing newspaper.
Most of their voters are hostile to the idea of addressing climate change, and increasingly hostile to diversity. Ontario and Alberta are governments devoid of good ideas, and reliant on grievance and scapegoating. This is Canada's conservative movement now.
Try not to bother me today. I'll be busy responding to apologetic tweets from the hundreds of people who vilified me when I said two years ago that the Leafs intended to target Tavares in 2018. I'm sure they'll all be classy enough to withdraw their abuse,
Typical thoughtless knee-jerk anti-US response. But if the U.S. weren’t there, you’d have to worry a hell of a lot more about Russia coming in, rather than the US. Well, maybe not you; I was referring to people who can think.
Did you like repeated stoppages caused by defenceman flipping the puck over the glass whenever they got tired? Did you like a team being able to get out of trouble it had created by flipping the puck over the glass?
England v Germany tomorrow. Time to remember the classic line delivered on the BBC prior to the 1966 World Cup final: “ If, on the morrow, the Germans should beat us at our national game, let us remember that we have twice beaten them at theirs.”
On a bad depression day I put a mark on my arm. I do this so others can see the marks & the space for marks that aren't there. In 2008-with no treatment-365 marks. 2020-with treatment-53. I'm not just living, I'm alive. Why? Because I finally chose to fight-will you?
#SickNotWeak
Here’s one for you philosophy majors and other navel-gazers. Is it fair to suggest that all the media experts who picked the Leafs to win should not be allowed to comment on the Leafs’ loss because they themselves failed just as badly as the Leafs did?
Gretzky and roomy Ace Bailey overslept. Pre-game warmup had started. Frantically Ace helped Gretzky dress. “No one will miss me,” he said. “They’ll miss you.” Gretz left. Ace dressed and took a shower. “Toughest warmup I ever had,” he said.”I’m soaked.”
Died 20 years ago today.
Well that settles it. They'll certainly pull up their socks now. The whole nation had been waiting for advice from a third-rate sportswriter in another country.
As if Gerard Gallant needed to pad the resume anymore, he just turned an 0-3 start into a gold medal. Wouldn’t be surprised if he has a job before he lands back in P.E.I.
The Saint John Sea Dogs lost in the 1st round of the Q playoffs and rested 38 days before Mem Cup. They got in as host and lead Hamilton 4-2 going into third period of the final. If they win the Mem Cup, it's a complete joke. And it should forever be accompanied by an asterisk.
Two years after John Tavares turned down more money from New York to sign with Toronto, the Isles are in the Eastern Conference final. Inject that kind of feel-good storyline straight into my veins, every time.
The salary cap is a pestilence. It does nothing for the game. It turns fans into accountants and makes a mockery of talent-management. And yet the guy who foisted this upon the league, and maintains it with a series of shutdowns, goes into the Hall of Fame. It's lunacy.
In 2022, the Pittsburgh Penguins hired self-adoring hockey genius Brian Burke to be president of hockey operations. What could possibly go wrong? Not much — as long as you don’t mind missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006
I’d rather watch hockey than Bettman being honoured for shutting the game down a few times, killing Olympic participation, and turning fans into accountants.
Annual pet peeve time. Four games on the NHL docket tonight competing with Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Why? The focus of the hockey world should be on the inductees and their achievements. Okay. I'm done.
When I was on HNiC, there were people who loved me and people who hated me. That's the nature of the beast. The only alternative is to say nothing of relevance. If you read my posts, think about them and disagree, that's fine. As long as we're all thinking, we should progress
Now that Trudeau is going to Europe for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, can we be sure he doesn’t intend to apologize to the Germans for our aggression?
No. We don’t often disagree but we do here. I think the suit and tie is proper business attire. They’re going to a high-paying job and should dress accordingly. It denotes a respect for their heritage and their job. Would you go to court in slashed jeans and a grubby shirt?
Friday musing: Time for the NHL to ditch the mandatory suit and tie dress code for players? Let players express themselves, personalities and in some cases their brands by choosing their apparel before/after games. The suit and tie for players is a vestige of a bygone era.
Typical BS from Pierre Maguire to open the telecast in the US as he prattled on about the Islanders playing a grinding game for the full extent of the ice surface to win the opener. Jarry allowed four bad goals. That was the difference. It’s that simple.
I do love the spectacle of the
#SuperBowl
while I also acknowledge the structural coercion and inequality, and the glorification of institutional systems of harm by the sports media complex in the game. Dissonance lives in sport consumption and fandom.
I have a friend who retired as an NYC fire chief just before 9-11. On that day, he drove 35 miles to Ground Zero, then risked his life providing assistance. In fact, he spent his career risking his life to save others. I’ll see him today. I’ll let him know he’s a monster.
If you truly support Donald Trump, it’s now very simple. You are a sort of monster. He has blood on his hands, and it could be the blood of people you love, and if you still support him you are lost as a human being.
Jennifer Botterill now says Canadiens need to put their best foot forward. She also recently told us players communicate, can use speed to create chances, and have to pay attention when on the ice. I don’t like to insult TV people but in this case, it’s hard to abstain.
Wonderful to see that Tiger Woods, whose time on the driving range received blanket coverage, who was the primary source of discussion on the panels, and who has received by far the most early coverage is +3. With luck, he’ll miss the cut and we can watch todays stars.
I think the best line ever given to me one-on-one came from Jimmy Rutherford, then Red Wings goalie. They were 84 points behind Montreal late in the season. I said, "Jimmy how do you get up for a game when you're 84 points back?" He said, "Don't forget, we've got a game in hand."
So let me get this straight. If the Leafs lose three consecutive games to the team with the fewest regular-season points — with two of those games at home — it’s somehow the fault of a government that Bruce doesn’t like? He sure knows his sports, doesn’t he?
You’re a sick person. Seek help. I live in the U.S for almost half the year meet many fine people who support Trump. This evil and wickedness that you attribute to 100 million or so Americans is a sign of your delusion and obsession. I say again, seek help.
Trump is reading stuff he doesn't believe to a roomful of fascist-thirsty fools. If he wins this time, America becomes the most dangerous nation on Earth. People who boost him are enabling authoritarian fascism, and an assault on democracy. That's it.
You’re twisting the situation to suit your aims. These guys have been tested every other day for months. At the first sign of infection, the players is banned from interaction. Their salaries or the wealth of the owners has nothing to do with it. You’re just creating division.
You see, this is a very special virus. It doesn’t threaten millionaire NHL players or billionaire team owners. And they pose no threat to you. Only lowly citizens are threatened — and pose a threat. So stay in your lockdown, know your place, and watch the NHL on TV.
Since neither of you appear to be doing anything useful, perhaps you could hang out with them for a while and get them to teach you the difference between bring and take.
Right again Bruce. As you were about Covid, vaccinations etc. At one time, newspapers used to fight against tax dollars. Now they fight to get tax dollars. Would Poilievre’s decision to end your freeloading be affecting your stance at all?
Great piece on what it is like to see Poilievre speak in Atlantic Canada by
@Tim_Bousquet
. If we elect this guy, the damage he will do will be deep and lasting.
Why on earth would the NHLPA think of hiring a guy who, in his Boston mayoralty campaign, took significant amounts of campaign contributions from Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs and his family?
From the guy who gave us his strong (incorrect) views on Covid, his strong (incorrect) views on the residential school graves) his strong (incorrect) views on the Covington School kids, his strong (incorrect) views on Jussie Smollett, and so many other worthwhile insights.
And are playing the most boring hockey imaginable as Lou tries to win at the expense of destroying the game, the same tactic he used in New Jersey. It took years to overcome Lou and Lemaire. Now it’s Lou and Trotz.
Re the job Trotz/Lou hv done with
#NYI
In summer 2018:
-Trotz goes to NYI after Cup when
#allcaps
don't pay him
- Lou goes to NYI when
#leafsforever
make Dubas GM.
Since then TOR/WASH each fired coaches, have 0 postseason series wins.
#isles
won 3 series & still playing
Hmmm.
What hypocrisy. All Bruce's lofty ideals disappear when a Republican is the victim. Getting an understanding of US politics by reading Bruce Arthur is like getting an understanding of medieval history by watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
In today’s uncertain world, there are not many things you can guarantee you’ll never see. But you can be assured that me paying to read Bruce Arthur is one of them.
It’s not usually my style, but today I ask you to subscribe to help support the good work by
@StarSports
and the rest of our talented newsroom. If we’re going to get through
#BlueJays
in 2019, we might as well do it together, y'all.
Great stuff Theo. I remember asking you after the Salt Lake Olympics -- with reference to your previous troubles -- who deserved the most credit for getting you to a gold medal. You said, "I do," You were right then and you're right now, Congratulations.
13 years ago today I made a choice and decision to stop drinking and doing drugs. Best decision ever. Started on a path of healing and understanding trauma, mental health and addiction. What a ride but it’s always just one day at a time. Healing is continuous and forever.
I heard tough guy Brian Burke on the radio saying that if he were in the ice, he would have punched Thornton. Of course, in his entire career, he had one fight and lost it, but he’s much tougher and braver now.
Can we do teachers after we’ve finished with hockey coaches? Mine punched me, twisted my arms and strapped me. They even ridiculed me and shouted abuse at me. Granted, they’re mostly dead now, but still...
To the victims who may be seeing comments like “put a name on it” & “remaining anon is bs”, don’t feed into this narrative
If u would like to tell me your story about
#hockey
#abuse
, you can make an impact in someone’s life whether you put a name on your experience or not
DM me
If they’re going to start calling penalties on checks like this, it’s time to shut down the game and give the new version to Ken Dryden to choreograph with everyone wearing tutus.
I watched the French version but they have no idea what they’re doing. It was terrible. All they did was talk about playoff hockey. No one was wearing any ribbons. Nobody promoted a cause. They even had a segment with an ex-coach (Michel Bergeron). How could fans like that?