Re: Vancouver's Hockey "Media" (or "Idiots" as Torts calls them)

[Betamax]

Ergo, Botchford is more personality than reporter. That's fine for him, just not my style.

Like Gallagher, he's more op-ed than reporter, only younger & shinier. He's just focused on stirring up the dirt & making a spectacle of himself in hopes he'll get more tv time. Full on TMZ & Fox News. His Province staff photo w/ the headphones [ie a prop] around his neck spoke volumes.

Well, Botchford is keeping up with, uh, some pretty elite company ........

via: http://instagram.com/p/qesft1iTAs/



I think it is fair to suggest that Botch is, uh, the LBJ of NHL writers:

[ClamRussel]

Beats - completely over-priced headphones that don't deliver audio quality.

All hype.

How fitting.

[mathonwy]

I'm in the camp of enjoying guys who cover sports, talk sports, and don't make it about themselves (i.e. Kurtblogg, Rob Fai). I don't really enjoy guys who stir the pot on purpose or just talk about their heyday of partying, pornography, and sprinkle in their take on sports.

Damned if you do, and damned if you don't. I'm sure Botch himself was conflicted on whether to report it or not as its sensationalist news which is everything the old school hockey fan hates.

Regardless of my own personal opinion (which is don't report idiotic things like this because I personally feel dumber after reading it) in order for the NHL to continue to move forward and grow their viewer base in the United States, a good tactic to do so is to report ludicrous events like these and hope its ludicrous enough to make ESPN.

Looking at the trend of hockey reporting on ESPN, I observe only two categories of events that happen before hockey is ever mentioned. Winning east/west/SC or something idiotic happens (IE Sean Avery getting a rule named after him, Bert's attack on Moore, etc).

So even though I'm not a fan, I don't mind the odd useless sensationalist media story.

I count myself as a Botchford fan. When it comes Vancouver columns, you really don't get much choice and almost any writer is better than negative nelly Skelator. Botch certainly has his sensationalist side but I find his underlying message, more often than not, reasonable and logical.

I eagerly welcome your contrarian replies.

[Betamax]

I take your point. Many would share your view.

My only response is that I don't care if hockeys gets any bigger in the States. The events and personalities that drive popularity in the States are often despicable people these days.

The game is great, and it is strong in Canada (and some places in the USA). I'd rather keep it that way than grow it because of Kardashian-style media hype. And from a selfish perspective, hockey gaining popularity in the USA makes it hard on Team Canada.

But, I will return to my point that I'm not saying Botch was not permitted to print it (due to some code), he just shouldn't have because it was crass. Which I think we both agree.

I would suggest that was a reason to publish it. The old guard seems too pre-occupied with being PC. It's nice to see the new beats wearing generation not adhering to those traditions. That's part of the reason why he's the number one beat canucks' reporter in this market.

[ClamRussel]

I take your point. Many would share your view.

My only response is that I don't care if hockeys gets any bigger in the States. The events and personalities that drive popularity in the States are often despicable people these days.

The game is great, and it is strong in Canada (and some places in the USA). I'd rather keep it that way than grow it because of Kardashian-style media hype. And from a selfish perspective, hockey gaining popularity in the USA makes it hard on Team Canada.

But, I will return to my point that I'm not saying Botch was not permitted to print it (due to some code), he just shouldn't have because it was crass. Which I think we both agree.

I would suggest that was a reason to publish it. The old guard seems too pre-occupied with being PC. It's nice to see the new beats wearing generation not adhering to those traditions. That's part of the reason why he's the number one beat canucks' reporter in this market.

Some traditions in society are worth continuing...like showing class. As a reporter (in any field) you don't print everything you hear, it's not about being PC, it's called discretion.

[mathonwy]

I take your point. Many would share your view.

My only response is that I don't care if hockeys gets any bigger in the States. The events and personalities that drive popularity in the States are often despicable people these days.

The game is great, and it is strong in Canada (and some places in the USA). I'd rather keep it that way than grow it because of Kardashian-style media hype. And from a selfish perspective, hockey gaining popularity in the USA makes it hard on Team Canada.

But, I will return to my point that I'm not saying Botch was not permitted to print it (due to some code), he just shouldn't have because it was crass. Which I think we both agree.

Interesting viewpoint on your opposition to the growing of grassroots hockey in the United States.

I have no definitive proof (obviously) but I feel that Hockey Canada has had it a bit too good for the last few years. There really hasn't been any pressure on the organization because of our dual gold medals in the Winter Olympics. However, if you look outside of those gold medals to tourney's like the World Juniors, we've been sucking wind for quite some time. Our last medal was a bronze in 2012 and our last gold was in 2009!!!

I really wish Canada had been challenged these past Olympics. Frankly speaking, I was extremely disappointed by USA's performance. I thought there would be a serious challenge coming from the yanks but they basically fell flat on their face. Kane, Kessel, Quick = complete no shows when it counted the most. The Swedes were missing Z and Hank and the Russians were a complete cluster. Canada didn't exactly play a flawless game and the only reason we won was because of our blue line.

In conclusion, I am a supporter of the continued growth of hockey in NA even if it means the end of Canadian dominance in the sport. The only caveat is the hope that a better grassroots hockey system will mean more potential world class athletes choosing to participate in hockey versus other sports.

We need more players that can do what Sidney Crosby can do in the NHL!

[ClamRussel]

In conclusion, I am a supporter of the continued growth of hockey in NA even if it means the end of Canadian dominance in the sport. The only caveat is the hope that a better grassroots hockey system will mean more potential world class athletes choosing to participate in hockey versus other sports.

Well, sensationalist gimmicks like dick jokes in the locker room just makes the game look like American Gladiators or Lingerie Football. The growth has to come naturally and that means markets who support the sport w/o the hype. A strong Canadian presence spills down into the northern States and so on.

[Boston Canucker]

I didn't really care about the Thornton quote one way or the other, and it did lead to a week's worth of jokes about it with hockey watching friends, so there's that. But to me it just seemed sort of lazy, journalistic-wise. Okay, so Thornton said it, and it tells us what? Botch is who he is; a hockey/gossip/snark writer. It probably does sell papers, or hits/whatever, but for me, as a hockey fan, I'll read him if it is about hockey but when he gets into gossip/snark mode, I'm out. And his studs and duds thing quickly lost it for me when it soon became clear it was all about him, schticking it up. He's just not funny enough as a commentator/person to pull that off, at least in my view. His mode is sarcasm and snark there's no real insight or smart cutting humor there.

[ESQ]

I thought I'd make a point about Canada having way more U-20 players in the NHL than other countries, hence our best junior players aren't playing at the WJC.

But to my surprise, my assumption was wrong! The number of U-20 players in the NHL who were eligible for the last tournament:
Canada - 5
USA - 4
Finland - 4
Sweden - 3
Russia - 3
Latvia - 1

In the 2013 tournament, the lockout allowed Canada to ice its best roster, and failed to medal for the first time in 14 years.

[mathonwy]

PC?

Penis jokes aren't PC or un-PC, they are just stupid. They appeal to 15-year-old boys.

Which kinda is Betamax's point.

We're all old farts on this board. Some older than others.

The NHL needs more younger fans to buy that high margin merchandise.

[mathonwy]

I didn't really care about the Thornton quote one way or the other, and it did lead to a week's worth of jokes about it with hockey watching friends, so there's that. But to me it just seemed sort of lazy, journalistic-wise. Okay, so Thornton said it, and it tells us what? Botch is who he is; a hockey/gossip/snark writer. It probably does sell papers, or hits/whatever, but for me, as a hockey fan, I'll read him if it is about hockey but when he gets into gossip/snark mode, I'm out. And his studs and duds thing quickly lost it for me when it soon became clear it was all about him, schticking it up. He's just not funny enough as a commentator/person to pull that off, at least in my view. His mode is sarcasm and snark there's no real insight or smart cutting humor there.

Gotta give him credit for trying though.

I'm not sure if you ever read Yahoo sports but they're quickly becoming a pretty big hub when it comes to hockey sensationalist hockey articles. And the public love it as evident in each article's comment section.

So it works and Botch should eventually get it (I think).

[Blob Mckenzie]

Ergo, Botchford is more personality than reporter. That's fine for him, just not my style.

Like Gallagher, he's more op-ed than reporter, only younger & shinier. He's just focused on stirring up the dirt & making a spectacle of himself in hopes he'll get more tv time. Full on TMZ & Fox News. His Province staff photo w/ the headphones [ie a prop] around his neck spoke volumes.

The headphones pic is hilarious. I guess he actually thinks it looks cool or something. I just imagine him being an unsufferable person to be around, maybe not, but that's the vibe he gives off.

Gallagher has been a scumbag since day one going back to the Neale and Milford years and likely before that. The ONLY time he has backed off of management is when Eye Bags was here. I'm not saying don't hold these guys feet to the fire if they make mistakes and the team is poor, but Gallagher turned it into personal shit and he took it to new levels constantly . He has lied about so many things and twisted the truth like a pretzel to suit his own agenda.

Botchford is an abstinent LITTLE man. Obviously dealing with small man syndrome right off the hop gives him a real chip on his shoulder. I remember tuning in a few years back when he was on the radio and he got carved hard by a fan about his sports knowledge or lack thereof. He went ballistic saying he played nothing but rep sports all his life and that he was a great athlete. Yeah...... all 5ft 3 of you . The Thornton thing was just stupid and it likely cost him a lot of future interviews. This clown's problem is that he thinks he is a big part of the entertainment package regarding the Canucks.

I would take I Mac, Mason,Pap, Kuzma and even Willes over the aids patient and the intramurals star anyday. Better writing, a lot less lying and no shit disturbing for personal gains, not to mention Gallagher and Botchford barely have an understanding of hockey. Shitrag tabloid hacks is all they are.

[Betamax]

In conclusion, I am a supporter of the continued growth of hockey in NA even if it means the end of Canadian dominance in the sport. The only caveat is the hope that a better grassroots hockey system will mean more potential world class athletes choosing to participate in hockey versus other sports.

Well, sensationalist gimmicks like dick jokes in the locker room just makes the game look like American Gladiators or Lingerie Football. The growth has to come naturally and that means markets who support the sport w/o the hype. A strong Canadian presence spills down into the northern States and so on.

Well, that's what goes on in the dressing room. So, by extension, botchford as a reporter is doing his job to cover the discourse. Look, if it was a private conversation of JUMBO Joe joking around with a teammate than it would have been a different story, but JUMBO Joe took the opportunity to interject in a public media scrum involving Marleau. Plus, it was just a tidbit added to his online blog and wasn't used in their print publication.

[Betamax]

PC?

Penis jokes aren't PC or un-PC, they are just stupid. They appeal to 15-year-old boys.

Well, if the huge number of re-tweets and the fact that it was the topic du jour or semaine on TEAM 1040 radio which caters to Male 25-54 audience suggests that you are an outlier. I mean they hired Bro Jake and their market share in their targeted demo went up. #VERIFIED

That suggests to me that you are, uh, an outlier or are A55+.

[Strangelove]

Mondi, I know this is going to come as a major shock, but.... nice posting today buddy!