Defending The Blue Line Announces NHL Players Charity Game

News release from Defending the Blue Line:

Defending The Blue Line (DTBL) will host a NHL Players Charity Hockey Game on Saturday, August 3 at 3:00 p.m. at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota Campus. The game will feature U.S. born NHL players vs. Canadian born NHL players.

On Monday, July 1, tickets to the game and the player autograph session will go on sale exclusively at http://www.DefendingTheBlueLine.org. An initial roster of players participating will also be released and jerseys for the event will be unveiled at Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub on July 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.

“We are very thankful for the great support NHL players continue to show our organization,” said Shane Hudella, Defending the Blue Line President. “This game will provide hockey fans an excellent opportunity to watch NHL players away from the pressure of the pro game, and at the same time, help ensure military kids can play the game we all love.”

Defending The Blue Line is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by a group of National Guard soldiers from Minnesota. The charity assists families of all branches of the military with costs associated with hockey. They provide financial assistance for registration fees, free equipment, summer hockey camps, and send many deserving families to watch National Hockey League games.

Defending The Blue Line is excited for this opportunity to further help military families and celebrate the service of our military heroes. Keeping the kids of military families focused and active in hockey is a great way to help keep their minds off of a parent’s upcoming deployment.

Competition Committee Recommends Mandatory Visors

The National Hockey League’s Competition Committee met yesterday in Toronto and recommended three significant changes in the game, with two focused on player safety.

The Committee has recommended mandatory visors for all players coming into the League during the 2013-14 season. Under the proposal, players who are currently in the NHL will be grandfathered in and not be required to wear a half-shield.

According to NHL.com, 73 percent of NHL players wore visors this season.

During preseason, the NHL will experiment with hybrid icing before deciding to use it in the 2013-14 regular season or stick with the current form of icing.

Shallower nets could also come into play next season. The Committee recommend nets that sit 4 inches shallower, down from 44 inches to 40 inches, to allow more room behind the net.

Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the NHL Colin Campbell spoke about the suggestions, as did the Special Assistant to the Executive Director of the NHLPA Mathieu Schneider.

All proposals must be approved by the League’s Board of Governors before changes become permanent.

The Competition Committee — which featured five players from the NHLPA, five NHL executives, an NHL referee, and members of the League’s hockey operations department — also announced other potential changes and recommendations for next season, including:

• All double minor high-sticking penalties will be subject to review.

• Elimination of the attainable pass, which gave linesmen the discretion to wave off icing infractions on attempted passes that are deemed to be attainable. With the new standard, there must be contact with the stick.

• A sub-committee will be formed as early as next week to study all equipment worn by goaltenders and skaters. Schneider said all equipment will be examined.

The Board of Governors will meet later this month to discuss and vote on the proposals made by the Competition Committee.

Granlund Scores Goal, Assist In Bronze Medal Game

Mikael Granlund scored a goal and added an assist in Finland’s 3-2 shootout loss to the US National Team in the Bronze Medal Game at the IIHF World Championships on Sunday.

Granlund tied the score in the third period with a nifty inside-out move and finish. He also just missed on a one-handed attempt in the shootout. In the tourney, the forward posted a goal and two assists in four games.

Check out the Bronze Medal Game highlights:

Minnesota Tagged Best Arena Experience

Wild fans around the State of Hockey know all about the special atmosphere inside Xcel Energy Center.

Well, Stadium Journey Magazine has taken notice and ranked Minnesota’s home barn the top arena experience in the National Hockey League in 2013. The magazine is dedicated, “as a way to go into greater depth about the great stadiums in the various sports played around the world.”

Here is what the magazine’s website had to say about the experience at Xcel Energy Center:

“The fans know the game and appreciate the little things, such as clearing the puck on the penalty kill, or a good defensive play to prevent a scoring chance. That is what gives the Xcel a truly special atmosphere and, even though the initial luster of having the NHL back in Minnesota has worn off, there is still a buzz around the building.”

The acknowledgement comes on the heels of ESPN The Magazine ranking the Wild’s stadium experience tops in the NHL last fall.

Harding To Start Game 5

“Can I wager on what the first question will be?” Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo cracked before addressing the media after today’s gameday skate.

The question that’s been on the minds of Wild fans since the end of Game 4, ‘Who will start Game 5 in goal?’

As the Wild looks to extend the series against the Chicago Blackhawks, down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, Josh Harding will return to net. The goaltender left after the first period of Game 4 with an undisclosed injury. He’s started every game of the Western Conference Quarterfinals series.

Yeo said that he wanted Harding to show and say he’s ready for tonight’s game.

“We don’t know how he feels, but you have to trust him,” Yeo said. “And he says that he is good to go.”

As for any other changes in the lineup, we’ll have to wait unit tonight’s game. Forward Mike Rupp is a game-time decision. If he is unable to go, Stephane Veilleux will be on the fourth line with Torrey Mitchell and Cal Clutterbuck. Veilleux talked to WildTV about tonight’s tilt, and that video will be posted shortly.

Jason Pominville will move to the wing with Kyle Brodziak and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Pominville spoke to the media about the challenge of generating offense against a stingy Blackhawks defense, which will be on WildTV this afternoon.

In an elimination game, the Wild will need to play with the same desperation as Game 3, a 3-2 overtime win in Saint Paul. Finding the balance will be the task tonight as the club fights for its playoff life.

“Urgency without being uptight; confidence without being complacent,” Yeo said.

The Wild will look to its leaders what could be the team’s last game of the season. However, Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise will do whatever it takes to be sure that the Wild returns home for at least one more game. Both spoke to the media after the game. Koivu talked about the mindset of the team and that video is posted on WildTV. Parise’s availability will be posted soon.

This afternoon, the Wild signed forward Rapheal Bussieres to an entry-level contract. The 19-year-old was the Wild’s second-round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.