ESTERO, FL – In the 2007 draft, they went one-two. Chicago only had a small chance of earning the top draft pick. Philadelphia had the worst record, but earned the number two spot. Between them, they took the two very best players the draft had to offer: Patrick Kane and James van Riemsdyk.
The Blackhawks picked Patrick Kane. He was NHL ready and started with the team in the fall. He quickly emerged as a star and was named rookie-of-the-year. He was a speed demon on the ice and had great hands built for expert puck handling.
The Flyers picked James van Riemsdyk. He signed with the Flyers about a year ago deciding to go to college first. He decided a different route to the NHL was right for him
They obviously were both right in their personal and professional decisions. On top of all this, they are friends. They played together in the world juniors and remain close. When the Hawks were in Philly for their sole meeting this season, they went to dinner together. For now, they need to put the niceties aside.
The Flyers haven’t won the Stanley Cup since they doubled up in 1974 and 1975, defeating the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabers respectively. Fred Shero was the winning coach with Philly during those golden years. Their last trip to the finals was in 1997 when they lost to the Detroit Red Wings.
Chicago’s last win goes back to the glory days of Bobby Hull, Tony Esposito, Stan Mikita, etc. (I actually met Hull and Esposito briefly back in 1970 in Chicago). Their last win was way back in 1961, where under the direction of Rudy Pilous, they beat the Red Wings. They made it back to the finals again in 1962 only to lose to Toronto. Chicago’s last trip was in 1992 under the direction of Mike Keenan. They lost to Pittsburg.
Both teams are hungry to hoist that cup. But who will that be? Kane or van Riemsdyk?
CHICAGO – has a very experienced coach in Joel Quenneville. However, he hasn’t won the cup – yet. He was a toddler when Chicago last hosted Lord Stanley’s Cup. He has excellent players in: Patrick Kane, Patrick Keith, Marian Hossa (in his third consecutive trip to the finals with three different teams), Kris Verteeg, Duncan Keith (the man gets his teeth knocked out and keeps going) – the list goes on. Jonathan Towes is on a 13-game point streak; Dustin Byfuglien has eight goals in the post-season with four being game winners; Rookie Antiti Niemi has a 2.33 GAA and .921 save % in his 16 playoff games.
PHILADELPHIA – has a cup winning coach – Peter Laviolette – a definite asset. Laviolette led the Carolina Hurricanes to the finish line in 2006. The Flyers have battled back from near oblivion to become the 7th seed and now just four wins away from the cup. They have Claude Giroux with three goals, three assists and a +6 in the post-season. Big man, Chris Pronger, earned the win for the Flyers in their only game this season against the Hawks. Michael Leighton has a 1.45 GAA, .948 save% and three shutouts in the post season.
Both Kane and van Riemsdyk were not even born when their respective teams last won the Stanley Cup (both are only 21). Now both players are facing off against each other starting tonight with game 1 at Chicago’s United Center.
Who will be the victor? Who will have the ultimate honor of hoisting the cup above their head? Who will live the dream at the tender age of twenty-one? Whichever team uses their skills, capitalizes on the momentum, keeps their focus -and – plays their hearts out!
Contact the writer: sharon.weatherhead@prohockeynews.com
