Yesterday In Thrasherdom

Let's see here, this is pretty bad ass. Toby-o signs a little extension that helps kick-start the THRASH0RZ 4 LYFE campaign that he is apparently spear-heading (let's keep Kovy out of this for now, mmmk?). Methinks this is a good thing. Wait, scratch that - it IS a good thing. Toby (originally typed as TONY) is one of those players who really gets his job done and that's quite shocking as he's a member of the Thrashers. Let's see if we can name the last great defenseman of the Atlanta Thrashers, shall we?

Speaking of Toby, it looks like he wants to bring out the Niko Kapanen haircut. Please take note:


Exhibit A - Toby Enstrom as of September 24, 2008. Clicking on that pic enlarges it like woah, so be prepared. But please notice the poofiness that's slightly protruding out of the sides of his helmet. There's no mistaking those Swedish blonde locks. And now...


Exhibit B - uh, Niko Kapanen.

All I'm saying is compare the hair (ha!), not the play, not the player, and certainly not the game. I hope I'm not the first to say it aloud and, by doing that, I hope that I'm not the gypsy who puts the Kap-Kurse on poor Toby-o. Shhhhhh!

With that said, I guess I misled, like, everyone by saying that I was going to practice on Saturday. I was all gung-ho about it all week long, and then corn dogs and funnel cake took over my body the nite before and I couldn't muster up the courage to make the trek to Duluth the following morning. Really, it just came down to gas prices and making multiple trips up to Atlanta in one day that was the kicker. BUT! But I finally made it up there on Wednesday morning and had a great time. At long last, I was able to really check out Mr. Bogosian and note that while he wasn't the best player on the ice on Wednesday morning, he definitely looks like an NHL player. Is this manchild really only 18? That's INSANE. He's a lock for the team, mark my words, but I just pray that he gets over the overwhelming part of the NHL quick. Once he does that, I think he can have a very solid season for the Thrashers.

I also caught a glimpse of Jason Williams, and was I shocked when I initially assumed that he looked like Justin Williams (why does he have an official website, BTW?). They are quite the opposites. Didn't keep too much of an eye on Marty Reasoner and definitely didn't peek at Ron Hainsey, but I guess I'll just save that for either another trip up later on or game time (woo, it's soon!).

Can I also say for the record that it was instantly odd to know that Marian Hossa wasn't there? I dunno, but I felt very... empty... that he wasn't at camp. I just had to say it. But as Filburt Turtle once said, "You turn the page, you wash your hands..." Bew to that! :(

Enough of my chatter about the practice, here are what you really want - pics!







For 26 more pics, check out the album at the Flickr.

It was unfortunate that Erik Christensen was not in attendance at this morning's session, but I guess that all is not doomed for our mystery center. I only say that because he had such a limited time with the Thrashers last season (due to injury) and now there's this strike against him when there are a lot of hopes for this guy to pull through and produce for the Thrashers. Let's hope his body can get things together!

Hmm, what else? I think that covers it for my Thrashers Wednesday.

On another topic, I'm kinda confused about how I should feel about this next issue. I'm in two fantasy leagues this year - a first for that - and while the second league hasn't drafted yet (sign up NOW!), the league I'm running is all set to go. The only thing is that one team, uh, lucked out (?) and secured the two goalies who are dearest to me.



You see, my wife and I have the two absolutely adorable kittens who I'm fairly positive will dominate the world. Seeing how we're kinda goalie fanatics (especially from the Finland region of the world), we named these two cats Miikka (red, obv) and Vesa (grey). Seriously, y'all, I'm kinda torn about this. The guy who drafted 'em did it through the auto draft, so I'm sure it was fate that led him to these guys. But really? I mean, if I go up against him for a week, how can I find it in my heart to root against Mr. Miikka and Mr. Vesa? Sure, you can make the completely logical argument that I'm only "facing" the human goalies and that has zero relation to our cats. But I counter your logic with my illogical standpoint that while these two goalies are indeed human, our cats are mere extensions of their awesomeness and if they do bad, ill-will could ensue towards these seemingly innocent felines. And if I DO root for them during that week, I end up losing in fantasy. It's a lose-lose situation, you see. It puts a whole other spin on fantasy for me this year and I honestly don't know how it will play itself out.



These cats are fucking adorable, y'all - don't even try to deny it!

It's -- WEEKEND!

For the first time in, like, forever I actually have a weekend off. That's the price you have to pay when you sell your soul work retail. Such is life, I suppose. However, I'm making the most of this weekend. Tonite I'm heading up to the North Georgia State Fair in Marietta and then somehow going to get a sufficient amount of sleep for the following day.

Saturday is, uh, Super Sports Saturday...? Putting the lame alliteration to a halt, we all know (as you are avid readers of WWD, I AM SURE) that tomorrow is the opening day of the Atlanta Thrashers training camp, held at their practice facility in Duluth. I do this every year and it's sooooo great. It's always great to reacquaint myself with the familiar - Ilya, Kari, Slava, etc. What's really awesome about training camp is all of the new people that will cause much head-scratching. Last year, there were questions about Bryan Little, Brett Sterling, and Tobias Enstrom (among some others, I'm sure). This year, it's time to get to know Marty Reasoner, Ron Hainsey, Jason Williams, and, of course, ZACH BOGOSIAN.

Really, all anyone has done during the summer is get high on Zach Bogosian, the Thrashers' first round draft choice. Some say he is the next coming of Christ (eh...), others (not many) say they would prefer him to hang out in juniors for a minute before just being tossed into the man-eating "waters" of the NHL. I mean, the kid is only 18 and he has the Thrashers' defense on his shoulders. It's kinda ridiculous.

Note my skepticism. That's what makes training camp so wonderful. Finally all of the bullshit-talking during the off-season ends and the real business is attended to. A good deal of questions will be answered during the next couple of weeks. Thank God, I say.

So that's my Saturday morning. Totally fun, right? I come back down south for a second and then make my way BACK up to Atlanta to catch my first (and only) Braves game of the season as they take on my faves, the Mets. Before publicly displaying any kind of animosity against the Mets, please keep in mind that they are the team that brought it home during my younger years... you know, the mid-80s. So, yeah, you can definitely say that I have an attachment to them. Also, it's just fun to yell "LARRY!" whenever that third baseman of the Braves takes to the field.

And then my Sunday is spent quietly selecting my fantasy hockey roster in my killer league (ID=17007, password=blueland), probably blogging about it, and then blogging some more about the camp experience from the previous day. Totally rad, right?! Like, so totally!

It's always difficult to get decent pics at the Ice Forum, so I'll do my best, but I make no guarantees. It's worked in my favor in the past years (2006, 2007). I just can't wait for this weekend! And it's already started!

OMG, SO EXCLAMATORY!

Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun Weekend!

WWD favorites Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun are about to play some blistering sets this weekend locally, which is good if you don't have plans (grr?).

Tonite, they make a stop at The EARL with The Shanghai Gesture and Win Win Winter. Supposedly they go on around 1030P or so, but I'm really talking about a show in Atlanta. For the show on Tuesday, I thought it would start sometime around 9-ish since it was listed online as starting at 830P. I arrived at Smith's close to 830P and waited until 930P when A.A. Bondy finally took to the stage to start things off for the evening. So... yeah. Just be aware of those somewhat-deceiving starting times... but, simultaneously, don't miss the band!

Anyways, the rock doesn't stop there. Tomorrow nite, they trek over to Birmingham and play one of my favorite venues around, The Nick. (Hmm, from Earl to Nick? Weird.) I swear, The Nick really is like the CBGB of the South. It's amazing, and they're playing with The Winter Sounds as well as All Get Out, same starting time (approximately). If I weren't baseballing it tomorrow (and if gas wasn't unavailable, as it seems that close to half of the gas stations I've seen in the past few days actually HAVE gas), I'd make the trip, because you cannot go wrong with a show there.

Sorry, no links to the openers! You can find 'em on myspace or last.fm! I'm in a hurry; funnel cake and corn dogs beckon!

SIgnificant Dates

No, I'm not getting all emo over here and reminiscing about "What might've been..." with certain women I've interacted with. Psht. Here are some dates that I have (virtually) circled on my calendar in the immediate future and that you should also pay attention to.... if you asked me (and you should!).

September 15 (ooh, that's today!) - Early sale for individual tickets (hey, that password is BLUELAND.)
September 20 - Training camp opens (free for the public and fun for all!)
September 25 - Preseason action starts in Nashville!
October 1 - Preseason games continue as the Thrashers come home for three preseason match-ups, starting against Detroit.
October 10 - Time to open the season at home, against Alexander "The Ocho" Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals! I haven't purchased my tickets yet, but I'm planning on doing so in the next few days!

Yeah, that should do it for the next few weeks, I'd say! I'll be at training camp at least for the opening day stuff (along with tons of other people who have, uh, great advice about our beloved hockey team), maybe for another session if I can pull that out.

WWD Wants You...!

...for fantasy hockey, that is. Who knows, we really could use the help, too, but whatevs.

Seriously though, I tried this last season and it didn't work out so well, but that doesn't necessarily make me a quitter! So, as I just said, I'm returning to the fantasy hockey world with my wonderfully-named Small Market Hockey League and I'd we'd love to have you hand over your points and your charming fantasy hockey banter and, uh, skill sets. Here's what you need to know...

http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/register/joinleague
League ID#: 17007
Password: blueland


It's worked in the past, so we're going to go with a live draft (because it's never too early to talk smack, especially during a live draft!), and that will take place on Sunday, September 21 @ 12EST.

There's plenty of room, so feel free to join the ranks and have a little fun this season!

A.A. Bondy @ Smith's Olde Bar

WWD favorite and friend, A.A. Bondy, will take to the stage tomorrow evening at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta with his touring buddies The Felice Brothers. From what I've noticed and paid attention to (not saying much, BTW), this has been Bondy's first Atlanta appearance in quite some time. He was last in Athens a few months ago with The Weakerthans, but I didn't make the trip because of the price of the commute (ha).

Go to his myspace and check out some of his songs and then buy his debut solo release, American Hearts, out now on Fat Possum.