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blog post Wrath of Khanna: National Hum - Wishing Wayne Gretzky a Happy Birthday

posted by Vish Khanna on Jan 26, 2010

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Good morning everyone. I hope all is well.

I was supposed to have D-Sisive on my show today to talk about his opening slot on the DOOM/Mos Def show in Toronto this Wednesday. But, as it turns out, the show has been postponed to February 25th so...no D-Sisive today.

Uh, so yeah. It's my National Hum show where I hope to hear from people from around the country (and the world really) about exciting, local musical events. I'm keeping hope alive and would love an excitement update from you if possible, so don't be shy.

It's also Wayne Gretzky's 49th birthday today. As a kid, I really idolized #99. For some reason, I always aspired to be as tall as him (6'1") and to weigh as much (165 lbs) as him too. I guess it was just burned into my brain from staring at his hockey card stats or something. Needless to say, I've surpassed his dimensions if not his career point totals.

So, I'll be paying tribute to the Great One throughout today's show, which means there's 99 reasons to listen to me today.

Was Wayne Gretzky important to you when he played hockey? Who did you wanna weigh as much as when you were a kid? What local musical events over the next while are you most excited about?

posted by Vish Khanna on Jan 26, 2010

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#1 posted by
swongken
on Jan 26, 2010

growing up in calgary during the '80's, i've got strong feelings about gretzky. he and his cronies from up north tormented me. i will never understand the national obsession with him. mind you, if i have to hear one more leaf fan bitch about gretzky's high stick on gilmour in '93 i might just snap.

#2 posted by
Vish Khanna
on Jan 26, 2010

That should've been a penalty. Not only was it a missed call, Gretz scored the game winner on the ensuing play!

#3 posted by
Ninja Burger
on Jan 26, 2010

It is and always will be about Mario for me. Ol' number 66 was the greatest player in NHL history for me, not to mention his beautiful hair! That isn't to say Wayne wasn't important but during my friends and I road hockey flaming tennis ball shoot outs, I always chose Mario. Nice to see Pittsburgh back on top where they belong... and Mario being the owner makes it so much sweeter.

#4 posted by
swongken
on Jan 26, 2010

and yet you're still wishing him a happy birthday. c'mon, vish, have the gumption to curse the man out like every other fan whose team he did awful things to.

#5 posted by
daa1982
on Jan 26, 2010

Vish is unable to curse due to a hockey injury.

#6 posted by
Vish Khanna
on Jan 26, 2010

I'll admit, I was conflicted during that Kings-Leafs series.

But I was a kid and didn't realize how misguided and evil the Toronto Maple Leafs organization was. And always will be...

#7 posted by
daa1982
on Jan 26, 2010

In London we are being treated with a plethora of delightful artists for February. Basia Bulat, Owen Pallett, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers just to name a few. Very excited.

#8 posted by
tb3
on Jan 26, 2010

It's my daughter's 3rd birthday.

And my best friend's (from growing up) daughter's 1st birthday.

#9 posted by
Vish Khanna
on Jan 26, 2010

Can't it be everyone's birthday?

#10 posted by
suckamc
on Jan 26, 2010

Your daughter's birthday is one I can cheer! Happy Birthday Emelia!

Celebrating celebrities birthdays... sports celebrities at that... not so much.

We have a really fun show of up and coming Charlottetown bands this Friday, Milks and Rectangles, Sister Jack, and New Royalty. Lots of other shows this week that I'm unfortunately going to have to miss too... (The Wooden Sky, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees...)

Martin

#11 posted by
MikeV
on Jan 26, 2010

Good morning everyone! I know I am late, but I did some research about Wayne Gretzky. As it turns out he scored a lot of goals.

@tb3 - Wow John your daughther shares Wayne Gretzky's birthday or he shares hers anyways that is a pretty good celebrity to somehow share a birthday with.

#12 posted by
daa1982
on Jan 26, 2010

Chaos would ensue if it was everyones birthday. Cake stores wouldn't be able to handle the demand, party supply stores would be riots, whole cities would burn down from all the birthday candles. Chaos I say.

#13 posted by
MikeV
on Jan 26, 2010

Damn right they are evil!

#14 posted by
tb3
on Jan 26, 2010

:: When I played hockey as a kid I had his signature line Jofa hockey gloves.

:: I now have no less than 4 coffee table books in my house dedicated to him.

:: I have his doll still in the package (next to my Flutie Flakes and Stevie stars).

:: I spent over $300 getting a pro home Oilers Gretzky jersey

:: I visited a friend in Edmonton just so I could see the statue of him in front of Rexall Place

:: I knew I was going to marry my wife when she told me she had a Gretzky mesh back hat and lunch box as a kid

So yah, I am a bit of a fan.

Vish, did you ever tuck your jersey in the back on the right side?

#15 posted by
daa1982
on Jan 26, 2010

I think the world is ready for a mattress focussed radio show.

#16 posted by
dawn.h
on Jan 26, 2010

And you conceived your daughter exactly 9 months before his birthday.

Wow. Super fan maybe.

#17 posted by
downdog
on Jan 26, 2010

Bruce Guthro tomorrow night at the Carleton! Can't wait - sold out though!

And I know I'm ready for a mattress radio show - just how does one know how to pick the right one! This is why I've needed one for so many years and can't bring myself to figure it out - help, Vish!

HB Gretzky, even though I'm a Crosby/Pittsburgh fan through and through...

#18 posted by
dawn.h
on Jan 26, 2010

I'm a bad hockey fan. I am fairweather, coming and going season to season. And I don't like any players in particular. So I can't speak to this hullabaloo.

But mattresses.. oh man. Don't get me started.

Oh and my upcoming music thing is tonight and I'm a bit unsure about it. Polaris guy is hosting a panel discussion about the history of Canadian music. I'm skipping stuff for it so I hope it's decent.

(PS something is really weird with my browser so if I start posting links don't click them.. i think i have a trojan or something)

#19 posted by
Ninja Burger
on Jan 26, 2010

In Korea, where I live now, the birthday system works so that everyone turns a year older on new years day... They have bakeries on every corner to deal with the demand, otherwise I'm sure riots would ensue.

#20 posted by
Vish Khanna
on Jan 26, 2010

I did do the tuck, of course. Some times I tuck regular shirts in that way...

I have to leave the blog for a while. Please carry on without me...

#21 posted by
daa1982
on Jan 26, 2010

That's craziness.

#22 posted by
dawn.h
on Jan 26, 2010

Do the bakeries take the rest of January off? Oh god! Is there no cake in all of Korea every post-New Years? That sounds awful.

#23 posted by
MikeV
on Jan 26, 2010

What I like to know which NHL player holds the record for most instigation penalties for starting fights with the zamboni?

#24 posted by
daa1982
on Jan 26, 2010

The Zamboni is always asking for it in my opinion.

#25 posted by
missaimee
on Jan 26, 2010

Most excited to see the NEW and GREAT band Cold Warps with dance superstars Windom Earle!

They are playing in Charlottetown at a house and I've been looking forward to it for months :)

#26 posted by
dawn.h
on Jan 26, 2010

I'd like to know if they keep stats on defence people that cause goals.. on their own net. That's me. I'm great at taking the puck off 'em but I have a habit of redirecting shots on goal off my stick and into a goal.

#27 posted by
suckamc
on Jan 26, 2010

ack, Windom Earle! I don't want to miss them... curses busy week!

#28 posted by
cathyort
on Jan 26, 2010

Vish is gone?

I can go off-topic then with impunity:

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/01/controversial_delta_college_co.html

#29 posted by
MikeV
on Jan 26, 2010

Perhaps they should give the Dawn.h Trophy at the end of the year toe the player that holds that record for the year?

#30 posted by
cathyort
on Jan 26, 2010

Russ and I are super excited about Phog line-up for Feb/Mar!

http://thephogblog.blogspot.com/

#31 posted by
tb3
on Jan 26, 2010

Defensive deflections / tip-ins

The important thing you remember when a goal is scored on your goal, that it is ALWAYS your goalie's fault. You look at them, lower your head, and grumble "you shoulda had that jerk-wad" and then slash them in the face (hey, they have a mask on for a reason).

Interesting tidbit about the tuck in: The company that made the Oilers jerseys back in the day (I think the company was SP before CCM) used to have their logo on the bottom right side of the jersey - as most still do to this day.

But, because Gretzky did his tuck in on that side his jersey they added the logo on the left side, so if he ever wore it out, there was one on each side. Interesting that even back then, they knew he was that good that the company didn't even think to ask him to tuck in on the other side as it was already his trademark.

p.s. The Titan TRM20 - the hockey stick he used was the best hockey stick I ever used. Lasted forever and was stiff (Hi-O) as all get-out.

#32 posted by
SusieQTunes
on Jan 26, 2010

CAN. NOT. WAIT. to see Wilco in Edmonton in a few weeks.

Am also really excited to see my favourite East Coast artists tearing it up in Atlantic Canada House on Granville Island during the Olympics. The super-talented David Myles, 2010 Int'l Blues Competition winner Matt Anderson, chef and DJ extraordinaire, DJ Nasty Naz, and soooo many more.

Actually, could you play a David Myles tune to celebrate the great musical events of Vanoc 2010? Maybe his Songquest track? Love Again? Anything from On the Line?

#33 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Jan 26, 2010

I grew up in Moose Jaw in the heyday of Theoren Fleury. I always figured he was awesome, and since he played for the Warriors he was a rock star in my 7 year old yes.

Now I'm reading his book, and I'm not so sure I should've ever looked up to him. He's a lot cockier than I ever imagined.

#34 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Jan 26, 2010

by "yes" i mean "eyes"

#35 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Jan 26, 2010

I can't wait for Wilco in Saskatoon!!!!!!!!! in a few weeks.

Have you seen them before?

#36 posted by
SusieQTunes
on Jan 26, 2010

Never. But I have family members who swear it's the best live show they've ever seen, referencing two separate shows. I think it'll be pure genius at the Northern Jubilee.

You? Any tips?

#37 posted by
mattyjames2001
on Jan 26, 2010

I'm a first timer as well. Yet, the people I know who have seen them tell me the same "best thing ever" story too!

Very excited.

#38 posted by
tb3
on Jan 26, 2010

The thing is… about cocky, hockey players. It's part of our pedigree in the Canadian fabric, that people who play hockey are treated like royalty. Be slightly better at it than everyone else, and there's a sense entitlement that's borne from worship.

My wife worked at the movie theatre in Windsor when we went to school and she saw Ed Jovanoski on a few occasions and she didn't like him cause he was "too cocky".

I explained to her that it's kind of hard not to when as a teenager, you reach the OHL, and are even moderately good at that level. Then you are worshipped. It's not right, or okay to be that way, but it is something most fall victim to. It's entirely odd that at that age, kids are treated as hockey gods. 16, 17, 18… Watched and revered by people twice their age.

But then add that the only way you make it to the NHL is by being skilled, and more importantly competitive and confident beyond a level we understand. That is inherent in super stars, and permeates all of their lives.

Guys that make it, do so because in the dying seconds of game 7, of the Stanley Cup Finals, tied, they want to be ON the ice because they know they can score the game winner. They don't want to be on the bench for fear of making the mistake… that doesn't enter their mind.

I played pick-up hockey with Jeff Hackett, a London native for a couple years a few years ago. He played out, but as you know was a goalie in the NHL. He was really good as an out player (goalies are often the best skaters). But one thing I had a hard time wrapping my head around was how seriously he took our games each week.

He had fun, but he definitely wanted to win every week. Strange considering he had retired from the best league in the world, having played at that level, and our Tuesday shinny meant a lot to him. That was until it occurred to me to get to that level of play, it took a certain drive inside him that doesn't just get turned off when you play lesser pickup with a bunch of bums.

So that cock-sure attitude you're seeing in Fleury is part of what it takes and what happens as a result of playing at higher levels of a sport that ranks as highly (if not higher) than religion in this country.

As nice a guy Gretzky is considered to be (and he is), trust me, he wanted to win every game. And he had no issue with running up the score in the Oilers heyday and making goalies look bad.

If you haven't already, do yourself a favour and check out the Fifth Estate on Theo Fleury about the abuse by Graham James. It's an incredibly heartbreaking story, that sheds some light on the moral conundrums he got into ever since having his childhood ripped away from him.

I was so happy to see recently, that he's pursuing laying charges.

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