f one lives long enough,all things come back full circle.This fact of life creates situations and circumstances that can be both humorous and ironic at the same time.
In the game of professional hockey I believe the following to be both.
When contemplating the recent rivalry brewing between the Pens and Flyers I got to thinking of the 70's,the Cup and the Broad Street Bullies.Philly won two Cups between 74 and 76,also beating the Red Army in a head to head battle in 1976.One of the most exciting tilts I had witnessed to that date.To say the least they had a committed group of guys there,backstopped by for my money,the premier goalie of the day,Bernie Parent.
The Penguins have a storied history as well.Winning the Holy grail of hockey in 91 and 92 showcasing possibly the best players of that era.Mario Lemieux's name will be forever synonymous with hockey and Pittsburgh.
Heres the kicker.While musing these teams it dawned on me that Ray Shero is currently the GM of the Pen's.I realize that this and the connection to Philly is not news to many that follow these teams closely but to me the following was a revelation.Ray Shero's dad was Fred Shero,hockey icon and former head coach of the Broad Street Bullies!
Fred 'the fog' Shero was the force behind the team that dominated the league in the mid seventies.Fred Shero is a member of the Philadelphia Flyer's Hall of Fame!He was a players coach who had the absolute respect and attention of perhaps the most hated and feared team in sport at that time.
Now,today,the Flyers seem to be aspiring to these same heights and the team that loves to hate them is under the direction of Freddies son Ray Shero.Now if that isn't a classic case of irony,I don't know what is!
To give you a glimpse of his particular genius I'll quote some of Mr. Shero's favorite messages he would leave on the chalk board for his boys on the team.
'If we can't beat em' in the alley we can't beat em' on the ice'.
And this humorous gem 'the difference between making a contribution and making a commitment is like eggs and ham for breakfast-the chicken makes a contribution-the pig makes a commitment.I want players that make a commitment'
And this classic that I remembered without help 'Win today and we will walk together forever'
But perhaps the most relevant to the persona and identity todays team seems to be willing to 'commit to'.
'Take the shortest route to the puck carrier and arrive in ill humor.'
Although I don't see them capable of beating to many guys up they sure are playing like they are all seven feet tall.
I don't know too much about young Mr.Rejean Shero except he was drafted by the Kings but did not play in the league. He has also done some great work in Ottawa and Nashville.If I'm not mistaken he had a hand in Daniel Alfredsson coming to the Senators.In his first season as boss with the Pen's he brought in a couple of great players to the Pittsburgh fans, Mark Recchi and Jarkko Ruutu.That same year he drafted Jordan Staal with their second round pick.2006-07 saw him trade for Gary Roberts and Georges Laraque and the following off season he made moves for Sydor,Sykora,Taffe and Sabourin as well as signing stellar defenseman Ryan Whitney to a long term contract and all star phenom Sydney Crosby to a five year extension.
His most recent moves at the trade deadline are perhaps his most controversial as he has traded away futures for what it seems could be a rental in Marion Hossa.
I can assume however that Ray has a grip on the irony of his connection to the Flyer's organization and is preparing to reap the rewards of his fathers seeds of rivalry as the same can only be good for his business and hockey in general.
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