Hockey Documetaries: 01/02/16

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Montreal Canadiens - 100 Years & 100 Stars

The Montreal Canadiens (French: Les Canadiens de Montréal) are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The club is officially known as le Club de hockey Canadien. French nicknames for the team include Les Canadiens (or Le Canadien), Le Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, La Sainte-Flanelle, Le Tricolore, Les Glorieux (or Nos Glorieux), Les Habitants, Le CH and Le Grand Club. In English, the team's main nickname is the Habs, an abbreviation of "Les Habitants".

Founded in 1909, the Canadiens are the longest continuously operating professional ice hockey team and the only existing NHL club to predate the founding of the NHL, as well as one of the oldest North American sports franchises. The franchise is one of the "Original Six" teams, a description used for the teams that made up the NHL from 1942 until the 1967 expansion. Following the departure of the rival Quebec Nordiques in 1995, and the relocation of the Montreal Expos to Washington, D.C. in 2004, the Canadiens remain the sole team of the four major sports leagues of Canada and the United States that is based in the province of Quebec. The team's championship season in 1992--93 was the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup.

The Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup more times than any other franchise. They have won 24 championships, 22 of them since 1927, when NHL teams became the only ones to compete for the Stanley Cup. On a percentage basis, as of 2010, the franchise has won 25% of all Stanley Cup championships contested after the Challenge Cup era, making it one of the most successful professional sports teams of the traditional four major sports of Canada and the United States.
Since 1996, the Canadiens have played their home games at the Bell Centre, which was named the Molson Centre until 2003. Former homes of the team include Jubilee Rink, Montreal Westmount Arena, Mount Royal Arena and the Montreal Forum. The Forum was considered a veritable shrine to hockey fans everywhere, and housed the team for seven decades and all but their first two Stanley Cup championships.

The Stanley Cup - A Century Of Magic Moments (1893-1993)

The Stanley Cup (French: La Coupe Stanley) is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff winner after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals of the ice hockey clubs. Originally commissioned in 1892 as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, the trophy is named for Lord Stanley of Preston, then-Governor General of Canada, who awarded it to Canada's top-ranking amateur ice hockey club, which the entire Stanley family supported, with the sons and daughters playing and promoting the game. The first Cup was awarded in 1893 to Montreal HC. In 1915, the two professional ice hockey organizations, the National Hockey Association (NHA) and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA), reached a gentlemen's agreement in which their respective champions would face each other for the Stanley Cup. After a series of league mergers and folds, the Stanley "Presentation Cup" was established as the de facto championship trophy of the NHL in 1926 and then the de jure NHL championship prize in 1947.

There are actually three Stanley Cups: the original bowl of the "Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup", the authenticated "Presentation Cup", and the "Replica Cup" at the Hall of Fame. The NHL has maintained effective control over both the trophy itself and its associated trademarks. Nevertheless, the NHL does not actually own the trophy, but instead uses it by agreement with the two Trustees of the Cup. The NHL has registered trademarks associated with the name and likeness of the Stanley Cup, although the league's right to outright own trademarks associated with a trophy it does not own has been disputed by some legal experts.
Unlike the trophies awarded by the other three major professional sports leagues of North America, a new Stanley Cup is not made each year; winners keep it until a new champion is crowned. It is unusual among trophies, in that it has the names of all of the winning players, coaches, management, and club staff engraved on its chalice. Initially, a new band added each year caused the trophy to grow in size, earning the nickname "Stovepipe Cup". In 1958 the modern one-piece Cup was designed with a five-band barrel which could contain 13 winning teams per barrel. To avoid the Stanley Cup from growing, when the top band is full, it is preserved in the Hockey Hall of Fame and a new blank band added to the bottom. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously (chiefly by sportswriters) as Lord Stanley's Mug. The Stanley Cup is surrounded by numerous legends and traditions, the oldest of which is the celebratory drinking of champagne out of the cup by the winning team.

The original bowl was made of silver and is 18.5 centimetres (7.28 inches) in height and 29 centimetres (11.42 inches) in diameter. The current Stanley Cup, topped with a copy of the original bowl, is made of a silver and nickel alloy; it has a height of 89.54 centimetres (35.25 inches) and weighs 15.5 kilograms (34.5 lb / 2 st 6½ lb).

Since the 1914--15 season, the Cup has been won a combined 94 times by 18 active NHL teams and five defunct teams. Prior to that, the challenge cup was held by nine different teams. The Montreal Canadiens have won the Cup a record 24 times and are currently the last Canadian-based team in the NHL to win the cup after winning it in 1993. The Stanley Cup was not awarded in 1919 because of a Spanish flu epidemic, and in 2005, as a consequence of the NHL lockout.

1972 Quebec Nordiques: WHA Documentary - Just Another Job

The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972--79) and the National Hockey League (1979--95). The franchise was relocated to Denver, Colorado, in 1995, and renamed the Colorado Avalanche.

The Nordiques hold the distinction of being the only major professional sports team to have been based in Quebec City in the modern era, and one of only two ever; the other, the Quebec Bulldogs, played one season in the NHL in 1919-20.

Devils on the Rise

History of the New Jersey Devils Presented by the MSG Vault.

The Life and Times of Wayne Gretzky

The Life and Times of Wayne Gretzky documentarie.

Punched Out: The Rise and Fall of Derek Boogaard

Derek Boogaard was one of the N.H.L.'s most feared fighters before overdosing on May 13, 2011. The New York Times examined the life and death of the professional hockey player in 2011.

24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic: Episode 4

On New Year’s Day 2011, two of the National Hockey League’s premier teams – the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals – faced off in the open air of Heinz Field in Pittsburgh for the 4th annual NHL Winter Classic, a once-a-year extravaganza that brings stadium-sized audiences, and millionsof TV viewers, into the fast-and-furious realm of pro hockey. Get the inside scoop on all the pre-game preparations – as well as behind-the-scenes footage from both the Winter Classic and a December 23 regular-season preview between the two teams – on a brand-new, four-part 24/7 exclusive.

24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic: Episode 3

24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic: Episode 2

24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the NHL Winter Classic: Episode 1

Overtime

This short documentary from 1984 profiles a group of men from the Toronto Lakeshore Oldtimers Hockey Club. Although middle-aged, they still play the game with as much energy and passion as they did 25 years ago. They claim that playing hockey is more fun now than it was when they were kids, despite the toll of aches and pains, injuries, gruelling schedules and late-night partying. Cares and responsibilities are cast aside once they are on the ice, and the locker room becomes a haven of uncomplicated camaraderie and fun. In refusing to grow old gracefully, they feel they won't grow old at all!

The Last Gladiators

In this documentary, Academy Award-winning director Alex Gibney takes an extraordinary look at The National Hockey League’s Chris “Knuckles” Nilan. Born and raised in Boston, this aggressive enforcer had a simple task: to protect his teammates no matter the cost. In other words, his teammates knew that he had their backs.

The role of the enforcer is unofficial in ice hockey. The term is sometimes used synonymously with “fighter”, “tough guy”, or “goon”. An enforcer’s job is basically to deter and respond to violent play by the opposing team. When this occurs, the enforcer is expected to act aggressively by fighting or attacking the offender. Enforcers are expected to react particularly harshly to violence targeting their team’s star players or goalies.

For Chris, the role of enforcer often meant a shattered body: he bears the scars of broken knuckles, lost teeth, bites, torn ligaments, and multiple finger surgeries. Throughout his career, Chris struggled with addiction to drugs and the guilt that comes from harming the people closest to him. But he did what he felt he had to do. Described as one of the toughest NHL players in the 80s Chris states that in his opinion most of the people sitting in the stands would like to punch somebody in the mouth, but they can’t. That’s why they enjoy watching somebody else do it.

Chris was a fighter from the time he was a child. He was fiercely loyal and got into many fights defending his friends. When he got drafted to play in the NHL, it was like a dream come true. During his career, Chris won the love of hockey’s holy city, Montreal, and helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 1986. He loved the game so much that his retirement was unbearable to him. To think that the role of importance he played in the lives of his teammates had ended abruptly, felt like rejection to Nilan, and this perception snowballed into a series of really bad decisions.

A fight during a hockey game is a lot about respect. Players know that they’re expected to be tough and they comply willingly. Sometimes the consequences are difficult and painful because of the stress caused by the responsibility placed on them. Through interviews with dozens of hockey’s toughest guys, the film explores what it means to enforce the unspoken code of the NHL.

EPIX Road to the NHL Winter Classic - Season 2: Episode 3

As they ready for this year's extravaganza at Gillette Stadium, "EPIX Presents Road to the NHL Winter Classic" goes behind the scenes with the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. Find out about their age-old rivalry as two of the "original six" hockey teams, and learn more about key players like Max Pacioretty, Patrice Bergeron, P.K. Subban, Zdeno Chara, and legendary hall of famer Milt Schmidt.

In Episode 3, the Bruins and Canadiens find themselves both home and abroad this holiday season. In Nashville, the Canadiens look for some top-notch Western gear for teammate Andrei Markov, while Torey Krug and David Krejci of the Bruins opt to shop for their pets. At home, we visit with PK Subban and his brother (a Bruin-prospect) Malcolm in Ontario, while local Bruin Jimmy Hayes gives a tour of his native Boston.

EPIX Road to the NHL Winter Classic - Season 2: Episode 2

As they ready for this year's extravaganza at Gillette Stadium, "EPIX Presents Road to the NHL Winter Classic" goes behind the scenes with the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. Find out about their age-old rivalry as two of the "original six" hockey teams, and learn more about key players like Max Pacioretty, Patrice Bergeron, P.K. Subban, Zdeno Chara, and legendary hall of famer Milt Schmidt.

In Episode 2 of this EPIX Original, follow the Montreal Canadiens as they try to maintain first place, and the Boston Bruins as they prepare for a home and home series with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

EPIX Road to the NHL Winter Classic - Season 2: Episode 1

Road to the NHL Stadium Series - Episode 4

Follow the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks on their road to the NHL Stadium Series in this behind the scenes, all access, four-part series.

Road To The NHL Stadium Series - Episode 3

Follow the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks on their road to the NHL Stadium Series in this behind the scenes, all access, four-part series.

Road To The NHL Stadium Series - Episode 2

Follow the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks on their road to the NHL Stadium Series in this behind the scenes, all access, four-part series.

EPIX Road to the NHL Stadium Series - Episode 1

Follow the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks on their road to the NHL Stadium Series in this behind the scenes, all access, four-part series.

EPIX Road to the NHL Winter Classic - Season 1: Episode 4

Watch the fourth episode of new Epix’s "Road to the NHL Winter Classic" four-episode series that takes viewers behind the scenes with the Capitals and Blackhawks leading up to and through their outdoor hockey game on New Year’s Day at Nationals Park.

EPIX Road to the NHL Winter Classic - Season 1: Episode 3

Watch the third episode of new Epix’s "Road to the NHL Winter Classic" four-episode series that takes viewers behind the scenes with the Capitals and Blackhawks leading up to and through their outdoor hockey game on New Year’s Day at Nationals Park.

EPIX Road to the NHL Winter Classic - Season 1: Episode 2

Watch the second episode of new Epix’s "Road to the NHL Winter Classic" four-episode series that takes viewers behind the scenes with the Capitals and Blackhawks leading up to and through their outdoor hockey game on New Year’s Day at Nationals Park.

EPIX Road to the NHL Winter Classic - Season 1: Episode 1

Watch the first episode of new Epix’s "Road to the NHL Winter Classic" four-episode series that takes viewers behind the scenes with the Capitals and Blackhawks leading up to and through their outdoor hockey game on New Year’s Day at Nationals Park.

The NHL: Masked Men

In ice hockey, the goaltender, also known colloquially as the goalie, is the player who defends their team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goalie usually plays in or near the area in front of the net called the goal crease (often referred to simply as the crease or the net). Goalies tend to stay at or beyond the top of the crease to cut down on the angle of shots. Because of the power of shots, the goaltender wears special equipment designed to protect the body from direct impact. The goalie is one of the most valuable players on the ice, as their performance can greatly change the outcome or score of the game. Only one goalie is allowed to be on the ice for each team at any given time.

NHL Expansion Documentary

A Documentary about the History of Expansion in the National Hockey League.

By the mid 1960s, the desire for a network television contract in the U.S., and concerns that the Western Hockey League was planning to declare itself a major league and challenge for the Stanley Cup, spurred the NHL to undertake its first expansion since the 1920s. The league doubled in size for the 1967--68 season, adding the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, California Seals and St. Louis Blues. Canadians were outraged that all six teams were placed in the United States, and the league responded by adding the Vancouver Canucks in 1970 along with the Buffalo Sabres, who are located on the U.S.-Canadian border. Two years later, the emergence of the newly founded World Hockey Association (WHA) led the league to add the New York Islanders and Atlanta Flames to keep the rival league out of those markets. In 1974, the Washington Capitals and Kansas City Scouts were added, bringing the league up to 18 teams.
The NHL fought the WHA for players, losing 67 to the new league in its first season of 1972--73, including Bobby Hull, who signed a ten year, $2.5 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets, the largest in hockey history at the time. The NHL attempted to block the defections in court, though a countersuit by the WHA led to a Philadelphia judge ruling the NHL's reserve clause to be illegal, eliminating the elder league's monopoly over the players. Seven years of battling for players and markets financially damaged both leagues, leading to a 1979 merger agreement that saw the WHA cease operations while the NHL absorbed the Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques. The NHL's owners initially rejected this merger agreement by one vote, but a massive boycott of Molson products by fans in Canada led the Montreal Canadiens, which were owned by Molson, to reverse their position in a second vote along with the Vancouver Canucks, allowing the plan to pass.
Wayne Gretzky played one season in the WHA for the Indianapolis Racers before joining the NHL in 1979--80 with the Oilers.[46] He went on to lead the Oilers to four Stanley Cup championships in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988, and set single season records for goals (92 in 1981--82), assists (163 in 1985--86) and points (215 in 1985--86), as well as career records for goals (894), assists (1,963) and points (2,857). He was traded to the Kings in 1988, a deal that dramatically improved the NHL's popularity in the United States, and provided the impetus for the 1990s expansion cycles that saw the addition of the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, and by the turn of the century the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Broad Street Bullies

Broad Street Bullies is a 2010 documentary film produced and directed by veteran documentary filmmaker George Roy for HBO Sports. It chronicles the National Hockey League's (NHL) Philadelphia Flyers from their beginnings as an expansion team in 1967, to their back-to-back Stanley Cup championships (1974, 1975), and three straight Finals appearances (1974--76). The film includes clips and photos from the era, along with interviews with players, writers, broadcasters, and other individuals involved with the Flyers and/or NHL hockey during that period. It is narrated by Liev Schreiber.