The season, playoffs, awards and draft are over. So until hockey starts, you may be asking yourself, what should I do to occupy my time now because NHL Network is just replaying the same thing over and over? If you are as obsessed with hockey as I am, you’re probably starting to get a little antsy and it’s only been two days since the draft. So, I have compiled a day by day “hockey activity board” if you will, for any hockey fan, of any team for the next 82 days . Just do one a day and I promise, you will survive. (All of these are free unless you decide to purchase something. You should have all of the things needed to do these things around the house and they will take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour.)
Monday, June 27th Day 1
Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame
Now, unless you live in or around Toronto, this is probably not very realistic. So, take a virtual tour.
Tuesday, June 28th Day 2
Using hockey terms and players only, have some fun with mad libs.
1 2 3 If you want them posted, send me the finished link. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Wednesday, June 29th Day 3
Write a piece on one of your favorite players. If you have a tumblr or blog put it up there. If not, send it to me and I will be happy to put it on here. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Thursday, June 30th Day 4
Play some hockey games online. There are a ton of them to chose from.
Friday, July 1st Day 5
FREE AGENCY! Watch NHL Network/CBC/TSN/whatever because they will be talking about it a lot today.
Saturday, July 2nd Day 6
Play the Pierre McGuire drinking game. (If you aren’t old enough to drink, play with Kool-aid. You’ll still get a buzz.) I’m sure you have a DVR or DVD of a game from the past. If not, borrow one or go to NHL Video on YouTube, search your favorite team (or Pierre McGuire), and play that way.
Sunday July 3rd Day 7
Learn about your teams prospects and draft picks. Go to your teams official site, click on your affiliate team(s) or prospects and read up.
Monday July 4th Day 8
Happy Fourth of July! If you have no plans, then watch the movie Miracle and “relive the magic” of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. Or, party like Buffalo, NY native Patrick Kane! (Hahaha. Kaner’s gonna Kane.)
Tuesday July 5th Day 9
One year ago today, the greatest enforcer ever to play the game of hockey passed away. To remember Bob Probert, either read some of his book Tough Guy (you can borrow it from the library) or watch some classic Probie clips.
R.I.P. Probie. Also, send a “shout out” to Darren McCarty on twitter or facebook and Tie Domi on twitter or facebook as they remember their friend today.
Wednesday July 6th Day 10
Review the Southeast Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Washington Tampa Bay Atlanta/Winnipeg Carolina Florida
Thursday July 7th Day 11
Using hockey terms and players only, have some fun with mad libs.
1 2 3 If you want them posted, send me the finished link. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Friday July 8th Day 12
Go on a virtual tour of a hockey training center to get an idea of where the players train.
Saturday July 9th Day 13
Make your own hockey quiz with the facts that you know. Go here and then you can send them to me and I will post them or you can post them on your own pages! (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Sunday July 10th Day 14
Learn a little history about hockey.
Monday July 11th Day 15
Review the Central Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Detroit Chicago Nashville St. Louis Columbus
Tuesday July 12th Day 16
Start a facebook fan page for your favorite NHL player. If you send me the links, I will put them up here. (Email redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Wednesday July 13th Day 17
Learn about your team’s arena.
Thursday July 14th Day 18
Just read this, then this, then this (the answers are what I like), and then finally this. You now should have your laughs and hockey fill for the day.
Friday July 15th Day 19
Read Bobby Orr’s Bio.
Saturday July 16th Day 20
Do a simpler version of a hockey player’s workout. All you need is a jumprope, step or even tape! And it only takes 15 minutes. Too lazy for that? Then eat most hockey player’s favorite meal… Chicken and pasta.
Sunday July 17th Day 21
Using construction board/cardboard paper, make your own hockey cards. Make them about you or your favorite players.
Monday July 18th Day 22
Go for a walk in your neighborhood or local park. BUT, instead of saying hi to everyone you meet, tell them a random hockey fact. (I do it all the time. It actually is fun and you catch people off guard.)
Tuesday July 19th Day 23
Write your own hockey song. Warren Zevon’s Hit Somebody and Good Ol’ Hockey Game are hockey staples, but create your own. Write it about your favorite player, team, or just in general. You can even do a remix to a song already made. (And if you want me to send me the lyrics or video if you made one, I’ll put them up. Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)
Wednesday July 20th Day 24
This is a four part segment. Re-watching the HBO 24-7 series. Episode 1. Only watch one episode a day though, otherwise you won’t have anything hockey to do the day after. (These videos are in about 15 minute segments and the links will pop up to lead you to the next part after.)
Thursday July 21st Day 25
Episode 2 of HBO’s 24-7 Series
Friday July 22nd Day 26
Episode 3 of HBO’s 24-7 Series
Saturday July 23rd Day 27
Episode 4 of HBO’s 24-7 Series
Sunday July 24th Day 28
Monday July 25th Day 29
Have some fun generating new hockey team names with fantasy name generator.
Tuesday July 26th Day 30
Do something in honor of one of your favorite players or teams, such as charity work. The charity will usually give you a certificate or something that says “Your name here worked/donated whatever in honor of ‘Pavel Datsyuk.'” Then mail that to their arena and C/O it to the chosen player(s).
Wednesday July 27th Day 31
Learn about another NHL team’s arena.
Thursday July 28th Day 32
Make your own hockey related crossword puzzle.
Friday July 29th Day 33
Watch three history will be made parodies.
Saturday July 30th Day 34
Go to some garage sales. I have found hockey books, DVDs, memorabilia and even a signed Nicklas Lidstrom rookie card. I’m not saying that everyone you go to you will find hockey stuff, but it will be good for you to get out of the house and get some fresh air anyways!
Sunday July 31st Day 35
Using hockey terms and players only, have some fun with mad libs.
1 2 3 If you want them posted, send me the finished link. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Monday August 1st Day 36
Read Mario Lemieux’s Bio.
Tuesday August 2nd Day 37
Make a top ten countdown of “You know you’re a true hockey fan when…” Submit them to me if you wish, and I will post them. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com) (Example: You punish your kids with minors, majors, and misconducts.)
Wednesday August 3rd Day 38
Make your own game for your team/announcers/etc. (See Day 6 for guidance.) Pick a background (or chose one hockey themed) and make it accordingly. If you want, email them to me (redwingsandov8@yahoo.com) and I will post them.
Thursday August 4th Day 39
Have fun with Akinator, the Web Genius and see if he can guess what hockey players you are talking about. This is actually really fun.
Friday August 5th Day 40
Give your game from Day 38 a trial run through with either you tube clips or a former game that you have DVR-ed or have on DVD.
Saturday August 6th Day 41
Congratulations! You’re halfway there! You should be proud of yourself. Celebrate by making a Stanley Cup Cake. If it just so happens that you don’t need a cake to serve a thousand, try one of these. (Send me pictures and I will post them. Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Sunday August 7th Day 42
Today is Sidney Crosby’s birthday. To those of you that like Crosby and Penguins, you can watch this today. To those of us who do not, we can watch this today. (This is me being nice by the way… At least I’m acknowledging him.)
Monday August 8th Day 43
Support your team today by wearing your favorite jersey, shersey or any clothing item that represents them.
Tuesday August 9th Day 44
Call or Email Gary Bettman with your opinion on him. If you think he’s doing a good job, let him know. If not, let him know also. His last known email was gbettman@nhl.com and his phone number is (212) 789-2000 ext. 2101
Wednesday August 10th Day 45
Read some Brett Hull Quotes. Love him or hate you, you have to acknowledge that he says the craziest stuff. It’s usually pretty true though.
Thursday August 11th Day 46
Play some more hockey games online.
Friday August 12th Day 47
Create a photoshop of your team. A macro, meme, anything amusing. Send them to me if you would like and I will post them. If I receive enough entries, I will make a poll and everyone can vote for their favorite. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)
Saturday August 13th Day 48
Read Steve Yzerman’s Bio. Or if you are a red wings fan, read my version.
Sunday August 14th Day 49
Learn about the past and present of the Winnipeg Jets.
Monday August 15th Day 50
Start reading a hockey book. Any hockey book. Brett Hull’s My Story was one of my favorites along with Bob Probert’s Blood Feud as well. But, depending on where you live and what teams you like, I’m sure the selection varies. Libraries always have at least a couple hockey books.
Tuesday August 16th Day 51
Using hockey terms and players only, have some fun with mad libs.
1 2 3 If you want them posted, send me the finished link. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Wednesday August 17th Day 52
Review the Northeast Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Boston Buffalo Toronto Montreal Ottawa
Thursday August 18th Day 53
The 2012 NHL All star game will be played in Ottawa. Read about how they were selected and what Ottawa had to say about it.
Friday August 19th Day 54
Another Multiple Day Event. Watch the first Mighty Ducks. (After 72 minutes, you will have to wait 30 minutes before you watch anymore, so seperate each movie into two days. Then, just “fast forward” to the part it stopped at. Or rent them. Or if you have them, obviously just do it that way.)
Saturday August 20th Day 55
Watch Mighty Ducks. (Part 2)
Sunday August 21st Day 56
Watch D2: The Mighty Ducks. (Part 1)
Monday August 22nd Day 57
Watch D2: The Mighty Ducks. (Part 2)
Tuesday August 23rd Day 58
Watch D3: The Mighty Ducks. (Part 1)
Wednesday August 24th Day 59
Watch D3: The Mighty Ducks. (Part 2)
Thursday August 25th Day 60
Review the Pacific Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Anaheim San Jose Phoenix Dallas Los Angeles
Friday August 26th Day 61
Tickets will be going on sale soon for the 2011-2012 season. Check out your team’s schedule (if you haven’t done it yet) and plan what games you will be going to so when they do go on sale, you will be ready.
Saturday August 27th Day 62
Visit this gallery of NHL/Hockey goalie masks.
Sunday August 28th Day 63
Review the Atlantic Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Philadelphia NY Rangers NY Islanders New Jersey Pittsburgh
Monday August 29th Day 64
Watch the Best of the NHL Green Men.
Tuesday August 30th Day 65
Find a friend who isn’t a hockey fan and try to turn them onto the game.
Wednesday August 31st Day 66
Make sure you know the complete history of “The Miracle on Ice.” While the movie is pretty accurate, there are always things that go untold.
Thursday September 1st Day 67
Review the Northwest Division teams and find something out about a player from each team that you didn’t know. Edmonton Colorado Minnesota Calgary Vancouver
Friday September 2nd Day 68
Do some mad libs with only using hockey terms/players/etc..
1 2 3 And if you want to send me the good ones, feel free. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Saturday September 3rd Day 69
Read The Stanley Cup Marathon: A Fan’s Survival Guide to the Playoffs so when the time comes around next year, you will already be prepared.
Sunday September 4th Day 70
Make a hockey bucket list with at least ten things you want to do relating to hockey before you die. If you want to submit them to me, I will post them. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)
Monday September 5th Day 71
Watch The Love Guru (Part 1) and watch for cameos. See day 54 for “rules.”
Tuesday September 6th Day 72
Watch The Love Guru. (Part 2)
Wednesday September 7th Day 73
Every team has at least one under appreciated player. That player is usually a grinder/fighter/etc that doesn’t always get the recognition that they deserve. So, send your favorite so-called “fourth liner” a quick fan mail letter. (Mail to your NHL arena and C/O to the player.)
Thursday September 8th Day 74
Have some fun customizing your team’s jerseys. You don’t have to buy them but screen shot and send them to me for submissions. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi) Examples:
Friday September 9th Day 75
Look up the history of the first overall picks in the NHL draft and see how many of you know, as well as where they are now.
Saturday September 10th Day 76
Read Wayne Gretzky’s Bio.
Sunday September 11th Day 77
Go to your local arcade or family fun center and play some air hockey.
Monday September 12th Day 78
Write a poem/haiku/etc about your favorite coach/player/team/etc. Submit them to me if you want them published. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)
Tuesday September 13th Day 79
Start making your signs for opening night. Even if you aren’t going to the game, support your team with them at home/at the bar/where ever.
Wednesday September 14th Day 80
Make hockey stick and puck cookies for your team or just hockey puck cookies. Send me pictures and I will post them. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com Twitter: @TigerbloodTuzzi)
Thursday September 15th Day 81
Review and/or learn Rule 48.
Friday September 16th Day 82
Make a “Top Ten Signs You’re Obsessed With Hockey” Countdown. Submit them to me and I will publish them. (Email: redwingsandov8@yahoo.com)
Saturday September 17th
Congratulations, you made it! Training Camp begins today (at least for the red wings it does!) In less than a week, preseason begins! So go cheer your team on as they begin to get ready for their quest for the cup!
tigerbloodtuzzi 