Guys Giving Back

It makes my heart melt. (and yes, I do in fact have a heart…)

So, November is now known as #Movember. Yes, you need the hashtag for it to be legit.  #Movember is for men’s health awareness, and in particular, prostate cancer.  And what says ‘men’s health’ more than a wickedly awesome mustache? Exactly, nothing else.  Prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, is estimated to take the lives of approximately 33,000 men in 2011, and that approximately 240,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2011.  Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, right behind lung cancer. As a soon-to-be oncology nurse, I’m always thrilled to read how athletes give back, especially when it comes to cancer and cancer research. The fact that these men are willing to grow a ‘stache for the cure is simply awesome.  I’m in love with how many of them are documenting their growth, both on Twitter and on YouTube.  Hiller has a #Movember goalie mask, as does Tim Thomas. More proof that the NHL is awesome.  I’m sure many of us are following at least one NHL’er or athlete on Twitter who is growing one for men’s health. If not, search here and see who is participating using the #Movember.  If you can, throw a dollar their way, make a small difference.  Check out Movember and search for them. It’s easy really.

But what makes the NHL special, is that there are many guys who give back year round. So I figured, hey, why not take the time to shed light on these amazing guys and their amazing work. Let’s start with a favourite of mine, John-Michael Liles of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Or as I like to call him, #JML.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Gansky Photography

I’ve been a fan of #JML since he broke into the NHL in 2003 with the Avalanche.  Aside from being a stellar defenseman, he’s also a stellar community presence.  He’s given back to the community, participating in countless Avalanche Charity Events, Kempe’s Child Abuse Super hero in April 2010 and most recently his efforts in his new town, Toronto.  No sooner did he arrive in the big TO, he was visiting at Sick Kids Hospital. It takes a classy guy to give back to a community mere minutes after signing with them.  A classy guy with a big heart.  He now also has, according to Mapleleafs.com, “Liles’ Buds”.  Liles’ Buds provides recognition to kids who do good deeds, random acts of kindness in school and in the community. Proving that no good deed goes unnoticed. Selected winners get to have a meet & greet with #JML, tickets to practice and a game.  Big props to #JML for not only raising awareness of the overwhelming accounts of bullying, but making it acceptable for kids to step in and say something when they see it happen, or prevent it from happening.


I'll spotlight another one on Wednesday...

Size vs Skill: STL vs TOR

Each week we’ll take a look at 2 same position players and pit size against skill.  Who will win, size or skill?  Let’s take a look at this week’s matchup…

It’s a STL vs TOR matchup…  Roman Polak vs John-Michael Liles.  Who will win?  The Muscle from Ostrava or #JML?  Only I know, since I write this. So read on my friends.

Let’s start with size. Or as I like to call it, Roman Polak.

Standing at 6’1 227lbs, he’s a physical force to deal with on defense. He’s quick with a hit, or the drop of the gloves.  He’s more of a stay at home Dman, not putting up more than 4 goals in the NHL in a season. However, he banked a career high 17 assists in the ‘09-‘10 season.  He also carried a career high -15 +/- in ’08-’09.  He seems to be more in the negative +/-.  Physicality and the ability to pass makes him a great asset to a team.  He also has a career high PIM of a mere 59 in ’09-’10.  Not too shabby for the big stay at home Dman. Blues’ GM Armstrong touts him as being one of their top penalty killers who is in the prime of his career.

Now, let’s move along to the skill, John-Michael Liles.  I prefer calling him ‘hashtag JML’, but I’m weird. And yes, I really do say 'hashtag' - air quotes optional.

A contrast to Polak’s size, JML (as the hockey world knows him) stands at 5’10 185lbs.  What he may lack in height and weight, he makes up for in skill and heart.  He’s an intelligent Dman, reading plays to see when to advance to center ice and when to stay home.  He’s got a quick set of legs, allowing him to scramble back to the net to defend if needed. The guy’s got a pretty dead on shot on the net.  Let the numbers speak for themselves.  A season high of 14G in ’05-’06 and ’06-’07 seasons, and a commendable 40A in ’10-’11 with the Avalanche.  Not only does he produce number wise, he also takes the body when appropriate.  Topping out at 44 PIM in ’05-’06.  Toronto was a smart cookie to pick up JML, even if he is one of the ‘senior’ members of the team. Senior meaning 30.

 Advantage: Liles

Let’s take a look at the overall stats.

Polak has played 229 NHL games, netting 8 goals, 42 assists, 50 points and 143 PIMs.  Liles has 525 games, netting 68 goals, 208 assists, 276 points and 220 PIMs. Given that Polak has played in the NHL for almost half as many games, he’s doing a pretty good job in the NHL.  One could predict that when he hits around 520ish games, he’ll be around 20 goals, 80-100 assists and around 300 PIMs.  Still not touching even close to #JML’s points. #JML has the gross advantage notching 276 points in 525 games versus Polak’s 50 points in 229 games.

Advantage: Liles

Game. Set. Match.  LILES

Well played ‘hashtag JML’, well played.

Both photos courtesy of Jen Krechel & Diane Ruff 2010