James McGowan

My latest on a former teammate who just committed to playing for Babson college next season. Josh announced on Monday February 1st that he was committing to play for the Babson Beavers next season in the NEHC. Beck who started skating at three years old has always been one of the smaller players on most of his teams. Josh has been able to prove his doubters wrong for much of his life, many thought he would never make varsity at Scituate high school as a freshman. He not only made the team as freshman, but went on to have an incredible career with the Sailors. Beck was a consistent offensive threat through his four years with the Sailors, and was often one of the fastest skaters on the ice. He capped off his great career with the Sailors as a senior captain, making the varsity team all four years. Josh faced a difficult decision as the end of his senior year was on the horizon, was he going to play junior hockey or go to college. Beck didn't have any definant offers from schools and at best could try and walk on somewhere. Josh decided to take a year off and play Juniors for the Baystate Breakers. Once again he was met with the same doubters telling him that he was just wasting his time playing for the Breakers. Josh brought his hard working attitude to the Breakers looking to make an immediate impact on that roster. He was one of the hardest working players on the Breakers never missing a work out, and for that he was named a captain of the team. Despite the teams struggles Beck remained a bright spot for the Breakers organization. In 32 regular season games for the Breakers he scored 15 goals and had 27 points for the Breakers. He also had five goals and eight points in only three playoff games. Josh was also named an all-star in the USPHL last season scoring a goal in the 18u all-star game. The Breakers were sold off to the Syracuse Stars at the end of last season leaving Beck with another tough decision on where to go next. Beck described a very difficult decision about taking one more year off, but he decided to take some online classes in the summer and the fall to stay up to speed. Josh joined Seacoast College Prep in the USHS, he was looking to show everyone that he could do it. So far this season Beck has 34 goals and 31 assists for 65 points in 48 games. He has been named an assistant captain of the team and has continued his hard work. That hard work finally paid off when Beck committed to play for Babson on Monday. As a former teammate it is good to see someone work so hard and want something so bad to finally get it. Congratulations Josh you've earned it, keep working hard and stay hungry. http://j3sports.blogspot.com/2016/02/scituates-underdog-josh-beck-commits-to.html

Kind of a old article, but I really liked it and wanted to put it in here. June 15th 2015 was night of celebration for Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks who had just won their third Stanley Cup in six years. The Blackhawks had cemented themselves as legitament dynasty and have knocked off some of the leagues best along the way. But that would be the start of one of the most trying summers of Patrick Kane's life. Kane had been on his best behavior since 2010 when he fought a cabby over a few bucks. He was showing signs of growing up and had just signed a huge contract along with fellow teammate Jonathan Toews for eight years and 84 million. The big contact showed that the Blackhawks had faith in Kane and believed he was a changed man. Flash forward to early August 2015, when a story broke that had a women accusing Kane of raping her at his house during a party. In the days following and more and more information came out it sounded pretty bad for Kane. Public perception had turned against him and with each new news story it just made the situation sound worse for the Blackhawks star. But slowly little tidbits started to leak out that there was traces of Kane's DNA on the accuser's rape kit, it was only under her finger nails and back. A few days later it came out that the rape kit had shown up on the front door of the victim’s mother. Thomas Eoannou the accusers lawyer raised concerns that the evidence in the bag might have been tampered with. But a few days later he would walk those claims back when he announced that he would be moving on from the case because he didn't have trust in the story that was told to him. With all this going on Patrick Kane was getting ready for his ninth season in the NHL with the Blackhawks. He had remained pretty quiet during the whole ordeal rarely answering questions, just focusing on the task at hand. The fans in Chicago still adored him and were eager to watch their Blackhawks return to the ice. When Kane and the Blackhawks returned to the ice there was still a lot of controversy and questions surrounding the allegations. But Kane was able to put those uncertainties out of his head and just play, he had an assist in a losing effort to the New York Islanders. In early moments of October Kane looked like a shell of himself, he was still scoring but the swagger felt like it was gone. As court continued to be pushed back and it started to like Kane's name would be cleared, he started to turn it on. “ShowTime" looked to be back, he was racking up the points in bunches and was playing better then he had at any other point in his career. Kane was hot heading into November when he got likely the best news of the year. He was not going to be charged with rape because there was no evidence to back up the claims of the accuser. Kane had taken so much abuse in the nation media for his alleged crime, there were questions on his character and whether he had learned anything for the past. All the hate and frustration he must have been feeling for months has been unleashed on the NHL since early October. Kane is currently riding a 23 game point streak which is the longest by a Blackhawk and an American born player. Kane has been phenomenal for the Blackhawks and has gain the support of NHL great Wayne Gretzky who had this to say about Kane "It's a great, positive story for the Hawks and the National Hockey League. My goodness, it's exceptional what he has done so far and the sky is the limit for him". Gretzky currently holds the NHL record for 51 games in a row with at least a point, and hopes that Kane can be the one to finally break it. Kane's season shouldn't surprise a single person who know that hockey is a way to get away from your issues. Because Kane was able to play the entire time he was under investigation, he had an outlet for all his emotions. On the ice he knows that he is one of the best players in the league and just being around teammates is very healing for a player. He is trying to fix his reputation around the country and show people that he has always been focused on getting better in the NHL. Couple that with the fact that he most likely didn't do it and was just being accused because he was a wealthy well know athlete. Could make for a very angry athlete who is looking to prove every single person that he meets wrong. For two months we all doubted if Kane was innocent, but there is no doubting that he has been on of the best in the league this season. He has also been the hottest player in a while and is a key to the Blackhawks making another playoff run. http://j3sports.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-patrick-kanes-incredible-early.html

When Jagr left the NHL in 2008 to join the KHL's Avangard Omsk many thought that he would never come back to the NHL and we had seen the last of him. Over in Russia he was the same star that he had been in the NHL and help Omsk to the playoff's every season he was a part of their club. Jagr was named an all star for all three years he was over in the KHL, and helped Omsk to the Continental Cup in 2011. But after that season he would return to the NHL join his form teams cross state rivals the Philadelphia Flyers. Jagr's return was an exciting event for many in the NHL, the signing with the Flyers shocked many Penguins fans who expected him to return to his original team. 
He scored his 1,600th NHL point during his debut, assisting Claude Giroux's goal in a 2-1 season opening win over the Boston Bruins. While his season with the Flyers went well he wasn't resigned and was thrown into free agency. He signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Star for a reported $4.5 million dollars, signing with the Stars was his first appearance in Western Conference. Jagr scored 13 goals and 26 points in 34 games with the Stars. He was dealt at the deadline to the Boston Bruins who were looking for depth as they entered the playoffs. He scored two goals and nine points in 11 games with the Bruins, he was also a key part to the Bruins 2013 Stanley Cup run tallying 10 assists in 22 playoff games. He was injured in game six against the Blackhawks with a reported groin injury and wasn't able to finish the game. 
He was subsequently sent back into free agency where he signed a one-year deal with the New Jersey Devils for a $2 million dollars guaranteed and 2 million more in incentives in his new contract deal. On November 21, 2013, Jagr tied Gordie Howe's record of game-winning goals with 121. It was his 690th career goal moving him into a tie with former teammate Mario Lemieux for ninth place on the all time scoring list. Month later he scored his 693rd goal putting him in 8th place over Steve Yzerman, just a day later he tied Mark Messier for the seventh on the all time list. Later in the season he passed Messier with his 695th career goal putting him 14 away from Mike Gartner. He scored his 700th goal as a member of the Devils in a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders. The Devils resigned Jagr to another one-year contract on April 30th 2014. In his 1,500th game he moved in 5th place on the all time points list with 1,772, he became the oldest player in NHL history to score a hat trick at 42 years 322 days. 
On February 26, 2015 he was traded to the Florida Panthers for a second round pick in 2015 and third rounder in 2016. Jagr has been a bright spot since coming to the Panthers, they were a young team with very little direction and a lack of veteran leadership. Since arriving he has made an immediate impact, he brought his hard work and dedication to show these high round picks how to play. The Panthers cast of players include many high first rounder’s including Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, and Erik Gudbranson. Jagr has been a bright spot this season while helping the Panthers to one of their most historic seasons in history. The Florida Panthers have already won a franchise record 12 games in a row this season, and currently sit atop the Atlantic division standings. He has said that he wants to play until he is 50 years old, if that happens then we will likely see him break many more records. One thing is for sure we are witnessing a legend in the back end of his career, who can still turn the clocks back. As these next few seasons come and go one thing is certain Jagr can only add to his case to be a first ballot hall of famer, and maybe the greatest player to ever play the game. http://j3sports.blogspot.com/2016/01/jaromir-jagr-ageless-wonder.html

It's been a tough couple of years for Toronto Maple Leafs fans, they have been rebuilding for what feels like forever. The Leafs haven't made the playoffs since 2011 when they fell apart in game seven against the Boston Bruins. But they have finally found a decent foundation for them to build on, and his name is Leo Komarov. Komarov has found a home on the Leafs first line under new head coach Mike Babcock. Komarov a veteran of international play has brought new life to a young Leafs team looking for some offense. Under the new coaching staff Komarov has become an all-star, the 29 year-old has bounced around the past few years. He has played in the KHL, AHL, and the NHL before finding his place on the Leafs top line. So far this season he has 16 goals and 31 points to lead the Leafs in scoring. Komarov has played for the Dynamo Moscow for five of the last six years, during that time he has bounced between the Maple Leafs and Marlies. He left the KHL to join the Maple Leafs in 2012-2013 looking to make a splash in the big show. He played well with the Marlies with six goals and nine points in only 14 games, before rejoining Dynamo Moscow during the lockout. With the new CBA in place Komarov rejoined the Maple Leafs playing in 42 games scoring four goals and nine points. He rejoined Dynamo Moscow the following season looking to earn a spot on Finnish Olympic team. Komarov made the Finnish roster serving as an assistant captain and helping the team to the Bronze medal in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Despite signing a deal in the KHL, Komarov resigned with the Maple Leafs for four years worth 2.9 million every season. Komarov came back to the Maple Leafs looking to make an immediate impact, but was relegated to the third line. In 62 games with the Leafs he had eight goals and 26 points during the 2014-2015 capping. Despite the Leafs missing the playoffs, Komarov returned looking motor determined than ever. Under Babcock Komarov has broken free of his physical preference on the lower lines and has taken the place of Phil Kessel. While he is no Kessel, Komarov has become a valuable asset for the Leafs trying help them get back into the playoff picture. He has already shattered his previous career highs and could be on pace for more than 60 points this season. Komarov's time in Russia likely has attributed to his success in the league so far this season helping him mature as a player. While there is no telling if he can remain the top tool for the Maple Leafs in years to come one thing is for certain right now he one of a few players who are thriving under Babcock. Only time will tell for Komarov, but for now he remains one of a few bright spots for the Leafs his season. http://j3sports.blogspot.com/2016/01/leo-komarov-leafs-diamond-in-rough.html?m=1