SPARTA, Tenn. — With all the wintry weather the Upper Cumberland has seen over the last week, many people were probably content to just stay indoors, where it was nice and warm by the fire, relaxing while they watched the television or passed the time in some other fashion.

Chet Pickard of the Tri-City Americans, right, and his younger brother Calvin Pickard of the Seattle Thunderbirds, will be vying to win gold medals this holiday season. Chet will play for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships, while Calvin will play for Team West at the U-17 Hockey Challenge.  Photo courtesy Paul T. Erickson 

McKeen’s correspondent Kevin Hopson begins his new weekly column “View from the Crease,” which will highlight some of the top draft-eligible goalies leading up to next spring’s NHL Entry Draft. In his debut article, Kevin focuses on Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Calvin Pickard.

Capitals goaltending coach had distinguished international career
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Washington Capitals goaltending coach Arturs Irbe – perhaps the most famous Latvian-born ice hockey player of all time – has been selected as a member of the class of 2010 for the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame, the Federation announced today.

Alexandria’s momentum builds after snapping six-game slide

Mired in a six-game losing streak - five of which were decided by 2-1 counts - the Alexandria Blizzard took the Upper Midwest by storm last weekend, unleashing for 14 goals on its way to three much-needed victories.

In all of sports, there is nothing better than representing your country.

Knowing that you or your child represents the Stars and Stripes, Red -White - & Blue, Freedom and the greatest Country in the world, is asgood as it gets.