"There’s little question that, despite overtures to the contrary, most professional athletes are still uncomfortable with the idea of gay team mates. Ignorance tops the list of reasons. These men have been bred in a hyper-macho subculture since they first picked up a ball, bat or stick."

Read more

One Phoenix Coyotes fan is no fan of the Denver Post’s Adrian Dater. In fact, Doctor Scott Schnee, a pediatric cardiologist, apparently told Dater on Twitter a bit ago to “go catch a movie in Aurora”. Schee followed up that gem by suggesting that Dater can “join Jessica for all I care”. 

Since posting the offensive Tweets, Dr. Schnee has reset his Twitter account (@BabyDocScott)  to "locked " for what would appear to be obvious reasons. Naturally, the possibility exists that these horrible words were not those of Dr Scott Schnee, whos contact information is readily available on the internet. It’s more likely, however, that the doc did say these things.

This is a man who’s chosen profession is to help sick children; yet he’s apparently willing to say very, very sick things in the name of hockey.

I spoke with Peter Burns of Mile High Sports Radio to get his reaction to Schnee’s comments. Burns, who was a close friend of Jessica Redfield, the “Jessica” Schnee was referring to. He called the comments “absolutely disgusting” and was shocked that they were made by a physician.

Honestly, I never read a whole lot of NHL coverage in the Denver Post. Bits and pieces here and there, I guess. I was familiar with the work of Denver Post Avalanche beat writer, Adrian Dater, but perhaps not as much as I am now that the NHL is locked out - and there's not any hockey to write about.

In the dearth, Dater's been putting himself to use in other ways. I recently commented on an article Dater wrote for the Denver Post's "Lunch Special" section in which he expressed his gratitude toward various personalities within the Denver Sports scene. Dater, whos' reputation is that of an immensely tall curmudgeon, flashed his brilliance in that item in a way that I had not seen before. For today's "Lunch Special" feature, he observed that Denver is a far friendlier place when the Broncos are winning. He describes the difference in a cheeky way: "Whenever I've forgotten to turn off my cellphone ringer in the library of late, patrons have started bobbing their heads to my Justin Bieber ringtone on 10. It's nice to share in a communal moment of goodwill like that."

Without his assigned hockey tasks to keep him occupied, Dater's found fascinating and creative new ways to contribute to his paper. I have rather enjoyed reading "lockout Dater". In a way I feel like I am just now discovering him. He's been in town as long as the Avalanche have, but he has recently been writing on subjects that I find far more captivating. And he seems to be having fun.

With a new offer on the table from the NHL toward its locked-out players union there's new optimism that there will be a full season of pro hockey in 2012. Here's why that might not be such great news.

Read more

Our old friend Ryan Boulding, the blogging mastermind behind Hockey on the Rocksis uber-pissed off at the league he follows so closely. He was good enough to let us re-post his brilliant rant, "How do you lock out the lockout?" It's a good one, you guys.

Read more

"Duchene may have been the future choice to wear the “C” when he was drafted, but his inconsistent play and trade friendly contract make for delicious possibilities on the open market."

When Andre Iguodala was introduced to the Denver Media yesterday, Denver's premier NBA blog was there. When will our NHL team allow access to the digital media?

Read more

Resident sports-journalist and muckraker John Reidy, believes that the NBA is handing Hocky a golden opportunity as he discusses in this weeks edition of Jock Itch, Reidy's weekly column over at the AV Club Denver/ Boulder:

"If one league’s labor strife is another league’s windfall, the NHL is primed for a comeback. Your Colorado Avalanche is doing its part to win back your attention in a state that needs something—anything—to cheer about."

"No one is truly happy to watch a proud tradition like NBA basketball go down the drain, but if the focus comes squarely back on to the NHL, the fans will take it."

Check out John's column HERE and be sure to leave comments because that's how you tell someone you love them on the internet.

A brand new Reidy column awaits you over at the AV Club Denver / Boulder.   How about forgetting about those Broncos for a while and learning a thing or two about the 2012 Avalanche?  Sound like a winner to us.

"Maybe it’s important to know what these guys look like, but they’re all nondescript white guys who could blend in at any bar or be members of Kings Of Leo."

Visit the AV Club and read Jock Itch by John Reidy RIGHT HERE

Please join The Avalanche Guild, Mile High Hockey and the Burgundy Brigade in remembering three former Avalanche players who perrished in a plane crash in Russia. 

A memorial is scheduled outside Pepsi Center beginning at 10am on Saturday 9/10.  Sign posters and share memories of our fallen hockey heroes and send a message to their families that they will not be forgotten by the Colorado Avalanche fans.

Information HERE