WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAN DIEGO (L)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR –

SAN DIEGO (PART K) in July, 2016.

A local baseball team owner (Ray Kroc of McDonald’s fame) had purchased the San Diego WHA franchise and assigned his management team to run it. The problem was they had no experience with hockey and the Mariners were not considered a priority endeavor like the Major League Baseball club. Thus, they neglected the squad. Ownership lacked patience to hold onto a good team which only needed a few more pieces to truly become a championship contender. The Mariners made the playoffs all of the three years during their run in San Diego. If the group would have kept the club a couple of years longer, this team probably would have been absorbed into the NHL due to having a big name owner. The Los Angeles Kings would have had a California rival instead of waiting for the expansion San Jose Sharks in 1991. Unfortunately, Kings owner Jack Kent Cooke’s greedy desire to also have the San Diego market to himself helped doom the Mariners as well. Plus, Kroc’s new administrators lacked vision and as a result sold the squad after one year and the Mariners folded into obscurity. [whahockey.com/mariners.html; Wikipedia]

It seemed to Mekkar that he could do no right in this game. Lacroix knotted two goals and two assists while Mekkar either failed to do an adequate job covering him or rode the pine in the sin bin. San Diego spanked the Selects by a score of seven to two. It could have been much worse. The home side drew well that evening versus the Selects, much higher than normal for that season. Mekkar didn’t think the Selects were of the caliber like a national squad to pull in a lot of fans, so he assumed it some sort of promotional giveaway night.

Mekkar had read one of the local newspapers prior to the match regarding ownership unhappiness about the usual low fan attendance. There was a minimum level of paying patrons expected to be drawn on a nightly game basis and expectations were not being met. Mekkar summarized from the articles and other local sources he read that hardcore fans of the previous team that the Mariners replaced never accepted the WHA club. The Western Hockey League San Diego Gulls had been established for awhile and developed a rabid fan base but the team had to fold with the Mariners’ arrival in town and was not happy regarding the demise of the minor league operation. Mekkar was aware from back home that when a fair amount of the most knowledgeable hockey attendees in a city stay away from the new squad’s matches that negatively impacts the long term viability of any new franchise. [Wikipedia; WHA San Diego Mariner Historical Site – sdmariners.htm; WHL San Diego Gulls Historical Site – sdhulls.htm; whahockey.com; Playing Hockey The World Over … wha.htm; billsportsmaps.com; The San Diego Union Tribune; Other Local Media Sources]  

As Mekkar searched for perspective on his opponent during his pre-game ritual process, he remembered a statement that Sirga made that became ingrained into his and younger brother Alf’s heads. A concept that reading makes a person smarter. The subject was brought up so often by their mama, they it became a habit for all of her children to just get her off their back.

Since the Selects players have a few days off until the next matchup they decided to do some sightseeing of the area. During the next day after the game it dawned on Mekkar that he wanted to eventually play for the Mariners club and live in San Diego too! However, it was not to be due to future events making that dream impossible. Unless, San Diego received another franchise …

The city was also an option for Mekkar and it was his choice of where he wanted to go for his high school exchange program location. The arctic boy chose San Diego because he liked it. Questions of how would he survive during the summers, which are much warmer than back home. That could be an issue, but he did not consider it as a factor at the time. His views like most teenagers, are very short-term and limited whether they admit it or not. Mekkar wasn’t very enthused about his mama’s preference for him to do his overseas studies in the United Kingdom. She wanted him to be closer to the family and not almost half way around the globe. Sirga wanted her oldest son to go to a place where he would improve his English speaking and language skills.

She had a vision into the future about the state of affairs in regard to their home nation’s economic status and it was with dread when she mentioned it to Mekkar. Well, Mekkar thought that he could cover all the bases and fulfill her language requirements for him here in this location. It’s not like he had not been to this city before. He journeyed with his papa when he was younger. Since Far North Native’s choice and decision was against his mama’s wishes, Mekkar tried to get his papa involved to help convince Sirga. The thought was to have Henrik arrange all of the details. Mainly, because he was so experienced at those aspects as shown on other previous occasions.

When Sirga heard about Mekkar’s selection, she knew that this situation would be a showdown and it wouldn’t be easy to turn the older son back to her way. Primarily, because Mekkar is just like her, stubborn as a mule. The whole idea behind Sirga’s determination in this matter was to help him grow up and adapt to the modern world lifestyle. So, he could make a successful transition like she did and expand his mind by relying on himself more. Added to that, was growing into full adulthood by weaning him off from the family safety net support system, if necessary. This planning was all predicated on her premonition based on future events. Calamities such as a down-swing or eventual collapse of the national economy were taken into account. Lack of opportunities for her son’s skill set in relation to the region employment market was another foreseen factor. This prediction came to pass by nineteen eighty eight. However, by that time, Mekkar was already gone due to other catastrophic circumstances that affected him. 

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAN DIEGO (K)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR –

SAN DIEGO (PART J) in July, 2016.

He had the impression that the trend further helped and molded the blending process of individual player’s talents, teams, playing styles, preparation, and more, as Mekkar referred to it. Now, all of the big boys (NHL) play the game and follow suit in this ground breaking path along with other sports, like basketball, etc. that was began in great measure by the WHA. Perhaps Mekkar thought, unlike many other people, that he caught a glimpse of a future big picture way ahead of time in some respects. Well, it is important to note that the teenager was partially named after the shaman who helped deliver him at a precarious birth, after all. Could this be a factor? Did Mekkar have any special insight abilities that were not developed yet? Only time would tell. [Playing Hockey The World Over … wha.htm; whahockey.com]

Lasse’s best friend, Mekkar, became more excited and antsy as game time approached. He usually got revved up prior to the start of a match similar to a boxer warming up in his dressing room before arriving at ringside in tow with their entourage. Despite the certainty that Mekkar’s recent injuries would significantly cut down his playing time didn’t matter in this regard. Added to the fact he would get to face off against one of favorite hockey players Andre “The Magician” Lacroix. Mekkar’s eyes would be peeled on Lacroix’s number seven jersey. The number seven is also worn by the icon in the team logo. Mekkar didn’t believe this was a coincidence but intentional to honor the superstar of the home team. The youngster thought that Lacroix was so smooth, fluid, and made the game look so effortlessly on the ice. Mekkar also disagreed with one of Andre’s previous team’s coaches that knocked on Lacroix’s lack of skating ability. The arctic warrior esteemed his Mariner rival’s on ice movement as elusive and plus he could stickhandle in a phone booth to set up goals. [whahof.com]

Statistically Lacroix and Mekkar were fairly similar in size, yet they had different physical builds. Mekkar was stockier and one could hear the crunch of the razor sharp skate cutting into the surface as a result of a powerful stride that took a bit to get going to get to full speed. While The Magician or Magic Man as Andre was also referred to, seemed to float over the ice in comparison with a wick, wick sound of his skates in flight always looking to make a play. Lacroix, in Mekkar’s mind, resembled as if he knew where everyone was on the ice at all times. It also appeared that Andre consistently found the open man with a tape-to-tape pass. Lacroix had many capabilities that Mekkar lacked in his own skill set and thus the reason why San Diego’s number seven was one of his favorites. Mekkar admired strengths and talents in areas that were weaknesses in his game and used that to improve in those abilities. Alf commented that Andre had qualities that were totally different and even the complete opposite from his older sibling. This was very evident on the frozen pond too. Lacroix wasn’t called The Magician when he had the puck on his stick for no reason!

The match began but Mekkar was not in the starting lineup as he hoped. The adrenaline was pumping in Mekkar’s body as he was still dealing with his seriously injured right hand suffered in the match right before this one. The team trainers did an incredible job wrapping the hand extremely well and put Mekkar’s glove over it. However, they were unable to tie it down and left it, as is, for the duration. They were able to hide the extensive tape job inside the glove and told Mekkar to not tie down the left gauntlet either. This way it would not stand out as odd and possibly keep it from the immediate view of opposing players. The idea was to not make the hand a target for further injury through slashes or other devious stickwork.

Fortunately, the Selects opposition on this evening was more of a skating team and not a flat out brawling; goon squad that Mekkar’s team encountered earlier on this tour. The Mariners had some individuals who could play the rougher style if desired, but thankfully for Mekkar’s sake they didn’t.

Trouble was Mekkar’s injury made him less effective in his on ice responsibilities than he normally was. The other physical aspects of meds, plus alcoholic drink, were used in combination to create a pain numbing effect. Added to that, his fatigue combined with that impairment made The Arctic Warrior more unpredictable and outright goofy in his behavior.

The first time Mekkar climbed over the boards for his shift in the game was during a stoppage in play. After a score by the hometown club and before the drop of the puck at the center ice dot, Mekkar looked at the Mariners’ center ice logo. Part of the emblem resembled a wooden steering wheel of an old fashioned boat. The somewhat out of his mind youngster chanted in an audible voice, “Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of rum”. The referee nearby told him to shut up as the puck was about to be dropped for the face-off. But. Mekkar, rebel that he is, defied authority and continued the same chant again. The ref responded with the same answer in a stronger tone to, “Zip it or you will get an unsportsmanlike penalty.” Wouldn’t you know it, Mekkar did it once again. Alf called his older brother a stupid moron from the bench. Lasse shouted his own response. Since, Lasse had been ready and waiting for the face off to take place. Before playing one official second of this match Mekkar had incurred a trip to the sin bin. It was for delay of game infraction against his team. Guess who scored approximately forty-five seconds later as a result of Mekkar’s two minute minor penalty – Lacroix. The Selects coaching staff was not amused and after the goal against they made Mekkar skip a few regular shifts and get comfortable sitting on the bench. It was punishment for taking a foolish penalty and costing his team.

Later on in the game, during another stoppage in play, Mekkar had the gall to skate near Andre and offer him money to purchase the Mariners star’s game sweater right after the match. The response back to Mekkar was not what he expected at all. The reply went something like the following, “One previous owner deserted us during the season. We, for a time had no owner and were playing for free. So, there is a possibility I might not be able to replace it or any of my gear with the way things are.” 

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAN DIEGO (J)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR –

SAN DIEGO (PART I) in July, 2016.

During Mekkar’s heyday most, not all, arenas only had higher plexiglass above the dasher and boards normally at the far ends of the ice. That is where the majority of shots on net are taken and they appeared to be much heavier panes of glass unlike what is used in the current time. There was usually less, or none at all, glass extruding above the boards on both sides of the ice surface even with respect to the penalty boxes. As one might guess fans took advantage of this aspect in many places. They also took liberties by pouring beer and throw food, as well as, toss an assortment of items onto and at opposing players. Especially, enemy players who would be serving their infraction time in the sin bin in those days.

Mekkar experienced this phenomenon on a first-hand basis since he was a frequent visitor to the penalty box. Alf called it, “His home away from home!” Mekkar was on many occasions a target of fan wrath for that type of mistreatment. Being doused with items while doing his time in the box, waiting to get free, was a regular occurrence. Much of the time hometown security agents and police officers assigned to work that particular area during the match were reluctant to try to stop that type of unruly fan behavior. At times, they would willfully ignore the actions, laugh and snicker, or watch gleefully at the abuse against visiting players. Surprisingly, this also happened in his home rink also because of his style of play and unconcern of making people angry while the game was ongoing. Mekkar did not miss being the mark of repetitive drenching by foreign objects after his hockey career was over.

A person has to remember that hockey is a sport that has allowed fans to throw hats onto to ice. The hats are a symbol for a hat trick (three goal performance) in one game by a hometown player. Next, the hats are gathered by the arena crew and normally donated to charity. Other objects are deposited on the ice also such as an octopus for the first goal by the home club in a playoff game to signify an old standard. The tradition began in Detroit when it only took eight victories to win the Stanley Cup before the first NHL expansion in nineteen sixty-seven. These are practices and rituals that have been present in hockey for many years. [Wikipedia; The Hockey News]

Since, several arenas at that time had much shorter, and in a few cases no, glass rising from the top of the boards on the sides of the rink. Mekkar figured the excuse might have been used that shots on goal were not aimed there. Plus, it could be a quicker turn around process to convert to another scheduled activity in the venue. Younger fans, along with their families, that sat in those seats would often be seen with baseball gloves to catch deflected pucks. That is, if they could react fast enough. Mekkar thought it was mainly for their own personal protection because a wayward puck travelling at high speeds can maim a person. If that vulcanized rubber disc hits the right spot it can kill too, especially an individual who is unprepared, unaware, or not paying attention. Sadly, this instance has materialized on occasion with dire consequences for the victim.

Well, at the rink Mekkar ran into and started a brief chat with a couple of the home team equipment handling employees. He mentioned off-handedly about how his squad (the Selects) didn’t have to bring so many of own toiletries, medications, drinking water, alcohol, daily use items, knickknacks, and more on this trip. Mainly because they could find and purchase those needed items here in the city. Mekkar brought up the subject related to stories he heard from other veteran players back home who performed for various travelling national and representative squads. More specifically, when those vets played in matches in other not so modern parts of the world. He commented about team members, players, officials, coaches, and other club employees were unable to find what they needed when they required it. The little band got a chuckle out of that one and reassured him that things were plentiful here in San Diego. [sportsillustrated.cnn.com; The Hockey News]

That was a relief to Mekkar and he did compliment those employees during their exchange. These little distractions were not large considerations occupying the mind or negative issues on this tour. Mekkar said that the trip organizers, outside of the game schedule, and even more so the host teams all took good care of the visiting Selects. The teen from the arctic understood this because he helped carry out and operate similar administrative functions for a previous squad; he also played for, prior to this journey.

Mekkar was well aware that home tilts against international squads could attract more fans than non-rivalry regular matches on the schedule. The employees told him how the Mariners drew a packed house, or close to it in comparison, in a previous match versus the USSR. It was brought up that the home side played one of their best games ever. However, San Diego received the shaft along with no power-plays due to the referee bias against them. The Soviet referee was accompanying with his own squad, so go figure! They mentioned that there were no homer calls for the Mariners that night!

The good draw of these visiting teams from overseas was the reasoning for continuing to book them on the schedule. These exhibition matches were a novelty for the fans and brought in extra cash and profits. This was especially key for some of the more financially strapped clubs struggling at the gate. It was pretty much expected to be a fairly even exchange of travelling and touring teams going over to the other’s countries’ overseas and vice versa. Play games in each other’s backyard where these matches would bring in more fans and all involved would rake in the dough. Similar to dealing with tourists if you treat them well, they will probably come back. Another option, they could pass the word onto their acquaintances that also might travel there. This was becoming a regular standard, led by the World Hockey Association, all over the hockey globe. The WHA never tried to hide the fact they were truly attempting to be a world league. Well as much as they could afford, since there wasn’t the stability of the NHL. [Wikipedia; WHA San Diego Mariners Historical Site – sdmariners.htm; Playing Hockey The World Over … wha.htm; billsportsmaps.com; The Hockey News; whahockey.com; hockeyfights.com]

The arctic youngster was quite aware of this trend because he was present at a few of those events back home. That was before participating himself in a number of these special matches. Mekkar already knew about the accompanying extra local media hype before and during the attraction as he had been part of it on multiple levels. Thus, it resulted in increased swelled size crowds over the norm during the festivities and exhibition games. The North American visiting clubs did the smart thing by bring back local and national heroes and star athletes as part of the games exchanges. When they came over to Mekkar’s part of the world wisdom and profits prevailed. Former players would be included that the hometown fans would recognize. Bring the stars and fans will come! That normally meant great gains for the paying gate and regular occurrence of sellouts too! Mekkar felt that these overseas tilts benefitted the hockey industry on a worldwide basis more than anyone could have predicted.

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAN DIEGO (I)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR –

SAN DIEGO (PART H) in July, 2016.

This era was a time that furthered a lot of social change, which also included sports. It started a trend to take the best players available based on their skills and talent regardless of nationality. The idea was that, if done properly, both styles could be blended together. Mekkar wanted to give a shout out to those who really pioneered this pattern like Borje Salming and others. The World Hockey Association was basically the first star chef in the hockey world to truly mix those individual player ingredients (talents) to form a great drink or meal (successful team). This would forever alter the fastest game on ice as we know it. [billsportsmaps.com; whahockey.com; The Hockey News; Playing Hockey The World Over … wha.htm; Wikipedia; hcokeyfights.com]     

Back home, Mekkar was taught that the World Championships and Olympics were the real testing grounds to resolve this debate. Thus, the priority on those huge events. The results from this tour would answer a number of questions in Mekkar’s mind. Despite the fact the Selects were much less experienced and younger than their professional counterparts. Mekkar thought other matches against collegiate and major junior clubs later on in the schedule would probably be a better indicator to test the Selects players at a similar level. It turned out that the teenager was right on the money with his analysis.

Not to discount another overlooked item by Mekkar and his teammates regarding this jaunt through the North American continent. The small expense and easy accessibility for the pro teams here to scout fresh, new, and young talent. Potential draft selection by major league clubs all over the map was already occurring but this is when the floodgates opened wide. In some cases the farm team or one that trained and developed the player up through the young ranks could be compensated. In other instances, the sports federations back in that individual’s home nation would be bribed with a handsome sum of dough. Then, that individual hockey rights were now owned by a particular franchise for a specific amount of time. Not surprisingly every member of the Selects squad was chosen, acquired, or put on some protected talent list in some form or another. A few of the professional teams did this, even by some of the Selects opponents on this tour that saw the future potential and were impressed by their poise.   

All of the home pro teams on this journey versus the Selects were stubborn and staunch in their way and all wanted to make a show of defending their turf as comparable to gang warfare. This was true especially for players that were on the bubble of claiming, keeping, and not losing the last few roster spots on their own squads. Since training camp had past and a few of these teams were in the middle of their long season no one wanted to be shipped off to the minors. Think of a peacock strutting their stuff to be the most noticeable, attractive, and ultimately selected to stay with the big club, as Mekkar referred to it. Mekkar was amused by all the posturing behavior and had encountered this before. This activity of what is called talk, but talk is cheap. Only results matter to Mekkar, everything else leading up to it is a crock.

Mekkar also saw a couple more main positives that the newer circuit brought to the realm of hockey. He was hoping to grow up fast enough and take advantage of this competitive, rapidly changing atmosphere for himself and his own personal benefit. The pay at home in the top league was a joke in comparison to what he could possibly earn over here in North America. On the other hand, some scouts had doubts about a positive transition for Mekkar. Comments such as could he take all of the punishment as an outsider trained in that other style of play? What about the adjustment to much longer length of schedule? How would he fare come playoff off time? Or would the youngster already be suffering from a number of injuries to limit his effectiveness on the ice?

As the team bus was coming nearer to the San Diego International Sports Arena, Mekkar looked out the window and saw a large advertising billboard high in the sky which caught his eye. He strained to read the hockey slogan on it. It said, “Mean. Mad, Menacing, Major League Mariners” on it with the picture of a player and their logo. First of all, Mekkar thinks the San Diego Mariners skating Sailor with a boat steering wheel in the background logo is fantastic and one of the best in hockey history. [WHA San Diego Mariners Historical Site – sdmariners.htm; whahockey.com; sportslogos.net; fanbase.com/San-Diego-Mariners; Wikipedia] Mekkar thought to himself Oh, No! I hope they are not that type of goon squad that we faced earlier. It was not supposed to be this type of rough and tumble affair, well according to his own preliminary report and analysis. Yet, you never know because this is the WHA. A nineteen seventies hockey version of the wild, wild west trying to be different and at the same time insert itself into the public sports consciousness. Mekkar needed a break from that type of physical abuse especially to his now badly damaged paw. Next he went deep into his memory bank and thought about home and how tough it was living there. He recalled how you don’t get a second chance to make first impression with a polar bear. The bear is either scared and flees or is desperate, hungry, scared, surprised, or annoyed. In other words, the white beast could look at you as a threat, an object to tear apart, or maybe as a snack. Since they can usually sense, hear, and smell a human and depending on the great white bear’s mood be violently aggressive and attack. After dwelling on this thought Mekkar felt better and became inspired for that evening’s matchup.

Due to Mekkar’s pre-tour research he discovered a few items about sports teams in San Diego. He heard and read about statements, on more than one occasion, that clubs from America’s Finest City have a habit of choking when the pressure is on. That there is a supposed sports curse on teams as well as an inability to claim a modern North American major league professional sports championship. The last one was the American Football League Chargers in nineteen sixty-three. Of course, the exception is the San Diego Sockers and minor league San Diego Gulls who both won many titles, but both are not in the big three sports on the continent. [Wikipedia]

Nonetheless, when the Selects arrived to the arena, Mekkar first went out to survey the rink itself. It was his normal custom, and part of Mekkar’s pre-game ritual, for the specific scheduled game for that day or evening. Mekkar noticed the uncluttered boards. In most rinks then used by professional franchises in North America there was little and sometimes no signage. Advertising logos did not surround the rink at the highest levels, unlike today. The reasoning was that it was considered so minor league and extremely unprofessional back then. Now, it is the opposite perspective where the goal is to maximize all possible revenue streams. Mekkar then saw there was something that resembled chicken-wire in some areas, as he referred to it. Instead of Plexiglas, there were wire-mesh gates in top of the dasher and boards surrounding the rink. It existed where there might be protective netting or higher glass today. Mekkar shook his head and did a double-take to focus and confirm what he thought he just observed. Maybe, he was mistaken or hallucinating from the pain medications he was taking like candy for the injuries. Added to that the extra alcohol mixed in to wash them down or the fatigued state he was in. The tiredness had come back in full force and was affecting his senses greatly along with the other factors. Mekkar wanted to stay away from fans who could throw things or pour drinks on him through the wire as it was common during this era. [The Rebel League: The Short and Unruly Life of the World Hockey Association by Ed Willes, 2005] 

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAN DIEGO (H)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR –

SAN DIEGO (PART G) in July, 2016.

It was a good thing Mekkar didn’t have any sisters. Mekkar also loved the fact that the rebel league squads had an overall winning record versus NHL clubs in head-to-head exhibition competition. Whoever said the upstarts couldn’t hang with the established major leaguers? This mark ticked off the big boys (NHL) which Mekkar thinks resulted in the harsh surrender and absorption terms for the Québec Nordiques, New England (Hartford) Whalers, Winnipeg Jets, & Edmonton Oilers in the eventual merger. The longer the negotiations dragged on between the WHA and NHL the more screwed over the WHA squads were. That is, if the rival league hoped to have any of their teams be accepted into the fold later on by the more established NHL. [Wikipedia; Playing Hockey The World Over…what.htm; The Hockey News; billsportsmaps.com; whahockey.com; hockeyfights.com]

Even the Selects on this tour began to sense a black cloud of uncertainty that hung overhead some of the teams on the ice they faced. It showed in a bit of spillover in some of the opponent’s play as well. Mekkar had not yet made a previous correlation of the behind-the-scenes activity of the league and on ice product beforehand. Mekkar felt this pressure might have contributed to a measure of success on the part of the visiting Selects squad versus these WHA teams. His opinion is that off-ice and outside work structured environment distractions normally affect any individual’s job performance. Plus, hockey insiders knew about the instability surrounding the WHA.

What was the most disappointing to Mekkar about the 1979 consolidation and absorption by the NHL was not only the loss of major league hockey positions. Added to that, no WHA awards, records, or statistics compiled would be recognized by the NHL ever. Unlike the similar situation involving the recent NBA merger by taking on the ABA New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs. To Mekkar, it was like the top circuit (NHL) was intentionally trying to blot out any memories of the rival league. With that attempting to wipe out it existence or any of its accomplishments including the players who were there during its seven year life span. A great example of this attitude was the rejection of any WHA stars from the Canadian side in the 1972 Summit Series against the USSR. [Wikipedia; chidlovski.com; hhof.com/htmlTimeCapsule/GamesSummaryWHA1974; angelfire.com/tv2/rainbowcountry/1972]  More punishment for the upheaval caused by the upstart’s serious challenge to NHL supremacy, which by the way changed pro hockey forever.

As a result of this conviction on the part of Mekkar, he will never set foot into what he deems as the NHL dominated and controlled Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. He makes a different distinction regarding the IIHF. He feels that The Hall is not complete nor a legit hockey shrine. Since it will admit some inductees with questionable credentials to meet certain candidate quotas. Even individuals that never played in the National Hockey League such as a few Russians and females.

Yet, the Hockey Hall of Fame directors have the gall to neglect and punish WHA stars that helped build the game for the current crop of today’s players. Mekkar attributes that attitude and misuse of judgment as unfair, corrupt, and frontier injustice. He refuses to accept it or their positions on personal grounds. Especially, when there are some more qualified applicants in the career pool that he feels would be much better choices for admission. These biases and what he speculates as a political double-standard and why Mekkar only adopts International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame (IIHF) honored members list. He regards that as the true register which includes and exhibits players, builders, and referees from all over the globe. Particular issues to Mekkar are unwavering and non-negotiable. The other arrogantly so called (NHL) Hockey Hall of Fame is nothing but a sham in Mekkar’s eyes. A testament to the claim of focusing on the center of the hockey universe, Toronto. It is an outward display dissing most everywhere else in the world outside North America and regarding them as nothing in the realm of hockey. [Wikipedia; triposo.com/poi/W__62255416; iihf.com/iihf-home/history/the-iihf/iihf-hall-of-fame.html; whahof.com/hofmembers.html]

Anyway, the World Hockey Association was attempting to be a proper world league and had future plans in place to carry this out. Many WHA clubs faced-off in a variety of matches against travelling National squads, top teams, and all-star contingents from a host of nations. These international matchups occurred in both formal and informal situations and exhibitions. Some of the outcomes which were reflected in reason season win-loss columns. Games materialized in different locales in many places even Tokyo, Japan. [angelfire.com/space/u_line/wha7778.htm]

There were formal matches that counted for more than just national, league, team, or individual pride. Those outcomes could affect the playoff positioning fate of a club. Thus, the results were definitely taken seriously. Those tilts exuded a realm of playoff intensity in them. Fortunately for the Selects their matchups did not count in the regular WHA standings or the tension would have been higher. The pairings against the Selects were mainly about continental and hometown dignity. There was still the need to prove which school or style of hockey, in a team sense and on an individual basis, was superior. Was it the strictly European/International or North American system? No one came up with a definite answer to that question.

Mekkar felt that it was a moot point anyway comparing which type of player was better between the two styles. To him the dividing lines were becoming more obscured and there would soon be players that would became like a hybrid type of athlete having the best attributes of both systems. The Arctic Warrior already possessed the mindset that these future athletes could have their origins from anywhere in the world. It turned out to be the case, since there are now ice hockey clubs and leagues in more than one hundred countries. Even in places no one would expect to see it such as in Mexico, Mongolia, and many nations.

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAN DIEGO (G)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR –

SAN DIEGO (PART F) in July, 2016.

This faster paced keep control of the puck as much as you can style of ice hockey was based on the Soviet five-man unit and Nordic models that are ingrained through the youth ranks there. It is a free flowing game in the words of former Edmonton Oilers coach and general manager Glen Sather who was part of the last National Hockey League dynasty in the nineteen eighties and nineteen ninety. Sather said that he borrowed and modified a system of hockey, to his roster of players that he learned through direct observation. It was rarely used during Sather’s playing career except when his squads faced off against opponents such as the WHA Winnipeg Jets. Also trips with his WHA Oilers overseas gave him much material for him to install and help insure Sather’s own team’s success. Of course, it is a boost to gather all the proper talent to execute the plan.

Some of the strategies used in Europe and other places were that young goalies and position players played multiple positions. They went through the skills, development, and training for everywhere on the ice, plus a lot to improve skating growing up. This meant, in some cases, filling in at other positions to help their squad in other areas - if needed due to a rash of injuries, etc. Understanding and appreciation was gained and respect was earned because each player could relate to all of the others on the club. Learning to speak english was huge during this time if an individual wanted to expand their horizons internationally and play in other circuits. For a long time goaltenders were just an afterthought in youth leagues because most kids wanted to be the main goal scorers and almost none would volunteer to be the netminder. This early version of hockey related cross position training put all through the same stuff and a minimum standard had to be met when they reached a certain age and level. There was no favoritism either, if you couldn’t cut it, there were limits at the next stage in the chain.

Sather instituted his fun and gun offense which was perfectly suited to the up-temp World Hockey Association. [Playing Hockey The World Over…wha.htm; whahockey.com; hockeyfights.com; Wikipedia; billsportsmaps.com; The Hockey News] Mekkar compares Sather’s approach to a few clubs and the wide open American Basketball Association. More specifically to the late nineteen eighties Loyola-Maramount Lions basketball team philosophy under coach Paul Westhead. There are other later examples of similar offense-first schemes such as Doug Moe’s Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns under Mike D’Antoni of the NBA. No matter what system is instituted it always takes awhile to put all of the right pieces in place. Glen also made maximum use of what hockey insiders consider as the fastest, as well as, best ice surface for hockey in the world at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta.

The arena has a different corporate sponsor and a thus is known by another name nowadays because that is the current trend in the professional sports realm. A sense of tradition and history is no longer considered as important when there is money to be made. Mekkar is of the opinion it is one more indicator of the increased decline in society that has sold out to greed.

This hybrid style took off and took over the National Hockey League after the addition of four WHA teams to start the 1979-80 season. In truth, it was a mini-merger but the WHA clubs got the shaft and basically buildup their rosters from scratch. This afforded Sather with the opportunity to shape the Oilers in his image. Edmonton ended up obliterating the offensive record book with much success and championships. The next decade helped, along with the Eskimos, Drillers, etc. to turn the northern Alberta metropolis into the City of Champions.

There were clubs awarded in locations by the WHA that the NHL never even considered before and probably never would have. Some of these places included cities in the hotbed of hockey (Canada). Mekkar loves to read about history, especially sports history because he feels it is a partial reflection of society at large. He knows that a person can learn from study of the past and has heard the mantra many times, one who doesn’t learn from past history tend to repeat its mistakes over and over again. [Reason in Common Sense, volume 1 of The Life of Reason by George Santayana, 1905]

One of Mekkar’s favorite aspects regarding the upstart pro league (WHA) was the addition of sudden death overtime to determine victory in outcomes during the regular season. This greatly reduced the stranglehold in the amount of tie game results. Mekkar hated no clear winner and regarded them as worse than kissing your ugly sister. Who wants to do that?

Another trend and impetus happened during this period of time due to the rebel league’s influence. Individual players broke the mold and began to wear higher uniform numbers. In the past, especially if one was a rookie or young player trying to establish themselves in pre-season training camp. You didn’t want high jersey numbers unlike today. Otherwise it usually meant that player probably would not make the big club and would either be cut outright or demoted to the minors for seasoning. Thus, Mekkar donned low uniform numbers his whole hockey career depending on availability. Phil Esposito changed his uniform number to seventy-seven after his trade to the New York Rangers around this time. Even Wayne Gretzky didn’t always sport his now famous ninety-nine sweater. There are videos, photographs, roster lists, etc. of Gretzky wearing pro jerseys with the numbers nine, fifteen, seventeen, twenty before his well known standard ninety-nine. [whahockey.com; jerseydatabase.com; thirdstringgoalie.blogspot.com; youtube.com; wharacers.com; whahof.com]

Mekkar examines these factors as part of a cultural shift and people’s desire to get noticed. Everyone is aware of how an individual seeks to transcend all in many aspects of society today. He believes that if something gets mentioned frequently, it is because that concept or commodity stands out from the norm during its time. For example, Ground Chuck (Knox) football offense scheme was primarily run oriented. While at the same time, the National Football League was beginning its transition to a more pass-happy circuit with rule changes, etc. in that new direction. [Wikipedia]

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAN DIEGO (F)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR –

SAN DIEGO (PART E) in July, 2016.

Instead the new circuit had a philosophy of more offense or a faster paced, more offensive game which is better for the fans. Mekkar called it “A different, rarely seen approach in the Western Hemisphere at that time, up-tempo mode of play on the ice.” He, along with others, mainly saw it as due to the infusion of extensive outside talent from overseas and the States. That is, outside the confines of the Canadian border.

Mekkar liked the WHA for the main reason was that it created more opportunities to make a potential career out of hockey for him. If, he ended up getting that far. It wasn’t just some type of pipe dream for him as some scouts had told Mekkar that he had the potential to reach that level. The P-word. Potential, what? He hates that term. To Mekkar saying a person has potential in an area is like a person has the promising capability to intake air. To him, everyone has potential to accomplish great things in their life. The issue is whether an individual gets a chance to use that potential to succeed in a particular endeavor, is a different matter altogether. It is rarely what you know, but more so who you know that truly counts on advancing upward on the social scale.

Lasse’s best friend, Mekkar welcomed more position openings for hockey players to further pursue their craft and stick it - to the man. In the manner of breaking down the draconian stranglehold of recent earlier times and limits for athletes. Mekkar felt that the upward glass ceiling was being smashed through during this era. Restrictions were readily unlocked much quicker on player compensation and the negation of the minimum age limits. Also, successful legal destruction of the modern slavery inducing reserve clause which automatically tied an individual to a specific club indefinitely. It was previously renewed when a player’s contract ran out. Particular wording in the document didn’t matter; standard practice was just instituted as before. The times were changin’ baby! Player movement was now in full swing. On one hand it was positive, but it did also create instability for teams in some cases. Pro baseball was at the forefront in its free agency infancy stage, which affected the whole realm of the sports marketplace too! [Wikipedia; whahockey.com; billsportsmaps.com; Playing Hockey The World Over… wha.htm]

He thought it was cool to change things up a bit in relation to items that are really in essence for the fans. For example, the all-star game formats. In most of the years these special activities were anything but set in stone. Mekkar was glad that the WHA was willing to put some pizzazz into those matchups to keep the league followers always guessing as to What comes next? [whahockey.com] In Mekkar’s mind, this shows bravery and a creative out of the box mentality. On the other hand, that type of thinking can also be a pain to prepare and plan for, as well as, setup the final details.

Some change is beneficial and reasonable to Mekkar as to prevent staleness and inertia. However, constant change on a day-to-day basis with no structure or consistency-base whatsoever creates a dilemma for Mekkar. He is like most people in that he also likes to get settled into his environment, at least for a bit. To him variety is good as long as he is not always in the middle of it and the ever changing eye of the storm. Thus, gradual change stance creates a direct inner conflict for Mekkar. Maybe in spite of himself, like most individuals Mekkar is, at the same time, a creature of habit and routine whether he admits it or not.

Moreover in his native culture and reflective upbringing one had to be always aware of surprises and sudden change. Those situations could be very dangerous and life threatening. They could easily get out of hand resulting in a negative outcome, such as costing a person their life. Mekkar often repeats a certain quip, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression with a polar bear because he might look at you as a snack!” In reality, bear attacks upon people are not as common as many believe, but who would want to take that chance?

This new brand of hockey brought about a more wide open game and higher scores which, let’s face it, fans in North America seem to prefer. Possibly, that is only Mekkar’s conviction with regard to people’s sport choices. That is why he believes basketball is so popular due to the increased numbers on the scoreboard.

Since Mekkar is a defenseman, he understands and appreciates good defensive play in many sports. Plus, to him higher scoring matches show weaker protection of your own goal capability. Mekkar has participated in basketball, but it was not his cup of tea. So, he feels that he can authoritatively speak with regard to issues such as this.

Alf’s older sibling, Mekkar gravitated to and engaged in more of the physical contact or collision athletic pursuits. Undertakings such as Rugby, Australian Rules Football (Footy), American (Gridiron) Football – which by the way was introduced in 1861 in Toronto, Canada, Hockey of course, Boxing, Lacrosse – which has more battles than most conclude, and others. Not only that, Mekkar has also dabbled in additional sports like Wrestling, Soccer, Volleyball, Surfing, Sailing, etc.

It makes sense to Mekkar that if a side controls the ball, puck, and tempo of a match that squad should have more turns to notch scores or points.