Aspen vs. Detroit: The Greatest Rivalry in Hockey.

Stirling Cup Opening Face-Off in Aspen. Click 4 Pix.Hockey rivalries are incredibility intense.  You may recall the bitter feelings that existed between the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings in the late 1990's.  Both teams had Stanley Cup talent and world class toughness. Detroit and Colorado; the teams, the coaches and the fans all hated each other.   The result; a  full-scale melees on ice, body crunching hits, goalie brawls, McCarty vs. Lemieux and some of the most exciting hockey games known to man.

Click 4 pix:  Aspen vs. Detroit

The years have passed.  The hockey unpleasantries  between Colorado and Detroit have softened.  But now, a new, more friendly rivalry has formed.  Aspen vs. Detroit.  The two hockey power-houses met again during  the 12th Annual WELLS FARGO STIRLING CUP ALL-STAR WEEKEND in memory of Stirling Cooper.  The Detroit RedWings Alumni (Oldtimers) vs. The Aspen Leafs, they went at it.  They faced off again in 2012 at the Aspen Recreation Center in front of a full house.

Last year,  the Aspen Leafs smoked the Wings pretty handily, welcoming them to A-Town with a 7-4 loss.  In fact, Aspen has taken it to the Red Wings old timers in 3 of the last 4 years at Stirling Cup.  The Red Wings always hold their own in the golf, and usually win the party...but on the ice, at 8,000 ft...the Leafs have been the recent champs.  This year Detroit powered up and brought a few younger guys on the trip.  Reading the body language on the Red Wings bench during warm ups. (where I handled the door with skill),  you could see the steely eyed demeanor of the visiting team.  They wanted to win.  Jiri Fischer (6' 5" 235, 32 years old) a former top NHL defenseman who retired pre-maturely due to a heart problem buoyed the blue line for the Wings.  New recruits Stephen Guolla (4 NHL Teams), Keith McKittrick (Red Wings Assistant Coach) and Kip Miller (Hobey Baker winner at Michigan State and 8 NHL teams) added speed and skill to the forward line.  

The Detroit Red Wings prevailed 12-3.The Aspen team led by Aspen Junior Hockey Director, Tanner Williams, AJH President Lindsey Holmbeck, All-Stars Geoff Lubin, Keith Howie, Bret Norris and goalie Jason Flynn were feeling good prior to the opening faceoff.  Former Detroit BAD BOY Darren McCarty set the tone early scoring on a goal-mouth scramble in the first minute of play.  He also dinged the goalie on the mask with a flick shot, and admitted "I was aiming for his throat, just kidding".   Former Wings stars John Ogrodnick, Joey Kocur, Paul Mackinnon, Jon Finstrom, Lorne Knauft and Wayne Presley played a strong game in front of the stellar goal-tending of George Bowman.  The Red Wings proceded to pour it on taking the contest by a final score of 12-3.

Rivalries aside, The Stirling Cup is always a blast.  Parties, camaraderie, golf  and more. All of it is designed to honor the memory of Stirling Cooper and PROMOTE YOUTH SPORTS, FOSTER NEW RELATIONSHIPS and EMBODY COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.  Aspen Junior Hockey and the entire community of rink rats always rolls out the red carpet for the entire weekend.   Stirling Cup is always one of the best events of the year in Aspen.  The hockey community in Aspen is tightly knit and the Red Wings truly appreciate the hospitality.   What's not to love.  Just ask all the mites, squirts and pee-wees (and their parents) who get to meet, skate with and make friends with real live NHL stars. 

Click for Pix:  Aspen vs. Detroit:  The Greatest Rivalry in Hockey.

Friends and Rivals. Darren McCarty (4 time Stankey Cup Champ) and Jason Flynn set to get after it.The fans came out to watch Detroit vs. Aspen. Hockey Night in Aspen. Click 4 pix.Jiri Fischer came out of retirement to skate in Aspen. Frenchy and Scotty made the calls. Click 4 pix.Jeff "Whitey" White proved to be quite a sniper...netting 2 goals. Click 4 Pix.Spirits ran high at the Aspen Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings for Stirling Cup. Click 4 pix.Stirling Cup, Aspen Junior Hockey, The Aspen Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings 9/29/12 Click 4 pix.

Drew Brees Celebrity Golf at La Costa

Rick Rhoden won the Celebrity Championship for the 6th time. Click 4 pix.Rick Rhoden was a decent MLB pitcher.  He broke in with the L.A. Dodgers in 1974 and spent 16 years in the bigs, with a life-time record was 151-125 and 3.59 E.R.A.  These days he is a dominant force on the Celebrity Golf Tour and probably the best celebrity golfer of all-time.

Click 4 pix.  DREW BREES Celebrity Golf

At the 2012 Drew Brees Celebrity Classic, Rick Rhoden out shot a field filled with Hall of Famers, All-Stars, All-Pros, Gold Medalists and other celebs.  This year's tourney took place a the beautiful La Costa Resort in Carlsbad.  In it's 14th year the Celebrity Classic hosted by Drew Brees raised $195,000 for charity.  The Drew Brees Foundation will donate proceeds to Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego Armed Services YMCA, Friends of Scott Foundation and National Multiple Sclerosis Society, South Pacific Coast Chapter. 

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Over 50 former BIG TIME athletes and a few actors and comedians filled the course at La Costa.  Former MLB releivers Goose Gossage, Rollie Fingers and Trevor Hoffman played together. Former NHL Hockey stars Grant Fuhr, Jeremy Roenick and Mike Eruzione played in pain, but made it through.  Old Skool NBA Hoopsters Truck Robinson and Jack Marin pounded the little white ball.  Lots of current and former NFL QB's showed up to support Drew Brees.  Doug Flutie ( 5' 8") and Carson Palmer (6'5") spoiled a nice hike.  Olympic Gold Medalists Bruce Jenner, Dan Jansen and Edwin Moses played a round with Actors Jack Wagner, Alfonzo Ribeiro (Carlton) and Ray Romano. 

Brees is a first-class act and a top-5 NFL Quaterback.  The New Orleans Saints (whom he led to a Super Bowl Victory 2 years ago) could use some positive P.R., but they have let their franchise QB dangle in the wind.  Brees is an exemplary citizen and family man.  He obviously still gives back in San Diego and he was a HUGE force in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  Brees is now helping out with global hurricane relief. He was the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 2010.   The Saints have a few problems....several players and coaches and their G.M. have all been suspended in the NFL bounty scandal.  Saints Linebacker Jonathan Vilma has recently filed suit against N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell.  Hello?? Saints owner...Tom Benson, it's bush-league not to have signed him.   I realize he's 34, and he's one hit away from retirement and your team is in turmoil, but, c'mon son??  Make the deal.

Click for photos.   DREW BREES CELEBRITY GOLF

Drew Brees pounded out a 300 yard drive to open the event. Click 4 pix.NFL QB Trent Edwards had the P.R. Team in a tizzy at the Drew Brees Celebrity Championship.Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Hubby, Mauricio Umansky was making friends in the VIP. Click 4 pix.The autograph tent was packed with All-Stars. Click for pix. Can you name them all?A.Party hiked out on the fairway to team up with Olympic Decathalon Champ, and Reality Star Bruce Jenner. Click 4 pix.