Hoss & Kopy: A Hockey Love Story
Amazing... Here we are in the year 2010, evolving exponentially as a species in terms of technology, health care, education, globalization and the like... and yet, backwards-thinking cultures such as intolerance for gays still continue to plague our growth.
If the grand vision of the late-Brendan Burke (R.I.P.) - for universal acceptance openly gay athletes - is to ever become is reality in pro-hockey, or in any sport for that matter, it will surely take a brave and highly respected athlete, willing to turn the cheek on the immense peer pressure and his personal inhibitions, to play the hero and come out. A daunting task for any one man (or woman), as any person facing such a monumental choice could tell you. That's why I say when it comes to the things that you love, two heads are better than one. Now that the Chicago Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years, I believe that time has come for fellow Slovak Olympians, teammates, romantic mercenaries and Stanley Cup co-champions' Marian Hossa & Tomas Kopecky...
81 and 82... That's so cute!!!! *squeeeeeees* <3
The Yin & Yang of offense: Two Slovak forwards covering a wide spectrum of playing ability. Marian Hossa - a power forward and goal scoring machine, and Tomas Kopecky - a pest, instigator, and only slightly more graceful than your run-of-the-mill net crashing, grinding Center. A match made in gay hockey heaven.
I'm still trying to figure how or where they met exactly, but I first sensed the spark when it was mentioned quietly in passing that Hossa "cited Tomas Kopecky as being influential on selling him on the Red Wings" two Summers ago. Hossa took a whole lot of fark for turning down big money contracts that year to accept a one year Cup-or-bust season with the Wings, but in hindsight, I don't think it's too far fetched to assume that he knew what he was doing.
Kopecky was due to become unrestricted free agent the following summer, and knowing that the Detroit Red Wings were facing hard roster choices due to NHL salary cap constraints (with the Wings ultimately choosing to re-up key forwards' Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen), Hossa knew that he and Kopecky would likely be playing elsewhere come 2009. In the meantime, his value as a hot goal scoring commodity continued to rise and attracted buyers and offers of all shapes and sizes.
Back in Chicago, then General Manager of the Blackhawks Dale Tallon was pulling all the stops to give his team its best chance at winning the Stanley Cup, seemingly regardless of the cost. "We were basically in the best position to give Hoss the kind of deal he wanted, which was the big money, long term deal, his best chance at winning the Cup, and a team willing to extend a two year contract to his boyfriend," Tallon said following Chicago's Stanley Cup victory, "Players of his skill level don't just show up on your doorstep everyday, so of course I was happy to oblige."
As it would turn out, the 'Hawks were the perfect fit for the two love birds in so many ways. Blackhawks fan faithbeckett brilliantly explains the "sexy"culture of the Blackhawks, in words that must be nothing short of resounding to our studly Euro' heroes Hossa & Kopecky... "You know the stereotype that hockey players aren't particularly hot? Sadly, that tends to be the norm, as I was reminded this morning watching the Bruins/Rangers game. *shivers* Luckily for us lady fans in Chicago, though, our team is hot, hot, HOT. The average age is 25, with players ranging from 21 to 36 years old... if there's any team you should be watching in the NHL for sheer "attractive-bility", the Hawks are it..."
Hoss & Kopy concur: Patrick Sharp is the sexiest man in Chicago Sports!
In Chicago, Hoss & Kopy formed a clever tandem, with Kopy offering moral support for Hossa's quest of the Cup, and Hoss affording Kopecky some breathing room with the big dogs in the front office. Hossa was sidelined with a shoulder injury at the beginning of the season, thus allowing Kopecky a chance to earn himself a full-time spot on the roster. He eventually returned from injury in late-November, inspired by his team's strong start, and the prospect of having a chance to match up on a line with his lover for the first time. "Their passion for each other obviously translated to amazing chemistry on the ice," noted Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville...
Hossa's influence as a premier sniper played favorably to the benefit of his partner, as Kopecky would put up career highs in 2009-10 in goals (10) and points (21). The success of the duo even transcended the NHL. Kopecky, who had largely been a snub for the Slovakian national team ever since his World Junior days, was even able to ride Hossa's coattails onto the 2010 Slovak Olympic squad. The team went on to finish 4th at the Winter Games in Vancouver...
They say in the end that love conquers all, and in the case of this fairy tale, it actually did! Hossa finally won the Cup in his third consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final while Kopecky finally stayed healthy enough in the playoffs to keep Darren Helm from stealing his roster spot...
Apparently, Kopy is the nasty one...
Now with their dreamy storybook season turning a page, our heroes are left to calmly contemplate their plans for the Summer... and beyond! Your time has come fellas. Tell the world how you feel!
Now I'm sure Stanley is quite flattered boys, but last time I checked, he doesn't really swing that way... Naw, it's all good, really, just be on your best behavior when your evening together with the Cup finally does come. ;-)
EDITOR'S NOTE: For those of you who still don't "get me" by now, I happen to possess a wildly satirical sense of humor, and often can't help but come off sounding like a jack-ass. But this piece in particular is not so much about spite (as a brokenhearted Wings fan) as it is about the irony of something that seems so plainly obvious and righteous, but has never been formally acknowledged. And even if by some chance my theory turns out to be just a remarkable coincidence, I can still say I've been all smiles piecing this together. ;-)
I am NOT homophobic in any way, shape, or form, and if you still think so, then I deem you to be a poor, poor judge of character. Even though I am a die hard Red Wings fan, and thus a sworn enemy of Blackhawks Nation, I am still happy for these guys, AND, apparently giddy as an anime school girl as the love between them continues to blossom! Just like good ol' JR felt the creepiness love from Dan Patrick and Mike Milbury after Chicago finally ended the NHL's longest standing Cup drought...
Chicago Blackhawks man... Yes JR, we Detroit faithful remember 1992 very well... *winces*
Go Wings! ;-)
If the grand vision of the late-Brendan Burke (R.I.P.) - for universal acceptance openly gay athletes - is to ever become is reality in pro-hockey, or in any sport for that matter, it will surely take a brave and highly respected athlete, willing to turn the cheek on the immense peer pressure and his personal inhibitions, to play the hero and come out. A daunting task for any one man (or woman), as any person facing such a monumental choice could tell you. That's why I say when it comes to the things that you love, two heads are better than one. Now that the Chicago Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years, I believe that time has come for fellow Slovak Olympians, teammates, romantic mercenaries and Stanley Cup co-champions' Marian Hossa & Tomas Kopecky...
81 and 82... That's so cute!!!! *squeeeeeees* <3
The Yin & Yang of offense: Two Slovak forwards covering a wide spectrum of playing ability. Marian Hossa - a power forward and goal scoring machine, and Tomas Kopecky - a pest, instigator, and only slightly more graceful than your run-of-the-mill net crashing, grinding Center. A match made in gay hockey heaven.
I'm still trying to figure how or where they met exactly, but I first sensed the spark when it was mentioned quietly in passing that Hossa "cited Tomas Kopecky as being influential on selling him on the Red Wings" two Summers ago. Hossa took a whole lot of fark for turning down big money contracts that year to accept a one year Cup-or-bust season with the Wings, but in hindsight, I don't think it's too far fetched to assume that he knew what he was doing.
Kopecky was due to become unrestricted free agent the following summer, and knowing that the Detroit Red Wings were facing hard roster choices due to NHL salary cap constraints (with the Wings ultimately choosing to re-up key forwards' Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen), Hossa knew that he and Kopecky would likely be playing elsewhere come 2009. In the meantime, his value as a hot goal scoring commodity continued to rise and attracted buyers and offers of all shapes and sizes.
Back in Chicago, then General Manager of the Blackhawks Dale Tallon was pulling all the stops to give his team its best chance at winning the Stanley Cup, seemingly regardless of the cost. "We were basically in the best position to give Hoss the kind of deal he wanted, which was the big money, long term deal, his best chance at winning the Cup, and a team willing to extend a two year contract to his boyfriend," Tallon said following Chicago's Stanley Cup victory, "Players of his skill level don't just show up on your doorstep everyday, so of course I was happy to oblige."
As it would turn out, the 'Hawks were the perfect fit for the two love birds in so many ways. Blackhawks fan faithbeckett brilliantly explains the "sexy"culture of the Blackhawks, in words that must be nothing short of resounding to our studly Euro' heroes Hossa & Kopecky... "You know the stereotype that hockey players aren't particularly hot? Sadly, that tends to be the norm, as I was reminded this morning watching the Bruins/Rangers game. *shivers* Luckily for us lady fans in Chicago, though, our team is hot, hot, HOT. The average age is 25, with players ranging from 21 to 36 years old... if there's any team you should be watching in the NHL for sheer "attractive-bility", the Hawks are it..."
Hoss & Kopy concur: Patrick Sharp is the sexiest man in Chicago Sports!
In Chicago, Hoss & Kopy formed a clever tandem, with Kopy offering moral support for Hossa's quest of the Cup, and Hoss affording Kopecky some breathing room with the big dogs in the front office. Hossa was sidelined with a shoulder injury at the beginning of the season, thus allowing Kopecky a chance to earn himself a full-time spot on the roster. He eventually returned from injury in late-November, inspired by his team's strong start, and the prospect of having a chance to match up on a line with his lover for the first time. "Their passion for each other obviously translated to amazing chemistry on the ice," noted Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville...
Hossa's influence as a premier sniper played favorably to the benefit of his partner, as Kopecky would put up career highs in 2009-10 in goals (10) and points (21). The success of the duo even transcended the NHL. Kopecky, who had largely been a snub for the Slovakian national team ever since his World Junior days, was even able to ride Hossa's coattails onto the 2010 Slovak Olympic squad. The team went on to finish 4th at the Winter Games in Vancouver...
They say in the end that love conquers all, and in the case of this fairy tale, it actually did! Hossa finally won the Cup in his third consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final while Kopecky finally stayed healthy enough in the playoffs to keep Darren Helm from stealing his roster spot...
Apparently, Kopy is the nasty one...
Now with their dreamy storybook season turning a page, our heroes are left to calmly contemplate their plans for the Summer... and beyond! Your time has come fellas. Tell the world how you feel!
Now I'm sure Stanley is quite flattered boys, but last time I checked, he doesn't really swing that way... Naw, it's all good, really, just be on your best behavior when your evening together with the Cup finally does come. ;-)
EDITOR'S NOTE: For those of you who still don't "get me" by now, I happen to possess a wildly satirical sense of humor, and often can't help but come off sounding like a jack-ass. But this piece in particular is not so much about spite (as a brokenhearted Wings fan) as it is about the irony of something that seems so plainly obvious and righteous, but has never been formally acknowledged. And even if by some chance my theory turns out to be just a remarkable coincidence, I can still say I've been all smiles piecing this together. ;-)
I am NOT homophobic in any way, shape, or form, and if you still think so, then I deem you to be a poor, poor judge of character. Even though I am a die hard Red Wings fan, and thus a sworn enemy of Blackhawks Nation, I am still happy for these guys, AND, apparently giddy as an anime school girl as the love between them continues to blossom! Just like good ol' JR felt the creepiness love from Dan Patrick and Mike Milbury after Chicago finally ended the NHL's longest standing Cup drought...
Click to viewChicago Blackhawks man... Yes JR, we Detroit faithful remember 1992 very well... *winces*
Go Wings! ;-)