AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > January > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKovalchuk invisible in his city
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Ever hear of Ilya Kovalchuk? If so, then describe the guy, or admit that you wouldn’t know him from a potted plant or a picture of Nikita Khrushchev.
This is a shame. When it comes to professional athletes who work and live in Atlanta, we’re talking about a Thrashers star who shines as brightly at his craft as the Jones boys (Andruw and Chipper), the best of Joe Johnson and Al Harrington with the Hawks or No. 7 for the Falcons.
Not only that, Kovalchuk is becoming such a 22-year-old wonder around the NHL that opponents are doing what opponents always do in sports when they can’t beat somebody physically. They try to do so mentally, which is why they are whining everywhere that Kovalchuk likes to use an illegal hockey stick. To which Kovalchuk told me from his locker at Philips Arena with a dose of wonderful arrogance: “My stick is good, so I don’t know what they’re talking about. I play my game, and I never pay attention to those little things.”
Spoken like an old veteran disguised as a youngster with strikingly fresh eyes, and all of this is another reason why Kovalchuk deserves a group hug from the masses around town. Instead, outside of the loyal and loud following that heats up the chilly seats at Thrashers home games, few folks on either side of Peachtree Road has a clue about who Kovalchuk is. That’s especially true when he is walking, standing or sitting instead of skating.
Take, for instance, that Hawks game two years ago when Kovalchuk sat next to that No. 7 for the Falcons. They never talked, but others talked with regularity to No. 7 as Kovalchuk watched in silence as a parade of Michael Vick worshippers came and went through the night. Then again, there were extenuating circumstances.
“At that time, I didn’t speak English too well, so I don’t think Michael Vick is going to understand me,” said Kovalchuk, easing into a smile. Although his English is pretty good nowadays (“Don’t lie to me,” Kovalchuk said playfully), he still could saunter from his home in Buckhead to The Cheesecake Factory and go unmolested while chewing on a Danish. Why? Because it has happened often during his three seasons in Atlanta, and I stress in Atlanta.
There are 32,431,644 folks and counting living in Canada. If you subtract the toddlers or those younger, along with the few north of the border who believe “a hat trick” is something done by aspiring Houdinis, nearly 32,345,383 of those folks know something about Kovalchuk. The same goes for the puck savvy population of the old Soviet Union, particularly around Russia and Kovalchuk’s native Tver.
“They very much focus on him over there, because he’s a key guy in the Russian newspapers and on all of the television shows,” said Slava Kozlov, also a Russian, who is Kovalchuk’s neighbor in the Thrashers locker room and his best friend on the team. “He goes into a grocery store in Russia, and he’s recognized, and then he’s surrounded after that.”
And why not? Kovalchuk is evolving into the NHL’s fifth Beatle. He’ll grace the cover of Hockey News next week. He was a live guest on ESPN News last week. Whenever the Thrashers travel to New York, St. Louis, Edmonton — anywhere in the northern hemisphere away from a 404, 770 or 678 area code — team officials are pounded with requests for that highly active fellow on offense and defense at left wing who already was named NHL offensive player of the week twice this season and owns more points than anybody.
In contrast, Atlanta still yawns at the sight of Kovalchuk the civilian, and Kovalchuk the player finally has the Thrashers streaking instead of teasing. After responding to their preseason hype by flopping with a 3-8 October, they’ve roared toward February with more wins than losses overall during the latest date of their five-year history. Nobody has spurred that surge more than Kovalchuk, just shy of becoming a two-time participant in the Olympics and the All-Star Game.
Still, Kovalchuk is just another face in the growing crowd around Atlanta, and he knows why. “Georgia, well, it’s not like it’s a hockey state or anything,” he said, pausing, with eyebrows raised. “Football is the No. 1 sport here. The Braves, they always play real well by winning their division. But if our team continues to play well, then people in Atlanta will recognize everybody.”
Uh, no. Let’s just hope that they start by recognizing the one Thrasher who deserves it the most.
Permalink | Comments (46) | Categories: Terence Moore, Thrashers / NHL
Comments
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By Wreckin&Thrashin
January 14, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this
Kovy dominates his sports like no one else in this city. Not just this year, but for the past few years. He’s the best pure scorer in the league. Unfortunately, the folks around here would rather bark at kickoffs than bother to watch a hockey game.
By Mike
January 14, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this
Kovalchuk is not invisible Mr.Moore. Kovalchuk is the most exciting player in the NHL in my opinion. I watch as many Thrasher games as I can. Everybody that I know knows who Kovalchuk is. And alot more people in Atlanta will when the Thrashers make the playoffs this season.I would think Kovalchuk would be happy knowing he could go out without getting mobbed every minute of the day like other rich people do. But thats just me.
As for the Hawks. How about putting some heat on the Hawks about the sorry state that they are in. Mike Woodson and Billy Knight need to be fired. Thet run the worst basketball team I have ever seen. So do your job Mr.Moore instead of trying to put down Atlanta sports fans.
By JMar
January 14, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this
Whose fault is this exactly? Does any of the blame go to a local newspaper that treats the Thrashers more like an arena football team than a team in the National Hockey League?
By thrashersfan
January 14, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this
First, thank you for writing “something” about the Thrashers, but JMar is correct and this team clearly doesn’t get the coverage it deserves in the AJC. When there is major coverage what does the AJC do, put a big front page article on Kovy’s use of an illegal stick! (at least the picture was terrific). Overall though the article was pathetic and there are plenty of players using illegal sticks, not that I condone it. Regardless, most players don’t care one way or another and if it really mattered the league would do something about it.
The Thrashers should be on the front page from here on out unless they collapse and their playoff hopes gone. But I predict we’ll be selling out the arena soon with or without the AJC’s help.
By Geir
January 14, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this
WTF ? Is this for real ? The best player in the NHL and nobody in your city have even heard about him ? Why is there even a hockey team in Atlanta when there`s apparantly no interest at all ?
Get out of the league.
By Skydawg
January 14, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this
I agree 100% JMar. Pot meet kettle. Its almost laughable the amount of coverage, or lack there of, that the hometown newspaper gives the Thrashers. Between Ilya, Savard and Hossa, we have 3 the top 9 scorers in the NHL as far as points go but you’d never know it from the AJC. The Thrasher are one of the hottest teams in the NHL for the past month and still the AJC cant devote a full page of coverage to them daily. Its sad and pathetic. So don’t start blaming the fans for not knowing a players face in the town until we see you cant even print them in your own paper. But its par for the course for the Al Jazeera Constitution.
By Skydawg
January 14, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this
And to Geir..shut your piewhole..who asked you anyway..eh! Obviously you’re from the north or north of the border. And I’m not going to apologize that you chose to live in a place where there’s snow on the ground 6+ months out of the year and thats all you have to do is watch hockey. Atlanta does support its hockey team, actually always has. From the Flames, to the Knights and now the Thrashers. Sure it might not be complete sellouts every night, but its damn close. But see, here in the south, we have many sports we enjoy and dont live and die by the puck. So puck you! Go home and make a snow angel or something and leave the posting to us.
By thrashersfan
January 14, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this
Geir, let me try to be diplomatic. I know it’s hard for you to understand but it’s just different down here. And believe me all I care about is Hockey and I grew up here! Bottom line, Atl and the rest of the south mostly cares about college football. Then there’s the Braves and Falcons. The main point is there is “great” interest in Atl, but that comes from it’s core fan base of about 12-13K with more coming on board every week - it’s a fair-weather town and winning = support. We’ll be selling out most games very soon and the city will start to go crazy.
By Randy
January 14, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this
Terence - nice article…
Geir:
Based on your comments, it is apparent that you know nothing about Atlanta. So just focus (that means concentrate as much as you can) on your own little world and let us worry about the Thrashers and our players.
And please stay up North. We have plenty of transplants as it is. Especially with you being the jerk you clearly are.
Go Thrashers! And we’ll see you in the playoffs. Oh wait, you didn’t mention your hometown team… Didn’t want to open yourself up to that. Proves to all the coward you really are… Loser…
By Larry
January 14, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
As a life-long native Georgian, quite frankly I’m embarrassed to say that we even have a hockey team in our city. I wish they would sell the team and get this hockey foolishness the heck out of Atlanta right now. People care less about the Thrashers than the Hawks or Braves, and that is saying a lot! If you like hockey, then put your money where your mouth is and move to Canada. The only thing stupider than hockey is soccer. Down here in the south we have our football, baseball, and a little bit of basketball. Thats all we need. I wish all the new “hockey fans” down here would grow up and reject this silly, yankee, carpet-bagging product. I speak for 99.999% of all Atlantans when I say, “Thrashers/NHL: Go Away!!!”
By You're hillbillies
January 14, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
“Shut your pie[whole]” ????
I find it impossible to believe that Emory and GATECH are real schools that exist in Atlanta. Yeah, you’re the best fans.
By sodapants
January 15, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this
Hey Larry.. I wish Sherman would come back and burn your neighborhood down…
Do you even know who that is? lol.. ya useless redneck….
By Greg
January 15, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this
As far as I’m concerned, Larry should stop being a jackass and go marry his sister. On a side note, the Thrashers should be selling out Philips Arena every time they play.
By jdf
January 15, 2006 12:38 AM | Link to this
Larry, I got four words for you, “You’re G%# D$&% right!” I get sick in my stomach when I turn on sports radio expecting to hear about the Dawgs/Braves/Falcons/Jackets and have to hear about the Thrashers! And they wont shut up about it either. I’ll be screaming at my radio, “SHUT UP!!! NO ONE CARES!!! CHANGE THE SUBJECT ALREADY!!!” I mean, it really ticks me off. People ask why the AJC doesnt talk more about hockey, well gentlemen, THE AJC IS TRYING TO SELL NEWPAPERS, DUH!!!! People in Atlanta DONT CARE about hockey. No matter how much the sports radio guys and all the wannabe hockey fans try, its never going to catch on in Atlanta. At least I hope and pray it wont. I knew the second they started that franchise in this city that it was a bad idea. Its really more embarrassing that anything else. Id always taken a lot of pride in Atlanta because we were above that idiotic sport. Hopefully, the team gets sold like Larry suggested and our sports lives can go back to normal.
By sodapants
January 15, 2006 01:11 AM | Link to this
lol…. larry and ‘jdf’ are the same idiot… What the hell are they doing on the Thrashers portion of this site if they hate it so much?? heh… you pinhesd… you’re not fooling anyone.
no go play soccer like the good little f@g you are, larry….
By Brannon
January 15, 2006 01:31 AM | Link to this
Dear Larry,
As another lifelong, native Georgian, I find you to to be an ignorant disgrace to the INFORMED sports fans of our state.
It seems rather apparent that you’ve never even been to a hockey game, so please refrain on commenting about ” I wish they would sell the team and get this hockey foolishness the heck out of Atlanta right now” until you know at least something of which you speak.
NOTE: Watching a hockey game on TV does no justice to the sport whatsoever unless you have first seen a game in person. Hockey simply must be experienced live before it can truly be appreciated by a new fan.
This “hockey foolishness” to which you refer brings a great deal of joy to many people, Southerners and Yankees alike.
When I was naive like you, Larry, I thought football was the most exciting sport in the world. Then, I went to my very first hockey game, an ATLANTA THRASHERS hockey game. By comparison, football now seems slow and boring next to the skill, coordination and speed of ice hockey. That night, I truly learned what it meant to be a passionate sports fan as I pulled myself from the “hockey ignorance” in which you another native Georgian such as yourself still drowns.
As for your comment of: ” I speak for 99.999% of all Atlantans when I say, “Thrashers/NHL: Go Away!!!â€?, let’s just say: “No, you don’t, Larry.”
Sir, I assure you that you most certainly do NOT speak (as poorly as you do) for me or for many other sports fans in this city. To claim you speak for 99.999% of the people in this city demonstrates that math was clearly not your best subject in high school. (Your diction doesn’t project the image of someone who went to college.)
If you cannot stand a top-tier hockey team like the Thrashers, your prejudice must REALLY enrage you against the minor-league Gladiators.
“LARRY: Perpetuating the Stereotype of the Ignorant Southerner Since 1966.”
Go, Larry, Go, and don’t trip over the Alabama state line when you do! The Georgia sports scene will do quite well without you dumbing it down.
GO, GLADIATORS!!
GO, THRASHERS!!
By Scott
January 15, 2006 02:05 AM | Link to this
Hey Terrence, hate to break it to you but the Thrashers are WAY more popular than the Hawks. Hell I live in Alabama and there Thrasher fans here. No one cares about the NBA and especially the Hawks. They might as well be invisible. The Thrashers have a die hard fanbase and Philips is packed most nights they play.
As for Larry and the other redneck. Go watch your DAWGS and bang your cousin you piece of trash.
By Scott
January 15, 2006 02:09 AM | Link to this
Oh and I wouldn’t recognize Joe Johnson or any other Hawk if they walked up and handed me a million dollars. The only reason I even know who Joe Johnson is, is because of the whole Steve Belkin and that idiot the Hawks call a GM Billy Knight saga this past summer.
By Erin
January 15, 2006 02:14 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the article, now convince your paper to move Thrashers news up on the sport’s page instead of pushing it to the bottom. Y’all seem to list eight different obscure off-season sports articles before you even mention a great shut-out, or Kovy’s insane ability to find the back of the net. On a side note, I think maybe I’ll be visiting The Cheesecake Factory more often, so I can buy a danish for the most exciting player in Atlanta.
By Geir
January 15, 2006 02:16 AM | Link to this
Im not Canadian btw, Im European. True, I dont know much about your city and certainly not any of your other s** sports like basketball or whatever, but when the top NHLer is an unknown in the city hes playing in thats just disgraceful. And it`s hurting the sport.
Its obvious that americans just doesnt like the sport because it`s perceived as foreign, or canadian or whatever.
By Matthew
January 15, 2006 02:21 AM | Link to this
Any ignorant dumbass who has anything bad to say about hockey (like that supreme of all ignorant d*******, Lar) obviously has never seen the game live, or is too stupid to understand the game.
I think Lar fits all of those categories. Ignorant. Never seen the game live. And just too stupid.
Hockey is the most exciting spectator sport on the planet. And if you have half a brain, you’d be able to understand the rules. I mean, most of the ignorant fools who post on this site can wrap their pea-brains around the concept of drafting, so understanding icing, or the two-line pass shouldn’t be too hard.
You can have your October Chokers, Lar.
I’ll take the Thrashers over those unemotional robot-zombies any day of the week. These guys play with raw emotion. When the get angry, they beat the crap out of each other, and they still, at the end of the game, meet at center ice and shake hands, like we used to in little league.
By Skydawg
January 15, 2006 03:10 AM | Link to this
Ok Geir, now thats atleast a respectible post and will get a respectible answer. You see many of us do know who Ilya is and would recognize him in public. The fact is you have to realize the one who posted the article (Terrence Moore-cough cough)is one of the most out of touch, racially biased, Atlanta sports hating, Atlanta fan bashing writers on the face on this planet. Most of his articles aren’t worth the paper they are printed on..and that paper is damn cheap when its the AJC. You see Terrence Moore can never write a positive article even when he half-a* tries..like this one. You see the cup is always half empty with Mr Moore and it shows in his work..if one must call it that. And to think the guy gets paid..sheesh!!
By hockeyaddict
January 15, 2006 03:28 AM | Link to this
Geir, please refrain from generalizing Americans as prejudiced. You are only making yourself look that way instead. There are cities in the U.S. where hockey is huge. It has just struggled in the southern market where college football is very popular. It has nothing to do with the nationality of the players and everything to do with people having a hard time understanding the sport trying to learn it on television. It took me going to my first game before I was sold on it and now I’m a die-hard fanatic (and I was born and raised in Atlanta). If the Thrashers keep up this pace and make the playoffs and especially one day hoist a cup, TRUST ME. This city will have a baby boom of new hockey fans.
By Brian
January 15, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
Hey larry you are a piece of garbage. First baseball is not a sport it is a game for children. Football was a great sport but now to many flags. Your Dawgs could never handle a norther team thats why they stay in the sec. Have you married your sister yet? Do you beat her for having an opinion? Go back to the rural parts of the state before us northerners beat you like our sherman did. By the way you change the flag you got your a@@ kicked.
By Jim
January 15, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this
Good piece on Kovalchuk. For those of us who are displaced Northern hockey fans, we appreciate the amazing ability of Ilya and the exciting team that the Thrashers have assembled. Interesting that many national publications are starting to point to the Thrashers as both an exciting team to watch and a growing force in the NHL. If the AJC did some demographic research they might see that there are many former Northerners who might like to read more about the Thrashers. Instead we have to depend on the Thrashers website and the Nasty Nest. Wake up to your audience AJC and the news worthy sports team that you have in your city.
By Bob
January 15, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this
Hockey is a niche sport, to become more popular down south, the local media needs to get behind the team. The Thrashers’ resurgence this year after a slow start is a great story. They’re headed for their first playoff berth.
The town will get behind them when the local media starts to report on them, I was shocked to find them once again on page 4 yesterday after another win Saturday night.
Hockey is a growing sport amongst kids, it will only gain in popularity. Get with the program, AJC, and get the word out about the hottest team in town.
By Jay
January 15, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
There are more hockey fans than you think in the Atlanta area. I have coached youth hockey for over 6 years and the sport is growing by leaps and bounds. Once these kids are adults, hockey will take off here. There are 61 teams playing this year in the Georgia High School Roller Hockey League. There is also a High School Ice league and has been for years. Rec hockey is big time at the cooler and sgaa.For those of you unfamiliar with hockey go watch some of the kids play. I think you will be surprised at the level of play.It will take time for the city to embrace hockey. The general public still does not know what a two-line pass is. Kovy is the star of the team and soon to be the star of the NHL. In my opinion he is a better player in his sport than Vick is in football or Jones is in baseball hands down. Once the Thrashers make the playoffs I think it will be almost impossible to find a ticket. Terrance give some credit to the coach too. Hartley is a wonderful coach. We are very lucky to have him. As Kovy is the best player, Hartley is by far the best coach in the city. Go Thrashers. You have my support.
By Larry
January 15, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Wow, I never thought I would become the victim of such cruel personal attacks simply by stating my opinion. This illustrates just another reason why I don’t care for hockey. Its been demagogued so much by the fringe that even hinting at not enjoying it automatically makes me some sort of white trash, inbred, America hater. Well, I got news for you people: “I ain’t first class, but I ain’t white trash” And yes, I have been to some hockey games before. Big deal. It was cool I guess. I felt like I was at a fair or a circus. I’ll attend once every couple of years to fulfill my social obligations, but thats about it. Anything more than that is just silly. The best thing hockey ever did was go strike last year. For an entire year I was free from the local fad we know as the Thrashers. I could turn on my radio, TV, or open my newspaper without fear of having to see something about hockey. What a glorious year. Personally, I feel that having to hear about hockey is a violation of my civil liberties. Mayhe the team will get a little popular so they will get sold to a northern city. That would make everyone happy.
By Bill
January 15, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
Hockey is a great sport, there will always be an element that don’t get it, and don’t want to - especially here in Atlanta.
A great example of this was the afternoon of the Sugar Bowl/Thashers-Senators game. Pregame UGA revelers outnumbered Thrashers supporters significantly…I’d rather be part of the small group that knows what a great game hockey is than a 35 year-old man laughably decked out in UGA gear trying to relive my college years…again. There are enough knowledgable hockey people in town to keep this franchise in good shape, let the rest wonder from afar what the fuss is about.
GO THRASHERS!
By Elizabeth
January 15, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Larry:
“My name is Larry, and I’m such a victim of personal attacks. Everyone is picking on me because I’m stupid and overdramatic and my angry hockey commentary reflects poorly on other Georgians.”
B00-HOO-HOO!
You are such a crybaby. I am also a Georgia native, and I am ashamed that you brag about being from the state as me.
RE: “I ain’t first class, but I ain’t white trash.â€? - Larry, your status as a simpleton was reaffirmed when you started quoting lines from country songs to attempt to make your point, since you apparently are not innovative enough to come up with anything on your own. Frankly, I consider myself “white trash,” and you give “white trash” a bad name as well.
If hockey offends you, then be offended and then shut the Hiram up about it!
RE Larry’s comment: “Personally, I feel that having to hear about hockey is a violation of my civil liberties.”
First, you don’t HAVE to hear about hockey. Just switch TV/radio stations and don’t read the paper if you don’t want to be exposed to something to which many other native Georgians very much enjoy. The world shouldn’t have to suffer such because Larry gets his panties in a twist over a sport.
Secondly, I’m a Georgia hockey chick who feels like my civil liberties are being violated by having to read such ignorant, hate-filled, ill-conceived, overblown comments such as YOURS. However, you don’t see my whining about it on the web, “Lar.”
I agree with the other hockey fan from Georgia. Why don’t you move to Alabama where they have no hockey at all? Given how bright you present yourself, I have the impression you’d fit it much better over there than here.
By ron
January 15, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
sorry hockey fans for intruding.it’s olympic time and the politics has already begun by placing michele kwan on the team who is injured on the ice skating team.emily hughes played by the rules and finished third (bronze medal)which was supposedly secured her spot on the olympic team.placing kwan on the team bumped hughes to an alternate.how unfair.michele kwan has been to two olympics and entered both as a favorite to come away without the gold.the international olympics committes are always talking about keeping drugs out of the games,the governing body needs to keep politics out of the games.michele kwan should have gone as a spectator or commentator.how unjust for hughes and the young lady that finished 4th who would have gone as the alternate.
By Matthew
January 15, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
Miss Elizabeth,
I whole-heartedly agree.
This isn’t the first time Lar has reared his ignorant head in a sports blog, and it won’t be the last, I’m afraid.
The fact that there are hockey fans in this state, as well as all the transplants who love hockey means that this team will be here for many years.
Hockey fans are much more passionate than the fans of the October Chokers, or even of my beloved Falcons.
True Hockey fans are as passionate as college football fans.
And Brian,
Attack UGA at your own risk, son. You will lose much if not all of your support here if you continue to do so. Don’t bite the hands that feed you, Brian.
By Kennesaw Dawg
January 15, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
Matthew,
you can type
without hitting enter
after
every sentence,
son.
By LAC
January 15, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
Gee Larry… You could not pay me to go to a Nothing Basketball Association or is it National Boring Association ??? Game, nba sucks ! Braves… Same story with a slightly different cast every year, great hopes & season… but October… Well we all know.
Falcons… vick uis SO overated and overpaid it is silly.
But Thrashers are finally molding into a VERY, VERY GOOD NHL team. Larry just cannot keep up with a FAST game, If you cannot understand offsides…Geee Whiz !
No Larry, I hope the WORTHLESS, HAPLESS, TERRIBLE hawks leave town, and move to Montgomery or Knoxville, but Maybe…Maybe people like yourself will wake up and see the Thrashers are THE hardest working team in This City for sure.
Flames would still be here if not for that crap cousins… and just think… in 1989 The FLAMES would have been THE FIRST professional sports team here to present the city with a Championship… Not the Braves, Falcons…and THe Worthless hawks never will !!!!!!!!!
Mr.Moore… What can I say ????
By LAC
January 15, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
Gee Larry… You could not pay me to go to a Nothing Basketball Association or is it National Boring Association ??? Game, nba sucks ! Braves… Same story with a slightly different cast every year, great hopes & season… but October… Well we all know.
Falcons… vick uis SO overated and overpaid it is silly.
But Thrashers are finally molding into a VERY, VERY GOOD NHL team. Larry just cannot keep up with a FAST game, If you cannot understand offsides…Geee Whiz !
No Larry, I hope the WORTHLESS, HAPLESS, TERRIBLE hawks leave town, and move to Montgomery or Knoxville, but Maybe…Maybe people like yourself will wake up and see the Thrashers are THE hardest working team in This City for sure.
Flames would still be here if not for that crap cousins… and just think… in 1989 The FLAMES would have been THE FIRST professional sports team here to present the city with a Championship… Not the Braves, Falcons…and THE Worthless hawks never will !!!!!!!!!
Mr.Moore… What can I say ????
By Matthew
January 15, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
It’s called writing in paragraphs.
Or, separating each separate thought.
If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
You, on the other hand, separated sentences. That makes no sense. At least me separating complete thoughts makes sense.
By Ryan
January 15, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore while I appreciate you pointed out that the Thrashers and Kovalchuk don’t get the desired respect from the city of Atlanta you do, however, need to look at your own publication and start asking how many people at the AJC could recognize Kovalchuk in a eatery or what have you…. If I was fortunate enough to have a place in Buckhead I tell you that I could recognize Kovy or any other Thrasher member. Why? Because I,like many other people, have been supporters of the Thrashers for several years.
I would also like you to know that you are the last person that should be writing a column about hockey. Your columns, Mr. Moore, are generally filled with hate and racial comments….there is no room for that nonsense in the sport of hockey. I almost wonder if you know that there are black hockey players in the NHL. Noone has ever made comments about black players in the NHL. Hockey fans are a different breed, Mr. Moore, they appreciate performance and don’t care about the color of skin…you, however, do almost regularly. It is not the fault of the people of Atlanta that the Thrashers don’t get much press time. When local news sports anchor spend more time on the Braves spring training (In Jan) than they do on the Thrashers how can you tell the people of Atl. that they are disrespectful. Local news sports anchors can’t even pronounce hockey players names correctly-Who’s at fault then. Ask if there were many people who knew who Sid Bream was before 91’.
Next time you have a chat with Kovy ask him if he even gives a crap! Hossa, you know Mr. Moore-the other guy on the Thrashers,thinks its great that he isn’t recognized.
Jeff Schultz please write more columns your fellow writer is stepping into a relm he knows nothing about…..I think he is just jealous of you Jeff, your columns on the Thrashers seem to get more attention and better discussion.
Come on Thrash lets get one on the Stars!
By Ryan
January 15, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
BTW, for those who do pay attention to the Thrashers, Dunham played in net last night for the Gladiators, he looked pretty good and got the Win 5-3. Welcome back Mike!
By dj
January 15, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
Atlantians want winners. The Thrasher’s haven’t won anything. Therefore, most fans in Atlanta don’t care. I used to have to pry my friend’s teeth out to go to hockey games when they first started playing. Now, I have people asking when we’re going to the next game. Growth doesn’t happen overnight. For instance,Larry and Geir didn’t grow into a bunch of jack@$$es over night. Now, when Phillips is sold out for the month of April and every playoff game. You guys can then shut your mouth.
By Robbie
January 15, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, if you really care about Kovy getting noticed around town, please talk to your editor. Go to the sports home page right now and tell me what you see. Is there a full page on Kari and his comeback and future? How about a story on the rest of the team? Maybe a story on how Heatley is doing in Ottawa? No, there is a picture of the Broncos playoff win and then GD figure skating is at the top of the page.
When you start asking questions, please look in the mirror or stand up from your cubicle and look for the answer. The fish wrapper is part of the problem.
The team is part of the problem. How many radio announcements are aired about the team? Where is the PR? Vick is flying Airtran, why isn’t Kovy drinking Coke or flying Delta?
680 the Fan is also part of the problem. The official station can only spare 2 - 3 hours per week total on their team??
Before the fans start bearing the brunt of the criticism, let’s look at the promotion of the product.
By Larry
January 15, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
680 The Fan is the problem?!?!? You obviously do not listen to sports radio in this town! They talk about the Thrashers constantly. If anything, 680 spends TOO much time talking about hockey. Thats what I meant when I said hockey infringes on my civil liberties. I can’t get away from the mess when Im listening/reading about local sports. You hockey people are delusional! Atlanta is not a hockey town!! Thats not a good thing or a bad thing, its just the way it is. DEAL WITH IT!
By Ben
January 15, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this
I think all these weak signals are part of the problem. 680 can’t be had out of 285. It really sucks that no FMs will pick them up. Also, I, a native GA boy recognized Bob Gainey walking to Phillips. Mr. Moore’s point was that all media outlets virtually ignore the Thrash, not just the AJC. Part of that problem is that the media has been slow to get what many people in the ATL already know, THE THRASHERS RULE!!! I predict that within the next decade the Thrash will be at the top of the heap in terms of pro Sports fan interest. We all know that the NFL’s minor league system will always be king in the south.
By David
January 15, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this
Hi, Larry!
RE: “Atlanta is not a hockey town!!”
Atlanta is NOT an idiot town, either, but you still live here.
As other people have stated, please go to Alabama where you can wallow in your own ignorance without hockey for the rest of your miserable life.
Many people would rather have hockey in Atlanta than YOU, Larry, but we are not saying you should leave town. (I, however, wish you would make a trail for Montgomery this afternoon.)
We’ll settle for you just shutting your face, since it is being driven by an empty head and that you obviously have nothing important to add to this blog.
Good Riddance, Lar!
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By optin
January 15, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
As an Atlanta native, I say Atlanta is a hockey town! And for those of you who can’t go to all of the games, come on down to the N. Highland Pub…we show every televised Thrashers game! Screw the NBA and to Hell with Georgia!
By HBG
January 15, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this
Personally, I don’t think that Larry should move to Alabama, as I have relatives there. I think Larry should move to Yellowstone National Park where he would be the new attraction since Old Faithful stopped being so reliable… but then again.. he’d probably go hunting and get eaten by a bear.
GO Thrashers! HBG
By Drew
January 15, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
Great article, Terence. It is about time people start taking notice. As a native Atlantan, I have to say that Kovalchuck may be the most gifted athlete I have ever seen. He is the most exciting player in the NHL and may be one of the most exciting professional athletes playing any sport today. Go see him play sometime. If you dont, you are really missing something. Just go to one game…you’ll be hooked.