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# Are Sports Figures Heroes?
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/maple-leafs-news-may-11-2012/
- Published: 2012-05-11T10:00:34.000Z
- Updated: 2012-05-11T10:00:34.000Z
- Author: Colin Odneal
- Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:27

[Money, expectations and our macho culture can’t help but lead to issues for many athletes: a delicate balance that doesn’t always work out - Mike Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories](http://vintageleafmemories.blogspot.com/2012/05/money-expectations-and-our-macho.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> When Ron MacLean spoke the other night on Hockey Night in Canada and tried to, albeit somewhat awkwardly, compare the efforts of hard-working hockey players at playoff time with those of the courageous responders during 9-11, it brought a predictably negative response.
> 
>  
> The long-time host was trying to say something very positive about the players while also paying homage to the real heroes of that tragic day more than a decade ago. Upon reflection, he may have chosen his words a bit differently, but his heart was no doubt in the right place.
> 
>  
> That said, I think a lot of us have struggled for a long time with how we think about sports and sports figures, and this notion of athletes as not only "heroes" but "warriors". It’s a difficult thing. People often want, perhaps even need what we perceive as heroes- maybe as a kind of psychological pick-me-up. It might be that we are struggling with something in our own lives. Perhaps the human heart just needs to hear, see and touch nice, uplifting stories every once in a while. And that’s OK.

Really a great read. Head over there and read it all. More links after the jump.

**Leafs/Marlies Links**

[Marlies Carrying Leafs Flag Deep Into Playoffs](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/marlies-carrying-leafs-flag-deep-into-ahl-playoffs/article2428598/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2428598)

I think they're carrying the Marlies flag but whatever.

[Marlies vs Heat Game 5 Recap](http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2012/05/10/toronto-marlies-vs-abbotsford-heat-game-5/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Spoiler Alert: Marlies won.

[Marlies Off to WCF](http://marlieshq.com/2012/05/10/marlies-off-to-wcf/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Jeffler at Marlies HQ give you the rundown.

[2012 NHL Mock Draft](http://nhlnumbers.com/2012/5/10/2012-nhl-mock-draft?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Sorry Zona. The Leafs aren't taking a dman.

**Other Links**

[Remember LA Gear and Gretzky Street Hockey Shoes?](http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2012/05/10/once-upon-a-time-la-gears-street-hockey-ads-kicked-ass/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

The guys at Backhand Shelf do. Radical!

[Hockey's All-Time Best Toothless Smiles](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo%5Fgallery/1102/toothless.hockey.smiles/content.24.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

That's a lot of dental work to be done.

[Ovechkin Disappears in the Playoffs](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/alex-ovechkin-matches-sakic-with-30-goals-in-50-games/article2428793/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2428793)

Wait what's that? He's 5th all-time in playoff goals per game. Oh.

[Hey Mike Brophy, you might want to read Mirtle's piece.](http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/05/10/brophy%5Falex%5Fovechkin%5Fwashington%5Fcapitals%5Fstanley%5Fcup%5Fplayoffs/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

[NHLNumbers Podcast - Relaunch Episode 1](http://nhlnumbers.com/2012/5/10/nhlnumbers-podcast-relaunch-epsiode-1?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

Give it a listen.

[Are the 2012 Kings the Best 8-Seed Ever?](http://thehockeywriters.com/are-the-2012-kings-the-best-8-seed-ever/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

No, I'd have to go with the 2006 [Oilers](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/edmonton-oilers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) here.