WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

Blackhawk fans have forgotten about the long NHL lock-out and for good reason. They have the best team in the league and have history on their side to prove it.

Last night the Hawks beat their arch rivals, the Vancouver Canucks, 4-3 after Andrew Shaw tallied the go-ahead score in the shoot-out.

The Blackhawks record is 13-0-3- tying an NHL record for getting a point in every game to begin the season. Coach Joel Quenneville commented on the accomplishment after the game, “It’s a remarkable start, were very happy and pleased the guys should be proud of this achievement, especially in a 48-game season.”

Hawks win:

It was a wild start in the first period when five breakaway chances were stopped by the two goaltenders for Vancouver and Chicago. Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin managed to tally the only goal in that period.

The Blackhawks came back with more firepower in the second period. Two players considered to be in a slump scored goals. Patrick Sharp tallied the first goal for the Hawks and Marian Hossa scored twice, once on a power play and another unassisted goal as he danced along the goal line and slipped it past Canuck goalie Cory Schneider.

Hossa was on the receiving end of a nasty forearm to the back of his head by Vancouver’s Jannik Hansen in the third period. The Hawks winger had no chance as he was brought down from behind and crumbled to the ice. He left the game and did not return.

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It's been nine years since the Bears had this much upheaval with its coaching staff. Last week, new head coach Marc Trestman made the new staff available to the media for the first time since they were hired. Here are some of highlights from the session:

Trestman's main buzz word is teaching. Like a newly-assembled band, some of these coaches have worked together before, but others are still trying to blend their talents. A wide receiver coach is the only vacancy.

Since the majority of staff has been together just a few weeks, getting the play book, not evaluating players, has been the focus. 

Quarterback coach Matt Cavanaugh briefly spoke of his main pupil, Jay Cutler. Explaining why he has not yet evaluated the Bears' quarterback, Cavanaugh said, "It’s not fair not to get to know the person, not to get to work with him personally and base everything from film." But Cavanaugh has worked with Trestman in the past, and said they are on the same page with most of the offensive schemes.

Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker may have the most difficult job ahead.

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Sunday there is a big event being celebrated in the NBA. You would think it is the All-Star game in Houston. Nope. Everyone is writing and talking about the biggest NBA star reaching his 50th birthday: Michael Jordan. MJ was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York. I knew that date the minute he was drafted by the Bulls in 1984 and would never forget (an explanation will be forthcoming).

People this week are scrambling to come up with highlights and doing interviews about the man that changed the NBA on the court and in the world of endorsements. He transcended a sport from the hard court in the U.S. to become an international showcase. Some of us were on the journey early on and throughout his career in Chicago.

For me, it was a great ride because the Bulls were fortunate to grab him as the third overall pick, since Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie went one and two. NBA basketball in Chicago would never be the same, the rafters at the United Center are filled with six NBA Championship banners and jersey #23 is retired because of Michael.

Everyone knows about the games he played and his stellar career.

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Will there be more Chicago Bulls connections this weekend when the Naismith 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame finalists are revealed during All-Star weekend? The class of inductees will be announced during the NCAA Final Four weekend.

This year there are four on the list with Chicago ties. Do they deserve it?  Let's take a closer look at each contender.

John "Red" Kerr

Younger Bulls fans think of the late John Kerr and his broadcasting days with the team. His passion for the team was infectious and endeared him to the local listeners on radio and television. His credentials on the court and the sidelines should give him a place in the Hall.

This Chicago native began his career at Tilden High School, then played at the University of Illinois. With the Illini, his team won the 1952 Big Ten Championship and made the NCAA Final Four. Kerr was named to the school's "All-Century Team" in 2004.

His NBA career began in 1954, he was the first selection (sixth overall) of the Syracuse Nationals. His team would win the NBA title that year.

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It seems like we are always inundated with negative stories in sports and when there is a positive story it gets minimized. What New York Yankee Curtis Granderson is doing for his alma mater, the University of Illinois Chicago, should be front page news and lead sportscasts.

Last summer I wrote about the Chicago native and discovered what a thoughtful, giving young man he is. Now he is giving more. Last week when the Flames retired Curtis' jersey, he revealed a plan to renovate the school's baseball field and facilities.

Granderson will use millions of his own dollars to update many facets of the stadium and fields, including the press box, stands, pitching mound and more. It is not just the school he will be aiding. It will be the community as a whole that will benefit from this generous gift.  This two year plan to upgrade the facilities will include allowing various youth teams in the city the opportunity to use the stadium.

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Have you ever watched a kid’s game and been totally embarrassed by another adult's antics? Or maybe you got caught up and were out of control?  Some coaches will address the adults; some coaches are the guilty party. Most people agree that it has gotten out of hand.

My son plays in a Saturday soccer league for fun. It is not a club or travel league, it is really just to play the game. The arena has the players on a surface below and the stands for viewing are above the field.  A few weeks ago, an adult was perched over a railing hurling insults at the referee. It was incessant and unwarranted. At one point the on-looker said, "Where's the whistle?" The ref didn't look up, just raised his whistle in his hand and said, "Right here." You would think the heckling would have stopped. It didn't.

A few days later on Facebook, I came across a picture taken of a sign that had instructions on behavior for the on-lookers at a hockey rink. The photo didn't have a location, but it does now. The Hoffman Estates Park District Ice Rink has the sign that has gone viral.

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It's early February and I don't need a groundhog to tell me there will be six more weeks of winter or not. It is the sound of a ball hitting a mitt, the crack of a bat, fans cheering in the stands. Major League Baseball's spring training is next week, and that to me means winter is ending. Well, in Chicago we know it can last well into March and April, but in our collective minds it just makes you feel good knowing baseball is around the corner.

Both Chicago teams have their bags packed; the White Sox even provided a photo opportunity for the media as the equipment trucks head west. Next Tuesday, pitchers and catchers from both clubs will be reporting to Arizona. The White Sox will go to Camelback Ranch in Glendale and the Cubs to Hohokam Park in Mesa. It is year two for both managers, Robin Ventura for the Sox and Cubs skipper Dale Sveum.

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