ON THE MARK.

TEAM CANADA?  WHY NOT TEAM RYAN?

Doesn't everybody know a hockey player named Ryan?  Ryan is the "Bobby" of the 21st century.  Just look at our Canadian team at the World Junior Hockey Championships.  There's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ryan Strome and Ryan Murphy, three of the best players on the team.  The Captain of our Spengler Cup team is Ryan Smyth.  In previous years, we've had Ryan Ellis, Ryan Murray, Ryan O'Reilly, and Ryan Getzlaf representing Canada.  A quick check of NHL rosters yields Ryan Miller, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Whitney, Ryan Malone, Ryan Suter, Ryan Callahan, Ryan O'Byrne, Ryan Wilson, Ryan White, Ryan Carter,  Ryan Russell, Ryan Reaves, Ryan Potulny, Ryan McDonagh and Ryane Clowe (the only guy who spells his first name differently).  That's 23 Ryan's, and I'm sure I missed a few Ryan's along the way as I didn't include guys who might make the big league squad (whenever they decide to play).
  Back in the days of the six team NHL, there were no players with the first name Ryan.  Same goes for Tyler, Cory,  Cody or Matt.  Lots of Bobby's though. Bobby Hull, Bobby Orr, Bobby Clarke, Bobby Schmautz, Bobby Smith, Bobby Holik, Bobby Bauer.  And that doesn't include all the Robert's and Bob's and Roberto's (Bobby Lou) who, in the hockey world, get a "y" stuck to the end of their names.  Guys named Ryan don't have to worry about that.  The "y" is already there.
     And as the New Year unfolds, what will become of the NHL?   As I've said all along, once they couldn't get in an 82 game schedule, the plan all along was to salvage the season with a 50 game schedule.   The owners didn't want to dick around with a 70 or 60 game sked.  It was going to be 82, 50 or nothing, and there's no way they will allow the season to be entirely scrapped.   Just like the teachers in Ontario and any other dispute involving unions, it usually goes down to the last minute of the last hour of the last day of the deadline.  I suspect that will happen in the next few weeks, or whenever the so called "deadline" is.   As long as they're playing by January 20th.
     This has been one of the most interesting NFL seasons in a long time.  Four rookie quarterbacks are in the playoffs.  Andrew Luck, RG3, Russell Wilson and Colin Kapernick.   Last year's hero, Tim Tebow, was a complete bust, mainly because the Jets never played him.   The two favorites for Comeback Player of the Year also happen to be the finalists for the NFL MVP.   I'm talking about Peyton Manning, who returned after missing an entire season with 4 neck surgeries, and led his new team, the Broncos, to the AFC West title.  And Adrian Peterson, who returned from major knee surgery to ALMOST set a single season rushing record, while getting the Vikings into the playoffs on the last day of the season.   If I had a vote, I'd take A.P.
It's also great to see teams like Washington, Seattle, Cincy and Atlanta IN the post season, while Pittsburgh, the New York Giants and Dallas are on the outside looking in.   Parity? Sure looks like it.
    The NBA season is shaping up to be a great one as well, although I'm not sure the Raptors are good enough to make the post-season.  Certainly not after starting 4-19.  These next six games at home will go a long way in determining what kind of squad they have, especially without Andrea Bargnani.  So far, they've won 7 of 8 without the big 7 footer, so that should tell you something.   Meanwhile, between the Clippers, OKC, San Antonio, Dallas, and the Lakers, the West looks awfully powerful.    In the East, I like the way the Knicks are playing, and if Chicago ever gets Derrick Rose back, they'll be a force, but who can beat Miami?   The Heat seem to be going through the motions on some nights, but they all know not to burn themselves out during the regular season.  You've got to have something left in the tank if you want to be a playoff powerhouse.   I'd love to see a Heat-Lakers final, but even more than that, give me a Lakers-Clippers playoff series.   That would be one for the ages.