Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has been named National League Player of the Week for the period ending May 19th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

In six games last week, Votto led the Majors with a .583 batting average (14-for-24) and a .655 on-base percentage. The three-time N.L. All-Star ranked among league leaders with a .917 slugging percentage (2nd), 14 hits (T-2nd), 22 total bases (3rd) and seven runs scored (T-3rd) while clubbing two home runs with five RBI. Votto had five multi-hit performances last week and extended his current hitting streak to eight games as the Reds posted a 4-2 record for the week. On Saturday, the 29-year-old paced Cincinnati’s offense, reaching base six times in six plate appearances. Votto went 4-for-4 with two walks, a double, a home run and two RBI in a 10-0 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The 2010 N.L. MVP went 2-for-4 in Friday night’s matchup between the two clubs, including a game-tying homer in the eighth inning of an eventual 5-3 loss. Votto opened his stellar week with a 3-for-4 effort in a 6-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. In addition to his three hits, the Canadian-born slugger drew a based-loaded walk that plated the Reds’ second run of the contest. Votto currently leads the Majors with a .473 on-base percentage, having reached base a Major League-best 98 times. His 37 walks are also the most in the Majors while his .349 average ranks second in the Senior Circuit. This is his third career weekly award, having previously won August 21-27, 2009 and, most recently, July 25-31, 2011.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Votto’s Cincinnati teammate Homer Bailey (1-0, 0.00 ERA, CG, 13 SO, 16.0 IP); Milwaukee’s Norichika Aoki (.533, 16 H, 3 2B, 3 RBI, .633 SLG, .576 OBP); Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt (.500, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 12 H, 5 2B, 1.083 SLG) and Brandon McCarthy (1-0, 0.00 ERA, CG, SHO, 9.0 IP, 5 SO); Washington’s Adam LaRoche (.308, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 4 R, .769 SLG); Daniel Murphy (.500, 14 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .857 SLG) of the New York Mets; San Francisco’s Marco Scutaro (.500, 11 H, 4 R, .542 OBP); Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman (.385, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 10 H, .448 OBP); Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 11 SO, 8.2 IP) of the Los Angeles Dodgers; and Edward Mujica (0-0, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA, 5.0 IP, 4 SO) of the St. Louis Cardinals.

In recognition of his National League Player of the Week Award, Joey Votto will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending May 19th.

Masterson went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 20 strikeouts and five walks in 16.0 innings pitched over a pair of starts to claim his first career A.L. Player of the Week Award and the first for a Cleveland hurler since CC Sabathia in 2008. Justin is the second Indian to be tabbed with a weekly honor this month after teammate Ryan Raburn won for the week ending May 5th. Among pitching leaders, Masterson was tops in the Majors in strikeouts and was tied for first overall in wins, ERA and innings pitched. The 28-year-old was masterful in the first game of a double dip against the New York Yankees on Monday, allowing just four hits and striking out nine to complete a 1-0 shutout victory over the Yankees at Progressive Field, his second 1-0 blanking this season. Masterson became the first Indians hurler to record multiple 1-0 complete-game shutouts in the same season since southpaws Bud Black and Greg Swindell each accomplished the feat twice during the 1989 season. He also became the first Tribe pitcher to post a 1-0 shutout against the Yanks since Swindell on September 6, 1988 at Yankee Stadium, and he is the first Indians right-hander to do so since Luis Tiant on May 3, 1966, also in the Bronx. In a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Seattle Mariners, the San Diego State product outdueled 2010 A.L. Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez with a season-high 11 strikeouts over 7.0 shutout innings as the Indians defeated the Mariners, 6-0, at Progressive Field. It was Cleveland’s 20th win in their last 27 games as the Club increased their A.L. Central Division lead over the Detroit Tigers to two games. The former second round pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft (by Boston) scattered three hits in notching his third straight victory. The win also marks Masterson’s third triumph over a former Cy Young Award winner this season after previously defeating reigning 2012 winners R.A. Dickey of the Toronto Blue Jays (who won the N.L. Cy Young Award while with the New York Mets) and David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays in his first two starts of the season, respectively. Masterson, the first Cleveland pitcher since Cliff Lee in 2005-06 to log consecutive 200.0-inning seasons (2011-12), currently leads all Major League pitchers with 70.0 innings this year.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Miguel Cabrera (.429, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 3-HR game at Texas on May 19th) of the Detroit Tigers; Adam Dunn (.320, 4 HR, 10 RBI) of the Chicago White Sox; Raul Ibañez (.308, 5 HR, 11 RBI) of the Seattle Mariners; Mitch Moreland (.308, 4 HR, 10 RBI) of the Texas Rangers; and David Ortiz (.458, 3 HR, 12 RBI) of the Boston Red Sox.

In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Justin Masterson will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

Michael J. Fox is returning to TV — and actually using Parkinson’s Disease for comedic gold.

NBC released the first trailer for the not-so-subtly titled “The Michael J. Fox Show,” which will debut on Thursday nights in Fall 2013.

In the comedy series loosely based on Fox’s own life, the former “Spin City” star plays an NBC reporter who returns to work after taking time off to focus on his health. And while Michael’s Parkinson’s does play into the storyline of the show as well, the trailer plays up the funny and delivers some great jokes.

The Conference Quarterfinal round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs reaches its dramatic conclusion Monday night when a pair of Eastern Conference series will be decided in Game 7. The Boston Bruins host the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden (7 p.m., ET, CBC, RDS, CNBC) and the Washington Capitals welcome the New York Rangers to Verizon Center (8 p.m., ET, NBCSN, TSN, RDS2).

Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins
7 p.m., ET (CBC, RDS, CNBC)

* The Bruins and Maple Leafs will meet in a Game 7 for just the third time in their 89-season rivalry and for the first time since April 7, 1959, when the Maple Leafs skated away with a 3-2 win at Boston Garden to win their Semifinal series.

* The Bruins will be competing in a Game 7 for the eighth time in the past six seasons. In 2011 the Bruins became the first club in NHL history to win three Game 7s in one playoff year, eliminating the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and Final, respectively, and toppling the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final. Boston dropped a seven-game decision to the Washington Capitals in the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

* The Maple Leafs are appearing in their first Game 7 since April 20, 2004, when the club posted a 4-1 victory over Ottawa in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Toronto will attempt to win a best-of-seven series it trailed 3-1 for the second time. In 1942, the Maple Leafs made history by overcoming a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Detroit in the Stanley Cup Final.

New York Rangers at Washington Capitals
8 p.m., ET (NBCSN, TSN, RDS2)

* The Capitals and Rangers are meeting in a Game 7 for the second consecutive season. On May 12, 2012, Brad Richards scored 92 seconds after the opening faceoff and Henrik Lundqvist made 22 saves as the Rangers defeated Washington 2-1 at Madison Square Garden to claim their Eastern Conference Semifinal.

* Each of the past five games of this year’s series has been decided by one goal, including two that required overtime. Of the 13 games these clubs have contested in the 2012 and 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, 11 have been one-goal decisions.

* The Capitals have won 10 of their last 11 home playoff games against the Rangers dating to April 24, 2009, with their lone loss during that stretch coming in Game 3 of last year’s second-round meeting, a triple-overtime affair.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen and Miami Heat forward LeBron James, winner of the 2012-13 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award, headline the 2012-13 NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today. Allen totaled 53 points overall and James tallied 52. Each player received 25 First Team votes.

Joining Allen and James on the NBA All-Defensive First Team are guard Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers (37 points, 15 First Team votes) and forward Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder (46 points, 17 First Team votes). Rounding out the First Team are centers Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks and Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls, who tied with 24 points each while getting nine and eight First Team votes, respectively.

Allen was part of a Grizzlies defense that allowed a league-low 89.3 ppg. According to NBA.com/Stats, Memphis’ defensive rating with Allen on the floor was 94.3 points per 100 possessions compared with 101.1 points when he was on the bench. In winning his fourth MVP in five years, James led the Heat to a league-best 66-win season. On the defensive end, James recorded 17 games of at least three steals, and 10 games of at least two steals and two blocks.

Ibaka paced the league in blocks (3.03 bpg) for the second consecutive season, while Paul led in steals (2.41 spg) for the third straight year and the fifth time in last six seasons. Chandler and Noah anchored two of the league’s stingiest defenses, with the Knicks ranking seventh in opponent scoring (95.7 ppg) and the Bulls finishing third (92.9 ppg).

The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of guards Avery Bradley of the Boston Celtics (10 First Team votes) and Mike Conley of the Grizzlies (four First Team votes), forwards Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs (three First Team votes) and Paul George of the Indiana Pacers (seven First Team votes), and center Marc Gasol of the Grizzlies (five First Team votes).

The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams by position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.

Attached are the results for the 2012-13 NBA All-Defensive Teams balloting. The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP:

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2012-13 NBA All-Defensive Teams

2012-13 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM

Position Player, Team 1st 2nd Points
Forward LeBron James, Miami 25 2 52
Forward Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City 17 12 46
Center Tyson Chandler, New York 9 6 24
Center Joakim Noah, Chicago 8 8 24
Guard Tony Allen, Memphis 25 3 53
Guard Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers 15 7 37

2012-13 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM

Position Player, Team 1st 2nd Points
Forward Tim Duncan, San Antonio 3 14 20
Forward Paul George, Indiana 7 13 27
Center Marc Gasol, Memphis 5 2 12
Guard Avery Bradley, Boston 10 5 25
Guard Mike Conley, Memphis 4 11 19

Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): Andre Iguodala, Denver, 16 (2); Larry Sanders, Milwaukee, 16 (4); Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City, 15 (2); Luol Deng, Chicago, 11 (1); Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers, 9 (3); Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (6 (1); Roy Hibbert, Indiana, 6 (2); Kenneth Faried, Denver, 4 (1); Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City, 4 (1); Shane Battier, Miami, 2; Nicolas Batum, Portland, 2 (1); Corey Brewer, Denver, 2; George Hill, Indiana, 2; Mike James, Dallas, 2 (1); Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio, 2, (1); Tony Parker, San Antonio, 2 (1); Dwyane Wade, Miami, 2; Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers, 2 (1); Eric Bledsoe, L.A. Clippers, 1; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, 1; Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia, 1; Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota, 1; Iman Shumpert, New York, 1; David West, Indiana, 1.

Thanks for stopping by for a quick visit…always appreciated. The Q&A’s are updated as of midday Tuesday. Check them out too. Grilling with JR’s season is upon us so…let’s grill!

Really enjoyed the guest commentator’s interaction on RAW Monday night featuring Zeb and Mark Henry joining the RAW team of Cole, Layfield, and Lawler. The contrast entertained me and it sparked some fun debate and opinion. Occasional, verbal fireworks at the announce table, when well timed, can really add to a show especially one that is three hours in length.

Paul Heyman seemed to enjoy himself a little too much while watching Brock Lesnar ransack, intimidate and destroy WWE property all captured by @HeymanHustle himself. At one time I used to office in that same space after leaving Talent Relations and working in Business Strategies.

Did you catch the photo of the JR’s Cookbook laying on the floor in the wake of the “Psycho Viking” figurative F5 tore through the office?

Mark Henry is one of the most intimidating and legit beasts in all of WWE and he “feels” it without question. The stout Texan isn’t playing a role. The World’s Strongest Man is who he says he is. Mark Henry is who we thought he was…thanks Denny Green.

The aftermath of a strap..Country Whipping..type match can be long lasting. I stumbled through two of them ala a cow on ice once upon a time and enjoyed not a single minute of either. One has to swing for the fences with a leather strap for the integrity of the bout. The most sadistic guys that wielded a strap in my memory were the Freebirds who might have just liked the pain…just a little too much.

Any one who can conclusively say who out of the Shield is going to spin out the trio and become THE top, singles star is zooming themselves. There are too many uncontrollable variables to factor into that equation to put all one’s cash on one talent.

Why can’t all three become top, singles hands in time? I think that might be the goal. But let’s not rush the process.

Regarding the Shield, some wrestling fans have the patience of a 5 year old or maybe it’s just that there are 5 year old’s on Twitter bitching about every phase of creative.

Loved the tale of the tape WWE used to tease the Ryback vs. Kane match. Nice nuance.

Thought Jack Swagger had a beastly appearance on RAW in Roanoke. Perry, Oklahoma’s second toughest man is nasty with a ladder in his hands.

I’m working on 2-3 pretty exciting new projects and will inform you when the time is right.

Scheduled to go hog hunting with @ShawnMichaels next week on his Texas ranch. This will be taped for a future episode of HBK’s Outdoor Network TV show. I might end up being a cross between Si on @DuckDynastyAE and the patriarch of the family on American Hoggers. I’m going to use a cross bow to ‘harvest’ some feral hogs. Yep, a BBQ is being planned as well.

We’re counting on your support throughout the summer especially when allowing JR’s products to be a part of your grilling experiences. Shop efficiently and safely online at either http://www.wweshop.com which carries EVERY product that we make including our amazing, JR’s Beef Jerky which comes in 5 flavors. OR, check out http://www.americansoda.co.uk which is based in Manchester, England and they ship quickly throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Read online that @JerryLawler is returning to the ring for Dory Funk, Jr promotion in Ocala, Florida on May 25. I haven’t talked to Jerry in a good while but wish him well if this is what he wants to do. Obviously, King’s cardiologist has been consulted one would assume on this matter. Jerry had much rather wrestle than announce any day and he’s getting back in the ring north of 60 years of age because he loves it and not because he needs the cash. I wish him the best as always.

Enjoyed talking to Cowboy Bill Watts recently who just turned 74. He’s excited that WWE is going to be marketing some of the Mid South content that WWE owns after the acquisition of the Watts Family video library. The multi disc set comes out in September which is exciting. Certainly some of the bouts on the DVD will have to come with a warning because they are intensely graphic in nature.

Some ECW enthusiasts might not agree with this statement but Mid South was ‘Extreme’ long before it became a marketing slogan and mantra for ECW of which I was a fan.

Thanks for the visit. Come back soon.

Boomer Sooner!
J.R. @JRsBBQ

Hope that you’re having a great kickoff to another productive week. Don’t rely on others to make your week better. Take control and make a difference in your own life. Half empty glasses are not allowed. Let’s grill…

My idea that Tim Tebow might find success in WWE apparently struck a chord with some media types. It’s not the worst idea I’ve ever spewed. Tebow is young, 25, big and athletic, enjoys working with charitable organizations ala Make a Wish Foundation, etc and is coachable. Tim could be a positive role model in the ring and touch lives around the world via the WWE’s global footprint. (Of course, being a positive role model in the ring in today’s world often times means getting booed out of the building.)

Is Tebow to WWE a long shot? Absolutely. I doubt, but don’t know, that it’s ever been seriously discussed within the WWE. But it’s certainly an intriguing idea if for nothing else for a well constructed, long term storyline that could culminate at WrestleMania 30 in New Orleans.

The headlines an offer would garner, if formally made to the former Heisman Trophy winner, would be widespread. ESPN’s Skip Bayless would likely be appalled. Oh, the humanity….

One would assume that Monday Night Raw tonight would amp up it’s build to Extreme Rules PPV that will be held in a few days in St. Louis. I expect the arena in Roanoke to be sold out by show time.

From the feedback that we are getting here on this site and via Twitter @JRsBBQ, it seems that more fans are most interested in @TripleH vs. @BrockLesnar inside the steel cage match than any other bout on the card. BTW…this is a very unscientific assumption. The ‘rubber match’ between the two, physical individuals is intriguing and tonight should be a pivotal in the build to that major issue on WWE’s next pay per view.

Got some whacky correspondence that some fans couldn’t understand why @Ryback22 did not participate in last week’s RAW main event and “let Cena down.” As the lovely & talented Nancy Grace would shriek, “BOMBSHELL,” smart, antagonists pick their spots, don’t like to engage when the lay of the land is level, and enjoy cheating to gain an unfair advantage. The greatest of antagonists always have had a little chicken manure in them and always knew the fastest route out of the kitchen when it got a little too hot in there for them.

Isn’t that villainy 101 material?

Keep an eye on Enzo Amore in NXT as he made a great, first impression on yours truly last Thursday night at the NXT taping at Full Sail. Significant, verbal upside. Not that familiar with his in ring work yet.

For those that have asked, I am unaware of when WWE will have another on-site, pre and post game show for a PPV. If I had to simply guess, I’d assume it would be at Summer Slam but that’s far from official. I’m also not aware of what talents would appear on said show if one does air. Personally, I had a great time participating in the last one but I’m not sure that many fans were aware of it or even watched it nor do I know if it will be on the WM29 DVD.

Cowboy Bill Watts celebrated his 74th birthday on Sunday from his retirement home in the Florida panhandle. The “Big Cowboy” was a polarizing figure within the business as not only a main event level wrestler but as a promoter as well who headlined Madison Square Garden multiple times in his third year in the business. Earning Bruno Sammartino’s respect did not hurt that major accomplishment but let’s not forget that Watts was a legit 300 pound pure athlete when they did not grow on trees and had 500 pound bench press strength along the lines of the great Bruno. Watts learned from every promoter that he worked for and I was privy to receive much of that knowledge beginning in 1974 when Bill hired me right out of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Working for Bill was comparable to working, I’d assume, for the late owner of the New York Yankees George Steinbrenner, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and being coached by NFL great Bill Parcells or Alabama’s Nick Saban. It was Cowboy’s way or the highway of which he had the right to be as Bill footed the tab and was solely responsible for the bottom line of Mid South Wrestling and the UWF. Watts , when he was positive and in his element, was the best producer of a one, hour pro wrestling TV show that I was ever around. Bill was the man who got me into the biz and was my mentor as he prepared me for what has been an almost 40 year run in the genre.

In Watts territory, the fan favorites and the villains could NEVER be seen together in public including at restaurants or nightclubs. A violation of this rule would result, usually, in being fired or being fined so much one wold want to leave the territory as quickly as possible. Specific hotels, restaurants and clubs were designated in each town in the territory where each talent could frequent based on Cowboy’s rules.

Another Watts rule is that if one of his wrestlers was stupid enough to get into a fight with a ‘civilian’ and the ‘civilian’ won, the wrestler was history as in terminated. Bill did not encourage his wrestlers fighting with people in bars, etc but if they found themselves in that situation they better had damn well win the fight. With guys like Dr Death, Jim Duggan, Rick Steiner, among many others I don’t recall any Mid South talent losing any bar fights.

Here’s one for you, the fan favorites ala heroes were encouraged to be exceptionally “friendly” to the many female fans who frequented the events and often times sought out the talents at the hotels that the heroes stayed on a weekly basis in the territory. I kid you not.

I grilled turkey burgers this weekend and added chopped, sweet onion to the ground, turkey meat. It added some volume, taste and the patties better held together while on the grill. The recipe was simple…JR’s All Purpose Seasoning and the chopped onion did the trick. I made them the evening before to not only save time but to allow them to ‘season’ overnight. Big hit Sunday night for the Mrs. and her Sis.

Ate mine without bread using lettuce as the foundation for the burger and topped it with tomato, JR’s Main Event Mustard, JR’s Chipotle Ketchup and sweet pickle relish.

You can order our family’s brand of products, of which are all a homage to my late, Mom, online and get quick delivery right to your doorstep via http://www.wweshop.com and in Manchester, England for delivery in the UK, Ireland and Europe from http://www.americansoda.co.uk. We produce two flavors of BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Ketchup, Main Event Mustard which is a honey mustard with a hint of Jalapeno, All Purpose Season/Dry Rub, and 5 flavors of 97% Fat Free Beef Jerky. Plus, check out our personally signed JR’s Cookbooks which are much more than recipes as they have several wrestling stories, top ten lists, and more tales from the road.

Even thought sometimes I feel like I’m a human receptacle, I invite you to follow me on Twitter @JRsBBQ. I have fun interacting with most followers and those that are too big of a pain in the ass I simply block. Easy, right?

Thanks for stopping by and paying us a visit. Please tell others about our website including the Q&A section located elsewhere here.

It’s a great day to order JR’s products!

Boomer Sooner!
J.R. @JRsBBQ

The Los Angeles Kings Will Host the Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium in a Regular-Season NHL Game on Saturday, Jan. 25, as Part of the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™

The 2012 Stanley Cup® champion Los Angeles Kings will play host to the Anaheim Ducks in a regular-season NHL® game outdoors at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET, the National Hockey League announced today.

Part of the previously-announced 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™, a group of games planned for outdoor locations next season, the event will be the first outdoor regular-season NHL game played in the U.S. west of the Mississippi River, the southern-most outdoor NHL game ever and the first-ever in California.

“With their meeting in the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, the Ducks and the Kings will write the next chapter in the exciting story of NHL hockey in Southern California,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “At a venue that represents so much glorious sports history, this match-up of Stanley Cup champions will raise our outdoor initiatives to bold new heights. We know the game will be a treat for our fans, and we thank the Ducks, the Kings, Coors Light, Dodger Stadium and the Los Angeles Dodgers for bringing it to life.”

Venerable Dodger Stadium will provide the unique setting for the event. Opened on April 10, 1962, it is the third-oldest continually used ballpark in Major League Baseball. Dodger Stadium has hosted more than 147 million fans since it opened. The host for eight World Series and close to 4,000 regular-season games, this will be the first time Dodger Stadium will be the home of a hockey game. With its view of Chavez Ravine overlooking downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains, Dodger Stadium has been called one of the treasured cathedrals of baseball with one of the most picturesque settings in sports.

“Dodger Stadium has been home to many unique and special moments over the past 51 years,” said Los Angeles Dodgers President Stan Kasten. “We’ll add another first in 2014 when the Dodger Stadium infield turns to ice as we host our first National Hockey League game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks.”

Further details on this special NHL event, including national broadcast information and specifics on ticket opportunities for the season-ticket holders of each team, will be released shortly. Fans interested in receiving more information on ticketing, news and special offers around the event should register at www.NHL.com/2014LosAngeles.

Since the advent of a second team in Southern California 20 years ago, the Freeway Face-Off between the Ducks and Kings has been among the most spirited NHL rivalries. While in 2007 the Ducks, the younger of the two franchises, became the first California-based and first

West Coast club to win the Stanley Cup championship since NHL teams exclusively began competing for the trophy in 1927, the more senior of the pair matched that feat last season, becoming the first No. 8 seed to be crowned champion.

Surprisingly, the Kings franchise has a history with outdoor hockey. The NHL’s first-ever foray outdoors was an exhibition game pitting the Kings against the New York Rangers in the parking lot of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Sept. 27, 1991. Played in 85-degree weather, more than 13,000 fans packed the stands to see the Kings defeat the Rangers, 5-2.

“This is a credit to our fans and the amazing support they have shown to us and the NHL these past few years,” said Kings President, Business Operations, Luc Robitaille. “This will be a sporting event like no other that has ever been seen in Southern California and we are proud to be a part of it.”

Thanks in large part to the existence of both franchises, in the last 45 years hockey has transformed from a virtual nonentity to a mainstay in the Southern California sporting scene. In March, the varsity team from Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., won the USA Hockey National High School National Championship.

At the 2007 NHL Draft™, Southern California’s Jonathan Blum became the first California-born and -trained first-round NHL draft pick when the Nashville Predators selected him at No. 23. At the 2010 NHL Draft™, held at STAPLES Center, Beau Bennett (Gardena, Calif.) was selected 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the highest drafted California-born and -trained player in NHL history. Nine picks later, the Ducks selected Emerson Etem (Long Beach, Calif.) marking the first time two Californians had been selected in the first round.

“We are honored to be selected to participate in the NHL’s Stadium Series,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “Playing our rival Kings at historic Dodger Stadium will be a terrific showcase event for our sport. A Southern California outdoor hockey game in a picturesque setting will be an exciting, unique experience, and we look forward to being a part of it.”

“The Kings and Ducks playing in an outdoor game at the iconic Dodger Stadium will be a highly sought-after ticket in California,” said Mathieu Schneider, NHLPA Special Assistant to the Executive Director. “The players will have the opportunity to renew this longstanding rivalry while doing so in a warm climate for the first time since outdoor games have been played in the NHL. There is no doubt this event will add to the rich history of our game and this historic stadium.”

NHL Network™ and NHL.com will provide extensive coverage live from Southern California leading up to and after the game. NHL Social™ will have exclusive coverage on all social platforms, including the use of the hashtag #StadiumSeries.

Since the NHL established the tradition of hosting regular-season games outdoors to celebrate the origin and traditions of hockey, fans across North America have expressed their desire for those celebrations to spread across the hockey landscape. Five of the six most watched regular-season NHL games in the U.S. in the past 38 years have been played outdoors.

The NHL recently announced that the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 1, when the Detroit Red Wings will host to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus. It is anticipated that the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® could set a world record for attendance at a hockey game.
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Also, the NHL has announced that the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins will participate in the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™ on March 1, when they face off at Soldier Field. More information on that event can be found at www.NHL.com/2014Chicago.

The first-ever NHL regular-season game contested outdoors was played in 2003 when the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium. Since then, the NHL has played six additional regular-season games outdoors. For a history of these games, please visit NHL.com.

Official fan packages for all NHL signature events will be available from Global Event Forum, the Official NHL Events™ Fan Package Partner. For more information please visit nhl.com/fanpackages.

Right wing Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens, center Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers and left wing Brandon Saad of the Chicago Blackhawks are the three finalists for the 2012-13 Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition,” the National Hockey League announced today.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Calder Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, with more detail on format to be released at a later date.

Following are the finalists for the Calder Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Brendan Gallagher, Montreal Canadiens

A fifth-round pick (147th overall) by the Canadiens in the 2010 NHL Draft, Gallagher helped Montreal go from a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference in 2011-12 to a Northeast Division title and the second seed in the conference in 2012-13. He played in 44 games, ranking second among rookies with 15 goals and fourth with 28 points. Gallagher, 21, also finished in the top five among freshmen skaters in shots on goal (second, 117), plus/minus (fifth, +10) and game-winning goals (t-first, 3).

Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers

Selected third overall by the Panthers in the 2011 NHL Draft, Huberdeau played in all 48 games for Florida and ranked second both on the team and among NHL rookies with 31 points (14-17—31). Among first-year players, he finished third in goals, fourth in assists and third in shots on goal (112). His 16:55 average time on ice also led rookie forwards, while his nine power-play points (2-7—9) placed fourth among all freshmen skaters. The 19-year-old Huberdeau set two franchise records, becoming the first Panther to score on two penalty shots in one season (Feb. 21 at Philadelphia and March 5 vs. Carolina) and recording the most points by a teenager in team history (four more than Radek Dvorak in 1995-96).

Brandon Saad, Chicago Blackhawks

A second-round pick (43rd overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Draft, Saad led all rookies with a +17 rating, including a +12 rating on the road, to help Chicago earn its second Presidents’ Trophy in team history. He ranked fifth among rookies in each of the three major scoring categories – goals (10), assists (17) and points (27). Saad, 20, also placed third among freshmen forwards in average time on ice (16:27) and fourth among all first-year skaters in shots on goal (98) in 46 games.

History

From 1936-37 until his death in 1943, NHL President Frank Calder purchased a trophy each year to be given permanently to the NHL’s outstanding rookie. After Calder’s death, the League presented the Calder Trophy in his memory.

Announcement Schedule

The NHL is announcing the three finalists for its regular-season awards through May 20. The remaining announcement schedule:

Tuesday, May 7
James Norris Memorial Trophy (top defenseman)

Wednesday, May 8
Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)

Thursday, May 9
Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by NHLPA)
*Ted Lindsay Award nominees will be announced by the NHLPA

Friday, May 10
Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player to his team)

Monday, May 13
General Manager of the Year Award

Tuesday, May 14
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (perseverance and dedication to hockey)

Wednesday, May 15
Frank J. Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)

Thursday, May 16
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (skill/sportsmanship)

Friday, May 17
Jack Adams Award (top head coach)

Monday, May 20
Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone
(player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice)

Starting pitcher Tim Hudson of the Atlanta Braves has been named National League Player of the Week for the period ending May 5th.

Hudson was a perfect 2-0 last week, notching his 200th and 201st career wins to become just the 110th pitcher in Major League history to reach the 200-win threshold. He posted a 2.51 ERA, permitting four runs over 14.1 innings pitched with 13 strikeouts for the week, and ranked among N.L leaders in wins (T-1st), innings pitched (3rd) and strikeouts (T-5th). On Tuesday, April 30th, Hudson earned his 200th career victory after holding the Washington Nationals to one run on three hits across 7.0 innings of work in a 3-1 victory at Turner Field. The veteran right-hander helped his cause with the bat, going 2-for-3 with a double and a home run in the contest. According to Elias, Hudson joined Cleveland’s Bob Lemon, who clubbed a two-run homer in his 200th career win on September 11, 1956, as one of only two pitchers in Major League history who have homered in a game in which they joined the 200-win club. The Georgia native became the fifth pitcher to earn his 200th career victory in a Braves uniform, and he is one of three active hurlers who are part of the 200-win club, joining New York Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte (248) and Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay (201). On Sunday, Hudson held the visiting New York Mets to three runs on five hits in his 7.1 innings of work while fanning seven en route to a 9-4 victory. The Braves’ ace improved to 79-0 for his career in games where he has had a lead of five runs-or-more after his offense staked him a 5-0 advantage in the third inning. Hudson’s record currently stands at 4-1 this season, and he is tied for third among N.L. pitchers in victories. This is his third career weekly award, having won previously for the period of September 9-15, 2002 (as a member of the Oakland A’s) and April 9-15, 2007.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Colorado rookie Nolan Arenado (.357, 10 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .750 SLG); Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (.448, 4 R, 13 H, 3 2B, .484 OBP) and Carlos Gomez (.462, 8 R, 12 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI, .962 SLG); Pittsburgh’s Starling Marte (.333, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R, .875 SLG); Yadier Molina (.444, 12 H, .464 OBP) and Jaime Garcia (2-0, 1.13 ERA, 6 SO, 16.0 IP) of the St. Louis Cardinals; Miami’s Marcell Ozuna (.478, 11 H, 4 2B, HR, 4 RBI, .520 OBP); San Francisco’s Marco Scutaro (.500, 7 R, 9 H, .591 OBP) and Sergio Romo (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 SV, 5 SO, 5.0 IP); Cincinnati’s Joey Votto (.478, 11 H, 3 2B, .556 OBP) and Mat Latos (2-0, 2.45 ERA, 10 SO, 11.0 IP); Washington’s Rafael Soriano (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 SV, 2 SO, 4.0 IP); and San Diego’s Edinson Volquez (2-0, 3.65 ERA, 6 SO, 12.1 IP).