Down the Frozen River

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  • DTFR Looks Better Than Ever: Official Logos Unveiled

    DTFR Looks Better Than Ever: Official Logos Unveiled

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    CHARLOTTE, NC (October 7, 2015)- Down the Frozen River is proud to present our brand new official logos that were so wonderfully designed by a friend of a friend, Courtney Lee- a student at NC State University!

    We asked Lee a few questions about the designing process, her art and her aspirations in general.

    IMG_8397
    The new Down the Frozen River wordmark that will appear on the website’s header and on related DTFR materials.

    Where do you go to school and what are you majoring in?

    I recently just transferred to NC State where I plan on majoring in Textile Engineering and minoring in either design or graphic communication.

    What is your one of your future goals?

    One of my future goals is to have a job that challenges me creatively.

    What kind of art do you like to dabble in?

    I like to do it all! From painting to creating a 3D model in SolidWorks- I like to think that everything I make can be thought of as art!

    Where do you get your inspiration from, in regards to your art?

    This may be cliche but everything around me inspires me. It’s hard to pinpoint one thing that inspires me because there are so many things.

    Well, we love our new logos- thank you very much for helping us out and making our brand come to life.

    Haha, thanks! 🙂

    Lastly, do you have a blog or website we could hyperlink to showcase your work?

    I don’t have a blog or website, but I’m starting to think that I should make one because you’re not the first to ask haha… Is it possible to give this to you later?

    Yes, of course. *We’re all dying to see what other awesome things you create, Courtney, please get on that so we can help show it off!*

    IMG_8399
    Down the Frozen River’s new circular logo which will appear on all DTFR social media platforms.

    And now for a little bit about how these logos came into creation…

    First, our founder, Nick Lanciani, jotted down a list of goals back on April 26th, including one about creating a Down the Frozen River logo or having someone create a Down the Frozen River logo.

    Then, at the season ending meeting between the three members of Down the Frozen River, Lanciani pitched the idea. DTFR analyst, Colby Kephart, knew someone who knew someone that might be willing to lend her hand.

    That’s where the wonderfully artistic, Courtney Lee, comes in!

    Through an exchange of communication, the Down the Frozen River crew suggested their basic required elements for a logo 1) it had to include an homage to the first “unofficial” logo (the net) and 2) it could take on a life of its own anywhere from there (with artistic expression highly encouraged)!

    After a few rough drafts, including darker, more maroon shades of red, the Down the Frozen River crew came to an agreement on this cardinal red set of logos.

    The round logo is meant to represent a crest that would go on the front of a jersey and will be seamlessly implemented into all Down the Frozen River social media platforms. The word mark logo pays homage to the old beat-up driveway hockey net in the “unofficial” logo, while creating a lasting impression of its own and establishing a more formal heading for our website.

    Thank you again to Courtney Lee for her exceptional work and helping make Down the Frozen River’s brand come to life.

    About Down the Frozen River: Down the Frozen River is a hockey blog that was created in 2014, by a college student with a life long dream of writing about hockey. By October 2014, he was finally able to convince two of his friends to join the crew and since January, all three content creators have been making huge strides in bringing Down the Frozen River to life with the goal of having daily content for hockey fans around the world to enjoy. Down the Frozen River is not affiliated with the National Hockey League or any of its member clubs and is by no means perfect- we’re always working to improve and look forward to hearing your compliments, comments, or complaints. For more information or to just to send us an email in general, please contact downthefrozenriver@gmail.com.

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  • October 7, 2015 – Opening Day

    The day we’ve been waiting for since June 15th has finally arrived: Opening Day of the 2015-’16 season.  Regardless of whether your team wins their first game by 10 goals or loses by 10 goals, your life is all the better this week because skates are on the ice playing for two points that count ‘for realz’ in the standings (pardon my feeble attempts to be cool… I’ll stop now while I still have a little bit of pride left).

    This year’s iteration of Opening Day includes four matchups, one for each North American time zone and evenly split between the two nations.  The season officially gets started at 7 p.m. Eastern when the Montréal Canadiens visit the new-and-seemingly-improved Toronto Maple Leafs (TVAS, SN).  An hour later, the puck drops in the United Center after a banner-raising ceremony as the Chicago Blackhawks host the New York Rangers (NBCSN).  After the conclusion of the Habs–Leafs game at 10 p.m. Eastern, SN viewers will be whisked off to Alberta to witness the first rematch of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs waged between the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames (the game will also be available for viewing on TVAS2 in Canada).  Half an hour later, the fourth and final game of the night begins in the Staples Center when the San Jose Sharks visit the Los Angeles Kings (NBCSN).

    But Connor, whatever shall the Game of the Day be? (That’s right, you just used the word ‘shall.’ How astute of you).

    New York Rangers LogoCHl8Si-W8AACHtt

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I think I’m going to go with the banner raising ceremony and what should be the highly competitive game between the Blueshirts and the Hawks.  As much as it’s been documented that I do not like Chicago, there’s only one defending Stanley Cup champion, and only one banner raising ceremony for them.

    Not only is this a special moment for the team and league as a whole, the game should be fairly competitive, and it will be interesting to see Blackhawks‘ 2015-’16 form after their well-documented salary cap management during the offseason.  The other side of the ice is no slouch either, and intends to return to their 2014 Stanley Cup Finalist form with King Henrik in goal.

    An added perk of this game is, with it hopefully being pretty competitive, we may get the chance to see some 3-on-3 overtime hockey in a real-game setting.  If it is anything like it was in the preseason, you definitely won’t want to blink.

    Best of luck to you and your team this season!

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #10- 2015-2016 Season Preview: Central Division

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #10- 2015-2016 Season Preview: Central Division

    The Down the Frozen River crew wraps up their 2015-2016 season previews by analyzing all of the Central Division team’s offseason moves. Connor hosts the podcast for the first time ever, we get way off topic several times towards the end, and Colby and Nick profess their love for listening to Brunch (which has nothing to do with hockey, but we mentioned it anyway).

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver or #DTFRPodcast on Twitter- your thoughts might make it on our show (and we really mean it this time, because we’re going to have a new segment for your thoughts next time)!

  • Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Detroit Red Wings

    Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Detroit Red Wings

    By: Nick Lanciani

    The exploration of an important element of the game continues. I take a look at what retired numbers around the league may look like in the future. While there’s only a finite set of numbers to utilize on the back of a jersey, many teams choose to retire (or honor) some numbers based on extraordinary circumstances, dedication to the organization, or legendary status.

    Many thoughts went through my head in each and every consideration. Feel free to agree or disagree- I want to know what you, the fans, consider worthy when evaluating a player, their career, and whether or not their number should be retired by a franchise. I am interested in seeing what you have to say, assuming you are actually a fan of the team and/or player that you argue for or against. Drop us a line in the comments or tweet to @DtFrozenRiver using #DTFRNumbersGame.

    For each team, I thought of former and current players that should have their numbers retired now or once they hang up the skates.

    Unknown-1Detroit Red Wings

    Current Retired Numbers- 1 Terry Sawchuk, 5 Niklas Lidstrom, 7 Ted Lindsay, 9 Gordie Howe, 10 Alex Delvecchio, 12 Sid Abel, 19 Steve Yzerman

    Recommended Numbers to Retire

    39 Dominik Hasek

    If Buffalo could do it, surely Detroit could too.

    96 Tomas Holmstrom

    Holmstrom might be a stretch, as you really have to go above an beyond by the Red Wings standards to have your number enshrined above the ice for eternity, but Holmstrom did win four Stanley Cups with Detroit after all.

    That’s something that cannot be ignored, especially when it accounts for about 36% of the Red Wings 11 total Cups in franchise history, dating back to 1926.

    13 Pavel Datsyuk

    If the Red Wings don’t retire Datsyuk’s number once he retires, he might make a few dekes to the rafters himself to hang a banner.

    40 Henrik Zetterberg

    He’s been instrumental in what it means to be a Red Wing in Detroit’s current model.

    30 Chris Osgood

    Three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings is certainly remarkable enough to put aside number 30 from ever being in circulation again.

    When you ask even an average hockey fan who’s been watching for the last decade to name some iconic goaltenders from Detroit, they’ll respond to you with the names of Osgood and Hasek.

    Other Notes

    The Red Wings are going to have a lot on their plate when it comes to retiring numbers within the next decade, so I’ll give them some time before I start throwing around Gustav Nyquist’s name or Niklas Kronwall’s name (or whatever).

  • Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Dallas Stars

    Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Dallas Stars

    By: Nick Lanciani

    I continue to explore an important element of the game and what retired numbers around the league may look like in the future. While there’s only a finite set of numbers to utilize on the back of a jersey, many teams choose to retire (or honor) some numbers based on extraordinary circumstances, dedication to the organization, or legendary status.

    Many thoughts went through my head in each and every consideration. Feel free to agree or disagree- I want to know what you, the fans, consider worthy when evaluating a player, their career, and whether or not their number should be retired by a franchise. I am interested in seeing what you have to say, assuming you are actually a fan of the team and/or player that you argue for or against. Drop us a line in the comments or tweet to @DtFrozenRiver using #DTFRNumbersGame.

    For each team, I thought of former and current players that should have their numbers retired now or once they hang up the skates.

    CJhyiLmKDallas Stars

    Current Retired Numbers- 7 Neal Broten, 8 Bill Goldsworthy, 9 Mike Modano, 19 Bill Masterton

    Recommended Numbers to Retire

    10 Brenden Morrow

    Whenever Morrow decides to hang up the skates, this would be a classy move from the Stars organization for a classy player that spent so much time with Dallas and his counterpart, Mike Modano.

    14 Jamie Benn

    When Benn retires, it’s likely that the Stars will retire his number as well- he’s that kind of a player for Dallas. I mean, he wasn’t the Art Ross Trophy winner for nothing last season.

    91 Tyler Seguin

    Seguin is sensational in Dallas and as long as he keeps out of trouble and spends the rest of his career, if not majority of his career, with the Stars, he’s a shoe in to have his number raised to the rafters in Dallas someday.

  • Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Columbus Blue Jackets

    Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Columbus Blue Jackets

    By: Nick Lanciani

    I continue to explore an important element of the game and what retired numbers around the league may look like in the future. While there’s only a finite set of numbers to utilize on the back of a jersey, many teams choose to retire (or honor) some numbers based on extraordinary circumstances, dedication to the organization, or legendary status.

    Many thoughts went through my head in each and every consideration. Feel free to agree or disagree- I want to know what you, the fans, consider worthy when evaluating a player, their career, and whether or not their number should be retired by a franchise. I am interested in seeing what you have to say, assuming you are actually a fan of the team and/or player that you argue for or against. Drop us a line in the comments or tweet to @DtFrozenRiver using #DTFRNumbersGame.

    For each team, I thought of former and current players that should have their numbers retired now or once they hang up the skates.

    Columbus Blue Jackets LogoColumbus Blue Jackets

    Current Retired Numbers- None

    Recommended Numbers to Retire

    If Ryan Johansen sticks around long enough in Columbus, his number could be fair game to become the Blue Jackets first retired number.

    Otherwise, it’s unlikely they’ll set aside Sergei Fedorov’s number 91 for having spent three seasons as the star in Columbus. Most fans, and members of the Blue Jackets front office, probably wouldn’t be too keen on retiring Rick Nash’s number 61 after he retires, given the way he left.

    Also, they can’t just retire Brandon Saad’s number 20, when all is said and done, because of all he did with the Chicago Blackhawks before carrying his star power over to the Blue Jackets in a trade this offseason (by that I mean, he still has to do what he did in Chicago- and more- in Columbus). Other than that, the Blue Jackets are 1) still too young and 2) haven’t had any stars worthy of retiring their number at Nationwide Arena.

  • Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Colorado Avalanche

    Numbers Game: Look to the Rafters- Colorado Avalanche

    By: Nick Lanciani

    I continue to explore an important element of the game and what retired numbers around the league may look like in the future. While there’s only a finite set of numbers to utilize on the back of a jersey, many teams choose to retire (or honor) some numbers based on extraordinary circumstances, dedication to the organization, or legendary status.

    Many thoughts went through my head in each and every consideration. Feel free to agree or disagree- I want to know what you, the fans, consider worthy when evaluating a player, their career, and whether or not their number should be retired by a franchise. I am interested in seeing what you have to say, assuming you are actually a fan of the team and/or player that you argue for or against. Drop us a line in the comments or tweet to @DtFrozenRiver using #DTFRNumbersGame.

    For each team, I thought of former and current players that should have their numbers retired now or once they hang up the skates.

    Colorado Avalanche LogoColorado Avalanche

    Current Retired Numbers- 19 Joe Sakic, 21 Peter Forsberg, 33 Patrick Roy, 52 Adam Foote, 77 Ray Bourque

    Recommended Numbers to Retire

    23 Milan Hejduk

    How could you not retire the record holder for the most career games as an Avalanche player’s number? Aside from having phenomenal scoring totals for the Avalanche, Hejduk played an instrumental role in the locker room, as well, alongside superstars like Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. So again, how could you not retire his number? Sometimes fan favorites and guys that are loyal to the organization, even if they weren’t the superstar attracting fans to games every night deserve credit for all they’ve done.

    26 Peter Stastny

    Much like how the Hurricanes should retire at least Goride Howe’s number 9 from his Whalers days, the Avalanche should set aside number 26 now that Paul Stastny, the son of Peter Stastny, is no longer on the team.

    The Stastny brothers were pioneers and instrumental in attracting European talent, especially from behind the Iron Curtain, to the NHL- isn’t it time that Colorado nods recognition to their history as the Québec Nordiques? At the very least, retire Stastny’s number and we can let Michel Goulet’s number 16 (which was retired in Québec) slide for now.

    Other Notes

    Some day, I’m sure, we’ll see numbers 9 (Matt Duchene), 29 (Nathan MacKinnon), and 92 (Gabriel Landeskog) raised to the rafters of the Pepsi Center, but that’s still roughly ten or twelve- or fifteen- years out.

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #9- 2015-2016 Season Preview: Atlantic Division

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #9- 2015-2016 Season Preview: Atlantic Division

    The Down the Frozen River crew analyzes the offseason moves made by all of the teams in the Atlantic Division and provides their outlook for the 2015-2016 season. Cortana makes a special guest appearance (kind of) in this week’s episode. We’ve got some spaces available in our Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey league. If you’re interested, send us an email to downthefrozenriver@gmail.com, within the next day or two. We’ll be able to squeeze you in.

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver or #DTFRPodcast on Twitter- your thoughts might make it on our show!

  • Thank You Days of Y’Orr

    We here at Down the Frozen River try to stay impartial when it comes to our analysis, but I just had to comment on this.

    The Days of Y'Orr logo, affectionately stylized as a bear resembling Bobby Orr's most famous moment in Boston Bruins history.
    The Days of Y’Orr logo, affectionately stylized as a bear resembling Bobby Orr’s most famous moment in Boston Bruins history.

    Thank you, Days of Y’Orr, for being an inspiration; for being the kind of thing this current-college-student-hoping-to-turn-this-into-a-career-someday can only dream of. You guys made fans and players- and I’m sure even some front offices around the league every once in a while- laugh. Your presence on the Internet and your dedicated following, is what we strive for. We exist to be an outlet for fans to talk about hockey, with varying levels of passion and knowledge, but still talking about hockey- because hockey, is the greatest thing in the world.

    We’ll never forget your love affair with Shawn Thornton- in part, because we have our own with Zach Boychuk, but that’s mostly because he follows us on Twitter, and not necessarily because he is the third greatest hockey player of all time.

    Also, your run of Photoshops in 2011 will live forever in the hearts and minds of New Englanders, for better or worse.

    So from all of us at Down the Frozen River, thank you for leading the way- into the blogging frontier of the unknown- and succeeding. The world needs more laughter and you guys delivered. Here’s to five years of “irreverent Photoshop and Shawn Thornton worship” as Boston Magazine eloquently noted. In the end, it was all worth it. And we hope to be able to say that someday too.

    Thanks again guys and best regards in your future endeavors.

    Sincerely,

    Nick Lanciani

    Founder and Main Editor of Down the Frozen River

  • Down the Frozen River Podcast #8- 2015-2016 Season Preview Pacific Division

    Down the Frozen River Podcast #8- 2015-2016 Season Preview Pacific Division

    The Down the Frozen River crew analyzes the offseason moves made by all the Pacific Division teams and provides their 2015-2016 season outlook. We implemented a new introduction to our podcast (and we hope you like it). Connor improved, but still managed to mess up a name or two. Of course, just like last week, a few deals and PTO’s were signed while we were recording this podcast, so we didn’t fit them in this one.

    Join the conversation, make a suggestion, or ask a question for our next podcast using #AskDownTheFrozenRiver on Twitter- your thoughts might make it on our show!