Brent Sopel 2010 Apprication Post

by Battery on Apr 12, 2010 8:36 PM CDT

Brent Sopel, while he takes a bit of flak from people around here, is an all around good guy.

He's constantly giving up the body to make plays, he's beat up constantly, and keeps the puck out of the danger zone most of the time. You really can't ask more from a 3rd pair defensemen.

This week the Chicago chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association has made defenseman Brent Sopel the Blackhawks' nominee for the Masterton Trophy, which goes annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

From http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/3790

The 33-year-old Sopel last season missed 51 games because of injuries, including elbow surgery, but has worked his way back into a key role on the Hawks’ defense as a penalty killer and shot blocker.

Sopel, in his 11th NHL season, often limps off the ice because of the beating he takes blocking shots, but he has missed only nine games this season.

In December, Sopel and his wife, Kelly, opened their home to 20 families who had a loved one that couldn't be home for Christmas because of their service in the military as part of the Operation Homefront program.

Sopel and several teammates adopted military families in need and provided them with food and holiday gifts.

(See Video Below)

Anyways I think we need a thread to kick around the reasons we appreciate our #5 D-man.

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Forgot to add this

but the first thing that stunned me was he’s only missed 9 games, that’s pretty damn good for as beat up as he gets

Second City Hockey

by Battery on Apr 12, 2010 8:40 PM CDT reply actions

In December, Sopel and his wife, Kelly, opened their home to 20 families who had a loved one that couldn’t be home for Christmas because of their service in the military as part of the Operation Homefront program.

thats awesome

"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "

by jesus christos on Apr 12, 2010 9:07 PM CDT reply actions

I believe

he has done this every year since coming to Chicago. I know he did it last year as well.

by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 14, 2010 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I

appreciate him for all of it, and I have high praise for him for aiding military families.

/Note unceasing sarcastic laughter in background.

by burpchelischili on Apr 12, 2010 9:29 PM CDT reply actions

Dude busts his fuckin ass every game

takes a puck to the face and is playing next game. He really exemplifies what it means to be a team player, and being prior military, the stuff he does for those families is great.

I know I give him shit or poke fun at him but he really is an all around good guy to have arouns and I hope he gets that award

TAKE OFF THOSE CLOWN SHOES OR I WILL SHOOT THIS DOG!

by BigCSouthside on Apr 12, 2010 9:44 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah

He doesn’t half-ass anything it seems. It would have been so much easier for them to just gift the military after a red-eye home, or hold an event at some hall, but to have it at his house, (and didn’t he have an outdoor event too?) is really awesome.

2009 SCH Post Whore
2010 Troll Collector
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The sun never sets on a badass

by Trixietrx on Apr 12, 2010 10:25 PM CDT reply actions

I think I remember

they were outdoors at his house (one event). Maybe I saw a picture or something? Or maybe that was last year. This is not a very helpful comment.

by Katherine215 on Apr 12, 2010 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes it is

It shows I’m not totally senile. Or at least if I am, you are there with me!

2009 SCH Post Whore
2010 Troll Collector
SCH's Resident Mom
The sun never sets on a badass

by Trixietrx on Apr 12, 2010 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, it happened. Maybe at Thanksgiving? There was a tent, if memory serves.

(170 g) * (3x10^8 m/s)^2 = 1.5x10^16 J

by meeshak on Apr 12, 2010 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I've liked Brent since Christmas

partly for this, and partly because that was my first chance this season to see him play on a TV (instead of an internet feed). Guy works hard, and makes a lot of plays only because he’s Brent motherfucking Sopel.

Incidentally, anyone notice he and his wife have the same cheekbones?

(170 g) * (3x10^8 m/s)^2 = 1.5x10^16 J

by meeshak on Apr 12, 2010 10:52 PM CDT reply actions

someone around here

said that they talked to a hawks staff member, I wanna say equipment mgr or something, and he said that sopel works his ass off day in and day out. And he really wants to see him win a cup

Second City Hockey

by Battery on Apr 12, 2010 11:25 PM CDT reply actions

About time for this post

The February 9, 2010 game against the Stars where the Hawks won 4-3 in a shootout was IMHO the best I have ever seen Sopel play.

He just about killed a five on three penalty by himself, without his stick which was broken, and using a hand pass to clear the puck out of the zone from behind the Hawk goal.

Very gritty player who more often than not overcomes his limited mobility with his willingness to sacrifice his body to make a play.

by Return of the Roar on Apr 13, 2010 12:43 PM CDT reply actions

I really think Sopel has been huge this year.

Penalty kills, blocked shots, etc. I really think people just write him off as not good because he has an unorthodox skating style. For a 3rd liner I will take him any day of the week.

Since Cam the Turnover Barker got traded, Sopel seems to get called out by a lot of fans. Personally, I do not see what the hell they are bitching about. Then again it is the guy sitting behind me yelling shoot it when the guy with the puck has an opponent drapped over him.

When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.

by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Apr 13, 2010 7:57 PM CDT reply actions

Perseverance personified

Sopel gets my vote for the Masterton trophy. Good hockey sense and an unbelievable knack for blocking pucks. The military hospitality is a refreshing gesture in these troubled times.

Victim was found murdered by a Chelsea Dagger.

by pucknut on Apr 14, 2010 9:22 AM CDT reply actions