Pitkanen puts on Canes sweater
For the first time since the big trade, Joni Pitkanen put on a Canes sweater today and took the ice with his new teammates at the RecZone.
Pitkanen, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman who came to Carolina in the deal that sent popular forward Erik Cole to Edmonton, said he arrived in Raleigh on Wednesday night. He said the reception from the other players today was "really good" and that he was eager to get started.
"It's exciting," Pitkanen said. "It was fun to play a little five-on-five game with the guys."
Pitkanen said he was "very happy and excited" when he first learned he was being dealt to the Hurricanes. He said the Canes' style of play and skilled players should fit his game.
Chip Alexander
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is in his second season as the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at chip.alexander@newsobserver.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ice_chip.
Comments
Joni 5 on 5
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 10:56 — esteban1949well at least he's happy to be playing...sadly we did need a Dman like him...but i am sure if Jesus was a great hockey player...they's find some fault with him too! Wouldn't they ?
Go Canes !!!
Isn't this America people
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 08:34 — oswegocanesLet Fans do what they want to do, if they want to boo him let them boo him, if they want to cheer for him let them cheer, that is what makes being a fan fun....this is crazy don't boo him...blah. What is he going to feel bad....ah he makes 4 million dollars a year that you help pay for. I personally am a huge Cole fan and will boo when I want to boo and cheer when I want to cheer, this team is going to be great With or without Cole, he was a great asset to this team but he is gone now, but lets not stop being fans because we think it might hurt his (Pit's)feelings...he a big boy.
Go Canes!! Really looking forward to this season all the way from Oswego, NY
Booing the home team
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 11:50 — JRs_Fault... never went over big in my book... i think it's one of several rather classless things a fan in the home arena can do. Yes, you're free to do it, I just don't think you'll gain a lot of respect from the folks around you... Rational evaluation/discussion/criticism is one thing... boorish thoughtless reactions are quite another.
I fear you've been trained by all those Sabres fans up there ;^), sorry, couldn't resist.
Very nicely written!
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 14:58 — oswegocanesCan I have your list of the several rather Classless things a Fan can do in a Home Arena...Please.
BTW Buffalo Fans are dreary even I know that...Please don't group me in that group.
The List
Sat, 09/13/2008 - 06:07 — JRs_FaultSorry (again) for the Buffalo comment... was made in jest.
2. Talking (or texting) constantly throughout the game about everything EXCEPT the game.
3. Getting up and down throughout the game while the puck is in play... there's plenty of stoppages... be patient.
4. Chant "{Insert visiting goalie's name here} Sucks"... I like the simple chant of the name... adding 'Sucks' on the 3rd go round is bush league. Also, pulling this chant when said goalie is beating you is equally clueless.
5. Abusing visiting team fans.
6. YMCA, though I do love the irony of all the otherwise homophobic soccer moms and their kids getting so amped up over a gay anthem.
7. Throwing stuff on the ice... exception for hat tricks, of course.
8. Leaving early (though I will cut parents w/kids some slack on this)... I still cherish the '06 playoff game that Staal tied up in the closing seconds, and last year's 2 goal comeback in the last 90 seconds vs. Toronto.
9. Screaming louder when the T-Shirts come out than when the team hits the ice.
... and finally
10. The Wave ... this is fine for baseball when nothing is happening, but to execute a wave when the puck is in play... sorry.
Isn't this America
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 08:25 — Anonymous (not verified)Let Fans do what they want to do if they want to boo him let them boo him, if they want to cheer for him let them cheer, that is what makes being a fan fun....this is crazy don't boo him...blah. What is he going to feel bad....ah he makes 4 million dollars a year that you help pay for. I personally am a huge Cole fan and will boo when I want to boo and cheer when I want to cheer, this team is going to be great With or without Cole, he was a great asset to this team but he is gone now, but lets not stop being fans because we think it might hurt his (Pit's)feelings...he a big boy.
Defense Defense!
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 23:36 — scomilPitkanen doesn't need to score a ton of goals. We have plenty of great forwards to do that. He, along with Babchuk, are two big puck-moving Defensemen added to the team this year who should make Cam Ward and our forwards very happy, by helping to keep the opponent out of the goalies face (for a change) and by transitioning the puck to our talented offense much better than in recent years.
Welcome!
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 21:29 — CP (not verified)Welcome to Raleigh, Joni. You're going to enjoy your new team mates and your new home. Caniacs are some of the greatest hockey fans in the NHL and we look forward to watching you play. Have a great season!
Pitkanen
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 16:30 — David (not verified)I'm glad the Pitkanen is here and here early. Welcome to the Hurricanes!
Let's hope
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 13:26 — LP (not verified)Let's just hope that everyone gives Pitkanen a chance and doesn't expect him to score 50 goals this season as a D-man. However, the Cole fans are bitter and will be the first ones to BOO the first time he turns the puck over (like every single D-man in the league does at some point). Getting this D younger and faster was the goal of this team and they did that. Let's just give this guy some leeway and let him play. It's about what's on FRONT of the jersey not the back. If you want Cole - move to Edmonton or go to the Edmonton game.
A little give and take.
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 20:26 — Ches (Idaho Falls, ID) (not verified)You are right on the money! Pitkanen and other new/newish players will need a little give on our parts as fans, but I think we are in for a real treat this year.
i definatly agree with you
Thu, 09/11/2008 - 18:07 — toddcaseyi definatly agree with you