Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars
Most often we will feature on-field (or on-ice) exploits in this report, but occasionally a side issue will elevate a candidate to earn this accolade.
Last week, Mike Modano, won our praise for coming out as a critic of the tactics employed by his teammates, Sean Avery and Steve Ott.
Both of these players are capable of an abrasive, chippy style of play that can get under the skin of their opponents. That trait can be valuable if players do not cross the line into a sideshow, detracting from their team and the game, itself.
Mike Modano is widely regarded as the most skilled US-born player I the history of the NHL. Ott and Avery will never be mentioned in that type of conversation. They can be valuable in their own roles. That’s why they are in the league. They drew the ire of their classy teammate, for their recent penchant of running around the ice and “cheap-shotting” unsuspecting opponents.
To complicate their perception in many eyes, including Modano’s, they have brought dishonor to the game, when they have resisted the challenges of opponents, when they have been confronted for their misdeeds.
“Sideshow Bob” is the derisive nickname in hockey circles for these players who refuse to face the music when they, themselves are physically challenged after sneaking around and trying to pick their spots against vulnerable or unlikely combatants.
This is the kind of activity that cheapens the spectacle of this great sport and it has no place in the game. That stuff belongs in wrestling.
Modano has said that he is in effect, ashamed of the behavior of Ott and Avery and wants them to cut it out.
We applaud him for recognizing that he is role model for young aspiring hockey players and kids everywhere. Kids who as often as not emulate behavior of the pros.
We hope he gets his message across to teammates and emulators alike.
Posted by “The Statsman”, Paul Bruno
Posted by thestatsman 
