Raycroft is proving last year was a fluke
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 | 04:36 PM ET
He’d just stopped 40 shots, including 16 of 17 in the second period as his Toronto Maple Leafs nearly fell apart against the worst team in the National Hockey League.
Andrew Raycroft deserved first-star status Monday night, but his reaction to a post-game question revealed why he’s come so far. If the Maple Leafs win at home during mid-week games, the television interview is conducted on the ice over the public address system so fans in the building can listen.
The first question and answer was pretty innocuous, but the second was a bit of a stunner. Paul Hendrick asked Raycroft about Monday’s win being his eighth victory of the season, tying his total from last year in Boston.
With the benefit of a PVR, you could see what was coming. Raycroft’s face tightened noticeably when he realized what Hendrick was asking.
“Thanks for bringing that up again,” he said, then skated away. It was an awkward moment for Hendrick. I’ve been there. Before the 2000 Stanley Cup Final, Scott Stevens walked away from me when I asked him about his famous hit on Eric Lindros. That was not live, but it was still uncomfortable. (Stevens was normally an excellent interview. I’d never had a problem with him before or since, but he didn’t enjoy the attention that moment received.)
Three years ago, I covered the Boston-Montreal first-round playoff series. The Bruins led the Canadiens 3-1 only to fall apart and lose. This was Raycroft’s first season, where he achieved so much more than expected, winning the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year.
That was a wild seven-game set. Sheldon Souray publicly blasted Alexei Kovalev after the forward’s overtime theatrics cost Montreal Game 4, and a Boston columnist wrote that Joe Thornton should be stripped of the captaincy for avoiding the media prior to Game 7. The Bruins were stunned that they lost, each of them answering questions in a zombie-like tone following the final defeat on home ice.
Then there was Raycroft.
There were tears falling from his eyes as he talked. I remember noticing how different he looked from everyone else. The other players were devoid of emotion. Raycroft looked like someone shot his dog. Even at age 24, the enormity of the moment overwhelmed him.
(After Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final, Steve Thomas – who played for losing Anaheim – said, “I’ve never had a close relative die in the family, so right now this is the worst feeling of my life.” And he didn’t look as upset as Raycroft did.)
Since that moment, Raycroft has hardened. He wasted the lockout year, playing just 11 games in Finland. Basically, he sat around and fell out of shape. He wasn’t the only one, but it cost him. In an age where patience has all but disappeared, he simply wasn’t ready to play last season. There were injuries, there was inconsistency, there was an inspiring veteran in Tim Thomas and, worse, another bright young talent in Hannu Toivonen.
Suddenly, the reigning Rookie of the Year was expendable.
Raycroft reminds me a lot of Justin Morneau. In 2004, the Canadian first baseman hit .271 with 19 home runs and 58 RBI in just 74 games for the Twins. The next season saw his average drop 32 points and his power numbers barely increase in double the amount games. There were people within the Minnesota organization who didn’t care for his work ethic and wanted Morneau to be shipped out.
But general manager Terry Ryan resisted the urge. Morneau repaid him with a monster year, his 130 RBI second-best in the American League. Boston didn’t have similar patience and much is being made about how Toivonen and Thomas are struggling while Raycroft is surging.
Those who know Raycroft say he had already developed a hunger, an edge, before the trade. But, I think the trade really did it. You cannot underestimate how much that being traded for the first time can shock a player – particularly one who had success for that team.
Boston did Toronto a favour. Raycroft is newly motivated, ready to prove a point. Determined to prove last year was a fluke, he’s going to make Boston regret this move.
« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »
This discussion is now Open. Submit your Comment.
Post a Comment
From the Pressbox »
About the Author
Elliotte Friedman is the host of the CFL ON CBC. Prior to being named host in 2006, Friedman worked on the CFL on CBC broadcasts for the three seasons as a sideline reporter. A Toronto native, Friedman is well known for his additional work on Hockey Night in Canada, as well as his presence on the Torino 2006 Winter Games telecasts as a hockey reporter. Prior to joining the CBC, Friedman worked at The Score network and was widely regarded as one of the best reporters in the country. Friedman used his reporting skills to break stories and file feature reports for high profile events including six Stanley Cup Finals, four Grey Cup Championships, two World Series and one Olympic Games. He is also a regular on the nationally syndicated Prime Time Sports radio telecast, hosted by Bob McCown.
Recent Posts
- Things I’ll never forget about Beijing 2008
- Tuesday, August 26, 2008
- Never let your emotions cloud your judgment
- Thursday, August 21, 2008
- Cheering for Priscilla Lopes-Schliep
- Tuesday, August 19, 2008
- So, let me get this straight
- Thursday, August 14, 2008
- Sundin's future is almost too hard to predict
- Wednesday, July 23, 2008
- Subscribe to From the Pressbox
Archives
- August 2008 (4)
- July 2008 (1)
- June 2008 (1)
- May 2008 (5)
- April 2008 (11)
- February 2008 (3)
- January 2008 (5)
- December 2007 (2)
- November 2007 (3)
- October 2007 (3)
- September 2007 (5)
- August 2007 (3)
- July 2007 (8)
- June 2007 (3)
- May 2007 (2)
- April 2007 (3)
- February 2007 (3)
- January 2007 (2)
- December 2006 (4)
- November 2006 (10)
Comments
Jessica w
Toronto
i don't no why people are saying bad stuff about raycroft because if it weren't for him we wouldn't have a chance to make the playoffs at all. he is an excellent goaltender and its not all supposed to be on a goalie theres more people on the team for a reason i don't understand how he is supposed to stop every shot when we are giving up so many oddman rushes everynight like for example last night there were 12. And i dont blame raycroft for walking away when the amount of games he won last year was brought up like leave the guy alone so what he had a bad year maybe if boston wasn't such a stupid team and they actually played him more he would have won more games but then again imm happy they didn't becuase then they would have seen how good he is and they wouldnt have traded him to my leafs soo THANK YOU BOSTON FOR BEING STUPID!!!!! LOVE YOU RAYCROFT!!!
Posted February 21, 2007 11:06 PM
ron
Pickering
Andrew Raycroft is holding the leafs back. Sure, his first year was great but why did he sit around while he was locked out. That was the end of him. He is simply riding on his luck from his first year. He needs to be dealt. Auban should start all the montreal games, he has proven that. The way Raycroft answered paul hendriks question was a window into this guy, his game cant carry his ego. Move him down for a while or deal him. Raycroft is not an NHL goalie plain and simple. He couldn't hold a lead if his life depended on it, hopefully the leafs see this now that they lost during a 2 goal lead going into the 3 against atlanta. Please deal him.
Posted December 5, 2006 10:07 PM
Daniel the Sen's fan nonetheless...
Ottawa
Oops... looks like the Raycroft comments were just a bit premature, given his early exit in Boston tonight... Oh well, at least the Leaves' management will have someone else to blame when the wagon wheels come off... Ed Belfour is gone now, and Tucker's shine will wear off... All that glitters is not gold!
How about a one for one trade: Gerber for Raycroft?
Posted November 9, 2006 11:43 PM
Lee
kincardine
I think that everyone is a Leafs fan. It appears to me that even people who claim to hate the Leafs still know as much about them as the fans who support them. Why is the team so hated? Every non-leaf fan spends more time worrying about the Leafs winning than cheering on their own team. Montreal fan Steve can't even stand to have a story about the Leafs be in the news, even when it is a high interest story because of Raycrofts comments and the fact he is playing his old team who just traded him. Hey Steve, Leafs do have regional coverage same as Ottawa and Montreal so stop the conspiracy theories.
Currently 3-0 for the Leafs...I hope Raycroft can hang on and send a message to his old team. Even as a Leafs fan I was a little happy to see Belfour beat us in our first meeting since getting rid of him.
Nix
Kincardine
Posted November 9, 2006 07:41 PM
Jacob Ritchie
Montreal
As a Boston fan (not a native Montrealer) I really appreciate what Friedman is saying here. I like the article and I think he is right, Boston will regret losing Raycroft. The funny thing is no Boston fan is surprised ... after watching Byron Dafoe, Jim Carey, John Blue, John Grahame, Rob Tallas either fizzle out or shine somewhere else we don’t expect much between the pipes. In fact, I am convinced that Raycroft wouldn't have gotten better in Boston, as I think they are cursed to not have quality tending (with all due respect to Hannu and Tim).
Also, I noticed that someone above is lamenting the fact that CBC only covers the Leafs. I have been stewing over a similar issue for quite some time. I have cable for the first time in about 5 years this season and I am shocked at the lack of National Hockey League coverage by all Canadian stations - don’t get me wrong, they have a ton of hockey programming, but it only covers 1/5th of the league! As a hockey fan I am shocked that I rarely get to see great hockey players such as Vinnie Lecavilier, Sidney Crosby, Jaromir Jagr, Alexi Yashin and Patrick Marleau. Instead I watch Darcy Tucker play his ugly sloppy hockey while the announcers drool over the Canadian-located teams.
This to me is the major difference between watching the NHL in Canada and watching other sports. The coverage of other sports seems to be selling the league and the entertainment product, whereas the NHL coverage seems to be patronizingly patriotic!
Further, I think that if the fervour we, as Canadians, feel for hockey spread over the entire league instead of just "Canadian" teams this could only be good for the product south of the border … our enthusiasm would spill over, I am sure of it.
Give me Columbus vs. Nashville every once in while ... much better than the 7th and 8th shellacking of the Leafs by the Sens.
Posted November 9, 2006 06:08 PM
Stuart Smallwood
Halifax
Enjoyable article to read. I am a Bruins fan and I always liked Raycroft. He was a good personality and was always a little more frank than a lot of other interviewees.
Before the Bruins traded Raycroft last summer everyone in Boston knew it was going to happen, it was just the way it seemed like it had to be. Toivonen seemed poised to make the next step and Thomas had signed a three year deal; we knew he would be there. So they couldn't have three goalies. And of course there was the question about whether he was a bust or not.
Anyone who watched the Bruins during his rookie year on a regular basis knows that the guy was technically sound goalie, who was very capable of stealing a game. It was his technical ability that made me think he would get back to from. I personally knew he would get traded but didn't want him to because I was a fan, and I knew he would get back to form given a full training camp and a fresh season.
However, the recent articles in the Boston Globe confirmed that Raycroft actually asked to be traded. He just wanted a fresh start and the organization was getting a face lift. The team had changed dramatically from that awfully painful upset against the Habs. It wont be revenge against the Bruins tonight.
So I don't think it was the shock of getting traded that has changed Raycroft, I think it was the dissapointing season he had. He basically rode the pine for the last ten games of the season. He went through hell and came out of it resolved to prove himself.
Posted November 9, 2006 06:03 PM
Stephen
Montreal
This guy speaks the truth!
Posted November 9, 2006 05:38 PM
David T
Vancouver
I saw the interview and thought that the reporter was attempting to make a comparison of how well this season has gone for Raycroft personally VS how bad last season's went.
I was surprised Raycroft bolted. Classless to say the least, for a guy who has picked up his game considerably and deserves the comparison as a positive note on his play this season. He only hurt himself by doing that.
We on the Westcoast endured several years of Todd Bertuzzi behaving like a big overgrown baby when answering reporters questions. Look where that landed him. His actions with Moore, although unintentional were almost predictable given the huge chip on his shoulder everyone knew he had by virtue of his media dealings.
Andrew Raycroft would be best served by putting his head down and play goal. Leave the interviews to the classy guys on the team capable of handling them better than a pouty 8 year old capacity.
Its too bad as his actions have tarnished his fine play and many peoples view of him, on a permanent basis. It was also very disrespectful to the Toronto fans that stayed behind to watch the interview.
Posted November 9, 2006 05:25 PM
Steve
Montreal
Why don't we just feature more articles on another team with a huge nationwide fanbase... the Montreal Canadiens!! I'm so tired of it always being about the Leafs when there are easily as many Habs fans across the country as there are Leafs fans. Maybe one day, when the country's entire media network isn't based in Toronto, they'll realize that the country spans further east than Whitby and further west than Oakville. Even when CBC broadcasts the Habs it's with 3rd-rate broadcasters with cameras that appear to be filming through dirty, yellowed glasses. I end up watching it in French just to be able to actually see the game clearly. Why can't the Leafs be limited to the same regional coverage the Habs and Senators receive? I don't understand… anyone growing up outside of Quebec really has to dig hard to find Habs coverage… by paying extra for french-language cable channels that aren't even available in all areas.
Posted November 9, 2006 04:57 PM
Jenny
Hey, "Wings Fan" - what do you mean the Leafs have consisted of WASPS for years - hence the 40 year drought. A history lesson for you - back in the days when the Leafs won lots of Stanley Cups, the team was considerably more WASP then than it is now... Support the Wings if you must but leave your bigotry at home.
Posted November 9, 2006 04:57 PM
Alex
Ottawa
Kevin Cook: it was Hendrick, not Friedman
Steve: it was Kevin Cook, not Brendan
P. Reilly: ???
Congratulations to the few people on this message board who did NOT misinterpret the article or use incorrect names.
Ian
a) Raycroft hasn't "faltered" for the Leafs, it's only been 17 games! Do you really follow hockey?
b) Congratulations, you're the one millionth person to realize the leafs haven't won a Cup in four decades... you deserve a prize.
Posted November 9, 2006 04:07 PM
Peter Knight
Cobourg
Raycroft is a good talent when we need one but in the game of hockey if you can get a good future prospect then that isn't a bad thing. The young Fin who we traded for Raycroft is an exceptional talent and until he either makes it big or fades into oblivion the book will not be closed on this trade.
Posted November 9, 2006 03:20 PM
Bob Barber
Why is everything To To To Leafs Leafs Leafs. The only time We out west see the habs is very few times on CBC or TSN and they are just as bad. When the habs use to play in edmonton and calgary there was almost just as many hab jersys as the home team.All hockey fans don't cheer for the loser leafs.( no cup since 67) Let us see some balance in coverage CBC And TSN .
Bob Barber
Posted November 9, 2006 02:54 PM
Joe
Saskatoon
Hendrick and Friedman are both jerks. I'd be happy if neither of them were in front of a camera again.
Posted November 9, 2006 02:26 PM
C. Sullivan
Saskatoon
Most sports interviewers ask the generic questions and they always get the standard generic answers."I try to give 100% and put the puck in the net!" Well, it is nice to see a question asked that an athlete has to actually respond to. I am sure Andrew isn't happy about his 8 wins last year, but I am sure it is something he will never forget. So maybe he has learned from it. Why not answer the question and show that he has moved past it and not show the world that he is an emotional piece of glass.
Posted November 9, 2006 01:36 PM
Roger L.
Ottawa
This incident just shows us once again that the media wants a story, at any cost. That was not an appropriate question to ask and the reporter is obviously incompetent and ignorant. The fans don't want to hear this kind of nonesense! Does this help the Leafs' quest for the cup? The media always goes too far and hinders sports, politics and anything else it lays its hands on. I wish the Leafs good luck in their drive for Lord Stanley's Cup and I hope the reporter gets a slap shot smack in that big mouth of his.
Posted November 9, 2006 01:30 PM
Wings Fan
Ontario
I feel bad for Raycroft, he'll soon find out why he plays for the Leafs. The team consists primarily of WASPs, and has for several years... hence the 40 year drought. Good goalie, but he unfortunately fits into the recipe for disaster followed by the Leafs since the days of Harold Ballard. Giving the MVP to Pulford over Sawchuk back in the day was the beginning of the Leafs' curse, and it will continue for many more years.
Posted November 9, 2006 01:28 PM
Chris
Toronto
Paul Hendrick is one of several on-air talents who just don't get it. Viewers want to hear what interview subjects have to say, NOT the nonsensical drivel spewing from the interviewer's mouth.
It's a big problem in sports broadcasting today. The guy holding the mic rarely asks a question. He/she makes some ridiculous comment or quotes some stupid stat before shoving the mic in an athlete's face.
Most of the athletes are happy to oblige with a stock answer, but I wish one day some athlete would call them out on it. The athlete often gets poked fun at for giving some "110 per cent" type response, but remember, most of the time they aren't even asked a question...
Posted November 9, 2006 01:19 PM
James Nixon
I agree with dnm. Hendrick reminds me of the guy in Fargo. He asks dumb questions and many times it seems like he is against our own players. He can't even hold the microphone steady.
Note to the CBC: get Bowen to call your games! He is the best in the business and most entertaining...I always enjoy games more with him and Harry Neale
Posted November 9, 2006 01:18 PM
dnm
Waterloo
I think Paul Hendrick is an absolutely horrible TV personality, and has no place on TV, much less interviewing players. What he said to Raycroft is no exception. He makes dumb statements, asks lame questions, and is a stain on an otherwise good broadcast.
Posted November 9, 2006 12:42 PM
judy keilty
i think you are doing great. i love watching you play and especially with my favorite team -toronto. i have been watching hockey since i was
very young. my favourite team is toronto and that will not change. keep up the good work.
Posted November 9, 2006 12:18 PM
Steve
Kitchener
First of all Brendan, if you bothered to read the article it wasn't Friedman that asked the question it was Paul Hendrick. But secondly I agree sometimes the media can be morons, but then again so can the fans! Raycroft is another in a long line of goalies that come to Toronto and shine... big time.. aka Cujo, Potivn, etc. I just wish we had a team around these guys that could take us to the Holy Grail.... I keep praying and praying... and so on and so on!
LSLFA
(Long Suffering Leaf Fans Anonymus)
Posted November 9, 2006 11:58 AM
Richard
Edmonton
Pro athletes should consider that at the end of the day they play/work for the fans. The fans buy the tickets, pay-per-view games, team merchandise, beer and popcorn that pay the bills. While I'm not suggesting that players make themselves available 24/7, they should participate in media interviews when required and do so with a reasonable attitude. Giving curt answers to legitimate questions and then skating away is childish and ultimately disrespectful to the fans and players that continue to act in that fashion should be fined by the team or league.
Posted November 9, 2006 11:56 AM
Ian Anderson
Montreal
It appears that Toronto (center of the universe) has again pick a winner, who will lead the Leafs to the cup. Of course Leafs always win the cup in Sept,Oct,& Nov. But always seem to on the golf course when the cup is being handed out.
It's too bad that poor Andrew Raycroft would be embrassed by a question about his past, when he again falters when the Leafs need him.
Ian
Posted November 9, 2006 11:43 AM
Eric Philpott
Note to Kevin Cook: Take a few seconds to read the article more carefully before you jump on Mr. Friedman!
Posted November 9, 2006 11:33 AM
steve mcguire
Now more than ever I am convinced that many of the so called hockey experts jsut don't look at the whole picture. There was never any doubt in my mind that Raycroft was a very good goaler. Had a bad year, primarly due to the injury, and people just couldn't see that. This guy can play and he is the type of guy that can be relied on when it counts. Wait and see.
Posted November 9, 2006 09:22 AM
B. Munro
NS
Boston did give up too early. Similarly, it's appearing Ottawa took a gamble too early on Gerber, but hindsight is 20/20.
P. Reilly, how you gathered a negative Leaf connotation in this article is beyond me. Yes it takes a team to win, and that includes a good goalie - that being Raycroft.
Posted November 9, 2006 08:14 AM
Kevin Cook
Ontario
Leave the guy alone. I cannot believe someone would mention this to poor Andrew after the fantastic game he played. This is a prime example of the pressure media causes for nothing. I hope Raycroft continues to perform well without losing an edge. As for you Mr. Friedman, do us all a favour and take a few seconds to think about what you are going to ask. A guy plays a fantastic game and you throw that in, making him feel almost as low as you are.
Posted November 9, 2006 07:49 AM
Brandon
Newcastle
We already know what im going to say once you've seen my name. I think Raycroft is one of those over rated goalies like Tom Barrasso was for the Oilers. Now i'm not rippin into the guy, i just think and knowingly feel thats there are better goalie's active in the league.
And of course there are worse...alot worse aka Burke, Joseph, CLOUTIER, we get the idea...
P. Reilly is right a team makes a goalie, the players form a team, the coach directs that team, maybe why playfair is fallin out west with his OH so Mighty Flames. maybe they should adopt the term Mighty. but this is about Raycroft and the leafs. so i say good on him and lets hope they rub it into the Bruins faces
Posted November 9, 2006 05:05 AM
P. Reilly
Why don't these sports "experts" leave the guy alone and let him do the job. It takes a team to win and the support of the Coach on down. The negative attitude towards the Leafs seems to drag the team down. Relax and enjoy the game.
Posted November 8, 2006 06:22 PM