hockey
We talk pucks and objects of that kind. We yell, complain, and analyze in the language of hockey fandom. Gretzky can do no wrong.
Greeley-Jay Outlasts Byram Hills 3-1
Scroll down for photos Practice Photos On Saturday December 13, Greeley-Jay hosted Byram Hills at the Brewster Ice Arena, and at the outset, it was the Bobcats who made themselves at home with a number of good opportunities. But none were converted, and with the door left open, Greeley-Jay came through.
By Rich Monettiabout 22 hours ago in Unbalanced
The Most Powerful Woman in Football – Meet the Game’s First Female Super Agent. AI-Generated.
For decades, football’s most influential figures have been club owners, managers, and male player agents operating behind the scenes. But today, a new face of power has emerged in the sport: the world’s first widely recognized female super agent, reshaping the business of football and challenging one of the game’s most male-dominated industries. Her rise marks a turning point not only for women in sports management but also for how football’s global business is conducted. Breaking Into a Closed World When she first entered football representation, the industry was dominated by established male agents with decades of connections. Negotiations took place in boardrooms where women were rarely seen. Early in her career, she faced skepticism from club executives who doubted her knowledge of contracts and tactics. “People assumed I was there to assist someone else,” she once said in an interview. “They didn’t expect me to lead negotiations.” Instead of retreating, she learned every detail of football law, transfer regulations, and financial structures. She built relationships not through bravado but through preparation and precision. Within a few years, she began representing promising young players overlooked by major agencies. Building a Global Client List Her reputation grew when she successfully negotiated high-value transfers for several international stars. These deals included record-breaking contracts, image rights agreements, and sponsorship packages with multinational brands. Unlike traditional agents who focus solely on transfer fees, she positioned herself as a full-career strategist. Her agency offers legal support, mental health services, financial planning, and media training to players. “She doesn’t just negotiate contracts,” said one player she represents. “She plans your entire career.” Her client list now includes elite footballers across Europe, South America, and Africa. Several play in top leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga. Changing the Culture of Representation What sets her apart is not only her success but her approach. She has introduced a more transparent style of negotiation, focusing on long-term stability rather than short-term profit. In an industry often criticized for secrecy and aggressive tactics, she insists on ethical standards and player welfare. “Footballers are not just assets,” she has said. “They are human beings with futures beyond the pitch.” This philosophy has attracted players who want more control over their careers and fewer exploitative arrangements. Influence Beyond Transfers Her influence now reaches beyond contracts. She advises clubs on youth development policies and serves as an informal consultant to federations seeking to modernize their management structures. She is also a vocal advocate for women in football leadership. Through mentorship programs, she helps young women enter sports law, management, and representation. Her success has already inspired a new generation of female agents and executives who see her as proof that power in football no longer belongs exclusively to men. Resistance and Challenges Despite her achievements, resistance remains. Some critics argue that football’s power structures are slow to accept change. She has faced online harassment and sexist criticism, particularly when representing high-profile male players. “There are still rooms where I have to prove myself twice,” she admitted. “But results speak louder than prejudice.” She has also had to navigate conflicts with powerful figures who prefer the traditional system of influence. Yet each successful deal strengthens her position, making it harder to dismiss her authority. A New Definition of Power In football, power has long been measured in money and influence. Today, her power is defined by trust. Players trust her with careers worth millions. Clubs trust her professionalism. Sponsors trust her brand vision. Her agency now ranks among the most profitable in the sport, managing contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Industry analysts say her rise reflects a broader shift in football’s business culture toward professionalism, diversity, and accountability. Impact on Women’s Football She has also used her platform to promote women’s football, helping female players secure better contracts and sponsorships. Several of her clients compete in top women’s leagues and international tournaments. By representing both men and women, she has created a bridge between two worlds of football that rarely intersect at the business level. This dual focus has helped normalize the idea that women can lead major negotiations in a sport traditionally ruled by men. The Road Ahead Looking forward, she plans to expand her agency into Asia and North America and invest in youth academies that prioritize education alongside football training. Her long-term vision is to redefine what it means to be an agent: not a deal-maker alone, but a guardian of players’ futures. “Football is changing,” she said recently. “And those who don’t change with it will be left behind.” A Symbol of Transformation The rise of football’s first female super agent is more than a personal success story. It is a signal that power in football is evolving. Talent, intelligence, and integrity now compete with tradition and old networks. In a game watched by billions, her presence behind the scenes represents a quiet revolution. She is not only negotiating contracts — she is rewriting the rules of influence. And as football continues to globalize and modernize, her story proves that the most powerful figures in the sport no longer look the same as they once did.
By Fiaz Ahmed a day ago in Unbalanced
Homestand Part VII: Boy, Our Power Play Sucks!
After two and a half weeks and some wild moments, the Colorado Avalanche's seven-game homestand came to an end on Friday night. Here's how the homestand went as of this point. First off, a blow out win over the Ottawa Senators that saw the Avs score six times in the second period. This was followed by a shutout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The third game of the homestand was an overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs that snapped the Avs' 17-game home winning streak, but the fourth game saw us lose in regulation on our own ice for the first time this season; a 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators.
By Clyde E. Dawkins8 days ago in Unbalanced
Homestand Part VI: Hitting a Wall
The Colorado Avalanche got back on the winning track with the big win over the Washington Capitals on MLK Day, with that win coming after our first home regulation loss to the Nashville Predators. Regarding this, our sixth game of our seven-game homestand, the team formerly known as Les Nordiques welcomed Les Canards, the Ducks, to Ball Arena. This was the second meeting between the Avs and Ducks, and the last meeting was also in Denver, we still have a trip to SoCal coming in this set.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 days ago in Unbalanced
Homestand Part V: Yet Another Mack-tacular Milestone
The Colorado Avalanche were coming off actually losing back-to-back games at home, which included losing in regulation on home ice for the first time all season. A 2-1-1 stretch in this homestand; the Avs welcomed the Washington Capitals in the fifth game in this set, a Capitals team who is looking for something following their second round exit last season.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 days ago in Unbalanced
Homestand Part IV: Crushed
Well... that happened. The Colorado Avalanche had a long layoff after the overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. That loss snapped a 17-game home winning streak, but the points streak remained. 22 home games, lost three--all past regulation. After three days off, the Avs were back in action against the Nashville Predators, and I always get nostalgic when the Avs and Preds get together. The teams met twice in the playoffs, in 2018 and 2022, and because of those meetings, I've always said that it's fun when these teams get together.
By Clyde E. Dawkins14 days ago in Unbalanced
Homestand Part III: Close Call
So far, the Colorado Avalanche are two-for-two in this long homestand that will dominate the month of January. A blowout win over the Ottawa Senators, and then, a shutout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. On Monday, we played host to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who desperately needed something. It had been a long season for the team, who find themselves in danger of their long playoff streak coming to an abrupt end.
By Clyde E. Dawkins17 days ago in Unbalanced
Homestand Part II: Not-So-Usual Suspects
On Thursday, the Colorado Avalanche's long homestand began against the Ottawa Senators, and it was a slaughter. An 8-2 victory that saw the Avs put six pucks in the net during the middle period. Martin Necas and Brock Nelson each reached the 20-goal mark during that game, and the highlight was Josh Manson's Gordie Howe Hat Trick--two goals, two assists, and a fight, with his dad, legendary player Dave Manson, in attendance.
By Clyde E. Dawkins21 days ago in Unbalanced
Homestand Part I: Like Father, Like Son
The Colorado Avalanche were in a new position this season: we were coming off back-to-back regulation losses. The Avs' three game Southeastern swing didn't go our way. A win in Raleigh followed by back-to-back regulation losses in Florida; Panthers first, then Lightning. So that gave us a grand total of... four. Four regulation losses. Still very low. It lowers our win total pace, but honestly, I could care less about that. Yes, winning during the regular season is important, but what really matters is getting those final 16 wins in the end and being the last team standing. That is a feeling we experienced three times before.
By Clyde E. Dawkins24 days ago in Unbalanced
A Rough Road Trip
When we last left our boys, it was 2025. We ended the year with a big time beatdown of the St. Louis Blues, and before we knew it, it was 2026! The Avs' tear continued! A 12-1-1 record in the month of December! Still holding the best record in the NHL, and that includes staying ahead of the surging Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild in the Central. It's a new year now, and the month of January is important. It's the last month before any breaks, and I say it like that because for the second straight year, there's no All-Star Game.
By Clyde E. Dawkins25 days ago in Unbalanced
Meet Laila Edwards: The first Black woman to play for Team USA’s Winter Olympic ice hockey team
In a sport that had been invented by people of color, hockey has largely been associated with folks of the lightest hue. For little girls and women to participate, it’s just as odd and rare because women usually don’t pick such an activity. Enter Laila Edwards. Shecis preparing to take to the ice as the first black female to represent Team USA.
By Skyler Saunders29 days ago in Unbalanced
How to End a Calendar Year
Happy New Year, all! And that "all" includes my fellow fans of the Colorado Avalanche! Boy, did we end 2025 on a winning note! We had five games left in the calendar year... and we won them all! First off, we defeated the Minnesota Wild in grand fashion, and that was beautiful, because those Wild were sure excited after the team got Quinn Hughes. And why wouldn't they be? He's a star on the blue line. Of course, they had to realize that they only have the second-best defenseman in the league, because as good as Hughes is, he's no Cale Makar.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a month ago in Unbalanced
