Growing up, every young Canadian hockey player dreams of one day playing in the National Hockey League and scoring a game-winner

Growing up, every young Canadian hockey player dreams of one day playing in the National Hockey League and scoring a game-winner in overtime. John Hayden Jersey . And just days away from his 25th birthday, Kitchener, Ontarios Mike Hoffman is living that dream. And in Game 42 of his NHL career on Thursday night, Hoffman delivered the decisive blow 2:39 into OT in a 4-3 Ottawa Senators win over the Edmonton Oilers, ending the night in chilly Edmonton the way it started - with Hoffmans first of two in the game to spark the Sens to a much-needed victory. It was the second two-goal game of the year for Hoffman, who according to Elias, is just one of two rookies in the NHL with a pair of multi-goal games (LAs Tanner Pearson - another Kitchener native - being the other). Pearson and Hoffman share another piece of history - one that isnt that kind to their hometown OHL team the Kitchener Rangers. Their crystal ball must have been cloudy when deciding that neither Pearson, Hoffman, nor Winnipegs Mark Scheifele (another Kitchener kid who slipped past many in the 2009 OHL Draft before being claimed by Saginaw in the seventh round, 134th overall) had good OHL upside. Just a year earlier, the Barrie Colts took a chance on Pearson - a former Rangers stick boy - and selected him in the 14th round. Hoffman wasnt drafted by an OHL team and was considered a Kitchener call-up during the 2006-2007 season before finally getting waived by the league. That freed him to jump to the QMJHL, where his game started to take shape. He was guided with quality coaching from Gatineaus Benoit Groulx, Drummondvilles Guy Boucher and Saint Johns Gerard Gallant during his time in the Q, which included being named the leagues most valuable player as a 20- year-old and finished his junior career as the Sea Dogs top scorer in 2009-2010. Gallant, now head coach of the Florida Panthers, tells The Dreger Report he isnt surprised by Hoffmans NHL success. He could always shoot and score, he explained. He just had to feel comfortable in the league and like most players, playing in the minors never hurts. As they say, stuff happens and the OHLs Rangers - like so many other major junior teams - are careful with local kids, recognizing sometimes its best to pass them over rather than potentially burn relationships if things dont work out. But it appears to be working out for all three players. With six goals in his last five NHL games, Hoffman is making the most of an opportunity and isnt worrying about days gone by. Hes described as strong and wiry with explosive speed, a high level of skill and a dangerous one-timer. And thats part of the reason hes getting a role on Ottawas second power play unit. Like all inexperienced players, Hoffman has flaws. The scouting report says he can get too cute at times, trying to make plays with his hands rather than his speed and there was a point not long ago when Sens brass had serious conversations over whether or not he had a long-term place in the organization. The one question that was repeatedly asked: Can he do it at the NHL level? And 13 games into the season, Hoffmans seven goals, eight points and undeniable chemistry with Mark Stone and Curtis Lazar on Ottawas Kid Line may make it time to stop asking that question. Methot On The Mend Staying on the topic of the Senators, Ottawa defenceman Marc Methot appears to be getting closer to returning to play. Methot, who has been plagued by back and hip problems, saw a specialist last week who confirmed his injury is soft-tissue based. Thats Good news. Early next week, the Senators are hoping to have a better sense as to when the veteran blueliner will be healthy enough to return. Meanwhile, theres been no progress made on his contract negotiations with the Senators - and virtually no discussions over the past three weeks - which continues to fuel trade speculation. The Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are believed to be among the teams interested. GM Meeting Next Week NHL general managers will meet on Tuesday in Toronto, traditionally setting up the March meetings where the executives decide on rule changes or amendments. While NHL executive vice-president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell is closely guarding the meetings agenda, the laundry list of items - and early season observations - will most certainly include a lengthy debate on overtime. Based on the success of 3-on-3 in the American Hockey League and the growing number of believers outside of the NHL Commissioners office, GMs are confident the leagues current overtime format - as compared to the AHL experiment - will be a primary focus next week. While the shootout is still considered a valued piece of entertainment, some of the leagues decision makers say its lost its novelty and think its unfair to dismiss 3-on-3 until its been tested at the NHL level. While no decisions are expected to emerge from Tuesdays meeting, it will be interesting to get a read on how views have changed on 3-on-3 given the evidence supplied by the AHL. Look for a complete breakdown on Tuesday during Insider Trading on SportsCentre and on TSN.ca. Brandon Saad Jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that Hemsky will be going to market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Tommy Wingels Jersey . Halladays resume as a Blue Jay is among the elite in the franchises 36-year history. Over 12 seasons in Toronto, he was named an All-Star six times. He had arguably the finest campaign of his career in 2003 when he posted a 22-7 record, a 3. http://www.blackhawksauthority.com/authentic-michal-kempny-blackhawks-jersey/ . Catch all the action on TSN2 and TSN GO at 9pm et/6pm pt. San Antonio took the series lead Monday night with a 122-105 home victory in Game 1. The Spurs used a balanced scoring attack and clamped down defensively late in the third quarter to claim the win.BEREA, Ohio - Unlike most Clevelanders, Brian Hoyer didnt jump up and down or cheer when he heard the Browns drafted Johnny Manziel. Hoyer shrugged and got ready to fight for his job. "It was almost a sense of relief when he was drafted," he said, "because I knew exactly right then and there what it was going to be." Its going to be a quarterback battle unlike anything Cleveland has seen before. Hoyer, the hometown kid and incumbent starter, and Manziel — the college football superstar with the larger-than-life persona, catchy nickname and Heisman Trophy — were on the field together Wednesday, the second day of organized team activities. With roughly 60 media members lining the fields and focused on the two QBs every move, Hoyer and Manziel went through passing drills and took turns behind centre in a competition expected to last several months. Afterward, Hoyer said he and Manziel are developing a "working relationship" and joked the pair are getting along splendidly. "I was thinking about sending him a birthday card," Hoyer quipped. Hoyer, though, understands what under first-year coach Mike Pettine meant about the quarterback competition being somewhat heated. "I totally get it," he said. "I dont think were in there not being friendly. But when youre gunning for the same job, there is a little bit of an edge to it." The Browns are expecting Manziel to challenge Hoyer, who is coming off right knee surgery. The team has made it clear that Hoyer is the starter and will remain so unless Manziel can beat him out. This is nothing new to Hoyer, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament last season. Hoyer has been battling for a job since he joined the NFL, only this time hes the one that others are gunning for. "It does feel different because as of right now Im the top guy, and before Ive always been coming from behind," Hoyer said. "My mentality has never really changed." Manziel did not speak to reporters after practice, but several Browns players were asked about their famous new teammate, the scrambling magician known as Johnny Football. The former Texas A&M star fell in the first round before Cleveland traded up to take him with the No. 22 overall pick. So far, Manziel has kept his head buried in his playbook. "Johnny has done a good job of being a rookie, keeping his mouth shut,&quuot; Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas said. CM Punk Jersey. "Rookies are supposed to be seen and not heard, which is what hes done." Hoyer waited four seasons for his chance to start. After spending three years in New England as Tom Bradys backup, he made one start in Arizona before he bounced around and signed as a free agent with Cleveland last May. Hoyer was prepared for the Browns to draft a quarterback. He never expected to be handed anything, and not once did he consider asking for a trade. "No, never," he said. "I knew, even going back to last summer, that this was the place that I wanted to be, and it ended up working out and I got back here, and then I got a chance to play. This is my hometown. This is where my familys from. This is where I want to make a difference. Ill never shy away from competition, and its something I had prepared myself for." Hoyer and Manziel each had good moments during the nearly two-hour workout, which Pettine kept open to the media after limiting access for last weeks rookie minicamp. Hoyer, wearing a knee brace but moving without any problems, made the days best pass, completing a long touchdown to wide receiver Conner Vernon. Manziels final pass got batted down, but he showed some of the moves that made him a household name. Still, hes got work to do. "Its just like any other rookie, that hes just inconsistent," Pettine said. "A lot of its the mental part of it. Hes more worrying about getting the formation right, making sure the motions correct and hes got the cadence. Then hes got to worry about where guys are. Once all that stuff becomes second nature a little bit, hell be a lot more comfortable. "He flashed some things that made him kind of who he is, the ability to make plays on his feet." NOTES: Pro Bowl WR Josh Gordon practiced as he awaits a possible league suspension. Gordon declined comment. ... WR Miles Austin said he called former Browns QB Bernie Kosar to ask for permission to wear No. 19. "I never wanted to step on anyones toes," Austin said. "I thought it was the right thing to do." ... Pettine would not discuss injuries to several players, including starting DT Ahtyba Rubin, who was not on the field. ... OG Garrett Gilkey exchanged a few punches with rookie DT Calvin Barnett, whose helmet was ripped off during the fracas. Cheap Soccer Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Hockey Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Nike MLB Jerseys China Wholesale Baseball Jerseys China Wholesale College Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Wholesale Jerseys Near Me Cheap Jerseys Online Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic MLB Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Throwback Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China ' ' '