WRITTEN BY- Robertson Davies’ Beard
On the day that most of are born, some kind soul cleans us off and hands us back to our exhausted labour-worn mothers; and in return expects to be told our name within moments. This is one of things I have learned from TV.
With any luck, our parents will have spent plenty of time coming up with a name that will end up serving us well through the rest of our lives. With greater luck, a special few will have some trait, peculiarity or event happen in our lives that causes our friends (usually) to bestow a new and defining name upon us. In hockey, we have Mr. Hockey, The Great One, The Little Ball of Hate and The Big Z(ed). (Hey, this is Canada.)
I’ve watched the birthing of a nickname. It’s awesome.
My friend Jim nearly drowned a few years ago. It was a scary moment for Jim and everyone else that was there, but it also took no time for his pals to slap a new nickname on him. So, Jim became Jimmy Sinks. It’s not as if he had any choice in the matter either. Because to oppose your nickname is to invite being given one that you dislike even more.
Which brings us rather circuitously back to the Ottawa Senators. Dzingel turns to Dzinger, Stone gets stuck with Stoner, Formenton gets cut to Forms. Yawn.
Let’s face it. Just as the team needs some more help in the stands from fans, the players need help with their rather pedestrian nicknames. Heck, they need our help!
(This is the part of the ChirpEd where I apologize for not writing instead about why we should trade Cody Ceci or fire Guy Boucher. Sorry, that’s been covered recently. But now is a good time for a fluff piece.)
Chirp fans, this is your personal invitation to impact the history of the Sens franchise by coming up with a new moniker for your favourite Senators.
There are only two rules to this project:
1. Be creative. No nickname suggestions with “ey”, “er”, or “s” or abbreviations. You’re better than that. As Melania says: “Be Best.
2. If you haven’t yet Voted for Chirp for Blogger of The Year over at Facesmag.ca, then please do so. Or do it again. Voting closes today at noon. You owe it to yourself and The One True Chirp. (You just knew the shameless vote plug was coming, right?)
Do you have an all time favourite hockey nickname? Of course you do. Let’s hear it.
Share your favourites in the comment section along with your idea for new nicknames for the Sens. Best suggestion (as judged by someone with a beard) wins a pint of cold beer and a bowl of warm seafood chowder this season at Ottawa’s Newfoundland Pub.
Thanks in advance for your Chirp votes and nickname suggestions.
