International Hockey

Everybody loves a nice Cinderella story, right?

While nations like Canada, Russia, and Sweden are virtualy able to ice two teams apiece, there are many others who are simply fortunate to be a part of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The Finns, Czechs, Americans, and Slovaks also sport a large contingency of players in the NHL and throughout Europe, but there is still a list of five countries who have a chance of playing the "dark horse" in February.

Those teams include Switzerland, Norway, Latvia, Belarus, and Germany.

There's no question that all five nations have improved over the years, but they still have a lot of work to do. Though it's highly unlikely any of these countries will be competing for hardware, there's always a chance that one team will push their way through—Even if it's just a lucky bounce.

In 2002, the Belarusians stunned Sweden, as goaltender Tommy Salo juggled a long drive from Vladimir Kopat, sending Belarus to the Olympic semifinals for the first time in their nation's history.

However, they were crushed at the hands of Canada by a score of 7-1.

Switzerland was ousted by the Swedes in the quarterfinal of the 2006 event in Torino but managed to pull off what is arguably their greatest victory in hockey.

In a preliminary round matchup, the Swiss took a 2-0 contest from Team Canada. The world watched as Martin Gerber registered a 49-save shutout, turning in one of the most outstanding performances by a goaltender in international competition.

Who's turn will it be this year? Here's an overview of what to expect in Vancouver.

Switzerland

Since there will be a shortage of offense from the Swiss, they will have to play to their strength: Goaltending.

Jonas Hiller is regarded as arguably the best Swiss netminder today, and he is a sure-fire bet to start when they take on the United States in their first game. He has the capability to steal games, and with the help of a defense-first system, he will face most of his shots from the outside.

Special teams will also be the main source of offense. Mark Streit and Yannick Weber will most likely be running the power play, with each providing a big shot from the point. Severin Blindenbacher and Martin Pluss will also be critical to the team's offense, if they are healthy when the tournament begins.

Norway

The Norwegians will be icing one of the youngest teams in the tournament, with the expectations to gain experience in international events.

Most players who represented Norway at the 2009 World Championship suit up in the Swedish Elite League and the GET-Ligaen, the top Norwegian league. The only players from their national squad that have suited up in the NHL are defensemen Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Arders Myrvold, and forward Patrick Thoresen.

For veteran players such as Tommy Jakobsen, Mats Trygg, and Tore Vikingstad, who have plenty of games under their belts, it will be their job to help their young core in hopes that Norway will evolve into a stronger hockey nation.

Latvia

The addition of Dinamo Riga to the KHL has really helped hockey in Latvia. The lone Latvian-based team finished second in their division and was featured 13 players who dressed for Latvia's national team this past spring.

Between 2006 and 2008 at the World Championship, the Latvians finished 10th, 13th and 11th place, respectively, and did not appear to have much to look forward to. In 2009, they finished in seventh, matching their best performance that was set in 1997.

The Latvians have shown signs of improvement but still lack at depth. Dallas Stars defenseman Karlis Skrastins and international veteran Herbert Vasiljevs—who has played in a whopping 133 games for his country—will be counted on heavily to lead the charge.

Martins Karsums, Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Martins Cipulis will also need to be at their best to help produce offense.

Belarus

The 2010 Olympics may showcase the most talented squad that Belarus has iced in any IIHF-sanctioned event.

Though they might not have depth up front, the Belarusians have three skilled NHL forwards in Mikhail Grabovski, Andrei Kostitsyn, and Sergei Kostitsyn. Coach Glen Hanlon has the option to use all three together or keep Grabovski for second-line duty with Alexei Kalyuzhny—who enjoyed a strong World Championshup playing on the top line.

Defense and goaltending could prove to be the downfall for Belarus.

Ruslan Salei remains the only solidified defenders of the bunch, and he will have to be at his best to hold the blue line.

Andrei Mezin, a 35-year-old goalie, has spent time in 10 different leagues over his career. On the other hand, he was one of the top netminders in the KHL last season and posted a 4-1 record with a 94.8 save-percentage with Belarus at the 2009 World Championship.

They could surprise once again, but would also need to play a hard-nosed game to force their bounces.

Germany

Of this list of teams, the Germans have a much larger population of players who play in North America. That normally wouldn't mean much—considering European leagues have progressed—but the fact that this tournament is being played on NHL soil could benefit those players on Team Germany.

Germany has come off one of their worst international performances, with a 15th place finish at the 2009 World Championship. The Germans went 1-5 and did not have any player post more than two points.

Seriously?

If that's the same lineup that shows up in Vancouver, the Germans won't stand a chance. Hopefully they will get a boost in offense with the additions of sniper Marco Sturm and puck-moving defenseman Dennis Seidenberg.

Defense may be their biggest strength, assuming Seidenberg, Christoph Schubert, and Christian Ehrhoff will be a part of the team. Dimitri Patzold and Thomas Greiss are the front-runners to assume goaltending roles, as it appears Olaf Kolzig is pondering retirement.

If they have any hope of keeping up with the rest of the class, Germany will have to play physical and force turnovers. Capitalizing on their opportunities will be critical to their success.

Sources/More Information: IIHF, HockeyDB, YouTube

Is Alex Ovechkin Playing Kung Fu Hockey? The Pittsburgh Penguins accused him of hitting with an intent to injure after he hurt Sergei Gonchar and others.

Is Alex Ovechkin using the secrets of Far Eastern energy movement techniques when he plays hockey? His slap shots and wrist shots are so hard, you have to suspect he is using qi gung, kung fu, or some secret Shaolin techniques.

Yesterday, I wrote a column called Top 10 Zen Forest Meditation Tips and it proved to be popular, so I thought I'd follow it up with the Top 10 Zen Forest Qi Gung Secrets.

The high speed, hard hitting sport we call hockey is becoming ppopular in Asian nations so quickly, the NHL may soon have to plan for an Asian Division when it goes global, with Divisions in Canada, the USA, Europe, and Russia.

Claude Lemieux made his return to the NHL this year by way of playing for the China Sharks before joining the San Jose Sharks.

It amazes me there aren't already a lot of Asians or martial arts experts excelling in pro sports in North America. After all, the Far East is the home of the martial arts and energy exercises, starting with Qi Gong.

Sometimes I wonder if certain players like Ovechkin are using the ancient secrets of the Shaolin when they play hockey.

Here's the top ten things you need to know about Shaolin, Qi Gong, and Kung Fu for hockey.

1. Qi gong is also known as Qigong, chi kung, and so on. However you spell it, it has a close relationship to the Chinese martial arts and to traditional Chinese medicine.

2. Qi gong or chi kung is also related to tai chi.

3. Chi means energy, or life force, as in "may the force be with you."

4. Qi gong masters can, reportedly, harness chi, prana, or energy flow and used it to throw a person across a room, break bricks with bare hands, boards with heads, and so on.

5. Qi Gong originated in a temple called Shaolin, where a mysterious, bearded, blue-eyed Buddhist from southern India taught some tired monks how to get in shape.

6. Qi Gong is at the heart of many martial arts, including ju jitsu, tae kwon do, judo, Bagua, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Five Animals, Hsing I, Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Monkey, Bak Mei Pai, Praying Mantis, Fujian White Crane, Wing Chun and Tai Chi Chuan.

7. Zen Buddhist monks may not like to make a connection between energy exercises and all those violent, competitive sports, as they are non-competitive pacifists.

8. At the Zen Forest, meditation is followed by qi gong exercises and the combination of the two is very energizing.

9. Using qi gong in the Zen Forest, I learned how to split logs effortlessly for hours.

10. Shaolin Soccer was a silly movie and so far as I know, nobody has used qi gong for shaolin hockey, for some reason.

You have to wonder what goes into the shots of Alex Ovechkin. He takes more shots than anyone and they are fast, hard, and accurate.

Blocking his shots hurts, as the New York Rangers discovered in the first round of the NHL playoffs this year. Getting hit by one of his shots accidentally cause injury.

His shots that miss the net have shattered the glass behind the goal. Is he using the force, or life energy?

by Wendy Hansen, 28 April 2009 | Beat Writer | Blue Tongues Ice Hockey Club

Few players on the Blue Tongues roster can say they know first hand what it’s like to win the Goodall Cup - the third oldest prize in ice hockey around the world - but veteran forward Trevor Walsh, who recently signed with the Blue Tongues after his move to Brisbane with his family, can attest to what it takes to win the coveted trophy all too well.

“There is only one way to approach any game and that is to want to win. If you don’t want to win, then there is no sense playing a competitive sport. That’s what I love about the game of ice hockey - it attracts the most competitive people." 

When asked what he can bring to the Blue Tongues line up this season, Walshie (as he’s affectionately known) replied, “It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks but I will give 100% every shift I play this season. I believe this year the Blue Tongues have a real chance to be successful and I am very happy to be a part of this team.”

And a part of any successful team is chemistry, on and off the ice.

“On ice chemistry being the most important of the two,” Walshie said. “Most teams have a lot of different personalities with many different off ice commitments which might prohibit a lot of interaction. It’s on the ice where the chemistry is most important.”

Walsh knows a thing or two about chemistry on the ice. In the last 9 seasons, he has scored 118 goals and 93 assists.

“Every member of the team must be on the same page. No one player can think he is bigger than the team’s objective. It is not an easy thing to achieve, but when the chemistry is right, it usually has a successful outcome and is a really fun thing to be a part of.

"I have been fortunate to be a part of this type of situation a couple times while playing hockey.” And not just locally either, as Walshie has represented Australia numerous times as part of the Mighty Roos, Australia’s National Mens team.

A hard-hitting and intense forward, the ever humble Walsh imbedded himself into the hearts of the Adelaide Avalanche (and now Adelaide Adrenaline) fans.

“Adelaide has a real healthy hockey following and I was very fortunate to play there for the last nine years. The people of Adelaide were very good to me and my family.”

When asked what he thinks the Adelaide fans’ reaction will be to his return to the ice in an opposing sweater, Walsh answered, “I think that they understand that a hockey player wants to play at the most competitive level for as long as he can.

"I missed out on a year and a half of the AIHL due to things out my control in Adelaide. I just want to finish out my career with a championship. I believe I can do that here on the Gold Coast. I think Adelaide fans will respect that.”

We hope he can finish his career with another Championship too, with the Blue Tongues!

In 2010 team Sweden will ice a roster that will have to compete with CANADA and RUSSIA. It will probably be the third most powerful team in terms of depth and skill.

First line: LW-Henrik Zetterberg, C-Nicklas Backstrom, RW-Daniel Alfredsson 

The top line will consist of Sweden's best players in their respected positions and will be relied upon to score the big and timely goals.

Second line: LW-Daniel Sedin, C-Henrik Sedin, RW-Johan Franzen

The second line will be relied upon just like the top line, but to a lesser extent.

Third line checking: LW-Thomas Holmstrom, C-Samuel Pahlsson, RW-Micael Samuelsson

The checking line will consist of size and grit and will be up against the likes of Crosby and Ovechkin.

Fourth line: LW-Loui Eriksson, C-Patrik Berglund, RW-Fabian Brunnstrom.

The fourth line will consist of skill, speed, and youth...this line will chip in the odd goal or two and maybe slow down the opposition.

DEFENSIVE UNITS

Top pair: Nicklas Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall

Second unit: Mattias Ohlund and Alexander Edler

Third unit:Tobias Enstrom and Victor Hedman

Sweden's blue line will be second only to Canada's in terms of depth and skill.

GOAL-TENDING

Henrik Lundqvist: top five goaltender in the world

Back-up: Eric Ersberg

Well there you go. These players are Sweden's cream of the crop. I see you noticed I left out the likes Sundin, Forsberg, and Naslund. Well Sundin's too old, Forsberg's always hurt, and there are a dozen players that are better than Naslund. If team Sweden were to put any of these players on the team I think it would only hurt and hamper Sweden's chances at a gold medal. And with other juggernaut teams like Canada and Russia, Sweden is going to need all the speed and skill it can have to beat these teams

Brad Smulders is the Gold Coast Blue Tongues' latest addition to their import-player list for the 2009 Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) Season.

Brad is one of those players who is easy to like.  A slick puck-moving winger with an eye for the net, Brad has put up big numbers in North America and Europe.

Standing at 6'1" and 83kg, Smulders is a solid player, who is known to take the body, battle in the corners, and put the puck on net in order to help his team win.

His career stats are long and varied, but one thing has been consistent throughout his career: His ability to put the puck in the net. From his year with the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs (99/00) where he put up 35 goals and 80 points in 60 games to the 07/08 season when he tallied 20 goals and 42 points in 24 games, Brad has been a go-to guy in the scoring department.

When asked about playing on the Gold Coast with the Blue Tongues and what he can bring to the team he responded:

"I am definitely looking forward to coming to play in the Gold Coast and in the AIHL!" He went on to say, "I can bring scoring, hard work, and a winning attitude to the Gold Coast."

We also asked him which NHL Player his game most resembled.

"It's a tough question. I'd have to say maybe a Jason Spezza but a winger."

His winning attitude and scoring has won him accolades in Europe. He was awarded Top Scorer, Top Goal Scorer, and Most Assists in the WC Division 1 Group A in the Netherlands in 2007.

Specs & Details:

Born:	08.12.83, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Height:	187 cm / 6' 1"
Weight:	83 kg / 182lbs / 13st 0lbs
Position:	Wing / Forward
Shoots:	Left

Heading into the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., the Soviet hockey team was heavily favored to win its fifth straight Olympic gold medal. Little was expected of the U.S. team, especially after losing 10-3 to the Soviets in an exhibition game days before the Olympics.

As expected, the USSR cruised undefeated through its first five games to reach the four-team medal round. The U.S. shocked many experts in their opening games, tying Sweden and defeating Czechoslovakia. After three wins against lesser competition, they advanced to the medal round, where they faced the Soviets first.

The U.S. hung with the Soviets in the first period and trailed 2-1 when a mistake by Hall-of-Fame goaltender Vladislav Tretiak helped turn the game. In the final seconds of the period, Tretiak gave up a long rebound on a shot from center ice and American Mark Johnson put it home to tie the game with one second left.

Soviet coach Viktor Tikhonov pulled Tretiak, a decision he would call his biggest mistake ever.

The USSR scored the only goal of the second period, but Johnson tied the game in the third. Then, halfway through the period, U.S. captain Mike Eruzione fired a snap shot passed Soviets’ backup goalie Vladimir Myshkin to give the U.S. a 4-3 lead.

The Soviets tried furiously to tie the game, but U.S. goaltender Jim Craig helped preserve the lead. With five seconds left, as the U.S. cleared the puck out of its zone to seal the victory, announcer Al Michaels exclaimed, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

American players mobbed around Craig in celebration as the Soviets stood stunned at their blue line. The Lake Placid crowd waved large American flags and chanted “USA! USA!”

“It was an Olympian moment,” wrote E.M. Smith in Sports Illustrated. “The kind the creators of the Games must have had in mind, one that said: ‘Here is something that is bigger than any of you.’”

The Americans still needed to beat Finland two day later to win gold; a loss would have given the Soviets the gold and the U.S. bronze. Though they trailed 2-1 heading into the third, the U.S. scored three unanswered goals to win the gold.

Background: The U.S. and Soviet teams

The Soviets were the dominant team of international hockey, winning four straight Olympic golds and frequently defeating teams of professionals in exhibition games.

“They practiced 11 months of the year and devoted themselves exclusively to hockey,” describes the International Ice Hockey Federation. “They were in flawless physical condition. They practiced as five-man units to ensure everyone on ice knew where every teammate was at all times.”

The Americans were primarily amateur collegians, unknown even to many hockey fans.

Coach Herb Brooks, a two-time Olympian who was the last cut on the 1960 gold medal winning U.S. team, was a “driven perfectionist” who pushed the young team hard during six months of preparation. Many of the players grew to hate Brooks, but they respected him and were highly motivated by him.


Effect on American society

The “Miracle on Ice,” became a symbol of American resolve in an era of apathy and growing U.S.-Soviet tension.

Russia had invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. Americans were facing the Iranian hostage crisis, an energy crunch, inflation, and high unemployment. Public disillusionment lingered over events of the 1970s like the bitter end of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.

“That game may have been the moment when Americans started feeling pride again,” Barry Rosen, one of the captives from the Iranian hostage crisis, told The New York Times. "People were looking for something to hold on to. Things were so bad for so long.”


The game’s place in history

The "Miracle on Ice" is considered by many to be the greatest moment in American sports history. Sports Illustrated named the entire team its Sportsmen of the Year for 1980, the first time a team had received that honor.

“At a time when international tensions and domestic frustrations had dampened traditional American optimism, the underdog U.S. Olympic hockey team gave the entire nation a lift,” wrote E.M. Smith. “Those youngsters did so by means of the old-fashioned American work ethic, which some people feared was disappearing from the land.”

Kevin Allen, author of USA Hockey: A Celebration of a Great Tradition writes, “No other Olympic performance has touched America the way that hockey team did, not even Jesse Owens's brilliant runs in front of Adolf Hitler in Berlin in 1936.

“Thanks to the advent of television, Eruzione's goal in 1980 triggered a spontaneous national celebration of amazing proportion,” Allen went on to say. “People wept, strangers hugged each other, and groups around the country broke into stirring renditions of God Bless America and The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Article originally published at findingDulcinea

Finland is the seventh of an eight-part series previewing the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Other team previews can be found here: Russia | Canada | USA | Sweden | Czech Republic | Slovakia | Mexico (Satire)

This Finnish national side is unlike any other team in the field because it wants to play defense first. They are confident they can mix it up with any of the powerhouse nations and win games with goaltending.

Silver medalists from Turin, the Blue Machine will look to improve and go one step further to win the Gold in 2010.

Teemu Selanne still remains the figure of Finnish hockey even after nearly two decades in the program. He will be joined by some rising stars this year. Finland fields a squad currently ranked fourth overall and their team chemistry may be one of the best.

Forwards

First Line

C Olli Jokinen, Phoenix Coyotes

LW Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild

RW Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks

Second Line

C Saku Koivu, Montreal Canadiens

LW Tuomo Ruutu, Carolina Hurricanes

RW Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars

Third Line

C Valtteri Filppula, Detroit Red Wings

LW Niklas Hagman, Toronto Maple Leafs

RW Antti Miettinen, Minnesota Wild

Fourth Line

C Niko Kapanen, Ak Bars Kazan

LW Jarkko Ruutu, Ottawa Senators

RW Antti Pihlstrom, Nashville Predators

Analysis

As a normal Finnish roster would look like, no major scoring threats except national hero Teemu Selanne. These forwards will grind and force their way through any line in the Olympics and will have to.

The top line is by far the most talented. Olli Jokinen and Selanne are ever-dangerous scoring threats, and Mikko Koivu is a fast rising star for Minnesota.

Tuomo Ruutu will bring youth to a second line that is full of experience. Jere Lehtinen will most likely be playing in his last Olympic games and Saku Koivu is also getting up in age.

The third line will draw some interest. Valtteri Filppula has risen out of oblivion in the past two seasons with the Red Wings and Hagman, although he has been in the NHL since 2001, experience his best year ever in 2007-08.

The final line will be utilized in several reasons because of their toughness. Antti Pihlstrom may actually play his way onto a higher line by 2010 due to his potential.

Backup Options

Jussi Jokinen, Tampa Bay Lightning; Ville Leino, Detroit Red Wings; Janne Pesonen, Pittsburgh Penguins; Lauri Korpikoski, New York Rangers

Defensemen

First Pairing

LD Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers

RD Sami Salo, Vancouver Canucks

Second Pairing

LD Joni Pitkanen, Carolina Hurricanes

RD Teppo Numminen, Buffalo Sabres

Third Pairing

LD Ossi Vaananen, Philadelphia Flyers

RD Lasse Kukkonen, Philadelphia Flyers

Analysis

Not a particularly offensive unit, they still get the job done. Timonen is the best of the bunch, but that isn't saying a whole lot. He will be paired with Sami Salo, as long as Salo is healthy for the games.

Pitkanen is probably the most offensive minded of the group. He will start on the power play alongside Timonen and most likely be the only blueliner to jump in on offense. Numminen on the other hand is a very defensive minded player.

A duo of Flyers make up the third pairing. Both are committed to defense and could see more playing time than people expect.

Backup Options

Toni Lydman, Buffalo Sabres; Sami Lepisto, Washington Capitals; Ville Koistinen, Nashville Predators

Goaltenders

Starter

G Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild

Backup

G Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames

Analysis

This is another goaltending race that is very much up for grabs. Kiprusoff has been the national goalie for several years now, but Backstrom's rising play and Kiprusoff's drop in play have lead to a changing of the guard. Backstrom is the younger of the two and has played better every year, but Kiprusoff will not be so quick to give up his starting job.

Backup Options

Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators; Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers

Coaching

Head Coach

Jukka Jalonen

Final Outcome

No medal. They will miss the medal round.

With the Vancouver/Whistler Olympics set to start in less than a year, who should Canada take for the run for gold? And don't think the U.S. team has forgotten how Canada robbed them in 2002 on their own soil. Don't you think the Americans would love to return that favour in 2010?

I think the team will be remarkably different from the team in 2006. Without further ado, here are my choices for 2010 Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey team:

Goalies

1. Martin Brodeur
2. Roberto Luongo
3. Carey Price

Defensive pairings

Dan Boyle/Jay Bouwmeester

Shea Weber/Dion Phaneuf

Chris Pronger/Robyn Regehr

Mike Green

Forward Lines

Rick Nash/Sidney Crosby/Dany Heatley

Jeff Carter/Joe Thornton/Jarome Iginla

Ryan Getzlaf/Vincent Lecavalier/Corey Perry

Shane Doan/Mike Richards/Patrick Marleau

Marc Savard

The aforementioned team has a good mix of youth, experience, toughness, size, speed, and skill. My choice for captain would be Shane Doan, with alternates going to Iginla and Pronger. 

Please send me your thoughts if you agree, disagree, or what ever the case may be. I know currently some of these players are not playing (or not playing well in the case of Carey Price), but they will be. There is no reason to think a return to form won't happen.

Coming soon: the rest of the elite six (USA, Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland, and Russia).

I was watching President Obama’s first press conference just the other day.  I have to say, I felt more depressed after watching it than when I first turned the TV on.

Nothing against our president, mind you. I really hope that President Obama sets this country right and takes care of our very large problems. But the doom and gloom talk started taking a toll. I needed to get out of my funk so I decided to remember things that remind me of how great our country really is and the people, places, and events that make it so…

29 years ago, on Feb. 22, a sporting event took place that completely changed the outlook of our nation. The result of this match restored hope to a wounded people, gave promise to the future to those who had none, and completely reversed a mental decline that had gripped our country by the throat for several years.

The event? 

The USA Olympic men’s hockey team defeat of the Soviet Union, 4-3, at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games.

We all remember that group of very young, but talented, American college hockey players and how they defeated one of the greatest sports powerhouses of all time—the Soviet Union ice hockey team. What made this accomplishment even more significant was the impact it had on our country as a whole—it was the first step we all took together to look forward with confidence.

But to put things into perspective, let’s take a stroll down 1980 memory lane…

President Carter signed legislation approving a $1.5 billion loan to help bail out the Chrysler Corporation.

The FBI was busy fishing for crooked Congressmen via the Abscam sting operation.

The Sandinistas took over Nicaragua.

The Soviet Union had recently invaded Afghanistan.

The Iran Hostage Crisis was in its 108^th day.

The U.S. dollar was at an all-time low.

Interest rates reached high double digits.

Unemployment was rising.

Sounds a bit like today, doesn’t it?

There are a lot of people out there that have lost homes, savings, jobs, pride, and worst of all—hope. There is precious little for many to cling to and most of us shake our heads in disbelief at how bad the situation really is.

But there is hope.

29 years ago a team of very young Americans showed us that there is always hope.

With blades and sticks they took on and bested one of the greatest sports dynasties ever.

They showed us that with hard work, passion, and teamwork, anything can be accomplished.

We’ll get through these tough times just like we have in the past. All we need to do is remember the lesson a bunch of kids taught us almost three decades ago…