Morning Chirps: Hossa back on the ice, Kopitar to get two big honors

It’s a Saturday in August, so you have to search hard for some good hockey news. I have gladly done that for you and put it all in one place. Enjoy your Morning Chirps!

Blackhawks Chirps

• I continued our Blackhawks Number History series by looking at who wore numbers 6-10.

• Gail Kauchak used one word to describe every player on the Blackhawks' roster for the upcoming season.

• Brooke LoFurno took a look at what Ian Cole’s veteran presence might look like on the Blackhawks’ blue line this year.

• Blackhawks legend Marian Hossa was back on the ice as he took in a practice with HK Dukla Trenčín, a professional team in his native Slovakia. He’s preparing to play in Zdeno Chara’s farewell game on Aug. 21. Hall of Famer Duncan Keith will also take part in the special night.

• Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, Aug. 8: Bill Gadsby, Tony Salemlainen, and Cody Franson.

NHL Chirps

• Former Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall finally got his boating license, and he celebrated by taking the Stanley Cup out on the water! That’s one heck of a passenger!

• The Los Angeles Kings announced that they will retire Anze Kopitar’s No. 11 on Feb. 24, 2007, ahead of their game against the Montreal Canadiens. He becomes the eighth player in franchise history to have his number retired, joining Rob Blake (4), Marcel Dionne (16), Dave Taylor (18), Luc Robitaille (20), Dustin Brown (23), Rogie Vachon (30), and Wayne Gretzky (99). They will also unveil a bronze statue of Kopitar outside of the Crypto.com Arena. Let’s hope the Blackhawks are paying attention because Jonathan Toews needs this treatment as soon as possible.

• Former Rockford IceHogs forward Jackson Cates is heading overseas. He signed a one-year deal with the Nürnberg Ice Tigers of Germany’s DEL. He scored 24 goals and 49 points in 143 games for the IceHogs over the past three seasons.

• NHL Birthday Roll Call, Aug. 8: Ken Dryden, Greg Polis, Gary Rissling, Dominik Simon, Roby Jarventie, and Ridly Greig.
  

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