Shaved Ice – June 25

And with that, the NHL season comes to a close.

Well, we had one last Michi-gamer selection to do. Considering they all played big roles in the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup championship run, we’re selecting Michigan connections Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Brandon Saad as our final picks for our season-long feature. Click the link to read more about the three guys who once called the Mitten home, and how successful they were this postseason.

And congrats to the Blackhawks on their Stanley Cup championship. They erased a one-goal deficit by scoring twice in the final 1:16 to win their second Cup in four years.

MLive’s Ansar Khan says the Wings are trying to clear up their crowded forwards unit by making some trades before the free agency period begins.

The NHL Draft is this Sunday – get ready with our list of names to know by clicking on the image below.

The Meijer State Games took place this past weekend in Grand Rapids. Check out the rosters from the championship squads for each of the four divisions (14U unavailable):

• High School (Boys) – Team Metro West
• 19U Girls – Team East
• 12U Boys – District 6
• 14U Boys – District 7

Congrats to the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association for being named one of four new USA Hockey Model Association programs.

The Marquette Electricians will have a new coach – former Northern Michigan standout Jim Jackson is taking over behind the bench for the AAA program.

Hockey Night In Canada’s closing montage. Great stuff, as usual.

The Canucks will officially complete the swapping of head coaches with the New York Rangers today when they announce that John Tortorella will be their new bench boss.  I’m sure he will have fun with the goaltending situation in Vancouver.

Avalanche GM Patrick Roy said his club would take Nathan MacKinnon if the draft was today. The team’s VP, Joe Sakic, said last week that they would pass on NTDP alum Seth Jones.

Some of the injuries during the Stanley Cup Final are now coming to light – Patrice Bergeron was playing with a broken rib, torn rib cartilage and muscle, and a separated shoulder.

Boston defenseman Adam McQuaid has been blogging for NHL.com this postseason, and he published his thoughts on a heartbreaking loss for his club last night right here.

Can we start the countdown for this yet?

No hockey on TV tonight…that’s no good.