Offtopic/fun » Melbourne Victory to A-League titles in 2007 and 2009, too

CHICAGO -- Brian Campbells 3-year-old daughter had soccer on Saturday morning, so his family skipped the Blackhawks scrimmage at the United Center. The grinning defenseman said he wasnt sure if her team was playing games yet, but she had to be there.No big deal. Campbell will get plenty of opportunities for family time this year.The 37-year-old Campbell is back in Chicago after spending the last five seasons in Florida, leaving some money on the table for a one-year deal and a second stint with the Blackhawks. His wife, Lauren, is from the region, and the couple and their two young daughters make their offseason home in the area.Its just great to wake up every morning and I know the area and my wifes extremely happy and the kids with school and everything just being ready to go, he said.The move was a no-brainer for Chicago, which lost Johnny Oduya during free agency last July and missed his veteran presence at times last season. With Campbell in the fold, the Blackhawks appear to be in great shape with their blue liners, with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook leading a deep group of defensemen.Campbell, who helped Chicago win the Stanley Cup in 2010, had six goals and 25 assists in 82 games with the Panthers last season. He led NHL defensemen with a plus-31 plus-minus rating.Just such a real smart player, said Blackhawks assistant Kevin Dineen, who also coached Campbell for three seasons in Florida. I think his patience is a real key for us. He makes really quality plays. Hes been around for a while and he loves the game. He can skate all night.The Blackhawks love mobile defensemen who can help on the offensive side, and Campbell seems like a perfect fit for what they try to do. He assisted on Richard Paniks first goal of Saturdays scrimmage, the centerpiece of the teams annual training camp festival, and carried the puck all the way up the ice during another impressive sequence.Chicago is missing several players at the moment due to the World Cup of Hockey, but Campbell has made a smooth return to the Blackhawks so far.Theres a few things system-wise thats going to be different, Im sure. Its kind of tough to get into that right now, said Campbell, who played in every regular-season game while he was with the Panthers. But not much has changed. Theres a lot of the same staff, which is great, and the organization just keeps getting better every day.Campbell, a native of Strathroy, Ontario, played with a couple current Blackhawks during his first stint with the team, and he already has made an impression on his new teammates.Skating with him and seeing him out in these scrimmages, his poise with the puck and his play recognition and how he moves the puck up the ice and gets it away from us, goaltender Scott Darling said, were really happy to have him.Campbell, a four-time All-Star, broke into the NHL with Buffalo in 1999. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2012 after collecting four goals and 49 assists in 82 games with Florida, becoming the first defenseman since Red Kelly in 1954 to win the award.Coming off perhaps his best season -- Campbells plus-minus rating was a career best -- he doesnt appear to be worried about duplicating his form from a year ago.For me this year, its just work hard and produce and help out, he said. I expect a lot out of myself. I just want to be a good puck mover for this team, play well defensively. Those are the things I kind of did last year. Points will come, Im not worried about that aspect of the game. Just trying to win hockey games and help these young kids.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenapAir Max 720 Outlet Italia .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Air Max Outlet . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. https://www.scontatescarpeoutlet.it/scarpe-air-max-outlet-scontate-c2366.html . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Air Max 270 Saldi . PAUL, Minn. Air Max 270 Offerta .Y. - New York City has been selected to host the NBA All-Star weekend in 2015, with the game played at Madison Square Garden and the slam dunk contest and other skills events held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merricks resignation has kick-started a frantic early-season hunt for his replacement with former Sydney FC captain Mark Rudan among the frontrunners.Merrick told players of his decision after Sundays 2-0 loss to Adelaide United left them bottom of the table with two wins and six losses from eight games this A-League season.With a run of home games looming, beginning on Saturday against Central Coast in Hamilton, Merrick said the time was right for him to step aside.I think this will give my successor the best opportunity to take the team forward, said the 63-year-old Merrick.Assistant coach Chris Greenacre and goalkeeping coach Des Buckingham have been appointed joint head coaches until Merricks replacement is found.Greenacre, a former Phoenix striker, filled a similar role for five games after Ricki Herberts resignation in 2012.A statement from the Phoenix on Monday said a thorough process was underway to find a new head coach.Wellington Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison and Merrick will front a media conference on Tuesday at midday in Wellington, with no comment available from the club before then.Among the candidates for Merricks job is Rudan, who has just completed a four-year stint at Sydney United culminating in their National Premier League title win.He is currently assistant coach for Australias under-20 side.Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx, linked with Brisbane Roar ahead of the 2015/16 season, is also among the candidates.Tribuulietx is in Japan, as Auckland prepare for their Club World Cup playoff against Kashima Antlers on Thursday.ddddddddddddormer Phoenix assistant coach Luciano Trani, who has also spent time at Melbourne City, Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United, and foundation Phoenix captain Ross Aloisi - currently assistant coach at the Roar - are also in the mix.Merrick said in a statement that he had taken the team as far as he could.I take full responsibility for position the team is currently in.I feel that I have not performed well enough as head coach, as we have a very strong squad that should be higher up the table.Merrick, who led Melbourne Victory to A-League titles in 2007 and 2009, took over from Herbert in May 2013, and his initial two-year contract was renewed in March 2015 for another three years.A Wellington Phoenix statement said Merrick, 63, had been a consummate professional during his time at the club.He had been instrumental in overhauling the way the team performed on the field and how it conducted itself off the field.Merrick had also played a significant role in developing young players through the Phoenix academy, with many now breaking into the first team and representing New Zealand at international level.The club understands the decision and thanks Merrick for the hard work and dedication he has put in during the past three years. 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