I want to go on the record right now and let everyone know Russian hockey player/Washington Capital Alexander Ovechkin is my new favorite athlete. The guy can shoot, he can score and he can hit! Did you see him lay out Jaromir Jagr in Sunday’s Russia-Czech Republic tilt? It was one of the best hits I have seen in any sport, ever, not just hockey. Now if only he could get Jagr to finally cut his hair. That might very well make him person of the year as well.

Speaking of hockey, the U.S. hockey team’s win over Canada on Sunday had my house abuzz. It was so exciting to see our boys get one over on our friendly neighbors to the north for the first time in 50 years. All of the hockey excitement in this year’s Olympics really makes me wonder why the NHL is not on television more. Maybe, if we’re lucky, the buzz from the Olympics can get some network to pick up the NHL and start televising more than one game a week.

The San Diego Chargers released Ladanian Tomlinson on Monday. I wonder if L.T. might like a job with the Houston Texans. I know he’s not what he once was, but the thought of mixing him into what is already the NFL’s most exciting offense makes my mouth water. And, what a nice way for one of the all-time greats to get to finish his career – finally winning a Super Bowl with a team from his home state.

I saw the 76ers might release Allen Iverson. I’m not really surprised although I am surprised about the reason why. A.I. has been a perfect teammate when he has been with the team. Unfortunately that hasn’t been often because of his sick daughter. It actually seems like a bad move to dump a guy because his kid is sick. However, I’m sure the team will get a bit of a pass because it is Iverson after all.

Have you watched much of the Olympic curling competition? I have and for most of the time I didn’t really even know what was going on. I finally looked up the rules. Did you know they have Teflon on their shoes? Or that the stones come from a place in Scotland? I even understand the scoring although I don’t know that I could explain it. It is certainly a strange sport to be fascinated by, but I find myself more and more fascinated each time I watch it.

Maybe our winter Olympics medal haul has something to do with the fact it is snowing outside my window right now. I’m just saying. If we could get this much snow all around the U.S. every year, imaging how much better our winter athletes would be!

Pitchers and catchers and everyone else have now reported to their respective baseball camps and the season is just six weeks away. I’m not sure about the Red Sox this season but I am sure it should be an exciting season no matter what. There’s a lot of fresh young talent all around Major League Baseball and plenty of interesting storylines to follow. Needless to say, I cannot wait to hear that first play ball. Until then I will content myself with more hockey and maybe another hour or two of curling.