Monday, July 12, 2010

Aliu

So I get back from my honeymoon and spend time I really don't have reading C-Viv's updates on the Thrashers newest prospects. First off, now that I know that Aliu is pronounced to rhyme with "Atreyu" from Neverending Story, I know what the first running inside joke of the 2010-11 season is going to be. The next thing I learn is that he's NOT FINNISH! What a shock! Thanks, Vivlamore!

I had heard a quick mention shortly after the trade that Aliu was hampered by a hazing incident in junior. It wasn't until reading Vivlamore's post that I learned exactly what that incident was.

Apparently the rookies on Aliu's junior team were being forced to cram naked into the bathroom on the team bus. If you've ever been unfortunate to use the bathroom on a bus you know that it's really not big enough for one person, let alone several naked men.

Aliu refused to submit to the treatment. Steve Downie (now a Cinderella story for the Tampa Bay Lightning) took umbrage to this upstart rookie's behavior and took it upon himself to mete out punishment. In practice, Downie skated up and cross checked Aliu in the mouth, knocking out several teeth. Aliu responded:



Good for him. Can't wait to see him crack the lineup and face Downie in Tampa. Dudley says the kid is 6'3" and 225 lbs with a lot of speed on him. Obviously he's willing to stick up for himself.

If he develops in the right way and Atlanta can ice a team with he and Byfuglien as a one-two power forward punch, it could really be something.

He's obviously not going to be ready just yet. He was sent down to the ECHL last season for further maturation. With the right coaches and in the right situation, I really like this kid's potential.

4 comments:

the jointhead said...

For such suposedly manly/homophobic men athletes are supposed to be I find the blatant homo-erotic situations some of them find so exciting a bit confusing. Get them drunk and draw on their face with a sharpie = amusing, forced cock rubbing = fight. I had wondered about this kid, but I like him more the more I hear of him.

Wayne stuck in AL said...

I was rather ignorant of his past until I read this:

From 2007:
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?p=9578538

You may say, okay, that was three years ago, until you read something from just this year:
http://www.hockey-fights.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/524000/pid/1176348/post/last/m/1/

Now, I really don't know what Dudley's gotten himself into:

Greg said...

I'm not an expert on hockey, so it's good to have a Thrashers blog to read that can help me out a little this upcoming season.

I've always liked the Thrashers since they were the local team, but only recently did I really develop a true love for them. I'm excited about the upcoming hockey season in a way that I've never been before.

Big Shooter said...

Very nice Greg, welcome. If you are looking for an expert on hockey you have certainly come to the right blog. Just make sure you look for the posts made by some guy called Big Shooter. I hear he is the best.