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The Three Stars are a staple in pro hockey, with the top performers honoured after the final buzzer with a quick twirl around the rink.
I remember being a wide-eyed kid, tuning in to Hockey Night in Canada and trying to guess who the trio would be based on what I’d just watched on TV.
Now, as an NHL beat writer, I’m occasionally asked by league staff during Winnipeg Jets home games to make that night’s selections.
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It’s always an honour, even if it can be a bit stressful since they typically want your choices midway through the third period. That can be tricky when the outcome is still very much up for grabs, though there’s usually room for last-minute adjustments.
Fun fact: The history of the Three Stars dates back to 1936-37, when Imperial Oil was a major NHL sponsor.
The distinction was named after its signature brand of gasoline — a tradition that has endured, even though the company and the league stopped doing business together in 1976.
I bring this up today because, in my ongoing search for new and creative ways to bring you this weekly newsletter, I’ve decided to start my own “Three Stars” as a semi-regular feature.
But instead of celebrating on-ice accomplishments, I’ll highlight things that caught my eye off the rink. We could all use a bit more positivity, couldn’t we?
Here’s the first instalment. You’ll notice a common theme: some things are bigger than the game.
Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
Those of us with beloved pets know the deep bond that exists and the heartache that comes when they’re sick or pass away. I’ve experienced four such losses — Lady, Rex, Autumn, and Cassie were all incredible dogs — and I still think about them regularly.
Last week, the Canucks announced that Boeser was stepping away from the team to deal with a personal matter. He missed two games, later revealing that his dog, Coolie, had died.
“So blessed I got to call Coolie my first dog and best friend,” Boeser said in his Instagram post. “He was the happiest most loving dog I’ve ever known. Thought we had so much more time together. Gonna miss you more than you can imagine Coo. Say hi to GPA for me.”
Brock Boeser and Coolie. (Instagram)
GPA — short for grandpa — refers to Boeser’s father, Duke, who died in 2022 at 61 after a battle with Parkinson’s.
Naturally, there were some vile trolls on social media who took aim at Boeser for missing a couple of games because of an animal. But I was heartened to see that the majority voiced support. They understand. They get it.
Good for Boeser for taking the time he needs to be with his family through an unbelievably difficult time.
Brandon Montour, Seattle Kraken
The veteran defenceman faced his own personal tragedy earlier this month. His brother, Cameron, died of ALS at just 34.
“So, my older brother’s been dealing with ALS for three, four years now, and it was a rough week,” Montour told reporters last weekend, fighting back tears as he explained what had kept him away for the previous four games.
“I’m very proud and very happy to be his brother. He’s somebody that I’ve looked up to since, obviously, Day 1. [He was] a great son, brother, best friend, father. He’s got two baby girls.”
Hours later, Montour led his team to a 3-2 win over Edmonton. Three nights later, he scored his first two goals of the year and added an assist in a 4-3 overtime victory over Montreal.
He’s clearly playing with a heavy heart. My thoughts go out to him and his family.
Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers
I know there are plenty of people who aren’t very fond of Marchand, the notorious “rat” who has gotten under the skin of plenty of opponents and fans over the years.
But how can you not cheer for what he did this week?
Marchand’s good friend, JP MacCallum, suffered an unimaginable loss recently as his 10-year-old daughter died of cancer.
MacCallum coaches an under-18 hockey team in Halifax and obviously had to temporarily step away from those duties.
Enter Marchand, who got permission from his Panthers to step away from the team for a few days this week to fly to Nova Scotia to be there for his buddy and the hockey team.
Marchand took over as guest coach in their scheduled game on Wednesday, which also served as a fundraiser for the MacCallum family. Raffles prizes included an autographed Marchand jersey.
“Please join us in celebrating an amazing night at the rink made possible by the ongoing giving nature of a 10 year-old girl that loved the game with all her (heart),” Marchand posted on Instagram.
Said league president Paul Graham: “This gesture reflects the true spirit of the hockey community in Nova Scotia, one built on compassion, loyalty, and connection that extends far beyond the rink.”
Programming note: I’ve got a couple of weeks’ holidays on the horizon, which means a brief timeout from this newsletter. I’ll return to your inbox on Nov. 20.
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