Mostly where I am right now.
In honor of the birthday boy and the guy who was rejected by the old Tampa Bay Lightning regime.
For: Drew Miller
By: Michael Petrella (@mpetrella)
The Story: From Petrella
For “Salt N Pepper,” an homage to his prematurely graying mane.
We’re glad the Lightning dumped you, Drew.
Also, submissions have slowed down: haven’t gotten any since the 2nd. If you’ve got a nickname I haven’t posted yet, hit the Submit link up top and let me know about it.
In honor of the first goal-scorer tonight in Boston.
For: Todd Bertuzzi
Submitted by: Michael Petrella (@mpetrella), coined by @Flapjack_McZap
The Story: Via Petrella:
It started with a “misheard lyrics” post, where Zac MacRostie claimed he always misheard AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds “done dirt cheap” as “Thunderchief” and proclaimed it’d be a good nickname for Bertuzzi. I agree.
Don’t see this one used too often, but it’s probably the most flattering of Todd’s nicknames.
In honor of the latest ex-walking wounded.
For: Tomas Holmstrom
Submitted by: Ellen Manuszak (@inhyung)
The Story: As given by Ellen:
The papers gave it to him when he played in Sweden, I believe. So much more original (and descriptive) than “Homer”
Wikipedia confirms that story, as well as the Swedish version the American “Homer”: “Holma”. Sounds like a grandmother’s name. Anyway.
I think Demolition Man was used more stateside in Holmstrom’s early days as a Red Wing. I can vaguely remember a giant Free Press or News headline that used it
For: Mike Babcock
Submitted By: Pete K (via OtW comment)
The Story: Pete caught the Feb. 7 Rangers/Wings game via an online feed and was able to hear the announcers’ talking while the rest of us were on commercials.
His comment posted at OtW provides a transcription of a Pierre McGuire conversation with Wings head PR guy John Hahn leading up to an interview with Mike Babcock.
It’s McGuire’s reaction to the conversation with Babs that contributes “Rock Star” to the list of things:
wow, babcock. that guy’s incredible. what a rock star….
Be sure to read the rest of the transcript to get a look into the mind of Pierre McGuire and the scene at ice level following a game.
I normally wouldn’t co-opt a McGuire nickname, but this one is just too good to let go.
For: Nicklas Lidstrom
Submitted by: Andy (@FightNightatJoe)
The Story: Via Andy:
It’s obviously from his last name. It’s what everyone calls him in Sweden.
I prefer the “King Lidas” variation.
For: Valtteri Filppula
Submitted By: Christine (@RedWhiteBNB)
The Story: Christine:
Because he has those great, big doe eyes and long lashes and in photos occasionally looks like a deer caught in headlights
This one works for me because he seems to fall down inexplicably a lot, like his nicknamesake.
For: Henrik Zetterberg
By: No idea.
The Story: This is one of those nicknames that just happens. I think it’s been propelled by the Age of Twitter and the need to conserve characters, but it’s by far my favorite nickname for Zetterberg.
For: Henrik Zetterberg
By: “Swedish press/teammates/someone Swedish”
The Story: Per submitter Andy (@FightNightatJoe):
Zäta is the Swedish way to say “Z”.
This one’s been in circulation among Wings fans since before Zetterberg came over from Sweden but has fallen out of favor a bit as 023 has taken over, it seems.
Update Post-game: Mule ended up with five goals, making him the first Wing to do that since Fedorov netted five against the Caps in ‘96.
Ellen (@inhyung) called it a “Muletrick.” Let’s see some more, eh Mule?
Update: Franzen earned us all curly fries with a hat trick to start the third period.
In honor of the scorer of two goals through one period versus Ottawa tonight:
For: Johan Franzen
By: Steve Yzerman. Submitted by me.
The Story: As told by an old Freep piece, replicated here (put your archives online and I’ll link to the original, Free Press):
By now the story of Franzen’s nickname, Mule, is legendary in Detroit: It was given to him by former Wings captain Steve Yzerman, because one day Franzen, 6-feet-3 and 220 pounds, skated by and Yzerman thought, “Wow, what a mule.” Seriously.
“He was just so big and powerful,” Yzerman said, “and I just thought, ‘that guy is a mule.’”
One of the best nicknames in the arsenal. It being coined by The Captain, no surprise there.
