In the type of prose that we have come to regularly expect from Mr. Brunt, (one of our favourite writers) on all things sporting and Canadianna, he truly seems to have captured the driving force of Mr. Thomson's involvement in this grand Manitoba adventure with Mr. Chipman.
Providing poetry to the cold hard world of the business decisions of a sport, one that seems to attract more than it's fair share of owners with a slightly different agenda than that expressed by the 17th richest person in the world.
Upon reading of the catharsis that led to the partnership between Mr. Thomson and Mr. Chipman, we soon come to learn that they seem to be cut of slightly different cloth than the likes of the cast of the Usual Suspects of the recent past of the NHL, names such as Boots Del Biaggio, John Rigas and even the likeable, if long since tainted Bruce McNall.
It makes you almost fear for the Manitoba pair as they prepare to take their place at the table with a good number of the other 30 members of the lodge, already without even one meeting under their belt, you would have to say they will be the smartest men in the room by a Manitoba mile.
And as glowing a testimony to the game as Mr. Brunt has provided, he is not alone in his account of the return of this game Canadians love to the land of its roots.
As though to reinforce their belief in the prospect of success for Winnipeg in the NHL, even the world's paper of record the New York Times seems to understand that hockey belongs in Canada, belongs in Winnipeg.
You can read the excellent Brunt piece here, the equally rewarding George Vescey article from the Time here.
Perhaps the best explanations in recent times as to how much the game matters in Canada and why it belongs in a place where the passion for it seemingly will never be extinguished.
Now, if you will excuse me, having read the two items, I'm just a little verklempt...
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