Blue line special

I liked the idea of the Zombioni rather than a Zamboni. Much more fun name than the generic "ice refresher."

Howe, now.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Gordie Howe, possibly the greatest hockey player ever. He was good enough to earn the nickname "Mr. Hockey" and was the NHL's highest scorer until Wayne Gretzky came along. Now he's No. 2.

He was one of my hockey heroes as a kid, along with the likes of Bobby Hull, the Esposito brothers (Phil and Tony), and my favorite, Bobby Orr.

Howe had a long professional career, extending it long enough that he could play on the same team professionally as his sons. He was tough, he was cool, and he was an amazing player — and now he's off to ride that big Zamboni in the sky! RIP, Mr. Hockey!

Sketchbook: It's too soon!

It's like I closed my eyes one minute and it was Halloween, and the next minute it's almost Christmas! It reminded me of this old gag from the sketchbook — it's too soon!

What's on deck

 ...and isn't that what June is all about?

The art of compromise

In a ward somewhere north of the border...

Maybe they just want to get everyone to Sunday school quickly...

Monday Sketchbook: Icing!

OK, I said I was done with hockey cartoons for the season, but I was wrong!

We have a couple of boys in our Primary who could be these very boys...the wind up in the penalty box almost every week!

Stanley's Cup

I know, I know -- the National Hockey League playoffs are still going on. I'm pulling for the Boston Bruins. They've been my favorite since I was a kid, even though my Uncle Rex was a Kings fan.

Personally, I struggle with the concept that the NHL championship is determined in June. It just seems wrong for a winter sport, eh?!

So my wild, rebellious streak rears its mild head -- by running my Stanley Cup cartoon on the last day of May. Take that, NHL schedulers!

Contest winner!

Our winner in the caption contest is none other than faithful reader Scott J. who, coincidentally, hails from the Great White North and therefore knows a thing or two about hockey!

The runner up is nine-year-old Nikolas O. from southern California for his entry: "Are we playing with snowman poop?" It made me laugh out loud.

Congratulations to both, and thanks to everyone who entered!

Caption contest!

OK, I'm going to try another one. I made a nice little hockey gag based on the NHL labor dispute. Then they went and resolved it before it ran, so the cartoon was outdated.

The original caption had something to do with using NHL players in their game at the local pond. But now it needs something new, so I turn to you, dear readers, for your input. What should this cartoon's caption be? Leave a comment, send an email, or let me know some other way.

At the very least, the winner will get a mention when the new, improved cartoon runs again next Saturday. Enter early and often!

Monday Sketchbook: It's the cup, Stanley

Try as I might, I just can't wrap my head around the Stanley Cup finals finishing up just a few weeks before the Summer Olympics begin. It just seems wrong.

Monday skechbook: Dinos on ice!

Monday sketchbook: That's using your head

Once again proving that sometimes the ideas are better inside my brain than they are on paper. You should see the ones that don't make it this far!