An Introduction to Jose Theodore

I love this pic and I wanted it as my profile pic so I had to post it...it's a good one, he's hot. While I'm think about Jose Theodore, I might as well post my thoughts on the trade that brought him to Denver.

Throughout the 2005-2006 season, I have been following the NHL. Ever now and again while browsing the Hockey News, CBC Sports, TSN, or the NHL.com, I would happen upon a story about how Montreal's former Golden Boy had lost his way and was having a truly terrible season. Then came the news that he had tested positive for the drug propecia, a hair growth drug that is banned by World Anti-Dopping Agency (WADA) because it can be used as an agent to mask steroids. The testing was done during the summer when Theodore had attended an Olympic training camp.
Now, you have to admit this is funny...In an article from ESPN.com, Jose said it best himself "Theodore added that one look at his slim build -- he's listed at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds -- is proof that he's not taking steroids. 'If you look at me with no shirt, if I'm taking steroids then I should change the guy that's selling them to me because it's not working,' Theodore said." Lets not forget what an absolutely horrid season he was having anyways...before the Olympic break he stats stood at 38 games played with 17 wins, 15 losses, 122 goals against, 3.46 goals against average, and a .881 save percentage. Even the goalie from Minnesota State, Freshman Dan Tormey, had a better record than Jose Theodore (ps, I lovingly call him Propecia Joe). Tormey played in 31 games with 14 wins, 13 losses, and 4 ties, had 86 goals against, 2.83 goals against average and had a .902 save percentage and his team finished 7th in the WCHA, out of 10. Maybe Propecia Joe was taking Propecia because as he said, "I always like my hair real long and I like to keep it long as long as possible." But he sure as hell is NOT taking steroids.
The plot thickened during the Olympic break as Propecia Joe fell on the stairs outside of his house and fractured his heel. Now if you ask me, this is all a bit shady...He "slipped" on the ice and "fractured" his heel. In an exceedingly interesting article by Terry Frei of the Denver Post, I learned that Propecia Joe has had a few run in with characters of the less savory sort. It turns out that "His father, Ted Nicholas Theodore, and half-brother, Nicky, pleaded guilty to loan sharking and weapons-related charges last year. Ted was fined $30,000 but didn't go to jail. Authorities said Ted had run the ring out of a Montreal barber shop for about 20 years, and that another branch operated out of a Montreal casino. Of most concern to the NHL, the ring lent money - allegedly at interest rates between 200 and 600 percent - to gamblers. Jose's other two half-brothers, Rock and Ted Jr., also pleaded guilty to conspiracy and charging illegal interest rates, respectively. Authorities said the brothers were the runners but said Jose was not part of the investigation." Here's my theory on what really happened to Propecia Joe's heel...these gamblers that his father lent money to had placed a lot of money on PJ returning to his 2001-2002 season form when he won the Hart and Vezina trophies as he had had some time to rest while the NHL and the NHLPA fought over money and he played in 17 games for the Swedish Elite League team Djurgardens IF Stockholm. However after his disasterous play, they decided to place a hit on him. Some funny gangster in Montreal (which I bet they are all funny, cuz honestly can you imagine a French Mafia...Ha) thought he would be, what else, funny and shoot PJ in the heel (ya know that who Achilles thing...whatever I thought it was funny). SERIOUSLY!! How does a 29 year old athlete "Slip" on the ice in front of his house and FRACTURE his heel...There's definitely something afoot (pun intended) here...
So, here the Aves stand, nearing the playoffs with two rookie goalies (no offense to Budaj, who has been playing quite well lately or Kolesnik, it's not your fault Pierre Lacroix has a hard on for goalies from Montreal) three major injuries (Konowalchuk, Vanaanan, and Svatos), and shady goalie who is anybodys guess as to where he is going to land once he is finally able to play. Funny thing, I heard today that he may be ready to play this coming Friday in the game against Calgary, but I really don't think that is a)really possible and b)good for the team. Give Budaj the chance to prove himself some more and the rest of the team motivation to play well. Budaj can't do it himself...contrary to popular belief, he can't both protect the goal and score goals. Although, that would be awesome!

~Catie