It's Thursday

It's Thursday. Here's what's happening....

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Today is December 11th, the 344th day of 2014. There are 21 days left in the year.

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Jean Beliveau funeral 'a great tribute to a great man.'

Senators' Cameron to make coaching debut vs. Kings.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com.

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Today's Birthdays: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is 71. Brenda Lee (Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree) is 70. Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue is 56. Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit, Ender’s Game) is 18.

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Tampa, FL. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning reached the top of the NHL standings with a six-game point streak, then were promptly humbled with regulation home losses to Metropolitan Division foes.

Read the rest here.

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On this date in 1719, the first recorded sighting of the aurora borealis took place in New England.

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Star Wars Night Scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, When U.S. National Under-18 Team Hosts Dubuque Team USA to Wear Specially Designed Jerseys for Charity ANN ARBOR, Mich. - USA Hockey's National Team Development Program recently unveiled its specialty jersey design for Star Wars Night, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The game will pit the U.S. National Under-18 Team against the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League. A rendering of the jersey can be found here. Among the festivities planned for Star Wars Night are appearances by characters from the beloved film franchise and extended universe, as well as a ceremonial puck drop. The Under-18 Team will wear the specially designed jerseys throughout the game. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will feature 17 players eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft and also include 18 players currently pledged to skate for NCAA Division I squads in the future. Additionally, U18 forwardsJeremy Bracco (Freeport, N.Y.) and Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.) were recent invites to USA Hockey's World Junior Camp. The entire set of jerseys from the game will be made available through auction. The jerseys will be auctioned off online here. Bidding will commence on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and end on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 9 p.m. EST. Proceeds will benefit C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Last year's auction raised over $4,100 for the hospital. Tickets to the game are available at the NTDP offices located within the Ann Arbor Ice Cube at 2121 Oak Valley Drive or by calling (734) 327-9251. The game is also available via live stream at FASTHockey.com. ABOUT THE NTDP: In 1996, USA Hockey launched a new initiative called the National Team Development Program, based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Celebrating its 18th season of play in 2014-15, the goal of this full-time development program is to prepare student-athletes under the age of 18 for participation on U.S. National Teams and success in their future hockey careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber participation on the ice, but creating well-rounded individuals off the ice. 2015 U.S. National Women's University Team Announced Squad Will Compete in 2015 Winter World University Games in Granada, Spain, Feb. 4-14 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey today announced the 22 players named to the U.S. Women's National University Team that will compete at the 2015 Winter World University Games, Feb. 4-14, in Granada, Spain. The team is comprised of players from collegiate ice hockey teams affiliated with the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The complete Team USA roster and schedule can be found here. "This is a tremendously experienced group of women we're taking to Spain," said Katie Holmgren, general manager of the 2015 Women's National University Team. "We've performed well in the past two tournaments, and we expect that trend to continue with this year's group." Leading the way offensively are teammates who are also the top two scorers in ACHA Division 1 --Hayley Williams (Crete, Ill./Miami University/20-17-37), who was a member of the 2013 U.S. Women's National University Team, and first-time team member Rachael Booth (Washington, Mich./Miami University/17-20-37). Adding to the firepower are Amanda Abromson (Braintree, Mass./University of Massachusetts/8-16-24) and Katie Augustine (West Chester, Ohio/Miami University/10-13-23), both members of the 2013 U.S. Women's National University Team, and newcomer Kaley Mooney (West Chester, Ohio/Miami University/10-13-23). The trio are among the top 12 point getters in ACHA Division I. Paige Harrington (Mansfield, Mass./University of Massachusetts/8-12-20), Caleigh LaBossiere(Acton, Mass./University of Massachusetts/8-7-15) and Morgan McGarth (Mayfield Village, Ohio/Miami University/2-10-12), all who played in the 2013 Winter World University Games for the United States, highlight the U.S. blueline and rank among the top 12 in points among defensemen in ACHA Division I. In total, eight players from the bronze medal-winning 2013 U.S. Women's National University Team are on the 2015 U.S. roster, also including forwards Monica Korzon (Ann Arbor, Mich./University of Michigan) and Cassie Catlow (Saundertown, R.I./University of Rhode Island). NOTES: All women's games will be played at both the Granada Sport Palace and the Mulhacen Pavilion ... To follow Team USA at the Winter World University Games, visit the event page atUSAHockey.com and follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter ... Nine states are represented on the roster. Michigan leads the pack with eight representatives, while Massachusetts has five. Illinois and Ohio have two a piece, and Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island each have one ... Miami University leads all schools with six representatives, while the University of Massachusetts has four and nine other schools have at least one representative ... Kristen Wright(Broomfield, Colo.), head coach of the University of Colorado women's ice hockey team, will serve as head coach of the 2015 U.S. Women's National University Team after being an assistant coach at the 2013 Winter World University Games. Scott Hicks (Oxford, Ohio), head coach of the Miami University women’s ice hockey team, and Shelley Looney (Buffalo, N.Y.), a two-time member of the U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team (1998, gold; 2002, silver), will serve as assistant coaches ... The United States will field a women's ice hockey team in the Winter World University Games for the third straight time. Team USA won a bronze medal in the 2013 Winter World University Games to become the first men's or women's ice hockey team from the U.S. to win a medal in the event.

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On this date in 1816, Indiana was admitted to the Union as the 19th American state.

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Six free agents that probably aren't going anywhere.

Ricky Foley on Riders' D-line: 'I hope we’re all back.'

Please visit the league's official website, http://www.cfl.ca.

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According to a new hospital study, if you have complications after you return home from surgery, you stand a better chance of survival if you return to that same hospital rather than seek out a different hospital. [That’s because the original hospital will have a better idea of exactly which surgical instrument they left inside you.]

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Tampa, FL. -- The playoff "carrot" is finally gone, but the Bucs still have several reasons to play hard over the final three weeks, such as building momentum for 2015 and having an impact on the NFC South race.

Read the rest here.

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Instagram announced Wednesday the photo-sharing social network has reached more than 300 million monthly users, surpassing the number of Twitter users for the first time. The company jumped from 200 million monthly users to 300 million in about nine months. Meanwhile, Twitter had about 284 million active monthly users as of the end of October.

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Corvallis, OR. --Oregon State has hired Gary Andersen, one of the most respected names in college football, as its new football coach, Director of Athletics Bob De Carolis announced Wednesday.

Read the rest here.

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David Letterman will say his last goodbye as the host of the Late Show on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. The final episode will end a 22 year reign at CBS and a 32 year career as a late night talk show host. The time spent on air also gives him the honor of being the longest running talk show host on television.

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Word search is fun!

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as your son taking a sick day from school, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History:

1971 - "Elvis' Christmas Album" hit #7 in the U.K. 

1982 - The single "The Elvis Medley" hit #71 in the U.S. 

1982 - The album "The Elvis Medley" hit #133 in the U.S.

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Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” was the most-watched music video of 2014, racking up 703 million-plus views on YouTube since its February 20 release.

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Today in Beatles History:

1967 - Apple Music publishing company signed its first act, Grapefruit. 

1968 - John, Ono and Julian Lennon took part in the Rolling Stones' TV extravaganza "Rock And Roll Circus." The show was never shown. 

2010 - On "Saturday Night Live," Paul McCartney performed "Jet," "Band on the Run," "A Day in the Life," "Give Peace a Chance," and "Get Back."

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On this date in 1844, Dr. Horace Wells became the first person to have a tooth extracted after receiving an anesthetic for the dental procedure. Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas, was the anesthetic.

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Today in Sports History:

1951 - Joe DiMaggio (New York Yankees) announced his retirement from major league baseball. DiMaggio only played for the Yankees during his 13-year career. 

1971 - The Los Angeles Lakers set an NBA record with 21 consecutive wins. 

1972 - Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula was on the cover of "Time" magazine. 

1981 - Muhammad Ali fought his last fight. He lost his 61st fight to Trevor Berbick. 

1985 - The single "Superbowl Shuffle" by Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew was released. 

1992 - The National Hockey League Governors named Gary Bettman as the first NHL commissioner in League history, effective Feb. 1, 1993. 

2000 - Mario Lemeiux, owner of Pittsburgh Penguins, announced that he would end his three-plus year retirement and become an active National Hockey League (NHL) player again. When Lemieux returned officially he became the first owner/player in NHL history. 

2001 - It was announced that Little League Baseball Inc. would require more detailed documentation of the eligibility of its players. Four months before, the Rolando Paulino Little League team from the Bronx, NY, had its third-place finish taken away after pitcher Danny Almonte was found to be too old to play. 

2002 - Scott Young (Dallas Stars) played in his 1,000th NHL game.

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On this date in 1985, General Electric Company agreed to buy RCA Corporation for $6.3 billion. Also included in the deal was NBC Radio and Television.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes 7:30pm EST

Friday --

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild at Topeka Roadrunners 8:05pm EST

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals 7:00pm EST

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild at Topeka Roadrunners 8:05pm EST

Sunday --

NFL Football -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers 1:00pm EST

NAHL Hockey -- Wenatchee Wild at Topeka Roadrunners 7:05pm EST

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow.