tommybiden's profile

tommybiden
7631
Member since: January 30, 2006
Last visit: September 24, 2026
Name: Thomas
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Gender: Male
Social Media Account: thowden@rogers.com (AIM)

tommybiden has posted 435 links and 4,580 comments to SportsFilter and 0 links and 278 comments to the Locker Room.

Sports Bio

I have two favourite sporting events. One as an adult and the other as a child. The most entertaining sporting event I ever saw as an adult was January 9, 1986. Toronto Maple Leafs at home versus the Edmonton Oilers, 99, Mess, Coffey, and the rest of the boys. At this point in my life I had seasons tickets for the Leafs, I lived in London Ontario, about 2 hrs west of Toronto and as a result sold most of my seats to friends who lived closer to Toronto. I kept tickets for 5 or six games that year and thankfully that was one of them. The Leafs led 5-1 at the end of the first period. The Oilers tied the game at 6, and early in the 3rd, Edmonton led 8-7. Final score 11-9 Toronto! We almost blew the roof off the Carlton Street Cashbox that night. When I was only 7 years old, living near Toronto, my mother and father threw us kids into the car, drove us to Malton (now Pearson) International Airport. From there, we flew to Montreal, Mom, Dad, my 3 sisters, my brother and I. We watched the Expos play the Astros in a double header. We picniced in the park outside Jarry Park before the games, went for a swim in the pool just beyond the right field fence, and most importantly got Rusty Staub's autograph. I still have it! We flew back to Toronto the same night, we even got to go sit in the cockpit of the Air Canada jet. That's something that wouldn't happen today! It was the first time any of us, my parents included, had been on a plane. Way too cool. I've seen the Leafs 4 times at the Air Canada Centre, each time as the guest of friends in their private box. It's the only way to fly, if you can afford it. I've seen plenty of NFL games in Detroit and Buffalo, C.F.L. games in Olympic Stadium, Frank Clair Stadium, C.N.E. Stadium and Skydome(Rogers Centre). My family had seasons seats for the Blue Jays for the first 8 years of their existence. I could only guess at how many games I attended, maybe 350? I go to Rogers Centre a couple of times a year for Jays games now, and Comerica Park to see the Tigers at least once a season. I've been to a Toronto Rock lacrosse game, entirely too much fun and entertainment. I've seen 2 N.B.A. games live, the Raptors home opener in MoPete's rookie season, and at The Palace of Auburn Hills, against the 76'ers, on the night the Pistons honoured Chuck Daly. My two sports loves are the Toronto Maple Leafs and the late, lamented Montreal Expos. May The 'Spo's rest in peace. Damn you Jeffrey Loria, Bud Selig, and the rest of you baseball bastards.

Recent Links

Canadian boxer George Chuvalo, who faced Muhammad Ali in his prime, dead at 89: While Chuvalo failed to become Canada's first heavyweight champion since Tommy Burns in the early 1900s, he earned praise for a gritty performance. Ali famously called him the toughest man he had faced up to that point, but Chuvalo was ambivalent being the first to take the champ 15 rounds. "In a crazy way, that fight is what defines me for a lot of my fellow Canadians but it took a long time before I came to appreciate how good it made me feel," he said.

posted by tommybiden to boxing at 01:08 PM on September 13, 2026 - 0 comments

Colorado defenseman Cale Makar signs richest deal in NHL history at $163.2 million over 8 years: Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar signs richest deal in NHL history at $163.2 million over 8 years

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 10:10 AM on August 30, 2026 - 2 comments

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has names of wife, kids engraved on Stanley Cup above actual players: A total of 53 names have been engraved onto the Stanley Cup to represent the 2026 champions. At the very top of the list is team owner Tom Dundon ... and his wife and their five children, whose ages are believed to range from single digits to mid-20s. Tom is the only family member who holds a position with the club.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 08:36 PM on July 11, 2026 - 4 comments

Claude Lemieux, former Canadien and 4-time Stanley Cup champion, dead at 60: Lemieux carried ceremonial torch at Montreal's Bell Centre on Monday. He was known for stepping up his game in the playoffs and for playing close to the edge — and sometimes crossing it.

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 03:49 PM on May 28, 2026 - 5 comments

He's BAAAACK....John Tortorella, new Golden Knights coach: Hockey world gobsmacked as Oilers' arch-rival VGK makes bombshell move

posted by tommybiden to hockey at 12:25 PM on March 30, 2026 - 1 comment

Recent Comments

NFL Pickem Week 3: Quarterback Infirmary Edition

My picks for week 3:

Packers by 24 (lock)
Bills by 6
Panthers by 24 (lock)
Lions by 15 (lock)
Texans by 5
Jaguars by 7
Chiefs by 19 (lock)
Titans by 1
Bengals by 8 (lock)
Seahawks by 17 (lock)
49ers by 22 (lock)
Buccaneers by 10 (lock)
Cowboys by 4
Raiders by 6
Rams by 9 (lock)
Eagles by 16 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 10:28 AM on September 24, 2026

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

As Tom Brady said: "oh shit"

posted by tommybiden at 06:09 PM on September 20, 2026

NFL Pickem Week 2: I Drafted A.J. Brown Edition

Revised picks for week 2:

Jaguars by 6
Cowboys by 9 (lock)
49ers by 10 (lock)
Chiefs by 11 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 03:38 PM on September 20, 2026

NFL Pickem Week 2: I Drafted A.J. Brown Edition

My picks for week 2:

Bills by 5
Panthers by 10 (lock)
Ravens by 17 (lock)
Bears by 4
Bengals by 6
Steelers by 5
Jets by 2
Buccaneers by 16 (lock)
Chargers by 9 (lock)
Seahawks by 11 (lock)
Rams by 12 (lock)

posted by tommybiden at 03:25 PM on September 17, 2026

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Brampton Steelheads acquire 17 picks in Tanner Adams trade with Sudbury Wolves

You know, I think if Brampton had held strong just a little longer, they could've gotten a 2030 4th instead of a 5th round pick

posted by tommybiden at 12:38 PM on September 12, 2026

Barry Melrose, longtime NHL player, coach and ESPN icon, dies at 70 after battle with Parkinson's

.

posted by tommybiden at 09:08 AM on September 11, 2026

Enter the SportsFilter NFL Pickem

My picks:

Seahawks by 10 (lock)
Rams by 7 (lock)
Bears by 6
Bengals by 7
Lions by 13 (lock)
Bills by 7
Ravens by 7
Jaguars by 12 (lock)
Falcons by 2
Jets by 2
Chargers by 8
Raiders by 5
Packers by 1
Eagles by 9 (lock)
Cowboys by 8 (lock)
Chiefs by 4

posted by tommybiden at 11:06 AM on September 08, 2026

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

Complete neutral, did not attend school anywhere in the u.s.a.

From this comfy chair watching that game, Western Michigan was R O B B E D.

posted by tommybiden at 01:29 PM on September 06, 2026

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Not on my field! Now get off my lawn

posted by tommybiden at 09:23 AM on September 05, 2026

Clippers Lose 5 First-Round Picks for Cheating Salary Cap

Could it be similar team shenanigans or more to the Ohtani gambling story?

I want it to be team shenanigans.

posted by tommybiden at 08:26 PM on September 04, 2026

Clippers Lose 5 First-Round Picks for Cheating Salary Cap

What NoMich said.

Only reason that I can see he gets a simple slap on the wrist (with a wet noodle) is the NBA doesn't want to go to war with the NBPA.

posted by tommybiden at 11:25 AM on September 03, 2026

Clippers Lose 5 First-Round Picks for Cheating Salary Cap

The only similar situation would be Joe Smith and the Timberwolves, right?

5 1st Rd picks (2 returned)

$3.5M fine (largest at time)

Owner suspended 1 year

G.M. resigned

posted by tommybiden at 10:13 AM on September 03, 2026

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

I cannot find a link yet, but apparently the NBA has dropped the hammer on the Clippers

Preliminary reports

L.A. Clippers $30,000,000 fine

L.A. Clippers loss of FIVE 1st round picks

L.A. Clippers
Steve Balmer

Leonard Frank

Gillian Zucker

all suspended

Toronto Raptors

No punishment

Kawhi Leonard

$700,000 restitution

posted by tommybiden at 04:45 PM on September 02, 2026

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Cardinals' Joshua Baez homers three times in MLB debut

posted by tommybiden at 04:40 PM on August 15, 2026

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Rule 5.09(c)(4) came into play tonight in the Toronto vs Boston baseball game tonight.

posted by tommybiden at 10:05 PM on August 10, 2026