Montreal, Canada, March 26, 2013 – The Israel National Junior Hockey Team, comprised of mostly Israeli born players, will once again travel to North American with planned visits to New York City in October (date TBD) and to South Florida on December 26 in conjunction with the Florida Panthers, announced Alan Maislin. The players also hope to serve as inspirational figures to aspiring hockey players and fans everywhere.

Coached by former National Hockey League Stanley Cup champion Jean Perron, the junior team is fresh off a historic visit to Turkey where they won gold and have now advanced to International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Division 2. Israel is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and is seeking to once again reach the IIHF senior first division, a monumental feat it accomplished in 2005. The senior national team will also play in Turkey, participating in an April.

“It is an honour and a privilege to continue the behind-the-scenes work with the Israel hockey program. These young athletes want nothing more than to get better at the sport they love, and to inspire their countrymen and the hockey world,” explained Chairman Maislin.

Among those serving on the committee of the Friends of Israeli Hockey are hockey analyst Pierre McGuire, New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather, and former Stanley Cup winning coach Mike Kennan.

About Friends of Israel Hockey

Friends of Israel Hockey is a volunteer committee made up of executives and influential hockey figures throughout the world. The purpose of the committee is to raise funds for Israel hockey, provide premiere coaching and facilities, and create rich cultural experiences for the country’s promising hockey players. Led by Committee Chairman Alan Maislin, Friends of Israel Hockey is also looking to build the country’s second official size hockey rink and to once again help the program qualify for the IIHF senior first division.  Distinguished hockey members of the committee include Glen Sather, Mike Keenan, Pierre McGuire, Pierre Page and Jean Perron.

Contact:

Alan Maislin

Chairman

Friends of Israel Hockey

alan@maisliner.com

Matthew Ross is a member of the Friends of Israel Hockey volunteer committee, serving in a media relations capacity. 

On the January 15th episode of my sports radio show on TSN 690 in Montreal, I pontificated on marriage and parenting a little, and how we men can cope and survive.

We all use the term ‘friend’ loosely on Facebook. Many of us have throngs of acquaintances we don’t really know. Due to my radio program in Montreal, I have a lot of listeners and fans of the show that have found and added me on Facebook. I accept most of the friend requests because I want to be grateful that they are faithful to my show, and also to let them feel like they have access to me.

It’s also worth noting that I generally don’t post any pictures of my kids or family on there, and don’t give out too many details of my private life. To me, Facebook is a social networking tool, designed to better seek out and reach people with whom you are interested in communicating and monitoring.

So when a couple of people decide to celebrate a politician whose only goal in public life is to break up the country that I live in, well, I took great exception. As a result, I HAD to delete those that encouraged the dissolution of the only nation that I have ever lived in.

If I don’t stick up for what I believe in, how could I look my kids in the eye. Sure, it would be the politically correct decision to ignore the Parti Quebecois support of a couple of Facebook friends for the broader appeal of me and my public dealings. But I am not wired like that.

Any party that encourages the limiting of religious freedoms, the separation of Quebec from Canada and the crackdown on the English language in every facet, cannot be something that I act indifferent towards.

Don’t get me wrong, I know my actions don’t amount to a major ripple in the political waters of this country. But it’s a way to vent and to have a non-destructive outlet. I had a satisfactory exhale upon my ‘unfriending’ exercise and was able to move on with my day. Non-Quebecers don’t understand how emotional and anxiety-causing the Quebec separation issue really is to some La Belle Province natives.

It’s definitely a cathartic activity for frustrated English-speaking Quebec citizens. Simply visit the Marois Facebook page and see what common friends of yours have liked it. You will then know who to delete right away from your friends list.

I am sure these guys will never notice that I am no longer friends with them. I have no illusions about my at-best “E level” celebrity status in this town. But, if they were thinking of sharing the Pauline Marois Facebook fan page with me at some point, they have another thing coming.

Matthew Ross is a communications professional and freelance journalist. His sports radio show has been on TSN 990 since 2004. 

But I’ve also had some success as a public relations professional, landing clients media attention on television, in print and on major online portals.

However, because I have the good fortune of being on both sides of the media, the lines can become blurred. Recently, I had a PR client who approached me looking for sports media coverage. Simple enough, right? Well…. not exactly.

The client was elated with the results from our work on the campaign. But it was the process that became a little sticky at certain points. When you’re PR itching the very same people that you consider journalist colleagues and friends, you have to tread lightly and proceed with extreme finesse.

In the end, it all worked out. I didn’t manage to alienate anyone and I didn’t cross any journalism ethics codes. But, the whole experience did make me stop and think.

I’ve always viewed my versatility and diverse communications background as an asset. But in this particular situation, it almost hindered me.  I thought a sports client would be the ultimate, drawing on my years of experience as an industry watcher and commentator. But in the end, it turned out to be just as challenging.

Would I do it all over again? Absolutely! I’ve always been one to say that things happen for a reason. So the public relations campaign, deemed a success by my client, was but another experience to learn from and to draw on in the future.

Follow Matthew on Twitter @matthewrossmtl

What started out as a quick Facebook status message and a simple Tweet, has now turned into a full fledged rant. Recently, I posted about what a joke it is that there were Montrealers attempting to stage a similar demonstration against greed and Wall Street, as those that were doing it in places like New York. As a result, some relentless hack kept attacking me for commenting on a pointless public display of squatting, saying I don’t even update my blog. Fair enough. I write for a living and am fairly busy with several projects and clients. It’s hard to find the time or patience to update my blog. But here you are, kind sir. Thanks so much for researching me.

What are these  people doing playing camp in the middle of Montreal? What is Occupy Montreal? It seems like they’re more interested in stockpiling food and setting up media centres, than they are in explaining exactly what they’re doing there and hope to achieve. Minor details, apparently.

The demonstrations south of the border are about the 99 percent versus the one percent. They’re about standing up against the poor U.S. economy and the bailouts. They’re about the housing crisis and foreclosures. They’re about the perennial troubles that the masses have when it comes to healthcare and tuition.

So back to the great white north. Back to the city of Montreal and these geniuses who have willingly flocked to a park, in the middle of a province that is in decent shape. I mean, correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t the Quebec economy situation pretty decent as compared to what’s happening to the south? Doesn’t Quebec have the most worker’s rights on the continent? Isn’t this the province with low tuition fees and the country with medicare?

The only thing more pathetic than this hazy attempt at change is the local media’s insistence on giving this sad spectacle a voice and the time of day. They should treat the park dwellers like I do my three-year old when she acts up – just ignore her. Chances are they’ll stop acting out.

What in the name of Warren Buffet are these jokers doing in the park? They don’t even know! Go ahead, ask one of them. See what they say. They’re probably too busy trying to figure out whose turn it is to build the final wall on their cool fort.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a financial guru, nor am I a rich man, to say the least. But I am a realist who isn’t blaming my current standing on ‘the man,’ or on the successful.

If Occupy Montreal wants to take up a worthwhile cause that actually makes sense close to home, I’ve got a perfect fit for these non-conformists and misguided, misled individuals clamouring for a reason to band together.

Don’t occupy a square in the middle of downtown Montreal. Instead, occupy a bridge and demand better transportation and road standards. One quick tip – better bring a raft!

Matthew Ross is the founder of ContentServicing.com, a content and communications provider. He is also the host of Game Points on TSN Radio 990 in Montreal, Canada. You can view/join the show’s Facebook group or become a follower of Matthew at Twitter.com/matthewrossmtl.

5. Bono - I know, you’re thinking U2‘s Bono isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of Rock singers. But based on his

Is anyone bigger than Bono

body of work, his versatility, longevity and incredible following, we’re putting him on this list. Bono himself has been critical of his own singing abilities on occasion. But who is he to argue with millions of albums sold and countless accolades. My dad dimisses Bono as a whiny voice. I prefer to think of his sound as soulful, expressive, pouring directly out from his heart. Every lyric resonates, every story told is impactful. For all of these reasons, Bono is on my list.

4. Steve Perry - Lately, my young daughter has forced me to listen to Wheel in the Sky over and over. I never really mind (well, okay, after the eighth successive time I do) because Steve Perry’s voice IS music. You can’t have a list like this without considering Perry for a spot in the top ten or even top five. One true testmanent to his unique, powerful and exciting sound is that very seldom are Journey songs ever remade. No singer wants to be compared to what Perry brings to the mic.  You can’t even sing one of his songs in the shower, because invariably you get annoyed that you can’t sound even a tenth as good as him. Hell, if he can make Oh Sherrie a hit, you know he’s got a heck of a voice.

3. Chris Cornell – No one has ever made alternative music sound as deep or as meaningful as Chris Cornell. He’s probably the least

Chris Cornell doesn't get his due

known on this list and probably lags behind in terms of commercial success. However, Chris is so good he can even mumble in a song and it sounds fantastic. Cornell grew famous with Soundgarden, but also headed Audioslave and went out on his own. He’s sort of an enigma, but his sound is so unique it hits your ears like a freshly prepared rock sermon every time. Personally, he’s my favorite of all-time, but I had to recognize the talents of the two men that sit 1-2 on this list as well.

2. Robert Plant – The man, the myth, the legend. Robert Plant’s high octave voice is unmistaken. No singer ever put more energy into every verse than Plant. He’s the top singer for many, many rock disciples. Plant is another one of those unique talents that’s simply too good to ever be covered. Plant’s voice almost sounds like an instrument, finely tuned and ready to be rocked at a moment’s notice. I’m not the biggest Led Zeppelin fan in the world, but I can certainly respect the talent that is Robert Plant.

1. Elvis Presley – If you’re going to start a revolution and get the world to listen to a new sound, you better have a damn good

Elvis - The King of this list

voice. Elvis wasn’t just an icon for rock and roll, he had the chops to back it up. Preseley demonstrated range, he connected with audiences and he put everything he had into each and every song. Whether he was young Elvis or fat Elvis, he was the man when he stepped to the mic. When they’re still talking about you almost 60 years later, you know your voice had the ability to reach anyone, anywhere, any time. The King is the king of this list. Thanks you for reading, thank you very much.

Matthew Ross is the founder of ContentServicing.com, a content and communications provider. He is also the host of Game Points on THE TEAM 990AM in Montreal, Canada. You can view/join the show’s Facebook group or become a follower of Matthew at Twitter.com/matthewrossmtl.

I have been working on a PR campaign for a sports website (and yes, I am not going to capitalize ‘website,’ I am taking a stand), whose social media efforts had room for improvement. While they did have a couple of Twitter accounts, including one with several hundred followers, they weren’t being used with a traffic-driving mentality.

Enter Social Oomph. The site has been instrumental in this sports portal seeing thousands of new click throughs a month from Twitter. Social Oomph allows you to track your tweeted links and time delay your tweets, among its other uses. Utilizing keyword hash-tagging and including links to various articles, Twitter has helped this sports site tap into a previously unexplored reservoir of social media-aware sports information readers.

So this recent success got me thinking. While we’re certainly not going to see anything replace Google or Google News any time soon, is Twitter the new Google? I don’t mean to pose a question in the same manner that a Carey Bradshaw would, but it really is an interesting question.

As the social media platform grows in reach, volume and in technology, more and more people are consulting Twitter’s search functions to get the latest info on their favorite topics, people and news stories. It’s become a must-search site, making it a must-participate for any communications or marketing professional seeking to drive traffic or raise the profile of its clients.

A quick search in Twitter for a random item will allow you to pull up the latest musings, news and even aversions/likes that someone else out there has for it. It’s really quite remarkable. A Google for the social media.

And there are all sorts of businesses that have sprung up in recent years to take advantage of the Twitter phenomenon. Businesses that can get you more followers. Businesses that can track your tweets or even do the Tweeting for you.

But here is where it all ties together. In Google searches for people, places or things, you’re now seeing Twitter appear as a sourced search result more and more prominently. In a sense, it might even be stealing Google’s thunder a little bit.

So to those who are still stubborn and avoiding the inevitability of tweeting, you’re only hurting yourself, or your bottom, as it were.

As for me, I am not expert on the subject. I don’t have 1,000 or more followers. But that’s only because my work is done through clients’ accounts and because I don’t Tweet enough on any one of my handful of accounts. But I do think I know a good thing when I see one.

Matthew Ross is the founder of ContentServicing.com, a content and communications provider. He is also the host of Game Points on THE TEAM 990AM in Montreal, Canada. You can view/join the show’s Facebook group or become a follower of Matthew at Twitter.com/matthewrossmtl.

As it is, it’s hard to fathom and grasp the concept of suicide bombers, monsters that not only don’t value their own life, but are prepared to end the lives of others. Now comes the sickening and depressing anecdotes of victims being victimized – again. It seems that looters are prepared to rob others of anything they need or want, at the worst possible time. Looters in Haiti and Chile don’t discriminate. They target large stores, mom & pop stores, it really doesn’t matter, all in the name of taking advantage of a situation, no matter the cost to others.

As humans, parents and citizens of the earth, shouldn’t we be bound to instill decency, mores and compassion  into our youth? How is it actually possible that we are raising people who can commit such hateful and disrespectful acts?

What goes through the mind of someone when they are committing a murder or robbing the already victimized? Is it mental disturbance? Morbid satisfaction? Brainwashed purpose? What is it? And furthermore, how can a functioning brain process ending the life of a fellow human being? It’s just something I can’t wrap my head around.

This sadness, this senselessness, its’ enough to wreak havoc with your ability to hope and rationalize and forgive.

We must do something as a collective. But what? There can really be only one answer – education. It’s the only weapon we have in the fight against evil. Educating the young. Educating the incarcerated. Educating the enemy. The fight can’t merely be on the battlefield, it has to spill over into the academic realm.

Right and wrong isn’t innate, it’s taught. Everyone has their own variation of what’s right and what’s wrong. The key is to simply be on the same page, worldwide.

Matthew Ross is the founder of ContentServicing.com, a content and communications provider. He is also the host of Game Points on THE TEAM 990AM in Montreal, Canada. You can view/join the show’s Facebook group or become a follower of Matthew at Twitter.com/matthewrossmtl.

Ordinarily, my blog is reserved for more reflective entries, but I couldn’t resist a stab at my favorite ten situational comedies of the last 30 years. Obviously, this is an exercise in opinion, nothing more. I wouldn’t pretend to speak for a generation, or two. Contrary to what sites will claim, EVERY cheesy top ten list is subjective, every single last one of them.

At any rate, I’m someone who has always found refuge, comfort and a sense of reassurance through television comedies. Call it interesting, sad, pathetic, whatever you want. But our family always bonded over a good episode of a classic sitcom. Whether it was gathering on the couch after dinner, flopping on my bed and watching after school, or catching a late night rerun – TV comedies always had their place in my life, growing up.

Nowadays, I don’t have the same amount of time to devote to these great shows. But, I still catch an episode every now and then of a great comedic program. And when I do, a specific scene or joke can instantly take me back to the first time I saw that episode. It could have been laughing alongside my dad, watching my mom cringe at a bad innuendo, or making fun of my sister after an unusually loud cackle (followed by the launch of an object, most of the time a tissue box, at my person).

What makes a good sitcom, according to me? Glad you asked. First of all, I believe you need to have at least two unique characters on the show. Characters that are no doubt funny, but also quirky, multi-layered and very charismatic.

In terms of actors, you want to great timing, a good range of facial expressions that match the dialogue and the ability to make you want to see where they will take their character.

So, as I have explained, this is not a list that I believe to be the best of all-time, it’s just my favorite ten programs. Take from it what you will.

# 10. WKRP in Cincinnati – The oldest entry on my list, this sitcom ran from ’78-’82, but ballooned in syndication. Howard Hessman was the real genius in this program. He worked hard at making Dr. Johnny Fever look like he didn’t work hard at anything. Gordon Jump was priceless as the bumbling station manager Arthur Carlson and Richard Sanders was even more clueless as newsman Les Nessman.

The plots were outlandish, the cast turnover done seamlessly and who could forget the episode where they dropped live turkeys from a helicopter?

# 9. Family Matters - I know what you’re thinking, “Are you crazy?” But this show was well done. Think about it. A comedy that ran from ’89-’97 and mainly on Friday night, when people are supposedly not watching television. This show really took off when the rapport between Steve Urkel and Carl Winslow was harnessed. Their misadventures and tried and tested formula of Steve pissing off Carl never got old.

The show waned towards the end when the cast kept changing, but it was a great bridge from traditional comedies from the 70′s and 80′s, to the newer sitcoms that were ushered in during the 90′s.

# 8. Cosby Show – Some readers will be shocked that this series is this low on my list. However, the last few years of the show were a shell of the first few. Changeover in cast really made this series go out with nothing more than a whimper. Still, watching Bill Cosby interact with kids and lay down his parenting laws was the key to its success.

From ’84-”92, this NBC show broke ground and was more a part of pop culture than any other show during its tenure. The incredible guest star power also had fans coming back for more.

# 7. Night Court - Another NBC show that also ran from ’84-’92, this series excelled by playing to the strengths of its actors. I personally liked this show so much because of the eccentric characters, the multiple ‘aside’ conversations that went on during every episode and the creative idea of having a courthouse as the central focal point.

While Harry Anderson got on your nerves every once in a while, you could never get enough of the outrageous antics of John Laroquette’s Dan Fielding character. One of the best ‘skirt chaser’ creations ever hatched for television.

# 6. Fresh Prince of Bel Air - The most popular show amongst my peers during my high school days, this was the coolest show to ever come around. Mixing the element of whatever was cool at the time, and a ton of fat and short jokes helped this series stay alive and vibrant.

From ’90-’96, this show was the talk of school recesses everywhere, and cemented Will Smith’s place in pop culture lore. It’s one of those rare shows that could have gone on another couple of seasons without losing its appeal. But Smith decided to pack it up and try his hand at feature films. I’d say it worked out well. Still, it would have been great to see another couple of seasons of Uncle Phil throwing Jazz out the front door.

# 5. Roseanne – A tremdous cast chemistry and an ever-evolving main character made this series special. The impeccable timing of Roseanne Barr and John Goodman made this series go. From ’88-’97, it was ABC’s mainstay in the top rated Nielsen shows.

While the program started to get a little silly with its plotlines towards the end, those first few years depicting a lower middle-class family were precious, to say the least. Any family that struggled with money could intimately relate to the Connor family.

# 4. News Radio – A very underappreciated series in its time (’95-’99), this was one of the quirkiest programs I’ve ever seen. Similar to WKRP in that it was a radio station setting, this show had some of the most silly and creative storylines on television.

The brilliance of Phil Hartman as newsman Bill McNeil and the irreverance of Stephen Root as Jimmy James, kept me watching each season. Root’s portrayal as the eccentric billionaire James was, in my opinion, one of the greatest characters in the history of sitcoms.

Still, the show could get annoying with Andy Dick and the whining of Maura Tierney. But it was still one of my favourites.

# 3. Seinfeld – Some who know me would ask how this series is only third on my list. I’m not sure. Perhaps it is because I am a little sick of it at the moment. It just never went away. The show is on more times a day than weather reports.

However, from ’89-’98, no show was celebrated or created more catch phrases than Seinfeld. The show’s first couple of years weren’t anything to write home about. But, by the third season, it really rounded into form.

The ability to turn nothing into an entire episode was its trademark. That, and the incredible timing and chemistry the four main characters developed. Perhaps it was the lack of innovation that stunted its rise on my list. No matter, it was still a fantastic sitcom.

# 2. Two And A Half Men – Some will be surprised to see a current sitcom crack this list. But, if you have ever watched one episode, you will absolutely fall in love with the series.

Since 2003, the same formula has prevailed. A lot of sexual innuendos that push the boundaries of network television, several jokes at the expense of the dim witted son Jake and the romantically inept father Alan, and a whole lot of deadpan reactions from Charlie Sheen. Sheen and Jon Cryer are stunningly on the same page every episode and flourish as an on-screen duo. The characters have stayed true to form from day 1 until today.

# 1. Cheers - Not a contest. Airing from ’82-’93, no program ever stimulated my imagination or had so many lovable characters as this series. The cast chemistry was outstanding, the ‘aside’ conversations and storylines were very complimentary and the lead character Sam Malone was someone you always rooted for.

I loved the blue collar characters mixing with the white collar characters and guest stars, and the ability of the show’s writers to tease a romantic plot was simply unmatched. I sorely miss seeing where each character would have ended up and I think it was by far the best sitcom I ever followed.

I hope you enjoyed my list. It was a blast to create.

Matthew Ross is the founder of ContentServicing.com, a content and communications provider. He is also the host of Game Points on THE TEAM 990AM in Montreal, Canada. You can view/join the show’s Facebook group or become a follower of Matthew at Twitter.com/matthewrossmtl.

Everyone wants to know how to combat terrorism, how to get rid of prejudice and how to stop the spread of disease. It might be the most elementary and simple explanation of all-time and it can be said with one word; education.

Indeed, it is my adamant stance that if the U.S. wants to curb terrorism abroad, they are going to have to help fund state schools. The supply of suicide bombers will undoubtedly dry up once these young souls see how much they have to live for and what they can do to fix their current situation.

Imagine if you will, a smarter world, where common sense, diplomacy and rational thinking prevail rather than shooting from the hip and religious fundamentalism.

And how about the spread of HIV in poor countries? Educating the population on how sexually transmitted diseases are spread is the obvious key to slowly down the title wave of death.

Governments don’t need to fund militias in other countries, they need to fund and build schools. But, because the results are not seen right away and because it’s not seen as a popular move for politicians, we don’t see enough of this.

A solution as simple as broadening the mind can actually change the world for the better.

Matthew Ross is the founder of ContentServicing.com, a content and communications provider. You can view/join its Facebook group. He is also the host of Game Points on THE TEAM 990AM in Montreal, Canada. You can view/join the show’s Facebook group or become a follower of Matthew at Twitter.com/matthewrossmtl.