#hope he suffers another injury during this cup tournament whatever it is

[charlitosalcaraz]

stanislas wawrinka shame on you

[13uswntimagines]

Fraternizing with the Enemy (Alpha Lindsey X Omega Emily x Alpha Reader)

Request 1: Soran and reader where Emily gets fouled a lot or something and the both of her girlfriends come to her aid but the reader is on Seattle’s team? I meant NWSL where Soran is still on the thorns

Request 2: soran x reader with Lindsey and the reader as alphas and sonnett as an omega

You had a reputation. Your temper on the pitch was known (and feared) around the world. You would argue part of that temper was due to your protective nature (particularly over your unmated mates at the time), and that the rest were some really bad overblown rumors (anyone who played on the field with you would venture to disagree). 

Since mating your mates a year and a half ago, you had relaxed considerably, mellowing out and becoming much less quick to anger. 

This whole chaos cup had put you on edge. You were on OL Reign, while your mates were Thorns and that meant that you were kept segregated from them. To make matters worse, Emily had experienced a heat during this shit show, and the NWSL wouldn’t bend the rules to allow you to experience it with her and Lindsey. Thank God your alpha mate had been there to protect your omega. 

You hadn’t wanted Emily to play so soon after her heat, but here she was holding up the Thorns backline against your team. 

“Better luck next time Daddy,” Emily laughed, helping you up from a well-placed slide tackle and pulling you into her. You hugged her close. You weren't a soft person, but you were soft for them. You allowed her soothing pheromones to calm the beast inside you for a moment before pulling away. You smiled crookedly, leaning down to kiss her lips, savoring her scent. It was always so sweet after her heats. Her hand trailed down your chest and landed very high in your thigh. You laughed, reaching around to lightly slap her but. 

“Watch it hot stuff, wouldn’t wanna write a check you aren’t willing to cash,” 

She giggled, slapping your chest, and you couldn’t help the corners of your lips tilting up. Lindsey shook her head at the two of you from across the pitch. She knew how painful it had been for you to be separated from them when they needed you, but she didn’t think you and Emily would actually start groping each other on the pitch. She thought Mark was crazy for having Emily be the one to mark you. Yes, she was a fantastic defender, but Becky would have been a safer option considering you and Sonny were doing everything in your power to touch each other. She guessed he thought it would force Sonnett to focus, but all it seemed to be doing was distracting you both. 

“You two aren’t supposed to be touching,” Sofia Huerta called out, approaching you. You rolled your eyes at the woman, unsure why your fellow forward was interrupting your moment with one of your mates. 

“She’s my mate, I think it’s safe,” 

“Yeah, well when you risk the rest of the team’s safety, I think maybe you should give a fuck about something besides your penis,” She snorted. She didn’t like that you always thought you could break the rule with no consequences. You were constantly shirking the rules, with both the national team and your club, and she was fucking tired of it. This was their health you were messing with by fraternizing with the other team. 

“Hmm, your cock does sound good though, missed it last week,” Emily mumbled, reaching down and trying to squeeze your member. You caught her wrist, bringing her hand to your lips instead. 

“Behave hot stuff,” You mumbled, kissing Emily’s forehead, blatantly ignoring your annoyed teammate. 

“Yeah, good luck with that Y/n,” Lindsey laughed as she approached, pulling Emily away for the hydration break, you smirked after them, sure you would get the opportunity to get close to them again during the game. 

****

You were going to kill someone. Somewhere between the hydration break and the restart of play, your teammates had lost brain cells. They took absolutely every opportunity they could to sweep your omega off of her feet (which didn’t make sense cause she was a defender and not a forward). 

“What the fuck are you doing?” You growl, passing Sofia who had just taken your mate down for the 5th time. She smirked in your direction. 

“Shirking the safety regulations just like you are,” she shrugged, and you clenched your fist, watching as Lindsey pulled Emily to her feet, holding the omega close and sending you a short nod. You gulped, taking a deep breath. 

“Knock it off before I decide to break the regulations a different way,” You said, far too calmly. Your famous temper was about to make an appearance (and though your mates found it hot when you went all alpha on people, they really didn’t want a brawl during this stupid game. That was all they needed, they wouldn’t be able to go to the hospital with you anyway). 

“Whatever you say,” She rolled her eyes at you, sprinting off. The best thing she thought she could do for your team was get the distraction off of the field, and if that meant on a stretcher then so be it. 

*****

The rumble left your lips before your brain even registered it. The dominant pheromones rolling off you in a wave determined to protect your mates at all costs. You rushed towards the forward who dare hurt your mate, too enraged to join Lindsey in comforting the omega layer out on her side. 

Lindsey watched you with worried eyes, returning her attention to your hurt mate, and allowing you to go and play protector. 

“I know that was a bad tackle, but I’m fine,” Emily rolled her eyes at the protective behaviors of her alphas. 

“You’re bleeding,” Lindsey growled back, her attention returning to the leg that the medics were doing a patch job on. It was by for the lest serious injury she had ever suffered, but the fact that your team went after her at all was astonishing. 

“You two are going to be miserable aren’t you?” Emily sighed, huffing slightly. She wasn’t an invalid, but with you unable to accompany her during heat and the insane amount of fouls she had taken today, she was sure that you two would be smothering her in love and protection. Probably throwing fits if she didn’t let you cater to her every need. It was going to suck. 

“Y/n is still being forced to quarantine with Reign so it’ll probably just be me,” Lindsey mumbled back, puffing out her chest. She needed to do the job for both of you, and she would. 

She watched as you rushed your teammate, hauling them up by their shirt and growing angrily in their face. You shook them a few times, ignoring the yell of the ref for you to let go and calm down. You were too far gone, and your inner wolf wouldn’t be happy until the girl was cowering in submission. 

“I don’t think they’ll keep you separated after that,” Ali said softly, kneeling next to Lindsey to check on Emily. If anything, the only thing that would help the situation would be to let you room with your mates. It was Sophia’s only hope of living through the remainder of the tournament. 

“Shit,” Lindsey winced as you tossed the young alpha to the ground, standing over her with your teeth bared. 

“Fuck that’s hot,” Emily said breathlessly, her eyes zeroing in on how your clenched fists made your arms pop. It was rare they got to see you angry anymore, and when it wasn’t directed at them, it was a sight to behold. She was definitely adding that to the spank bank for the nights she was stuck in Georgia without the two of you. 

“You better go stop her. I think you’re the only one not in danger of losing an arm if you try,” Ali mumbled, nudging Lindsey’s shoulder as you took another menacing step towards the other alpha. Lindsey bit her lip, glancing at her omega. She didn’t want to leave her, especially when she was in pain. 

“Go, stop the knot head from killing her teammates,” Emily laughed, shoving her alpha. Lindsey looked unsure but jogged off anyway. 

Emily shook her head as you melted into Lindsey’s strong embrace and allowed her to drag you off the field. 

There was never a dull moment with her stupid, protective alphas. Sure you were technically fraternizing with the enemy, but that was safer than trying to keep you away from the women you loved.

[gadgetsrevv]

Euro 2020 qualifiers: 10 things to look out for | Football

1) All eyes on fans in Prague

In what looks certain to resemble the world’s most unedifying stag party, an estimated 6,000 England fans will descend on Prague to watch Gareth Southgate’s team take on the Czech Republic. Unsurprisingly designated as a “high risk” fixture, this Friday night game will attract no shortage of thirsty visitors to the Czech capital, hellbent on making a weekend of it in a city renowned for the cheapness of its beer and myriad other nocturnal delights. Scheduled to kick off at 8.45pm local time, when more patriotic fans will have had all day to occupy the city’s Old Town Square, get liquored up and perform their traditional repertoire of ditties, it is difficult to imagine the local constabulary will be kept idle following Uefa’s refusal to move the game to a more suitable day or time. While many England fans are perfectly well-behaved, anti-social behaviour of the kind seen in Amsterdam and Porto on recent excursions seems dismally inevitable. “You’re part of our team, make the country proud,” said Gareth Southgate, in the FA’s attempt to get in front of the problem by releasing a video entitled Don’t Be That Idiot. Somebody will almost certainly be that idiot and, if recent history tells us anything, they are unlikely to be alone. BG

• Czech Republic v England, 7.45pm Friday (all times BST)

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2) Is Connolly the solution to Ireland’s scoring problems?

Mick McCarthy’s second coming as Republic of Ireland manager got going in earnest in March when his team played with impressive vibrancy at home to Georgia, though they only won 1-0. Goals, you see, remain extremely hard to come by for Ireland. But a solution may have emerged: Brighton’s Aaron Connolly, fresh from scoring twice against Spurs last weekend, could make his senior international debut in Tblisi on Saturday. If he shows the same sharpness that he did against Tottenham, then Ireland could take a big step towards Euro 2020 qualification, and young Connolly will be hearing more of that ‘new Robbie Keane’ talk. PD

• Georgia v Ireland, 2pm Saturday

3) Ramsey injury may force tactical change on Giggs

Anything less than a haul of four points from games at Slovakia and at home against Croatia over the coming days is likely to end any chance Wales have of qualifying for Euro 2020, although they could still be thrown a lifeline via the Nations League. Suffering from discomfort to his adductor, Aaron Ramsey, arguably a more important player for the Welsh than even Gareth Bale, is out of the Slovakia game. Ryan Giggs could be forced into a tactical change and the thinking by Danny Gabbidon and Iwan Roberts on Elis James’s Feast Of Football podcast was that Giggs needs to avoid playing the brand of expansive football he prefers in charge of making his team more difficult to beat. With this in mind, playing five at the back with two midfielders sitting directly in front of them was mooted as a potential solution. Whatever Giggs decides, a very talented generation of Welsh players is in danger of being wasted and the results of the next two games could have a major say in the future of a young manager who has been far from convincing during his tenure so far. BG

• Slovakia v Wales, 7.45pm Thursday

Gareth Bale at Wales training in Cardiff, in the runup to the match in Slovakia. Photograph: Athena Pictures/Getty Images

4) Endangered Iceland should fear Ben Yedder

Darlings of the last European Championship, Iceland need to pull out some big results if they are to reach Euro 2020. They are third in Group H, behind an exciting young Turkey team and France, who thrashed them 4-0 earlier in the group. On Friday they host Les Bleus, who will be without the injured Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé but still have no shortage of options. Didier Deschamps could, for instance, use Mbappé’s absence to give Wissam Ben Yedder his most meaningful cap to date. The striker, who joined Monaco in the summer and has been as prolific there as he was at all his previous clubs, has had to wait a long time for international recognition but, at 29, he is still young enough and good enough to make an impact. He would boost his chances of appearing in an international tournament if he helps France beat Iceland on Friday and Turkey three days later. PD

• Iceland v France, 7.45pm Friday

5) Another toothless performance from Scotland?

While Scotland’s rugby players scored 61 without reply against Russia at the Rugby World Cup, their footballing counterparts would gladly settle for victory by a far slimmer margin when they are entertained in Moscow on Thursday. Scotland trail Russia, who are second in Group I behind Belgium, by nine points with four games remaining and their hopes of qualifying via any other route than the play-off place they earned through the Nations League have evaporated. In Ryan Fraser, John McGinn, Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and John Fleck Scotland have decent players, but their inability to score goals remains aconcern. The six forward players picked by Steve Clarke squad have just eight international goals between them and urgently need to improve that tally ahead of those play-offs so many Scottish hopes are pinned on. BG

• Russia v Scotland, 7.45pm Thursday

John McGinn holds off Ryan Fraser during Scotland training before the match in Russia. Photograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

6) O’Neill’s rock-hard run-in starts in Netherlands

Second behind Germany in a group that also contains the Netherlands, Northern Ireland’s remaining fixtures in Group C could scarcely be more difficult. Following their trip to Amsterdam they travel to the Czech Republic for a friendly, before completing their qualifiers against the Dutch at home and Germany away in November. Michael O’Neill will have to make do without Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis, who has pulled out with a knee injury, but the manager remains upbeat about his team’s chances of doing enough in successive qualifiers against the Netherlands to not have to concern himself with a potential route to the finals through the Nations League play-offs. “We are in a double-header with Holland and I believe if we get four points we will qualify,” he said. Having made his first international start in defeat against Germany last time out, Linfield striker Shayne Lavery could be the manplaying up front faced with a defence marshalled by Virgil van Dijk, as O’Neill has hinted the 20-year-old’s pace and intelligence could be a key weapon in a battle against one of the world’s best defenders. BG

• Netherlands v Northern Ireland, 7.45pm Thursday

7) Switzerland need to find the right side of late dramas

Switzerland could have already secured their qualification for Euro 2020, instead they are set for a tense finale in Group D: and they have not coped well with tense finales so far. In their first match, at home to Denmark, they blew a three-goal lead in the last six minutes; and in their last outing, in the Republic of Ireland, they looked comfortable before conceding an 85th-minute equaliser and hanging on for a point. They face those two countries again in the next few days, starting with a trip to Copenhagen on Saturday. Xherdan Shaqiri has chosen to remain in international exile but manager Vladimir Petkovic has recalled Stephan Lichtsteiner after omitting him for the trip to Dublin. Apparently he values the 35-year-old’s experience. “He is still our captain and leader,” said Petkovic of the Augsburg defender, without saying whether Lichtsteiner will actually play. PD

• Denmark v Switzerland, 5pm Saturday

8) Crunch time for Finland to break drought

Finland have never qualified for a major tournament. It’s somewhat of an annoyance for a nation of over five million people who gave football the supremely talented Jari Litmanen. Even tiny Iceland have beaten them to the punch. But having assumed a strong position in Group J – they’re second behind Italy – they will never have a better chance of enjoying a summer party themselves. Markku Kanerva’s side have won four and lost two (both to Italy) but now it’s crunch time. They face Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia next, the two teams directly below them. They travel to the Bilino Polje Stadium in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday. With Norwich’s in-form Teemu Pukki leading the line, Kanerva’s compact system is well set up to pick off their inconsistent opponents on the break. Finland have not conceded a goal against any team except Italy and Pukki has been just as lethal in qualifying as he has in the Premier League, scoring five in his last six. If he can continue his hot streak over the next few days, Finland’s long wait for some summer fun could soon be over. GB

• Bosnia-Herzegovina v Finland, 5pm Saturday

Finland’s Teemu Pukki has scored five times in his last six matches. Photograph: Markku Ulander/AFP/Getty Images

9) Can Hungary capitalise against inconsistent Croatia?

Going into their game against Slovakia last time out, Hungary were pretty much two wins from Euro 2020. Now, after a 2-1 loss, qualification from Group E looks unlikely. Hungary did beat a sluggish Croatia in Budapest in their previous group encounter, and looked impressive in doing so. But with Hungary distinctly lacking in individual quality, it’s the sum of their parts that makes this Hungarian apparatus tick. And when two or three of those parts falter, the whole machine malfunctions, as evidenced against Slovakia. Things don’t look like changing in Croatia either, with very few of Hungary’s key men finding any kind of form at club level this season. Yet Hungary are an odd side full of players unheard of in western Europe, but who are prone to big performances in big games. Croatia are massive favourites, but Hungary have refound a quality of turning up when it matters most under Italian coach Marco Rossi. And with Croatia looking decidedly inconsistent since the World Cup, maybe this isn’t as improbable as first thought. TM

• Croatia v Hungary, 7.45pm Thursday

10) Andorra aim to – finally – end long losing streak

Andorra have played 55 European Championship qualifiers and lost 55 European Championship qualifiers. It’s not pretty but maybe, just maybe, the tiny principality (population 76,965) could end that ugly losing streak against Moldova at home. Their visitors are the one nation that have a worse defensive record than them, having shipped 17 goals in six Group H qualifiers to Andorra’s 14. Moldova have managed to win once, 1-0 at home against Andorra, but if ever there was a chance for Koldo Álvarez to take a point – or even three – in a Euro qualifier, it is at the Estadi Nacional on Friday night. It would help if they could score a goal, mind. They haven’t managed that in six Euro 2020 qualifiers but even a 0-0 draw would be enough to make history. GB

• Andorra v Moldova, 7.45pm Friday

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[calacuspr]

When the dream fades – how one Tottenham Hotspur and England youngster dealt with disappointment

It was World Mental Health Day in early October and one area where individuals often suffer is in the world of elite sport. 

Ben Bowditch had a sparkling career ahead of him after starring at youth level for Tottenham Hotspur and England but injuries curtailed his career before t had really begun.

He had to face the reality of his dreams being shattered when mental health issues were still considered taboo.

Now founder and Director of Bows Soccer Academy, here is Ben’s story, one many will relate to, whether they are in sport and other walks of life.

From 11-17 years old I was living ‘The Dream’ after signing for my boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur, further going on to play for England Schoolboys up to U20.

I showed a lot of early promise as a youngster, which resulted in me playing the year group above for Tottenham. This led me on to breaking into the Tottenham reserve side at just 17. I made my debut away to Southampton at the Dell, being coached by one of my favourite coaches of all time, Chris Hughton.

I had the privilege of playing in some fantastic stadiums such as White Hart Lane, St James Park, Vicarage Road, The Stadium of Light, The Riverside, The Reebok Stadium, Elland Road, Goodison Park, Old Trafford and one of the most iconic stadiums of all time, Wembley.

Whilst travelling with the England youth teams, I was lucky enough to visit many beautiful parts of the world, including Europe and Israel where the European Championships were held.

I was also fortunate enough to travel to Brazil for a tournament that featured Mexico, USA, Japan and of course Brazil.

I was unaware at the time, but the experience that I gained from these trips were to be priceless. They have helped mould me into the person I am today, with one of my biggest achievements leading my country in the U20 World Cup.

Along this journey I have played against some outstanding players, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Carlos Teves, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, Andreas Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo, to name but a few.

I had had the privilege of playing alongside Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Jenas, David Bentley, and Dean Ashton as well as being coached by Glenn Hoddle, Colin Calderwood and Les Reed.

By 18, I had experienced so much and was being offered the world at such a young age.

Tottenham were paying me £800 a week plus bonuses, which was more money than many families were earning at that time. I had the world at my feet, but I had no real idea.

Despite having these luxuries it just felt ‘normal’. I did not have to work for any of it as such; it was all laid on a plate for me from the age of 11 and I did not know any different.

I had wonderful support from my family who travelled the world to watch me play, with my parents doing all they could, whatever was asked of them, to allow me to have these opportunities.

My agent (yes I had an agent), was also excellent. I could not have asked any more of him in terms of support and encouragement, both on and off the field. However, it was all still too ‘normal’.

I would be in the local papers, play live on Sky Sports, people would know my name and tell both myself and others how good I was.

Sadly, between the ages of 18 and 20 I experienced several injuries that would prove to be huge setbacks.

Each time I recovered and gained full fitness another problem arose leading to my playing time being reduced as I spent more time in the treatment room than on the field.

My confidence was severely affected and I found myself lower down the selection order when I was fit to play. I was having to work hard to get better, something I had not had to do before and I did not know how to deal with this.

I was still being selected to play for my country, even with this gradual decline. Being away with the team would lift my spirits but on my return I would feel myself gradually falling back into a dark state of mind, with my confidence decreasing daily.

My peers were surpassing me one by one breaking into the Reserve Team or the First Team, players I had always been ahead of previously.

I could feel it all slipping away from me and I just did not know what to do.

At 19, whilst recovering from a long term Achilles injury, I was told that I would not be offered a new contract at the end of the season. It was heart breaking news for me. I was devastated.

When I got home I cried in my bedroom. I can never forget that day as the weight of that news was unbearable even though I think I knew it would happen.

I spent another month at the club getting fit before I left to join AB Copenhagen in Denmark.

On my final day at the club I arrived at Spurs Lodge full of nerves. I felt lost and empty, I had been there all my life and now it was suddenly coming to an end. I walked into the canteen after my final session at the club to find all my coaches that I had worked with during my time there.

I fought hard to hold back the tears whilst I shook their hands and thanked them for all their hard work with me. When I got back to my car I broke down. I just could not handle the emotion. I wanted the world to swallow me up. I felt like I had let everyone down, especially my family, who had sacrificed so much to support me.

Arriving in Denmark gave me strength again, a new country and experience, a wonderful time, allowing me to regain some focus on pursuing a career in professional football.

I returned to England at the end of the season to join Colchester United in League One with Phil Parkinson in charge. He had said he did not wish to sign any more players in my position but I was determined, so with a strong attitude and positive performances, I was offered a contract. The hard work had paid off, I was back and felt the best I had for a very long time.

This was not to last long as I was to have yet another injury, a hernia injury that was initially treated as a hip problem. I had surgery for the hip before finding it was actually a hernia, which needed extensive surgery.

I ended up not playing for an entire season and further not being offered a new contract. I went on to play for Barnet in League Two, having an indifferent season.

I then had one of my best seasons though in the conference at Cambridge City before moving to Bishop’s Stortford where unfortunately I ruptured my anterior cruciate ligament.

Trying to maintain the lifestyle I had become used to, I ran up huge debts on credit cards and loans, driving in cars I could not afford, buying more clothes that I needed and going on out with friends.

I felt like I was forever chasing a dream trying to find my way back to the level I had reached at such a young age.

The decline felt like I was drowning, I just could not find my way back out of the water.

All I wanted to do was let myself sink but I did not want to let my family and friends down, so was trying hard to overcome the feelings for them. If it had not been for them I may have given up long before.

I continued to play as I hoped one day my eight-month old son would be able to watch me, but whilst playing for Potters Bar I ruptured my anterior cruciate ligament in the other knee. I have not played since.

I knew then I had to think about him and my family and now focus on our future.

Our future is now Bows Soccer Academy with my attention on helping young players achieve the best that they can with my guidance along with our highly motivated and passionate coaching team.

I realise I can now offer my valuable experience as an ex-professional footballer, using some of the fantastic lessons I learned with the great coaches I have worked with.

We are now fortunate enough to live in a world where mental health issues have been made more aware to us all.

Each and every one of us is making our own individual and unique journey in life. We will all encounter hurdles and stumbling blocks along the way, however with the support of those close to us and with the raising of awareness, we can help each other break through these barriers to find a solution.

I had the support from my family and close friends as a young professional player, but there was a lack of awareness around mental health.

I suffered with mental health as a young professional footballer and was too afraid to address my emotions. Had there been available support at that time, I may have been able to deal with my psychological state of mind in a better way than I did.

I now understand more about mental health and am no longer afraid.

Its OK to not be OK. Be kind to yourself and others. Talk. Do not be afraid of being judged. We are not alone and there is always someone who can help.

[mizbabygirl]

Oduya fitting right back in with Blackhawks (from the Chicago Blackhawks website) [04\03\2017]

When Johnny Oduya returned to the Blackhawks at the trade deadline in late February, a dear pal unwittingly served as spokesman for the team, the organization and the fans.

"He fit right in just like he did before," noticed Marcus Kruger. "It's like he never left."

Oduya did leave Chicago, of course, after winning his second Stanley Cup in 2015. It was difficult, he said, but it was business. The National Hockey League's unforgiving salary cap plays no favorites, even when one of everybody's favorites is involved.

But relationships are tallied on a different bottom line, and when Senior Vice President/General Manager Stan Bowman had a chance, he pounced on Oduya. He arrived from Dallas as if he had been away on an extended sabbatical.

Still classy. Still humble. Still physically fit. Annoyingly fit, to us flaccid types. You don't dare ask what his body fat is because you will be shamed by the answer. Niklas Hjalmarsson suggested that his fellow Swede, though 35, is in a league of his own when it comes to being in shape.

"I watch what I eat," said Oduya. "Red meat maybe once a week. No dairy. But if I'm at a wedding or a party, I'll have a glass of wine. I'm not an absolutist. I'm not going to drink [only] water."

Another championship would provide cause for celebration, and Oduya is pumped. But he tactfully resists joining much of the fuss attendant to his reappearance. After all, if it's déjà vu, then the reprise shall proceed accordingly.

"I'm a support cast player," he said. "I think that's important, but I'm just here to help any way I can. One reason why this feels so comfortable, me being back, is that the guys and the coaches know what to expect from me, they know what they're going to get. What are they going to get? I try to be responsible."

But the spotlight? Oduya might as well be a vampire.

"Swedish people have a law, a code of ethics," he said. "It's called 'jante.' You don't put yourself ahead of others, don't call attention to yourself, you don't stick out. If you have money, you don't talk about it or show it. You maybe still drive a Volvo. When I go back home to Stockholm in the summer, I am not a big deal because I play in the NHL. Jante."

Several important players have had to depart Chicago, but few were missed as openly as Oduya. The guys did not want him to go. He commands respect, by his thoughtful ways, the manner with which he comports himself, the unselfish style he fashions on defense. 

Whether it's beside Hjalmarsson or Brent Seabrook, with whom he was often paired during the 2015 playoffs, Oduya is a rock, blocking shots like it's fun, joining the play when reward dwarfs the risk factor, and generally bringing peace to impending disorder on the blue line. 

Back in the day, the Blackhawks had to overpay for veterans who did not think much about the forecheck or the backcheck, only the paycheck. In Oduya, the Blackhawks are adding quality for what they hope will be a long playoff run.

"What I see here is pretty much the same as when I came to Chicago from Winnipeg in 2011," Oduya said. "Lots of new faces, obviously, but guys are still hungry. The stars want to win, just like they did before. The atmosphere is the same. Figure out a way to win and do things better. It starts at the top with the people who run the organization. Everybody still has the fire."

Oduya lost a brother, Fredrick, several years ago in a motorcycle accident. His father, who was Kenyan, is deceased, but mother Birgitta, 74, is alive and well, living in Spain. When the Blackhawks won the 2013 Stanley Cup in Boston, Mom was there. She might just show up in Chicago sometime this spring. After it's over, whatever happens, Johnny and his girlfriend, Alexandra, will travel. Bali, maybe. Tibet.

"There's a bucket list of places I'd like to see," Oduya said. "In 2013 when we had the lockout, I wound up in Thailand. November in Stockholm, it gets dark pretty early. So I took off and wound up playing hockey in Bangkok. A tournament was taking place and I joined in. The Land of Smiles Classic. It was a great experience."

Oduya incurred a broken foot in Game 7 of the 2014 Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings. Earlier this season, he suffered a ruptured tendon with the Stars and missed an extended period of time. Even the fittest of the fit cannot control injuries, but at least now Oduya sits involuntarily. Earlier in his career, he was a bit of a hellion. Moncton Wildcats, 44 games in 2000-01, 147 penalty minutes.

"I had a few fights and was more aggressive than I am now," he said. "But you know how it is in juniors. You lose an elbow pad, that's another five minutes. Same thing when I went back to Sweden for a couple years. But you eventually change. It's part of the learning curve. I can't help the team by killing penalties if I'm taking penalties. I would rather take the punishment now and get what I want."

When Oduya played his first game back at the United Center on March 9 against the Anaheim Ducks, he looked up after a whistle and saw a video tribute hailing his return. Fans arose and accorded him an ovation. Oduya waved from the bench, grateful but bashful.

"Those fans are passionate, and I appreciate that," he said. "We all do. And for the organization to do what they did that night, that was very nice. That's what makes this whole thing even more special."

It was pointed out to Oduya that the film clips from last month were strikingly similar to those shown in the United Center when he showed up with the Dallas Stars for the first time. He smiled.

"You know," he said. "I don't have that many highlights."

There's that jante again.