Bob Sweeney

Move over Bo Jackson, here comes Bob Sweeney.

Better known around these parts as Swoop, Sweeney, a former Bruins forward and current Director of Development for the Boston Bruins Foundation, entered some uncharted territory on Thursday afternoon as he, former Bruin Gary Doak and another local former NHLer (Milton's own Scott Young) took on beach volleyball's best at an improvised court next door to Boston's venerable Faneuil Hall.

"It was a great event," said Sweeney. "This was a great opportunity for the Bruins Foundation to get involved.

"It was fun get out there and play a little volleyball."

After a morning where Mother Nature did her best to remind everyone that summer is almost over, the Sun warmed up downtown enough to create the illusion that the Massachusetts capital still had beachfront property.

All three former NHLers acquitted themselves quite nicely during the event and indeed, Sweeney earned "Monster of the net" praise for his spikes. Actually, come to think of it, two weekend's hence both Sweeney and Doak were on the Bruins Pan Mass Challenge Team, making them THREE sport superstars.

Scott Young prepares for Sweeney's serve.

But the real show was reserved for the skill of the two pros, Michelle More and Suzanne Stonebarger of the AVP Tour, who split themselves up and joined Our Boys for the Pro-Am. Thankfully, they toned their game down just enough to make it competitive for the guys -- Sweeney's heroics not withstanding. However, the big former B did take home $2500 for the Foundation for his sand covered efforts.

Afterward, Sweeney had nothing but praise for the women who "welcomed" him to the court.

"They are amazing athletes, I'll tell you," said Sweeney. "We were lucky to play with and against them!"

By the way, in case you have missed their advertisements and Thursday afternoon's pro-am near Quincy Market, the AVP Crocs Tour is in town for the 2007 AVP Bob's Stores Boston Open.

More than 150 of the world's top beach volleyball professionals return to the birthplace of volleyball (yes, that would be Massachusetts) from Friday, August 17th to Sunday the 19th at Waterworks Marina Bay in Quincy.

Again, thanks to the AVP for their kind donation to the Foundation's efforts (with special thanks especially to Tom Doran), and be sure to go to AVP.com for more information on this weekend's tournament.

John Bishop is the beat writer for BostonBruins.com. He covers the Black & Gold hoping to offer a positive look at the team, not only from the stands and the press box, but also from inside the locker room. A graduate of Boston U. and Northeastern, 'Bish' grew up in Connecticut and moved to the Hub of Hockey in 1993. Since then he has made all four rinks at the Beanpot schools, as well as both Gardens, his icebound homes away from home. Prior to joining the TD Banknorth Garden staff in 2005, Bishop had written for several publications, with his primary focus being college hockey. He coauthored the book Bygone Boston in 2003 and hopes someday to pen a bio of Hobey Baker.

Make our schedule, your schedule
The 2007-08 Bruins season schedule can now be downloaded to your Microsoft Outlook, Palm, or Lotus Notes calendar. The calendar will automatically sync with the most recent edition, so if we change the start time of a game, it will update automatically the next time you connect to the internet. And, it's free.

Downloading the schedule first requires a small download (approx. 800kb) from Infuzer, the company that has developed the calendar tool.

Click here to learn more about this service.

Speaking of schedules, more upcoming events!
This Week:
Friday, August 17th: The Boston Bruins promotions team will be at the Hatch Shell, Boston from 5-8 p.m. for a movie showing during Friday Night Flicks.
 
Ongoing:
08.24.07: The Boston Bruins promotional team will again be at the Hatch Shell, Boston from 5-8 p.m. for a movie showing during Friday Night Flicks.
 
08.26.07: The B's and the Boston Bruins Alumni Association will host an NHL Street Hockey Clinic on Martha's Vineyard at the Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club from 3-4 p.m. A Bruins alumni game will follow starting at 5 p.m.
 
08.26.07: Blades, the Boston Bruins mascot, will be at the "Summer Sunday in the Park" event in Brockton.
 
08.28.07: The Boston Bruins promotions team will be at the Children's Museum from 4-7 p.m. for the 8th annual Countdown to Kindergarten celebration, where parents and their new kindergartners – wearing Boston’s now-famous “I’m going to kindergarten!” yellow t-shirts - can enjoy an afternoon of games, activities, food and fun – all with focus on helping children and families be ready for this important milestone. 
 
08.30.07: The B's promotions team will join the Boston Public School system for their Countdown to Kindergarten satellite programs which will take place in communities around the city. Each event will include activities, giveaways and valuable information for students and their families who are entering kindergarten in the fall. The Bruins will be in the Charlestown Navy Yard from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will pass out prizes and information on the upcoming season to all in attendance.
 
09.26.07: The Boston Bruins Foundation and the Alumni Association present the 4th annual Boston Bruins Golf Tournament. This year's tournament will once again take place at the Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA with a bramble format and a noon shotgun start.

And for the first time ever, the tournament will feature Boston Bruins alumni in addition to the entire 2007-08 current roster!

Foursomes are $2,500 and include four spots in the tournament with at least one celebrity in your group, driving range use, greens fees, cart, box lunch, and post-barbeque dinner. Season ticket holders receive a $200 discount. Net proceeds to benefit the Boston Bruins Foundation.

For more information click here.