HOCKEENIGHT.COM has received exclusive excerpts from the long-rumored speech given by incoming First Lady Michelle Obama.

While not a speech to a church congregation, as once thought, it is still controversial. The speech, it was recently learned, was actually given to a group of Chicago Blackhawk fans.


It seems Mrs. Obama, a native Chicagoan, has been a passionate Blackhawks fan since early childhood.

"Twice, when I was a little girl, I got to see my Hawks get into the Finals," Mrs. Obama said. "But when we needed the big goal, where was Whitey? Whitey never got the big goals!"

"I can't help but notice," Mrs. Obama continued, "Whitey was captain of the team in 1970. As soon as they take the 'C' off his sweater? Boom! They make the Finals."

Mrs. Obama was, by all accounts, increasingly agitated as she continued.

"They make it to the finals in 1971, make it to the finals in 1973. Both times, Whitey was always passing the puck, getting assists. We didn't need assists, we needed goals!"

Mrs. Obama even placed blame for the end of the Blackhawks' run of success in the early 1970s. "We had a good team, with Hall of Famers, Tony O at the top of his game, Magnuson able to throw down with anyone in the league. Even after Bobby Hull left, we still made the Finals. But after the last trip to the Finals in 1973, Whitey ran out on us! Deserted us! Left us holding the bag!"

Former Blackhawks Defenseman Pat "Whitey" Stapleton, the obvious object of Mrs. Obama's outburst, was unavailable for comment.

Stapleton was, in fact, captain for one year, 1969-70, which was immedately followed by the Blackhawks reaching the Stanley Cup Finals. Stapleton also led all scorers in assists in the 1973 playoffs with 15, while scoring 2 goals.

While not nearly as racially divisive as originally thought, experts are not sure how damaging the anti-Stapleton rhetoric will be, as Stapleton is still considered to be one of the most popular Blackhawks of all time.

In fact, when Stapleton left the Blackhawks after the 1973 Finals, it was to become player/coach of the Chicago Cougars of the World Hockey Association. The Cougars signed Stapleton, along with fellow Blackhawks fan favorite Eric Nesterenko, for the 1973-74 season.

It is not known at this time whether Mrs. Obama also holds strong feelings toward Nesterenko.