In the box: Bobby Orr’s memoir, Blue Jackets new host, schedule predictions

In the Box will be a somewhat regular feature on Puck the Media where we cover some of the stories that aren’t necessarily big enough to warrant their own posts, but are within this site’s jurisdiction.

* Number four, Bobby Orr will finally be publishing his memoirs. Penguin Canada’s Viking publishing imprint will release Orr: My Story in October 2013, just in time for the first full season since 2011-12 to begin. According to a press release from Penguin, the book will feature “chapters reflecting on the incomparable career of a beloved sports statesman it will also feature the candid thoughts of a man who once lost nearly everything to the treachery of his best friend, then reinvented himself and found renewed success.” So, you know, Alan Eagleson talk. Intrigue!

* With the lockout over, teams and networks are quickly starting to put together their broadcast teams for the season. The Columbus Blue Jackets have hired former Atlanta Thrashers radio play-by-play man Dan Kamal as the studio host for their telecasts on FS Ohio, according to Aaron Portzline. Kamal spent the 2011-12 season as a part-time radio host for the Winnipeg Jets.

* Scant rumors have flown around about what nationally televised games will start the season off. The earliest rumor that came out said that the Penguins and Flyers would open the NHL season on NBC Jan. 19. A more recent report from Andy Strickland suggests that a Red Wings-Blues tilt could start the season over at the Peacock network. As for Canada, Bruce Dowbiggin suggests Hockey Night in Canada will start up opening day with a tripleheader. Rumors have been fairly frequently suggesting the Jets will host New Jersey in a matinee, which could be the opener.

* Mike “Doc” Emrick and Pierre McGuire will still stick to some NCAA hockey duty before the lockout officially ends. The network’s lead broadcast team will call Harvard-Boston U. on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, and then head down to Princeton as the Tigers host Union College on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Friday night is a college hockey doubleheader, which will be capped off by a 10 p.m. ET faceoff between Nebraska-Omaha and Denver. Steve Schlanger and Brian Engblom have the call.