I'm not taking a line from Disney, but referring to the hockey world. Last weekend, for example, Wilkes/Barre/Scranton was coached by two former players, the head coach an old friend. We actually were teammates in high school on various teams for USA hockey, Todd being from Minnesota. We then crossed paths all through college right into the pro ranks. And now, both retired with families and loving the challenges of coaching.

But it started this fall for me, at training camp bumping into many familiar faces, ex-teammates, coaches and people from management. The hockey world includes a great group of guys, and in 18 years I really haven't played with any guys I couldn't get along with.

People have often asked if players put aside the gametime grudges and talk after games. The funny thing is in the past, before charter flights were introduced, the two teams would get together somewhere after games and share a few beers and stories. Can you imagine trying to run a guy through the boards one minute or getting into a scrap, the next minute minute your handing him a cold one asking how everything is going. There was always a sense of respect out there. Hey, it is a job but it is only a game, right? It was always with a sense of pride telling folks how down to earth these guys act. And, it is widely known throughout the world by writers and TV commentators how accomodating hockey players really are toward the press.

For this reason, I have struck up many great relationships and have had no problem joining a new team.

Why? Because we all are there for the same reason. We love the game and we love the comradery.

Just since the start of the season, Lowell, Worcester, Providence, Springfield and Wilkes/Barre all included players or coaches that I have played with somewhere down the line. And I have talked to other buddies on the phone who are involved from other teams we haven't seen yet. Not to mention the GM, Assistant GM, Director of player personel from the Ducks organization and my two coaching partners have all been part of my playing career. After 1200+ pro games, you cross paths with a few people...

A group of former Russian players have put together a team to tour the US and Canada playing against various former pros from over here. I have been asked to play in a few of the games and hope to make one at least.

My second pro season, players from the famed Red Army team, CCCP, made the long anticipated jump to the NHL. It has been debated for years whether or not these guys from our hated adversary in the east were the real deal. I can tell you first hand, they were and continue to be.

Imagine this developement program. It took them a little more than 20 years after they developed a national team to win the World Championships. And ever since have been a force. At one point, defeating this team was regarded as one of the greatest upsets in modern day sports, hence the reference to the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.

Why were these guys so good? I just happened to be a teammate of maybe the greatest duo to ever strap on the blades. Slava Fetisov and Alex Kasatonov were part of the first NHL team I played for in New Jersey. While playing for the US Olympic team, I watched in awe while these guys practiced, and marveled at the precision in which they interacted on the ice. There will never be a team built like the Red Army again for many reason and you will never see a group of five play together for so long again.

This was a very special arrangement in Moscow, and these guys lived together for almost the whole year, getting small breaks to visit family. They practiced two times a day and weight training in between while living in dorms together. They revolutionized training techniques and many of there methods were adopted by other countries. These players learned the game and played such a style that at times it was very hard to tell one skater from the next. It was almost mesmorizing to watch and agonizing to play against.

One of my buddies told me that in one game against the Russians, at the start of the third period, the Russian team controlled the puck for 8 minutes straight without giving it up once and there were no whistles! They would just pass the puck around, change lines and play keep away. Scary!

While I was in Utica, New York, in my second season in the minors, two Russians came to our team before they went to the big club. Kind of an acclimation period. Both defensemen to my dismay, but one of them the great Kasatonov.

My eyes never left him all practice. He had just gotten to the states that day, jumped out of the limo and had an hour and a half practice. Never missed a beat. The next day, we played a game and Alexei was named first star. As they announced his name, he skated out on the ice and did a salute around the arena. People looked a little stunned as Alex took his victory lap. The guys were laughing together watching while the people working for the team were trying to flag him down. Finally, it was decided to just let him enjoy the moment. How was he to know what you were supposed to do here? He couldn't even speak English so what was anyone supposed to tell him. That story surely circulated in New Jersey before he went up to join the Devils.

After the game, we all went to celebrate New Years Eve, and was the vodka ever flowing. We all joined Alex, communicating the best we could, for his Star of the Game and New Year celebration.

Different countries and cultures aside, we were all instant buddies. Alex and I became great friends, and although we haven't crossed paths in awhile, I will always consider Alex, Jeanette, and Leo Kasatonov part of my life.

Jeanette served me my first taste of caviar on a slice of bread covered in butter. I was hooked. There I was in Montclair, New Jersey, sitting in the home of one of the greatest players of all time and his wife, thousands of miles from the mother land, barely any English between the two of them and enjoying every moment.

What a small world, isn't?

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