Well, she got me again! My wife, Tracy is quite the planner and she organized a surprise party after the Manchester game to celebrate my birthday, which happened to be on the 19th of December. The big 40, folks. I know it is hard to believe. Partly why the fanfare was supposed to be kept to a minimum. I appreciate all the well wishes the other night , and I guess I should have put two and two together. Why would they announce my birthday 3 weeks late? And, the coaches played right along with the bash, and what was to be a quiet date turned into a gathering of good friends and family. The food was amazing and the staff at Yosaku catered a fabulous night. I can't explain the feeling of the room with many of my best buddies from highschool, college, neighbors and of course friends. And after 20 years, having this opportunity is the best reward to coming home...
And, once again, my wife pulled a fast one on me and as usual I was totally oblivious...
Congrats to Bjorn Melin on his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. I have enjoyed my time with Bjorn so far, and believe me folks, this guy never leaves anything on the ice. For a guy who has been on the world stage in some major tournaments, he has paid his dues this year and earned a shot...
I know Ryan Shannon must be dissapointed in his assignment back to the AHL, and we all hoped we wouldn't see him again... until he put on the Pirates sweater this weekend...
As I was on a bike ride this past weekend, I had to pinch myself and remind myself, I really was in Maine in January in spandex shorts...
Amidst a typical 3 game weekend, did anyone who had any doubts about our outlook get a chance to see the great team effort this weekend? Everyone on the ice played for each other in maybe our best display of teamwork this season...
As I sit here writing tonight, watching my son Ben work on one of his daily art masterpieces and an eye on the BCS game, Sunday night is still on my mind. All day I was thinking about a time some twenty years ago, on a day not unlike Sunday, when I met a very dynamic and persuasive man. He wanted me to take a chance and visit a place he thought I would really enjoy. That place was University of Maine. The man was Shawn Walsh, the sole reason hockey has become such a passion in the state of Maine. I had really considered Maine as an afterthought in the recruiting process, and late in the game I became intruiged by what Coach Walsh had to say. So, my parents and I made the trek up to Orono. And, after the weekend, on the ride home we both looked at each other and agreed Maine was the place. It wasn't the fanciest place or the best team. The people at UMaine really were the difference. I felt... at home. On Sunday, I was humbled by a gesture from the UMaine Alumni Association along with University Credit Union with a welcome home ceremony. A puck with my picture on it was handed out at the gates and a video montage was dislayed on the score board. For a retired player who never received much acclaim, this was a special moment in my hockey career. The folks I met at a luncheon that day were just the type who made my time at UMaine some of the best of my life. The members of the Alumni Association that day ware the kind that make the University a special place. Like "home". To everyone who helped make the moment happen, and put a twinkle and a tear in a small town boy's eye, a gigantic THANK YOU. Like Bon Jovi said, who says you can't come home?... Weino

E-mail this entry to a friend