Happy holidays, everyone! This one is especially happy for me. I am in Maine, at home, with family, with days off. Sounds normal. Not so. In all the years I played through youth hockey, highschool college and pro, I never experienced a Christmas break like this one. And, I am not saying this looking for sympathy. I am just letting you know what some of the guys sacrifice in this lifestyle. Kevin, having been there, saw the opportunity for guys to go home and spend the holidays with family, a luxury that doesn't happen every year. With players coming from all over the continent and other countries, going home is quite an undertaking. We all know the time with family is invaluable...
I have spent Christmas away from home twice due to hockey. Both for the World Junior Tournament. But, I look at it this way. How many players get the opportunity to reresent their country at an event like this as a senior in highschool? In Finland. What an experience!
Tim Brent is doing just the thing in Davos, Switzerland, reresenting Canada in the Spengler Cup. this tournament is held in the spectacular ski village set in the Swiss Alps. I know because I took a bus during the night coming from Russia back in the 80's and woke up in what I thought was paradise! If you've seen the Alps, you know what I mean. And Tim will never forget the hockey experience as weel as the opportunity to spend time in a magnificent setting...
So, how do you feel about the games during Christmas for certain athletes? Should they not schedule these events on Christmas day or is it a priviledge to get this chance? Look at it this way. The life span of an athlete may not last more than 5 years or so. If you are one of the players who is on a team that does, you can always tell people you played on national TV on Christmas day. Or maybe if you get the chance Tim Brent did, you may score the winning goal on Christmas morning... How cool is that!
All in all, I don't think any of our guys would ever complain about the sacrifices they make to play the game they love. I'm living proof of that...
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, PLEASE! See you soon, Weino

Respect... As I was driving home from the Hartford game, listening to sports radio, I hear of a situation where Terrel Owens admits to spitting in another player's face! How could anyone possibly do this? It got me to thinking about thr treatment of teammates, coaches, opponents, media and just people in general. Would you spit in someones face if they were talking smack to you on the street? I mean, what could possess a person do even think of doing this?... But, it is not just a senseless act like this one that I'm reffering. In as team enviornment, the people you are with are like family, and if you can't get along and respect them, there is no chemistry and the sense of team does not work. Honestly speaking, there have been guys that I would not consider buddies on teams I have been part of but when the jersey goes on and the game starts, I considered him my brother. By no means would I ever disrespect someone in the organization in anyway. But then, I would not do this to anyone at all...
So, I will never understand why or how teammates or players could stoop so low as to commit an act against someone like happened last weekend...
It happens, though not as severe, in our game and I'm sure in other sports, with rookies. They come in as the low men on the totem pole, only trying to fit in, and the other players have a habit of taking advantage of them instead of embracing them. I know in the past there was a right of passage when you first came in the league, but why make a kid feel inferior when he may be an important part of the teasmss success? If it is done in fun, that is one thing. But have a little respect...
In the standings it would appear to be a good weekend, and who can argue with 5 out of 6 points. The way we are playing could be considered playing with fire. And this type of hockey is dangerous to say the least. Not taking anything away from our guys, and I will be the first to congratulate them on the weekend, we all know we can play better, and we will. As a coach, I must remind myself that it is a ll a learning process and every game, good or bad, we all learn something...
Christmas is coming and over 20 years of pro hockey, I cannot remember having a break like the one we have this year. A few times, I was away from home for Christmas. Finland and Canada, for the World Junior Tournament, two that I will always remember with fond memories. The thrill of playing in another country and against the best in the world was one of the best presents ever!
Have a happy holiday, everyone! Weino

Hey folks, before I begin, a quick apology about the tardiness of the blog this week. I lost the link and well, I just got on today. No excuses, just a technical difficulty...

What is the price excellence? Or, is there a price? I was listening to former NFL great, Ronnie Lott, speaking about what motivates great athletes to continue to perform at the highest level, and what motivates them to try to get better. Championships, MVP's, post season awards or just the will to make yourself better everyday. I felt this was a very interesting topic because I have played with many great players, and I always wondered what made them tick?

Later in my career, the money a player could earn was definitely one of the factors of performance. But, early in my career, that was not as prevalent. I really believe the greatest players would still perform at this level no matter what the money. My best example would be Chris Chelios. At 43, he is still a factor everynight and continues to remain a physical phenomenon. When I played with him, he would not settle for mediocrity, not excepting being bettered on the ice.

Can you instill this in an athlete? I try to remind our guys that every game means something at this level, in their progression to the next level. Every game someone is watching. Maybe not our guys, but people from other teams may be there as well. In our game you are expected to be your best everyday. This is where I find the best separate themselves from the rest...

In our game, we play so many nights it is impossible to be at your peak physical capacity everynight. So how do the best do it? Talent, skill, physical ability. All these things are part of it. But the mental aspect that drives athletes can be the difference. Take for example, one of my heroes, Lance Armstrong. In the last couple Tour De France's, the other riders conceded the fact that he was trhe best and they were riding for second place. How can anyone beat a guy when they have given up before the race. This kind of reputation does not come from doing nothing. They know that Armstrong has trained harder than anyone else and is always lookig for an edge. Why is it always the best that are looking for an edge? Why do they need an advantage, yet they still work for one...

In this line of work, the task of keeping a lineup together may be the toughest job a coach has. You see, in the minors, you don't have the resources to trade for a player or call up a guy as easy as you do in the NHL. But, for our guys, the word that you are getting the call to go up are the sweetest call a young guy can hear. As a coach, my job is to prepare every player so that he improves and is ready when he gets the call. These guys know that call ups don't happen often, barring injuries to players up top. But, when your number is called, that may be your chance to prove you belong...
I can recall the first game I played for New Jersey, but it was one I would not count as memorable. I was having a productive season in the AHL, and actually scored a hattrick one game and then was called up. It was a call up for good play, not to replace another player. So I got my two games and then was sent down...