The holiday season is upon us, and we celebrated Thanksgiving at home with 5 of the guys and some family. It was a nice, cool, November day in Maine. Unfortunately for us, not all our family was here. My Mom, Dad and my brother Jason and his family went to New Jersey to spend it with my Dad's nephews and their families. And my brother Alex is living in Denmark, so we don't spend many holidays with him.
We had all the fixings, and the guys enjoyed the meal and company. In case you didn't know, the Canadians celebrate their Thanksgiving in October. Why, I don't know. So, some of the guys we had over were clebrating the day late. They stayed for some football, dessert and more football. After they left, I watched more football. Alot of time on the couch...
The next morning, I woke up with a little back soreness. Nothing unusual for me. I've had some issues from time to time, but it usually works itself out. So, morning skate, back home for pregame meal and get ready for the bus ride to Providence. As I was leaving the bus, I was struggling to straighten up. Uh-oh! Not good. In the past my problems would work themselves out over the day. This one seemed to get worse. I went right to Rick, our medical trainer, and he went to work. In about a half an hour he had me feeling much better. I tried to warm up in the hallway by the room, and it was not bad. The real test would be the ice.
I stepped on and, well, it was so-so. I felt like it would loosen up as the game went on, so I told Rick and Kevin I was a go. I made it through, but it wasn't right. Here's the thing, folks. Without sounding like too much of a hero, I was not use to feeling injured enough to miss a game. At least, I could tough it out and then the next day I would be fine. In our sport, there is an old term we use for guys who pull themselves for whatever reason. We usually say the guy didn't want to face us and has the "Pirate flu" or if he has had a run in with a guy on our team, he is suffering from say the "Hoffman flu". If you follow, I learned from many of my early teammates to play through the little ailments and for the most part I have been able to find a way. Mostly because I know other guys are going through the same kinds of bumps and bruises I am and because I hate to miss games.
But, in hindsight, I may have overdone it this time. But I was only doing what I thought I could handle. But, the next morning it was no better and the next day, it was the same. I had been hit with the "Thanksgiving flu". So, for the first time in years, I was out of the lineup do to an injury. Maybe if I hadn't plated I would have been OK for the other games, but I am still hurting and it is Tuesday. I'm on the rebound, and hopeful for the weekend. And more good news, Joe Callahan is getting healthy so we may see him in the near future.
It has been a solid year so far, and our team is winning alot of games. But, the one thing I notice more than anything, is how the guys, mostly the young ones, continue to battle the same obstacles game after game. I should not be surprised, though. I still make mistakes I have tried to correct my whole career and the only difference now is I am a little less apt tp make the high risk plays.
When I started playing in the AHL, it was a veteran league, many guys winding down their careers. Now, guys like me are very few and far between. Mistakes in those games were a little more glaring with some former NHLers there to pick up the turnovers and convert them. I learned the hard way. I'm not saying those mistakes aren't as costly now, but the number of pure scorers is down a little from then. But, back to my point, it is a slow learning process. And the guys who learn quick, stand out. I would say overall, our guys don't make alot of glaring mistakes and throughout the course of a game, only the purist will pick out the little things. As a group,we are still grasping the concept of how to win.
Watching an elite NHL team can be boring at times unless you are playing against them. You don't see the play go back and forth. Usually you find the good team is in the other end for the majority of the game and it appears that the opposing team cannot generate anything. This becomes a habit and a reputation. As the game goes on you look at the shot clock and find it so onesided it starts to become deflating. Our team has yet to find the secret, although at times we show flashes. I think with our personnel we can achieve this type of identity but again, it is a learned skill and attitude.
Lastly, I recently told you of my son's new sport, hockey! He had his first ever game at age 13, playing alongside some kids half his size. I told him before the game not to let anyone take the puck away from him, with his size and all. So, wouldn't you know it, he gets the puck at the line, skates through a few kids and fires a low shot off both posts and out the other side. The goalie barely moved and I think Ben was in shock that the puck went so fast off the posts and out. As the game went on, I thought back to my first ever goal which came on the last game of my first season. If he scored his first goal in his first game, without ever really playing, how would he react to that? I was thrilled to see him out there, and hope his passion grows. I know he is starting late, but no one told my friend Robert Esche, former Flyers goalie, that he couldn't make it when he started at age 12. I just hope we get some outdoor ice this year so we can share some fun like I did with my Dad and my buddies growing up...
To Matt Duffy, up at Orono, I admire your willingness to contribute however you can by sacrificing playing defence and moving to forward to try and help your team win. That is what being a teammate and team player is all about. Best of luck to you and the rest of the team... Go Bears! Weino

Today we endured the sad part of professional hockey. A trade. We lost two great guys and two good players for us. It is always a shock, mostly for the players involved, but to the rest of us as well. You don't know how to react and what to say. But, for Aaron and Clay, they are getting a new start in the Columbus organization, and for both it is their first trades. As it sounds, Columbus needed defensemen, and so it is nice to know the team who traded for you really wanted you.

I can tell you from experience, when you hear the words, "We have traded you to..." it never feels great. In fact, you almost feel a little sick to your stomach. Then , you catch your breath and sit back and try to take in what has just happened. The first thing you want to do is find out who is on your team and how are they doing. Check that. First, you call your Mom and Dad, then your girlfriend and then your agent. Then everything else comes after that.

My first trade came when Tracy, my wife, and me were at a camp for kids with cancer. On our way back, we get the call. At least Tracy was with me, so I didn't have to call her. The great thing was, my former agent, Brian Burke, was the GM in Hartford, where we were going. Imagine, 18 years later, he is still my GM!

Aaron is a good buddy and I felt very aware of his situation here, having been in the same sort of position my second year in the league. He felt he deserved to be in Anaheim this year, but the numbers game was holding him back from a chance. I went into my second camp and played, I felt, well enough to make the team. That year the Russian invasion started and the Devils brought some players over. So, I went back to the minors and waited for my chance. I know Aaron is anxious to find out his status in Columbus, and maybe this move will give him his shot in the NHL. One thing that Brian Burke always tells his players is that if a team inquires about a player, he won't hold back an opportunity for them to get a chance somewhere else.

Clay Wilson is another good friend and I think the person who will be most unhappy about his trade is my daughter. She has had so much fun hanging out at the games with the girlfriends, and Tiffany, Clay's girlfriend, was one of her favorites. It is going to be hard to tell her the news after school today. But for Clay, he may be able to play the position he likes the most, defense. We will certainly miss both their talents and friendships...

Now, when a trade happens you lose players, but you also get players. And one of the guys we are acquiring is a familiar face, Bruno St. Jacques. A great team guy and a solid player for our organization. I think the guys will love having Bruno in the room.

It is the worst part of our game, but like I said, sometimes it works out in the best interest of all involved. I got traded to Montreal, and it really turned my career around. I ended up playing the most I ever played, in arguably the best hockey city in the world. Without that trade, I'm not sure how my career would have worked out. One of the positives about trades is all the great people you meet on the teams you go to. Having been traded 7 times, I have had many teammates and we have made many great friends in each of the cities. My children have been many places in North America because of where I have played. Yes , it can be disrupting, but you never know what will come about from a new change... we wish Aaron and Clay the best. Weino

Hey folks, sorry about the tardiness. I am always looking for time to write and some days it just doesn't happen. There is so much hockey going on for me, it is coming from everywhere.
Playing again has been a blast, especially at a higher level. For me, practicing what you preach is easier when you can actually show guys on the ice. Last season as a coach it was tough and when I started playing I couldn't execute everything. But this season I feel fresh and with a little jump.
I find myself watching more hockey and actually wanting to see more games. I think as a coach you may suffer from a little overload sometimes. This year, I have really enjoyed coming to the rink and I have attended some informal skates with the guys from Yarmouth High School. I would like to get to more games in the area and try to help out with the youth hockey as well.
We had our traditional "Rookie Dinner" this week. If you don't know, this is when the rookies buy the rest of the team dinner. And, they dress up in a theme determined by the guys. 70's and 80's rock stars or wrestlers was the choice this year and the outfits were outrageous! It is far less humiliating than the rookie initiation I went through, but that story is better left untold...
As a player, many more opportunities have arisen, be it golf outings and softball games in the summer or promotions during the season. It has helped me network a little and created some new friendships. I feel connected to the community more than last year. Today I was up in Waterville helping the Pirates and Shipyard Brewery with a promotion. WTOS, the radio station was alongside airing a segment from there as well. It was fun to hang with Mr. Mike from the morming show. Having him there was actually a blessing because more people came up to talk about his show, and didn't even know who the Pirates were!
Have you been watching to see how Bergeron from the Bruins is making out since he suffered a tough hit a few weeks ago. I have always been critical of hits from behind, and I know all the arguments. I feel with the new rules, more spinning and turning in the tight areas will create more instances when players have their backs in front of a defender. When I started, you could wrap a player up. When this happened, quite frankly, it prevented most hits from behind. Brian Burke, the GM in Anaheim, has presented a scenario for the League to consider concerning this action. He wants the wrapping up of a player in the corners and along the boards when a defender is engaging a puckcarrier to be allowed. I agree with Burkie on this one. It makes it safer for both parties. My feeling has been if a player is venerable, don't hit him. As a defenseman, we get in those spots alot, and I want players to play with a little respect for players close to the boards. We can't wear stop signs on our backs like the youth players do. Get well soon, Patrice...
Sidney Crosby is REALLY for real. You have to be impressed everytime you watch him. Not just his scoring touch, but also his tenacity and power. He is a bonified star...
Starting next Friday, we start a 9 game in 14 day stretch. That will be a test for these ol' legs. Time to see if the cycling this summer has payed off. So far, it has been a plus.
A dream of mine was to play in Portland, but the prospects of that didn't appear possible. When I got the opportunity this summer, I had no idea it would be this much fun. How many people play out their childhood dream in their choice of city? Going on 41...
Finally, I have always wished, like every Dad who is an athlete, that my son or daughter would follow in my footsteps. Of course, if they didn't that wasn't important. In fact, my wife and I have never pushed our children into anything but have been supportive of any activity they have shown interest in. But, I must tell you when my 13 year old son told me he wanted to play on the Middle School hockey team, I almost cried right there. He has never played hockey and really has never skated much. I will be on the ice with him and his teammates, watching him through the eyes of an extremely proud father. I never expect him to be me, just to create his own memories and experiences. I think he is finally realizing that he is his own man, and that people don't care who his Dad is or what he does. It will be a thrill to see him suit up for the ice! Weino