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As some of you know, my wife is battling breast cancer. She decided that she wanted to play hockey a couple of months ago and has been playing since last month. She wanted a pink stick, and so the fine gentlemen at Warrior did these up for her. Thanks to Keith and Doug!

:) had a few people help me out on this - thanks goes to them!

These definitely belong in here...

Update - today was her last chemo treatment.

I bought my first house. It had gotten to the point that it was time to quit waiting for be moved job-wise and to set down roots somewhere. That being said, what a shitty process it is.

Been through a lot the last 2 and half years. In 2014 Diagnosed with recurrent PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) Tubes in my liver for three months in the spring. In July I had a massive infection in my kidneys. Where the doctors at one point told my wife I had 24 hours to start to improve or I wouldn't make it. Then my second liver transplant on November 7, 2014. In 2015 Had a hernia surgery in May Had another hernia surgery in October. In 2016 Finally got the OK to start working out in February. Starting public skating in May. Last night I got back on the ice for the first time since Summer Jam in Toronto in 2013. I wasn't very good last night, but boy did have a lot of fun.

No longer collecting dust in the back of one of my rink pro shops...

I got to play goal for the Boston Bruins alumni today! Had the usual pickup this morning, and afterward I was in the locker room, and the rink manager comes and he's like hey, you're the goalie? Yeah, I'm a goalie. And he says, the Bruins alumni team needs a goalie today, do you wanna play for them? Well yes of course. I ended up splitting the game with the guy who runs the clinic I skate at, and it was so, so much fun. People in the stands, an announcer. It was a charity game for the Dana-Farber institute and the doctors are pretty darn good, although it was clear the Bruins alumni could pretty much turn the game whichever way they were inclined. I made some decent stops and the alumni were all very nice, and I came home with the game puck. Seriously, accidentally the best Saturday ever.

After 12 years in the industry working for other shops and operating my own mobile team service, I've finally made the move and opened a full pro shop in a busy dual pad rec facility. I'm excited to embark on this and continue developing my own brand. Time to get 'er done!

Added another pair of Whale gloves to the collection [/URL]

Picked up this stick in the summer time but hadn't gotten around to posting it. Kind of a funny/crazy story behind it as well. I came across this girl selling a bunch of used sticks online. She didn't advertise them as professional game used or anything, but in one post she had one listed as a "Used Bauer one95 stick - $40" and she posted a picture that showed a namebar on it (pro stock). The way it was taken only showed the last 4 letters on the name bar "pien". I live in Vancouver and as a huge Canucks fan I knew right away that it was probably a Rick Rypien stick. I'm sure most of you know the story behind Rick Rypien. Beloved scrappy player/fighter who played for Vancouver and who unfortunately battled depression and ended his life just after the 2011 season. So I messaged her right away, luckily I saw it just after she posted it and I was the first one to message her. So I looked up pictures of Rick Rypien in game just to confirm he used a one95, which of course he did late in his career. I wasn't sure if it would be game used or anything but I just thought it would be cool to have either way. So right when I met up with her and saw the stick I could tell right away by the custom tape job that it was game used. So I check it over, looks great, I give her the $40 and go on my way. I get back to my car and I'm still pretty mesmerized by it so I'm looking it over and thats when I noticed that on the blade... it was signed. Couldn't believe my eyes. Definitely the best $40 I've ever spent and now definitely the rarest piece of memorabilia I own.

Here are my Trues with the LS Edge holder and Step Black on them... I really hope I don't have any issues with clicking because skates don't get much sexier looking than this IMO.

I always try to drink at least one beer in the locker room while getting dressed. Sometimes 2, if the game before is going long.

My latest eagles [/

Marriage.

Yesterday my younger son graduated high school. He was class president and as a result led the graduation ceremony. He led everyone in, introduced everyone and gave a speech representing the class. We had VIP seats in the first row. It was maybe the best day of my life. He was incredible - and I am not just saying that because he is my son. He was poised, in command of the situation and funny. I don't know how someone who is only 18 can do that. I am beyond proud and humbled.

I'm pretty excited. i just got my custom True sticks in and i couldn't be happier. P10 / Kane Pro curve, 80 flex, matte finish

Just got clearance to skate and play again so went out and bought myself a pair of Bauer Supreme 190 skates. So EXCITED!

Picked up a pair of pants I had been looking for forever:

New skates! I think they are hideous but if they are comfortable they will be worth it.

Glad to hear you were able to overcome the lack of R&D and all that speed skating tech to make them work...

New locker stall, a DIY project I worked on with my dad and uncle

Decided to take a picture of the current Wings and Zetterberg glove family. Top: Centennial Classic socks (game worn) and pants, Stadium Series shell and socks (game worn) 2nd: Regular shell, regular gamer shell, '15 WC gamer shell 3rd: Home and away socks, practice jerseys, '09 WC gamer socks, '15 WC gamer socks 4th L to R: custom Franchise, 2x Zetterberg MIC Franchise, Hudler (nearly identical to Z's specs) Franchise, Z's TSR WC Franchise, Weiss WC CCM pro 5th R to L: 2x Z's CC Franchise (game prepped), Z's TSR Sweden Franchise, Z's 2015 All Star Franchise, Z's 2014 All Star AX1, gamer 4500 (Stuart maybe?)

It has been a long time since I've posted on MSH. But, have had a fair amount of change over the last year. I work in Sales and was traveling pretty heavily which was taking it's toll on the family (Wife & 3 kiddos). We weren't in the worst financial situation but it was apparent some change needed to happen. Luckily, an opportunity came up about June/July last year that turned into reality. Started a new job (same profession & industry....just diff. company) in Nov. last year and moved the family in March. It allowed us to clean up debt, purchase a much more appropriate sized home, and start getting in front of our finances properly. It has been a very exciting, fun, stressful, frustrating, and ultimately great experience. Kudos to my wife and kids who helped make everything 100x easier by being the awesome people they are. And I found a rink nearby so I've been able to start playing again after about a 12mo hiatus. So that's nice too!

Brand new, still in the wrapper, vintage Jofa 234 51 helmet. Brings me back to my youth!

Just got an email saying I am the daily winner for the CCM giveaway on IW! Today's prize is a stick. Man this is awesome!

zuccarello apx2's

I didn't know you were able to get yourself so close to an NHL bench....

Returning to the game after having hip replacement surgery 6-months ago.

This year in our fund raising for the JDRF I decided to do a benefit hockey game. I can say that the fist Hockey Fights T1D game was a big success. My little guy who is 4 has Type 1 Diabetes and got to score the first goal of the game. He was thrilled.

So there's a broad spectrum of neurological issues that can affect a player, including what is typically called mental illness, but it depends on what you're asking about. Certain learning disabilities such as dyslexia can make learning things like "right" and "left" difficult, as well as pattern recognition. Autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing disorders can have an effect on how a player interprets external stimuli (instructions, whistles, lights, etc) as stressful or confusing. Many learning disabilities (language based and nonverbal) affect gross and fine motor control. For example I know some people who, because of their particular wiring, have a very hard time with things like swimming because it's difficult for them to coordinate a pattern of movement (treading water, stroke-breathe-stroke, etc) as well as being a sensory-disorienting environment. What are typically called mental or psychiatric illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, are generally considered to have a genetic component that causes a miswiring in the brain, much the same as the above disorders. Sometimes, these are co-morbid, meaning a person with ADHD can have anxiety, or someone with dyslexia can have depression or bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, substance use or misuse is also often co-morbid with mental illness, in part due to lack of access to appropriate support, treatment, and education. First good tactic is get to know your players. Especially young players - let them engage you in conversation, connect with them. Having a good, stable connection to a supportive person does wonders for folks with neurological differences (as it does for most people, but especially important). An added bonus here is that young people with disabilities/mental illness are at significantly higher risk for abuse, and connecting with a trustworthy adult makes them that much less vulnerable. Have clear, consistent expectations. Doesn't mean you have to have the ice-hockey Code of Hammurabi in stone at your rink, but come up with some basic expectations for both you and your players. If you have a formal team format (vs. the free for all of a learn to play), feel free to write them down and distribute them. Things like treating each other with respect (don't call names, no hurting people on purpose, etc), following the rules of the game, being good listeners, are things that apply to player and coach. If you don't follow your own rules, no one will feel like following them either. Consistent, but flexible. Mean what you say - if you say "I will give you two warnings [for behavior] and on the third, you sit on the bench/on the side for [x] minutes", then follow through. Relatedly, change is hard for folks with learning disabilities and mental illness, who may already feel extra stress from trying to navigate neurotypical norms and internal chaos. Come up with a plan - today we will have 5 stations, and we will rotate every 10 minutes (do the math as you like), explain the plan, confirm the plan. When players arrive at a station, be ready, explain, and give appropriate warning when you're going to switch - "in 2 minutes, Coach Bob will blow the whistle, and everyone will go to Coach Jen's station". Having clear plans and expectations is far less anxiety provoking than surprises (tho again, being flexible and asking for input from players is good). In my magical imaginary world, there's about a 3:8-12 coach to player ratio (depending on age and player need - younger players need a higher coach-to-player ratio), so you can have someone who explains verbally, someone who demonstrates, and someone who can physically go through and help players with the exercise. Back to learning your players - in a team format where you can wrangle them in a locker room, go over a practice. What was the best thing? What was the worst thing? Open the lines of communication - maybe they really liked something that you didn't expect, or maybe someone has an idea. Watch them, and pick up on things like who the leaders are, and who the more shy kids are, who the disruptive ones are. Kids with ADHD can be easily overstimulated but when they like something, they can hyperfocus on it for hours. Give your disruptive kid something to do - say, ok, Teddy, you're going to help me demonstrate. Or, Kate, Liam, Sean, your job today is to pick up all the cones at the end of practice, and bring them to the bench. Talk with parents, too. Just like you would for a child with diabetes or asthma or a severe allergy - connect with the parents and say, hey, what works for your kid? What can I do that will make things consistent? Is anything going on, anything changing like medication or a new therapist or a new school? I think the meat of it honestly is communication and connection. Understand that some people will get more easily overwhelmed, and be ready to adapt to that. Use your players' strengths and give them agency and keep them from feeling isolated.

Finally got the hockey room in the basement complete...

happy early Xmas to me:

My "Soup Can" gloves.

Wife threw me an amazing 50th birthday party on Saturday night. Had such a good time (until we saw the bar bill!!!! LOL). Really thrilled that @stick9 and @Goonsquad were able to come. I know others wanted to as well but life can really get in the way sometimes!! Missed you and the party will continue in Toronto! It may suck getting old, and my body may be breaking down a bit, but I feel young and its great to have so many good friends!!

Thought these were pretty cool:

Beast wishes to the folks I knew (and didn't know) at Graf Canada. A lot of good people are now looking for work in a shrinking industry.

Had my surgery yesterday. Turns out my pain wasn't from my sutures, but that I had a hernia. So I guess it was a good thing I had it done. Now I can finally get going in the right direction healing wise.

They are just getting into the accidents that Americans don't want to.

An embarrassment of riches, won in a contest. -CCM Resistance helmet/cage combo -CCM Tacks skates (seriously these are so light trying them on was like wearing a cloud of mouse farts) -CCM RBZ carry bag And still waiting on the stick to arrive.

Debated putting this one up here from this past weekend... but I am damn proud of this so, yeah. Hell yeah.

I know I was pretty cryptic in the Venting/Sweet Spots a couple of weeks ago, but I'm slowly getting better at this; over the past few years I've tried to keep things to myself/a certain few, but I think it's good for me to put things out there at this time. A week after Winterfest, my girlfriend noticed that she was leaking something out of her right breast. We went to the hospital and they figured it was just an infection, and put her on antibiotics, but suggested she go get a mammogram. A few weeks later, she got the mammogram, but then they suggested she get a MRI. The MRI showed enough to the point that they recommended a biopsy. In mid-March, they diagnosed her with breast cancer, and recommended removing the right breast. It was detected early; due to one of the locations of the tumors, since it was in the duct, whatever it was creating had a way out through the nipple, which alerted us to what was going on. Due to her family history, she opted to remove both. Hours after, we decided to get married. We pulled off a great wedding in 11 days, and some of our members flew up to Michigan to share that day with us. She's doing well, bandages are off and we will start chemo in early May. The oncologist is saying 3-6 months; we're hoping for the under on that. She is tracking her progress on her GoFundMe page, and will also have a blog soon. Thanks for the support. I have a rather large extended family here!

Seccond in with Super Tacks, got 272 Lightspeed Edge holders put on and all is right in the world. Also added SuoerFeet Carbon insoles, didn't notice them which I guess is a good thing but also didn't notice any profound improvement, still a step up from the stock memory foam insole. The most noticeable thing was post skate, very warm rink and we skated for a good 1.5 hours and the liner on the skates weren't even the slightest bit wet or damp. Very impressed considering how hot the rink was and the amount of sweat.

Never had a chance to try the infamous One95, but found one on eBay finally with my preferred curve and flex for $40! In USA colors:

Bauer 190 ice boot Mission magnesium chassis Full ceramic speed skating bearings (not just the balls) Revision Steel wheels Custom heel riser made from F1 racing grade machinable plastic Mounted myself as far back and also offset (trained from RHI Bullfrogs equipment manager) Yellow Superfeet insoles

This MF got a job. See you at WF.

^^ All because of these two crazies ^^ Model: Stealth CX Size: 14” Foam: EVA Dual Density PE insert: 1.5 mm (Standard) Thumb: Flex Palm: Micro Nash Grey 0.8 mm Gusset: Poly Knit Black (Stretch) Palm fit: Standard Finger length: Standard Gusset height: -1/4" Cuff length: Standard I didn't want to play too much with the fit given how much I liked the fit of the retail Stealths though I did opt for shorter gussets; a wise decision in retrospect. What I really wanted was to have the colorway echo that of the Easton Air GX9500 gloves that the Calgary Flames wore in the 1994 season. Gary Suter and German Titov (below) are the only wearers to my knowledge. Here's the mock up: ... and finally the end result, which was better than I dared hope for. Huge, HUGE thank you to Jesse, Easton, and everyone else who made this possible. I've wanted customs like these for so long and to be able to get to make a pair just the way I wanted them was a dream come true.

Christmas came a few days early to me thanks to Sherwood and Total Hockey. Have loved my EK15 from the day I picked it up and now I can't wait to hit the ice tomorrow with the vintage version.