Happy days are here again!

Yes, it is indeed a good day here in Hooterville as the 2009-10 campaign has begun for my Everett Silvertips. Camp officially opens tomorrow; but the boys are reporting today for weigh-ins and meetings with on ice drills to begin tomorrow. There should be a combination of returning roster players, current listed players and tryouts; and it's always fun to see if there is some boy that no one ever heard of or isn't expected make the the team for another year or two have a breakout camp and they end up on the opening night roster. There should be quite a crowd for this year's camp as the Tips staff have decided not to have a separate rookie camp; but throw everyone in the pool together and see who surfaces at the end of the week.

I can sort of see their reasoning behind this, especially after last year, as there are not a whole lot of guys that are of an advanced age. There are two 20 year olds that I know are coming back and rumor has it that the club picked up a couple more from waivers; but the rest of the team is still fairly young. The team is allowing the public in to watch the afternoon scrimmages Wednesday to Friday; so hopefully I'll be able to get down to the CableBox to see them one or two days. If all else fails, they are having the annual Grey versus Green game on Saturday afternoon; and those are always entertaining.

After camp finishes up Saturday, they should continue to practice next week in preparation for the Labor Day Weekend tournament here in town next Friday through Sunday; then they head over the mountains to TriCity for their annual tourney, but I will not be going over due to work. The official start of the season is the 18th when they play two more games on the road then opening night at home is Friday the 26th against Vancouver.

Oh and not to forget but in between the tournament and opening night is the long anticipated NHL preseason game! Yes, that's right..... our little neck of the hockey woods has been gifted by the league with an exhibition game between the Phoenix Coyotes and the Tampa Bay Lightning! The Tips, in their infinite wisdom, let fans order tickets as part of a package with the preseason tourney tickets; and best of all was that season ticket holders got to order first. So I was on the horn the morning they were available and thanks to the credit card that I have on file there, I have my usual seat for that game which is two rows behind the glass! Man, when I got my ticket in the mail the other day, I am not sure but I think I petted it. Sad, I know; but hey, I live 2+ hours from professional hockey and now I just might get to see Wayne and Pete and Doaner and Bugsy and mmmmmVinny 10 feet from me! *squees and does a little fangirl dance*

But anyway, that is about it from me other than it's been a long summer and I can't wait to see what Craig Hartsburg and his crew will do this year. GO TIPS!

Stanley hangover

I've spent the last two days scanning the interweb for information and photos of the Penguins celebrations (Sunday at the ball park, the parade yesterday) with an odd feeling of glee and jealously. It was the Wings last year and time moves on to another team to be on top. I'm honestly ok with that and I think I have a stronger tie to a lot of the Penguin players watching them so much this year (and nice new tattoo Duper!). Over all, I've enjoyed it. But now I'm ready for camp to start anew and to see all 30 teams take the ice on with a fair shot at a parade of their own (I'm looking at you Buffalo).

But first! We have some unfinished business to take care of: NHL awards are Thursday, the Draft is next weekend, July 1st brings free agency, and lest we forget the ongoing saga of the Phoenix Coyotes (which really must suck for their fans). Much to do in the up coming days before we can really enjoy the summer and put our toes in the sand and bid 2008-2009 NHL season a farewell. Keep your eyes peeled for Chuck A Pucks take on all of it.

Tomorrow: Men in tuxes! Uh, I mean the Puckers take on the NHL awards.

Until tomorrow...