Of Sid and Alex...

Happy Tuesday to you as a Master is slowly doing a forced mend...

One of the nice things you can do to beat the heat in Texas is go to nearby skating rink. There are well over a dozen of them spread out throughout North Texas. The moment you enter the building it's a good 30 degrees colder. 

Another thing you might want to check out are the number of items the team shop has on sale or heavily discounted. Depending on which store you go to, you may find a team guide for your favorite hockey team. A tee shirt of your favorite player. I actually found a nice James Neal tee shirt for 1.85! I did a double take and bought that bad boy. Rule books, an NHL guide, jerseys at a reduced rate of players who have now moved on...

I know, you're wondering, 'Will, you must be sick! Why talk hockey in June?' I'm glad you asked. Today happened to be the day the upcoming season schedule was announced. This will mark the first time since I came south that the Stars will have a home opener with the Red Wings. Think Yanks-Red Sox and you get the idea.

My bigger concern is whether or not Mike Modano will be a part of that Detroit team. Mike Modano is going to play somewhere, and it will not be in Dallas. Maybe he should reunite with Dave Tippett and do what both Emmitt and Brett did, finish out with an Arizona team to little fanfare. Maybe not.

I'm more excited about the thought of seeing Detroit, Sid the Kid and Alex Ovechkin within a 50 day span later this fall. The two big faces of the NHL will be a good competition for years to come.

No matinee stuff until February 2011. The champion Blackhawks (minus a few names courtesy of a trade with Nashville) will make the first of two visits in February and again on St. Patrick's Day followed by the Flyers two days later. Stanley Cup week indeed. I look forward to it.

Well, I found a few goodies inside the Dr. Pepper Starcenter in Euless. I am good and chill now, except for a rotten cough and the crud, it is now time to get back to the business of working again. Surprisingly the month of June has remained busy! Now for a stretch of bad weather and a real non-swoon for the summertime. It will feel like autumn come early.

Then we step back outside to the 102 degree heat and realize...we still got summer to handle.

Over and out in Big D

Mr. Will