New blog

C'mon now, did you really think I'd stop blogging about hockey and hounding? well, I haven't. If that disappoints you, well, oh, well. If it doesn't, feel free to check out The Hockey Life.

It'll be a little different than the Hound Centrals. A little less on hounding, but a lot more about living the hockey lifestyle.

With Colin embarking on another season of travel hockey, making the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning Squirt A squad for the 2011-12 campaign, I'll share what it means to be a hockey parent.

The thrill of victory

At practices Monday and Wednesday, Colin wore his Bruins Patrice Bergeron jersey, taking some ribbing from his teammates who, suddenly, were Vancouver Canucks fans. Well, after Boston's 4-0 victory Wednesday night, it looks like the Hockey Gods have once again smiled upon Colin.

At game's end, Colin donned his Bergeron jersey again and lofted a Stanley Cup in celebration. "I have a lifelong right for bragging now," Colin told me.

The Hockey Life: Week 31

We were on our way to a Florida State League baseball game, braving rush-hour traffic as we headed to Dunedin, when my cell phone rang. The caller ID showed it was a call I wanted to take. It was Colin's coach from the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning, calling on the day when we'd hear whether he'd make the Squirt A squad for the fall and winter season.

After exchanging greetings, Coach Dave got to the business at hand -- Colin would, indeed, be sticking with the Jr. Lightning, having earned his keep, so to speak, over the course of the 10-game summer season. With 41 kids trying out for 22 to 24 positions over two teams, we were pretty psyched to get the news.

"You can't teach speed and tenacity," Coach Dave told me.

We've enjoyed watching him play this summer, learning from his earliest games against much-better teams that playing hard and engaging the competition would make a big difference. Since he started playing, I've stressed the need for him to skate hard and be active. In fact, Coach Dave related how Colin's name came up in conversations with teammates on  the player they'd least want to go up against in one-on-one drills.

That doesn't mean, though, there isn't room for improvement. It's likely that Colin will play more defense than forward in the upcoming season, meaning he'll have to learn a more positional game and become a better heads-up stickhandler. Advice like that will give us something to work on over the summer.

A kick in the grass
Over the years, we've taken Colin to many sporting events, mostly hockey and baseball games and a handful of Nascar races. Later today, we're attending his first pro soccer game as the FC Tampa Bay play the Atlanta Silverbacks at Al Lang Field in downtown St. Petersburg.

Beyond having fun with a loud, vocal group known as Ralph's Mob, I'm hoping Colin draws some parallels from soccer that he can use in hockey -- relentlessness, playing your position, pinpoint passing and rock-solid defense.

For me, it'll bring back memories of watching the Tampa Bay Rowdies during my first tour of duty here in Hockey Bay as well as covering the team during my early days as a sportswriter for the Clearwater Sun.

Colin's new wheels

We went to a Sports Authority yesterday afternoon looking for a new pair of sneakers for me. Didn't see anything I liked that was within my budget, but Colin stumbled across these new Mission Helium Quatro 3500 inline hockey skates in a bargian bin.
Once priced at $119.99, the price tag read $34.99. When we went to check out, though, the register rung up $19.99. Can't beat that, can you?

Time off, baby!

At the stroke of midnight today, I begin 16 straight days of vacation. Won't be traveling far, sticking mostly close to home. Aside from a few hockey-related activities, this vacation is more about chilling out and resting up than running around the Sunshine State or the East Coast like a sunburned, money-spending madman.

Instead, I'll get to watch the Bruins beat the Canucks, in seven games, to claim Lord Stanley's Cup.

With any luck, some pucks and cards, currently taking up space on any flat surface in the office, will also get put away and, possibly, some collections within the display case will be updated. Hockey Hound Universe also needs a few more posts, too.

What I'm really looking forward to, though, is spending the first week of Colin's summer vacation with him. We'll do a little fishing, fly some kites, look for trains and continue our search for the best pizza in Hockey Bay. Some joint in Tampa that serves deep-dish pizza is our first stop.

If you see us, don't be afraid to say hello. We might even offer you a slice, as long as you ask nicely.

Big night tonight

When Colin first tried out for the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning a couple of months ago, we heard that the spring season would serve as a warmup for the real deal -- the fall season. Well, after making the spring squad, Colin takes the next step in his journey tonight, when he tries out for the Jr. Lightning's fall squad.

So far, in six games with the Jr. Lightning, he has a goal and two assists and has earned a reputation for a tireless backchecker. To me, he's doing what he supposed to -- being a role player.

Last Sunday, he played his 20th game of 2011. Wearing the jerseys of the Jr. Lightning and the Pinellas P.A.L. Stars, in travel-team and rec league games, he has scored 11 goals and has 12 assists. At more than a point per game, I'd say he's doing pretty good.

The Hockey Life: Week 27

As a hockey dad, there's little more fun than watching your child play the game. Win or lose, as long as he's having fun, that's all that really matters.

For the child, though, hockey is all about moments. The first time they step on the ice. The first time they make a team. The first time they play a game. And, yes, the first time they score a goal. Each one is a memory.

Last night, in his home rink in Clearwater, Colin scored his first goal for the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning travel team. Once again, hard work, dedication and doggedness paid off. Even better, it came in an 11-6 victory for the Jr. Lightning.

Though he's scored goals in the past, quite a few for his first team, the Pinellas P.A.L. Stars, this one is pretty special.

After admitting that he felt a bit intimidated in his first two games a couple weeks ago, I told him that hockey hasn't changed. It doesn't matter if the kids are a little bigger, skate a little faster or are any better than him. All he has to do is skate hard, play his best and good things will happen.

That goal last night drove home the point. And now that he got the first one out of the way, let's see what happens.

It's been awhile

In the five-plus years we've lived down here in Hockey Bay, the Tampa Bay Lightning, up until this season, had made the NHL playoffs only once. And, that, if memory serves me correctly, didn't go all that well as the New Jersey Devils easily dispatched the Bolts in the first round.

This season, though, the Bolts are back in the playoffs and, possibly, making some noise. After knocking off the Pittsburgh Penguins, coming back from a 3-1 deficit, the Lightning surprised the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals.

Though we passed on a first-round game, we have tickets (not very good ones, mind you) for Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals. Still, to take in the excitement of an NHL playoff game, even if it's in the nosebleeds, it'll be worth every penny.

The Hockey Life: Week 26

Just when I think the 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign is coming to an end, the Tampa Bay Lightning shakes off the goal-scoring cobwebs Saturday and lights up the Pittsburgh Penguins to force a Game 6 back here in Hockey Bay.

At the least, it means another opportunity, schedule permitting, to have Gilles Meloche sign a pair of pucks. I missed him by five minutes last Wednesday morning.

Getting caught up in the spirit of the playoffs, I couldn't help myself from commenting on Saturday's game on Facebook. Among them:

~ Shhhh! Listen. It's Pittsburgh.

~ Scoring a power play goal is the best way to deter dumb penalties. Except, of course, if you're Kris Letang. Bolts 8-2.

~ Uh-oh. The Pens care coming back. The multitalented Michael Rupp scores from his butt. You gotta like players who don't give up.

~ I love the grumpy look on the blonde's face behind the Penguins bench. I've yet to see her smile all game long. She must be thinking "I paid how much for this?"

~ Lightning 5, Penguins 0. Steven Stamkos wakes up with his second goal. The rout is on. Let's go Bolts!

~ The Consol Center's lacking a little energy right now, isn't it?

Now, I don't have anything against Pittsburgh folks. I work with a few people from there. There's even a soft spot in my heart for the Pirates. It was just good to see the Lightning, a team that we've followed over our five-plus years here, respond to a challenge.

The next big test comes Monday, when we'll see if the Lightning can maintain the momentum and force a Game 7 back in Pittsburgh. If not, I'll man up and take any heat that comes my way.

What would you do?

Colin turns 10 Thursday, making it his first double-digit birthday, which, for that reason alone, makes it a pretty big deal. Though he'll get to open his birthday presents and head out to Cody's Roadhouse for his meal, we're waiting a week or so for his party.

The problem, however, is that he has a practice that night with the Pinellas P.A.L. Stars, his recreational league team. The Stars don't have any games left, but the rink owes them one more hour of ice time -- hence, the practice.

Compounding the situation, he has a two-hour travel-team practice Monday, a 90-minute skating session with me Wednesday before another hourlong travel-team practice at another rink and two travel-team games on Saturday. That's a pretty busy week, if you ask me, even without the birthday factored in.

I'm thinking, given everything else that's going on, there's no need for him to take part in the P.A.L. practice. He says he wants to attend the practice, as it's likely the last time he'll be a part of that team, one that he's served as an alternate captain this season. That appeals to the hockey dad in me. As a parent, though, I'm not so sure.

Quote of the week

"Hey, when's the last time the Sabres won a Stanley Cup?"
Colin, to me, after giving him some ribbing about the Boston Bruins falling behind early in their series against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Hockey Life: Week 25

When you travel in hockey circles, you'll never know who you're going to run into. Twice within a week, assuming the role of a hockey dad, I crossed paths with a few members of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In our search for s specific pair of hockey socks, we took a ride recently over to the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. It must have been a practice night for the Ice Bulls, as we saw Marty St. Louis, Mattias Ohlund and Brett Clark walking around the facility.

Last Sunday, at Colin's home rink in Clearwater, we saw St. Louis and Clark again, as their children played a Mites game against a Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning squad. One of the boys was easy to identify, as he wore the same number as his dad. The other? Well, a strong facial resemblance gave him away, though his jersey lacked a name and had a different number than his father.

While there was a bit of a buzz going through the facility, and The Missus loaned a black Sharpie to one of Colin's teammates so she could get some autographs, at no time did I entertain the thought of hitting them up for autographs. Lacking any items on hand, it was easy to do. But even if I had items for them, and I do have a couple of pucks earmarked for St. Louis, I still wouldn't have asked.

More than anything else, it was more out of respect for family time for these guys. They weren't NHL players when we saw them. No, they were hockey dads. Just like me, they were building a bond with a child over the game of hockey. No autograph is worth interfering with that.

Bragging Daddy alert

Granted, it may have been an intrasquad scrimmage, brought about by the inattentiveness (apparently) of his home rink's youth hockey director, but any time Colin logs six points (four goals and two assists) in a game, I can't help but tell the world.

One goal came on a breakaway, shooting while he was "flying" through the air after being tripped.

Even better, one of Colin's linemates had nine points (two goals and seven assists) in his team's 10-7 victory. Way to go, Sophia. You rock, kiddo.

Programming note

The next hounding adventure comes Wednesday, trying out luck for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Until then, I'll be taking a break from posts.

Beyond that, it all depends on how deep the Bolts go into the playoffs. As always, I appreciate your time.

Making the connection

Colin got quite the kick out of former Tampa Bay Lightning player Brian Bradley last week when he signed this promo card for him at a Lightning radio show at a McDonald's in New Tampa.

Only the night before, Bradley ran a Lightning Made hockey clinic at the St. Pete Times Forum that Colin attended.

As Colin approached the Lightning's first All-Star to thank him for running the clinic, Bradley's face lit up:

"Hey, I remember you," he said. "You were at the clinic last night."

The Hockey Life: Week 24

Well, folks, here we are at the end of the 2020-11 NHL regular season. Games today decide who keeps playing and who goes home. Some players will begin their beards. Others, far fewer in number, will be hitting the links.

Down here in Hockey Bay, our hounding campaign extends for the first time in four seasons. We couldn't have a better draw, either, with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and all that means, meeting the Tampa Bay Lightning.

At the least, we'll get another crack or two at Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury and, if we're lucky, Evgeni Malkin. Now, I'm not guaranteeing we'll get all three to sign, but I'll be happy with just one from any of them.

For the most part, and I pass this advice along to those just getting in the game, I'm going in with low expectations. If I don't get any of them, well, I have no reason to be disappointed. While it would be nice to snag a few, I don't base a trip or a season on two or three autographs.

Instead, my major target will be Penguins goalie coach Gilles Meloche. I bought Cleveland Barons and California Golden Seals pucks for him. If successful, those would be the first for each team of more than 2,300 autographed pucks in our collection.

As for the others, they'll be in the NHL for a long time. I'm certain, too, our paths will cross again. You have my word I'll be ready.

Road trip report

The ride south to Estero was long. The two games were a little longer, too. It seems we played two of the better teams in the Central Florida Hockey League. Let's just say we know how far we need to travel, so to speak, to become more competitive.

A certain someone also realized just how much effort it takes to play at this level. There's no striding and gliding, only skating hard. There's no standing around, only constant motion. Easy games, he learned, are a thing of the past.

To his credit, he played forward on a successful 5-on-3 penalty kill. As for fun, there's little to have when you're getting your fanny handed to you. In time, I'm sure he'll have some.

Win or lose, though, I want to thank the Hound Central 5.0 readers who indulge this hockey dad's sharing of his son's exploits. I know he's one of many, many thousands of kids with the same dream.

I'm hoping Saturday's games opened his eyes.

Quote of the week

"We can't win all of the time. Someone else has to win every once in a while."

Scott Clemmensen, Boston College hockey alum and Florida Panthers goalie, when asked what happened to the defending NCAA hockey champion Eagles this season.

Hitting the road

In just a few hours, Colin takes the next step in his hockey journey, playing his first travel-team game for the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning. The first trip, too, is a long one, the farthest of the spring season, as we head down Florida's west coast to Germain Arena in Estero.

Here's to having a fun, healthy season while taking in some of Florida's hockey scenery. It's something we've all been waiting for.

The Hockey Life: Week 23

Later this week, Saturday to be specific, Colin takes the first step in the newest chapter of his youth hockey career -- playing in his first travel-team game for the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning. Rather than playing in the confines of his home arena, we'll be hitting the road.

Being new to this aspect of the game, we're looking forward to playing in new rinks. Part of the allure will be making the rides -- some longer than others -- to play new teams at different rinks. If it means a two-hour ride south, so be it. Same, too, for two trips later this spring to the Orlando area.

That's why it's called a travel team, right?

When we received the spring schedule last week, part of a teamwide e-mail blast, it meant that any response to that message would be received as well. Unfortunately, one response caught me off-guard: "Why are we getting HOSED with all the travel?"

Though I can relate to the many miles of highway travel that await us, it seems a bit odd that a parent who willingly pays for their child to play on a travel team is lamenting the need to travel. To me, the parent, and not the child, was whining.

Given that two youth hockey organizations combined to form one team, meaning 42 kids were competing for only 20 to 22 skating positions, there were a number of kids who didn't the team. For every family that felt the excitement, there were nearly as many who were disappointed.

To Mr. Whiner, I'm sure there is at least one family who would be willing to trade places with you over the next few months. Besides, it's about the kids, not us hockey parents.

If you want to stay home, sir, do us all a favor, please: just let the organization know.

Thanks Pat

Anyone who lives in the Hockey Bay area knew that last Thursday brought some severe weather to the area. Nine tornadoes were reported. A truck flipped over on the Howard Frankland Bridge. Thousands, as of Saturday, were waiting for electricity to be restored.

Though we may have gotten a bit damp dodging raindrops while hounding the Pittsburgh Penguins that day, it was to be expected. Sure, the overhang outside the hotel afford some protection, but strong winds pushed the rain sideways at time.

Where we didn't expect to get wet, though, was inside the St. Pete Times Forum later that night as we watched the game. Unfortunately, that's what happened as a steady drip fell on our seats.

After a few minutes, The Missus got up and found an usher. A supervisor offered her a seat in another section. Seeing that we didn't want to split up for the rest of the game. We ended up each sliding over one seat to the right. It didn't help.

This time, I went down and spoke to the usher. I was told to wait for a few minutes and the supervisor would return. Well, five minutes became 10. Ten minutes became 20. Needless to say, I was less than thrilled.

Finally, Pat, the supervisor arrived. I explained the situation, as The Missus had about 35 minutes earlier, and told her that we were less than satisfied with not only the situation, but the poor customer service as well. Pat asked for another few minutes.

True to her word, Pat soon returned. We gathered ourselves and belongings and followed her. At first, we thought we'd be moving to another section. Instead, we headed for an elevator. A quick ride down two floors and the doors opened to the club level. From there, Pat led us to an all-inclusive suite, complete with all-you-can-eat-and-drink service and leather seats. After out initial surprise, we repeatedly thanked her.

From where I sat, Pat made one heckuva save. It's nice to know that the Tampa Bay Lightning, under new ownership, cares about its fans.

Quote of the week

"Let me guess, Sidney signed?"

Puckhound, to Moody, upon getting a call less than 25 minutes after leaving the team's hotel and heading over the the Glazer Children's Museum with Colin. And, yes, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby signed for a few people before dealers bumrushed him not once, but twice. Moody, by the way, got a pair of autographs out of Crosby.

Here we go

Just got the call a little bit ago. Colin made the Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning "A" squad. I guess that hat trick in his first-ever tryout scrimmage helped. He still has a long way to go, but this is a nice step in the journey.

Spending our hockey dollars

In the team's bid to drum up season-ticket sales for 2011-12, the Tampa Bay Lightning sent out a promotional package asking fans to join the "All In" effort. Part of the package was this patch, which will appear on the shoulders of the Lightning's new jerseys next season. It's a nice touch, if you ask me.

I'm not sure, however, if we'll renew our Lightning packages next year.

Given that Colin scored a hat trick in a 3-1 scrimmage victory during his first-ever travel team tryout earlier this week, I'm thinking our season ticket dollars might be for his games, rather than Lightning games. We'll hear this weekend, we've been told, if he makes the cut for the Tampa Bay Jr. Lighting's AA or A squirts squads.

If he does, don't worry, this proud hockey daddy will let you know. If he doesn't, I'm still proud of him, as he stepped up in the biggest game, so to speak, of his fledgling career.

Added honor

Colin took a big step up in responsibility this season for his Pinellas Police Athletic League Stars rec league team, being named an alternate captain. Last Saturday, he sported the "A" on his jersey in two games against Ellenton teams.

For those keeping score at home, Colin has a goal and three assists in three games. The Stars, so far, are 2-1 on the season.

The Hockey Life: Week 20

It's a bittersweet moment anytime Colin gets a new pair of hockey skates. It isn't about the money, either. As any hockey parent knows, deep pockets are a part of the game.

Any kid will tell you that it's exciting getting a new piece of equipment. Doesn't matter if it's a helmet, gloves, stick or some other gear. Getting new skates, like this pair of Bauer Supreme One 100s, is different.

Not only do they represent a fresh start, but they also show a continued, and deepening, commitment to a goal. Beyond that, it's keeping a promise to grow -- and not just in foot size.

The sad part, though, is retiring a pair of skates. Colin skated many miles in his Bauer Vapor XXVs, shown above, the second pair he owned. As you can see, they're plenty scuffed-up. Many Wednesday afternoons were spent in these skates, working on crossovers, stop-and-pops and building up speed and stamina.

To be honest, I was hoping we could've waited until fall for his latest pair. It wasn't that Colin's toes were getting cramped. No, after 18 months, we were running out of blade to get sharpened.

To me, his new skates represent the latest installment in the bonding of a father and son. In time, I'm sure he'll think the same thing. If I'm lucky, he'll continue this tradition, provided he's as blessed as we are, with his children.

It's something you just can't put a dollar value on.

Making the switch

After intermittent problems with metallic DecoColor paint pens over this past season, I've sent those silver and gold pens to the sideline for the rest of the 2010-11 hockey-hounding campaign. From here on in, I'll be using silver Sharpies for any remaining pucks I get signed.

Perhaps some of the gaffes were self-induced, brought about, from time to time, by hastened priming or trying to get one too many autographs out of a pen.

The last straw came Wednesday when a pen with less than 15 autographs out of it hiccuped for Phoenix's Oliver Ekman-Larsson, leaving me with this stellar piece.

It worked enough for a somewhat legible autograph, good enough not to erase until I have another opportunity for him to resign the Coyotes puck. It was just too thin, even after priming, to use it for any other player. Funny thing, too, was after shaking the pen in disgust, the paint pooled on the tip, enough so that it splattered across some nearby foliage.

I'd be interested in hearing of others have experienced these issues or have some sure-fire tips they're willing to share.

Quote of the week

"Bull(hockey)!"
New Jersey's Henrik Tallinder, in fake-cough response to a Hockey Bay hound's assertion to Tallinder's Devils teammate Mattias Tedenby that he had heard that Tedenby, a fellow Swede, was one of the best players to come out of the Swedish Elite League in recent years.

The Hockey Life: Week 19

Going into this hockey-hounding campaign, I knew February was going to be a rough month. The Tampa Bay Lightning would find itself wrapping up a 12-game homestand, entertaining such Western Conference teams as the Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes and St. Louis Blues.

That alone, I thought, would make for some long days. Sadly, that's not what has made this month, even moreso this past week, especially painful.

In case you haven't heard, David S. Crawford, a St. Petersburg police officer, was shot and killed last week, the third member of the department to be killed in less than a month. Just as a city we now call home began to move along in the grieving process, this sad scene will play out again.

Rather than a wanted felon pulling the trigger, as what happened in late January when St. Petersburg police Sgt. Tom Baitinger and canine Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz were struck down, it's a 16-year-old boy who now stands accused in Officer Crawford's death.

Yes, a 16-year-old boy who, in an instant, destroyed two lives and shook an already stunned city to its core.

Before this unfortunate and senseless act happened, there was another twinge of sadness last week. Monday marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of Tyler Dobies, a 15-year-old who participated in the same hockey program as Colin.

Sadly, Tyler died of a drug overdose. Yes, at 15. Before his death, Tyler was like an older brother to Colin, one of a handful within the program who'd taken Colin under their wings. Unfortunately, we knew nothing about Tyler's demons. Very few people did.

Last Sunday, as Colin skated on his home rink, he stopped to look at Tyler's No. 46 Pinellas Police Athletic League jersey hanging on the wall. Tears soon fell down Colin's cheeks. For good or bad, Colin misses him. He knows Tyler made a mistake. Colin also knows that's all it takes to lose your life.

Over the past year, Colin has kept one of Tyler's prayer cards tucked in his helmet. He also has a "TD46" written on his helmet. That hard lesson, as sad as it is, is the only good thing to come from it.

Thankfully, Colin remembers.

Wearing the red, white and blue

Had he been playing travel team hockey, there's a good chance that Colin would have been an active participant in Sunday's Hockey Day in America. Instead, he went skating at his home rink. We'll see what we can do next year.

The Hockey Life: Week 18

Last Thursday, I started writing a post explaining the absence of reports earlier in the week. The reason was as simple as this: the Detroit Red Wings were in town. And, as any serious hockey hound knows, the team demands your full and undivided attention. That alone meant I didn't have time to finish it.

From the future Hall of Famers on the roster -- Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk come to mind -- to the history surrounding the Original Six team, the Wings always draw a big crowd. Thursday night, a sea of red nearly filled the St. Pete Times Forum, where the Wings spanked the hometown Lightning, 6-2.

A funny thing happened, though, when it came to hounding the Wings. While most of us expected big crowds, numbering into the high 20s at the least, the most at any one time was a baker's dozen -- 13. Not that we were complaining, mind you.

With baseball spring training camps opening up nearby, most of the dealers likely turned their attention elsewhere. Baseball, I hear, sells better than hockey. It helped us, too, that we kept it a secret the Red Wings stayed in St. Petersburg, not at one of the three Tampa hotels frequented by NHL teams.

Still, no complaints. It was nice being among friendly faces. And, as you'll read in the days ahead, once we share the bounty of trips for the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers, the hounding wasn't all that bad.

Stepping up

It was with more than a little bit of pride that I sewed an "A" on Colin's Pinellas P.A.L. Stars jersey Saturday morning before his first game of the winter-spring campaign. Entering the fourth season with the program, his coaches saw fit to make him an alternate captain.

Gaining the "A" carries some extra responsibilities. Though he tries to lead by example on the ice, playing hard and as best as he can, he has developed a growing voice in the locker room, keeping his teammates, even some a little older, focused on the upcoming game.

For the record, too, the Stars kicked off the campaign in fine fashion, beating one of the Ellenton teams, 8-0. Colin had a goal and an assist.

A milestone for Moody

Here's a tip of Hound Central 5.0's battered, old Cooper SK600 to Moody on the one-year anniversary of his authoritative voice on collecting autographs through the mail, Moody's TTM Blog.

Between the in-person reports here at Hound Central 5.0 and at Hockey Hounds Universe, Moody's TTM Blog rounds out our comprehensive look at the hockey-hounding hobby.

Join me, please, in wishing Moody congratulations on his efforts -- over the past year and the many days ahead.

Quote of the week

"Go home, shovel snow!"
Our response to Red Wings fans chanting "Let's go Red Wings" at Thursday's game.