Good day, eh?
Just wanted to pop in and say hallo and wish a Merry Christmas or Good Yule or just a nice Monday to all my f/list. We had a nice time at my sister's last night with our parents, opening presents and scarfing her great lasagne. I got two gift cards from HM which were for NHL.com and Hawaiian Airlines; then from my parents I got some pretty jewelry they picked up in Hawaii, a gift certificate from my hair salon, and a few other little neat things.
I'm supposed to go to my parents' house for lunch, but I think I'm gonna be spending this one alone, as I'm feeling like hammered shit due to this damn cold. I was doing better, but like a dumbass I went the football game yesterday and even being all bundled up, it was so wet and cold that I think it's made things worse and there's no way I can deal with my aunts and uncle today. So, maybe I'll just sleep some while watching cheesy Xmas movies and keeping house; then be able to go to my cousin's place tomorrow for more Xmas fun. :)
Oh, and if you haven't seen, Center Ice will be showing some of the World Juniors games, starting with the Americans tomorrow morning at 9E/6P. If you look at the schedule on TV, it will show the US/GER game at O-dark-early tomorrow. :)
But anyway, just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful time off and drop off some Canadian hockey boy spam. There's still none for the US boys; but they named the captains for the US squad and Peter was not one of them. Grrr. Alrighty...here is the spam...Merry Christmas, eh?
After at least thirteen straight days on the days for the players on Canada's National Junior Team, Head Coach Craig Hartsburg gave the team a full day away from the rink on Saturday. With a number of players having come right from their busy club team schedule to the selection camp, rest was warranted after the grind that the team has been through over the past couple weeks.
The only player who took to the ice was defenceman Cody Franson who is recovering from a bruise to his hip and wanted to test himself even further. The pride of Sicamous, B.C. continues to make great progress and is getting much closer to being game-ready. Assistant coach Curtis Hunt pushed him hard on Saturday, and the signs are good for an upcomings return to action.
After some media interviews in the morning and a light lunch, the entire team jumped on a double-decker bus and were treated to a one-hour tour of Stockholm. Stockholm is rich in history and most of us learned quite a bit during the tour, which took us over several of Stockholm's amazing 57 total bridges.
The players were given some free time in downtown Stockholm to do some sightseeing and some shopping. Only one team-related task for each and every player: the 22 players drew names and took to the streets looking for gifts for each other. Given the laughs and grins on the bus ride afterwards, it sounds like Sunday evening's gift exchange will make for an entertaining evening.
The whole team were then treated to a splendid dinner in the Old downtown of Stockholm. Saturday will be Canada's final full day in Stockholm, before heading to Leksand for the World Junior Championship. The team will celebrate Christmas on December 24th (because Christmas Day is a travel day for the team), a day that will reportedly even feature a visit from Santa and a gift exchange. And, because Canada's National Junior Team does have a task at hand over the holiday season, Christmas celebrations will also include a practice.
On behalf of the players, the coaches and the entire staff, Hockey Canada would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to the friends, families and fans of Canada's National Junior Team back home in Canada. While today, the team had a number of Christmas celebrations, we are all thinking of our friends and families back home today.
After breakfast, the team received their first Christmas gifts of the day ... directly from Santa Claus, who paid a surprise visit to our meal room. Thanks to the generosity of a number of Hockey Canada's sponsors and partners, the players and staff were all spoiled on this day.
Each team member received:
- a Samsung mp3 player courtesy of Samsung;
- Nike sunglasses courtesy of Iris Eyewear
- NHL 2007 from EA Sports
- a watch from Timex
- a Team Canada ball cap from New Era
- a pullover from the Canadian Hockey League
- and a CD from Universal Music Canada
It was back to work after our visit with Santa, with a full practice at a deserted Hovet Arena. A security guard helped us get the lights on, and a zamboni driver arrived just in time to prepare the ice.
In the evening, after dinner, the players had their own gift exchange. It was an opportunity for players to get some well-intentioned digs in on their teammates. Sam Gagner stood in for Santa and took the lead on distribution. Everyone enjoyed themselves and left the meeting room with a memory that will last a lifetime. Christmas with the National Junior Team. Christmas Day will be a moving day for Team Canada, as the team heads to its final destination: Leksand, Sweden. This will be the final full practice prior to starting the World Juniors against Sweden on December 26th.
One last picture I wanted to post, but not cut...one of my favorite parts of Christmas here in the Emerald City...
I'm supposed to go to my parents' house for lunch, but I think I'm gonna be spending this one alone, as I'm feeling like hammered shit due to this damn cold. I was doing better, but like a dumbass I went the football game yesterday and even being all bundled up, it was so wet and cold that I think it's made things worse and there's no way I can deal with my aunts and uncle today. So, maybe I'll just sleep some while watching cheesy Xmas movies and keeping house; then be able to go to my cousin's place tomorrow for more Xmas fun. :)
Oh, and if you haven't seen, Center Ice will be showing some of the World Juniors games, starting with the Americans tomorrow morning at 9E/6P. If you look at the schedule on TV, it will show the US/GER game at O-dark-early tomorrow. :)
But anyway, just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful time off and drop off some Canadian hockey boy spam. There's still none for the US boys; but they named the captains for the US squad and Peter was not one of them. Grrr. Alrighty...here is the spam...Merry Christmas, eh?
After at least thirteen straight days on the days for the players on Canada's National Junior Team, Head Coach Craig Hartsburg gave the team a full day away from the rink on Saturday. With a number of players having come right from their busy club team schedule to the selection camp, rest was warranted after the grind that the team has been through over the past couple weeks.
The only player who took to the ice was defenceman Cody Franson who is recovering from a bruise to his hip and wanted to test himself even further. The pride of Sicamous, B.C. continues to make great progress and is getting much closer to being game-ready. Assistant coach Curtis Hunt pushed him hard on Saturday, and the signs are good for an upcomings return to action.
After some media interviews in the morning and a light lunch, the entire team jumped on a double-decker bus and were treated to a one-hour tour of Stockholm. Stockholm is rich in history and most of us learned quite a bit during the tour, which took us over several of Stockholm's amazing 57 total bridges.
The players were given some free time in downtown Stockholm to do some sightseeing and some shopping. Only one team-related task for each and every player: the 22 players drew names and took to the streets looking for gifts for each other. Given the laughs and grins on the bus ride afterwards, it sounds like Sunday evening's gift exchange will make for an entertaining evening.
The whole team were then treated to a splendid dinner in the Old downtown of Stockholm. Saturday will be Canada's final full day in Stockholm, before heading to Leksand for the World Junior Championship. The team will celebrate Christmas on December 24th (because Christmas Day is a travel day for the team), a day that will reportedly even feature a visit from Santa and a gift exchange. And, because Canada's National Junior Team does have a task at hand over the holiday season, Christmas celebrations will also include a practice.
On behalf of the players, the coaches and the entire staff, Hockey Canada would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to the friends, families and fans of Canada's National Junior Team back home in Canada. While today, the team had a number of Christmas celebrations, we are all thinking of our friends and families back home today.
After breakfast, the team received their first Christmas gifts of the day ... directly from Santa Claus, who paid a surprise visit to our meal room. Thanks to the generosity of a number of Hockey Canada's sponsors and partners, the players and staff were all spoiled on this day.
Each team member received:
- a Samsung mp3 player courtesy of Samsung;
- Nike sunglasses courtesy of Iris Eyewear
- NHL 2007 from EA Sports
- a watch from Timex
- a Team Canada ball cap from New Era
- a pullover from the Canadian Hockey League
- and a CD from Universal Music Canada
It was back to work after our visit with Santa, with a full practice at a deserted Hovet Arena. A security guard helped us get the lights on, and a zamboni driver arrived just in time to prepare the ice.
In the evening, after dinner, the players had their own gift exchange. It was an opportunity for players to get some well-intentioned digs in on their teammates. Sam Gagner stood in for Santa and took the lead on distribution. Everyone enjoyed themselves and left the meeting room with a memory that will last a lifetime. Christmas with the National Junior Team. Christmas Day will be a moving day for Team Canada, as the team heads to its final destination: Leksand, Sweden. This will be the final full practice prior to starting the World Juniors against Sweden on December 26th.
One last picture I wanted to post, but not cut...one of my favorite parts of Christmas here in the Emerald City...