Kira

My hubby Terry and I were at camp from Saturday to Thursday. Saturday morning, we were sitting by the ice, in the Handicapped section, saying hi to the guys that walked through, the coaches and the staff as well. That's our natural routine. As we were siting there, Pasha came up, and we said good morning. He came over, put his hand on Terry's shoulder and said, "How are you doing?" Then he turned and gave me a hug! I almost had a heart attack! I also got a chance to talk to Drew Miller for a couple minutes Saturday morning, and I asked him to put a red carnation on Brad's casket for me. Both the Free Press and Dave Guralnick of the News shot a pic of me talking to Drew and put it in their online galleries. I didn't see it til later in the day. The lady from the Free Press asked me who I was, asked about Loki (our service dog), and then asked me how old I was. I said, "Let's put it this way - I slide under the door for the senior menu at IHOP." She laughed and said, "I never heard it put that way, but that's damned good." I got a chance to talk to Aaron Downey Sunday, and he was incredibly nice and sweet. I also have to give kudos to Patrick Eaves, Pasha and Ty Conklin for going out in the rain to sign autographs. I would have given my raincoat to Pasha to wear, but they brought out an umbrella for him. Bless your hearts, guys...you really were troopers. I got to see Mark Howe, and gave him a hug, told him congrats for making the Hall of Fame - it was about damned time. He's looking more and more like his dad every day. Saw Darren McCarty at the Red and White game and got a hug from him too. Wednesday morning, Henrik came out and signed a picture for my friends Jeanie (aka Winged Horse) and Dale of their Yellow Lab puppy Hank (no guesses who he's named for). Thank you, Aaron, for setting that up for me. The last two days, there was hardly no one at the rink watching the guys. We had the section to ourselves, and the guys were nice to us when they walked by - we'd say hi, and sometimes they would stop to talk. Jim Nill stopped and talked to us for a good 5-10 minutes on Thursday morning, Mike Babcock thanked us for showing up every year and supporting the team. Ozzie was a blast to talk to ("Are you used to being called Coach yet?" "NO!" Will you ever get used to it? "I doubt it."), and Kris Draper was incredibly kind and generous with his time. All in all, it was great. I got to meet Miss Wing Queen (Marianne) and OzzieFan30 (Michelle and her hubby Bryan). I hope we go back again next year for #8.

You can bet that if Shanny lets him get away with this one, he's not going to be so generous the next time that douchebag screws up. Shanny's got him in his sights, you can be sure.

I hate to see this happen, since he was doing so well at camp when I saw him. However, this does open the door for Cory Emmerton and perhaps Brunnstrom as well. They both impressed me at camp, especially Brunnstrom, who seems to have done a 180 on attitude and really came off as a very humble, hard working kid at camp. I like the idea of the 2-way contract for him - he's showing a lot of upside. Just a shame it's coming at Jan's expense.

I meant to ask him when I saw him at camp but didn't get a chance to. However, he was taking faceoffs during the scrimmage games and the Red and White game, so I'm thinking it can't be bothering him too much.

Hillbilly, you should consider the source on that reply. I daresay someone has been accessing Mr. Datsyuk's magic bag of tricks? You don't really think of Bert doing something like that, do you? But well done!

If he keeps working as hard as he did in TC, I see no problem with him playing in Grand Rapids.

I liked his hustle at camp...he worked hard. The last day (Thursday) after they were done scrimmaging, he was out on the ice with Brendan Smith and Pasha, and the three of them were down at the other end of the ice doing keep away drills. Pasha was teaching them, and Fabian was watching every move he made and soaking up every bit of advice he was given. And he's a very quiet, nice kid. I like his chances for being in GR - I think he's earned a place.

There was someone up here at camp the other day walking around without a shirt on...no clue who he was but HOLY SCHNIKEES, did he have it going! This guy was ripped! Anyone have a clue who it might have been?

How much you want to bet that it will be something totally the opposite of what it really was, just to make someone look incompetent, when in reality it's the whole system that's screwed up?

from what I saw yesterday, that looks like a good possibility

Got to talk to Aaron Downey - he looks great! We asked him jokingly if he'd rather be working on the potato farm or be playing hockey, and of course, he said, "I'd rather be here." What a teddy bear!!!

When I see him tomorrow, I will make it a point to tell him that we all think his tribute is a wonderful thing, and we think he's a pretty classy guy. Of course I always knew he was, but it's nice to have it confirmed.

Classless bunch of players, my ass.

We are in site #213 (there's something about that number 13) and we're here. If you see a grey Buick Park Avenue, we're there. Everyone is getting together about 6 tonight, so if you slide in, you're welcome. Were you the ones who came in late last night and set up their camp by car light??? If so, you're pretty much across from us!

You know what??? I don't really know. And then he gives me a wink and says, "See you tomorrow." Oh yes, you will, honey...

We talked to one of the people at Centre Ice this morning and asked if they were going to have a moment of silence before the Red and White game on Tuesday. They said they didn't know. I begged them to. Hopefully it will happen. I also got a moment to talk to Drew Miller this morning and asked him if he's leave a red carnation for me. He said he would try to. Bless you, Drew...

I was looking all over the place for Pasha and then I saw him with #24, and I knew what he was doing. What a beautiful tribute to his friend. I even got a hug from him this morning! Man, Pav, you made my week!!!

if there was any good news to come out of this, I guess that would be it.

We are here...and one thing is certain - it's damned cold!!!!!

You might be able to pull a standing room only ticket for Sunday. Sometimes you can get lucky that way.

Good Lord... My hubby and I walked in there one day for s***s and giggles...killing time between doctor's appointments at Detroit VA. We thought we dodged the cameras. Alas, we didn't...they caught us for about 5 seconds. I was so ticked off about it. I still am.

I went and signed it. I also noticed a nice message from Joe Kocur. Seems that Brad gave Joe his nickname (Papa), and that name has stuck over time. It was a very sweet note.

He's there now, so...you aren't, I hope, going to get down on Pasha for not skating for almost a week. He had a very good reason.

It's hard to say where it will be, but if you can find out, it would be sweet to have some of us there. There will be a time for giving of condolence cards Saturday morning. I plan to do so. They will be given to the family before the service.

Cool beans! That saves me $20. Nice of them to do that.