Posted 09 May 2010 - 10:51 AM
First of all, I'm very proud of the guys. Everyone had us left for dead, and they managed to rise above it and thumb their noses at the critics. Good on them.
Considering all the injuries we had to go through, the season starting in Sweden (thank GOD we don't have to do that again!), and all the adversity, I'd say we did a good job making lemonade out of the lemons we had.
Second, I have to say thank you to the guys. I made it to seven games this season, and every one of them was a blast. I saw Vancouver, Dallas, Nashville, Minnesota, St. Louis, Colorado and Edmonton. I got to go to my first New Year's Eve game, and had a hell of a good time. I have a 17-game streak of winning games I've seen live. That streak will continue, I know. I don't know how many games I'll get to next season, but I plan on having a hell of a good time no matter how many I see. So thanks, boys, for the seven nights that I came home without a voice due to screaming my lungs out.
Personal thanks to Jim Howard for stepping up and playing like we all hoped he would. He's got a bright future. Thanks to Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves for being lifesavers. They were absolutely invaluable, and I wish there was a way we could keep them both. Thanks to Andreas Lilja for never giving up and coming back. You were missed when you were gone, and I thank you for having the perseverence and courage to come back.
And thank you to Pasha. He gave me one of the greatest moments of my life. I was at the Nashville game when he stole the puck in behind the goal and came around and scored - right down from where I was sitting. That moment was one of the most memorable moments of the whole season for me, because it gave me a chance to really see his talent up close. Everyone in our section of the building went crazy, and I would have jumped on that ice and hugged him had I had the chance. It was a moment I'll always remember.
I'll be cheering for Boston, and I hope whoever gets San Jose next round will beat the living s*** out of them. Have a great summer, boys, and I will see you in September in Traverse City. I got my tickets in a safe place. I love you guys very dearly.