My cousin is the backup for the Predators. I've seen a couple games in Winnipeg the last couple seasons and been able to go in the "family/friend area" after the game. Guys like Nystrom and Weber were back there. We sat beside a friend of Phil Housley's at the game (he's a coach for the Predators). Someone that coached with him before Phil worked for the Preds. The one player I had to introduce myself to was Olli Jokinen. He had a large contingent of fans from Winnipeg that were enthusiastic to see him. I told him I enjoyed watching him play in Calgary and shook his hand.
My cousin played for the Blackhawks' organization before joining Nashville and as a result he had received a Stanley Cup ring. He was sending it home for safe keeping the weekend I saw him play (which was his first career NHL victory) so I got to hold it in my hands. Man, was it impressive!
In Thunder Bay, there was a charity hockey game and I got autographs from all the Staal brothers (except Eric), Patrick Sharp and a couple others.
Went to an Anne Murray concert with a friend in Ottawa. Met Anne Murray in the airport in Hamilton heading home.
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