This entry has nothing to do with hockey.

Hello my loyal reader(s). I am sorry, but I don't have the time to process hockey related thoughts this weekend and I am unavailable during the weeks as I am working at a camp. Part of the reason for my thoughts is the fact that a very dear teacher of mine passed away suddenly last Sunday. I had the privilege of studying under Dr. Colin Smith for a few semesters. Colin, as he insisted we all call him, was one of the top Bible scholars that I will probably ever meet. He knew many different languages, including Hebrew, which I took from him for 2 semesters, and Egyptian Hieroglyphics. He is also probably the only person who ever preached his own memorial service. (A message he preached in 1996 was played. At the beginning of it he even said "This is the message I want preached at my funeral.") Colin never took himself too seriously, and he often told us, "If at my funeral someone gets up and talks about how great I was don't believe them. You know me too well." Although he was a brilliant Bible scholar he could talk to you about anything on your level. If you didn't understand he felt it was his fault. Although I'm sad at his death I can rejoice that he is at home and at rest in the presence of his Savior.

I haven't dropped of the face of the Earth...

... yet. But I have been at camp. This summer I'm working at a camp and I started counselor training. This weekend I'm doing military stuff. I will still try to update once a week. I was going to put a post up about Portland as the Sabres' new AHL affiliate, but since the Sabres have no means of keeping any secrets that subject has been beat to death. Then I was going to do a bit of research and comment on Portland's player's names, but I just got too busy. In short once again I have failed at blogging.

The Sabres have drafted 2 guys named Tyler so far. Apparently they cut a deal with the Kings to take the first Tyler a round sooner. But lest you think they thought he was important I feel the need to remind you that we only gave up a 3rd round pick next year and a bucket of Buffalo wings.

-- Sharpie

Dominik Hasek really means it this time...

So Dominik "Iron Groin" Hasek is retiring again. I just realized he's become the Michael Jordon of hockey. But with his third time he means it, and I really don't see him coming back again. 

Sure, The Dominator really meant it when he said he wanted to move back to the Czeck Republic to finish raising his son in 2001 so his son would appreciate his homeland (His son went to college in the US by the way), but he felt he had to come back a year after retirement. And yes, he really really meant he was done the second time he said he would retire last summer, but he felt he had one more season. This time he really really really means it, perhaps because although he had one more season his groin didn't have one more post-season.

It's about time, Dom, and I do hope that WGR keeps playing your "Haseoke" tapes, but I can't say I'll miss you. You are way past your prime and I'm ready to dislike Detroit for no other reasons except the facts that they are a dynasty team and they think they're "hockeytown." Everyone's a fan when you're winning, but Buffalo is the real hockeytown, and this season proved it. 

Cue the fat lady

Well, the off season has officially begun. No more hockey until September. Congratulations to the Red Wings on winning the cup, and I'd tell Pittsburgh better luck next year, but I really don't wan to see them go that far. I'm looking forward to the madness of the free agency. How about some gritty defensemen!

 Defense changes area a-coming -- goodbye Dmitri, and better luck elsewhere. I do thank you for your years as a Sabre, however, and I truly wish you (almost) all the best. (will 90% of the best acceptable?) 

Something about me: I have 6 nieces and nephews so far. If I had more money they would be very spoiled.

Fail

Ok, so it's been over a week. I'm back in WNY now to visit my parents and I ended up helping my dad re-roof the house (well half of it at least) which included building a peak on a dormer. (Although I did put a whole in a ceiling I didn't fall all the way through)

So my predictions hopes fantasy about the Penguins winning the cup isn't coming true. I'm over it. I find it's really easy to get over things that never really had a chance to begin with.

I saw on WGR's website that the Sabres have signed 2 more prospects, including local boy Kennedy who won the Frozen Four championship with Michigan State (I think -- the green ones that Miller played for. I don't really follow college sports since no one broadcasts college hockey). I also voted in the web poll there that the Sabre's priority for this free agency is to re-sign Miller. I think that with a competent back up goalie (or at least one who can win games without divine intervention leading to shut-outs) he's our solid anchor. There have been several articles on this which I am too lazy to look for now.

I really enjoyed the game I went to last week. It cost me $30 for a 3rd row ticket near the blue line. Lots of good hard hitting, though the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins' power play really sucks. The Pirates were up 3-0 with 2 minutes left in the second, but the Pens managed to score in the second the put 2 away in the 3rd to take it to overtime where they won 4-3. I also learned that the Portland Pirates have a Miller, a Ryan, and a Peters on their team. Now they have to become the Sabres' farm team -- it must be destiny or something... (probably "or something" like the bad pizza I had last night)

As promised (well, almost as promised -- it's a few days late) I'm going to do an about me thingy here for the rest of the summer. I have alluded to the fact that I am in the National Guard before and I have a commemorative coin from former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace. (USMC retired). I received the coin from him at a NASCAR race last year when I met him while wandering around in the pits waiting for a flag detail to start. (For the record he was still the chariman at the time)