God has a sick sense of Humor. No doubt about it.

Hmmm bout time for a first post. Been letting this thing sit here collecting dust for almost 6 months. I guess I just haven't found the right topic to rant about. I have now.

See, I'm a hockey fan. A BIG HOCKEY FAN. Hockey is the only sport I watch religiously, follow religiously, and study everything about. You could say I was born with stick in hand, puck in mouth. I can recall specific games from 10 to 20 years ago, I remember my mom taking me down to the old Olympia Stadium in Downtown Detroit, just after Mike Illithch bought the Wings. We went down there to win a car, which they gave away after every game, just to drum up attendance during the Wings darkest years in the NHL. Years when we were lucky to win 30 games, and place somewhere above dead last.

Hockey has made a major impact on my life as it stands now. During my teen years, which were anything but great (For those of you who want to be 15 or 16 again, shove it!), Hockey was the only saving grace in my life. Granted, I wasn't playing for a team, just pick up stree hockey, but when my mom and I would fight (God knows that was far more often than not back then), Hockey was the only thing that could get us together and talking. I have the Red Wings to thank for my getting out of my teen years with a shred of sanity. Well therapy, friends and family helped, but Hockey provided the outlet for my ADHD, and Rages. When I played, I was usually stuck in goal because being 6'4'' and 240lbs when you're 16, people are afraid that you're gonna squish them like an annoying bug (truth is, most people WERE that annoying back then!!), I began to take out my aggressions on the opposing team. There was one lesson you learned real quick when you got into my crease... WEAR A (BEEP)ING CUP! I was a mean SOB, but a decent goalie. I had a slinky for a spine, rubber arms, and spring filled legs (when you're legs are just over 36" long, you need to have good springs in em!). I learned that while on the rink, you hate those players not on your team. You hate their guts, you make them pay for everything that is going on in your life. Off the rink, you're friends. Family even.

That brings me to the real point, and real topic of this post. Our Hockey family has lost a daughter. A daughter of one of the great legends to have ever laced up the skates, Laura Gainey. Laura Gainey, if you don't know, is the daughter of Montreal Candiens Legend, Bob Gainey. Here's the story . Some of you might be thinking "Why the hell should I care?" I'll tell ya why. No other sport on the face of this planet has as rich a history, or devoted a fan base as hockey. None, no where, nada, zilch. Don't believe me? There are people in Winnipeg, Manitoba(That's in Canada for all you people that flunked basic Geography), that want to get their hockey team back, which moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in the summer of 1996 to become the Phoenix Coyotes. These people have sign petitions, held rallies, begged, you name it. We Hockey fans look at ourselves as one giant family. We look to the players as wonderful cousins, uncles, brothers, and for some of us, fathers that we never had, or lost. That's why when we hear of something like this, its so tragic, and we all share in Bob's pain and loss. One of my fondest memories of Hockey was in 2002, when the Wings won the Cup in Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Steve Yzerman (If you don't know who he is, stop reading now, log on to www.nhl.com and READ), our Captain, brought his two little daughters out on to the ice, and where present when he lifted the Cup, both of them miming their father in lifting the Cup. I couldn't imagine a few years down the road, reading a story on the Wings site, and reading the headline: Yzerman's daughter dead in car crash. She was 18. It would break my heart like you wouldn't imagine. I was 6 years old when Stevie became the Wings Captain, I grew up with him. I looked to him as a mentor. I could only imagine the pain and suffering that he would be going through. But he would not be going through it alone, not only would he have his family, but he'd have his hockey family. Including players, former players/teammates, coaches, the Illitch's, and the entire city of Detroit.

I believe that Bob has that same network, thanks to this wonderful game we call Hockey. Without it, there are many people who would have nothing meaningful in their lives. While we can't bring poor Laura back, we can at least give Bob our prayers, support, and love. She's in a better place now, where there are no rogue waves, only smooth sailing, and gentle winds to carry you on your way.

We send our love Bob. From the entire city of Detroit, our prayers, love and support are with you.

May the Great Spirit bless you.

Doc

First post. Rants to Follow. Be Advised.

Alrighty! This thing is finally up and running, all systems nominal, got the green light, blah, blah. Making sure this thing doesn't do a M$ blue screen on me and tell me that I've just killed the internet. God knows that'd be my luck.

Well, I'll post more later. Just be advised, I'm left wing, anti-stupidity, and pro-logic, and pro-evolution.

You have been warned.

Enjoy!

Doc