I have to admit.  Some days are harder than others to accept that I've "retired" from men's league hockey.  My reasons, as I've stated before, are family related and it remains the right choice.  But I think now it's really hitting me that whoa, I've walked away. 

I did get a little hockey fix during the 4th of July weekend, courtesy of my high school reunion.  Classmate Joe Cunningham (Grand Island Class of '88), is now rink manager at NU's Dwyer Arena.  He arranged for our classmates to have the main rink available for a pickup game.  He also provided us use of the visitors' dressing rooms, loaned us NU's home and road jerseys to use for the game, and even had a nice stock of chilled beer in the dressing rooms.  Bravo to you, Joe, and thank you again.

Since then, the bag's been packed up, and instead of sticks and skates my hockey involves emails and highlighter markers, as I review and takes notes about the Buffalo Stars' upcoming season.  We're opening up training camp a week from Friday, so while the coaching staff works the boys out in dryland training, I'll be busy tending to other team business. 

Of course, the most pressing matter in my life is preparing for the arrival of our second baby.  While the official due date is Labor Day weekend, my money's on mid to late August.  We don't know what we're having yet, though my 2-year-old daughter is predicting a boy.  She gets excited when we ask her if she'll be a good big sister!  She likes being a little helper, so I'm confident she'll live up to that.

With that in mind, my blog might get a little quiet again.  Forgive me, and allow me to apologize in advance to folks who may send messages and don't get immediate responses.  I promise, I'm not blowing you off... I just have other pressing family business.

One last thing - longtime junior hockey colleague and EMT Greg Flury just lost his dad unexpectedly.  Please think of Greg & family ion your prayers.  Thanks, and "Dzien Dobry"!

Mroz