Will There Be Cake??
By: Thomas G Barker
Conference Event Coordinator

Greetings Fellow Bloggies/Blogettes! As I look out my window this morning, I see a dull and gloomy grey sky with intermittent rain interrupting what little moments of sunbursts we have. Looking for ways to fight off the foreboding effect that I am experiencing, like the first blast of cold water from the shower head in every morning shower, I am quickly reminded to "snap out of it" the boss is in and you have work to do! I am also reminded that tomorrow will bring Sunshine. I am no meteorologist, nor do I want to be! Trying to predict the weather is like trying to predict the winning horse! You have all the options in front of you, but how will things play out? The Sunshine I am referring to is the National Pride I share with fellow Canadians, for tomorrow is our Nations Birthday!

As my childhood innocence slowly dissipates with my introduction into the "real world" I am reminded that not everyone is able to take the day off and participate in Canada Festivities. I would like to take this time to salute those that have to work tomorrow! I wish you a pleasant day and may you find time to celebrate in your own special way!

As for my plans, my slate is clean at the moment. I tend to play more things by ear than Beethoven did by sight! I may mosey on down to the Civic Service Stadium to check out some of the concerts that are going on. Or maybe I will try my luck down at the ol' fishing hole. Whatever the case may be, I will be proudly celebrating our great Canadian Heritage the best that I can! Oh, and I will be sure to find a cake somewhere to help me celebrate!

To everyone: I wish you:

Until the next blog,

Cheer Loud, Cheer Long, Cheer Often!

Another Case of the Mondays? Take in One Blog and Call Me in The Morning!
By Thomas G. Barker
Conference Event Coordinator

Greetings Fellow Bloggies/Blogettes! I would like to start this morning with a little stretching session.  My reasoning, it's something different (for me at least) and I can use all the help in the world jump starting my noodle mass (aka brain). The coffee regimen seems to be losing effectiveness on the Alertness Battlefront, and I am weary of increasing the amount of Coffee I take in due to the diuretic nature of the illustriously and highly sought after bean! So here we go ... Please feel free to follow along as I vividly depict the actions I am undergoing!

I am standing up now, I have cleared all debris and obstacles that will limit my range of motion or inflict injury. Oh, wait a moment, gotta tuck in my shirt, I want to keep this office friendly. I am taking a deep breath through the nose, holding it for a count of five and slowly releasing the air through my mouth. Mmmm, that feels nice. I am going to do that again. Breath in, hold... and breath out. Now I am going to attempt to bend over and touch my toes. Wish me luck! Slowly dropping forward... Oh oh! Did you hear that? I think I just split my pants! One second... Yep I did. Looks like the stretching will have to be continued at a later date (for me anyways). As I leave to go change pants, I would like to wish all of you a Happy Monday!

A gentle reminder, Thursday is Canada Day! Woohoo! Friday, stop on by for Beach Party festivities here at HHN. And to cap off this shortened work week Saturday we have our very own Q & A and Autograph session with legendary goaltender: Daren Puppa! Hope to see you out!

Until the next blog,

Cheer Loud, Cheer Long, Cheer Often!

F to the Power of 3 Yoopie!
By: Thomas G Barker
Conference Events Coordinator

Greetings Fellow Bloggies/Blogettes! It goes without saying that today's Blog is more than just an average blog! Why? Because its Fuzzy Feeling Friday - Poetry Corner [and the crowd goes wild...]. This Friday's title is brought to you by pocket protectors and adding machines everywhere! I dove deep into my mathematical being and pulled out the fanciest equation I could that would prove intellectually stimulating yet mildly entertaining. So without further ado I bring you the much anticipated Poetic Pleasantries:

The Fairest of Them All

How I long for you my Lady Byng
You make me smile, you make me sing
On the ice I dare not pout
I dare not fight, I dare not shout
For you are the fairest lady of them all
And only true gentlemen can hear your call
Your shine warms my heart as I watch you glisten
While to your rules I adhere, I listen
Oh, how I long for you to call my name
To have you come and watch my game
But as I sit here my chances fade
With this little mistake that I have made
For I know now what not to do
When a referee blows a call or two!

I Hart'ly Knew You

Helping teams achieve full potential
Always willing to lead by example
Rarely makes mistakes
That's why I will never win this trophy!

I Fancy "The Clancy"

Old King Clancy was never fancy
But ethics and hard work he knew
He hoped to inspire the League in its entire
To go out and do the best it can do
Some players carry on, with King Clancy now gone
The ethics and hard work he once knew
So as a Great Token for the Bond Never broken
This award is now passed on to you!

Until the next blog,

Cheer Loud, Cheer Long, Cheer Often!

And the Winner Is...
By Thomas G. Barker

Greetings Fellow Bloggies/Blogettes! I would like to begin by noting the plethora of blogging sustenance that currently blankets the Hockey World. Where do I begin? As I look around the room for an appropriate setting to set the proverbial anchor (to stop my illusive ship of imagination from sailing beyond the point of no return), I realize why not just start writing! I can then skillfully dissect the literary dissertation through the process known as "editing" with the end result being a more jumbled piece than what was originally created! Satisfied with my great reasoning, I commence!

The Hockey Hall of Fame has announced its 2010 inductees which include some long awaited selections. From the builder's category: Jim Devellano and D.C. "Doc" Seaman are to be inducted in November 2010. From the player's category: all-star Dino Ciccarelli has been selected along with Angela James and Cammi Granato. What makes the later two inductees so special is they are the first ever women inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame! I would like to congratulate all the 2010 inductees on behalf of myself and Hockey Heritage North!

Tonight is also a special night from the NHL's perspective! Tonight is the 2009-2010 NHL Awards Night whereby the League honors its top players, coaches, officials and teams in great style and fashion. There will be super shiny trophies, music, and more! With such a developed and skilled class of players to choose from, there will be some difficult choices to be made in the selection of some of the award recipients. I wish everyone good luck and look forward to seeing who lands what tonight! Oh ya, and I also look forward to the snacks I will be having as I watch the awards night! I may also award my roomie (aka my mom) with an inaugural (and long overdue) award - The "Tiny Tommy" Trophy - for the Consistently Loudest Live (and televised) Sports Mother of the Year! Congratulations mom - You Are The Best!

Well, I must continue on with my daily scheduled workload! I bid you adieu!

Until the next blog,

Cheer Loud, Cheer Long, Cheer Often!

Psst. I think the League is on Energizer - They Keep Going and Going...
By Thomas G Barker
Conference Event Coordinator

Greetings Fellow Bloggies/Blogettes! If this is down time for the League (NHL), I would have burnt out long ago! With the Stanley Cup Victory still vividly playing in the minds of the players and fans, the League continues its quest for victory with the 2010-2011 season in mind. What a busy weekend for NHL. I am ready to call it a day just looking through all the transactions that have happened since Friday. Here is just a taste of what has happened for those unaware:

1. Rob Blake retiring after a 20 year career; - I hate to see him go, he's a great Canadian and a great defense man;
2. Habs trade Halak for two prospects; - Confused here: did he not just lead his team deep into the playoffs knocking off two First Place Teams?
3. Arnott traded back to the New Jersey Devils; - Rejoining his old club, this should be some good hockey;
4. Parent traded for Hamhuis; - With Hamhuis to be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st, will he stay or will he go? I guess time will tell;

And Big News from the Hockey Heritage North's Honored Members File: Claude Noel, a former Kirkland Lake resident, is headed to Manitoba to be Head Coach of the Manitoba Moose. He was interim Head Coach of the Columbus Bluejackets for the end of the 2009-2010 season. Mr Noel, we here at HHN wish you a very positive and prosperous future with the Moose!

These are just some of the transactions happening around the NHL leading up to the July 1st, 2010 Free-Agency "feeding frenzy." After reporting all this, I need a break...

Until the next blog,

Cheer Loud, Cheer Long, Cheer Often!

Hooray! It's Fuzzy Feeling Friday!
By: Thomas G. Barker
Conference Events Coordinator

Greetings Fellow Bloggies/Blogettes! I am here to congratulate you for making it through yet another work week! May I suggest taking a moment, getting your favourite work-time beverage and snack, putting your feet up and reading this week's Fuzzy Feeling Friday -- Poetry Corner! Don't worry, I will wait until you are ready and settled in. Are you ready? Yes? Here we go!

Frosty Fear

Blades a Blazzin', she rockets down the ice
One thought on her mind, a hat trick would be nice.
She deeks one, two, three players, the goalie now stands alone
Like the dog from ol' Mother Hubbard, the goalie awaits her bone
She winds up, the goalie is set
The puck is fired, now in the net
The fans erupt, the skater leaps
The coaches cheer, the goalie weeps
The alarm rings, she jumps out of bed
Panic leaves, it was all in her head
Relief is felt with subtle confusion
All of this from a Ping Pong Contusion

We have a special treat today an anonymous Poet has provided us with some Hockey inspired poetry. Mystery Poet, take it away:

All-Star game starts
Begins with the face off
Charging down the ice
Defence men following closely
Everyone silent in anticipation
Fighting to get the goal
Goalie blocks the net
Head tricks are played
In to the net?
Just missed
Keep your eyes on the puck now
Linesmen call penalty
Minutes left in the game
Net is in view
Open ice ahead
Pass to closest team mate
Quickly
Ragging the puck
She shoots, she scores!!
Triumph
Utterly amazing
Very exciting
Whistle blows
Xylophone music plays
Your team won
Zamboni cleans the ice

Hockey

Teams, Excitement

Skating, Passing, Scoring

A game for everyone.

Ice

Until the next blog,

Cheer Loud, Cheer Long, Cheer Often!

How Does One Lose a Day?
By: Thomas G. Barker
Conference Events Coordinator

Greetings Fellow Bloggies/Blogettes! Please be on the lookout for a "Lost Day." If found please return it to me, Tom at Hockey Heritage North. I am unsure where I lost it, but i is clearly gone. I woke up this morning and could have sworn that it was Wednesday, but according to the Calender on my desktop (and my Boss) it is Thursday, June 17th, 2010 all day! Wow, where has time gone? Did I sleepwalk into a wormhole? Couldn't have, I made it to work the past three days (according to the log books). I got it! Maybe I am a sleep "worker," mentally sleeping as my body carries out the daily work routine that I have become so accustomed to! When all else fails, I blame things on the Leprechauns! There are clever, tiny beings always up to mischief and shenanigans!

But what is not hard to believe is the fun that is had when strolling through Hockey Heritage North. Don't believe me? Swing on by and see for yourself! Anytime is a great time to swing by, but if you are looking for a special guest appearance make your way down on Saturday, July 3rd, at 12:00pm and you may just bump into Daren Puppa! Yes folks, KL's Own Daren Puppa will be in from 12:00pm - 1:30pm to answer questions and sign autographs! So don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to mingle with KL NHL Great!!


Until the next blog,

Cheer Loud, Cheer Long, Cheer Often!