The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Working in the media has some perks. Well, the main one really, is going to games for free. This week I utilized my power to participate in a Bomber practice. Interim coach-GM Brad Snyder was kind enough to let me in on the fun and experience first hand. The only thing that made practice a greater challenge for me is my skating. Kids in hockey 'D' can skate better than I can, and that's not to insult those talented youngsters. I participated in pretty much all of the drills. Every one was fast paced and precise. The hardest drill might was trying to battle along the boards. Again, the skating ability didn't help. However, my goal during practice was to score on both Travis Crickard and Zane Kalemba. Crickard was victimized early. One-on-one I took the puck, just like I used to do in street hockey, I switched from my forehand to backhand, showed tremendous patience and buried the puck upstairs. As the boys say, it was a "sick" goal. I took a short break during one of the drills halfway through and had a chat with Snider. I asked him how he thought I was doing. He said that I was "trade bait." Trade bait, huh? I'll show you. Near the end of practice, assistant coach Graham Garrett watched over a four-on-four scrimmage. I was with Tyler Beachell and Dalton Pajak. Before it started, Graham said that if a teammate set me up for a goal that he would buy the players lunch. I didn't score, but I did get an assist, or as the players call it, an "apple." Crickard was lit up by the B.C. connection of myself and Pajak with Pajak scoring on a rebound. I was more than happy with the effort I put in, even when the tank was beginning to run low. I give credit to the players for the dedication and effort they have to give. I also thank them for not busting a gut laughing at my horrendous skating. (They could be saving that for now since I'm not around.) Before stepping off the ice and getting out of the equipment, I still had to score on Kalemba. Five pucks lined up, I skate a half circle, feeling like Gretzky. "Are you ready, Mr. Princeton?" Oh yeah, he's ready. In position and staring me down. Controlling the puck, I beat Kalemba with the identical move I used on Crickard. A beauty backhand that found its way to the top middle of the net. I shocked Kalemba, who didn't think I could beat him. The second one I lost control of the puck. Third shot, I approached him, wait, he commits and I roofed the puck upstairs on my forehand with the goalie in a pad-stacked position. Two for three, not bad. Next shot I figured I would try to beat him five-hole, but was denied, and the final attempt I decide to give the backhander one last try. Nothing but post as I had Kalemba's glove to beat too. Back in the dressing room, I tell Snyder and tell I beat his best goalie with two beauties. He said he may have to reconsider me as trade bait. I just have to work on my skating and stopping and he could use me as a spare should he need the help. Afterall, I have the hockey sense to be a dangerous player.
