First of all, I’m really excited to be here, just to see these guys up close. I mean, you’re watching the best in the world all on the same sheet of ice, and to be out there with them and seeing them do their thing, it’ll be amazing.

I’m personally looking forward to seeing Nick Lidstrom, I’m big fan of his, and of St. Louis – really big fan of him – and of course Vinny and Iginla, big fan of theirs as well. I think the biggest difference up close will be the size and the speed.

When I was younger, I played junior hockey up in Canada in the BCHL – from 16 on up actually – and then I played Canadian University hockey in Lethbridge when that was finished. My whole life, basically, follows the Canadian stereotype: back yard on the pond skating, spending every single moment on the ice.

I was a forward, and skating was a big part of my game. That’s why I’m excited to see St. Louis. And I had decent hands – not spectacular, but I could hold my own – so I’m looking forward especially to watch the Breakaway competition…which I will be a judge for

We did this faux judge thing last night with the high school kids, to rehearse. And I discovered that I’m a pretty tough judge. I’m not going to lie. I figure that if I can do the move, you get a ‘0’. And there isn’t even 0 card. But I’ll make one.

In case any of the guys are reading this blog, I figure that I’ll give them some hints. I can do the lax move, where you twirl it and spin it on net, but then, I can do it standing still and these guys will be skating in full speed, so maybe I’ll have to let that one go.

To get that top score, tou got to bury it first of all. And we’ll be looking for something new, something out of the box. The more you surprise us the better. I’m sure these guys, with the fans here and everyone watching, they’ll have something. These guys are incredible.

One will have to be just a little more incredible than the others if he expects to win.