The boys on the team are very anxious to head to Abbotsford. For many, this trip will mark the first time they’ll play in front of friends and family as professional athletes. The Admirals have nine players on the current roster that played in the Western Hockey League. Others, like Mark Dekanich, Mark Matheson and Scott Ford are from British Columbia but didn’t play in the WHL. There will be a lot of ticket requests for these guys to handle. Whenever we head to Toronto, Hamilton or Winnipeg, it’s a big deal for the team. This trip will, no doubt, be great for them, too.

Moving on…

It was great to see more than 400 fans at the “Ticket Pickup Party” last Monday. It was also wonderful to see my friend, Mitch Korn. The Nashville goalie coach says the Predators are in a good position between the pipes with Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis. Korn believes, because of the compressed schedule due to the 2010 Olympics, a team with two goalies will benefit. That statement, Korn believes, will ring especially true after the Olympics. Competition is a good thing and Nashville certainly has that in goal.

Four Admirals players are former Vancouver Giants (WHL) players: Jon Blum, Cody Franson, Triston Grant and Wacey Rabbit. All but Grant were members of the Memorial Cup Championship team in 2007.

Admirals assistant coach Ian Herbers was a teammate of Peoria forward Derek Armstrong in the 1997-98 season for ten games. Armstrong, then a member of the Ottawa Senators organization, was sent to the Detroit Vipers of the IHL to hone his game.

In his two seasons as the #1 goalie for Tri-City (WHL), Milwaukee goalie Chet Pickard stopped 35 of 44 shots during shootouts. He posted a record of 8-5 in those games.

Until next time…Go Admirals!!!