The good news was provided by Admirals, I mean Nashville forward Chris Mueller. Mueller has been magnificent for Milwaukee this season and was late last year as well. He’s become one of the most consistent performers the team has seen in my time in Milwaukee. Mueller, who had signed an AHL deal with Milwaukee, earned his first NHL contract with his play to this point. Credit the Predators for recognizing Mueller’s value and potential to help the big club. In my time here, we’ve seen Rich Peverley and Chris Durno earn NHL contracts due to their performances with the Admirals. It’s nice to see a hard-worker and a super young man get rewarded. It really is an inspirational story for the countless young players that hope to make it to the best league in the world. All it takes is one scout, one coach, one team, to fall in love with your game. Mueller found that with this organization and deserves a chance in Nashville. He’s expected to make his NHL debut tomorrow night against Dallas.

 

The sad news was the note that Nashville forward Jordin Tootoo voluntarily checked himself into the NHLPA-NHL Substance Abuse program. Toots is one of my favorite guys. My first season with the Admirals, Jordin was hit by a Cleveland Barons player (I believe it was Brad Staubitz) in a cheap manner. Tootoo didn’t retaliate and the Admirals went on the power play. We played at Chicago the next night and I interviewed Tootoo before the game to air during the first intermission. I asked him why he didn’t retaliate and he said it wasn’t the time. He then went on to say that he got the number of the guy and the next time they’re on the ice together he would be taken out. I felt a little shaky about airing it. I played it for then-assistant coach Todd Richards and Todd agreed with me that maybe I shouldn’t put the pre-meditation part into the interview. When the Admirals faced the Barons again, nothing happened, but it could have been dicey.

 

Whenever Jordin got on the bus, I’d say hello to him. My seat has always been the third seat back on the passenger side. Toots would always say, “I heard what you said.” I started to panic, wondering if I made a disparaging remark about him. “Toots, I didn’t say anything.” “That’s not what I heard…I know what you said.” It took me a while to see the wink in his eye when he said that to me.

 

Jordin always had time for me to do an interview. Whether it was in Milwaukee, Nashville or during the summer when he joined us from Manitoba on our “Salute to Tough Guys” edition of Milwaukee Admirals Center Ice. I think the world of the guy.

 

Jordin hasn’t had it easy. If you’re an Admirals fan, you probably know his brother’s story. If not, click here. Here’s hoping he can get his life straightened out.

 

We all need help at times. Some of us are brave enough to ask for it. Bless you, Jordin.