The Hockey Post

Well, here it is.  Day 1 of the NHL hockey season, and I for the first time, am 100% on board.  Part of this is due to the NBA season not being played (because it won't, trust me) and part of it is due to the fact that I've been really warming up to hockey for the past couple of years.  Put those two factors together, and presto!, you've got a season-long hockey viewer.

Now, I've got to have a rooting interest right?  Isn't that what OCD is all about?  Well, I'm staying with my Pittsburgh fandom, and going Penguins.  Last year, watching the HBO special leading up to the Winter Classic had me hooked.  I really liked Dupuis and how he talked to his kids in and out of two languages - that stuck with me because that's how it is in my house.  Plus, Malkin and Crosby don't hurt the cause either.  It's a fun group to root for.  I think everybody was following Crosby's point streak last year before he really got hurt, and that's when I actually made an effort to get home at a certain time to catch a hockey game.  Before, I would watch if it was on and basketball wasn't.  Now, I'm taking it to the next level and just going all out.

So I've got the team picked out - how 'bout fantasy?  Check.

It's nearly impossible now in this day and age to enjoy a sport without thinking about a fantasy team.  Hockey is no different.  Last night was my first hockey draft hosted by Captain Canuck of Waxaholic.  It's looking to be a good time.  The league has 14 teams, so that really levels the playing field for some of us new guys getting into it.  I don't care what sport your into, a 14 team fantasy field is going to be tough - for everybody.  So we each got our superstars in the first round and the rest...?  I don't know.  There was a bunch of guys I was drafting in the 12th round that I'd never heard of before.  Fingers crossed.

Oh, my team name?  Evertonian Ice.  Deal with it.

So how do we round out our sports?  With cards.  Yeah, that's pretty much the next step for me.  And for myself, I've been itching to build a set of something.  Anything really.  I think this year I'll be getting into a hockey set.  I don't know which yet.  But I've been told I should really just do the smart thing and start with Upper Deck Series 1.

So tonight is the night.  Hockey starts.  And I think I'm finally ready.