JULY 9TH

Dear Joe,

I am saddened to hear you won't be able to make it to Vancouver this coming February. I was hoping to see you there but I understand if you don't feel you can make it. The traffic issues would probably be a pain anyways. If you are planning on now catching the games on TV, and I assume you are, then I would like to point out that you don't need to be in Burnaby to enjoy a big screen TV, surround sound, a comfy couch and a cold barely based beverage. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you out to Bonnyville for the week of February 21st - 28th.

It will likely be pretty cold in Bonnyville in February but we should have our first Tim Hortons open by then and we could probably get you set up with a week's worth of hot chocolate. I should also add I don't have surround sound and my TV isn't that big but I do have a very comfortable couch and if you have room after the hot chocolate the barely based beverages will be plentiful.

If you are doing some consulting work for Steve during that week, don't worry, the cell coverage on the acreage is just fine. We don't have an internet connection but it's only a 15 minute drive into town where I have a key to the Kool 101.3 offices and we can let you check your facebook, or whatever it is that you need to do.

Finally, while it could be snowy we don't own a snow blower and we wouldn't make you do that even if we did. If the driveway is snowed in we have some very nice neighbours who come by to plow us out. Perhaps you could meet them while you are in town.

Anyways, I hope you are doing well and if you can make it that would be great. If not that's okay too.

Cheers and hope to see you soon,
Robb.

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How bad must Andrew Raycroft feel? The former Rookie of the year signed a 1 year $500,000 dollar contract with the Vancouver Canucks. The next day the Canucks signed Aaron Rome to a 1-year, $545,000 contract. The 25-year old Rome played eight games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, picking up one assist. He also added seven goals, 21 points and 153 PIM in 48 games with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch last season.

Rome will likely do his best to get the Moose back to the Calder Cup making $45,000 more dollars than Raycroft who will spend his time backing up Roberto Luongo.

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Anyone spend the time, or the money, watching games over the internet from either the WHL or the BCHL last year? You might want to look into it because there might be an opportunity to watch some AJHL (more than just the Canucks) games next year.

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Two days after my Radulov comment I get to see how it feels as guess who has Jiri Hudler. Had been contemplating a trade for close to a month. I guess that one is off the table for me. Darn.

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Big congratulations to former Bonnyville Pontiacs spark plug Chris Jung. Jung accepted a scholorship offer from Fredonia College. The Sandy, Utah native put up 23 points in 71 games while adding 55 penalty minutes for the Pontiacs over two season before being traded to North Battleford of the SJHL last year in exchange for Rick Cey. Fredonia gets one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet off the ice and a pretty good player on the ice to boot.