Well done Sundogs

I had mixed feelings going into the finals, as there were players on both teams I liked, due to their involvement in Wichita Youth Hockey. Both Sebass and Leibel were active in helping me personally with the kids this past season.

Before the youth season started, I had an "incident" with Tyler Leibel, who caused a problem during the preseason development program. I was about to go out on the ice, to lead one of the first sessions in September. Problem was I couldn't get onto the bench to get on the ice, because the bench was filled with youth hockey players, talking to some undersized adult sitting with them on the bench. The adult, laughing away and interacting with all of the kids, was Tyler Liebel. He was genuinely enjoying his time just BSing with the kids, and I guarantee they were all having fun also. I had a hard time explaining his trade to the kids when it happened, he was well liked, and with good reason. Also, I've got a few drills in my playbook I stole from him during the preseason session, I'm an ever so slightly better coach thanks to him.

Sebass wasn't a big "look at me" kind of guy when he came out to help with the goalies when I asked him. He just showed up, took them to one end of the rink and spent the time working with each one of them on the areas he thought they needed work on. I had given him a rundown of each of the five goalies (three travel and two house) strengths and weaknesses before he hit the ice, what impressed me was that his post practice assessment (I consider coaching goalies a form of Witchcraft, which I am in no way, shape, or form, qualified to perform) of each goalie was equally detailed, regardless of if the kid was a travel team or house team goalie. He even traded emails with some of the kids parents to continue their development. I know the kids loved it. His trade was another bump in the road for me to explain to some young players who don't understand how pro sports work. Also, like Tyler, I've got a few drills in my playbook I stole from him, I'm a better coach thanks to him.

Going into the finals, honestly, I would have rather had Colorado win, simply because, in addition to Sebass' help with the youth program, I've spent some time with some other Eagles players, and they're all good guys. Still, Arizona winning wasn't that big of a heartbreak, Greene seemed like a good guy and Liebsie would get a ring if they won. Good for them and their fans.

Insert "Nice Blog" comment here.

Al?

RLR