2 years ago...continued

2 years ago today, Alexei Cherepanov, a nineteen-year-old Russian hockey star, died during a KHL game, with less than five minutes to go in the game. This morning I woke up and forced a smile on my face, remembering that he died doing what he loved and that I should remember him for his life, not his death... I love you, Alexei. I won't forget, I promise.

Alexei Cherepanov: 2 years ago...

Two years ago, the KHL hockey team of Avangard Omsk was playing a game in a city outside of Moscow. With about five minutes left in the game, all heads were turned to the Avangard bench. Nineteen-year-old star, Alexei Cherepanov had collapsed on the bench while conversing with friend, idol, and teammate, Jaromir Jagr. Like good trainers should, they rushed Alexei to the parking lot, only to find that the ambulance that was supposed to stay at the game had left fifteen minutes earlier. Once the ambulance returned, Alexei was rushed to the hospital, but many believed that all hope was lost. Cherepanov was revived three times; once he even regained consciousness and was able to recognize his teammates. As some had feared, nothing could ultimately save him. Alexei Andreyevich Cherepanov passed away in Chekhov, Russia that night. He was an amazingly talented player and will never be forgotten. R.I.P.

FINALLY

Marc Staal FINALLY signed with the Rangers!! :) It totally made my week. March 12, 2010. Rangers at Sharks. I'M TOTALLY GONNA MARC THAT ON MY CALENDAR!!

7/20/10: Just wondering

Just wondering, how many of you think the Staal family should have a reality show on the NHL Network? I think it would be my favourite show ever! I would watch it every day!

6/20/10: Marc Staal

(image found on Google)

You voted, he won, and we're going time travelling! You can pretend it's December, right?

Name: Marc Staal

DOB: January 13, 1987

Current NHL Team: New York Rangers

It's a really freaking cold winter day in New York City. Today is December 21, the first day of winter. Marc called you last night and asked if you wanted to go ice skating. Of course you said yes, even though you have never been ice skating before. When you hear the doorbell ring, you quickly put on a bright blue scarf and rush to answer the door.

He greets you with a hug instead of words. Marc tells you that you will be walking, even though it is literally thirty degrees out. As you pass each and every building in New York, he gives you a history lesson about them, even though you already know everything he says. You are dazzled at the general atmosphere in the big city, and Marc doesn't seem any different even though he's lived here for years. After about twenty minutes, you arrive in Rockerfeller Plaza. Marc gets excited and runs toward the skating rink. You have fun running after him, although you aren't sure how tired you'll be when you stop.

After putting on his skates (which he brought), he gets yours and laces them up for you. The first step on the ice was the hardest. You force Marc to hold your hand, which he does. You are surprised that hockey players can skate so easily; you haven't even been on the ice for five minutes but you're already sore from falling so many times. Each time you do, though, Marc helps you up and encourages you to keep going. After an hour, you let go of the boards and are only holding Marc's hand.

You don't know many of the holiday songs that have been playing while you skated, but you instantly recognize the beginning of the song Hallelujah, performed by The Canadian Tenors. Momentarily, you stop skating to make sure that it's the song you're thinking of. It is. Marc recognizes it, too. As you skate, he sings along to the verses and the chorus flawlessly. You are surprised that he sang it loudly like he did. He had a great singing voice, and he deserves to show it off, but you originally didn't think that he was that kind of person.

Just as you are really starting to enjoy yourself, some guy runs you over. He turns back to look at you, but he sees Marc. You know that guy, it's Sean Avery.

"Hey Marc," he calls sarcastically. "Sorry." Marc rolls his eyes and looks at you. Seeing you down on the ice, he worriedly helps you up and apologizes. Without asking, he leads you across center ice and off the rink. You sit down on a bench where Marc takes off his skates and your skates. He again grabs your hand and leads you away from the rink. You walk back toward your house, making very little conversation along the way. When you get home, Marc asks you if you're okay. Jokingly, you reply "Um, I think I dislocated my shoulder." He thinks you're serious, though.

"Let's get you to a hospital." You can see that he is worried. When you tell him you're kidding, he blushes. "Well, um, do you wanna try this again tomorrow?"

Will you say yes, and risk getting run over by Sean Avery? Did you find this a fun date?