Happy Memorial Day!

Let us remember the soldiers who have fought for our being able to do things like my bringing you the following news...

...news that is only twenty-five days old...but, unlike our man of the hour, this blog is quite leisurely in its pace...

Ron Francis delivered a speech on the state of the youth hockey union at a semi-recent Raleigh Youth Hockey Association/Canes Youth and Amateur Hockey meeting...

"Here's the latest update with our local youth hockey programs from Paul Strand. Ron Francis took time to speak to the youth hockey community and will be very involved with the program. The fact that he is also a parent in the program will make it better from both sides. One of the biggest things our program will focus on will be player development. Colin Muldoon is one of the best coaches(I'm speaking from experience) and our kids are great hands. It won't be too long before we hear Raleigh NC at the Draft. We just need the Hurricanes to help build a few more rinks around the state."

"Another and perhaps the biggest highlight of the night was seeing and hearing a finely dressed Ron Francis delivering a speech to the audience of youth hockey supporters. Mr. Francis challenged the Raleigh youth board and membership, the RYHA AAA board and membership and CYAH to stand up and do what is right by the kids of North Carolina. That means to ensure the tryout process is fair, to ensure that our coaching and player development lives up to its billing and to provide a quality place for the kids to play. It was awesome to see the future Hall of Fame player take such a keen interest in the future of these organizations and youth hockey in general."

Always, ALWAYS good to see Ronnie involved with the youth hockey community, be it in my hometown/state or elsewhere. And I am very glad to see that his involvement with CYAH is going beyond his being at the press conference for the start of that branch for the Canes and Youth Hockey. With not only his children playing various sports, but also the fact that he has always been wonderful with young ones on and off the ice (as I have witnessed at various Canes practices and events, and even a few youth hockey deals during the 2004-05 NHL Lockout), Mr. Francis is a natural for getting heavily dedicated to youth hockey AND the development of possible future minor league, college, NHL, and/or international stars.

Current Music: "They Call It Home" by Amon Duul II (Featuring Robert Calvert)