What to do in the off-season??

It's been just over a week now that the Hurricanes season ended and it still doesn't feel like it's over. For me, it's felt more like a one week break from hockey, but I know sooner rather than later it will all set in and that "itch" to get back to the rink will be there once again.

I've had a number people ask me over the past week what I'm going to do with my life without any Hurricanes hockey for the next six months. I can tell you a lot actually. It's a chance for me to catch up on some missed family time. Nikolas and Larissa realize they have a daddy around again! My job at the radio station keeps me just as busy or more busy than when the Canes' are playing. Being the News and Sports Director at CJOC can be hectic job in it's own right so this break will give me a chance to focus on continuing to make our newsroom the best in Lethbridge. What the heck, I'm biased, what can I say! Not to mention it gives me a chance too to be somewhat of a spectator in these WHL playoffs and an opportunity as well to watch some NHL. I will openly admit this, I'm a HUGE Phoenix Coyotes fan. I'm actually excited about the NHL post-season this year and it's nice to see my team finally winning. I am surprised they're as good as they are will all the stuff that went on with the franchise last summer, but I'll take it! I'm an old Winnipeg Jets fan. I have been for as long as I can remember. I took my allegiances to the Arizona desert and now us Coyotes fans (I hope there's more out there) have something to be excited about for a change.

As for the rest of my off-season, my wife Nicole and I plan on going to Las Vegas in early May. We went there last year at the end of April after the Hurricanes season ended and I can tell you I'm hooked on that place. For those of you who've been to "Sin City" you know very well what I mean when I say it's like a playground for adults. For those who haven't been...GO! You won't be disappointed. In early May I'll attend the Radio Television News Directors Association National Convention in Edmonton. That's always an interesting time. I'll take a few holidays too in July and August and head back to Saskatchewan to visit my parents in Foam Lake and then in August to Vancouver Island and visit my old stompin' grounds in Port Alberni and Nanaimo. My sister lives in Merritt so I'll stop and visit her too. In early September, my parents come to Lethbridge and we take a little trip to Montana on the long weekend and after that it's back to focusing on hockey again. In between all of that maybe I'll catch a Roughriders game or two, do some yard work which I love to do in the spring and summer and just relax and enjoy hopefully some nice summer weather in southern Alberta because before you know it, training camp will be here and it'll be back to the grind stone. A busy off-season for me, but I'm looking forward to it. I'll be honest though, not making the playoffs sucks, plain and simple even for the broadcasters! It's the first time in my hockey broadcasting career that I haven't had the pleasure of calling at least one playoff game for the team I cover. Oh well, I guess it is what it is.

It's always tough when your team's season ends early, but it's kind of a catch 22 really. You do get some extra time with family and friends. It's got it's advantages and disadvantages. Oh yeah, I'll also be keeping a close watch on the Hurricanes over the next few months. The bantam draft is coming up at the end of April, the Euro draft in mid-June, the Hurricanes Alumni Golf Tournament scheduled for July 9th at Paradise Canyon, and any trades that may pop up between the end of May and training camp. Something tells me the way Rich Preston has been talking, don't be surprised to see him jumping into the trade pool once or twice in the off-season. He says this Lethbridge team WILL make the playoffs in 2010-2011. If that's the case, watch for Mr. Preston and his management staff to be active.

And how about the start to this year's WHL playoffs? I never saw the Moose Jaw Warriors jumping out to a 2-0 series lead on the Hitmen and winning twice in Calgary to boot. Actually, I don't think anyone expected that, but hey give Moose Jaw credit. Huge underdogs and they go out and get it done. It just shows what good goaltending and an opportunistic team can do in the playoffs. I wouldn't be counting Calgary out just yet though. That's one heck of a team the Hitmen have. They also have lots to prove in my opinion. Calgary has a history of slipping up in the playoffs after having excellent regular seasons. Something tells me this series ain't over yet, although game three is a huge one for both of those teams. I'm also a bit surprised to see Kootenay up 2-0 against Medicine Hat. The Tigers don't seem to be putting up much of a fight, but again that series could quickly change too. Medicine Hat is a good team, especially at home and as we've seen many times this season, they have the potential to score an awful lot of goals. Again, game three in that series is pivotal. As for the other series, I'm not overly surprised with the outcomes. Should be a fun week ahead in the WHL post-season and by this weekend, there could very well be a few more teams joining the Lethbridge Hurricanes on the sidelines as post-season spectators.

Thanks,
Pat