Yesterday afternoon during the Habs/Philly game Trent McCleary took a puck in the throat. After some very scray
hours his life is out of danger. I think we should all thank God for that. After just hearing a report about Trent on
CJAD in Montreal I can tell you that he still cannot speak but can recognize people and is doing much better. We all
know that Trent is always thinking of the team, in fact he sent a letter from his hostpital bed to the Habs telling them
to have a great game against the 'Canes this afternoon and that he would be rooting for them.

I would like to take this chance to tell you all about an experience I had to meet Trent in person a week ago at the
Habs yearly blood drive.

A week ago Thursday as some of you know the Habs held their annual blood drive. At 23 I had never given blood
before but the chance to meet some of the Habs (I was hoping to see some of my favorites like Shayne Corson,
Arron Asham and Trent) while I was there was too much to pass up so I made the trip down to the center after
school.

By the time I got onto the ice (which was where the beds were set up) Craig Rivet and Sergei Zholtok were there.
Rivet seemed very nice, answering questions about when he would be back in the line-up and signing autographs.
After getting Rivet's autograph I had to fill out some forms and move down to some chairs to wait, there I met
Zholtok.

Then it was on to the bed to give blood, while I was laying there (its actually pretty easy and painless) there was a
draw for door prizes and before I knew it my name was being annouced as the winner of a stick autographed by the
Habs! Laying at center ice having your name announced over the Molson Center P.A is definitely an interesting
experience.

Anyway after you give blood they make you go sit down and have something to eat, while I was doing that Bouillon
and McCleary came out. Bouillon was talking on and off with someone when I got his autograph so I didn't get much
chance to say anything. Although even if he is a short guy he looks to be quite solid in build.

I was almost ready to leave when I saw Trent coming down to my end of the ice. Now I have always been a big fan of
McCleary's because of the way he plays and the jump he brings when he is in the line-up. So there was no way I was
leaving before I got a chance to talk to him. Sometimes you can have one idea about what a player would be like and
yet when ya meet him he is cold or just tired and it kinds of ruins it (not that is it always the players fault). But my
first impression was that even when this guy is not playing hockey he lights up the room. Trent was laughing and
joking with everyone. When I went over to say hi he asked me how I was doing, said he was more than happy to sign
a picture for me. When I told him that I was a big fan his response was "Good I need more!" which of course made
several of us around laugh. This was also the day after Trent scored his first goal as a Hab and a few guys
congratulated him on it and Trent was so open and happy to talk to everyone that he quickly had a crowd around him.
As I was leaving I thanked Trent again for the autograph not expecting a response but he actually stopped what he
was doing to tell me it was no problem and to have a nice day.

Of all the athletes I have had the chance to meet (which I admit are not that many) Trent was by far the most genuine,
open and friendly.

I always knew he played the game for probably the least amount of money of any guy on the team because he loves
the game, but now I also know that he is one great individual. If more players were like him the game of hockey
would not be in so much trouble.

Trent my prayers are with you, you have more fans than you know. Get well soon because the game and life are not
the same without ya.