Sunday, October 08, 2000

Hey, guys,

The hockey fans here are really different but really cool, too.

For the games at the arena here, we go out on the ice and there are already 8,000 people in their seats for warmups, all cheering and taking pictures. At our hotel, too, you see autograph seekers everywhere, and they're always bowing to you when you sign something for them. They're so polite, so nice, sometimes even giving you gifts. It's pretty neat over here.

I never could imagine something like this growing up as a kid playing hockey. You know, being a player in this league and making money is a great thing. But when you look up in the crowd and see someone wearing your jersey number on their back all the way in Japan, a place where you don't think they've ever heard of you, it's a pretty amazing feeling.

You have to realize in our business how many people you touch everyday. If you can be this far away and people know who you are, it just makes you realize how important you are to some people.

Talk to you tomorrow.