It was a dark and stormy night. Actually, it was a warm, humid Sunday. The players had filed out of the hotel, and taken a drive to the most expensive steak house they could find. Expense, being the key. It was rookie dinner night. A night where all new rookies have to split the bill for the whole team and staff. But there was to be no splitting of the bill this night. There were no rookies to be found. Larry Courville and Lonny Bohonos were back to play a game in Syracuse, so they could be eligible for the AHL playoffs. Mike Fountain was back in the hotel room with a high fever. The finger was to be pointed at a second year player, a player that never anted up last year.

Adrian Aucoin was stuck with a huge bill. One he could barely afford. Luckily for him, he was one of the guys now, and the veterans pitched in and helped him out with the bill. Lucky for him. Unlucky for Lonny Bohonos next year.

Aucoin has turned into one of the regulars on the blue line now, and rightfully so. Aucoin's play, both defensively and offensively, have been on a steady incline over the last two years. He has always been known for his booming shot, and now he gets loads of power play time, some penalty killing time and his fair share of even strength time. He's also found a new friend in his defense partner Dave Babych. He's stolen Chris Joseph's spot on the point, and he has also stolen Joseph's position on the team. For a player that is still developing, that's not a bad feat.

Let it be known, however, that he would probably not be getting the ice time he is, if it were not for the vote of confidence given to him by Tom Renney. Renney appreciates Aucoin's aggressive, two-way style of play and has rewarded him greatly for it. Renney coached Aucoin when he was on the Canadian National and the Canadian Olympic team. It's always a plus to be in good with the coach.

Aucoin has got a long way to go before he can become a prominent defenceman in the NHL, but it can be done, and from Adrian's standpoint, it will be done. There are nothing but good times ahead for this promising player, a player who probably would not have had the chance to prove himself on any other team, but was fortunate to run into Vancouver, a team in need of defensive help. And now Aucoin is trying to solve that problem.

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