Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Some Guys You Just Root For
I can't. Imagine getting to play hockey day in and day out. Like Brooks Laich said, "Players play because they love the game," Laich continued. "If I had one day to live, I would play hockey, for sure, at some point in the day." You see guys like Mike Keane, still kicking it down in the AHL at age 42, you see a guy like Peter Forsberg, who even though he's been injured the better half of a century, still insists on coming back for more, then you see a guy like Dean Arsene, a guy who gave his all, no matter where he was playing, no matter what his chances of making it really were.
That is, until Monday night, when Arsene made his NHL debut for the Edmonton Oilers after a mere 109 ECHL games and 333 AHL contests. Arsene got 9 shifts and 6:24 of ice time. Just over 6 minutes of playing time, and how did it feel? "Awesome." How did he find out? "Right before I went out for the pre-game skate I was told by Mr. Quinn I was in and my heart kind of leaped, to be honest." You'd think he was a fresh faced kid, he didn't call him coach, or Pat, he called him Mr. Quinn. That's just the kind of guy Dean is.
Even Sheldon Souray noticed and remarked on Arsene's debut, "It's the greatest league in the world and this is what you dream of as a little boy. He played well. He made one great play with a reverse (behind the net) and wasn't going to try too much, which is what you should be doing when you're getting your feet wet."
After all, Dean was beloved in Hershey during his 6 seasons
playing for the Bears. Hell, his nickname was the Mayor of Hershey. John Walton, voice of the Bears, has all kinds of quotes from his former teammates, and the organization, who are just absolutely thrilled to see him finally get his chance. (Ed. Note - He left Hershey this year after Edmonton offered him a 2 way contract and a chance at the NHL). I've seen him at local Hershey bars after games, hell he's read to my Mom's 2nd grade students who undoubtedly gleamed up at a guy they thought was the most famous person to roll through Pine Street Elementary School since Mitch Lamoureux.Dean's the epitome of a class act, the epitome of a hockey player, and I for one am beyond happy for him that he got his shot. It's stories like these that separate the NHL, and the hockey community in general, from other major sports. For every Rick Ankiel there's 5 Manny Ramirez's, for every Pat Tillman there's the entire Cincinnati Bengals roster. Low blows? Maybe, but the point remains. Congratulations Dean on making the show. Good luck, and hopefully it won't take 9 years until you get your next shot.
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