Puckarinen

The first game of the season is like a class reunion. You’ll see a lot of people you know, some better than the others, you’ll like some better than others, but you’re all back together again.

It was nice to have a break, and go off on your own, but it’s nice to be back again. People look the same, but yet, not really. Somebody’s lost some weight, another one picked it up. Somebody’s sitting - or with exhibition games in Sweden, often standing - in his old spot, but his buddy isn’t there. The beat reporters are here, sitting together, except for that one man, the short and chubby one.

Apparently, he was let go. You never liked his writing, but you still feel a little sorry for the guy. Anyway, he’s here, sitting by himself on the far side of the rink. He’s got his own blog now.

You look around, you see old players walk in and out. They, too, are back at the rink.

The team has changed, too. Your favorite player has been traded, bumping him down a few steps on the ladder. Maybe he signed with another team, maybe he left for North America, or Europe, or Russia. You understand, who could resist that kind of money. Oh, there he is now, he came to see his old team play tonight. Just goes to show what a big heart he has.

Most of the players are back, though, you think. Like a child who grows up in front of your eyes every day, the changes are incremental, and minor, so you don’t really see them until later. In the summer, you came across an old media guide from five years ago, and realized that the whole team had changed.

Now, after the summer break, you’re trying to recognize the players again. They all look huge. Have they grown in the summer? Also, number 17 used to be a leftie, now he’s a rightie, which is confusing, but the number ten is still the same, only, in August, he really looks like he’s going to have a breakthrough season. This must be the season he’ll score 35 goals.

In a 55-game season.

And adding another 35 assists.

He truly looks that good.

Besides, he’ll be playing with a new linemate, that young guy the team signed. The first-round draft pick who’s going to be as good as Sundin/Selanne/Jagr/Crosby. Put together.

The team looks different in another way, too. There’s something strange about the new sweater. Is that the same color as last season, and the numbers, do they have a shadow now? And what’s up with the golden trim in the logo?

Wait, why isn’t that guy playing? Is the coach saving the veteran player for the real games, giving him a night off during the pre-season? You can see the guy with the thin hair standing there on the bench. Oh, he is the assistant coach now. Frustrated with his ice time last season, he retired, but got a job as an assistant to his old coach.

Ah, the old coach who’s also the new coach. Back behind the bench, after a few years out of the country, he’s returned with a new bag of tricks, and a whole lotta hope for the fans.

It’s a little chilly in the arena, compared to the outside temperature. It’s been a while since you wore long pants, instead of shorts. The arena smells the same as always, the cold ice, the concrete the stands are made of, the hot dog stands, all the smells come together to create the familiar feel. Every shot makes an echo, and every scoring chance sends a shock wave that translates into a big WOW when it reaches the crowd.

And then it’s over. Maybe your team won, maybe they lost. That’s not important.

Not tonight.