Updates....

Well since the last time I wrote plenty has happened. Most importantly the River Rats are still rolling thru the league with a record of 12-0-1. We've had 4 league games the past 2 weekends and remain undefeated, that mark will be put to the test this Sunday against my former Midget team the Central Mass Outlaws. Last weekend (my birthday weekend) the boys put on two very impressive displays beating the Valley Jr. Warriors 6-1 on Saturday and then giving me a nice birthday present by beating the Dual State Huskies 14-0. For those who need to re-read that it does say 14. This past weekend we played a very solid District 10 Bulldogs team that challenged us and we scraped by with a 5-4 win, we will most likely be seeing them again in the state playoffs. And then disposed of the South Shore Dynamos at home on Sunday 7-3. We keep telling the boys that they have to come out to play hard every game, teams in the area know we are ranked in the top 5 in the country and are really gunning for us.

This has been the best start for us since I started coaching 3 years ago and in the previous seasons we have had 4 draft picks and about 20 kids go to Division 1 colleges, so you can imagine how talented this group is. As coaches we want the kids to succeed and move onto the colleges of their choice, but at the same time a trip to Nationals would be nice. And a National Championship would be even better, both for the team and for us as coaches in the hockey world.

As all of you know I signed with the Evansville IceMen back in August. What you don't know is that I have asked for my release and will be officially released October 17th, one week into training camp. It's been a rocky road to get to this point and I was very excited to be an IceMan this season and play in front of the fans and be a part of that family. But hockey is a business and myself and the organization never saw eye to eye on the contract negotiations that were ongoing. So as a 4th year guy I knew I had to get out of there. What's next for me is a mystery even to myself.

For the first time in 5 years I won't be at a professional hockey training camp to start the season and it is a very weird feeling. At this point in my career I am trying to figure out if I want to continue to play or if the time has come to hang em up and move on. Hockey has always been fun and a game for me and I want to make sure it stays that way. I won't play just for the status of being a hockey player or any other reason, other than it is fun and what I want to do.

I have been working hockey clinics lately with the River Rat organization with their Mites-Bantam teams and I love getting out there with the young guys and teaching them. At that age the score doesn't matter, no one cares what your plus/minus was and no one is going to call you into the GM's office to talk about your contract and that you're not living up to your money. It is a game and that is what hockey is supposed to be. From Mites all the way up to the professional ranks.

So if I do decide to play this year it will be because I want to have fun, have a smile on my face and obviously win a championship.

Til next time....

Hutch