Buhler? Buhler?

Matthew D. Buhler

May 4, 1990 - January 16, 2009

"Buhler is the best guy to play hockey with."

Affectionately know as "Buhler", Matt Buhler took his own life on Friday, January 16, 2009. Although Matt was one year older than JJ, they knew each other since 2nd grade and became great friends during junior high at Clayton . JJ loved Matt's sense of humor. No matter what, he would always say something to make JJ laugh.

Matt played hockey for East High during the Summer of 2007. East won the Summer League Championship! "Buhler is the best guy to play hockey with," said JJ. JJ didn't say this because of Matt's mad skills on the ice. JJ said this because Matt was just so much fun.

During the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2006, JJ and Matt had a bet about the New York Rangers. JJ bet the Rangers would advance in the playoffs, Matt bet they wouldn't. Unfortunately Matt won the bet! JJ still owes Matt $10 which we plan to donate to the scholarship fund his family has established in his name at the U of U.

JJ loves you and misses you, Matt. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. Keep laughing, keep smiling.

Shanahan A Devil

"No."



That was the response I got from JJ when I sent him a text message telling him Brendan Shanahan was not going to play for the Rangers but was going to play for Rangers biggest rival, the New Jersey Devils. Sure, New Jersey is where Shanahan's NHL career started but does it have to end there too?



Its been a year of shocking signings. Jagr going to Russia, Sundin choosing Vancouver over the Rangers and now Shanahan off to the Devils. All three are explained away by the salary cap. The Rangers are flush with awesome, although very expensive, talent. Its sucks when money prevents players from playing for what JJ considers the greatest team ever.



Jagr will make millions more playing in Russia simply because of taxes. His NHL salary was heavily taxed. In Russia, he gets all of it. For a guy wrapping up his hockey career, I guess this makes sense.

Why would you play for the Canucks when you could play for Rangers? Does it really matter if you are making $2 million or $6 million? If he Rangers had room under the cap, Sundin would be blue shirt instead of a Canuck. But it would come at a cost. The Rangers would have to trade someone else away.

Same story for Shanahan. For him to become a Ranger, someone else would have to go. Maybe Nigel Dawes and a few other new fan favorites? Who knows! At least he is playing. Shanahan as a Devil is better than Shanahan as a spectator.

Its what we do.

I recently reconnected with a friend from high school via Facebook. We hadn't talked in over 10 years. It was great to hear from him and to see pictures of his wife and beautiful family. He asked me for my contact information. One of his resolutions this year was to keep in touch with people who had been a significant influence in his life. Me, a significant influence? I dated him when I was a senior in high school. Seriously how could I have been such an influence? Turns out it was hockey. He told me my passion for the game has always been an inspiration to him. If he happens to catch a bit of game on TV, he always thinks of me and how much I love it. He was thrilled to see I was still just as into it now as I ever have been.

Last Saturday, JJ and I went to the Grizz hockey game. My friend Tara, her 2 year old son Diego, her 8 year old brother Coby and her dad also came to the game. This was the first Grizzlies hockey game for all four of them. After settling in, Tara's dad said to me and JJ, "Wow, you guys can't get enough of this hockey stuff can you?" My response was simple, "This is what we do. Pure and simple we love the game." We aren't just hockey fans. Hockey has made us who we are. Lucky us!

Dut-di-dut-di-duh.... SKYLINE!

East High Shuts Down Division Leading Goal Scorers. Remains Undefeated at Home.

After a long holiday break, the East High Leopards took on the Skyline Eagles. Skyline rosters three out of the top four scorers in the Northern division. However, their short bench couldn't keep up with high flying East. Marc Potvien scored three goals within a three minute span in the 1st period. A late third period rally by Skyline wasn't enough to beat the red hot East team.

Alli's mom was in town for the holidays and was able to attend the game. Her first East High and first time seeing JJ play. Thanks for taking time out of your visit to support JJ and the team.

Travis, a Skyline Alum, also attended the game. He proudly sat in the East High supporters section. Thanks, Trav!

The Las Vegas Thunder a.k.a. The Lost Vegas Blunder

Finding this made my day....

Rangers Christmas Then and Now

Its funny how some things don't change, they just get bigger!

1996 was definitely a big hockey year for JJ and our family. JJ started playing hockey, we watched the Utah Grizzlies win the Turner Cup and we went to Phoenix to watch Wayne Gretzky play hockey.

Christmas 1996, JJ got two very special gifts. Although he had been playing hockey for 6 months, he only had skates, a helmet, gloves and a stick of his own. On Christmas Eve that changed. JJ's dad brought over a full set of gear - pants, shoulder pads and elbow pads. JJ immediately put all of the gear on and started up a game of kitchen hockey (very common occurence when JJ was little).

That same year, JJ got his first replica NHL jersey. This was a gift from me. His very own 5 year old sized Wayne Gretzky New York Rangers jersey. This pint sized jersey was a huge hit.

Christmas 2008 had a similar gifting theme.

Brigitte helped fund a new pair of Reebok 9k skates. Skates for a 17 year old travel team hockey player cost a whole lot more than skates for a 5 year old beginner! This was a great and much needed gift.

In addition to getting new skates, JJ also got a very special gift from his good friend Henry. JJ's favorite team is still the Rangers. With Gretzky and Messier retiring several years ago, JJ had to find a new Ranger hero. Last year, JJ took note of Ranger winger Nigel Dawes. Far from a superstar, but Nigel Dawes is scrappy and fun to watch. Much to JJ's surprise, and delight, Henry's Christmas gift to him was a Rangers replica jersey with #10 and DAWES on the back. Much bigger than the Gretzky jersey from 12 years ago, Dawes hangs proudly in the corner of JJ's room.

A few days after Chrismas, JJ, Henry and I watched on TV as the New York Rangers took on the New York Islanders. Of course JJ put on his Dawes jersey! Nigel did not dissappoint. Not only did the Rangers win, Dawes was in a fight and he scored the game winning goal.

As the years go by, hockey continues to be a gift in our lives. Lucky us!