<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>I can’t believe that’s it for the season. It’s always nice to get the first one under your belt so I know more of what to expect next year. The biggest thing this year is that there was such a huge learning curve – I mean, everyday I was learning something new. I don’t think I can put my finger on what the most signific
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4> While we have a rare day off – not sure if we’ll be getting many more with the final stretch run coming – but I’ll give you a quick update. Last time I wrote, it was Dice and Ice and since it was my first year at the event, I really didn’t know what to expect. Most of you probably already saw or heard but as with years p
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>Tonight’s the Canucks annual Dice and Ice event, which being my first year and all, I’m pretty blind about the whole thing truthfully. I know it’s a great charity event that the team puts on every year and raises a lot of money for the Canucks for Kids Fund but other than that, I don’t know what it’ll be like as far the sc
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>It’s been a crazy roller coaster ride, what with the traveling back and forth, but it’s always exciting getting to come back up here. When I got sent back down, we were on the road in Houston so I never even made it back to Winnipeg to get more clothes or anything like that. You don’t get much time between the time they
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>Last time I blogged, I said I would start my Christmas shopping and I actually did. I didn’t have much shopping to do but what I did need, I got it all done in Winnipeg for the most part. I only really needed to get a few things, my parents, fiancé, and a couple of others – pretty easy I’d say. Christmas this year will b
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>It’s been almost a month since I last wrote one of these, so I figured it’s about time I sat down and churned something out. We just got back from almost three weeks on the road and it’s nice to be at home through December. I’m still staying with family, so the home-cooked meals and spending time with the little kids is gre
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>Well, I’ve been back with the Moose for over a week now and finally settling down into some sort of routine. It’s obviously disappointing whenever you get sent down, but I try to make the most of it and focus on what needs to be done. Like writing this blog. Haha. Didn’t get much sleep for a few days after leaving Vancouve
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>Again, it’s been too long since I last submitted a blog, but in my defence, it’s been hectic. This is a far cry from college hockey. Last week I went from Vancouver to Winnipeg and back in 36 hours. I was told after the San Jose game on Monday that I was being sent down. I had a pretty good idea that I was coming back up,
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>It’ been a while since I’ve blogged but as you’ve probably noticed, there’s just not a lot of time with the road trip, the games, the practices, and… dare I say, time to rest? – well not much of it any way. My parents were in town last week to visit and it was really nice to have them here and to have familiar faces arou
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>Our last day in Victoria was definitely a quick one. We left the hotel up at Bear Mountain at around 9 o’clock to go to the Save on Foods Memorial arena. There were tons of people waiting outside even though it was cold and raining. Now that’s dedication you can only get here. The intra-squad game was really a lot fun
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>I’m looking forward to the intrasquad game tomorrow. Since it is my first training camp and I’ve never participated in one of these games, I’m not really sure what to expect. I don’t know who I’m playing with yet but whoever they pair me up with, I’ve got to make work so it doesn’t really matter who I’m playing with. Wh
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>My new roommate has joined me on this blogging venture and to tell you the truth, after writing blogs for the past week and a half or so, I have zero advice for him. I don’t think it’s as easy as it seems and trying to come up with stuff to say everyday can sometimes be hard but I guess just being yourself makes for the be
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>We had a couple of days off before main camp so a couple of us went golfing up here at Bear Mountain. I went with Cory Schneider and Chad Brownlee bright and early at around 8 o’clock. Taylor Ellington was supposed to come with us but he slept in instead. I have to admit, I’m not a good golfer even though my mom and dad
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>It’s been a long week but I’m happy to get the four days out of the way and happy to go to main camp on Thursday. The prospects camp is a good warm-up to the main camp and I’m excited for that. I feel like I’ve accomplished one step on the way to where I want to be and main camp is just step two. Coming into this camp,
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>The first two days were leading up to today: we finally got to play some five on five hockey. Since today was the first day we did five on five, there was definitely a different feeling out on the ice and took a little getting used to at first. There was some scrambling in our own zone with guys not sure exactly where t
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>It was really nice to get the first day done – it felt like a lot of weight was lifted, which made it a bit easier to relax but it’s not over yet. The anxiety isn’t there as much so I’m able to show who I am more as a player and hopefully get the attention of the guys upstairs. It’s only the second day in Victoria and it’s
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>After enduring the fitness testing yesterday morning, we almost immediately took the ferry over to Victoria. I’ve never been to Victoria so it was really exciting, as if there wasn’t enough excitement with just camp itself, going on the ferry was great. There aren't a whole lot of ferries where I am so the big ship, the w
<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/raymond_blog.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=3 hspace=4>Last night I tried to have a relaxing night - I just went out to dinner with a friend at the Cactus Club. I tried to watch some TV, but I knew I had to get my rest for a big testing day this morning. To tell you the truth, I didn't sleep the best. I was a bit nervous for today. My mind was just racing, mostly because I wa