Posted by Shean Donovan on September 29, 2007

Thanks for all the great comments. I enjoyed them all.

Well, this week has been exciting, getting the chance to play in three exhibition games. Unfortunately, the big news or event of the week was the hit on Dean McAmmond. I was on the ice for the unfortunate incident, but at the time of the hit I was driving to the net and didn't get to see the actual hit until after the period in the locker room. Even when there was a huge pileup in the corner, I was one of the last to arrive and didn't see Dean until a few moments later because everybody was on him.

The next day after the hit I called Dean, actually thinking I was going to get his wife Karla. But instead, Dean answered the phone kind of matter of factly. I don't think everyone can be that tough and wake up from a hit like that, the next day answering the phone. I know all the guys can't wait till he gets back.

On a more positive note, the exhibition games were fun to be a part of, especially the home games. I have played in different arenas and it is not the same everywhere. Here, it is awesome that you get fan support like that just for exhibitions. The games were fun, getting to see how many talented players that are here is exciting. Getting to play with a guy like Jason Spezza was fun, and watching the likes of Heater, Alfredsson and Vermie, but the strongest point of the team is that everyone is good.

As for off the ice, I got to take in the Carp Fair over the weekend. Lots of fun, especially for my  2 sons who loved the toy train display and rides, but especially the trains beecause the boys are train crazy.

Someone asked if I grew up playing minor hockey in Timmins. That is true, I grew up in Timmins until the age of 9, then moved to Sault Ste. Marie until I moved to Carleton Place in Grade 7. It helped my hockey development growing up in Timmins, where I had to try and catch Steve Sullivan of the Nashville Predators, which didn't happen very often. But the best part of growing up there was getting the chance to date Shania Twain.

Thanks for all the comments and can't wait to hear some more.

Posted by Shean Donovan on September 17, 2007

Hi, Shean Donovan here to tell you about my time as a Senator since the trade. I was extremely excited to find out I was traded to Ottawa, especially being from the area, Carleton Place when I was younger, having gone to Roger St. Denis in Kanata then to Carleton Place high school for Grade 9 and 10. After that, I lived with Wayne and Alannah Smith for my 4 years with the Ottawa 67's, and went to Canterbury high school. Well the trade was unexpected and when we found out while visiting ex-teammates in Vermont, we were so happy that it took a day to figure out that it really wasn't a joke. Me and my wife Teresa thought that one of the ex-teammates set it up. Since then, we have been busy getting our two young boys Jorian, 3, and Rylan, 2, settled back in the Ottawa area even though it wasn't too hard being their grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts all live in the area. Since we have been back, we have done many of the things we used to do, like going to the Russell fair. Getting to go to Teresa's brother Aron's annual pig roast, for what seemed like the whole South Mountain community. As well as getting my hair cut at the barbershop where friends Ike and Dan Smith cut hair.

As part of the Senators, I was able to skate and work out with most of the boys from the team before camp began at the Bell Sensplex. And now camp has begun and we are three days deep, so far it has been great to see how excited and in good shape all the boys are in, thanks in large part to Randy Lee. Today was Fan Fest and it was awesome to see so many fans there to watch the scrimmage and practice, it is fun to see how great the fans are here and you can just feel the excitement everywhere.

It is great to be back in Canada and in a city that knows and loves hockey. So far that is it from camp.