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Posted by Dean McAmmond on December 7, 2007 We've been away for a week now, first in Florida and now in Dallas. It's not a bad tradeoff to be on the road for a week, to be in a place that's nice and warm. It makes it kind of enjoyable to be outside and enjoy the sunshine for a bit. We had a chance to do a bit of golf one day, so that was nice. It definitely makes the trip seem a little shorter. Long trips like this have their good and bad sides. Being out here is kind of nice. That sunshine, I'll bring it up again. But at times, it can be a little tough for me because of being away from my family. My wife and kids at home, you miss them. Sometimes, there can be some long days when you're away from them for awhile. You're kind of busy on the road, but then you get some down time. Sometimes, you really can't do too much to fill that down time. You're kind of just sitting around at times. After strolling the mall once or twice, it kind of grows old. It's not as extravagant as it might sound, flying from city to city. The best part of being on the road is spending time with the guys, seeing the sights a little bit, enjoying the weather on a trip like this. It's just a chance to get away and be with the guys, have some dinners and that sort of thing. The road was tougher when I played in the Western Conference. When we were travelling charter in Edmonton, it seemed like every trip was bad. It was just the sign of the times at that point. You wore a suit and tie on the airplane, and you were sitting in Salt Lake waiting for your connection to get into Calgary to connect into Edmonton. It was a lot of time in the airport, a lot of wasted, wasted time. Those weren't enjoyable trips. I see these guys don't have a routine for the week-long trips. When I was out west, we'd usually go for dinner one night or go to a movie on another night because we were on the road so much. Game days were a wash because we couldn't do anything. Here, it's not much of a routine, other than catch the odd movie here and there or stroll the mall here and there. A lot of these guys love shopping. I don't know what's wrong with them. Chicago is probably my favourite city to visit. We stay downtown and there's so many nice restaurants downtown and so many stores right on the Magnificent Mile. I don't remember much about travelling to Ottawa earlier in my career, other than we stayed at the Chateau Laurier. We would just find dinner somewhere and that would be it. Although I remember the one time, when I was with the Blackhawks, my wife went into labour with our now seven-year-old, so that was kind of an eventful trip. I was just trying to find a way to fly out of here to get back to Chicago. I remember another time when I smashed my nose and had a cast all over my face, so that was a memorable trip to Ottawa. But I don't remember much about any of the other things we used to do here. |
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Hey dean! yah the long trips can be sometimes a drag but at least you know you're doing what you love! and i think its funny how some of the guys like to shop. I bet you its Ray, and Jason.. They like to keep in their fashion. Keep posting them blogs...GO SENS GO
Posted by: gabby Tayag | December 07, 2007 at 04:09 PM
"A lot of these guys love shopping. I don't know what's wrong with them."
haha that's funny :D well all the best to you and the rest of the team! and good luck for tonight's game :)
Posted by: HeavyMetalHockeyChick | December 07, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Hi Dean,
If you guys are bored waiting around you can always write more for the blogs! I love reading them and getting to see things from the team's point of view. The fans can't wait for this road trip to be over so we can cheer for you guys in person again instead of yelling at our TVs :)
GOOOOOOOO SENS
Posted by: Jenny | December 07, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Dean, I love your blog. I'm looking forward to more.
Lucky you guys being in down in the sunny south, while we are being covered in snowfalls back home.
Posted by: Jessica | December 08, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Hey, Dean. Hope you're enjoying your time in the sun. Glad to see you guys are making good use of this road trip to get back on track. Here's hoping you can stay on track in Carolina, and well, for the rest of the season, really.
Posted by: Chris McDonald | December 08, 2007 at 03:41 AM
Eh Dean, Glad you are apart of our team for another two seasons. Enjoyed your play on the penalty kill, etc last season and into the playoffs. Hope things go well for you this season points wise and that you and our team go back to claim what is rightfully yours/ours in the cup finals this season.
GO SENS GO!!!
Posted by: Dylan McLernon | December 08, 2007 at 02:03 PM
I appreciate your love for your family. For me that would be the hardest thing too, and has been when I've had to travel for work or school. But that has often been alone--at least you have friends with you. God bless. Wishing you good success and a few goals.
Posted by: Vince M. | December 08, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Dean, keep up the hard work and the points will come! I'm suprised a mountain boy like yourself enjoys the windy city. But I guess good food can make anybody love a place. go sens go!
Posted by: Josh | December 08, 2007 at 04:44 PM
Hi Dean! That's funny that the guys like to shop. Razor's fashion sense is well known- it can't be easy to shop for that wardrobe! But I'm with you. Travelling is fun the first few times. Then it's not new, and the airports are (almost) never fun.
I wanted to say that you were fantastic in the Cup run last year! Especially against the Ducks (before Pronger dropped the cheap shot). I love the energy you bring when you play. Something I wanted to ask Alfie, but I'll happily ask you, is how much do you guys like playing on the same lines vs. mixing it up? Not so much in terms of playing with Heatley vs. Foligno, but just keeping the same faces versus switching partners.
Posted by: Tony V | December 08, 2007 at 06:33 PM
Hey Dean!
I think that it's cool that you take the time to write blogs for your fans. Not a lot of players do these kinds of things. Me and my friends wishes best of luck this season and we know you guys can go all the way. We have faith in you guys!
Posted by: Véronique Dignard | December 08, 2007 at 08:07 PM
Hi Dean!.. nice reading your blogs.. I would like to know who rooms with who on the road?.. do you get to choose with who you get to room?.. thanks.. good luck!
Posted by: Musique | December 08, 2007 at 09:07 PM
Hey!! your first 3 games on the road were great!! Keep it going, you're such a great team!
Posted by: Chrissie | December 09, 2007 at 11:47 AM
Hey Dean!
haha ! i love your comment about the guys who like to shop ! ha ! It's pretty funny the way you said it !
Poor you, your always away from your family and stuff, it must be long when your away for a long time, like now !
At least your doing it to play hockey !
Keep up the good work ! :-)
GO SENS GO !
Posted by: Renee | December 09, 2007 at 01:55 PM
Great blog, Dean. It's too bad that you don't get to visit your favourite road city very often, but hopefully that will change next season when the new schedule is introduced.
Keep up the good work! You're definitely a very underrated player around the league.
Posted by: Stephanie | December 09, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Dean,
Just wanted to let you know that my friends and I are always cheering for you and the team. I loved reading your blog and look forward to reading more soon. Looking forward to watching the game on Wednesday. I hope that you get to enjoy the little time you have with your family over the holidays! Merry Christmas.
Posted by: Allison | December 10, 2007 at 09:50 AM
Hey Dean,
Great Blog!! We often forget that there are alot of down sides to being a professional hockey player. The money is great I'm sure but there are alot of sacrifices that go with it too, it's nice to hear the human side of it. (Although a little sad too.) On the other hand, you guys picked a great time to be enjoying the weather while we were up here being buried by the snow. haha.
Keep up the great work. You're one of our hardest working players which is why Pronger felt the need to take you out. (I'll never forgive him for that).
Let's go for another 9 game winning streak.!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO SENS GO.
Posted by: Kathie | December 10, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Thanks for the blog Dean-o-Mac - always nice to get an 'inside look' and they're so much fun to read!
I hope you, Karla and the kids have a very Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Laura | December 17, 2007 at 10:53 PM
You have endured a lot this year, but we are so happy that you are back, hopefully healthy, and feeling better about the team coming together again. As a vet of the game, what is it like watching the new guys coming up and improving? (Folingo has impressed me)Do you guys give them advise on how to handle the stuggles and glories of the team? IE being away from family, having fans come up while eating dinner sometimes or shopping. Just wondering.
Posted by: Lisa M | December 18, 2007 at 09:53 AM
dean. merry christmas to you and your family.love to watch you play kept up the good work. thanks for your comments
Posted by: bryan stark | December 24, 2007 at 09:49 AM