Being at a loss for words is not a feeling I have a lot of experience with, until these past two weeks. Hockey’s summer from hell continued yesterday with the news of the plane crash that decimated the KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team and I found myself once again, staring blankly at my monitor, unable to digest the horror displayed there.

It is simply impossible. The only thing I can do is keep the families of those affected by this horrible loss of life in my prayers, asking God to give them strength to deal with this tragedy and to welcome these victims into His care.

----------------------------------------

It is with heavy hearts that quite a few members of Pred Nation will gather at Bridgestone Arena tonight for Petey’s Preds Party. It is a merging of two efforts that normally take place at this time of the year. The Predators Foundation has sponsored a golf tournament that benefits local charities since year one and a few years ago, Brent Peterson began fund raising efforts as part of his Peterson for Parkinsons Foundation. The decision was made to merge efforts resulting in two day effort that combines the party tonight with a 61 team golf scramble tomorrow over at the Legends Club.

It will be good to gather with people that sharply feel the losses from the past few weeks. I have always been a believer that shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased. I am sure that we will feel the presence of our lost brethren tonight at the arena.

There are still a few tickets left for this event to help raise awareness and funds for these worthy causes. The Silent Auction items look amazing, from a West Coast rodie with the team that features four games in early November to the chance to join Pete and Terry in the booth to work a broadcast. Of course there is an extensive collection of signed jerseys and sports memorabilia along with a grouping of signed guitars autographed by artists like Tim McGraw, Rush, Taylor Swift, George Thorogood, Garth Brooks and Alice Cooper.

The awareness and the funds raised by this event have a local impact. Parkinson’s disease has impacted my family and other people that are close to me. I salute Brent Peterson for his courage and his humor in dealing with this challenge. He continues the good fight, even though the disease has taken his ability to be an on-ice coach, he continues to have an impact on this franchise’s on ice performance.

Everything gets going at 5:30pm with a reception, dinner at 7 and entertainment at 8pm.

----------------------------------------

Random Notes

- To give you an idea of how things change in 12 short months… the big story in hockey on September 8, 2010 was Dan Ellis’ Twitter account… I really miss those days.

- After saying the league would continue play today, the KHL has cancelled games through the weekend. A memorial ceremony for the victims is planned for Saturday at Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s home arena. Play is scheduled to resume on 9/13, no word yet on when Lokomotiv will return to the ice.

- The re-build of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl may include a supplemental draft pool of players from the other 23 KHL teams. KHL president Alexander Medvedev is asking all teams to volunteer up to three players for this pool.

- Lost in all the tragic news yesterday was the news that Sidney Crosby expects to play in this upcoming season. His presser in Pittsburgh yesterday had a very optimistic tone.

- Players are hitting the ice for unofficial pre-season workouts at Centennial Sportsplex. Josh Cooper has been reporting on them on his blog at the Tennessean’s website.

- Please, if you haven’t had the chance… drop a small donation to the Andie and Alex Belak Scholarship Fund. Checks should may be made payable to Woodmont Christian Church/Belak and sent to 3601 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215.

- 7 days till training camp opens. 2 days until rookies report.

-------------------------------------

You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» The time has come

» Whining through Game 3

» Playoff Picks

» Waiting for he playoffs

» A special night in Smashville