Midweek Musings

And we're midway through another week of summer void of any spectacular hockey news. The current buzz circulating around here revolves around a member of Hockey Mom's second favorite team (the home of the Sedin twins - those Vancouver Canucks). Veteran d-man Willie Mitchell is conducting a "rose ceremony" (pick Roberto - oh wait, sorry...) of sorts of his own, trying to narrow his team choices down to the last man standing. Those teams include the Capitals, the L.A. Kings and the San Jose Sharks, and of course the Canucks aren't totally out of the bidding picture yet. Mitchell worked out at Kettler yesterday and met with team management (please say yes, Willie) and should be making his final rose presentation to the chosen team within the next week or so. The Hockey Writers and Capitals Insider devoted pixels to the Mitchell sighting, which was initially reported by Corey Masisak of CSN Washington. If you are of the many fans who feel that the team is a tad too soft on the blueline, just Google the video of Willie Mitchell steamrolling Jonathan Toews last season. Caps' senior writer Mike Vogel has his own thoughts on the current state of the teams' defense. So the wait begins to see if we welcome Willie to Washington (or anyone else for that matter) before training camp starts for the vets on September 18.

In other random news (other than my boys started on-ice practice this week):

• Unfortunately HM realized in my second season of covering an NHL team that the chances of my kids making it to the big show (or a free college ride would be nice) are slim to none (hey, a mom can dream, can't she). But this is a fantastic article over at NHL FanHouse about how hockey has changed in the D.C. area, a direct result of the Capitals' success.
• Speaking of youth hockey - a huge Hockey Mom high-five to our Bantam team goalie, Colin McNelis, who will represent Virginia in the finals of the Capitals Shoot Out Contest during a Caps game at the Verizon Center in January! Way to represent and good luck in the finals!
• Alex Ovechkin and I have more than hockey in common - apparently we both live in a zoo. (stick tap to Alex Ovetjkin). When I told my boys about the article, they retorted in their typical teenage fashion, "What kind of NHL player has 8 cats and would admit it"? I dare you two to ask him that to his face and need I remind you, he's bringing home a big dog....plus, we have a cat (duh).
• Finally, a happy fifth anniversary to everybody's favorite grinder, Matt Bradley. The always-witty Becca over at Japer's Rink has written a lovely celebratory post complete with the requisite bloody Brads fights. Totally awesome - must read now!