Peter King covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated and does a weekly 10 Things I Think I Think at si.com and I can't think of a better title. Until I do, I'll borrow his.
1. I think if you don't show up to the home opener on Thursday when they're doing a tribute to Ed Chynoweth then I don't want to talk to you for the rest of the season. Ceremonies will start around 7:20.
2. I think the ICE have to really like what they did at the 2006 Bantam Draft. 6 of their top 7 picks (Lieuwen, McNabb, Antilla, Rintoul, Cassivi & Ismond) will make the team this year and the other, Simon Skrudland, should be here next year.
3. I think the ICE have similar thoughts about the 2007 Bantam Draft as they'll start the year with 4 16-year-olds. (Czerwonka, Leach, Reinhart & Vanscourt)
4. I think the ICE have a hole in their depth chart of defenseman with 1 19-year-old (Negrin) and 0 18-year-olds.
5. I think after having a player selected in the NHL Draft 9 years in a row but being shut-out in 2008 the ICE will start a new streak this year. Look for a lot of NHL scouts at the Rec-Plex on a regular basis this season.
6. I think the ICE playing 7 games in September is a team record. I know it is, last year they played 6 games in September.
7. I think I agree with Assistant Coach Kris Knoblauch that The ICE may have been amung the league leaders for pretty goals last year but this season they'll need to have the gritty ones. Much like they did in the preseason.
8. I think the top 4 teams going into the season are Brandon, Lethbridge, Spokane & Kelowna.
9. I think I have no idea who is #5. Last year everyone thought Spokane and Lethbridge would be the teams to beat in 2009, but they reached the league final a year earlier. Who are this years' teams to blossom quicker than expected?
10. I think these are my non-hockey thoughts.
a. I hope Peter King has no copyright clauses for 10 Things I Think I Think.
b. Where is the McKeen's hockey guide and why is it 2-3 weeks later getting into stores around here?
c. Wish the guys who did Baseball Prospectus and Football Prospectus did one for hockey.
d. Can't wait for the new season of House. Time for House and Cuddy to stop the flirting.