Back home, and good news to report from the scouting trip to Manhattan. The ice hockey is over stateside for a few weeks and Lord Stan has given his cup to the Penguins this year, (awfully good of him).

So, first on the list was a trip to the home of the Strangers. New Yorks second hockey team. This is where the great news comes in. Spotted a young lad, who I recognised the name of, and said to myself, “We just have to get him on our team”. So after a beer and a chat, managed to get his signature on a sheet of note paper I found on the floor.

I am hopeful that this young lad will turn into a superstar. He has a name that will hopefully go far.

Continuing our walk round MSG, I decided to have a chat with Patrick, the guide. An out and out Strangers fan, but also a follower of ice hockey on all levels.

So as we chatted, I mentioned that I frequent many Sheffield Steeler games, and instantly he answered with “Yeah, they just won your league haven’t they?” Good lad, I thought, he knows some of the more important teams in the world. As the conversation went on, I also mentioned that we won our end of season play off cup by beating our arch rivals the Nottingham Panthers and he said “Who?”.

Fifteen minutes passed as I was rolling about on the floor in hysterics. Finally getting myself under control, I decided on adding Patrick’s name to a list of honourary members of the Hall of Fame, and promoting him to first place in the Christmas card list.

We continued out trip round MSG and eventually found someone who remembered that the Panthers did used to win things. He was very cooperative and I managed to get his good side. He said his name was Neil.

Signing off for the moment, and as ever, your trusted reporter on the spot……

Mart.

The off season, half way through, and the weather hasn’t really got a clue what it’s supposed to be doing.

Okey is busy in Steeler land polishing the silverware, Gerad Adams is busy in Cardiff polishing the knives and Neil Black is busy in the Dark side polishing the empty MDF shelf yet again. Simmsy is working day and night at the arena, trying to get his periscope fitted in time, so he can see over the curtains as the seats in front of the Whitehouse have been sold off, and the area is to be cordoned off, due to the cleaners moving in and getting this section back to normal. Early estimates put the opening ceremony for the sparkling new section somewhere in the middle of the 2014/2015 season.

The teams are slowly beginning to take shape as name after name is added to each list. Rumours are flying about the airwaves and speculation about the next name is rife. Steelers have managed to sign some of last years team and Matty is walking round with the telephone sellotaped to his head. This has nothing to do with organising another signing, but just him keeping in constant contact with Pukka Pies, due to the rumour circulated a few weeks back about us talking to Lobby. Sadly, Lobby will not be coming back to Sheffield, but Okey has forgotten to mention this to Matty, and so, the phone stays put for now.

Other rumours on the grapevine, Nottingham have taken delivery of 17 miniature Oscar models in preparation for next April’s end of season extravaganza, where Neil Black will become the proud owner of no more silver. Cardiff have gazumped most of the British farm world by managing to get 8 months supply of straw and grass for the price of 3, and Hull have recruited a fan as a season ticket holder. This has swelled their coffer’s by such an unheard of amount, that they are considering hiring a player for the coming opening game. More of this as I find out the truth behind the story.

That’s all for now folks. Tune in next time for more news as and when it might happen, or failing that, as and when I’ve thought of something else to wind Jono up about.

Signing off for the moment, and as ever, your trusted reporter on the spot…… Mart