Jack Johnson: Awesome

Back from another business trip that prevented me from writing about the CRHC, getting any info other than tweets about the BGSU game, or previewing the UNO series.

Before I get into tonight's 4-3 loss to the Mavericks (that'll come tomorrow)--really entertaining hockey game by the way--this deserves it's own post.

The opening ceremony for the Vancouver Olympics was tonight and the NHL has not yet gone on hiatus. Typically this prevents the hockey players from attending. JMFJ decided that if he was playing in the Olympics, he wanted the full Olympic experience. You never know when the NHL will put the kabosh on the NHL stars playing (because who wants to grow the game by having the best in the world play on an international stage?), and with the next Olympics in Russia, who knows if he'd have the chance again.

So Jack chartered a plane and he and his family flew up to Vancouver, went to the ceremony, and now he's headed back to LA in order to make the morning skate tomorrow. In doing so, he became--according to USA Hockey--the first active NHL player to march in the opening ceremony.

ESPN LA sent a reporter along for the ride. She chronicled the journey is a really good story, which includes some video.

Johnson also saw some air time in an interview with Dan Patrick before the ceremony began and he came across really well--like he really gets the whole point of the Olympics and wasn't concerned with how difficult it was to arraign because he wanted to be a part of the whole experience.

Kings GM Dean Lombardi commented: "Jack has always been an integral part of the U.S. program and he has now reached its highest level -- a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to march with the colors. USA Hockey should be thankful that the LA Kings turned him into the hockey player he is."*

USA Today, the LA Times, CTV and the AP also had stories about the former Wolverine. CTV has a picture of him that would make J Lehman proud.

Go get 'em, Jack!

*Maybe I made that last sentence up.