a momentous night, it sure was, here in Edmonton. Number 94 Ryan Smyth retired from the NHL. I was expecting it. his times this season kept creeping smaller and smaller. and he's getting up there in age. well.. in regards to hockey players that is.
and you know, you can keep your crosby's and keep your sedin twins. keep spezza and you can even keep the nudge and hall and eb's. because none of them hold a candle to Smytty. not even close. that guy had more heart for the game than ANY other player who's ever played for Edmonton, or for the entire league.
And his emotion for the game is something you rarely ever see. in a sport where fist fights and brawn are applauded, Smytty always held an air about him that is so much more commendable, so much more respectable.
I will honestly and truly miss seeing him in his office up there in the blue paint. I'll miss his little toothless face and his always stunning mullet. his heart and his spirit carried us for these last few seasons. and his absence will surely be felt next season.
but most of all, his departure makes me miss my friend. makes me miss the games where we would sit and scream and throw our hands in the air. there are only certain times when we were allowed to hug, and during oilers games was one of those times. I miss that. I knew when I was watching Smyth skate off for the last time in his copper and blue with streams of tears running down his face, that the only person who would understand why I was emotional too, would be her.