From a fan far away in TN and cousin of Shawn's, thanks very much for the
update on the ceremonies.  I am sure Shawn's dad and other family members
will enjoy reading this.

"Cousin Jimmy"
THE LEGACY OF SHAWN WALSH WILL LIVE FOREVER

-----Original Message-----
From: The Maine Hockey Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of nonni daly
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004 9:50 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: North Dakota Series


It was a very disappointing series and I guess we can only say "Better now
than in March!"  The team appeared flat, with some flurries that gave the
fans heart ... maybe it is just a question of melding the new with the old
and finding lines and pairs that work best together.  These are a great
bunch of guys who seem to have bonded well emotionally -- the total team
chemistry should follow with time.

Prior to the evening events, those who returned for the ceremony were
treated to a walk-through of the new Shawn Walsh Hockey Center before
attending a reception in the beautiful new Buchanan Alumni House.

The ceremony to honor the three retired numbers -- 8-Pellerin, 9-Kariya and
19-Montgomery and the Walsh Shamrock was held prior to the opening faceoff
with both teams on their respective bluelines and about 40 former players
and coaches lined up on the south goal line.  The banner hangs over the
corporate boxes from the south ceiling just to the left of the Harold Alfond
Sports Arena banner which is centered on that rafter.

With the temporary locker room facilities on the west concourse, I don't
have as good a view of the ice as I normally do and I don't see the visiting
team coming and going as I normally would -- but I was told that the North
Dakota guys had Walsh Shamrocks on their jerseys, too.  Perhaps someone can
corroborate that for me?

Lynne Walsh and their son, Shawn Michael, Kevin Walsh, Shawn's brother, and
his wife and Maine's AD, Patrick Nero, stood at center ice for the ceremony.
Among the former players in attendance, I saw these guys: Bob Corkum, Pete
Smith, Scott Smith, Reg Cardinal, Niko Dimitrakos, David Hunt, Dan Kerluke,
Mario Thyer, Guy Perron, Jeff Libby, Paul Giacalone, Todd Studnicka, Greg
Hirsch, Blair Marsh, Dave LaCouture, Jay Mazur, Matt Martin, Jacque
Rodrigue, Eric Turgeon and Richard Stoeppel, a former manager.  We heard
from a  number of players who wanted to be here so much -- but the NHL
lockout and pro players shifting around the minors, along with Scott
Pellerin who is expecting his third child any day now -- circumstances just
prevented it.  I am sure they had Alfond Arena in their thoughts Saturday
night.

The announcer read a summary of the numbers retired and of Shawn's career
before the banner was unfurled and the crowd was most appreciative of the
contributions of the four men honored by that banner.  There were a sizable
number of people in attendance who were wearing the Shamrock pinned to an
article of clothing, since they are able to secure one for a donation to the
Friends of Maine Hockey.  I had just sewn mine to the vest I wear to work
the games that afternoon -- having been gifted with one a couple of years
ago.

If anyone who reads this board is interested in getting the SW Shamrock
patch, contact [log in to unmask] -- Betty Donovan is the president of the
Friends group and, for a $5 donation, will see that you get one.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2004 8:09 AM
Subject: Re: North Dakota Series


> Very disappointing weekend series.  Hope the team can learn from this
> and make progress.
>
> Can someone who was in attendance on Saturday write a brief summary of
> how the ceremony went to retire the Shawn Walsh shamrock?  I know
> Shawn's Dad (and other family members) would like to hear about the
> ceremony.
>
> Thanks,
> "Cousin Jimmy"
> THE LEGACY OF SHAWN WALSH WILL LIVE FOREVER
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Maine Hockey Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On
> Behalf Of Deron Treadwell
> Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2004 11:01 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: North Dakota Series
>
>
> I was out of town this weekend and didn't even get to listen to either
game,
> but I am sure the boys were very disappointed with getting swept this
> weekend.
>
> What happened?  I read about the penalty shot on Friday, but Jimmy
> Howard was quoted as saying it was a good call.  Also, the quote below
> seems to indicate the effort on Saturday wasn't there.  I am sure many
> of us would like to see some first-person accounts.
>
> What do you think of this quote, from today's Maine Sunday Telegram:
> "We talked about the type of effort we're going to need to compete
> this
season,"
> said a stoic Whitehead. "I thought some of our veterans forgot what a
> privilege it is to play here. Some of the guys forget that sometimes,
> and
I
> don't like that."
>
> -Deron
>