My 'new' Home Team

hmmm where to start...
I'm not sure what the league ranking is between the University teams and the Maritime Junior A. But I know that the MJAHL guys are younger. At any rate last year at this time I was regularly attending St. Thomas Tommies(STU) home games, usually alone, as it was difficult for me to find someone for shared as much of an interest in the games as I did. Fast forward a year and I you will find me at any home game of the Woodstock Slammers of the MJAHL. I remember being excited for my first game back in the fall, it was the first time I had seen an MJAHL game, even though I had heard about the Slammers, living only an hour (or so) away. I moved to Woodstock for school, but being a hockey fan I knew I would attend most, if not all of the home games. Early in the season I started attending the games for a different reason. I was asked to do Player Profiles that would appear in the programs. My teacher had been approached and asked me and one of my classmates if we were interested, knowing we were both interested in hockey and becoming sports journalists. So we started out as two, which soon became just me(I'm not mad Ry).
After every game I head down to the locker room area and wait for someone to get my latest interviewee, my future 'centre fold'. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous/excited for my first interview, believe me I was shaking, of course that could have been the cold too. We started the profiles with the captain, Dan Dooley, I left that interview relieved, satisfied and happy. I was relieved to have one under my belt, satisfied that it went well without any big goof ups and I was happy to find that these 'boys' are mature and going to be a breeze to talk to. (Of course it's hard to judge the whole team based on their leader, but it was easy to see why he was the captain.)
The second interview(and from then on) I did alone, knowing I was gonna do it solo I was kind of nervous again. But they are only human and I shouldn't worry, the first one went well and this one was gonna be just as good. Of course there was no problem and I was on my way, never looking back.
Having recently passed the half way mark of the season, the team has had some ups and downs. They were perfect at home through the 2007 part of the season, and have really won my heart. I am happy to have met and talked with almost all the guys so far(and can't wait to chat with the last few). This is starting to sound like a 'good bye and good luck blog' but they really do mean a lot to me, and they probably don't even know it. Being a fan of the game, or a team is great but now actually knowing most of the guys is something all together different. They truly are a great team and they deserve all the good that comes their way.
The team has lost and gained a few players since the start of the season. I don't think any of the guys that left really wanted to, trades happen, personal life happens. We(I sort of consider myself part of the team sometimes) miss the ones that left and are welcoming of the ones that join us.
I'm not sure how to end this, but that's all I really have to say about 'my' boys for now. They got another home win tonight that kicks off a 3 games in 3 nights stretch. And I already can't wait to see them at home on Friday night!
Ok that's all I have for now, otherwise I will just ramble on.