Volume 3, Issue  10 - June, 2003  

 "From the Right Wing…"

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Oh, so close... and yet so far...     

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This month's issue contains:

 DAN'S TIP OF THE MONTH   THIS MONTH'S QUESTION   TRUST FUND AUCTION   TIPS FROM HOCKEY CAMP 

 DAN'S HONOR ROLL  COACH'S TIP   THE SAYING OF THE MONTH   DAN TRIP IN THE NHL   DAN & JAY'S BOOKS 

  A WAY TO SUBSCRIBE

Playing in the Stanley Cup Finals... in Game Seven no less... was the biggest thrill of my hockey career.  It was bigger then being on a line with Wayne Gretzky, bigger than my first goal, bigger than my second contract... as big as I could have imagined.  I just wish that Walt Disney were still alive so he could have written a happier ending for the Mighty Ducks.  But it wasn't to be.

I thought you might like to hear my analysis of the series.  We dropped the first two in New Jersey because we stunk up the building.  We were flat, we were sloppy, we stood around, we didn't play our game, we didn't get the puck behind their D-men, and we played too much in our end.  But we felt good coming back to Anaheim.  If we had played our best hockey and gotten beat, we would have been apprehensive.  But we though if we could get our game going, get the first goal, and then play good D, we had a chance to even the series at home.  And that's what happened, although it took two overtimes to do it.

At that point, we were feeling pretty good.  Our top two lines hadn't gotten in gear yet and we felt if they got going, and played tight D, we were in the hunt.

It was so very disappointing to lose, but what a privilege and thrill it was to play the series and especially Game 7... what all you players and I dream about from the time we first strap them on - playing for the Stanley Cup.  All the while, no one, not even the most astute sports analyst gave the Duckies a chance to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season.  And then to go on and make the play offs, knock off Detroit in four games, beat the Stars in six, and defeat the Wild in four was an unbelievable accomplishment.  And then we battled the Devils to seven games.  It is the stuff of dreams and story-book fiction.  So most of you (there are some of you to whom this is sent who have lifted the Cup) and I will go back to dreaming and planning and working hard to have the chance to try for it again... and drinking out of it someday, and then write a different story - drama, not fiction.

***

I received over 750 E-mails of congratulations and well wishes.  I've answered as many of them as I've found the time.  If I didn't answer yours, I may get to it yet but I thank all of you for your care, concern, and support.  You've offered your homes to my family in New Jersey and California, made signs, high school friends and neighbors traveled great distances to attend games in their areas, and my family crisscrossed the country to be supportive.  My teammates tease me when a "Dan Bylsma Rocks" sign appears in the stands in New Jersey or St. Louis.  I tell, them, "You get the goals, I get the love."  And it's not fair for them.

To all of you, from the bottom of my heart, "Thank you." 

Go to TOP  DAN'S TIP    HONOR ROLL  COACH'S TIP  SAYING  DAN in the NHL  BOOKS  SUBSCRIBE

Jiggy's stick went for $775 and a Ducks season ticket holder won it.  Thanks to all of you who participated.  Next Petr Sykora donated one of his Final Series game-use sticks.  It's autographed, of course.  The bidding will start now and the auction will close June 28 at 6:00 p.m. EST. 

All proceeds will go to my Trust Fund or to IT PAYS (your choice) - either are 501 (c)(3) charities for which you may claim a deduction on your US tax return for the amount over and above the value of a used goalie stick.

Kids, you must have permission from your parents to bid.  Better yet, let your parents bid for you. 

And please, no dealers.

To go to the auction click here.

A reminder that we will be having a high school session of our hockey camp.   It will be a mini-camp held from 7-9 p.m. on August 5, 6, and 7 at the Standard Federal Ice Center on Paterson Avenue in Grand Rapids, MI.  The cost will be $175.  It will be a chance for you to have your skating analyzed and to review your technique.  You can sign up on the web site.

 As I've said before, everyone can improve on their skating, and that includes many of the players in the NHL.  That's why NHL teams hire skating instructors (they do - believe it or not).  When your fundamentals are not correct you waste energy, are not as maneuverable, are not as fast, are easier to check, and your muscles work inefficiently (you tire faster).  I can't make you skate like Paul Kariya in three days, but you can make great strides (Get it? Great strides).

DAN’S HONOR ROLL 

NAME

AGE

GPA

 SCHOOL

 TEAM

STATE

Ross Hinkle

11

3.67

Wayland Middle School

G.R. Grizzlies PeeWee AA

MI*‡

Shannon Kelsey

14

4.0

Estero High School

Pinch a Penny Womens League

FL‡

Lucas Kelsey

13

3.57

Three Oaks Middle School

Jr. Everblades Bantam A

FL

Cliff Jones

13

3.86

Spring Lake Middle School

Muskegon Chiefs Bantam B3

MI*‡

Marshall Jones

11

4.0

Spring Lake Intermediate

Lakeshore House - Bonners

MI*‡

Brad Christiansen

MI*‡

Winston Jones

9

3.9

Holmes Elementary School

Shoreline Rec League Squirt

MI*‡

Brandan Ryfiak

11

3.8

N. Rockford Middle School

Rockford PeeWee

MI*‡!

Marshall Jones

11

4.0

Spring Lake Intermediate

Lakeshore House - Bonners

MI*‡

Ryan Christiansen

MI‡

Jeremy Hopersberger

MI*‡

Andrew Frank

8

3.67

Eagle Lake Elementary

Irish Rover Mite A

MI

Paul Engman

MI*‡

Aaron Alkema

MI*‡

Matt Rosenthal

11

3.75

Chapparel  Elementary

Calababas Flyers PeeWee

CA*‡

Ryan Corgan

MI*‡

Josh Corgan

MI*‡

Caleb Weiler

PA

Harrison Huls

3.87

Blaisdale Montessori School

Ajax Knights A Minor Atoms

ONT

Sammie Baker

10

4.0

Fr. Marquette Middle School

Marquette LitiGators Girls 11 Under

MI*

Josh Weinstein

NJ‡

Bennett Schneider

13

3.78

Canterbury School

Jr. Everblades Bantam AA

FL

Madison Schneider

9

4.0

Canterbury School

Teco Squirt House

FL

Colton Ritchie

9

4.0

Schola Maxima

Red Wings Squirt House

AL

Dakota Abramowicz

11

4.0

Jane Addams Middle School

Royal Oak Eagles PeeWee A

MI

Matt Weinstein

NJ‡

Ben Grace

MI*

Jonathan Koslop

FL‡

Andrew Lawrence

DE‡

David Lawrence

DE‡

Reid Munroe

MI

Ben Bodman

MI*

Mark Hazel

MI‡

Tyler Spiering

MI*‡!

Matt Slowinski

MI

Bobby Pease

MA

Mitch Hughes

CA

Marty Jensen

NE

James Sheff

MI*‡

Alex Toppin

MS*‡

Drew Toppin

MS

Joe Adams

CA‡

Vinny Valentine

FL

Blake Ramos

MI

Sean Wilson

FL

Andrew Steghuis

MI*‡

Donald Sund

MI*

Taylor Olson

NJ

Ben Suchin

CA

Kris Johnson

MI*

Ross Hinkle

MI*‡

Ian Lane

FL

Devin Steele Stankevitz

CA

Jeremy Dunbar

OH

Ryan Reid

MI

Alex Reid

MI

Clayton Reid

MI

Lauren Jones

IL

Zachary Chase

MI

Asa Pellegrom

MI

James Dykehouse

MI

Zach Kooi

MI

Alec Schroeder

MI

Trevor Durflinger

CA

Adam Jones

IL

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COACHES AND PARENTS from Jay...  

 One of the most interesting things about being a parent of a professional athlete at this level is the quiet times when there's just us - either on the phone or together after the left- over post-game pizza is already cold and there's an empty beverage can or two.  The game gets dissected, there is self-evaluation, other players are evaluated, certain game situations are discussed, and, yes - coaching decisions are second guessed.  Words spoke on the ice during face-offs or square-offs or on the bench are related.  Much of this is the material that makes books, but we're not keeping notes.  This is father/son stuff - but fascinating father/son stuff.

I want to relate two stories that put the series in perspective for me.  There were 75 or perhaps more news folks in the locker room after Game Six and each one is looking for "The Story."  The big guns (ABC, ESPN, SI, LA Times, Sporting New) hover around marquee players or the guy who got the goal.  But there are others, from lesser outlets that are walking around with microphones or cameras or notepads looking for something around which to write their story.  One reporter from a Southern California local daily figured out I was a player's father and stuck his microphone in my face. 

"Isn't this exciting?  Wouldn't it be a real tragedy if they came this far and lost?" he inquired. 

I thought a moment about Dan's journey from the backyard ice rink and all his battles to play, to play over injuries, to overcome disappointments before I answered.  "I was with Dan and his wife when they lost their baby in childbirth.  That was a tragedy.  Losing Game Seven will be a big disappointment, but it won't be a tragedy.  Game Seven is still just a game." 

The reporter went looking for someone else to quote.

The other story is about what happened when Dan and his family and his mother and I got back to Dan's house in New Jersey.  For more than an hour, we played baseball in the alley behind his house.  Dan and Bryan beat MaryBeth and I 6 to 5 in a close contest. 

I tell you this because I think the alley game was, in it's own way, just as important as Game Seven and still, just a game.

***

I, too, have some thank you's to write.  So many of you have written or called or stopped us on the street, or in church, or in restaurants to wish Dan well.  Relatives, cousins, neighbors, old classmates - people who don't know how to spell "hocky" - became instant Duck fans, or perhaps Dan fans.  But it was some outpouring and Dan's Mom and I thank you for all your well wishes.

  Jay M. Bylsma

THIS MONTH'S SAYING TO PUT IN YOUR LOCKER...

ONE KID'S TRIP TO THE NHL - current installment...

The season is over and now I have the unpleasant task of recovering from the season.  Typically, I look forward to a month of just relaxing and allowing my body to heal before I begin getting ready for camp in the fall.  This time will be different.  I've been able to play only with the benefit of some serious taping and bracing to keep the damage to my kneecap from affecting me and some heavy pain medication.  Funny thing, though... it doesn't hurt when I'm on the ice.  To top if off, I injured my meniscus in Game Six, so playing golf or any activity greater than walking to the dinner table is an issue.

I'm now weighing the kind of surgery to opt for.  I'll either have small plugs taken out of my kneecap and transplanted to the spots where I have lesions, or they will take small plugs out of my healthy kneecap, put them in a Petri dish and grow more cartilage and then transplant the growth to the lesion on my left (injured) kneecap.  Four weeks with no weight bearing on that leg, rehab, and then hopefully I can skate in November.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Everyone else has a story, too.  Mike LeClerc's lesion is worse than mine and he's contemplating the same surgeries.  Petey Sykora played the final series with a broken wrist, and Paul Kariya with a shoulder separation.  Andy McDonald is still suffering from Post Concussion Syndrome, as is Kevin Sawyer.  The treatment room after the game looks like a field hospital and most of us - both teams - are the walking wounded.

But we're not complaining - not one of us.  We wouldn't want to get hurt any other way or opt for another life.

I'm telling you this for several reasons.  There is a price to pay to play the game  - or any other game - at this level.  I'm making decisions about my knee that I hope will allow me to play the game I love for another season or two, but also to be able to walk without pain when I'm 40. 

I also tell you this because perhaps your favorite player disappointed you because while he may have had 30 goals in the regular season, he didn't play up to your expectations in the Playoffs.  Maybe it was because he was taped from here to Sunday or he played with a broken leg, or foot, or wrist.  Just maybe.

****

I said I'd answer your questions about the Stanley Cup Finals.  Okay, here are the answers to all your questions: 

"Yes."

"No." 

"I didn't." 

"He couldn't." 

"It was fair." 

"He should have." 

Just kidding.  Here's a synthesis of your questions:

Q: Did you get nervous for the games?

A: I actually felt very calm.  I was excited and anxious for the next game to start, but I wasn't nervous - either before or during the games.  This is what we all wanted to do and we were there to do our jobs and we tried to do that.  I get butterflies when I have to give talks to you.

Q: When (not if) the Ducks win the Stanley Cup, what will you do with the Cup when it's your turn to spend a day with it?

A:  I'm sure I would have taken it fishing with me on Lake Michigan accompanied with my brothers.

Q: Is it true that you had a purple goatee?

A: That's true.  I had a purple stripe down the middle of my beard.

Q: Why do some guys wear a beard and some guys don't?

A: Some guys have very sparse or light facial hair so it doesn't stand out, others just don't like beards and feel it's an unnecessary distraction.

Q: Will you have the Stanley Cup at your hockey camp (from a camper)?

A: No, but if we had won, it might have been a possibility.

Q: How many Ducks have never won the Cup? 

A: Most of us.  The winners that come to mind are Ozolinsh, Olausson, Sykora.

Q: Why does Adam Oates use a wooden stick.  Aren't the composite sticks better?

A: While you can shoot a bit harder with a composite, they don't have the feel and control that a wooden stick does.  Adam Oates is one of the best passers in the game - not a shooter.  He prefers the feel and control a wooden stick gives him for his game.

Q: How did you react or cope with being bulletin board material for the Devils?

A: Not troubled at all.  I don't think to say that I hope we win the Cup was anything that everyone in both locker rooms was thinking and saying anyway. But it gives me a new appreciation for those professional athletes who refuse to talk to the media.  Don't forget that news people are paid to write and report stories.  What's your favorite story? 

Q: What's it like to be famous?

A: Perhaps you've heard that everyone is famous for 15 minutes.  Do you know why that is?  Because 15 minutes is about all you can stand.

Q: Do you think Jiggy should have won the Conn Smythe?

A: Without question.  It's awarded to the player who is the most valuable throughout the playoffs, not to the player who played better in the final game.  He beat Detroit, Dallas, and allowed only one goal in a four game series against the Wild. 

Q: What's your favorite memory of the series?

A: Seeing my son with purple hair at the glass during warm-ups.  Second favorite: having Steve Thomas score the game winner in OT in Game 4.

Q: Was the hit on Kariya by Stevens legal.  Was Paul out cold?

A: It was a legal hit.  He was out cold.

Q: What did Finals tickets cost.  Could players get as many as they wanted?

A: $150 for the lower bowl.  No, each visiting player was allotted 4.

Q: Was it hard to watch the players from the Devils skate around with the Cup?

A: I didn't watch.

Q: What did your father say to you after the loss in Game Seven?

A: He hugged me and whispered in my ear, "I love you and I'm proud of you.  Very, very proud."

***

See you next season?  Don't forget to write if you change your Email address!

So Your Son Wants to Play In The NHL Published in 1998 by Sleeping Bear Press in the US and McClelland & Stewart in Canada. HC $24.95. The story of Dan’s journey from the ice rink in our back yard to the NHL. “This is the best hockey advice since ‘Don’t rile Gordie Howe’”. "This is more than a hockey book. It's a book about life and how to use simple lessons and values for success. …a refreshing straight-ahead approach that makes you feel that you've learned something." LA Times.  Autographed and personalized copies available at www.DanBylsma.com.

So You Want to Play In The NHL Published in November, 2000, by NTC/ Contemporary/McGraw-Hill. Trade paperback—$14.95. Thirty-five questions that aspiring young athletes have and Dan’s and Jay’s alternating answers. Forward by Luc Robitaille. This book won’t help you play the game better, but we think it will help you live the game better. “I am making this book required reading for my team because it confirms everything I have ever said in the locker room and to parents.” Coach John M. You can read a chapter by clicking here.  Autographed and personalized copies available at www.DanBylsma.com.