Happy Tuesday Monarchs Country!  It was a whirlwind of a weekend.  Monarchs Country hosted the Stanley Cup for all to see on Sunday.  It was also a sad day for the hockey community as the NHL officially locked out their players.  The good news is that the Manchester Monarchs will play as scheduled in the Jungle this season! 

I was only with the Stanley Cup for a day but I already miss it!  We had so much fun together!  It was great to see everyone on Sunday!  The Monarchs Stanley Cup rally also had a surprise guest.  Los Angeles Kings President of Business Operations and Monarchs Alternate Governor Luc Robitaille brought the Stanley Cup out for the rally and was super nice talking to fans and taking pictures with everyone.  I also got to catch up with Phil Pritchard who is the legendary Keeper of the Cup.  He has not changed a bit from the last time Phil and I hung out at the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic in Manchester.

You may have noticed volunteers wearing orange Monarchs jerseys.  They were wearing orange because it is the color of Hunger Action Month.  You may also have noticed they were selling raffle tickets.  Last Thursday, I called a press conference at the New Hampshire Food Bank to announce the fourth annual Max and Cheese community initiative.  This year’s initiative comes with a twist as fans can purchase raffle tickets for $10 to be entered to win one of three spots on an assembly line with Monarchs players as they package 15,000 meals of Max & Cheese!  Everyone is still encouraged to bring boxes of macaroni and cheese to the Monarchs games during Home Opening Weekend, presented by AutoFair, on October 19 and 20.  Raffle tickets can be purchased on the Monarchs website (www.monarchsjungle.com/max-and-cheese) or at the Monarchs Home Opening Weekend games.

This Friday at 4:30 p.m., I am repelling down the outside of the Brady Sullivan Tower in Manchester!  I get to start the fun for the Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America as they hold the fourth annual Xtreme Descent urban rappelling fundraiser at the 24-story Brady Sullivan Plaza.  The funds raised through the event help support Scouting programs in New Hampshire.  I hope I will be able to convince my buddy Fungo to join me this year!  It is going to be so much fun and I hope to see you all there!

On Saturday, you can find me at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Manchester.  That is because they are having a special Day For Kids event.  I went to a Day For Kids in Nashua last week and when they told me they had another one in Manchester this week, I knew I had to make it there! 

Also at the Radisson Hotel this Saturday is the Sports Concussion Expo.  With increased information about concussions and their impact in sports, this is a great chance to become better informed.  At this free educational event, there will be raffles, giveaways and great prizes!  I will definitely be crashing this party after I go to the Day For Kids event.

Sunday is going to be another action packed day and I cannot wait!  First, I will be at the Manchester West Soccer Festival at Manchester West High School.  Hockey players always play soccer before the game to loosen their limbs up and I have even played a few times with them.  It is pretty fun.  Soccer is a fascinating sport that involves constant movement just like hockey.  Be active and join me this Sunday!

Also happening this Sunday is the 2012 Northern New England Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraiser.  Walk Now for Autism Speaks events have been occurring all over the United States and I plan on attending their next one which is at Southern New Hampshire University on Sunday and begins at 9:30 a.m.  There will also be fun games and entertainment for all to enjoy and is a great event to bring the family to this weekend!

Thanks to everyone for reading my blog!  I have to get ready for a busy week but I would love to stay in touch with everyone in Monarchs Country!  Let me know what you are up to or if you want to hang out soon!  Lastly, do not forget to keep posting your pictures with the Stanley Cup to the Monarchs Facebook page.  It has been great to see them all!