What a throwback it's been watching the 2007 @ECHL All-Star game. So much fun. Keg in the locker room, not a care in the world, just playing hockey for the fun of it!

Playing in that league was a great part of my career. No expectations. Figured I'd play a few years, try to make it to the AHL, and if it didn't work out head to Europe for a few seasons and hang 'em up. The NHL wasn't even on the radar.

I was so fortunate to end up in Vegas playing for Glen Gulutzan. Amazing coach and person. Best goalie partner I could have ever asked for in Marc Magliarditi. Teammates that played hard and partied harder.

The AHL is different. There's expectations and the NHL influence is huge. It's good money, but you have to perform to 1) stay in the league and 2) keep your name on the NHL radar for a call-up. It gets harder every year as you age...even if you're still performing.

Fun thing about ECHL: Brian McKenna was commissioner for most of my career. No relation. But every year at the @PHPA Annual Meeting, we'd jokingly greet each other as "Dad" and "Son." The minors aren't easy, but every guy that's played there ends up with respect for it

That's why making the @NHL means so much to the guys that had to GRIND to get there. It's truly special and at times it's almost comical. Staying at the Ritz. Filet on the plane. Long way from Super 8's & soggy subs on the bus!