Darryl -- We Hardly Knew Ye

Of course, I shouldn't be writing tonight. There are probably 12 things more important that I should be doing. One of which is sleeping since I only managed about 5 hours last night because of the late night game. But I couldn't help sitting down to vent.

So it happens again -- I find a player who I look forward to watching progress on the team, and while my back is turned, he's voted off the island. Such is the case with one tough player who will be able to say he had that proverbial "cup of coffee" with the NY Islanders. I can't even find the date of my post when Darryl Bootland was thrust upon the Blog Box crew and made an instant impression on me. I later came to find out it was just that "Scorpio thing" we do. It's like a secret underground society and we just all seem to recognize each other. (When I owned a bar, I had annual "Scorpio" parties for all those friends of mine born under the same sign. We also had our own saying: "Whose better than us? Nobody!" But I digress.)

It was after 5 pm when my Blog Box buddie, Tom Liodice (and fellow Scorpio I might add!) sent me the news as gently as possible. "You're not going to like this." with a link to the trade information. "Shall I bring tissues?" A very kind gesture, but not necessary this time.

Bootlad was amicable and friendly even though his role seemed to be enforcer. ITV did a feature on him at the Police Academy in Yaphank. I remember speaking with Josh when they had filmed it. He was worried he was going to be shipped out before the feature even had time to be uploaded. He was shipped to Bridgeport and probably never did see the Islander Illustrated magazine issue with his photo on the cover either.

This is the hard part of this business. I can't imagine it's easy to suddenly be told "See ya!" I will never be able to comprehend the emotional roller-coaster that must ensue. I suppose they are prepared for it -- Maybe.

Good luck Darryl. Drop by any time.