While everyone is pining over the Islander’s loss to the dreaded Rangers, I’ve got a different story to tell; one that has been gnawing at me since I was standing in the locker room on Wednesday night.  While I was waiting for the next media victim to enter the room after Mike Sillinger’s ordeal was done, I looked around at the placards on the stalls.  The last time I was in that room, Blake’s name plate graced one of the shelves.  Of course I was a little sad because it’s no longer there, but I fought back the feeling of disappointment that the little bug wasn’t there, and I was.  Truthfully, if he was, I probably wouldn’t be.  I know the story of him having an order of protection out on me was just a joke, but it went on for so many years, even I believed it.

 

I sighed and looked at the stalls behind me.  There, beneath the helmet with the number 8 and hanging from a hook, was a small blue, pipe cleaner bracelet with a few orange plastic beads on it.  I squinted to see if I was actually seeing such a thing.  Looking a little more closely, that’s exactly what it was.  The type of thing a very young child would make in school.  I thought it a little odd that it would be hanging in Bruno’s stall, but didn’t have time to consider its significance.  Today, during my lunch break, while watching ITV, (as I usually do) I found out.

 

Understand that Bruno is one of the best good-will ambassadors this team and this sport could ever have.  He has been since he got here as not much more than a boy.  Now a man, he is still that same genuine, approachable, ‘just happy to be here’ Islander darling.  But now ITV is there to capture the moments that prove it.  I remember Bruno being the one who tossed pucks over the glass to my daughter and her little red-haired friend when I would bring them to open practices.  I’ve watched him carry on conversations with every fan that stood on line to get an autograph.  More than just an obligatory smile, an exchange of words that was personalized to each fan.  This is a man who understands how lucky he truly is to be able to do what he loves, and then gives of himself to those who aren’t as lucky.

 

My mother had a saying that she drilled into my head:  “There but for the Grace of God, go I.”  She would say it, almost as you would throw salt over your shoulder to ward off bad luck, whenever she would see someone far less fortunate than herself.  Whether it was a physical impairment or financial problems, she recognized that we were just one stroke of luck or faith away from being in their shoes.

 

As part of the community outreach efforts of the Islanders, Bruno and Wade made a visit to the Schneider’s Children’s’ Hospital this week.  If you watch the video, you will see him at a craft table with a few little patients.  These are children undergoing various forms of treatments for life threatening disease.  There you will see a little girl putting that particular bracelet on his wrist.  How sweet -- Of course it was, but not just for the cameras.  Think of it.  He could have taken it off in the car and tossed it away.  He could have chucked it in the trash as soon as he walked into the locker room.  Instead, he hung it in his stall.

 

Of course, I could just be reading into it far more than I should.  But to me, the simple fact that he DID bring it with him means something.  Also, having seen this boy in action for the past few years, in my heart I know he is a very caring soul, and a very special young man.

 

The fact that we, as fans, watch these men for 82 games a season, attend numerous open events, and even have the fortune of bumping into them on the street, makes them more than familiar to us.  Hell, my brother moved to Tampa a few years ago.  I don’t see HIM as much as I do the Islander boys.  Granted, I don’t spend time on the phone with any of them talking about how our families are making us nuts.  But that doesn’t mean we don’t develop a certain degree of intimacy with our local NHLers.  That’s the reason it’s so hard for us to let them go when they have to.

 

Today, I couldn’t be more proud of having Bruno Gervais in the uniform that I am faithful to. Today, even more for the man he is than the player he has developed into.  Both of which are highly commendable.

 

You’re a blessing Bruno.