I'd like to thank the Hockey Gods, Brian Bruke and Ron Wilson and anyone else that had anything to do with asking Jason Blake to once again represent his county on Team USA for the upcoming world IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Thank You!  Thank You! Thank You!

My appreciation is for a few reasons.  First and foremost, I get to wear my Team USA Blake Jersey once again.  That will at least let me continue to depreciate the  price I paid for it back in December of '04.

Second, far less selfish of me, Blake had to say NO to Team USA during the work stoppage for one reason or another.  Whether it was due to not being able to obtain insurance on his contract or he was not healthy enough, saying NO to your country must have been difficult for him.  He may also get a chance to make up for his less than impressive performance in the Torino Olympics.

Congratulations to ALL the players who have been asked to represent their countries in the upcoming games.  It is an honor and a priviledge to do so.

Good Luck Jason.  Make Brian Burke a happy man.  Bring home a medal.