I have Olympic Games withdrawl

Pressing the recall button on my remote control tonight had a strange effect. First, I saw the evening news. Recall. Then it was an ESPN film? What the heck? Where were the Olympics?

Yes, I watched the closing ceremonies just like everyone else. I realize the Games are over. But now, I was forced to do something I hadn't done for two weeks. I had to press the "Guide" button, and explore what else was on TV.

No skiing, no bobsleigh, no curling, no speed skating. What a rip off. NBA basketball seemed like a cheesy participation ribbon. It seemed like TSN was sending me a message saying, "thanks for tuning in, unfortunately, this is all we have for you."

The Vancouver Olympics were a truly great event and displayed the outstanding power of sport. 14 gold medals were won by Canada, more than any nation in the history of the Winter Olympics. More importantly, millions went back to work following the closing ceremonies feeling refreshed, proud, and excited.

Don't worry sports fans, there are a few things for us to look forward to. We have March Madness, the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the World Cup of Soccer. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a few years before the Olympics re-appear and much longer before we are able to experience another Olympic Games on Canadian soil.

It was good while it lasted, I just wish it had lasted longer.

Let the games begin.

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Joannie Rochette wins Terry Fox Award

Awarded for determination, and pushing on regardless of the obstacles an athlete faces, Joannie Rochette was the co-recipient of this year's Terry Fox Award.

Along with Slovenian cross country skier Petra Majdic, Rochette was given the Award aftering winning a bronze medal in figure skating, only days after her mother, Theresa Rochette, tragically passed away.

Majdic, who won a bronze medal in cross-country skiing, competed after falling 9-feet (3 metres) into a rocky pit during a training run. During the fall, Petra Majdic broke multiple ribs, and still managed to compete.

Rochette, shocked the sporting world by putting together two memorable performances to capture a bronze in womens figure skating. Although Petra Majdic should not be overlooked in this story, Joannie Rochette is definitely one of the Vancouver Olympic Games' most compelling stories.

Her ability to overcome what looked like impossible odds to compete, let alone win a medal, was absolutely amazing.

Canadians have experienced more gold medals, and more medals total in the Vancouver Olympics than ever before, but Joannie Rochette's bronze will be remembered long after many gold medal winners are only names in a record book.

Joannie Rochette was well deserving of this honour, which was named for one of Canada's bravest and most determined athletes.

Let the games begin.

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Stop blaming Sven Kramer's coach

After Sven Kramer lost a gold medal due to his disqualification from a lane violation in 10,000m long track speed skating, all fingers instantly pointed at his coach Gerard Kemkers.

As Kramer headed for a corner, Kemkers yelled from the sidelines "inside lane" despite the fact Sven Kramer should have remained in the outside lane.

Kramer crossed the finish line well ahead of second place skater Lee Seung-Hoon, but was disqualified for his lane violation.

Everyone, media, fans in the Netherlands, and those in the skating community are pointing fingers at Sven Kramer's coach Gerard Kemkers. Personally, I think this is utterly ridiculous. Kemkers did not reach out and push Kramer into the wrong lane. Kramer is an athlete at the top of his sport, likely the best in the world. His mistake is his and his alone.

If a slalom coach yells to miss a turn, or if a hockey coach yells to go offside, the player would not listen. It is the athlete who is competing for a gold medal, not the coach. Sven Kramer should have been fully aware of his situation and remained in the correct lane.

This is the athlete's mistake. Yes, a certain level of trust is held between coach and athlete, but in the end, it is the athlete's responsibility, especially one who is the world's best in a sport, to compete within the rules.

When the music stops in figure skating, the skater stops; no amount of yelling from a coach would keep that skater moving beyond their routine. No amount of yelling should cause an athlete of Sven Kramer's calibre to break such an integral rule.

If the long track speed skating community wants to point judgement at someone, it should be Sven Kramer, he is the one who changed lanes illegaly. He is the one who lost the gold medal. And the fact that he is publicly denouncing his coach, and complaining to the media, brings doubt to the quality of his character and judgement.

Stop blaming Sven Kramer's coach. It was Kramer alone who broke the rules.

Let the games begin.

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Ashleigh McIvor is the queen of ski cross

The Olympic Games newest sport has just named a new queen, and her name is Ashleigh McIvor.

Born in Whistler, British Colombia, Canada, Ashleigh McIvor won Canada's 6th gold medal on home soil. Although Canadian officals have been less than impressed with the country's overall medal count, success stories such as Ashleigh McIvor are bringing pride to Canadians.

Ski cross and snowboard cross have been hailed as two of the favourite sports of the Vancouver Olympic Games for the crashes, speed, athleticism, and the unpredictable finsihes exhibited in the sport.

Ashleigh McIvor, 26, was the reigning World Champion in ski cross entering the Olympic Games and recently finished 2nd at the X-Games. Ashleigh is considered by many to be the Lindsey Vonn of Canada featuring a unique package of athletic skills and good looks.

McIvor was excited following her Gold medal win in ski cross stating that she hopes she has inspired Canadian children to follow their dreams and to maintain healthy, active, lifestyles.

Congratulations Ashleigh McIvor on becoming Canada's sixth Gold medal winner on home soil and for becoming the first ever Olympic Gold medalist in womens ski cross.

Let the games begin.

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Will there be another USA 'Miracle' on ice?

If decisively beating Canada in a heated preliminary round game on enemy soil is any indication, the USA are well positioned for a run at a gold medal.

I wouldn't quite call this a "miracle," but a medal of any colour will be considered a success for the young and feisty USA hockey team. This is no team of bushy haired college boys, but the USA are definitely inexperienced and were picked by many to finish well out of the medals. Now, the USA have almost assured themselves a medal round game.

In my Olympic Hockey Preview I stated that I felt like this could be another "Miracle" team based on the performance of goaltender Ryan Miller.

Against Canada, Miller was a difference maker standing on his head throughout the game, specifically in the decisive last minutes of the third period. Not only did the USA receive clutch goaltending from Ryan Miller, their young and fast forward corps featuring the likes of David Backas, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, and Dustin Brown, was impressive.

Would I call it a "miracle?" No. I would call it a young and talented team coming of age on the world's biggest stage. Is Canada out of it? Not by a long shot, but they've made the road to gold more difficult then it seemed at the start of the Games.

Saying the USA will win Gold, or even medal is a little pre-mature, but this team that is beaming with young stars (and stripes) and have the potential to go wherever goaltender Ryan Miller leads them.

After beating the heavily favoured Team Canada at the Vancouver Olympics, Team USA has officially erased their "miracle" status and replaced it with "Olympic contender."

Let the games begin.

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Snowboarder Scott Lago banished from Olympics

It only took one snapshot instant. After a few questionable pictures of snowboarder, and Olympic bronze medalist in the half pipe, Scott Lago hit the internet, he was asked to leave the Olympic Games by US officials.

I say, good for them. Before the summer games in Beijing, the United States Olympic committee created an etiquette program for all Olympic athletes. The goal of the program was to minimize negative press, to show respect for the cultures of host nations, and to boost the USA image internationally.

In the pictures, an unamed female was seen biting Scott Lago's medal which was located in the crotch of Lago's pants. The suggestive pictures were enough for the USOC to conclude Lago had violated their etiquette program. Lago apologized for the incident, and was shipped home.

The United States sent a message to their athletes, and to the world, that they are trying to change the image that many American's have in the media. The question still begs though, what was Lago thinking? In the digital era, any photo taken, especially when you are a celebrity, is bound to be exposed. Just ask Michael Phelps about his pot smoking pictures.

Either way, Scott Lago has now learned his lesson and will now be watching the remainder of the Olympic Games from his couch at home instead of being treated like a hero in the Olympic Village. Sure it was a simple mistake, but these athletes need to exemplify respect and professionalism when they are in public.

Snowboarding is a sport that already stuggles with image issues in the general public, as does the United States on a world scale. Fortunately, the US officials dealt with Scott Lago quickly and decisively and showed that his behaviour is not acceptable for an Olympic athlete; especially a medalist.

Let the games begin.

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Hamelin brothers are an Olympic family

For a parent to watch their child succeed in the Olympics, it is a dream come true. For the Hamelin family of Levis, Quebec, Canada, they got to watch both of their sons race in an Olympic final.

Brothers Charles and Francois Hamelin found themselves racing as opponents in the mens 1000m short track speed skating final.

Their father and team leader, Yves Hamelin, sat watching in the stands as his two sons battled for Olympic supremacy.

Unfortunately for the Hamelin family, older brother Charles Hamelin and younger brother Francois Hamelin both missed the podium finishing 4th and 5th. The day belonged to Lee Jung-Su of South Korea, but that doesn't take anything away from the Hamelin brothers.

Obviously they would have liked two Olympic medals, and they in fact led the race until the final few laps, but their accomplishments as a family are incredible. Imagine lining up beside your brother in an Olympic final. The epitome of your sport.

Any parent able to witness that would be extremely proud as I'm sure father Yves Hamelin was. Congratulations to the Hamelin family for their accomplishments at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The brothers will get another shot at an Olympic medal later this week in short track speed skating.

Let the games begin.

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Plushenko is the best in the world

I don't care who won mens figure skating at the Vancouver Olympics, because regardless of what the idiotic judges awarded, Evgeni Plushenko is the best skater in the world.

The reason he lost? Because he spoke out against the skating world. Plushenko was quoted before his skate, saying that if skaters don't include a quadruple in their program, then it is not mens figure skating.

You know what? He's right. In every other sport you are forced to be better, to train and set new world records. Not in figure skating. In figure skating you're expected to follow the old rules, play within the rules, pay your dues, and let the judges decide who wins, regardless of who deserves to win.

The sport is ridiculous and has lost all credibility after yet another judging fiasco.

Former Canadian skater Elvis Stojko was one of the first to raise questions about the judging, even regarding fellow Canadian Patrick Chan, who finished in 5th place, well higher than he desvered. Stojko also went on to say how the judges are removing the 'sport' aspect from figure skating.

The eventual winner, Even Lysacek, didn't attempt a quadruple jump. Plushenko, attempted and landed two. If Lysacek winning is the result of the new judging system in figure skating, then the system is flawed. How can a system award the same points for a triple as it does a quadruple?

What is definitely flawed, is the judges who implement the system. Theese judges pick and choose who will win with an utter disregard for talent and zero respect for sport.

Evgeni Plushenko is the best in the world and he deserved to win gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Evan Lysacek, yes he won, but he shouldn't feel proud about his "victory." It will forever be tainted by a dirty sport and dirty judges.

Congratulations to Evgeni Plushenko, who was the best skater at the Vancouver Olympics, and is still the best figure skater on the planet.

Let the Games Begin.

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Christine Nesbitt is golden in speed skating

Canadian athlete's continued to wash away any memory of struggles on home soil with yet another Olympic Gold Medal. Speed skater, and London, Ontario native, Christine Nesbitt struck gold in the womens 1000 metre long track speed skating event.

Nesbitt, 24, narrowly defeated a contingent of skaters from the Netherlands. In fact, her golden time was only two one-hundredths of a second faster than the Netherlands Annette Garritsen.

The intense crowd at the Richmond Oval seemed to encourage Nesbitt around the last turns of her race after she appeared to get off to a start slow.

The medal marked Canada's first gold in speed skating at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, a sport in which the country held high hopes in entering the Games. Canada will likely win a few more Olympic medals in speed skating before the closing ceremonies of the games.

Congratulations to Christine Nesbitt for winning Canada's first speed skating gold. Nesbitt has proven to be a classy competitor on and off the ice and is one of Canada's most deserving medalists.

Let the games begin.

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Top Five Olympic stories so far

The Vancouver Olympics have been like a roller coaster thus far. Athletes and fans have experienced a number of highs and lows through the first week of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Here are the top five stories of the first week:

1. Death of Georgian luger - It was the wrong foot to start the Vancouver Games on, but the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili is the top story of the Games. The safety and planning of the luge track has come into question over the last week and is still under investigation. Kumaritashvili, who was 21, died in a training run crash on Day 1 of the Olympics.

2. Bad weather - It has rained, rained some more, been too warm, and then rained. Weather postponed almost every ski event early in the Games and forced VANOC officials to return roughly 28,000 tickets to fans. As well, the slopes at Cypress Mountain are still being stocked with snow that is being trucked in from hundreds of miles away.

3. Canada's first Gold - Entering the Vancouver Games, Canada stood as the only country to ever host an Olympic Games, without winning a gold medal on home soil. In fact, Canada hosted twice, once in Montreal 1976 and again in Calgary 1988. Moguls skier Alexandre Bilodeau won Canada's first ever gold medal on home soil on Day 3 of the games. Since then, Canada has added another gold medal from snowboarder Maelle Ricker.

4. Hockey blow outs - The only story surrounding hockey in the media, is whether or not it will continue to be an Olympic sport. The world competition has fallen off drastically over the last decade, specifically in the womens game. Many games have been won by 10 or more goals. In womens hockey, Canada destroyed opponents 18-0, 10-1, and 13-1 in round robin play. Without legitimate competition coming from nations not named Canada or the United States, the IOC might pull the plug on Olympic Hockey.

5. American athletes - Skier Lindsey Vonn and snowboarder Shaun White can't seem to escape the media at the Vancouver Games. Nor do these two outgoing athletes wan't to. Lindsey Vonn, who posed in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and won an early Gold Medal in downhill skiing, is a media dream for her good looks and athletic abiliy. The charismatic Shaun White dominated in the snowboard half pipe showing why he is the Games' biggest star.

Let the games begin.

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Dale Begg-Smith is a poor loser

After losing to Canadian Alexandre Bilodeau at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, one thing has become clear, Dale Begg-Smith and the Australian ski team are poor sports.

Begg-Smith, the top ranked moguls skier heading into the Olympics, was expecting to win gold in Vancouver. How sweat it would have been since Begg-Smith, born and raised in Canada, would have been beating his former country on home soil.

Things didn't go as planned however. Instead of winning gold, Begg-Smith took home the silver medal while Canada's Alexandre Bilodeau won Canada's first gold on home soil.

It couldn't have been Bilodeau's flawless turns, perfect landings, and higher difficulty jumps. To anyone who watched the moguls final, the winner was clear. Not so to Australian ski officials and Dale Begg-Smith.

Instead of accepting the loss gracefully, Australian ski officials have publically announced that they believe the judges inflated Bilodeau's score to help him win gold.

Do you know who robbed you of your gold medal Mr. Begg-Smith? You and you alone. You skied slower, your jumps weren't as clean, and your turns were sloppier than Alexandre Bilodeau. In short, he skied better. You lost.

Don't go crying to the media now. Especially after you wouldn't talk to the Canadian media leading up to the Olympic Games. Dale Begg-Smith has shown poor sportsmanship at every step and his ski officials in Australia aren't far behind.

Apparently the Canadian government got it right when they forced Begg-Smith out of the country for his shady internet dealings.

In the world of sports, sometimes, what goes around comes around. For Dale Begg-Smith, he got what he deserved, a slightly tarnished silver medal and a completely rusted reputation.

For Alexandre Bilodeau however, the best moguls skier at the 2010 Olympics, he got what he deserved as well, a gold medal and the right to call himself the best. And nothing Australian ski officials or Dale Begg-Smith say will ever take that away from Bilodeau.

Congratulations Alexandre Bilodeau for winning freestyle ski gold in the moguls, and shame on your Dale Begg-Smith.

Let the games begin.

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Canada's Maelle Ricker wins Snowboard Cross Gold

Shortly after winning the first gold medal on Canadian soil, the host nation received another gift at the Olympic Games. Snowboard cross gold went to Canada's Maelle Ricker.

Ricker, the World's top ranked female boarder heading into the Games delivered for Canada. Maelle Ricker was able to beat long time rival Lindsey Jacobellis of the USA who missed a gate in the semi-finals.

Canadians watched the country's first gold medal of the games go to moguls skier Alexandre Bilodeau on day 3 of the Olympics. Today, Canadian's are celebrating again and realizing the benefit of the 'Own the Podium' program which pumped millions into Canadian athletics in preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Even sweeter for Ricker, is that she won Gold in her home city. Ricker who is 31, was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

In a fall filled snowboard cross, Maelle Ricker was able to avoid the many crashes of the event, which has proven to be a fan favourite. Now, she is Canada's golden girl and will forever hold the distinction of being the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal on home soil.

Let the Games Begin.

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Is this the last Olympics for Womens Hockey?

Forget whether or not NHL players will continue to compete in the mens side of ice hockey. The real question stands: is this the last Olympic Games for womens hockey?

Why would I ask that? Simply this, there is no international competition. By all regards, this is a two team tournament - Canada and USA - and don't give me your "Sweden upset the USA in 2006" arguement. It's irrelevant.

In the Vancouver Olympics, Canada and the USA have slaughtered opponents with scores in the range of 18-0, 11-1, and 12-1. This is not entertaining, nor is it fair.

Likely the one goal was scored because the Canadian or US goalie had dosed off from boredum.

How does this seem like a competition to anyone? The arguement will stand that to get better, these weak countries must compete at the highest level, but they've been doing so since the 1998 Olympics in Nagano and for years before that.

So here we are, close to 20 years later and we're still watching a two team tournament. How much longer will the IOC allow the USA and Canada to dominate without legitimate competition? Not just dominate, but obliterate opponents to the point where it is embarrassing to watch.

There is no entertainment value in these games because the skill level of every other nation, with the outside exception of Sweden, is pitiful. Many of the 'Olympic' teams we watch play in the womens game would not be able to compete against teenage girls teams from Canada.

It`s not that I don`t support the womens game, because I definitely think it would be a shame to lose womens hockey from the Olympic Games; it just doesn`t exemplify the top level of competition in the world.

China and Switzerland have made recent gains, but they now only border on competiting with Sweden and Finland. These countries need more funding and better coaches.

Sadly, this might be the last year for womens hockey at the Winter Olympics until other countries are able to compete. Until then, we'll have to watch gold medal game after gold medal game featuring the only two teams that matter: the USA and Canada.

Let the games begin.

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America golden at the Olympic Games

In two surprising moments at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, American athletes captured surprise medals early in the Games.

In women’s moguls, skier Hannah Kearney captured gold despite entering as an underdog to Canadian Jennifer Heil. After completing the qualifying jump, Kearney and Heil stood 1-2 on the leader board. In the final round, Kearney skied flawlessly and upset the Canadian crowd who was heavily cheering for Jennifer Heil.

On the speed skating track, a crash on the final corner of the men’s 1500m sprint sent two Korean skaters into the padding and allowed Americans JR Celski and Apolo Anton Ohno to cross the finish line for silver and bronze despite entering the final turn in 4th and 5th positions.

The American teams have looked strong in the first few events of the day leading the early medal count with 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze. Other countries that captured their first Gold of the games on Saturday include Switzerland, South Korea, Netherlands, and Slovakia.

Let the games begin.

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What the Olympics mean to the World

After months and months of predictions, hype, and speculation, the Winter Olympics are finally here. Although the Olympic Games started on a sour note, with the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Winter Olympics in Vancouver promise better things to come.

In fact, the Olympics in general are a sign of world togetherness you don't often see. Where else would you see the USA standing beside Iran and North Korea? These countries aren't competing against each other out of hate; rather, they're competing in peace and sport.

The Olympic Games are unifying for all people. It's a chance for us to forget the wars we fight, the terror in our world, and to focus on a sense of togetherness that is often overlooked.

Starting with the spectacular and theatrical opening ceremonies and the lighting of the torch by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, the Winter Olympics utlilize one of our planets greatest common grounds, sport, to bring people together...even if it is only for a few weeks.

Sure nations compete against each other, battle on the playing field, and will push, pull, and claw their way to a place on the podium; but athletes from countries at war, countries who are political adversaries, show respect and sportsmanship to each other during the Olympics.

97 nations are competing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. 97 countries in one peaceful place for sport. I've heard people argue over and over that sports are just games, that people take athletics too seriously, and that athletics are not important.

Looking at the Olympic Games, it's obvious they are wrong. Sports can mean so much more, they can bring unity and peace. They can bring hope and inspiration. From the moment the torch is lit, to the moment the last medal is awarded, the Olympic Games are a tie that bonds all of humanity through sport.

Let the games begin.

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Meet Ghana's Winter Olympic hope

When you come from a country with an average annual temperature of nearly 80 degrees fahrenheit, downhill skiing is not common place.

When you have a nickname like "snow leopard" and you hail from Ghana, an African nation, downhill skiing is even less common.

Despite the odds, Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong is Ghana's one and only Olympic hope in Vancouver. I feel a little bit of a 'cool runnings' story in this one. Starting to ski in 2003, it is amazing that any athlete would be able to qualify for an Olympic Games after only 7-years. What is more amazing, it that Nkrumah-Acheampong learned alpine skiing on a dirt hill.

There are so many twists and turns in the story of this Ghaniaan's that it sounds like a movie in the waiting. His nickname the "snow leopard" comes less from his ability on the slopes, and more from the fact that he is working for a charity organization which works to protect the endangered snow leopard.

So what is a man from a warm African nation doing at the Winter Olympics, flying down a hill of snow? Simple, he's proving to himself, his family, and his nation that he can. Nkrumah-Acheampong isn't just in this to participate either, he wants to compete. He wants to honour the tradition of sport and alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics.

Anything is possible in sports. This man first saw snow when he was 25-years-old. Now, he is a Winter Olympian, Ghana's first ever Winter Olympian to be exact.

He will be alone at the Vancouver Olympics, but alpine skiing, and sports fans across the worlds, along with the entire population of Ghana will be cheering for this unique, exciting, and inspiring athlete. Good luck Kwame Nkurumah-Acheampong. Hopefully you will inspire a new generation of athletes to compete.

Let the games begin.

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Brian Burke shows that family comes first

For anyone who has read my column or blog, you'll know what I think of Brian Burke as a hockey man. I don't like his current team, I don't like the way he builds his teams, and I think he is an overrated general manager and hockey mind.

Regardless of what I think about his hockey status, it is refreshing to see a true family man in professional sports. Following the death of Burke's son Brendan, Burke has opted to not attend the Opening Ceremonies for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver with his Team USA hockey team.

Not only this, but when Brendan Burke revealed his homosexuality to the world, Brian Burke stood by his son, publicly stating his love and support. It didn't seem phony either, it seemed heartfelt and sincere.

From a 'manly man' who prides himself in creating tough teams, this could not have been easy. Or was it?

In a world filled with infidelity, abuse, and broken families, particularly in professional sports, Brian Burke seems to be an anomaly. He stood by his son in life, and now he is standing by his son, and standing up for his family values in death.

The story of Brendan Burke is a sad one. You can bet however, that missing the Olympic Opening Ceremonies is the last thing on Brian Burke's mind. I still don't like the hockey man, I still don't like his team, and I will never like his management style, but I have a new found respect for Brian Burke the person, and Brian Burke the father.

Brian Burke will rejoin Team USA in time for the start of their Olympic hockey schedule and the Toronto Maple Leafs following the Games.

Sure Burke has made mistakes; however, his actions have shown that he realizes hockey is just a game and family comes first.

Let the games begin.

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Matt Mapletoft wins National Championship

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When you're from a small town, it's not often that athletes go on to greatness or to shine on a National scale. For Matt Mapletoft, however, that is just what he did.

The 20-year-old Wallaceburg, Ontario native recently won the Canadian National Junior Curling Championships as a member of team Ontario. Before you go huffing and puffing that it's "only" curling, just step out on the ice and try it. The sport is difficult.

It is no fluke that Mapletoft has carried each and every team he's participated on to greatness. While in high school, his team won an OFSAA silver medal. As he moved on to curl at the university level with Wilfred Laurier in Waterloo, Ontario, he helped his team win an OUA and National Championship.

Now, after winning the National Junior Championships as lead for Team Ontario, Mapletoft has one larger goal ahead...a World Junior Championship as the lead for Team Canada.

If history serves itself, Mapletoft's chances of gold in Switzerland this March are extremely good. This 20-year-old has all the skills necessary to help his team win gold. Mapletoft, however, hasn't let this all go to his head. After asking Matt about his win, lifetime highlights, and the other obligatory sports questions, I asked Matt if he had anything else to add.

Instead of boasting, or talking about his achievements, he ranted and raved about his community, and his hometown curling club. I guess that is what makes him such an excellent curler, a level head, and an ability to see the bigger picture, even when he is surrounded by excitement.

Watch this blog and the Chatham-Kent Daily Post for updates on Matt Mapletoft as the World Junior Championships approach.