PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

May 2nd, 2011... It's a proud moment for all Americans. Congratulations to Navy SEAL Team Six for killing Osama bin Laden. I was especially proud to put on the USA sweater today. I played the game for them and gave it my all, just like the troops do for us every day.

We had to win today against Norway and we did. Norway got a couple lucky breaks, but we knew if we played our game that sooner or later we would wear them down. It worked and we were able to score 4 goals in the third for the 4-2 win. It's a great group of guys and it's fun to have 4 former Wolverines and 4 Shattuck alums playing. I think we are coming together real well and together we're going to be awfully tough to beat. All of our games are Versus, so make sure you tune in and cheer on the red, white, and blue!

Each Game is a New Game and a New Beginning!

April 28th, 2011... The season is over after a disappointing loss to the Sharks. They were definitely a great team, but I know we could've won the series. A few bounces our way and over time losses could have become wins. My expectations are - and always will be - to win. Anything short of the Stanley Cup is unacceptable. There are no moral victories or excuses. In sports, you either win or you lose and coming up short of my ultimate goal leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I can't wait for next season to begin so I can go after the Cup again.

Although my NHL season is over, I love this game and am excited for the opportunity to represent my country again. It's a new game and a new beginning for me. I will be playing for Team USA and travelling to Slovakia for the World Championships. I am honored to represent my country and love playing with friends and meeting new guys. Last year we had a disappointing finish, so this year we have a lot to prove on the international level.

I'd like to congratulate two USA teams that just won gold. The guys beat Sweden in overtime at the World Under-18 Championship to win the gold medal for the third consecutive year, while the ladies won their World Championship for the third straight year as well with an overtime win against Canada. It's great to see the success and tradition of USA hockey. You made us all proud. Cherish these moments and always enjoy your time in the red, white, and blue.

Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who followed the Kings this season, as well as the Wolverines and now Team USA. The support I received from all my friends, family, and fans is unbelievable. I'm proud of what we did, but always strive to get better and win it all. Anything less is unacceptable in my eyes, so I am focused on being the best. I'll do my best to keep you updated throughout the World Championships.

Catch the games on Versus! The U.S. Men's National Team will begin play at the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship this Saturday (April 30) in Kosice, Slovakia.

The U.S. will face Austria, Norway and Sweden in preliminary-round play April 30 - May 4 before advancing to either the Qualification or Relegation Round. Team USA's first six games will be aired live on Versus, which will also broadcast both of the tournament's semifinal games on May 13 and the gold-medal tilt on May 15.

PLAYOFFS 2011 - LET'S GET IT ON!

April 13th, 2011... Well, I'm back! Sorry for not updating in a long time. I've been super focused on hockey and I'm happy to report that we are in the playoffs! Personally, I had a pretty good year - playing in all 82 games and setting career highs in assists and points. Now the fun part of the season starts. We are facing the San Jose Sharks in the first round. Not many people are giving us a chance, but we have confidence in our locker room and with Jonathan Quick in net, anything can happen!

I also want to give a shout out to the boys in blue as the Michigan Wolverines lost a heartbreaker in overtime to Minnesota- Duluth in the championship game. It was a great season nonetheless and the boys made us proud! Shawn Hunwick (the younger brother of my former D partner at Michigan) stood on his head all season and especially in a 2-0 win against top-ranked North Dakota in the semi-finals. It's Great to be a Michigan Wolverine and I know they will get #10 soon.

Thanks again for all the support and a great run in the playoffs!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

January 12th, 2011... It's a new year and I'm looking forward to great things. I can't believe how time flies and that we are already half way through the season.

First off, I'd like to congratulate the Michigan hockey team for winning the 14th Great Lakes Invitation in school history. They came from behind to beat Colorado College and it's always great to see the boys capture another title. Hopefully they can use the momentum to make a great run in the playoffs. Always good to see Michigan hockey back on top!

Also, I'd like to welcome Brady Hoke back to the Michigan family as the head coach of the football team. He was an assistant for eight years from 1995-2002, but now will be the man in charge. The Michigan football is bigger than the individual. I wish Rich Rodriguez and his staff all the best and know he will be successful again, but Michigan will move on and I'm excited to see what Hoke and his staff can do to get the Wolverines back on top.

Speaking of football, how about them Lions?! Congrats to them for winning the last four games of the season. It may seem like a small step, but it will hopefully carry over into next season and they can make a run for the playoffs.

I've been featured a couple times in the last few weeks on the Kings website. Click on the link for "My Story" on how I got involved in hockey and you can watch my "Undisputed" video below.

December 6th, 2010... Sorry I haven't updated the site in awhile. The season is under way. We started off strong and we just have to keep playing our game and we will be fine.

2011 Gator Bowl - University of Michigan vs. Mississippi State January 1, 2011 - Jacksonville, Florida - 1:30pm

Some good news to report: Michigan's football team will make their 40th bowl appearance in program history on January 1, 2011 in the Gator Bowl against Mississippi State at 1:30pm. It's always great to play in a January 1st Bowl Game and although the season didn't finish how we would have liked, I'm proud of the team and want to wish all the Big Ten teams good luck in their games. Represent the conference with class and pride and show them who is #1!

The Big Chill at the Big House - Michigan vs. Michigan State December 11, 2010 - Ann Arbor, Michigan - 3pm

Speaking of the Big Ten, this weekend will be another record setting hockey event between Michigan and Michigan State. Back in 2001 they set the record for most people to watch a hockey game during the cold war. I was a part of the current record when Team USA played Germany this summer in front of almost 78,000 people. Now it's time to shatter that number and have 110,000 fans watch one of the best rivalries in hockey. Good luck and Go Blue!

It's Great to be a Michigan Wolverine!

October 18th, 2011... The 2010-11 season is here and although we have improved every year, I'm focused on one thing - winning the Stanley Cup. That's why we play this game and anyone who says anything else is kidding themselves. We play to win, to be the best, and bring the Stanley Cup to our fans.

The media likes to make a big deal that we made the playoffs last year and say what an accomplishment it was because we're a young team, but we don't care. It doesn't matter how young we are, we are supposed to make the playoffs. We have a lot of talent on this team and should compete every night and get the victory. I don't believe in excuses, you either win the Stanley Cup or the season was a failure - it's as simple as that. There's no such thing as "moral victories" or "learning to win". That's just what people say to explain a loss, but it's not acceptable. The time is now and we have to seize the moment. We need to take the blame and always stay focused on the ultimate goal. You lace them up to go out and win. We will not settle for anything less than the best. Thanks for all your support.

The season started off on a good note as I scored the shootout winner (left) and was congratulated by teammate Justin Williams (right) in a throwback jersey game with Vancouver on October 9th.

"America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser." - General George S. Patton

October 14th, 2010... Well, it pains me to acknowledge the MSU game, but I better update and move on. It was a great Big Ten game between rivals, and as we all know, every 50 years we have to let little brother win a few or it ceases to be a rivalry! They are having a great season,  so I guess letting them get a win every so often keeps the rivalry alive. Anyway, on to Iowa! The Michigan hockey team opened big, sweeping Bowling Green and is now ranked #3 in the country. It's always good to hear that the boys are keeping the tradition alive.

October 5th, 2010... I can't wait for this upcoming weekend - besides the NHL season starting, it's time for the Michigan and Michigan State football game! The rivalry is always big, but it's even better that both teams go into the game undefeated with identical 5-0 records.

It's always great to watch college football, but seeing a special player makes the game that much better. Wolverine fans keep seeing greatness every week as Denard Robinson had another Heisman-like game against Indiana and collected his third Big Ten Award in just 5 games. To rack up 200 yards in a game is a great accomplishment, but this guy just racked up over 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing - becoming the only player in college football history to run and pass for at least 200 yards each in the same game twice during the regular season. He's exciting to watch and "Shoelace" has definitely added to the excitement of Michigan football.

It's always good to get a Big Ten win on the road under your belt, but the team needs to focus and prepare for our little brother - MSU! I can't wait and it should be another great back yard brawl in the Big House. I expect a record crowd for the in-state rival and our Blue Team to give a whipping to Sparty to claim the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Michigan leads the All-Time Series, 67-30-5. Good luck boys! Go Blue!

September 20th, 2010... College football, I just love it and my Michigan Wolverines keep rolling. They're now 3-0 and ranked #22. Go Blue! I'm proud of the guys especially with this last game against U-Mass. It's always tough to play following two very emotional wins (and the Notre Dame comeback was just awesome). It's not easy to be "up" for every game, and the real sign of a winner is winning the game when you're not quite "on" and they pulled through against U-Mass. I know a lot of people were probably expecting a blowout, but those games can be tough and show you what you need to work on.

A packed Big House on a Saturday afternoon and the Winged Helmet - wonderful Michigan football traditions. Love it!

Now Michigan can prepare for the last non-conference game before the Big Ten schedule. Speaking of the Big Ten, I want to wish a strong recovery to Mark Dantonio, who is Michigan State's head football coach, a speedy recovery after suffering a heart attack after MSU's overtime win against Notre Dame on Saturday. Although I bleed blue, you never wish anything bad like that for anyone. He's in my thoughts and prayers.

Michigan's team in front of the American flag - We will never forget 9/11. Denard Robinson continued his stellar play with an amazing 200+ rushing and 200+ passing game against Notre Dame.

September 4th, 2010... It's always a great day in Ann Arbor when the football season starts up, but today was just a fabulous day! I was at the game against Connecticut and they rededicated the field. The Big House got even bigger! Today's announced crowd was 113,090, which sets the all-time attendance record for a football game - college or NFL. I was part of the all-time attendance record for a hockey game early this summer when we took on Germany in front of 77,803 fans and I'm happy to know that the Big House will claim the record for a hockey game in a few months with "The Big Chill at The Big House" on 12-11-10 between Michigan and Michigan State.

There was an awesome pre-game ceremony, fly over, and a stirring moment when a player's brother, who was paralyzed from the waist down in an automobile accident, walked and touched the banner to lead the team on field - and that all happened before the game even started. The Big House is always surreal and makes me proud to be a Michigan Wolverine. There's nothing like a football Saturday in Ann Arbor.

(Clockwise from top right) The field was rededicated after the addition of premium seating, a press box, and tons of other improvements. There was a fly over to kick off the game. There was also an air show that included writing in the sky and the famous Block M. Brock Mealer, brother of offensive guard Elliott Mealer, leads the team onto the field.

I was on sidelines with Braylon Edwards, Mike Hart, Matt Hunwick, Andrew Ebbett, and Larry Foote. It's fun to reconnect with past teammates and classmates and come back to show our support for the program and university. I'll always be a Michigan Wolverine and I only want the best for the future players. We all had a blast cheering for the team and Rich Rod. We are all so proud of the guys - they played so hard and with such passion and it was great to see their hard work paying off. Denard Robinson was great and Mike Martin and the D were terrific. And I can't forget the best band in America. Of course, it's always nice to pick up a win too! The winningest program in football history is definitely on the way back!

The sound of the Michigan Band, Coach Rich Rodriguez, and a renovated, beautiful stadium. Michigan football is back!

Now the team has to focus on the next match up - Notre Dame! Talk about a rivalry and two great programs. It should be fun. It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine! Go Blue! Beat the Irish!

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