Hi all, Chuck here.

So with the start of the season only a few weeks away (cue our Balki Bartokimus-style “Dance of Joy”), I thought it would be apropos to talk a little bit about my favorite team, the good ‘ol Big, Bad, Black and Gold – the Boston Bruins.

The last few seasons for us have been less than stellar.  Sure we make it to the playoffs, only to get pummeled by the Philadelphia Flyers and Scott Hartnell’s hair last year and the gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Hartford Whalers Caroline Hurricanes the year before, the start of a new season always brings the promise of that perfectly played season that ends with the Czech Giant, Zdeno Chara, lifting the cup 10 feet above his head and skating around the Garden in two strides.  (In case you haven’t heard, dude is mad tall.)

Some in Boston claim that #1 Draft pick Tyler Seguin might be our savior, our Sidney Crosby, you might say, but I’m more excited about Nathan Horton.   Who? Tim Horton, the Canadian Coffee Guy?

Who wants a donut, eh?

No, not him.  This guy…

Nobody is this happy playing hockey in Florida.

Never heard of him?  Me neither.  Not until he came to the Bruins in an off-season trade for defenceman Dennis Wideman and a draft pick.

So who is this guy?

Nathan Horton.  Right Wing.  Born May 29, 1985.  6’2″, 229 lbs. (read: Beast).  Married to Playboy model (of course), who also happens to be the great-niece of Jacques Plante.  Drafted #3 Overall in 2003, at the ripe ol’ age of 18 and was part of the stellar class that year, which included Marc Andre Fleury, Eric Staal, Thomas Vanek, Zach Parise, and Jeff Carter.  Career-high goals: 31.  Total goals: 142.

Word around town is that he’ll be on a line with my Marc (Savard), so the prospect of him scoring 30 or more goals this season is a definite possibility.  Savard loves passing pucks like a fat kid loves eating cake.  Bruins have been dying for a finisher ever since Phil Kessel left and me thinks that this Horton guy and his nasty wrist shot might be it.  Granted this all remains to be seen, I mean there is a whole season to play, but the prospect has me all googily-eyed and optimistic.

Until next time, WUYSers!

Chuck. Out.