All NHL Players Must Register and Get Approval for Their Dreams

The game: LA Kings vs. Atlanta Thrashers.

Why I chose it: Because it's their season opener, in all it's opening night hype-o-rama glory. Because Anze Kopitar somehow managed to get prettier with a mile-long scar above his lip. Because the national anthem is being played instead of sung...by Guns n' Roses guitarist Slash. Only in L.A. Game on.

Meanwhile back in Anaheim: The d-men left my favorite Swiss goalie out to dry. Ditto for his backup. Why am I not shocked?

Which is why...oohhh did I say that out loud?: Every d-man on Anaheim's team (excluding Cam Fowler, who's just following bad orders) is currently on my pooh list. And they're not coming off until they swear allegiance to cutie pie Swiss goalies and promise never to do it again.

The quirk: The broadcaster mixed up last night's game with this one and just called the opposing team the Atlanta Flames.

The rule: Article 11, Rules and Procedures Governing Standard Player's Contract. 11.5. Filing and Approval Process.

If you thought being a superstar in the NHL means no shuffling paper and red tape and all that, think again: An SPC will be demmed to be filed with Central Registry only when it is actually received by Central Registry. Said document must be filed electronically or by fax. The Registry then must record the date and time they receive the SPC. A Club must file the SPC by no later than 5 pm on day following the one in which they have received the SPC or Offer Sheet from the player. If it's received after 5 pm, it will be deemed to have been received the next day. Finally, if no action is taken by the League after this, the SPC will be deemed to be approved and registered. Central Registry shall provide to electronically to the Club and the NHLPA a daily bulletin of all SPCs that have been approved and registered.

Morals of the story:

The game: Come on now, your secret dream is to be the guy or gal who prepares the daily bulletin of the SPCs that have been approved and registered. I know when I was in kindegarten and the teacher said what do you want to be when you grow up? I certainly didn't raise my hand and say I want to write a mind-numbing newsletter about how many pieces of paper my boss approved today. Which got me to thinking. And we know what happens when I do that.

Life: How do we get lost between wanting to be a famous hockey player, a writer, a dancer and artist and selling insurance or filling out spreadsheets or making widgets in a windowless basement office? Where, when and how do we give up on who and what we wanted to be? It's too easy to make little compromises and sacrifices that don't seem like a big deal, until one day you turn around and you've sold your whole dream to the highest bidder, instead of just the part of it you needed to sell just long enough to achieve it. Perhaps some of us have reached the point where winning an Olympic gold medal is out of reach, or maybe fitting into that size 4 prom dress again is not gonna' happen. But if you are still breathing and getting up everyday and going forth into the world, chances are there's still a chance for other dreams. Want my advice? Take it. No exceptions. No excuses.

Next up: Article 11, Rules and Procedures Governing Standard Player's Contract. 11.6, Rejection of SPCs and/or Offer Sheets.