Eric Staal is continuing the tradition of providing a suite for every home game for local charity groups.  Staal, who has shared a suite with either Justin Williams or Erik Cole the last two years, will purchase a suite by himself this year.

Doug Warf

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This is a great gesture by Staal and something that is appreciated by local charities throughout the hockey season.  It is awesome to visit the suite attendees, usually kids, as it is typically the first hockey game they have attended.  Their reaction to the entire game experience is very exciting and refreshing. 

Even better is when some groups get the chance to meet Eric after the game.  I distinctly remember a group of girls from a local non-profit who could not stop talking until Eric walked out last year…then...dead silence.  That silence said more to me than the 1,000 words per minute they were uttering before.  Of course he left and the silence was quickly replaced by discussions of his level of awesomeness (I guess their reaction is the true definition of AWEsome isn’t it?).  

Staal’s contract pen to be Auctioned
To continue giving back, Eric Staal and Jim Rutherford agreed to use a community relations issued Hurricanes pen to sign Eric’s landmark contract last Thursday.  The slick silver pen will soon be available for auction on our NHL auction web page, with proceeds going to the Kids 'N Community Foundation.  The pen will be accompanied by an autographed photo of Staal and Rutherford at the historic press conference. 

I tried to call a press conference to use the pen to sign my own three-day, $30 guaranteed extension…but it seems the ‘Canes might be holding out for arbitration.

Cam’s Champs
We met today with the folks from the Special Olympics to work on a third year of Cam’s Champs.  We have re-worked some of the prizes to include a really cool piece of game-worn memorabilia (rhymes with jersey), usually reserved only for auction.  More details will follow.

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