Mike Sundheim

Index | Archive

You may remember that after notching two goals and assisting on the game-winner in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta on Jan. 27, Eric Staal became the first player in franchise history to earn Most Valuable Player honors at an All-Star Game. With those honors came an interesting-looking piece of crystal courtesy of McDonald’s, and a brand new vehicle, courtesy of Dodge.

The Dodge vehicle driven onto the ice that day was a Dodge Journey, a crossover SUV that the carmaker was just introducing. But once we got in touch with the people at Dodge, we learned that Eric did have options if he preferred another Dodge vehicle over the family-oriented Journey.

Given the option, the kid who grew up on a sod farm in Thunder Bay opted for a pickup truck. After a little research on Dodge.com, Eric picked out a mineral gray, Quad-cab Dodge Ram 1500 as his All-Star prize. The arrangements were made and the vehicle was prepared to meet his specifications.

But with Eric in Europe and then Thunder Bay this summer, and the paperwork still being worked out between corporate at the dealership here, the pick-up of the pickup still hadn’t happened – until today. I got the calls from Michigan and Raleigh this morning that everything was finally set, and Eric headed out to Southern States this afternoon with his lovely wife, Tanya, to get his new truck.

Thanks to Lisa Cucchi with QEK Special Vehicles up in Michigan for all of her help in getting the vehicle (and the paperwork) to Raleigh. And thanks to Chris Pyle at Southern States Dodge in making today quick and painless for the All-Star MVP.

We’re off to Southern California bright and early tomorrow morning, so please note that practice will be in El Segundo, California tomorrow and not at the RBC Center as previously planned.

Subscribe | Discuss | Contact Previous | Next

Comments for Mike?

*Name:

*Email:

Age:

Comments: