An Open Letter from Mark Hendricks

Dearest Comrades,

As many of you are aware of by now, I will not be able to play for the Red Army this season. That is not to say I'll be wearing the jersey of another team (I would never ever dare toy with that idea). The truth of the matter is this: a lack of funds, a debt to pay, and a shallow job pool have created a perfect storm, if you will, and its wrath erased "Roller Hockey" from the list of things I can afford.

The timing of this? Terrible, I know. We (I will continue to use this pronoun when referring to the team) have just limped off to a 0-2 start in a division that features more talent than any in the previous seasons. While I was looking forward to the challenge of the next three months with salivating lips, it appears the taste will elude me. This team, and perhaps I say this every season, is loaded with talent. The additions of Tony Horton, Ryan Odell, and Pete Collis add grit, stingy defense, leadership, speed, and offensive potency to a team that already oozes with these things. I trust that even without my goal scoring prowess, the offense will still pack a very hard punch. The defense... well, I had nothing to do with them.

Wishful thinking dictates that before too long I'll be employed, and I could hop on mid-season. Yes, it's possible. I start my job as fashion connoisseur sales associate in the men's department at Kohl's on Tuesday. Also, early indications of the hockey schedule make it appear that I will have a heavy load of reffing work, which is good. On top of those things, a government job may only be a few weeks off, which would equate to the sound of a cash register opening. But, of course, this is all conjecture, and most likely a few months will pass while I work odd jobs and only frequent the rink while attired in stripes. Pessimistic? Maybe a tad, but at least I'll get a discount on V-neck sweaters.

For now, the pregame mass text responsibilities go to Steve Hand, the blogging responsibilities will go to Ryan Odell (should he chose to accept them), and the excessive celebration responsibilities go to Ben Breiterman. Text, blog, and fist pump well, gentlemen.

So long my Comrades. While I hope this farewell to arms is a brief one, I will still miss you. Now, as I go and search for work, I hope, and expect, that you all will continue to do work.

Mark Hendricks

PS: Team party sometime soon? Just saying.