Holiday greetings from the AHL

’Tis the day before Christmas, and all through the “A”,
Not a creature is stirring on this holiday.

There’s more to be played and a ways to go still,
But so far this season has been quite a thrill.

Excitement is found ’cross the league, top to bottom,
The finest young players in hockey? We got ’em.

The stars of tomorrow, our teams have got plenty;
Top draft picks this season total more than 220.

With Vanek and Wideman, Bourque and Parise,
The new crop of rookies is making it look easy.

Our goalies are also all playing great hockey,
Like Krahn and LaBarbera, Garon, Niittymaki,

And leading the way on the scoresheet each night,
Are a great bunch of players turning on the red light.

There’s Spezza and Hilbert, Ouellet and Staal, too,
There’s Wellwood, Gamache, Cammalleri and Lehoux,

Kostopoulos, Sarno, Maltais, Ling and Roy,
Beech, Brown, Vermette, Bergeron and Boyes.

A look at the standings finds many close races,
As teams every night are put through the paces.

Atlantic and East, up North and out West,
The battles are raging to see who is best,

There’s a long way to go before the season is up,
And one of these 28 teams wins the Cup.

So from St. John’s to Salt Lake and points far and near,
We’re glad you’re along for the ride again this year.

May your Christmas be merry, and Happy New Year, too,
Warmest holiday wishes, from the AHL to you.