Latest blog from 11-year-old Michael Anthony:

SUNDAY, JAN. 25, 9:42 P.M.

UNBELIEVABLE!

One word.
 
First I will give a long list of what a great day I had–the best of all, and then later add my friends' thoughts and comments.

Today started with a rehearsal on what we had to do tonight at the NHL All-Star Game.  Last night was fanastic watching Honda/NHL SuperSkills and seeing Ovechkin win, which he said he was going to do. He is so entertaining and fun ,.. he loves the game like we all should and I do.

So many things to tell,  like a normal day would be meeting Gordie Howe in the lobby and he signed our stuff, my jersey and he even signed a black dot of my nose with the marker. He was really nice and a legend, and I see why he is Mr. Hockey! I met Gary Bettman yesterday,  Brian Burke today and so many others that don't play but are so important to the game.

Later we spent an hour with the real Stanley Cup, got to touch it and lots of pics. I learned a lot about it, like every 53 to 65 years it changes the plates and makes room for new teams.
 
Then we went and got dressed at the Bell Centre. My Mom asked me where my gear was and I told her it was still in the dressing room from this morning, at the Bell Centre.  Pretty cool.

Tonight's game was the highlight of the whole weekend,  The game went in overtime and a shootout, But as great a game it was to watch, wow, just to get on national TV,  on the ice with my heroes, and talk to them, I stood between Lecavalier and Malkin, and talked to both. They were very respectful.

I also talked to Sid the Kid at ice level before I went on the ice and it was great to see and talk to him, I told him I hope his knee heals soon.
    
My dad liked the game and seeing me on the ice but thought it was also so cool, to have all the McDonald's board sit in front of us. The president of McDonald's Canada and I think the World were there and many others.  Some comments from my friends with me on the ice for the introductions and national anthems:

Justin Clermont, 10, Anjou, Quebec:  "It was really exciting and amazing to stand next to my heroes, We are so lucky as most kids only get a glimpse of them."

Jesse Ferguson, 11, Nanaimo, British Columbia: "This was so fun to watch and see my hero Robert Luongo, He is my favorite and played great!  I was on the same ice with him at the same time."

Matthew Blindheim, 9, Whitehorse, Yukon Territories: "I love Roberto Luongo and was really excited to see him. As a goalie myself, I loved seeing Luongo make spectacular saves, especially in the 3rd period and also in OT."
 
SATURDAY, JAN. 24, 5:21 P.M.

Today I lived up to my dream and it was even better then yesterday. Playing shinny with Mike Komisarek and Jonathon Toews was unbelievably exciting!  They were both so respectful and always positive.

It's easy to understand why those players are so very popular with everyone. When we came in on the bus, lines were everywhere and real long. We got off the bus and came in VIP area right away and then on the ice later. That is when it really sunk in how lucky we all are and this is every kid's dream. Here what some of my new hockey friends had to say today:
 
"Words cannot describe how exciting it is to be in the same dressing room with all the Eastern All-Stars, getting autographs and seeing all the players was great," said Jett Tokiwa from Mississauga, Ontario. "The media was everywhere as well in the dressing room."  
 
"I can hardly wait for SuperSkills and we may even go on the bench with the team," said Robbie Johnstone, Amherstburg, Ontario. "That would be too cool just like playing today with some of them. They were so nice."
 
"It was really exciting, meeting all the All-Star players and new 11 hockey friends," said Lonan Bulger of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.  "Tonight, I can hardly wait for the Skills."


FRIDAY, JAN. 23, 9:45 P.M.

Today is the best day of my life, but tomorrow will even me better in the dressing room with the All-Stars. Then the next day, Sunday on the ice with all the All-stars will be the best of all.
 
My new hockey friend Noah Dobson from Prince Edward Island enjoyed the night too.

"All the new hockey gear was great and the dinner with the All-Stars was incredible with Johnathon Toews and Mike K," Noah said. "The jersey and getting it signed was fantastic. Thank you McDonald's."

Another happy new hockey friend was Kane MacDonald from Kipling, Saskatoon.

"The gear was 4 times better then my gear at home and the mini draft [each NHL player captain 'drafted' a team] and real All-stars part of i t at the dinner was super." 
 
Tomorrow I will get more comments from other kids as I get to know my friends more and we have a full day of having more fun!