Well a bunch of the Posse and I splurged and purchased tickets to Pucks and Passports. Hang on, don’t give me that wth? look. Let me explain. But those of you lookin for REAL Coyotes news may wanna skip this entry… be sure to come back tomorrow for the Season Preview though

Pucks and Passports is a classier more intimate version of the player’s luncheon. The Yotes used to do a charity gig where you could purchase a seat at a table and sit and eat with the players and coaches. It was one of those rubber chicken events where the basic saving grace was talking to the players and staff in a comfortable setting, like you would friends at dinner. This year the Yotes flipped the script and held a dinner instead. Everybody dressed up and the fare was a selection of dishes from countries that our players are from.

The event was held at the Job and the arena was all duded up like a restaurant. Pretty lighting, linen table cloths, some pool tables, a live band (featuring a couple of Doug Moss’ sons! and man they weren’t bad at all)plus uniformed servers, both at the food tables and wandering around offering samplings of food. There was a stage and a few small presentaions and the introduction of the team. (poor Pang murdered Z’s home town pronunciation too and now I dont feel bad cuz Z wouldn’t pronounce it for Pang either). The boys were sportin one of a kind hometown jerseys that were later ponied up for the silent auction. Then the fun started.

The players and the staff wandered around talking to anyone and everyone. Very informal, very intimate. After grabbing our table, the Posse (C13, BTinAZ, AZM, AZG, Nik and ArtVandelay) headed for Canada (venison stew and ice wine in 3 varieties and molson beer) tasty. Then on to Denmark for Smorrebord (herring sandwhiches and some ham and bleu cheese crumbles and these really awesome sugar browned potatoes accompanied by some Carlsberg). We took a short break to talk to every one from Heeter, Nash, Panger and Moss. Gretzky took a turn on the stage to do a wee bit of hazing of our newest kids. TGO drew out of a hat and Jonas was the lucky rookie chosen to talk about how he liked Phoenix. Jlov has a pretty heavy accent and admits to being better speaking in small groups but gamely soldiered through the impromptu speech.

Then we went on to the Czech Republic for some out of this world Bramboraka (potato soup) and some not so exciting Ovocne Knedliky (prune dumplings with melted butter) and awesome Czechvar beer. Some of us stopped to chat up the very sauve Kurt Sauer, some of us were greedy and headed over to Russia, where we stationed ourselves in front of the salmon and toast points and dipped into the adventures of rustic mushroom pie with sour cream drizzle. Our resident comedic Russian goalie regaled us w/ stories of how (dis iz NOT our fewd, I tried to get black caviar but iz tew expenzive. Iz verra gewt but verra expenzive.) and generally was killing us with laughter before he headed off to grab hotdogs. I kid you not, all that wonderful food! and he headed straight for the hotdogs w/ Enver trailing behind him, shaking his head and smiling.

So we cleared our palates w/ a Russian Vodka Martini sample and headed for Sweden, only to be met by our Swedish Wolf who advised us on how to REALLY eat (swedish meatballs, potatos and Lingonberry jam) or Svenska Kottbuller.  (apparently the jam goes WITH the meatballs, not on the side or on the bread) Who knew meat and jelly went together? We chit chatted w/ Telly and taste tested the meatballs and potatos w/ and without the jam and made sure Telly was as eager to start the season as we thought before moving on to America. By the way, if anyone offers you a Swedish Blue, be very careful not to overindulge. Those puppies are potent.

You might think the players would be sampling the food from their home tables but you would be wrong. Most of them were lined up for the hot dogs and Rosemary Parmesan chips in the paper cones. Amazing… or maybe it was the Sam Adams they were lining up for? But we caught up w/ Matt Jones and discovered that the Pack added yet another lil member over the summer, when the Jones family expanded to include lil Colton. Congratulations! Matty introduced us to David Hale. Poor DHL took it in stride when we assailed him with a bunch of chatter, he’s a keeper, he fit right in.

Much waving and smiling at our two Czechs, Z and Hanzal (patiently waiting behind Breezy in the hot dog line) a brief but fun chat with Rhino and we were off for a second circuit of the room.  First stop to visit with a fan favorite, Derek Morris. Introductions to the really patient player’s bench security guy (who maybe now won’t be so quick to throw us out when we get rowdy) and much back and forth banter w/ DMo (who still owes C13 some of his maybe-world-famous-but-still-really-good Mac n cheese) before heading off to torment Bods and Jlov.

In case you don’t know yet Jlov is still on the roster! (YAY! Jonas) but will start the season on IR w/ Joel Perrault. (Jonas broke fingers in a preseason game against the Ducks and JP is still fighting a vicious concussion that just won’t let go).  Well I didn’t know Jonas broke anything so I introduce myself as the crazy lady fan who has been corresponding w/ him the last 2 years, how good it is to ‘officially’ meet him… and stick out my hand… only to freak out at almost squeezing the taped up, wounded paw. Of course being a nut case, but a polite one I shake his wrist, avoid the fingers, barely and now he is fairly sure I have more than one screw loose. But they both pose for pics and patter and assure us they are also rarin to go for the new season.

Jovo, Fridge, Joker, MacG and the Captain were kept pretty busy so not much interaction there. The Doaner even made a great speech and toast to the new season from the stage. Yandle was super personable and chatted for a wee bit w/ C13. The only player we basically missed yakckin or posin w/ was Kevin Porter, who had to miss the event due to a family emergency. (our condolences to the Porter family)

So we slowly inch closer to the pool table where DC is holding court, we watch our resident Wild Thang show off his prowess on the felt top, take some pics and chat a bit. Danny up close and personal makes you a wee bit nervous, there is a bad boy glint in his eye that says something wicked is brewing underneath that untamed mane of hair. He’s almost as intense off the ice as on, its just directed towards fun instead.

Reluctantly we move back towards our seats as the silent auction and raffle winners are announced and prizes are collected, only to find KT and Tiki holding court at the other pool table. Much to my dismay, I find myself w/ cue in hand set to do battle (lefties against righties) with Teal and Tiki (the Norcal twins) … against poor KT who is saddled with me. A spirited game ensues, frequently interrupted by KT and Tiki’s ardent fans. They are so polite, sweet and mature about it, you would think they’ve been doing this for years. KT, (don’t let the choir boy looks fool ya, the boy wields a mean pool cue) manages to sink the 8 and high fives and hugs are passed around like party favors. Definitely a highlight of the night.

The guys are calling Viktor, Teeks, back in Russia its Tishka, (a diminutive of his last name and his grandfather’s old sobriquet) but he says he won’t mind if we use our favored, Tiki. You know you play too much mobsters when the conversation goes there and you are elated that Tiki also plays. NO you don’t get to know who he is on mobsters… sorry, thats between me and him. But since he’s died like 400+ times and only won like 4 times LOL Chances are you’ve probably hit the poor guy up for some cash.

We finish up with a return to Finland (the first trip was to sample the Vodka and strawberry juice that was shaken gently and poured thru a Coyotes head logo ice sculpture), this trip was to sample the to-die-for cheesecakettes and miniature choco/maple cupcakes. The server at this station was the hit of the serving staff. Welcoming us to Finland like a real customs agent at the Finnish border, what a riot!

Doug Moss catches up to us once again and introduces us to his gorgeous daughter, she is a sweetie and quite charming. We let him know just how wonderful the evening has been and beg to do it again next year. The evening is winding down (my feet hurt) and I think we have all imbibed just enough, so we gather up all our goodies and head home. If you can scramble up the cash next year, you won’t be disappointed if you spend it on this event. Seriously, a blast and a half. Supporting Coyotes Charities has never been so enjoyable. Good cause, good people, good fun.

Thanks Coyotes!

Pics courtsey of AZMissConduct

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