Hi everyone. So sorry that I've been away for a few weeks. I will give you the reason of why.
It was March 3rd and everyone in the league knew that it was trade deadline day. Our team (Washington Capitals) had been relatively inactive up till then and we all knew that something was gonna go down for sure. We just didn't know what or when. We were playing Buffalo that night and I followed my game day routine as usual. The morning skate was business as usual and then we all went back to have a meal and a nap.The deadline ended at 3pm. My roommate (Jason Chimera) and I usually nap from 2-4pm. We were joking that we should turn off our phones so that if we were traded we would at least wake up rested.
My room phone rang and woke us up at 3:15. That never happens! We knew that one of us was gone and I was the winner. It was Bruce Boudreau on the phone asking me what my room number was. I told him and he was there 2 min. later to tell me that I had been traded to Carolina with a 2nd round pick and a young prospect for Joe Corvo. Bruce gave me ahug and wished me well and then my mind started racing. Carolina played Ottawa the next day and I had to be there by the 10:30 morning skate..I hopped on a plane to Charlotte, then to DC. My wife picked me up and we started packing for the next month and a half. I kissed my wife and kids goodbye( they were all sleeping) and started the 4 1/2 hour drive to Raleigh. I got in at 6 am and slept until 7:30am. I got up and headed out to meet my new teammates and in a few short hours we beat the Ottawa Senators for my first game as a Carolina Hurricane.
That was a crazy night! I was bombarded with all kinds of emotions. Excited about a new opportunity, sad to miss my family so much, anger for not having a chance to make a run at the Stanley Cup. And many many more. It was one of the most emotionally up and down days of my life.
Through this process I've been tempted to ask God, What the heck is going on here? I really have been drawing from my past and also Gods word in the time. God says He won't give us anything we cant handle.I also know that God has never abandoned me. Every step of my life, He has been there. Every transition he has made seemless and gave us the perfect home and a church community that we loved and friends that are amazing and schools for the kids. Where God guides, He provides. ( I know it'stacky but it works) He has had His hand in everything I have ever done and in everything I will ever do. He is our amazing, gracious and powerful provider.
I probably wouldn't have drawn up the last month of my lifelike this, but I know that I will look back in a few months or years and say, Thank God you are in control and I'm not! His plans are always better than ours.
Be Blessed
Brian