It's that time of year, Hallowe'en decorations are hitting store shelves, back to school ads are everywhere, and players are lacing up the skates for their own workouts, pre-season games, and getting themselves into game shape.

On August 24th SKA with visit CSKA to kick off the KHL's 8th season. Last night the Saint John Sea Dogs blanked the Acadie-Bathurst Titan 5-0 and the Victoriaville Cougars beat the Shawinigan Cataracts 5-4 in OT.

The smell of wet gear is in the air. the O and the W kick off pre-season action in a couple weeks, the NHL is far off, rookie tournaments are still about a month away, but if you're chomping for game action then your local Jr A/B leagues should be kicking off their seasons around that time.

One month people.

In prospect news it's (former?) IceDogs Captain Carter Verheaghe's birthday!

Also a reminder for the man who got rid of David Clarkson
Nathan Horton up for Oshawa Generals Honour - Pension Plan Puppets

TLN's All-Time Greatest Maple Leafs Team: Mats Sundin | The LeafsNation
Anyone who disagrees identify yourself for banishment to TSN's Your Call comment section

Is Mike Babcock Actually an Upgrade on Randy Carlyle? #MyColumn: | The LeafsNation

Is Tyler Seguin the Heir to Sidney Crosby's Title As the Best Hockey Player in the World? - Defending Big D

Note it said player, not robot.

You Will Decide the New Name of This Devils Blog - In Lou We Trust
No, we will not be changing our name.

Excellent... Excellent - Stanley Cup of Chowder
The worst person on the NHL Board of Governers, Jeremy Jacobs (the man who made his employees pay for their stanley cup rings and engineered TWO lockouts) has been given "best man in U"SA hockey" award.

The Quality of Fandom: An Object Lesson - The Cannon

And a note for you Rogers customers out there:

From The Branches