The View From Wisconsin

For hockey fans, today is Christmas Eve.

The longest day of the year.

The day before training camps open.

Tomorrow, all of their favorite players - and some soon-to-be favorites - will take to the ice to begin the nine month quest for the Holy Grail of Hockey.

The "Dominion Trophy". Also known as Lord Stanley's Cup.

Teams have new faces, some old familiar ones, and a couple of faces that we're not quite sure about.

Veterans with something to prove, rookies who want to make the NHL. Even a few guys who've gone to great lengths just to show up for training camp (cue the Mission Impossible theme for Mr. Malkin).

It all starts Friday morning.

Christmas Day for Hockey.