For our first game of the year, I am really happy. We graduated a lot of players last year and it was great to see the kids putting points on the board and stepping up.

I follow what's going on in the game, who's going where and what former players are doing, ... Whether you're in scouting or management or coaching, you have an impact and it matters how your team does. You make sure you do your job well because you have a potential to make a difference. Just being a part of an organization -- whether it be the Olympic program, or just your own club -- maybe you're not on the ice, but it still matters to you.

Some of the best young players in the game are Canadian, ... I don't care how many years you have played and how much success you have had. This is the only year that matters. ... To me, I have to earn the place.

I am very happy with the way things are going. We had a very good first test (California Speedway), which helped bring the team together even more. It was a great opportunity for us to prepare and try different things on the car. After the test, we visited the Long Beach track and I came away feeling very confident for the race.

That's what makes the game so cruel. On one side, I have to be happy with the way we played. We moved the ball well, we played on the ground, we held some great possession. We just didn't show the composure to score.

Talk to me after the first game. We're a new coaching staff still getting to know our players. We haven't had the band out there or the cheerleaders out there yet. Who knows what our guys will do when that happens.