This season was the first that we didn't have the same player for the whole year. We did manage to keep his wife, Lori, for the whole season, though! It was definitely a different sort of year.
Chris was an older player, having played in many leagues for many different teams. He had been around the block a time or two, so he was no dummy. He was a strong defenseman and wasn't afraid to drop the gloves when the need arose. He showed up in Wheeling a few months before his wife did. Lori was in the process of selling their home in Alaska and making the move to the area. She had to ship all their furniture, vehicles, and even a horse! She found a local stable to board her 7 year old Quarter horse, Doc, and the family settled in. She was able to transfer from her government job in Alaska to one in Pittsburgh. They were planning on this being a permanent move.
This was definitely a rocky year for the Nailers team and it wasn't easy on the players. There were many problems between the players and Coach Alain Lemieux and many requested to be traded, including Chris. Eventually, he got his wish and was traded to Pensacola. Lori stayed here until they were certain where they were going to settle.
After a short time, Chris was given an offer to return to the Anchorage Aces of the Western Professional Hockey League and he took it. Lori prepared to move all their things back to Alaska, including Doc. In the time that she was here without Chris, she spent many hours with us, and we became very close friends. She is almost like a sister to me now. She hated to leave, we hated to see her go, and it was another tearful farewell when she did leave.
Chris finished out the year with the Aces but they didn't advance very far into the playoffs. Lori got her old job back and is very happy with it, although she misses us very much. With my brother in Seattle, the next visit there will be like a family reunion. Lori plans on making the trip from Alaska to Washington to catch up with all of us. It's hard to say where Chris will end up playing next season. It's just a shame that they had to go so far away.

2004-2005 Update: After moving back to Anchorage, Chris played a couple years with the Aces then played with the Missouri River Otters of the UHL before moving on to play for the Sherbrooke St. Francois team of the QSMHL. You just never know where he may end up this season. Recently we have been back in touch with Lori, who has since divorced Chris and is still living in the Anchorage area. She is the happy grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren, including a set of twins, and she spends much of her time with her sons and their families or with her horse, Doc, who is still a major part of her life. We hope to be able to get together for a visit sometime in the future. As much as we liked Chris, it seemed we adopted Lori and was closer to her. We wish Chris well and hope that he finds whatever it is that he is looking for in life.

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2005-2006 Update: Word has it that Chris is back playing pro hockey. He will be in Texas in the CHL on a team coached by friend and former teammate, Butch Kaebel. Good luck to you, Chris, and thank you so much for the jersey you sent us from Anchorage last season.
We are still in contact with Lori and we will always be family. She keeps us updated on her life and how the grandkids are coming along. We miss her alot and look forward to the day that we can see her again.