Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes
and Mike Fisher of the Nashville
Predators face off in the second round
of the National Hockey League playoffs.
But their bond is not in question.
The two men, key players for their
respective franchises, have become
friends off the ice over the past few
years, in large part because of their
common faith.
The two fi rst connected at the 2005
International Ice Hockey Federation's
World Championship in Austria and
again at the world championship in Swit-
zerland as teammates on Team Canada.
"I have a lot of respect for Shane,"
the Nashville Predators' number one
center told ESPN.com. "We've become
friends, not only because we played
at the world championships togeth-
er, but because of our faith in Christ.
That's the unique bond there, we
formed a friendship, we relate to each
other and the sport and some of the
things we go through. We encourage
each other when we can. It's been fun."
along famously once they met.
"I love the way he plays; I love the way
he competes," the Phoenix Coyotes'
captain told ESPN.com. "He's a solid
hockey player and a solid person. Be-
ing genuine is the most important as-
pect of understanding people, and I
think Mike is as genuine a guy as there
is. He's not going to pretend he's any-
thing that he's not, and I think that's
great. I admire that."
"The thing that I liked most about
the whole Tim Tebow thing is that
he's genuine," Doan said. "It's not a
fa�ade, it's not a fake thing. It's genu-
ine, it's who he is. He's very humble,
very generous and all the things that
you want. That's so important. It's real.
That's the nicest part of that whole
thing and why so many people got
caught up in it."
Fisher said the magnitude of the
Tebow story has fi ltered down to where
people like himself are getting asked
more questions about their faith. And
Fisher's fi ne with that.
we tend to place added value
on things and people clos-
est to us. We may gather with
friends and family for Thanks-
giving and football, and there
are moments when we take
stock of the important aspects
of our lives.
circumstances and events pre-
vent us from being with our
loved ones. Being apart is
never easy, nor is it pleasant.
During those times we long to
fi nd comfort and community.
an inventory of the people in
your life who mean the most
to you. If you haven't spoken
to one or more of those indi-
viduals, why not send them a
note or give them a call? Do-
ing so might just be the best
thing you'll do all year.