Good Story, Good Donuts, Good Karma

“I’ve been known to have a few (donuts) in one sitting,” says former Maine Mariner, Boston Bruin, and Oklahoma City Blazer defenseman Bruce Shoebottom. Shoe, who now lives in Maine and keeps busy recruiting salespeople for Glacial Energy and playing for the Boston Bruins Alumni, made time to talk about his hockey history—a good story—and his fondness for my favorite food group.

If he has one regret about his hockey career, it’s that he was “always in such a hurry to get to games.” He wishes he could have slowed down to “take a few more things in and enjoy.” Yet as an Oklahoma City Blazer in 1993–94, he did stop and smell the donuts. He recalls visiting the Dunkin’ Donuts shop on Route 66, the road that would lead him to Southern California.

Two years later, he was playing for the San Diego Gulls, and in the 1996–97 season he tallied a dozen points: six goals and six assists.

Now that he’s retired, donuts still delight him. “I always liked the Double Chocolate and the French Cruller,” he says. But he won’t eat too many of either and cautions anyone he might hire: “You gotta be careful in Sales; you’re one or two donuts away from being 260 pounds.”

From good donuts to the law of moral causation…Shoe would like readers to consider donating to one of causes below. “Good Karma going forward,” he says.

Positive Thoughts for Keri
c/o Sue Bosworth
23 Second Street
Amesbury Mass 01913

Travis Roy Foundation

Katie's Fight

Nine hundred thousand is a nice number if it’s your NHL salary.

For Katie Thomas, a Colorado Avalanche season-ticket holder, that dollar amount is a nightmare. The thirty-three year-old single mom, who in 2007 was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, said the cost of her clinical trial, which is not covered by her health insurance, is approaching that figure.

Thursday night, Katie sounded cheerful talking about hockey (and donuts) but admitted that the trial treatment, which was necessary because traditional treatment wasn’t effective, saps her strength.

“I’ve lost considerable weight,” she said. (The treatment) weakens my bone structure.”

But Katie hasn’t lost hope—hope that she’ll recover sufficiently to skate with her nine-year-old daughter at Big Bear Ice Arena in Aurora, CO or maybe return to playing pick-up hockey with her nephews.

“I’ll need a good year after I’m declared in remission to skate again,” she said.

Until then, she’ll endure the treatments, watch her daughter skate, and root for Milan Hejduk—her favorite player because he’s under-rated—and the Avalanche.

The NHL is helping Katie with medical expenses by donating funds raised at an online auction, where you can bid on rare autographed sports memorabilia—from hockey sweaters to pictures to pucks. Items signed by members of the Miracle on Ice, Phil Kessel, and Ray Bourque are up for grabs. Items signed by Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky and other greats are also available. The bidding ends on Thursday, August 7th.

As the spirit moves you, please consider bidding or a donating directly to Katie’s fund.

With your help, Katie will sleep more soundly.