Lightning center and No. 1 overall draft pick Steven Stamkos is making the transition this season from junior star to NHL regular. Throughout the season, the 18-year-old from Markham, Ontario, will share his experiences with Tribune writer Erik Erlendsson to give Tribune readers an insight into his new way of life in his rookie journey.
It was nice this week to have my billet host family from Sarnia Ontario come down to see me; I thought that was pretty cool. I took them out to dinner Wednesday to Fleming's and had a nice steak. Maybe before they leave we'll get a couple of steaks and throw them on the grill. I figure they were stuck with me for two years, so they are staying at my place. We kind of have a reverse role going on this week, which is pretty funny. But it was nice to see them again. I had a great time in Sarnia living in their house for two years. And it was nice that they were able to come to town and see a couple of games.
I've got two bedrooms in my house and I rented enough furniture to have a spare bedroom just in case friends or family came down, so this saves them some money by not staying in a hotel.
Andrew Shaw is actually a scout with Columbus, so it was good to talk some hockey with him. We talked a lot about our game against Boston on Thursday and he likes to talk about his team. We'll talk some junior hockey, too. He still billets my roommate Marc Katic, so Shaw catches me up on how the boys back in Sarnia are doing and stuff like that.
It's just been nice because when you don't have people around to talk to, it's nice to have some familiar faces around. It's good right before the holidays to be able to see them as well. It's been nice to have them down.
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