You know, I was gonna come on the blog and do a little Islanders Draft review. But something happened in the sports world on Monday that made me sick to my stomach and has really garnered all of my time in researching and reading the news for the past two days. And since it’s been a little bit since I’ve gotten my personal feelings across, this is a good time to delve into the mind of Tom Liodice.

For those that know me personally, know that I have always been a huge fan of professional wrestling, mainly WWE, but I appreciated the art and sport of professional wrestling. I’ve even interviewed with World Wrestling Entertainment, and am still in the hunt of finding a job there. Sure, there were the over-the-top storylines, the crazy characters, and high-flying action that appealed me as well; but to sit down, and watch an actual solid WRESTLING match, and still be kept on the edge of your seat was most satisfying to me.

There was one man who could pull that off for the past ten years or so, and that man was Chris Benoit. Benoit was arguably my favorite wrestler and I always looked forward to watching him perform. Watching him ply his craft in the ring was almost a thing of beauty. His matches with Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels and HHH were classics that will always be replayed in my mind and in my DVD player for a long time.

Benoit could carry a broomstick to a five-star match, that’s how good he really was. He was a man that commanded respect, both in and out of the ring, and it showed. From the stories I’ve heard, he was a very reserved man, but always made time for the fans to say hi and chat with them. He also apparently put his family above anyone else.

But when my brother knocked on my door around 6:30 on Monday and told me the news about his death, I was devastated. My favorite performer was gone. And then I find out not only him, but his wife and son were also found in the home with him, made me feel even worse. Not only was my favorite performer gone, but his whole family as well. Something had to be amiss. I had first thought it was carbon monoxide poisoning…that seemed like the only logical reasoning from the very few facts we had known when the news broke Monday evening.

As I was watching the Benoit “tribute” show late Monday night, I was still combing the internet, hoping to find anything new that was being reporting. Hoping to find a reason to explain why my favorite performer and his family are now dead. When the show was over, I decided to head over to WWE.com, hoping that they would have some more information. What I found out was shocking, and moreso sickening and very disturbing.

It’s very hard to look at Chris Benoit’s career the same way again. It’s hard to watch some of his greatest matches without thinking to myself, “This man killed a seven-year-old boy.” And not even just a boy, his SON. The circumstances are bizarre. The story is bizarre. Everything surrounding the cause of the deaths, and the mindset he was in is just strange. There really has to be more to it. But for now, I’m angered and saddened at the same time, that such a tragedy has taken place. But moreso angry, knowing I had cheered for a man for the past ten years, who just happens to be now a child murderer.

Stories like this make you really think about life, and how precious it is. Just that night I had an argument with my mom that left a sour taste in my mouth the next morning. I felt bad about the argument, and made sure to go out of my way to give her a call and apologize and let her know I love her. That’s really what everyone should do. Cherish each day you have, and make sure to let your loved ones know how you feel about them. Make sure you appreciate everything you have and everyone around you.

For now, this tragic and bizarre story continues to unfold, and will continue to sadden me for quite a while.  But remember, cherish what you have, for life can be strange, and you never know what is ahead…

Posted under Thoughts

Wow, what a turn of events the past few weeks.  From the looks of things, it seems like the New York Islanders organization is moving in the right direction with the buyout of Alexei Yashin.  My thoughts…

Buying out Alexei Yashin was the only logical thing that could have been done in order for the Islanders to become a true viable contender next year.  I was discussing this with my dad a few days after it happened and he thought that Yashin just didn’t work out just like Michael Peca.  I’m sure this what some think, because I’ve actually heard that comparison from a few people.  But I don’t think that it didn’t work out, it was just that Yashin overstayed his welcome here on the Island.  Yashin, like Michael Peca and even Chris Osgood, were what the Islanders needed in order to get to that next level (ie: making the playoffs) after a last-place finish in the 2000-2001 season.  That trio arguably had their last best season in their careers here in the 2001-2002 season and the Isles succeeded made a great playoff run.

In the subsequent year, Osgood was traded to St. Louis to pave the way for Rick DiPietro to mature into the goalie he is now.  Michael Peca was traded for Mike York in order to make room for Miro Satan to come here.  From my perspective, Peca, Osgood and Yashin were only temporary placemats to make room for the Hunters, the DiPietro’s and the new blood like Sillinger and Smyth.  It was like “Thanks for your help guys, but we’re good now.”

But for now, the New York Islanders are moving forward into a positive direction, a direction without the shadow of Mike Milbury and Alexei Yashin looming over them.  A direction that exemplifies a hard working, gritty, never give up team.  I’m looking forward to it…

Posted under Thoughts