This is it. My plans are made, my bag is almost packed and I just have to spend the next 9 hours at the office, finishing up my reports for the month of June & send it to my manager. Maybe a couple of Vodkas at night to prepare me for the 5 & a 1/2 journey to Calicut tomorrow. My folks are already on their way there, they will be able to attend Radha chechi's wedding tomorrow, I will be able to attend tha reception in the evening. Tuesday & most of Wednesday should be all fun & partying with Mujeeb, Anoop & Shinoy. I 'm so excited & I just can't hide it. Yuck Yuck, lol!!



Born in Oshawa, Ontario, Joe Nieuwendyk played college hockey at Cornell University in New York state. He spent three years on the Ivy League school's team and was twice named to the ECAC's First All-Star Team, in 1986 and 1987. He was also selected as an All-American in both years. In 1985, after his freshman year, the Calgary Flames were sufficiently impressed to draft him in the second round, 27th overall. In his first full season as a Flame, 1987-88, the young center scored 51 goals and 92 points, becoming only the second NHL player after Mike Bossy to score 50 goals in his rookie season. His totals also included eye-popping 31 power-play goals and 8 game-winners, and he was rewarded with the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. Nieuwendyk's second season with the Flames was just as impressive as his first. He was the leader of a team that won the Stanley Cup, again scoring 51 goals. In 1991 he was named captain of the Flames. When knee problems prevented Nieuwendyk from playing early in the 1995-96 season, the Flames found few takers on the trade market. Finally, in December 1995, the Dallas Stars acquired Nieuwendyk for Corey Millen and Jarome Iginla. Hockey seems to come naturally to the Nieuwendyk family. Joe's uncle, Ed Kea, played in the National league for Atlanta and St. Louis and his cousins are NHLers John and Jeff Beukeboom. Besides being an exceptional hockey player, Nieuwendyk was also considered to be the best lacrosse player in Canada, and at one point he even played on a team that won the Minto Cup, the country's top award in that sport. Known as an aggressive player in front of the net as well as a good passer, Nieuwendyk's style of play has caused a number of health problems, he missed most of the 1998 playoff due to a knee injury. However, in 1999, his health and luck returned as Nieuwendyk scored 6 game-winning goals in the playoffs to lead the Stars to victory over Buffalo in the Stanley Cup finals. The Oshawa native went on to play parts of two more season's with the Stars before he was traded to the New Jersey Devils. Since his arrival in New Jersey, Nieuwendyk has reached numerous milestones including the 500 goals, 500 assists and 1,000 points. In 2003, Nieuwendyk earned his third career Stanley Cup ring despite missing the Final due to injury and then later that summer signed as a free-agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs. On the internatioal stage, Nieuwendyk represented Canada at the 1986 World Junior Championships, at the 1990 World Championships, and is a two-time member of Canada's Winter Olympic team (1998-2002).



Honours and Awards
2002-03 Stanley Cup (New Jersey)
2001-02 Olympic Gold Medal (2002-CAN)
1998-99 Stanley Cup (Dallas)
1998-99 NHL - Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoffs' MVP)
1994-95 NHL - King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian of the Year)
1993-94 Played in NHL All-Star
1989-90 Played in NHL All-Star
1988-89 Stanley Cup (Calgary)
1988-89 Played in NHL All-Star
1987-88 NHL - Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
1987-88 NHL - All-Rookie Team
1987-88 NHL - Dodge Ram Tough Award
1987-88 Played in NHL All-Star
1986-87 NCAA - East First All-American Team
1986-87 ECAC - First-Team All-Conference Team
1985-86 NCAA - East First All-American Team
1985-86 ECAC - First-Team All-Conference Team



Song for the day - "Cruel Little Number" - JEFF HEALEY