Links - Winter Classic a homecoming for McElman NHLcom B - North River Minor Hockey Association

Winter Classic a homecoming for McElman NHLcom Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009 SCORES LEAGUE SCORES NHL GAMECENTER LIVE SCHEDULE TODAY BY WEEK BY MONTH BY SEASON STANDINGS DIVISION CONFERENCE LEAGUE VS EAST VS WEST 2009 PRESEASON STATS LEAGUE LEADERS INDIVIDUALS TEAMS GAMEBYGAME CAREER SHOOTOUTS 2009 PRESEASON TEAMS Chicago Blackhawks Columbus Blue Jackets Detroit Red Wings Nashville Predators St Louis Blues Calgary Flames Colorado Avalanche Edmonton Oilers Minnesota Wild Vancouver Canucks Anaheim Ducks Dallas Stars Los Angeles Kings Phoenix Coyotes San Jose Sharks New Jersey Devils New York Islanders New York Rangers Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Montreal Canadiens Ottawa Senators Toronto Maple Leafs Atlanta Thrashers Carolina Hurricanes Florida Panthers Tampa Bay Lightning Washington Capitals PLAYERS SEARCH PLAYERS ROOKIES DRAFT HISTORY NEWS HEADLINES FEATURES NHL WINTER CLASSIC 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS NHL ENTRY DRAFT NHL AWARDS STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS NHL ALLSTAR GAME HOCKEYS FINEST ALL NEWS STORIES NOUVELLES EN FRANAIS FANTASY PLAY FANTASY HOCKEY 09 VIDEO LIVE GAME VIDEO NHL NETWORK PHOTOS FANS NHL FANS NHL ON FACEBOOK NHL ON TWITTER NHL ON YOUTUBE NHL TOOLBARS SATURDAYNHLPICKS NHL TWITTER LISTS NHL TWEETMIXX MOBILE TICKETS NHL TICKETS BUY AND SELL NHL TICKETS SHOP SHOPNHLCOM AUCTIONS JERSEYS MEN WOMEN KIDS NYC NHL STORE Winter Classic a homecoming for McElmanThursday 01012009 251 PM Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic 2009 By Mike G Morreale NHLcom Staff Writer One fellow official said that while Im out there Ill notice the childish grins on the faces of all the players I think Ill have the same childish grin during the game Im sure it will be an awesome experience and Im looking forward to working it NHL linesman Andy McElman CHICAGO Andy McElman has fond memories growing up in Park Forest Illinois playing pond hockey and being chilled to the boneWe would walk down to the creek and play hockey for hours McElman saidBut as he grew older he traded in his stick for a whistle in order to take a shot at officiating He was certainly eager to learn the ropes Why else would he travel into nearby Deerfield Ill to one of the coldest rinks in the area to perfect his craftThe rink was known as the Deerfield Bubble and I think it was the only time I ever wore gloves while officiating a hockey game McElman told NHLcom There was another rink in Oak Park (Ill) that was open to the elements It had a roof and locker rooms but no walls and the wind would blow right through itMcElman 47 who was hired as an NHL linesman in 1993 isnt sure if hell break out the gloves one more time Thursday when he works the lines with Dan Sc...