As the Western Hockey League nears its Christmas Break, our Giants Insider provides a short update on the Giants Alumni, informs the readers about the Inaugural Global Cup, provides an update on Michal Repik's post concussion syndrome, and previews the Giants' upcoming games.  

A hush has fallen on the rinks of the WHL as they shutdown for their Christmas break. Some players like Giants (and newly signed Nashville Preds)Dman Jon Blum suit up for their country and battle for a WJHC gold medal. The rest get time to head home to their families and friends and do what regular teenagers do. Get a chance to sleep in a little, head to the local rink for a skate without 2 points being on the line and spark up the sibling rivalry rather than the one against Chilliwack. I think sometimes we forget that these players are teenagers and the sacrifice that they make of moving away from home and not being able to do what normal kids their age do. And for the highschool aged players, they have just finished up a stressful time. Not only do they have practice and games, but they also just had to go through final exams. Merry Christmas to all the Giants and their families!

Alumni Update
Former Giants captain Mark Fistric got some exciting news yesterday. He was called up by the Dallas Stars who are at GM Place tonight to battle the Canucks. This isn't Fistrics first call up, but in his last one he didn't see any ice time. Hopefully he draws into the lineup tonight.

Inaugural Global Cup Champs
With their 2-0 shutout of the Chilliwack Bruins on the 15th, the Giants have clinched the Global Cup. The WHAT I hear some people saying? Well the Global Cup is a prize put up by Global Media that will go to the winner of the head to head series match up between the Giants and the Bruins. I understand the theory behind it, that it is to build a rivalry between the 2 teams for bragging rights. But really, it is just a marketing ploy by Global. Game 5 between these 2 teams last season was all that was needed to build a rivalry. I guess maybe 5-10 years down the road this will mean something. Until then, I am kinda "meh" about the whole thing. It was also teddy bear toss night. Here is some video of James Henry's first WHL goal and the bears that followed:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onmBP15FSTw

Repik Update
As of last week, Michal Repik has been post concussion symptom free for a week and was cleared by doctors to fly home for Christmas. This is excellent news. His progress is ahead of schedule and looks like he is in good shape to make a full recovery and be able to play again late January or early February. And if he is able to fly, that would mean that the damage to his inner ear is healed.

Upcoming games
Giants will close out 2007 at home. Usually some nice size crowds around the holidays as people get Christmas packs under the tree and people bring their out of town guests to games.

Blazers @ Giants - Thurs. Dec. 27th - 7pm
Giants will of course be without Blum playing for Team USA. Blazers will be without Juuso Puustinen who was named today to the Finnish team.

Rockets @ Giants - Sat. Dec. 29th - 7pm
Should be a good game between the #1 and #2 teams in the BC Division. Rockets will be without their best Dman Luke Schenn who is away with Team Canada.

Well happy holidays to all. Stay safe over the festive season and see you in 2008!


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