Fall has fallen. Hockey history.

Fall has apparently arrived, though it’s quite likely that there will be another bout of heat any day now. Still, it’s nice not broiling when you walk outside.

I’ve loved fall as long as I can remember — such a sense of possibility, as much as spring in some ways, in other ways. Maybe it was the coincidence with school starting way back when, maybe it’s the anticipation of the upcoming holidays. Maybe it’s just a nice time of year. :)

The list of big hockey names retiring this year continues to grow: Ron Francis announces retirement from NHL after 23 seasons.

That hall of fame class is gonna be crazy, with Francis, Scott Stevens, Al MacInnis, Vinny Damphousse, James Patrick, and of course Mess, et al. A bittersweet time right now.