Press Release

Well I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for coming down. It's not what my family and I had in store.

I just want to thank the Edmonton Oilers Organization for giving [Ryan Smyth] an opportunity to play in the National Hockey League. It's a privilege to play in the National Hockey League - its an honour.

Since first hearing about the trade of Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders, I have been going through a tough time. I heard the news Tuesday night, a few minutes after the deal had been done. I was with JB of Norwich at a Norwich City football match in Luton - a disgusting dirty old town just outside of London. I was standing with thousands of men in football shirts chanting and swearing. I knew it was trade deadline day so I had my phone in my hand, but the deadline had passed and I hadn't heard anything so I thought we were safe. Then Pearce texted me.

"Call Me. Prepare yourself."

I called her. I could feel myself going pale and my knees went weak. I sat down in the stands, the only person sitting. Pearce said to me, "Hi Emm. Do you want to hear it from me, or your mom?" I told her she could do it. She told me about the trade to New York. I was in absolutle shock and I thanked her for telling me. I can't imagine how hard that must have been. Pearcey - you've been a great friend. I owe you my life.

I then called mum and Jenna and well...everyone I've ever met. I spent the next 40 minutes hysterically bawling in a football stadium. (POOR JB of Norwich!) The train ride home from the game I was comatose. This was Step One of the mourning process. Shock and Isolation.

Step One is now complete. I did lock myself away for the past three days and avoided calling home. I may or may not still be covered in Doritos.

I am positive most of you bloggers are going through the five stages as well. Step Two is Anger which we have seen and heard from many of you. Step Three is Bargaining. "If only we had done this, then we could have..." Step Four is Depression. And Step Five is Acceptance. If you are feeling any of these, it is normal. I will not tell you which Step The Emm is on right now but I will hint that it is NO WHERE NEAR Step Five and she skipped Step Two and Step Three.

I will now open up the floor to questions:

"Emm! Emm! Does this mean you are an Islanders fan?"

Emm: No, it does not. I am an Oilers fan til the day I die. I bleed copper and blue (with a bit of red) and will cheer for them regardless.

"So does this mean you hate Ryan Smyth?"

Emm: Not at all. Ryan is my first love and he gave me twelve great years as an Edmonton Oiler. I still respect him as a player and will always love him. I have to be thankful that I was given those twelve years, which is rare in the hockey world. I have so many wonderful memories that he has given me. His heart for the game will never leave him, which is what first caught my attention when I was 14 years old. (Despite popular belief that it was his mullet!) He also never fails to wear his heart on his sleeve, something that he proved in his press conference as he spoke about how much he loves Edmonton and the Oilers organization. I am still Mrs. Smytty and will be Mrs. Smytty forever.

"Over here! Emm - what will you do with your Ryan Smyth jerseys?"

Emm: Great question Tina. If Ryan Smyth were a normal player for the Edmonton Oilers and got traded, I may look into supporting another Oilers number on my back. But as we all know, that is not the case. Ryan represents an era, a philosophy, and a time when the Oilers grabbed the hearts of millions. He is the Gretzky (in popularity, not skill) of my generation. I will still proudly wear my #94 jersey to the games, not as someone who got burnt and spent money on a jersey just to have the guy traded (sorry #44 jersey holders), but out of respect and memory for a time in our lives that is too valuable to let dust collect on it. This applies to all of my Smyth memorabilia as well.

"Emm! Are you mad at Kevin Lowe or Smytty for their stubbornness?"

Emm: I still feel it is too early to point fingers. In fact, I don't want to point any. Unless it is my Oilers #1 Jumbo Foam-finger. I am disappointed with the results of the agreement, obviously, but Lowe will always try to do what is best for the hockey club and Ryan will always try to do what is best for him as a player. I hope they remain friends despite any problems they faced during these dealings.

"Do you think Ryan will return to Edmonton in July when he is a free agent?"

Emm: Again, I would like more than ever to believe that this is not the last time we have seen Ryan Smyth in an Oilers uniform, but I don't want to get my hopes up. My heart has been broken and I don't think tricking it into believing something that may not be true is a good thing for it. I will wait and see what happens in July, and would love it more than ever if Ryan were to return to the City of Champions, but it is too soon to tell.

"Emm - who will be your favourite player now?"

Emm: I think it is too soon to move on. I love all of the Oilers individually and they all have a special place in my heart. We are all healing, together.

Any other questions?