General manager Paul Holmgren obtained a solid puck-blocking defenseman one day prior to the NHL's trade deadline by acquiring 27-year-old Andrew MacDonald for a prospect Matt Mangene, a third-round 2014 draft pick and a second-round 2015 draft pick. While not a star, he clearly deepens the orange and black's defensive contingent.
How about Meszaros?
The Flyers' have been rumored to potentially move one of their veteran d-men, Andrej Meszaros who's set to become a UFA at season's end, by tomorrow's deadline in response to this deal.
Production and money matters
MacDonald, who makes a modest $500,000 is also set to become a UFA this summer as well, leads the NHL with 198 blocked shots. His acquisition should upgrade the Craig Berube's defense and surely offers a preview where Holmgren, Hextall and the rest of the front office will watch to decide if they want to offer this veteran a new deal in the off-season.
(Photo courtesy of fannation.)
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My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014.
Since December (2013) Maddie has appeared within Amazon's Top 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 illustrated children's books.
The ongoing public response to this real-life story continues to be deeply humbling for everyone who was involved in creating this illustrated children's book.
Children's Alopecia Project
What a ride
This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.
I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.
I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth.
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Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia
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Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature.
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Feel free to click on any of my interviews with famous athletes and sports' personalities...
Jaromir Jagr: Current NHL Forward and Future Hall of Famer
Philadelphia Flyers' Bernie Parent: Postgame reflections
Bobby Clarke: Philadelphia Flyers' Legend Talks Hockey
Ron Hextall Recalls His Greatest Season
Kerry Fraser: NHL Referee is Still Making the Right Calls
Vince Papale: Former Philadelphia Eagle/Subject of the Movie "Invincible"
Kevin Turner: Former Philadelphia Eagle Discusses ALS-Concussion Link
Ron Meyer: Blessed2Play Sports Talk Show Has Global Reach
Allison Baver: US Olympian Facing Every Challenge
It only takes a few minutes to read some of my other stories as well:
Horror Story: It Was Crawling Up My Chest!
Television Haiku Poem
My First Car Was An All-Time Classic
The Best Holiday Memories
When Baseball Cards Were King
Could One Baseball Shatter The Summer?
The Night Lenny Dykstra Was Swinging In The Rain
5 Traits of Hardcore Philadelphia Phillies' Fans
Philadelphia Flyers' Topps Hockey Card Mystery Revealed
5 Lessons Flyers' Fans Have Taught The Hockey World
5 Traits Old School Flyers' Fans Possess
A Model's Life: An Interview with Kourtney Reppert
Ellen Wasser-Hrin: Behind the Scenes of the Modeling World
Model and Actor Rachael Platt-McMullan Proves Why Dreams Are Worth Pursuing
Ellen Wasser-Hrin: Behind the Scenes of the Modeling World
Model and Actor Rachael Platt-McMullan Proves Why Dreams Are Worth Pursuing
Samantha Paisley's Great Success Story
Megan Irminger: Model Management Agency Has Another Rising Star
Megan Irminger: Model Management Agency Has Another Rising Star
An Actor's Life: An Interview with Mary Frick
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I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook.
I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook.
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Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook:
This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback.
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