Dreams on Hold

David Mello is a graduate of Henry Ford II High School 07'. He went to Macomb Community College for one year, but ran into some hard times. He didn’t have a car, didn’t know what to go into and had little money. Mello had some financial troubles that forced him to take a semester off from school.

He was approved for financial aid but did not receive his check in time. This resulted in Mello having to take a break from school and working at Red Robin full time. He said that working full time somewhat helped.

He is worried about the future though.

“In the beginning, the money was good.” Mello said, “Now it’s (his pay) not.”

Since his paycheck is mostly tips, he is losing money. Before the recession, people were eating out more and Red Robin was making money. He was even promoted to train new staff but now mostly busses tables.

Before the recession, Mello held multiple positions at the restaurant Red Robin. His positions included busboy, trainer and host. At one point he made $8.15 an hour. Now he is a busboy making $6.50 plus tips.

Mello’s family had some financial difficulties as well. Recently his father tried to sell their home but with no success. Mello said he did not know when they were going to move to. At one point his for sale sign even went missing. He eventually then learned that the real estate agency had pulled his house off the market due to lack of offers.

His diet has changed dramatically. Mello used to eat a lot of variety but has now resorted to reduce his eating habits. His main source of food is a peanut butter sandwiches.

“He is a good kid, but very quiet,” said Ben Radell, a former classmate.

Radell and Mello have known each other since high school where they studied German together. Radell didn’t know Mello had money issues, Mello is a private person and isn’t surprised that he keeps information about himself private.

“David is a nice guy. He keeps his problems to himself probably because he doesn’t like to bother people with his problems,” Radell said.

Kela Robinson, a friend of Mello, does notice differences in his habits due to the recession. Robinson said before he went to school, “David had a lot of interests and goals.” Now she said, “has a hard time paying for school.”

Mello said he worries about his future. He does not know what he wants to do. He said that most of the fields he wants to work in do not provide much money and he has no idea what he wants to be because of that. Mello believes that there are no promising jobs in today’s economy.

He has more than money troubles. Currently he drives a broken down van, which he bought for $150. The van has fluids that leak, a damaged headlight and a missing door handle. The van also has no heat or air and had an issue with the horn.

“When I turned the steering wheel, the horn went off. It was kind of embarrassing," Mello said.

As a result, he had to disable his horn. The reason behind his missing door handle is that someone stole it in. Because of this he has to go through his passenger side door to enter his car.

Jacob Grey, a friend of Mello’s, said he wished things ended up better for Mello. Grey even went to parties with Mello and said he was the responsible one. Grey says Mello does not get drunk or party but works and studies. He said it is sad that things ended up this way for Mello.

Hossa Town

If the playoffs started today, and the Redwings made it to the finals, who would win MVP: Zetterberg, Datsyuk or maybe Lidstrom?

I believe that if the wings won the Stanley Cup the MVP would be Marian Hossa. Hossa has some of the quickest hands in the league and he scores goals so easily that he makes it look like child’s play. He leads the team with 40 goals which is quite impressive considering the next closest player is Johan Franzen, with 33.

Hossa is one of the few Red Wing players who still has not won a Stanley Cup and wants to win one bad. He gives his all every game and shows it. He has eight game winning goals when not even Lidstrom or Zetterberg have that many.

In the shootout Hossa is always on the lineup and with good reason. He has one of the most unique shooting styles in the NHL. Many teammates regard him as one of the best. Wings head coach Mike Babcock said he is a great addition to the wings and how right he was.

Who would have thought that a former rival would become a key player a year later? Hossa is regarded throughout the league as an all-star. He likes playing for Detroit and is currently is in talks to extend his career in Detroit with a pay cut. A player that is willing to take a pay cut is hard to come by.

Hossa taking a pay cut and has the most goals for the wings, he deserves the MVP. He is a team player and with dedication like that he is truly an MVP.

Red Wings 1st round

With only four games left in the regular season one question comes to mind, who will the Wings play in the 1st round: St. Louis, Anaheim or Nashville?

One team raises more concern then any other, Anaheim. The Ducks have always given the Wings a hard time and if Detroit faces them, things are likely to get ruff.

The Ducks have a defensive pair that matches Detroit’s very own Nicklas Lidstrom and Brain Rafalski; they have Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer.

Pronger is a powerhouse when it comes to defense. He has the muscle and stamina of a 20 year old and plays his heart out every night. Pronger has earned the A on his chest and it skills show. He has 48 points this season and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Pronger is dangerous he was a key in not only a key player in Anaheim’s playoff run but in Edmonton’s. He plays his “A game” when playoffs start, Pronger plays physical.

The other problem that Anaheim has is its captain, Scott Niedermayer. He came in when the Ducks needed him most. Anaheim lost a majority of its 2003 Stanley Cup Final team and needed a fresh team, a new captain.

That is when Niedermayer came and his presence was felt. He became the face of the franchise and was a key player in helping Anaheim win its first Stanley Cup.

Niedermayer is a team player; he has the experience and skills to back it. It is a little ironic that he is playing for the team that he narrowly beat in 2003, but none the less, he is dangerous. Niedermayer is not afraid of putting his body in front of the puck and not many 35 year olds can still do that.

The last issue Anaheim provides is its goalie, Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Red Wing fans have not forgotten the trouble he caused back in 2003. His skills are amazing and although his 2009 GAA is 3.12, he is still a good goalie.

Will the Wings offensive be able to get past Anaheim’s defense? Will Osgood be able to lead the team to another Stanley Cup, only time will tell but, hopefully, things will not end up like they did in 2003, in defeat?