Firstly, I just want to introduce myself, some of you may know me, or have watched us play, for others, I am Matt and I wear #8 for the Braehead Clan.

This is my 12th season of professional hockey. I'll list every stop, and if you're still awake when I am finished, I hope you keep reading on.

After being drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, I turned pro at 20 years old and its flown

past.

A couple short stints in Chicago and New York in the NHL, along with Norfolk, Portland, Bridgeport, Rockford and Abbotsford of the AHL.

Overseas I have played in Ingolstadt (Germany), Orebro (Sweden), Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic) Dornbirn and Salzburg (Austria) and finally here in Glasgow.

It has been a helluva ride and I wouldn't trade a day of it for anything.

My dream since I can remember was to play at hockey at the highest level in the NHL and although I

wish it could of lasted longer, it is a memory I will cherish forever.

It is a privilege to play any sport for a living no matter the sport and that's something I try to remember when I wake up every morning.

I married my wife Chelsea in the summer of 2013. I can't ask for a better partner and person to experience all these different places and cultures (and food and drinks) with.

She truly inspires me everyday with how seamless she makes every move. Obviously my career is what brought us here, but we both look at this as something of an experience, something that will be with us forever and I promise you we try not to waste a day.

Besides my parents who immigrated to Canada 34 years ago (sounds like they got there

yesterday) and my two brothers, their wives and kids back home, we have most other

immediate family living here.

I have been to Scotland quite a few times before, I'll never forget a camping trip in Inverness in '97, but living here is a different feeling than being on holiday.

I will say though, to be living here for the better part of eight months has been great so far. Some great

scenery and history to be seen, I don't think we have even scratched the surface of all we want

to see and do before our time here comes to and end.

I am also starting to notice different accents in different parts which is awesome, met some very friendly people and had some amazing meals. More stories about all that in future blogs!

Our 2014-15 season is well under way and there is some good things happening within the

club thus far.

I will say it has been a real pleasure playing in front of our great supporters night after night whether at home or on the road. It amazes me the time and commitment our fans put into this team. It doesn't go unnoticed within the group and there have been more than one occasion where a spark from the crowd has pushed us onto victory.

It is a long season though and plenty of work is still left to be done. We are all striving for the main goal, and that's to say we won at the end of the campaign.

With all the parity in the league, a bad weekend can drop you down a few spots, on the flip side a win or two can bump you back up. Confidence is a funny thing, but consistency is something our coach Finner has been trying to instill in us from day one.

And with consistency comes confidence. Last weekend was big for us, coming into it with a couple straight losses we needed something to get us back on track. With a perennial top team in Sheffield coming into town, we had our hands full. Friday night was a tough 2-0 loss.

Our special teams was the difference and we knew it would have to be corrected for a rematch the following night.

Down 2-1 going into the third period, we got some huge contributions right through the lineup and

scored four straight to go on and win the game, and back at the top of the table (Sheffield won

Sunday to take back over top spot).

This coming weekend we only have the one game vs Cardiff at home here on Saturday night. It

is a game we are all looking forward to, they are playing well right now, but we have to think

after Saturday we are too. It is going to be a special night.

The Clan are teaming up with the UK Firefighters Ice Hockey Team and the Police Scotland Ice Hockey Team for a charity game at4pm in memory of the victims or the Clutha disaster, followed by our game at 7pm.

You can help support buy either buying a ticket or donating into one of the collection buckets on game night.

I will wrap this up for now, check back for my next blog for a quick update on our team, and

anything else that's going on.

In the meantime I will continue my pursuit of the nations best fish supper, suggestions welcome!

Chat soon.

Keither