Was the night before the night before the night before Christmas. Henrik Lundqvist Jr. was alone on the ice as the NHL was about to take a holiday break but the SMJHL never rests. He was tired but ready for the holiday spent where he belongs, playing hockey. Colorado was planning a team party, fit with a Christmas tree and gift giving. Lundqvist Jr. wondered what he would get, was excited to give gifts to his teammates in return.

All he really wanted for Christmas though was to win a Four Star Cup. No present no matter how well thought out, no matter how considerate, no matter how wanted and special it could be could ever compare to finally winning it all. Or to finally getting on ice results. Lundqvist Jr. had suffered through rookie struggles and thought it would be better, but it was just about the same as the year before. At least he had more ice time, but he wanted to deliver to make sure he kept it.

Colorado needed more of him, after all. The holidays were about giving, and he needed to give on the ice, not just off of it. He considered himself a giving person as a passer, willing to be unselfish. But you can't just be unselfish, you need to be good. To prove your skill, especially if you ever want to go to the pros. He hoped Texas wasn't disappointed, silently scolded himself for his performance out there. He would just have to show up in the postseason. To bring in 2020 with a Cup would make all his mistakes go away, would give him a new leaf and a clean state. He just needs to start over, start over soon. His motivation was fading, he needs something to encourage him and in a hurry. There is only so much someone can wait for to see results from fruitless work.

So a New Year's Resolution: to give it one last go and try to be better. Not for himself but for his team and his fans. He was always kind to the fans but he couldn't truly be a fan favorite until he actually was somebody. Actually was a star. Did something that made himself seem worthy of praise, something that his coaches liked, something that the Colorado brass was impressed with. And he needed to get back and  get some bank to finish buying his equipment the year was almost over and he still has another piece. Heck for Christmas he would like that last piece of equipment holy crap it's expensive and writing is getting to be like a chore. No idea how people write like thousands of words every week all the time there has to be a better way it would take hours. If only he had that dedication. He is trying his best but it doesn't seem good enough.  It doesn't matter though he will try to be better than his best and try to keep his attitude good and do things off the ice that make up for his lack of results.

So really he just needs to learn to be happy with himself, and he hopes to have a happy holidays. So to everyone in the SHL happy holidays, I hope you get everything you want for Christmas or whatever you celebrate and then some. And I hope the new year is kind to you and 2020 brings you lots of good things, nothing but good things. That 2020 is the best year for us all and that we all take steps forward in our careers. And that it marks the start of another great decade of SHL hockey with lots of new players to come and lots more games to be played. The league may have almost got cancelled this offseason but it survived and is stronger than ever! Happy to see where it goes and to see how this year winds up. 

So get your holiday spirit up, put on your Santa hats, and watch some hockey. Good luck everyone in this soon arriving playoffs, you will need it because the Colorado Raptors are out for blood. I'm out for blood and I believe my teammates are too. You're going to see a new side of Henrik Lundqvist Jr, he will be like a totally different and better player. He is finally going to get into gear and  turn over that new leaf for the new year, 2020 is a new start and everything he has done in the past with little results is in the past. He knows he has what it takes to be worthy of going sixth overall and now he just has to show that to everyone including the doubters and the critics. Haters can't stop him, he is a strong center with belief in himself who won't let these barriers stop him, every great player had hardships and didn't start out being great. He believes that his team can win too, and belief is powerful. Holidays are all about belief, family, faith and charity, so those feelings toward himself and his team just show that he's truly in the holiday mood and really getting into the reason for the season.

So with that that wraps up this article. Enjoy your time with your family everyone and I hope you're all in good cheer and good spirits! Happy holidays and go Raptors and Renegades!