Guerin trades NHL job for family business

For the first time in three years, former Bruins forward Bill Guerin will be home with his family for Halloween. But he won't be dressing up as a National Hockey League player any time soon. He'll be a full-time dad to his four children while he waits -- with his NHL Players Association brethren -- for something to break in the labor impasse.

Guerin, who is under contract to the Dallas Stars for $8.866 million this season (if there is one), was back in Boston last Thursday at a benefit to raise funds to battle Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder.

Unlike some other members of the union who are climbing the walls without hockey, Guerin said he's at peace with the union's position, which has made the only game around a waiting one. The Wilbraham native said he is very happy being with his family in their Dallas home.

"I like it, it's nice," said Guerin, who has three daughters and a son, ranging from a second-grader down to age 2. "It's different but really nice. Dallas is easy living. The schools are close, the restaurants are close, the shopping is close, everything is close. "It's been fine [without hockey]. You kind of expect it and can prepare for it mentally. Nothing has been a surprise, so I've been able to stay somewhat sane. You can't just sit at home waiting for someone to keep you busy. You have to go out and get something done for yourself. It's an opportunity for us to do things that we're not normally able to do. It's not bad."

If there's been an epiphany for Guerin during this awkward and ugly break, it's an appreciation for being with his children. Despite all the upside to being a handsomely paid pro athlete, said Guerin, "You miss a lot. And that's OK. That's just the way it is. But we miss a lot. It's just kind of a neat time to be able to do some of those things right now."

Like many of his co-workers, Guerin, who turns 34 next month, sees very little hope when it comes to a labor settlement that would salvage any part of the season. Things took an ominous turn at the start of last week when the league extended its window for teams to release arena dates from 30 to 45 days. That means games through Dec. 8 are lost.

"I think it's going to be quite a bit longer," said Guerin, who is a vice president on the NHLPA's executive committee. "I just don't think there's any signs of a deal getting done any time soon. I just don't think [commissioner Gary Bettman] is ready to sit down and discuss a system without a salary cap, so there's nothing to talk about."

In addition to his family duties, Guerin has been playing the role of rabid fan when it comes to the Red Sox, proving that you can take the kid out of New England but you can't take New England out of the kid.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "I was at the game in Boston [last] Sunday. I had the best time. My buddy thought I was going to buy a whole souvenir store. I bought stuff for my kids, myself. I've got my new Red Sox hat on. I'm psyched. You couldn't write a better script."

For the Red Sox you couldn't. But for the NHL, you could. Right now, that script is a blank page.

Can we talk?
Some players, like Guerin, are hard-liners when it comes to the union's position. Others aren't so sure. For example, Flames defenseman Brad Ference thinks the impasse is "asinine, and it's both sides," he said. "How are you going to solve a conflict without communication? I don't understand the motivation behind sitting around." Maybe he will after Nov. 2. That's when the 30 player representatives are scheduled to be in Toronto for a briefing by union head Bob Goodenow. Players can access a website that gives them daily updates but Goodenow will address the reps in person, and they can then go back and update their teammates . . . Vancouver's Brendan Morrison joins many other NHL players abroad (245 and counting, according to the NHLPA), signing on with a club in Linkoping, Sweden, which is two hours southwest of Stockholm. "It's got a small-town feel, but we've got everything we need and my family has been able to adjust quickly, and that was one of my biggest concerns," said Morrison, referring to wife Erin, 2 1/2-year-old son Brayden, and 1-year-old daughter McKenna. Morrison, a native of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, isn't a neophyte when it comes to traveling; his parents piqued his interest in trying new things. His folks have lived in Hungary the last half-dozen years and his father works for a gas company in Budapest. "Over the years, they've been overseas and they've told us how much they enjoy it," said Morrison. "It was a new experience for them. They didn't know anyone when they came over, and it's turned out to be such a positive experience for them." . . . No knock on Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs, which will hold a charitable auction on eBay Dec. 2, but as Dr. Phil likes to say, "What were they thinking?" The agency has one auction item on its list that makes no sense: a night with the Chicago Blackhawks that includes two tickets to a game, a ride on the Zamboni between periods, a chance to meet players, and game gear. Can't imagine the bidding on that . . . Defenseman Ryan Suter, son of Bob (who was a member of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic team) and nephew of Gary (17-year NHL career), has begun his professional career with the American Hockey League's Milwaukee Admirals. The 19-year-old is happy to be staying close to his roots. He was born in Madison and played last season with the University of Wisconsin. "It's a great opportunity to take the next step up in hockey and be close to home at the same time," said Suter, a first-round pick of the Nashville Predators in 2003. "I still talk to some of the guys [at college] a couple of times a week, just checking in and saying hi. And I went home to see my family on my day off, so it's been a perfect situation so far." His biggest transition will be in the workload. He'll be going from a 39-game schedule to an 80-game marathon. "The season is going to be long, and it'll be something I'll have to adjust to," he said. "College life is over. That's going to be a big adjustment for me, eating better and staying as healthy as I can."

Minnesota migration
Minnesota Wild goalie Dwayne Roloson has signed on with Lukko of the Finnish Elite League. The top netminding job opened up when Petri Vehanen got injured. Roloson is one of four Wild players now employed overseas. He joins right wing Marian Gaborik (Slovakia) and defensemen Nick Schultz (Germany) and Andrei Zyuzin (Russia) . . . NHL Hall of Famer Pat Lafontaine, who was forced to the sidelines because of post-concussion syndrome, will compete in the Ironman Florida Triathlon for the children's charity he founded, Companions in Courage, Nov. 6 in the Panama City Beach area. Lafontaine, one of the game's classiest ambassadors, will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run a full marathon (26.2 miles) . . . Those of you craving hockey should head over to Boston University this afternoon to watch a team of current and former NHL players -- all BU alumni -- play the Terriers varsity in a benefit exhibition at 1 p.m. at Walter Brown Arena. Tickets are $22 and are available at the door. All proceeds benefit the Travis Roy Foundation. Current NHLers scheduled to appear are Chris Drury of the Buffalo Sabres, Shawn McEachern of the Atlanta Thrashers, Tom Poti and Dan Lacouture of the New York Rangers, Rick DiPietro and Shawn Bates of the New York Islanders, Jay Pandolfo of the New Jersey Devils, Scott Lachance of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Scott Young of the Dallas Stars, and Bruins coach Mike Sullivan . . . Last chance to enter the Bruins website contest that will send two fans to Ray Bourque's Hall of Fame festivities in Toronto next month. You can register on BostonBruins.com through tomorrow. The grand prize is round-trip airfare for two, a meet-and-greet with Bourque, two tickets to the induction, two tickets to the Legends Classic hockey game, and three nights hotel accommodation. Only Massachusetts residents 18 and older are eligible. Limit one entry per email address.

Material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.