Thought this was a pretty funny item in the Columbus Dispatch yesterday:

Edmonton defenseman Jason Strudwick was the first star of the Oilers' 5-2 win over the Islanders last week. It was the first time in his 522-game NHL career he has been one of the top three stars.

"I didn't know the protocol," Strudwick said. "They handed me an Oiler hat. I said, 'You get a hat for being a star?' They said, 'No, no. You throw the hat into the stands for the fans.'

"I said, 'Really?' "

Strudwick's 33 years old and has played in 12 different NHL seasons, but with just 12 career goals, it's probably not a surprise he hasn't been a three star before.

He played with Kamloops when they won the Memorial Cup in 1995 and was a decent role player, but has gone onto a much longer NHL career than anyone thought back then. His hard work paid off.