Marc-Andre, we hardly knew ya'.

It looks like he's really gone, folks. For better or for worse, Marc-Andre Gragnani has been the core , the proverbial "go to guy", of the PEI Rocket defense. Love him or hate him, with his apparent advancement into the Buffalo Sabres system this season, it's time to start considering who is going to step up and be "that guy" on the blue line.

Even with all the talk of his attitude problems and hit and miss work ethic, it is hard to deny that he was one of the elite offensive defenseman in the QMJHL for at least the last two seasons. In that time period, he put up 38 goals and 101 assists, for a total of 139 points. That kind of production will be missed. It will be missed more than the awful cough-ups and failed clearing attempts to be sure.

So in effect, this blog will be a preview of the Rocket blueline for the 07/08 campaign, rather than a look back on the major junior career of our beloved (?) Grags. Between Internet message boards and screams from the stands at the Charlottetown Civic Centre, everything that could have been said, has.



KEY PLAYERS ON THE ROCKET BLUELINE (in no particular order)

PIERRE-LUC LESSARD: Great, hard working, defensive defenseman. Makes very few mistakes in his own end, but lacks offensive flair. He WILL be the centre of the Rocket defense this year, but will be playing a drastically different role than Marc-Andre.

BENOIT GERVAIS: Another solid defensive defenseman. Makes some bad decisions with the puck, but not often enough to worry.

JORDON SOUTHORN: This is the guy that needs to have a breakout season. While still young, my money is on him to be the key player on future Rocket teams. He has the best offensive potential of the entire bunch.

And as we look forward, let's take a moment to remember the joy and the sorrow that was MA Gragnani, hero and villain all wrapped up in one package, simultaneously exciting and enraging the Rocket faithful. One thing is for certain, though, he was a hell of a player, and changed the way we all looked at Airplanes.