Hockey and Hedgehogs, two things close to my heart

This week there has been some huge news from across the pond regarding ex-Steelers coach and player Ben Simon. The NHL team Chicago Blackhawks have hired Simon to coach their AHL feeder team Rockford IceHogs after they saw him lead the Steelers to Elite league victory last season. This is great news for Simon and being an ex-NHLer (he played for Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets) he has plenty of experiance on the ice to bring to the IceHogs, hopefully he will become one of the best coaches in the league and who knows we might just see him coaching in the NHL in years to come.

However being a fan of the Steelers and a huge fan of Ben Simon and his work I feel an overwhelming sadness that Paul Ragan let Simon go. Ben did a great job last season for us as he was thrown in at the deep end with no past coaching experiance, his determination and patience with the entire team made them strong and his work paid off, we have the silverware to prove it! Still I wish Ben all the best in the future as he is one guy who really has inspired me.

Ben Simon on the ice for Sheffield (photo by me)

Now going of the topic for hockey for a bit to talk about another thing that is close to my heart, Hedgehogs. You may or may not know that I do charity work for Hegehugs a Hedgehog charity that takes in ill, injured hedgehogs in yorkshire and nurses them back to health ready for release.

I myself have taken in a little hog this week as we are over run with hedgehogs due to the lack of food in the wild. All this dry weather has resulted in the hogs starving as all the worms are too deep in the ground for them to get to and we often find them collapsed unable to move as they are just that weak. The hog I have was found in barnsley weak, starving and covered in fleas. He is now free of fleas but he had so many on him that the RSPCA that found him named him Fleasy Fred.

Fleasy Fred - happy and flea free! (photo by me)

If you want to help these beautifull creatures then please put out some food for them as times are tough for the little critters. They eat Cat food but DO NOT FEED THEM FISH BASED FOOD OR MEAT IN GRAVEY as they are really bad their health. Also DO NOT GIVE THEM MILK as once again this is bad for them and can cause many life threatening problems for hogs.

Please is you see a Hedgehog wanderin around in the daylight taking him/her to you nearist vet as this is an indicator that something is wrong as Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals and tend to be awake during the day when something is wrong with them. Also if you see a injured hedgehog on your travels wrap it up in a towel, coat or some other warm fabric and take it the vet.

Hedgehog numbers are decreasing in the Uk and the need your help! Please help them before its too late! Thankyou