New roost

A recent house-hunting trip to Georgia's biggest city allowed Moody, Hound Central 4.0's roving Southeast correspondent, an opportunity to get in some hounding of the hometown Atlanta Thrashers.

In essence, it was a reconnaissance trip, locating the Thrashers official practice facility and finding out the best place to snag some autographs. For Moody, the mission was more than accomplished.

Need proof? These pictures, I believe, show that Moody's trip, though quick, proved fruitful.

Moody reports that the Ice Forum, the Thrashers practice facility in Duluth, is very hound-friendly. As the players walk off the ice, they take the time to stop for fans. Though he admits to cherry-picking, here's who stopped: Slava Kozlov, Bryan Little (who signed six cards), Nathan Oystrick and Ron Hainsey.

Hainsey also gave, and signed, a stick for Moody's daughter. Two other players gave her sticks, but Moody extended the goodwill by passing them along to another pair of children at the rink.

On a side note, the Gwinnett Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League also use the facility for practices.