I'm going to have a whole story on this in tomorrow's paper, but what the team and the players did at Friday's practice for a sick little boy confirms again that hockey players are the most down to earth of all professional athletes.

Michael Springham, 11, has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means, as his father, Robert, explained, "He has half a heart.'' Actually, it means the left side of Michael's heart is under-developed. After three open-heart surgeries at 6 days old, 6 months and 22 months, and with daily medication, Michael's future cautiously optimistic.

Michael, who lives with Robert, mother, Linda, and 12-year-old brother Bryan in Melbourne, is a huge Lightning fan. And through the Make-A-Wish Foundation wished to attend a practice and meet Vinny Lecavalier. The Lightning did even better, allowing Michael to skate with the entire team before practice, dress in the locker room and get quality time with Lecavalier, who was his usual gracious self, giving Michael a personal tour of the facilities and signing a bag-full of Vinny merchandise.

"We wanted it to be a great experience for him,'' Tortorella said. "That's the real stuff. For us to be involved with his family, it was one of the better days around here.''

"Just unbelievable,'' Linda said. "They're all just so very, I can't explain it. I really can't. It's been an awesome experience.''

The family will attend Saturday's game with the Hurricanes at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Also on Friday, defenseman Shane O'Brien did not skate with the team. No reason was forthcoming. All Tortorella said was O'Brien had his own workout. Asked if he wanted to elaborate, Torts said, "I'll leave it at that.''