The back to school flurry and the reddening leaves mean one thing: hockey season is approaching. It actually means many things are approaching, like winter and clearing snowy driveways and nostrils that stick together and dammit where is that second mitten? For many Canadians and Americans whose second home is the rink, winter equals hockey. Every year the equipment is pulled out, tried on, exchanged, skates are laced up, old teammates renew friendships or become rivals, and excitement …