We all know how tough it is on the U.S. Postal Service this time of year, and we, the impatient generation, do little to help out.

It’s no wonder, then, that for the second year in a row, some letters picked up from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee outbox, intended for the Big Guy at the North Pole, found their way to the Sun Journal inbox.

It’s a miracle that doesn’t happen more often.

And since the letters happened to fall on my desk, I figured, why not share a few of these letters to Santa with all of you.

Here goes …

Santa,

Look, I know we have a team here that gives 100 percent every night. The boys are following the game plan, and when they don’t, it’s my fault for not preparing them properly, and I’ll take the blame for it.

I have a few simple requests for you this year, Mr. Claus, and it shouldn’t be too hard for you to figure out what those are. You’re the gift-giver, you should be able to tell me.

The first thing we need here in Lewiston is some respect from the rest of the league, and its officials. Consistent officiating isn’t too much to ask for, and poor officiating only serves to undermine the credibility of this league. So that’s No. 1.

No. 2 is better special teams.

The system we run on the penalty kill this year is no different than the one we ran last year, or the year before, and both times we were up near the top of the league.

Please help me get the message through to my penalty-killers about anticipation and positioning.

Our power play is looking better, and it seems like it will only be a matter of time before the goals start coming more frequently. Could you, maybe, speed that process along a bit?

Lastly, Mr. Claus, if you don’t mind me asking for a third favor, could you bring our fans some patience? I know this is a challenging time to be a fan of this team, and I know we have 2,000 die-hard fans out there, but if you could just help them to see that the end result of this reloading process will more than justify the current means.

Respectfully yours in hockey,

Mr. Ed Harding, Head Coach

There was little surprise about this next one, which was printed in crayon:

Cher Pere Noel,

Bonjour again. This is your buddy Danick, from the Maineiacs.

Last year, I asked for a good draft year for the NHL draft, and I thank you very, very much for giving me that.

This year, now that I am drafted and captain, I have some easier things.

First of all, thank you for all you help me do with the Life Center, for the Special Olympics, and everything else in the community. I really like helping people, and it’s cool you give me the heart for that.

My question this year is this: Can you give me a bit more hockey sense? That is really all I need to become the most complete player this team has had in a long time. I like to fight and get penalty minutes, but please help me know when to take them and when not to, and help me find my scoring touch again.

Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Claus!

Danick Paquette

From one young veteran to another, this next one is very telling:

Hey Santa,

What’s going on?

I first want to say thank you for helping me to gain weight and even more size. I know that helped me a lot in last year’s NHL draft. Also, thanks for helping the Colorado Avalanche see the potential I have.

This year, can you make me back into the goalie I was at 16 and 17 years old?

I know I wished more than anything last year to have a chance to prove that I was a solid No. 1 in the QMJHL, and thank you for that chance.

Now, can you please help me not to blow it?

I know I am better than what I’ve shown this year, and I just need to clear my head and focus on the task at hand. I am hoping you can help me with that. I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Peter Delmas

Some of the letters weren’t all so long and elaborate. Here are a few shorter letters:

Hey, man,

Thanks for all those awesome ideas for goal celebrations last year. I’ve used a ton of them in recent weeks. This team isn’t as bad as our record, and I am hoping for even more goal-scoring this year to help pull us out of he divisional basement.

Thanks, man,

Max Gratchev

Hey Santa,

You’re a mess, Santa. You’re hanging out with Reeder too much, ya know, always on a vacation. Anyway, I’d like to ask for two things: more production on offense and for our bus driver to put the pedal to the metal more often.

Thanks!

Marc Bourgeois

Cher Pere Noel,

Je ne sais pas ou on peut commencer.

Merci beaucoup for all of the goals this year. I already have more goals than I had points all last year. For this new year, I want more of the same.

Merci,

Billy Lacasse

From all of us here at the Sun Journal to all of you, we wish you a happy holiday season. Here’s to hoping that none of your letters to Santa were intercepted, and that he grants all of your holiday wishes.