Kristi Yamaguchi: Hockey Wife, Blogger and Dancing With the Stars

The NHL didn't really get all that much of a bump from Willa Ford's participation on the hit ABC show "Dancing with the Stars" because she wasn't yet married to Mike Modano -- allowing her to raise her profile via a constant state of flirtation with her dance partner during the show. Hockey might see a higher profile in the series' sixth season, as Kristi Yamaguchi competes on the show while her husband, Carolina defenseman Brett Hedican, competes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Assuming that...nah, the Hurricanes will make the cut, right?) Yamaguchi has been playing up her husband's career in interviews, telling ABC News that she put her figure skating and celebrity career on hold for four years for "[being] a mom, hanging out, being a hockey wife."

In a move that will certainly diminish her chances of entering the Dallas Mavericks' locker room, Yamaguchi is also blogging for OK! Magazine during her stint on "Dancing With the Stars"; her latest post might be of interest to Hedican's teammates:

I just want to give some shout-outs to my family now – my husband, who's been amazing. He's still in his hockey season so it's a little sad we're going to be separated, but he's been so supportive of me. He'd come to watch us practice during the past month and would tell me, "Oh, you've got to teach me all these dance moves once all this is done!" I hope we stay in it long enough so he can come see me compete.

I'm sure Rod Brind'Amour and Scott Walker are just dying to see The Brett Hedican Mambo. The last season of "Dancing With the Stars" ran from Sept. 24 through Nov. 27, so no matter how deep the Hurricanes go in the postseason the show will still be on the air. Seeing as how Yamaguchi is the early favorite to win this season, I wonder if there's a friendly wager on who lasts longer in their respective competitions. I'm also pondering this: If she "plans to move back to the Bay Area this year, so her kids can grow up with their cousins," as Yamaguchi told ABC News, how will that affect the future for 36-year-old Hedican, who is a UFA after this season?