Lest auld aquaintances be forgot. The Mystics travel to Chicago today for a controlled scrimmage vs the new 2006 expansion team, the Chicago Sky. Currently there are 3 Mystics alumnae on the Sky roster: Stacey ("I love being retired") Dales, the Mystics 2002 1st round draft pick (#3 overall) who "retired" after 3 seasons only to "change her mind" just moments after the Mystics submitted their list of protected players for the 2006 Expansion Draft. In a feature today about Stacey in the Chicago Sun Times she has some interesting advice for young players: "When I talk to kids, I always tell them, 'steal your opportunities,''' she said. (No doubt, advice she has followed herself.) Joining Stacey on the Sky is former Mystics star Nikki ("I did cartwheels when I was told the Mystics traded me") McCray. Nikki has been well-traveled since leaving Washington, playing first for the Indianapolis Fever, moving on to the Phoenix Mercury, then playing last season for the San Antonio Silver Stars (who failed to re-sign her for 2006), only to be a late addition to the Sky's training camp roster this season. As a player for the Sky, Nikki is reunited with her Mystics teammate from that "memorable" first Mystics season, point guard Rita Williams. As you may have read earlier, Rita played her way into the Mystics training camp via an open tryout, only to be let go in the last round of cuts. We're happy to see Rita get another shot at a contract for this season. Rita, Good luck with the Sky!

--Eileen