Storres: Best buds for life. <3

Jarret Stoll.

Raffi Torres.

"Storres" as they have become to be known.

You hardly see one without the other.

Torres plays his best hockey riding shot-gun with Stoll.

It all started way back in 2000/01 when they were teammates on the 2001 bronze medal winning edition of the Canadian World Junior team. (Raffi scored the OT goal that won the Canadians the bronze medal.)
At the time Torres was a 1st round draft pick of the New York Islanders (5th overall in 2000) Stoll a 2nd round draft pick of the Calgary Flames (46th overall in 2000).

As a hockey fan I noticed these two guys as future solid NHL players, but since at the time neither of them being Oilers property, I naturally didn't think too much of them beyond that; secretly cursing that Stoll was going to play for the hated Flames; wishing he would be an Oiler instead.

Luck would have it that Stoll could not reach a contract agreement with the Flames and would re-enter the NHL draft on 2002; to be picked by the Oilers in the 2nd round 36th overall. One of the most ecstatic drafts for me personally, as I had also watched Stoll play in the 2002 edition of the World Jrs. as the captain and really impress me, even in defeat in the gold medal game. Such poise for a young guy during a difficult time.

Luck would strike a 2nd time with Torres being acquired by the Oilers in a trade with the Islanders on March 11, 2003 on the NHL trade deadline day.
I was not so ecstatic this time around, as I lost my beloved Janne Niinimaa in that trade.
Still, I was glad to have Raffi as an Oilers prospect, and the love affair began shortly after. (My love affair with Raffi, but also the love between Stoll and Torres.)

Stoll was playing with the Oilers AHL team, the Hamilton Bulldogs; Raffi joined the Bulldogs at the time of the trade. Neither would be seen in Edmonton full time until the following NHL season, but I was on to them, and they were on to each other. (Stoll was up for 4 games with the Oilers in the 2002-03 season.)

The 2003/04 season saw both of them play in their first full NHL season.
They didn't always play on the same line like they do now.
I was in love with both of them, and them with each other.
During the NHL lock-out of 2004/05 they both played with the Edmonton Roadrunners of the AHL. Mostly on the same line.

Enough with the history though.

Roommates on the road.
Always grouped together at autograph sessions.
More often than not linemates; knowing where each other is on the ice.
Post-goal celebrations.
Torres once said that Stoll is like his younger big brother; keeping him in line and on schedule on the road.
(Surely Torres will miss him on this 7 game road trip with Stoll back in Edm on the IR).

Is there more to this relationship that just best buds for life?
Could they really be 'brokeback' like my gal Sally thinks?
Sure, Stoll is dating Rachel Hunter and Torres is rumored to have a steady girlfriend, but it could all be a cover-up.
Intriguing to think about, isn't it?

Either way, gay or not, I love these boys and couldn't image one without the other.

I doubt either of them could imagine being without the other as well.
"We take care of each other; we look after each other, like little kids."