Finally FUNdamentals has started

On Thurday, October 19, 2006, Andrew started hockey fundamentals.It seems as if I have waited for this for months, and Andrew, well for him,a life time. I do have to admit that I was nervous for him. He was so excited to be there and to finaly use his new hockey stick that we bought months ago and didn't let him use outside to play road hockey with. Mind you, I don't think a day went by that he didn't hold it in his hands and on some occasions got yelled at by my wife because he was practicing his swing in the living room. Back to the nervous part--well I suppose I was because he has high expectations of himself to play well. Perhaps I might be a part of that expectation but he did great!. Those last 3 seasons of skating lessons have done him well allowing him to be in one of the 2 top groups, where they can focus on hockey and not learn to skate. Kitchener Minor Hockey has right on the application that children must be self sufficient on the ice. I guess it's how we translate it. There are kids there at levels of skating ability and age from age 4-10. At first when they hit the ice it was a mess--kids everywhere but they did a skating drill with 360 degree spins, jump the blue line, and Andrew's favourite-- fall down and get up. Before that they had all the kids at centre ice and gave them a pep talk and rules. There are 4 rules: 1. Stay in your group 2. No talking back to the coaches 3. No horseplay and 4. ......

HAVE FUN..

Well that's what he did-- had fun. As he walked out of the dressing room, hockey bag in tow and stick in his hand, he was as happy and proud like he has never been before. However I might have been...

Old Faces New Faces

Well as I said in my last post, a new season of hockey has started. As I went to our first game a couple of weeks back, my mind was drifting as I drove to the rink thinking of last season's team members and of the upcoming season. Let me explain-- each year we are rated as players and there is a draft to form new teams. This is to keep the teams as equal as possible so that grudges don’t get out of hand because that player you just slashed or tripped or whatever, might be on your team or even worse, your line, so I guess it helps us play with more respect for others.


As I sat in the change room getting ready, new faces walk in and ones I already know. But there isn’t any awkwardness-- we say "Hi" and "What’s your name?", "How long have you played in the league?" and bang a new friend. And with that 1 common bond--the love for the game and the ability to still play it. If it was only this easy to obtain new clients in the real world or even, for some, to talk to their neighbors.

On our 2nd game, we had to draw a player from a pool because we were short a full- time player. As I walked into the dressing room I heard a familiar voice. I looked up and, shock, I saw a player that I haven’t played with for over 2 years in another league. We played together for 3 years and we joked around like the past 2 years was only 2 weeks ago. We bantered back and forth with satire and quick one liners.

I suppose what I am saying is that a team sport like hockey is more than just a sport. It gives us a sense of belonging amongst others who share the same passion and the competitive spirit.

A new season

Well tonight we start a new hockey season for the Kitchener Waterloo Old Timmers.

Today me and my youngest son

Today me and my youngest son went to public skating at RIM Park in Waterloo. He put all his hockey equipment on to get accustomed to it. He did say his equipment made him skate better. Mind you he did look soooo cute.

The reason behind the equipment is that this will be his first year in hockey fundamentals and he is quit jazzed about it.

It Starts...

Summer is done. The rink is calling our names....