Most minor hockey organizations are run completely by volunteers. Most of which are us, the parents. From the coach to the kitchen, the parents do it. We do it because we love our kids and we love the game. This weekend I had the pleasure of volunteering with a MJHL team, the OCN Blizzard. Volunteering just hits different when you do it for fun, it fills the heart. This weekend made me very grateful for the last 12 seasons and every hour I have spent giving to the game and more importantly, the reason why I fell in love with hockey and my 2 reasons for everything.
All of this is because a 5-year-old boy said "Mom, I want to play hockey this year" randomly after school in early September many years ago. I had no idea how those words would change my life forever. If I only knew back then how amazing the ride would be, the tears, the pride, the anger, the joy, the miles, the hotels, the tryouts. As Cameron is finishing his last year in minor hockey my heart is breaking a little bit more with each game. I am not ready for it to be over. Volunteering this year is extra special and I want to enjoy every single moment of this season with him.
Think about the hours coaches put in every season. The practices, the games and the prep that entails, hundreds of hours. The team manager, scheduling games, jobs, picture day, many, many hours. And then the rest of us, taxing kids to practices and games, taking our turn at the door, selling 50/50, working the kitchen, time clock, doing whatever needs to be done. Over the years I have seen many family members jumping in to help too, grandparents, siblings, all pitching in for one reason. A very special kid.
Tournaments are all in events. Most often the hosting team and their families only go home to sleep from Thursday till Sunday. Plus, all the pre-tournament baking, printing programs, decorating, picking up the medals/trophies and collecting prizes. Then working endless shifts and trying to watch your kid play in between. These are the kids' favorite weekends and mine too. Some of the best memories have been made both at home and away tournaments.
Over the years the kids have played for many teams, starting in Northern Ontario, then to Northern Manitoba, then to the south. It doesn't matter where you go, all volunteers. The league boards are all volunteer. It is pretty cool to be a part of something so big that makes so many so happy, all for the love of your child and the game. Even as they age, volunteering is still a big part of hockey. Billeting, fundraising, game day operations, it never ends.
The lesson here should be is that our kids are seeing what we do. No matter where my kids end up in hockey, all I can hope for is that one day when they get older, they give their time and help grow the game for the next generation. Being a part of something that you love and giving back feels pretty damn good. Envolve all the fam and make it a weekend to remember. There are jobs everyone can do.
Maybe a minor hockey tournament committee should take over running the country? Lol, you could guarantee the money would be accounted for and well spent. Everything would run as scheduled and smoothly and be profitable. Volunteers are integral to minor hockey, without them, no hockey. Enjoy your shifts and just think about what it is doing for your child, their team and your community. I know the kitchen shift can suck but it's why we do it and who we do it with that makes it worth it. Make the best of it! Volunteers are everything.