This weekend I had the privilege of taking in a couple games at our community rink and it hit me hard in the heart. After watching a friend's U13 son play we decided to stay and take in game one of an "old guys tourny". As the younger parents were heading out with their littles in tow, the seats were filling with a much older crowd for the big game dubbed "Old Balls vs Young Balls". The ages of the players ranged from 18 to well into their 60's. The hometown crowd was made up of the players kids, wives, parents and friends. Near the end of the first period, it dawned on me, one day this will be me. Let's be for real, most of our kids will never make the big show and guess what? It doesn't matter. Hockey is more than a game, it is a feeling. Watching the spirit of the game live in these players who are way past their prime was the stark reminder of that. Throughout the game there was glimpses of that competitive edge that age has slightly dulled, some friendly bantering, displays of good sportsmanship and of course big smiles all around. I am also sure some aches and pain were to follow but the laughs, the locker room beers and the chance to relive some memories would make it all worth it.
As a parent we don't want to imagine the day there is no one to take to hockey anymore. From squirts until they graduate high school you have roughly spent 1600 plus hours freezing at a rink drinking countless cups of shitty coffee with the best moms you know. The miles on your car and the money spent justified for every minute with your child creating friendships and memories that they (and you) will cherish forever. The game has brought so much to our lives that we are not prepared for the ride to be over. Right now I know we still have some time left, some memories to make, some more amazing people to meet and some miles left to drive. Watching the game this weekend made me realize that no matter how old my kids get, I want to be there watching in the stands.
So when our kids hit beer league is it game over for us as parents? As I looked around at the crowd you could see pride in parents eyes and every single person had a smile on their face. So no, it is not over, it is a new chapter. Every goal brought a cheer as did the many wipe outs. The spirit of the game was in every single player and every person watching them, you could feel it in the air. What is the spirit of the game? The spirit that brings a nation together in the time of a national tragedy like the Humboldt Broncos bus accident. It is that spirit that celebrates a nation like our Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey team winning gold in Beijing 2022. It is that spirit that has given you and your kids so many memories and an extended family that you will cherish forever. That is what hockey is, it is that feeling. The spirit of the game is timeless, limitless and holds no boundaries. It is imprinted on your heart forever, it is that feeling.
I am thankful for every single thing the game has given us. My advice? Cherish every moment you get with your kids, one day they will be adults. Time is the only thing that will not slow down, enjoy every season. Cherish the memories and friendships you make along the way. Take lots of pictures, one day that is all we will have left when we have no one left to take to hockey. One thing I can say for sure, you can bet your ass I will be at beer league clanging my cowbell for my boys.