Hockey is My Favorite Season

Welcome to the 2022-23 season folks! If you didn't know already, hockey is my favorite season. Every year, all the feels, all at once. The excitement of tryouts, the stress of cuts, the heartbreak or jubilation that follows. The joy of meeting your new family for the season. The good, the bad and the ugly, it is all part of the Canadian hockey experience. If you have littles, you may not have to go through this just yet. Savor it. The hard stuff is the good stuff. The hard stuff is where the magic happens, after the sting wears off of course. The hours put in on the off season make all the difference in how the season starts and it is clearly visible when you are watching who put in the work.

This truly is the most wonderful time of the year for me. My U15 is comfortably settling back in to academy life and tryouts are under way for the U18 AAA's. I love walking into the arena, feeling the cool air on my face, the smell of fresh ice and sweat equity, the energy fills my soul. I love the drive there and back with my kids and the conversations we have. Sure summer is great but hockey season is greater. 

What I don't want to do is to project any of my own anxiety on to my kids during this process. Being a goalie is stressful. There are 2 spots. That's it. I'm not gonna lie, it is fucking tough. To help calm the nerves, we are early to the rink. Even if it means taking separate vehicles. My son wants to be in the locker room more than an hour before to get in the best headspace he can. I always sit by the ice so he knows I am there and he gives me nothing more than eye contact and my heart is soothed. How I miss the big smiles and waves from Atom age. He is always stoic and strong and confidant looking. I try to pretend I am too but I am not. 

The truth is, no matter where they end up, it is where they should be. How we handle it will determine how good (or bad) the experience is. There is always room to grow, to learn, to progress and get better as an athlete and as a parent because of this process. So as we go through this last year of my oldest son's minor hockey career I am trying to savor all of it. I hope the hockey Gods hear my prayers. My main focus, being present for him. 

In closing, I wish you and your kiddo all the best for the season! Stay tuned as now we are back into the swing of things there will be weekly blogs out as well as new merch. If you are interested in submitting a story as a coach, player, parent or ref we would love to hear from you, make sure to include all your deets. Let's f%&king go!!!