"Not So" Baby Boy

The Boy’s hockey association decided to try something a little different this off-season. They held a two day Midget mini hockey camp last week to try to gauge the level of interest for next year, to keep more players interested and to do a pre-assessment. The real tryouts are in the Fall.  The turnout exceeded expectations as there were over 60 skaters and 12 goalies registered.  There was an initial thought of only forming two teams (A and AA) next year, but the number of attendees may indicate the opportunity for a third.  Of course, the number that show up for a mini camp in the Spring and the number that actually show up to try-out in August may tell a different story. There are a lot of other priorities for young men from cars and jobs to school and girls – and not necessarily in that order.

For some, like a certain hockey mom who shall remain nameless, the mini camp brought with it a realization that the Boy is now playing with men. At Midget, the age range is 16-18, which equals a noticeable difference in size and stature. The “boys” coming out of the dressing room who would be sharing the ice with the boy during the camp were by no means “boys”.  Full beards, six-packs, other well-defined muscle mass and more than a few tattoos revealed grown men.  After tryout one, the Boy himself quipped, “A few of us younger guys were thinking that maybe we should show up a the next skate with fake moustaches, just so we can fit in.”  He likewise noticed the disparity.  The Boy, with mild alarm, also said he had a pretty good idea where he could go if he needed to score (and not in the hockey sense). Another facet of growing up that’s even more front and centre at school among other places.

All that being said, we were heartened to see that the difference in size, strength and apparent maturity did not translate into a significant gap once everyone hit the ice.  At this age, it’s sometimes difficult to gauge who’s playing to their full potential, however not too many stood out above the pack. The Boy, for his part and to my somewhat objective, if no ever-so-slightly biased eye, held his own over the two days. Hell, he is nearly six feet tall and pushing 170 lbs. so we shouldn’t really be surprised.

We will no doubt just always see him as the Boy with the emphasis placed on the youth that word connotes. And we also know he’s out there playing with a bunch of other parents’ Boys who, with resistance, have watched the same physiological changes, but beneath the surface will always love watching their little kids playing a little kid’s game.

YoungBrenHockey

#imahockeydad

“Not So” Baby Boy

The Boy’s hockey association decided to try something a little different this off-season. They held a two day Midget mini hockey camp last week to try to gauge the level of interest for next year, to keep more players interested and to do a pre-assessment. The real tryouts are in the Fall.  The turnout exceeded expectations as there were over 60 skaters and 12 goalies registered.  There was an initial thought of only forming two teams (A and AA) next year, but the number of attendees may indicate the opportunity for a third.  Of course, the number that show up for a mini camp in the Spring and the number that actually show up to try-out in August may tell a different story. There are a lot of other priorities for young men from cars and jobs to school and girls – and not necessarily in that order.

For some, like a certain hockey mom who shall remain nameless, the mini camp brought with it a realization that the Boy is now playing with men. At Midget, the age range is 16-18, which equals a noticeable difference in size and stature. The “boys” coming out of the dressing room who would be sharing the ice with the boy during the camp were by no means “boys”.  Full beards, six-packs, other well-defined muscle mass and more than a few tattoos revealed grown men.  After tryout one, the Boy himself quipped, “A few of us younger guys were thinking that maybe we should show up a the next skate with fake moustaches, just so we can fit in.”  He likewise noticed the disparity.  The Boy, with mild alarm, also said he had a pretty good idea where he could go if he needed to score (and not in the hockey sense). Another facet of growing up that’s even more front and centre at school among other places.

All that being said, we were heartened to see that the difference in size, strength and apparent maturity did not translate into a significant gap once everyone hit the ice.  At this age, it’s sometimes difficult to gauge who’s playing to their full potential, however not too many stood out above the pack. The Boy, for his part and to my somewhat objective, if no ever-so-slightly biased eye, held his own over the two days. Hell, he is nearly six feet tall and pushing 170 lbs. so we shouldn’t really be surprised.

We will no doubt just always see him as the Boy with the emphasis placed on the youth that word connotes. And we also know he’s out there playing with a bunch of other parents’ Boys who, with resistance, have watched the same physiological changes, but beneath the surface will always love watching their little kids playing a little kid’s game.

YoungBrenHockey

#imahockeydad

Da boy’s schedule is in #imahockeydad

We received an email pointing to the Boy’s online schedule for the upcoming season, bringing with it those oh so memorable feelings of awe and slight bewilderment.  Here’s the breakdown of days in the coming months when he, no we, will be in a rink somewhere for practices, exhibition, regular season or tournament games — a few of which will be in far off places like Fort Erie, Ontario and Oswego, New York:

September – 13 days
October – 17 days
November – 17 days
December – 16 days

There are a few more days already on the sked for January, then playoffs will take us well into March and maybe even April. Tryouts for the 2011-2012 will follow in May.  In the next couple of weeks we’ll get the Devil’s schedule to fill in the blanks and double up on many of the days.  Add to this school classes, homework, school trips, work, social events, occasional sleeping, eating and other necessities and there isn’t a whole lot left.  Hockey tournaments even usurp a few school and work days as they often start on Fridays and occasionally Thursdays depending on the location. The kids certainly don’t mind, but it can get a little dicey when juggling work commitments.  I am always surprised to see the inordinate number of mothers and fathers who are able to attend all of the practices and games. Aren’t we all supposed to be at work…paying for all this hockey?  

It really is a whole lotta time, particularly when you see it all plotted on a calendar.  Hockey mom lovingly does the plotting with diligence and affixes the finished product to our fridge. I throw it all into a Blackberry, try to avoid the conflicts and keep up if I can. So if you don’t find me at home, try my cell, check a local rink or consult the fridge calendar; it’s all on there.

#imahockeydad

Da boy’s schedule is in #imahockeydad

We received an email pointing to the Boy’s online schedule for the upcoming season, bringing with it those oh so memorable feelings of awe and slight bewilderment.  Here’s the breakdown of days in the coming months when he, no we, will be in a rink somewhere for practices, exhibition, regular season or tournament games — a few of which will be in far off places like Fort Erie, Ontario and Oswego, New York:

September – 13 days
October – 17 days
November – 17 days
December – 16 days

There are a few more days already on the sked for January, then playoffs will take us well into March and maybe even April. Tryouts for the 2011-2012 will follow in May.  In the next couple of weeks we’ll get the Devil’s schedule to fill in the blanks and double up on many of the days.  Add to this school classes, homework, school trips, work, social events, occasional sleeping, eating and other necessities and there isn’t a whole lot left.  Hockey tournaments even usurp a few school and work days as they often start on Fridays and occasionally Thursdays depending on the location. The kids certainly don’t mind, but it can get a little dicey when juggling work commitments.  I am always surprised to see the inordinate number of mothers and fathers who are able to attend all of the practices and games. Aren’t we all supposed to be at work…paying for all this hockey?  

It really is a whole lotta time, particularly when you see it all plotted on a calendar.  Hockey mom lovingly does the plotting with diligence and affixes the finished product to our fridge. I throw it all into a Blackberry, try to avoid the conflicts and keep up if I can. So if you don’t find me at home, try my cell, check a local rink or consult the fridge calendar; it’s all on there.

#imahockeydad

Yesterday it was 30 plus degrees celcius outside so where were we…in a rink of course. But it was a special kind of day because the Devil and the Boy got to play together on the same team.

The Devil’s team ran a 3-on-3 fundraising tournament which required/allowed each player on her team an opportunity to put together her own team comprised of three boys, three girls and a goalie  These players (so we understood) could be within two years of the age of the player so the Devil chose her 15-year old brother and two of his buddies along with three of her friends (her age) including a goalie.  The day before the tournament even began her team lost a girl to illness.  We were not able to find a replacement so the team proceeded with two female skaters, three male skaters and a goalie; lots of skating to come.  This was all pretty exciting for mom and dad because we never really get a chance to see our kids play together.  I took to the bench as a quasi-coach, but really just a door man, as I was soon to find the Devil telling me who was to take the ice and when.  I might add here that I came to the rink wearing shorts and a t-shirt with no idea that I would have to spend the majority of the day in what would eventually seem like sub-zero conditions. 

The Devil’s team’s first game was against an all-girls team which included a couple of very good sixteen year olds.  The Devil’s team won that first game and we were soon to learn that the Devil’s relatively large and somewhat skilled male teammate selections were a tad controversial. Her boys (including her brother) were admittedly strong players in relation to those from other teams who ranged from 10 to 16 years old. It was made clear from the very beginning that this was a “fun”draising tournament and winning/losing were secondary. Our boys were likewise instructed from the beginning that they were to compete, but keep in mind that they were, in some cases. playing much younger and/or less skilled players.  All of that being said, just try telling any 10 + year old athlete that they’re just playing for fun. All players on all teams were playing to win as each game saw kids battling at both ends of the ice.  A couple of games saw outstanding performances turned in by diminutive and reportedly unseasoned, but enthusiastic goaltenders.  The Devil and her female teammate played exceedingly well; taking advantage of and making some tape-to-tape passes to the Boys. One particular pass from the Devil to the Boy for a one-timer goal found me fist-pumping with pride.

The Devil’s team went on to an undefeated record and to win the tournament, which would cover nearly 10 hours and consist of a total of seven twenty minute games. Actually eight for the Devil and one of the Boys as both unwittingly substituted for teams missing players following their own team’s fourth game and 11 for the Devil’s goalie as she was called upon to sub for other teams who were not able to find full-time keepers. Pre-tournament we knew there were three games guaranteed, but were a little surprised to learn of four additional games which kept us at the rink until nearly 10 pm. Suffice it to say, our five players, all of whom had a post-win sleep-over at our house, ate heartily (including Dairy Queen treats demanded by the Boys and a late-night Mexican feast prepared by the anxious hockey mom) and then slept long and soundly. Even the young and seemingly resilient Devil and Boy woke up complaining of aching muscles.  In truth, such an effort probably would have crippled most parents for the better part of a week.

It was a long hot day in a cold, stanky rink, but I very much look forward to being able to see my kids play side-by-side again and maybe doing a little more selfish fist-pumping.

#imahockeydad

You go this way and I’ll go that way

Yesterday felt the the real beginning of what is to be the norm for the next seven months or so.  I headed to an out of town rink with the Devil for an hour long skate while my lovely bride ran the Boy to his practice and post-practice dryland training here in town. Came back home for a bit then headed out again to my own (albeit my last of the Summer sked) game. Occasionally we do find time to sit down and eat a meal together, but quite often its more hello, goodbye or how are you enjoying that Pizza Pop. That being said, we have gotten somewhat better at pre-making more healthy snacks and meals to save both time, money and waistline inches. As a matter of fact, I smell chili in the air as I type and am finding myself drawn towards it.

Tomorrow will be a little hectic with a day-long 3-on-3 hockey tourney/fundraiser for the Devil. The Boy will actually be playing with her so that should be kewl and provide for some good pics and stories.

And so now chili trumps writing.

#imahockeydad

You go this way and I’ll go that way

Yesterday felt the the real beginning of what is to be the norm for the next seven months or so.  I headed to an out of town rink with the Devil for an hour long skate while my lovely bride ran the Boy to his practice and post-practice dryland training here in town. Came back home for a bit then headed out again to my own (albeit my last of the Summer sked) game. Occasionally we do find time to sit down and eat a meal together, but quite often its more hello, goodbye or how are you enjoying that Pizza Pop. That being said, we have gotten somewhat better at pre-making more healthy snacks and meals to save both time, money and waistline inches. As a matter of fact, I smell chili in the air as I type and am finding myself drawn towards it.

Tomorrow will be a little hectic with a day-long 3-on-3 hockey tourney/fundraiser for the Devil. The Boy will actually be playing with her so that should be kewl and provide for some good pics and stories.

And so now chili trumps writing.

#imahockeydad

The older they get, the later it gets

Ten to eleven p.m. on a Tuesday night and I’m in a rink at the end of the first practice of the year. August 17 and here I am in shorts and a windbreaker noting the familiar chill of the glass. The last ice time of the night as it turns out. Rink rats are out scraping down the remnants of the day. The Boy will likely be last out of the dressing room if past history is any indication. One kid is out already and wondering how mine can take another 1/2 hour, which will be par for the course. But I know all too well from my own experience how chit chat, showers and shenanigans get in the way of doing sleepy parents a favour. And what matter since there are still a couple of weeks of Summer vacation left so tomorrow he can sleep in till all hours of the morning if he likes. But this does set a bad precedent for the year to come…or so I thought as the Boy sauntered out with a couple of his teammates only 15 minutes after practice ended. And so maybe this is the dawn of a new season where we’re not the last out the door…or maybe, and more likely, this is just an early season anomaly designed to give me the faint hope of quick rink departures. I’ll reserve judgment until after the next practice later this week. Good nite for now. #imahockeydad

The older they get, the later it gets

Ten to eleven p.m. on a Tuesday night and I’m in a rink at the end of the first practice of the year. August 17 and here I am in shorts and a windbreaker noting the familiar chill of the glass. The last ice time of the night as it turns out. Rink rats are out scraping down the remnants of the day. The Boy will likely be last out of the dressing room if past history is any indication. One kid is out already and wondering how mine can take another 1/2 hour, which will be par for the course. But I know all too well from my own experience how chit chat, showers and shenanigans get in the way of doing sleepy parents a favour. And what matter since there are still a couple of weeks of Summer vacation left so tomorrow he can sleep in till all hours of the morning if he likes. But this does set a bad precedent for the year to come…or so I thought as the Boy sauntered out with a couple of his teammates only 15 minutes after practice ended. And so maybe this is the dawn of a new season where we’re not the last out the door…or maybe, and more likely, this is just an early season anomaly designed to give me the faint hope of quick rink departures. I’ll reserve judgment until after the next practice later this week. Good nite for now. #imahockeydad