Monthly Archives: June 2014

An Ode to Me and Other Aging Hockey Dads

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Been a while since I jotted anything here, what with it being summer and all. The Devil’s fully recovered from her broken limb and methinks chomping at the bit to get back on the ice for her final minor hockey season. Yup, final…the end…nuttin’ left for this ole hockey dad to do, but reminisce. As Father’s Day falls tomorrow, I thought it may be appropriate to construct a little ditty for me and my fellow Dads. For those who wish to sing along, this has been roughly written to the tune of Mrs. Robinson (I know not why, but it was the first ballad to pop into my head). With gratitude and forgiveness to Simon & Garfunkel for the butchered lyrics.

Boy in GoalYoung Hockey DevilWe’d like to say a few words about the job that you have done
All the rinks you’ve been to through the years
We know you did it all cuz ya luv the Devil and yer son
And how they looked up when you cheered

 So here’s to you Mr. Hockey Dad
We appreciate you more than you can know
Whoa Whoa Whoa

Hockey Gods bless you please Mr. Hockey Dad
Heaven holds a place for those who play
Hey Hey Hey
Hey Hey Hey

Pucks shot in the top shelf where they say only Grandma goes
You beamed with pride on every goal
A fancy pass, a  thunderous check, a win when all seemed lost
You’ll still remember when you’re old

Koo-koo-ka-choo, Mr. Hockey Dad
They appreciate you more than you can know
Whoa Whoa Whoa

Puck Gods bless you please Mr. Hockey Dad
Heaven hold a place for those who skate
Hey Hey Hey
Hey Hey Hey

Hockey Gods

Freezing in the stands on another Sunday afternoon
Where else would you expect to find him
With one year left he thinks it’s simply ending all too soon
But then again there’s always grandkids you remind him

Where have you gone Anze Kopitar
Dads will turn their hockey eyes on you
What’s that you say Mr. Hockey Dad
Anze’s Kings just won the cup and skate away
Hey Hey Hey
Hey Hey Hey

A little self-serving  and a whole lotta corny yes, but what the hell….it’s Daddy’s Day, so I’m taking my poetic license and skating with it. Cheers to all you other Hockey Dads out there wherever you are. See ya at a rink in the Fall, if not sooner.

hockey dads watching a game

#imahockeydad

For Concerned Canadian Parents, Hockey is No Longer the Game of Choice

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For Concerned Canadian Parents, Hockey is No Longer the Game of Choice

As brain injury researchers strike blow after blow against contact sport, parents are faced with difficult choices about what they will allow their children to play. At the risk of sounding flippant, nearly every sport and/or physical activity children take part in has some level of danger and risk of injury related with it. Even piano lessons expose kids to the potential for carpal tunnel syndrome and hearing loss. I understand hockey can be a dangerous game, but the media is not doing our game any favours by listing “a significantly higher risk of attempting suicide; links to anxiety and depression; and such emotional and cognitive symptoms as disturbed sleep, difficulty concentrating, frustration and forgetfulness,” among hockey’s by-products.

I’m just one dad who’s had one of two kids suffer a mild concussion and a broken fibula in order 25 years of combined hockey. I know several other children who have been injured in skiing, soccer, football gymnastics and dance. It just seems the seemingly weekly attention on minor hockey is a little over-inflated or maybe its because that many kids are still playing hockey vs. those other sports. I’m all for making the game safer and I think the media could better help convey the message things are being done in this regard.

#imahockeydad

For Concerned Canadian Parents, Hockey is No Longer the Game of Choice

Link

Reply

For Concerned Canadian Parents, Hockey is No Longer the Game of Choice

As brain injury researchers strike blow after blow against contact sport, parents are faced with difficult choices about what they will allow their children to play. At the risk of sounding flippant, nearly every sport and/or physical activity children take part in has some level of danger and risk of injury related with it. Even piano lessons expose kids to the potential for carpal tunnel syndrome and hearing loss. I understand hockey can be a dangerous game, but the media is not doing our game any favours by listing “a significantly higher risk of attempting suicide; links to anxiety and depression; and such emotional and cognitive symptoms as disturbed sleep, difficulty concentrating, frustration and forgetfulness,” among hockey’s by-products.

I’m just one dad who’s had one of two kids suffer a mild concussion and a broken fibula in order 25 years of combined hockey. I know several other children who have been injured in skiing, soccer, football gymnastics and dance. It just seems the seemingly weekly attention on minor hockey is a little over-inflated or maybe its because that many kids are still playing hockey vs. those other sports. I’m all for making the game safer and I think the media could better help convey the message things are being done in this regard.

#imahockeydad