It has been a blast, what's next!

Just a note, there will not be any rhyme or reason to my thoughts, but just a lot of the good times we have had together as we head into the playoffs, and out last tournament in April.

Can see the end is near, the end, being the end of the Hockey team that I coach and have been a part of for 9 years, my son is on this team, and it has been a blast!

First off, I would like to thank the soccer coach way back when that I criticized for 20 weeks many year's ago, that's when I said, if I am going to be critical, I will do it myself, and I will be my own worst critic, well Don Cherry, I passed! I done OK eh!
I never played organized soccer, but I coached, and well hockey, I am a diehard fan, and love the game.

I have been very lucky that there has been no parent blow up or major tantrums by a player, all this for someone who played House League Hockey for 2 seasons, and took a coaching course one weekend 11 years ago.
What I will miss, the player's, the families, the strategy, just having the responsibility to direct the orchestra night after night, wish and hope nothing but the best for everyone of these boy's who are now young men going to college, university or the work force next fall.
The friends we have made in this past 11 year's will be friends forever, dinner's that all revolve around hockey.

We have won more than we have lost, we have grown together, player's left and came back, player's left to concentrate on other sports, and school, but they still to this day and forever remain friends and part of this team.

Just before you get all weepy, I am not leaving minor hockey, I will still volunteer and help the kid's and parents behind us as I have for the last two season's, but it won't be the same, just won't.

We  travelled to Montreal once, and Lake Placid twice and Barrie, London, Kitchener and Cambridge, and of course Hamilton.
We skated in the intermission for the St, Michael's Majors when we were little, and we are going to Maple Leaf Gardens or whatever it is called before we are done.

Two Tier One Championships, and 10 tournaments won, with one last one to go.

Teaching Daniel to skate and do the T-push was a crowning moment, for me and no doubt for him.
Having David play goal three weeks ago, and getting a shut out in his first game above house league, I will always remember.

The only regret is missing some of the goals my son scored because I was coaching behind the bench, and then not being able to cheer as loud as a spectator or a Dad, well he knows, then and now, how proud I was and am of him! The best forward on the team, he once said to me, Dad I have to come off, I am too tired. Oops!
He has talent on the ice, I could only dream of, glad he got it, he is a thrill to watch, who needs Crosby or Ovechkin (sp), but I am glad Crosby is Canadian, just like us.
Wonder if he will mind if I show up at his beer league games next year just to watch!
And other regret, but I know he was watching, my Dad would have loved to see his Grandson fly on the ice! 

I remember his first time on the ice, about ten strides on the ice, it was "let go Dad, I got this"
We had our own corner of the ice for Parent and Tot!

The first house league season, the last game Bradley comes off the item crying, what's wrong Brad, "the season is over"
To this day, Brad's season is never over, he left and came back, and it is nice to have him around.

First playoff game is Monday, I will miss it as I will be in Montreal for the week. So a fidgety time waiting for the texts to come in with the score, a nervous "Nelly" 350 miles away, but we will be alright, I think.

It is closing a chapter of the book called Minor Hockey, Coaching and throwing water bottles on the Ice.
Long story don't ask! Got suspended for 3 games for that one, Travesty of the game, well the ref got off, and ya whatever!
You know it doesn't matter anymore the coaches and Manager's from other teams that have been fools and other kind words, but some of them have been good people and hope they do well in the post minor hockey career, you know, how do you leave helping kid's play hockey, don't think you do, and if you do there is a big hole in your life.

I am sad writing this and I will be sad after the last game when we go for the year end party, but you know, I wouldn't trade a minute of this for anything.
I still have my son's first stick that he used in House League when he was six, and it's a keeper, there is a special picture of his first summer hockey school with a medal around his neck, and this great big smile! 
I smile, thank you for the memories, the wins, the losses, the friends, and most of all, the player's brought me joy, that I can never repay.

So, I will be still involved, and cheer for my beloved Maple Leafs, but it won't be the same, it has been a blast! 


GO SHARKS GO