Beyond the Blades: Recollections of a Former Hockey Mom

The picture that follows popped up in my memories on Facebook yesterday. Liam, (at 9 1/2 years old), was en route to his first (and only) provincial tournament with his Dad on that date in 2014. He tried out for the traveling team the following year for the final time. He didn’t make the cut to travel that year. (That could be another blog post in and of itself.) His hockey days ended on December 11, 2016 with a fractured foot. By time the cast was removed, the season was pretty well done. It didn’t really make a difference for at 12, he no longer had a desire to play. When registration rolled around in 2017, the question was asked and the answer was a resounding “no”. 

I can’t help but recall how excited he was leading up to his departure. And his father and I were equally as excited and proud. Yet, as I gaze into the huge grin depicted, another memory comes to mind. I’ll never forget over-hearing the grumblings from some well-intentioned parents during the practices leading up to this 2014 provincial tourney regarding how the “C” team players were taking away ice time from the “A” and “B” players. That resonated deeply with me. Present day me would have spoken up. All my kid wanted was to play the game and to have some fun. At 9 1/2 years old, he didn’t have NHL aspirations. And that’s okay! He followed the Habs with his Dad but wasn’t fanatical. We didn’t send him to camp after camp because a) he didn’t ask; and b) even the Great One himself recognized in a CBC interview that year round hockey isn’t necessary. (This is not meant to slam those who play year round.) Liam’s lack of fanaticism and being fine with house league in and of itself was regarded as a bit of an anomaly.

Liam wasn’t the fastest kid nor was he the biggest. He surely wasn’t one of Minor Hockey’s best. That’s not important. He was, however, a good team member and a respectful player. His accolades included a couple of “Most Improved” medals and a few “Players of the Game” certificates. The medals are still hung and the certificates have been removed from his wall and have been put away for safe keeping.

He has positive recollections of some good and dedicated coaches. I fondly recall and will be forever grateful for the ones who took the time to teach him, to celebrate his strengths, offer encouragement, and help him with his weaker points. For every great coach, however, there are some who - to put it bluntly - are not. The same can easily be said of all sports. Yes, elitist coaches exist in our little towns! Though “Fair Play” is mandated, it is no secret that it is not always followed as closely by some as by others.

Liam has never once said that he misses the sport. That saddens me a little as he played from kindergarten until part way through 7th grade. It’s a little bittersweet to me as I see pictures of the Midget players with their hair “styled” (well, butchered is more like it). (I’m sure he’s thankful he gets to miss that tradition.) I’ll never get to see him don his jersey or tie up his skates for his last game as a graduating senior. While his dreams of hockey glory ended just shy of his entry into the Bantam level, the journey was no less meaningful.

The journey beyond the blades has been one of continuous growth. He discovered basketball in recent years and, with his father’s and my insistence, tried out for the team this year and made it. How thrilled we were to find something he clicked with. 

Once all is said and done,  I am grateful he got to experience playing Canada’s game -albeit for a short while. I know he took away many valuable lessons from his time that have easily carried over into other parts of his life. In the words of the great Bobby Orr, “The biggest thing we get out of it is seeing the kids smile. And hopefully we will also see that the lessons we're teaching - not only the fundamentals of hockey, but also the life values - are sinking in.”