Hockey Reflections and the Search for More

As the saying goes in sports, specifically hockey, keep those feet moving. Hockey camp is over, but we are currently in the search for more, more. There are a number of opportunities to take these camps, and it’s kind of the thing to do if you want to play. It’s all about practicing and getting the experience, and it’s difficult to pull that off without proper coaching. I sure can’t do it.

After that, the next step will be to investigate a team to play on. I learned that there are in fact several teams in the area, and they were all represented at this camp. The biggest and best is the Hanover squad, they are amazing and have the reputation for being the best. I used to wonder why Ivy League schools always had the best hockey teams, and now I know why. Hockey is expensive and not accessible to the masses. To become the best, it requires a fair amount of time and money on the part of the parents. That, or grow up in Canada.

We are hoping for Woodstock, but Hartford and even Plainfield have teams. This should be interesting, and at the very least, fodder for this blog. This has really been a fun and interesting experience, and you can see the parents really getting into it. I was impressed how much the moms are invested, and they are out there screaming and cheering for their kids. They also get pissed off when they think their kids either aren’t performing adequately or aren’t being given the credit they feel they deserve. Talk about competitive energy, it’s a little disconcerting. The guys seem way more laid back.

I also want to mention that when N first expressed some interest in this, we went to watch the learn to play session, and I came away from it thinking N could skate circles around these kids. The ones who showed up to this camp, however, weren’t those same kids, they were experienced players who were amazingly talented. It was an good and interesting experience, and just goes to show you, things are not always as they appear.

Whatever be the case, we’re in the hunt for more hockey. We’ll see how this goes. Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to Frank Levert for the pic.