As I drove home from the last hockey practice of the year, it was weird and wonderful that the sun was still shining in the sky. The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising and the ice is melting some days.
But this time of year is always bittersweet. It is something most parents look forward to and the children dread. The end of the hockey season is looming right around the corner. A major staple in the community will be put out of our minds for a brief period of time. Jerseys and equipment are being put away to collect dust, the hockey rink that some parents almost call home, will melt away and the roar of the Zamboni will disappear into the night.
And although we breathe a sigh of relief that we no longer have to run the ice covered roads, brave blizzards or leave the arena smelling like deep fried goodness, there will be an adjustment period as we try to figure out how to fill that hockey less void.
We may forget how many goals were scored, who played whom and the feel of ice under our feet, but we can't forget those who have dedicated a huge chunk of their time and effort to ensuring a successful hockey season.
To our hockey committee, coaches, managers and parents who pitched in to be time keepers, 50/50 ticket sellers, fundraising organizers and everyone else who had a helping hand in the hockey season, thank you. This year couldn't have run smoothly without all of you. You helped build our teams and without our teams there would be no hockey.
The echoing cheers would fade into the distance, the laughter and memories never created. The arena would be as barren as the fields that surround it. So, if you don't pay attention to the hard working volunteers who help put this game together for our community, please do. Don't let their hard work go unnoticed. Give them the thanks they deserve, a pat on the back.
And be thankful that we are blessed to have a great hockey league for our children. Like the iconic Canadian Stompin' Tom sang, "the good old hockey game is the best game you can name and the best game you can name is the good old hockey game."
