Sunday, June 27, 2010

Gearing Up for A New Season

Shayna McKie teams up with her dad, Dave McKie, to help us get our kids properly protected for the new season. We'll start with one of the most important pieces of gear, the chest protector.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

'Barry' Exciting Chance to meet Melrose

This just in..hockey superstar Barry Melrose will be making a special appearance at the grand opening of the Dunkin' Donuts store, in Lansing ( about an hour and 30 minute drive from Syracuse at 32 Peruville Road). Mark the date on your calender folks; Saturday June 26 from 11am-2pm. The press release from Dunkin' Donuts says the National Hockey League veteran and current ESPN commentator will be available for photographs and autographs with customers at the grand opening ceremonies. Melrose, a resident of Glens Falls, appears regularly on SportsCenter and ESPNNEWS. As the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings in the early 90's, his debut season saw the team advance to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in franchise history. Excitement is brewing!
http://syracusecrunch.com/News/Detail/2838

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sometimes Grandfather Knows Best

We weren't on home ice, so I expected to see unfamiliar faces in the locker room for the Saturday spring hockey clinic that we decided to give a try. Making a slow entrance into the locker room was an elderly gentleman, one fist clenched around a handle as he wheeled an overstuffed hockey bag behind him. A young hockey player, I'm guessing around 7 years old, flew past him and picked a spot on the bench right next to us. As I laced up my daughter's skates, the elder man settled the bag near ours, and eased his way down onto one knee, slightly moaning under his breath...'hang in there knees.' Unzipping the hockey bag unleashed that familiar, foul smell. "Ah," he said, " Some things never change."I laughed as I turned to him and asked, " Is this a second generation of smelly hockey bags?"

"Oh, yeah," he said, "...had three sons go all the way up and even play some hockey in college. Been around it, a long time. Feels good to be back in the locker room with the grandson. Doesn't smell too good, but it feels good. Brings back a lot of memories."
I thought for a moment, about all the memories he most be holding on to...all those heartbreaking losses and hard-fought wins those twinkling eyes must have witnessed. Got to treasure these times, I thought to myself.

I was impressed by how quickly he got his grandson suited up, while I was still struggling to press those stubborn snaps together on my daughter's helmet. (Reminds me, one of the snaps is about to snap off again) His grandson was obviously eager to beat everyone else out of the locker room, and onto the ice. Before making his mad dash, he made a bold prediction, as his grandfather struggled to get back up on his feet, using the hockey stick as a cane. As he handed the boy his stick, the child blurted out, "Get ready to count all my goals grandpa, 'cause I bet I can out-shoot any one of these kids."


Grandpa took the stick back and said, "You're not getting this back, until I hear a promise from you." "Whaaaat grandpa,"as if he's heard a few lectures from grandpa before. " I would be more impressed to see assists out there young man. So let's see you work on your passing too. Got it? Never cared much for puck hogs."

"Ooooh....kay...," he said with his head down, as the stick was returned to his glove. The grandfather smiled,turned to me and said..." I guess there are some other things that never change. Had to give that same lecture to his dad, 'bout the same age. Took awhile, even took him out of a few games because of his pork-chop attitude, but eventually he learned. In high school, he made team captain and the coach said he was the heart and soul of the team. Proud moment for me,as he choked up and smiled at his young grandson. Hockey gave me a lot of proud moments. "

I bet he'll have many more with his talented grandson, who made a point of passing the puck to my daughter, when he could have easily scored himself.

The Poetry of Hockey



The Poetry of Hockey

Are your children stuck on subjects for poems and essays? If they're as passionate about hockey as my kids are, they ought to give hockey a try. My 8 year old daughter's poem just won a national contest. Here's her poem;

Hockey Girl With Guts

I'm the only girl on my team
And when the boys get mean
I pull out my stick
And skate real quick
My shot is really sick
On the ice, I'm never a bore
I love to score
I'm a puck hungry girl
who would rather shoot than twirl