Hockey is the game we all know and love.
Whether we’re watching Hockey Night in Canada on a Saturday night in the cozy confines of our living room, or spending an afternoon at the Rotary Spirit Centre to cheer on our kid’s team, hockey is a unifying force from coast to coast.
This past Saturday the Town of Westlock was selected as one of six communities to host an Alberta Hockey Day. The Hockey Alberta initiative, which is now in its second year, focused on age-appropriate hockey and the importance of using cross-ice or half-ice surfaces at the initiation and novice levels — see more on Page 15.
Suffice to say the timing couldn’t be more appropriate as this is the week we publish our Salute to Minor Hockey, Fun Hockey and Ringette special section on Pages 16-22.
There are 22 team photos from the three associations covering teams from the initiation level up to midgets. It’s a section we’re proud to publish annually as we’re able to turn the spotlight not only the players, but all the hardworking coaches and managers … and even the referees.
They all deserve a hearty round of applause, but there’s another group that doesn’t get much fanfare and that’s the parents.
Because without them, well, none of it would happen. They’re the ones footing the bills for the sticks and skates and driving the countless miles to arenas around the province.
So, have you seen the price of a new stick or a pair of skates? Ouch.
And it certainly doesn’t help when gas is teetering at $1.10 per litre and your kid’s next game is a 250-kilometre round trip.
So, what’s the payoff?
“Just seeing them grow as people and creating lifelong friendships along the way is important. The biggest thing is watching the kids gain life skills and seeing how far they’ve come as people and how they’ve changed,” commented Westlock and District Minor Hockey Association president Ricky Dutchak.
He’s right.
Only the elite of the elite ever get the chance to play junior or college-level hockey.
And what about making the pros?
Well, you’d have a better chance being struck lightning … twice.
So to the players and parents, enjoy the game for what it is as the memories you’ll make are priceless.
