Bliss In The Bleachers

{Marko, Cole & Sam}

During this 2014-2015 hockey season, the Regulators '03 Peewee team, won the Aspen Fall Festival, with a 4-3 come-from-behind overtime victory against a strong Colorado team.

The Regulators players bonded all season because their parents bonded, and maybe this team unity made the difference. During games, the parents sit together and pull for the team as if each Regulators player was their own. 

From the first tryout session, the parents genuinely enjoyed each other's company and talked at the rink. Early in most practices, some parents would do an "eats' run to the nearby Wendy's, and bring back food for the moms and dads in the stands while the coaches put the players through their drills. Players get the vibes we are sending, and their attitude is the same. 

{Coach Greg had a pizza party at his house tonight}

Team unity begins with the coaches, the leaders who set the tone. Pre-season parent meetings stressed what the team will mean for the players and the coaches also stressed what the team can mean for the parents as well. Actions speak louder than words, when they promise each player "fair and equal" opportunity to participate in practices and games. This promise by Coach Greg and Mikko - to saddle no player with chronic bench warming - goes a long way toward eliminating much if not all resentment that can put parents against coaches and players, and parents against one another. Everyone wins with equal opportunity as our Regulators have this season. Parents enjoy the season, and players are carrying the team as far as their abilities permit. Sometimes the team goes all the way, as we did in Aspen. *

I love being with these parents who make a special effort to assure that hockey remains enjoyable for their whole family while their sons are playing. They want to make sure that when their children move on to the rest of their lives, they leave with memories of fun and fulfillment.

Youth hockey has long been an enjoyable activity for the entire family; aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents, especially when they come together to create a positive environment.   

With participation in sports optional, this season has provided fun and fulfillment for all the families. For the players like Markus, who like to win, and also for us parents who sacrifice and cheer for them. We all deserve to enjoy ourselves, which is the major purpose of youth hockey. Teamwork wins games, and parents are an important part of the team. These memories will last way beyond the hockey season.