The Hockey Family

I think I've heard it all, whether said directly to me or behind my back (and you know it always gets back to me!).  Hockey families are crazy.  We pay ridiculous amounts of money for ice time, equipment and camps; we travel miles upon miles to reach ice rinks; we sit in the cold temperatures year round; our kids don't have much variety in their lives; we can't always attend a family or neighborhood party; we become "hermits" to family and friends; we risk the mortgage on our house but still have our kids in hockey.

Some of this may be true...but last night I had the opportunity to appreciate why hockey families do what we do.  Hockey becomes our family.  And in just one short month, our hockey family came together to honor and pay tribute to one we lost...and those hockey families that pulled this off, well, they really pulled this off!  I have to tip my hat to Kara Kozar for her direction, as well as all the families who didn't just step up, but jumped into the creation of an evening that celebrated the life of one of our own and did what we could to surround our hockey family who experienced a life changing event with love and support.

Tireless hours of planning, creating, worrying, and sweating the small stuff allowed for the creation of an amazing evening for families, friends, and even neighbors!  You didn't have to be a hockey family to be welcomed into our world for one night.  We were extremely appreciative that you wanted to.

And our hockey family isn't just those who go to our rink each week.  Once you play hockey, you recognize that your family extends beyond age and level.  Not only did we have families and kids from AAA down to house league players, our very own Chicago Blackhawks were there also.  The Blackhawk alumni players came out to play an exhibition game against our Vikings alumni--what a great game to watch!  Denis Savard and Bobby Hull hung out with everyone, signing autographs and taking photos.  And the unplanned and unexpected showing of Adam Burish and John Madden sent families over the edge...these players clearly had other things on their minds and plates this weekend; however, they are part of our hockey family.  They took the time to drive all the way out to Orland Park and visit with their hockey families.  They understand they are a part of our "family", and we are extremely appreciative of that!

I can't imagine going through the tragic loss our friends experienced April 18th.  I can only hope that they are comforted by the support our families try to provide, in the various ways we try to provide it. 

This is why my son plays hockey.  This is why we are a hockey family.  There are people in our lives that go the extra mile and a half to do whatever is necessary to help another in need.  Sure, there are politics like in any sport....but when it comes down to it, when the important things really matter, everything else goes out the window and you can know your family will surround you with love, support, and whatever else you might need!