My Love For Hockey - The Ultimate Distraction

In 2007 I was down in the dumps a little bit and wanted to talk to one of my best friends about it. She suggested we go to "stick-and-puck" to work off the building frustration overtaking my life at that point. "Stick-and-puck" is a afternoon drop in program offered by CANLAN Ice-Sports hockey rinks where hockey players can fine-tune their skills. Yeah, she plays hockey, because she's cool. This turn of events found me in my parents' basement looking for late 80s Bauer Chargers, and my Wayne Gretzky Titan hockey stick I had when I was much younger.

Well, after repeatedly catching my blade in the ice, almost falling numerous times, and taking slap shots that slid like curling rocks, I decided that, THIS IS AWESOME!!!!

I felt so good afterwards, even though I sucked the bag.

In 2008 I was asked to join the work hockey team, though I had never really played on an organized team before, because they needed players. I had some prior hockey experience for a year in high school but nothing "organized." I decided to accept because I remembered how awesome it was to skate at stick-and-puck. Below is my first ever organized hockey team.

I had 0 goals and 2 assists that year. But most importantly I found something I really love; and for that one hour a week, my mind becomes clear and everything else seems distant, no worries about rehearsals and jobs, as I focus on the enjoyment of playing a game.