SLHC Founder & President, Graham Parsons, Travels almost 12,000 km.
POSITIVES AS SEASON CLOSES. Time To Reflect.
As the 2014-15 season comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what this great sport means to all involved. Through my involvement in the various Arenas I have worked at, and through my volunteer positions with Hockey Alberta, I have had the privilege of watching and feeling all that is right about the game. Yes, there are some negatives but I have always said that the positives far outweigh the not so positive.
SMALL TOWN PASSION. No Difference.
This year I had the opportunity to work in the Kurt Browning Arena in Caroline AB, and felt the passion of small town hockey. For those in the larger centers it is foreign to imagine 11 or 12 players to a team, each one depending on the other to make it through the season. This applies to all categories from Initiation through Midget. The sense of accomplishment at the end of the season is so very gratifying to the players, parents and the community; and, Caroline is no different than any other small town!
THREE PROVINCES TRAVELLED. Provincials, Pacific Regionals, Telus Cup.
This passion and sense of accomplishment was evident when the Hockey Alberta Atom D Provincials came to town. Players, parents, grandparents and fans enjoying the moment. Win or lose, the rink was permeated with positivity of a season enjoyed.
The same happened when, one week later, I was managing the HA Midget B Provincials in Ponoka. A proud Host Committee got the same feeling of accomplishment when they realized that they were a big part of ‘building lifelong memories’ for all those who were there.
I would stop there, but as the season continued into April, I was afforded the opportunity, as the Hockey Alberta rep to Hockey Canada, to accompany the Alberta Midget Hockey League Champion, Foothills UFA Bisons to the Pacific Regionals Finals in Vancouver, BC, against the NE Chiefs, BCMMHL Champions.
With that series successfully completed, it was on to Rivier du Loup, PQ, the Telus Cup, emblematic of the National Midget Championships, the top award in Canadian Minor Hockey. The feelings and passion were truly exciting and electric! But in truth, no more than the Atom D Championships in Caroline. That is not in any way to take away from the Telus Event, because what I discovered is that this feeling of accomplishment, for any level, is at the end of every successful season.
ALMOST 12,000 KM TRAVELLED. Accomplishment is Not Exclusive.
This same feeling of accomplishment is not exclusive to Provincial, League or National Championships. The same happens at virtually every year-end tournament, banquet or team get together.
And that is what is right about our game!