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Another Season is Nearly Here

By Michael Trzinski, 11/01/14, 8:30PM CDT

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My last year as a youth or high school parent

In the fall of 1994, my nine-year-old son informed me that he was going to play hockey. As somebody who did not diligently follow the sport, I was rather indifferent about his announcement.

Twenty years later, my daughter is beginning her senior season and I realize how fast time has flown by and how far we all have come in our ability to play the game and the appreciation of the sport as a spectator.

My son Corey began his career as a Squirt after returning from overseas after three years of living with his mom and step-dad in Germany.

He played nine years and participated in three state tournaments (Bantam and HS Club) and ended his hockey career at Wilson Park in Milwaukee, finishing with a third place medal and having scored seven goals in his final three games.

Seven months after his final game, my daughter Emily stepped out on the ice at the South Wood County Rec Center and pushed around an orange cone for an hour or so. She had some issues with her mouth guard, as we failed to fit it properly before practice.

After practice, she came out of the locker room with a huge smile on her face and said she could hardly wait until the next session.

Now, she is on the cusp of her final high school season, playing in net for her tenth year and one year away from going off to Concordia University, where to she hopes to continue her career.

I have many memories of the years of both children playing hockey, as many people reading this post can relate to.

The bad times, like when Corey was checked from behind and crashed into the boards, injuring his knee in the Badger State Games. Or the time his team was leading in the championship game in Duluth, only to have a fluke goal lead to a tie and later to a loss for his team.

There were, of course, good times as well. 

One of his bantam years, his team won 35 games and lost six, winning a tournament or two en route.

Or watching him earn one of five shutouts as a back-up goalie throughout his youth years.

I still cringe every time thinking of Emily's freshman year, watching her 'Tebow' impression after the puck bounced off her defenseman and snuck past her for an overtime GWG in the Schwans tournament.

Or the game in her junior year when her team lost in a shootout, pictures showing her crying as her teammates comforted her.

But don't forget the six shutouts her freshman year, setting a team record, or her two Great Northern honorable mention awards.

The point is, my kids have had good times and bad times.

Everybody reading this has experienced the same as a player, parent, coach, or fan.

This is my final year to witness the highs and lows.

To all of you: enjoy the season, enjoy watching your son or daughter play, because before you know it, their career will be over.

Bring on the season!