It was a fun season! My first season of hockey and learning to skate all in one! When I started to prepare for the season, I bought all the gear to skate as a wing or a center. Though, I didn't know how to skate. A few weeks before the pre-season clinic I set out to learn how to skate. For three weeks, nearly everyday, I was out at UAA trying to learn how to skate. After two weeks of getting almost nowhere and having feet hurt terribly, I went back to the shop, bought a different pair, only to be in even more agony. I finally went to an actual hockey shop, Champion's Choice. Apparently, my skates were an entire size too big!!! So, I exchanged a pair, and bought a decent used pair of skates. What a difference! Still, I needed to learn how to skate.
As I started to learn how to skate, for the second time, I found that my progress was more rapid. A few days before the clinic I received an email asking if I was still interested in trying out for goalie. There were a few teams in need of a goalie and since I had showed interest in learning any position, I agreed to give it a shot. Little did I know that goalies not only wore a lot of gear, but their skates are completely different.
I showed up to the clinic, not knowing how to skate, in bulky gear, it smelled horrible (borrowed gear smells rank) but did the best I could. I couldn't even make it through the skating drills. I simply couldn't skate. I remember Ray (one of the "coaches") telling each person what they did well. Everyone except me received a praise for some sort of skating skill. I assume he got to me and didn't want to hurt my feelings and said "you can see the play develop." At the time, I took in stride and because I was at least pleased he didn't say "your skating is weak sauce." Little did I know, my ability to watch a play develop was going to be my biggest asset. Lacking in skating skills and hockey knowledge, my lifelong experience with team sports and over analytical brain helped bridge the gap between my skating ability and lack of speed.
For those who think goalies don't skate much, I will have you know that that is a common misconception. The goalie is usually one of the best skaters on the ice! A goalie pretty much skates the whole game and rarely stops to "chew the fat" or "chat chit." The skating is a lot more technical than one would think and they don't get breaks. Not only is it technical skating, but they do it in all that gear. I am in awe of goalies when I see them now, as I have been in the crease and know what it's like to do just the basic skills I have learned this season. I am nowhere near a level that would be deemed as "good" but I know that to be able to the things I have seen takes a lot of skill and effort.
With that said, I raise my helmet to goalies of all skill levels. You have my respect and appreciation. A team without a goalie is gonna have one heck of a time getting through a game and there are not many people willing to stand in the way of a fast flying puck. Just so you know, it's a constant adrenaline rush if the pucks are flying the whole game. The faster they come, the more intense it is! Whew! Can't type any more about it, I am getting excited and I still have things to stay focused on. =D
The banquet was a blast. Low key, good company, good food, and the Awards were given in a chill-axed way. Not too much hullabaloo and fuss which was cool. Sometimes award banquets can be so tedious! We also received our team pictures and any other items we may have ordered. I ordered player cards because I thought it would be cool and it was! Hopefully, I will get some in the mail soon!
I played for two teams most of the season. My primary team was Team Nelson and my secondary team was Champ' Choice (their goalie had surgery and was out for most of the season). Both teams were filled with great ladies and it was such an honor to skate with them and to learn so much in the process.
Seeing Team Nelson develop into a better, stronger team was a fantastic experience. Our team had a lot of first time skaters and it was evident for most of the first half of the season, but as we continued to play and work hard we started to celebrate our victories! We didn't win many games, but we achieved so much! In the end of season tournament, we took third out of five teams. Our tournament record was 2-1-1 and that tie was a huge victory on its own! We tied B Bella who pretty much owned us the whole season. First time we played them I saw over 30 shots on goal and we lost 0-8. Let me tell you this, they didn't put that many in the net against us in one game for the rest of the season! Still, to tie them at 1 was huge for us! My team played their hearts out and it felt good to be a part of that and share it with them.
At the banquet, we also were to vote for the next season's league board members. I was asked to run for the board and did. There are nine positions on the board and nine of us ran. So, I guess you know I am on next season's board. LOL! I might need to get a car to be able to keep up with it all!!!
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| B Bella early in the season, I think we lost 0-5 this game |
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| My friends (both teams) playing at Subway Centre. Purple team made it to the championship game and won that too! |
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| Watching my friends playing for the a chance to make it to the final round - they won. |
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| Goalie Gumby |
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| Our Team Shirts =D Team Nelson!!! |
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| House of Vasa Coat of Arms |
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| My Dragon Spirit with Forget-Me Nots on the goalie stick =) |
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| On the left it says "Maniac" and that's my Maniacal Guy |
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| I took Hebrew in college, so I had to add this bit of flair |
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| This is a pic of me early in the season when I could barely stand up! |
