Atom 2nd Year

The following September, i was the older group of kids at try outs (I was 11). The head coach for the AAA team was Coach Gary from last year, so i had an inside lane to making the team. I remember trying out 2 practices and 2 games, full of drills that made me feel very incompetent. Heading into the room with the Coach, i had no expectations, and was ready to settle for AA. The moment he announced I was in the AAA pool, i was beyond thrilled. That smile ran from ear to ear and didn't leave my face till night.

This was the first time i would be playing against the best players in the lower mainland; my introduction to the Hockey community. Coach Gary had continued to teach me what it took to be the best athlete I could be. I learnt how to raise the puck, but it wasn't useful missing the net from the goal line. Sure enough, Coach brought out measuring tape and showed me the openings where i could shoot when a winger was there to block the shot. This is where i took the concept of shooting low, and getting pucks through was the most important.

I still remember, Coach bringing Vancouver Giants tickets to practices. We would have skill competitions to see who would win the prices, and be able to watch a game that we loved to play. Obviously, I never won those tickets. Ever. This was eye opening, that I wasn't one of the better players of the team.

That off-season my Dad had purchased the Delta Ice Hawks, a Junior "B" team. You will soon read how this affects me through my career, and impacts my life.

Born with Skates

When I turned 3 years old was the first time I was put out to play the Canadian sport of hockey. As most kids, hockey was surrounding me and influenced every aspect of my life. My Dad, as you will hear more of throughout this blog, coached many Provincial winning teams from my home association.

I spent the younger years of minor hockey playing for the Vancouver Thunderbirds. From novice till about Peewee first year was a blur to me. I do remember however, trying out for Atom AAA first year. This was the first time playing kids a year older. Now, it doesn't seem like a big jump, but when you are 9 years old lining up with some 11 year olds, it can get a little intimidating. Anyways that was the first real time I ever had difficulty in this sport. I was played on the AA team with most first year atoms. I remember that day being released, crying to my mom on the ride home.

At time time I didn't notice it, but I had an amazing coach on this AA team, who truly cared about player development. Coach Gary Hunter had some very unorthodox techniques of coaching, but they were the most efficient. I remember the smell of pneumonia at 6am practices at kerrisdale on Monday mornings. Coach Gary would make us all line up, laying down on the ice, legs straight touching the boards. He yelled for us to push off as far as we could and no one moved an inch. "You need to bend your knees for power, thats where you'll get all your speed". This is where i realized that this guy knew what he was talking about.

First Blog

I have kept many journals throughout my 15 year hockey career. Today I decided that the best way to keep organize and maybe branch out to other players/coaches/parents/fans. If you have any questions or disagreements feel free to comment and ill be sure to respond as quick as I can.