Embracing the Journey: My Son's First Year in Hockey
As a parent, watching your child take their first steps into a sport can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. This year, my son embarked on his journey into the world of ice hockey at the bantam level—a full-contact experience that has already proven to be both a challenge and a source of immense pride for our family.
LIFE
Rick Ryan
4/7/20253 min read
Unfiltered entertainment insights
The Hockey Director's Advice
When my son expressed his desire to play, I was excited. I started to fill out the registration form online and realized, his born between dates say he is a bantam. At this age and level, body-checking is allowed. Now, back in my day full contact started at the level below bantam. The only comfort as a parent is the motivation he has shown as well as he is a decent sized boy for his age, He was a football player. However, to form competitive teams can be selected they break up into groups and go through try-outs. This determines each players skill level and form teams accordingly. The hockey director had reservations. He suggested that my son reconsider joining the team at this level due to the significant developmental differences between him and his peers. Many parents might have taken this advice to heart and put a stop to it and not giving him a shot. I was sure I knew after hearing someone other than dad, say it can be dangerous he might understand, but not my son. His response was clear: "No way, I'm playing." This determination ignited a spark within me. Here was a young athlete who was motivated by passion rather than fear. His commitment became contagious, inspiring not just himself but also those around him
Navigating Covid-19 Setbacks
The past few years have been challenging for all athletes due to Covid-19 setbacks. Ice rinks closed. Practices were canceled. Games were postponed or played without fans. These disruptions affected many players' development, including my son's. Despite these obstacles, he remained focused on his goals
Regular practice: He found ways to sharpen some skills on and off the ice.
Physical conditioning: He engaged in home workouts to build strength.
Skill development: Watching Youtube training videos became part of his daily routine.
These strategies helped him maintain his enthusiasm for hockey while also improving some of his skills.
The Long Season Ahead
Entering bantam hockey means preparing for a long season filled with practices, games, and learning experiences. As parents, we often wonder how our children will handle the pressures of competition and teamwork.
.What We Anticipate:
Increased physicality: Full-contact hockey can be intense.
Team dynamics: Building relationships with teammates will be crucial.
Skill enhancement: Practices and games are opportunities for growth.
As we gear up for what lies ahead, I remind myself that every player develops at their own pace. Each practice and game will bring new challenges that will contribute to my son's growth as both an athlete and an individual
