The Boys are Back!

25 of the United States most elite In Line Hockey players descended on Lakewood Colorado this past weekend. After an intense 2 days of almost non-stop tryouts, 11 went home, sad, disappointed and dejected. 14 were selected to be the 2010 US Men’s National In Line Hockey Team.

I’ll admit it… I’m a hockey junkie! I love hockey, both Ice and In Line. I grew up in the Chicago area, but never saw a hockey game until I moved to Michigan in 1988. That year I had the privilege of attending a Wings playoff game, in the suites I might add. I remember calling my husband to tell him we had been offered the tickets. “Is this a cool thing to go to?” I asked. Being a devotee of the Wings and having lived away from what he called “real hockey” for a number of years, you can imagine his answer. Joe Louis was buzzing. Yzerman was back after a knee injury and the fans couldn’t wait. My knowledge of hockey only included details like, it is played on ice with sticks and skates. I had zero understanding of the game. Sadly, I can now admit, zero passion for it either. As I sat way up high in our appointed suite, our host for the evening asked me if I was a fan. I believe I said something to the effect of not knowing if I was a fan because I didn’t know the game. For the next 10 minutes he explained. Carefully filling my head with off sides, icing the puck, too many men, blue line, and red line definitions and inside information on the players. I was breathless with anticipation. As the puck was dropped I felt it. My heart raced, my mouth was both dry and salivating for more at the same time, my hands were sweaty and my head pounded. Over the course of the next 100 minutes or so… I was hooked, addicted to be sure. The high was so high, the low was devastating. I don’t remember the score or who we played but really it doesn’t matter. What mattered was I wanted that feeling again and again and again. I wanted more…hockey.

My son began playing ice hockey when he was 5 years old. Like most parents I believe he is great, both off and on the ice. He has played all over the world. Youth leagues, Jr. A, College and professional, he’s played and loved it all. I have too. I love to watch almost any level at any time. When he was in high school, he discovered In Line hockey. If you have never experienced In Line, it’s a faster game with some modification to the rules. It’s also a smellier game! I’m not sure why but I’m sure it has to do with the no ice, warmer setting issue. PJ, my son loves In Line hockey. He has played at most levels and again all over the world.
With the many teams, camps, travel and tournaments there has been a constant stream of players flowing through my life for the past 21 years. I’ve had the pleasure of traveling with some of the teams and interacting with the players. To be at a rink and have a player seek you out to be sure to say hello and give you a hug is a great experience. To cook for a player who you have opened your home to and have that player, years later ask you to cook for them again is so gratifying. I love the relationship I have with so many of the boys. I’ve been nurse, mom, friend, banker, confidant and cheerleader for sons of others. It’s been an honor. When my husband and PJ’s dad died last year, at first I was blown away by the support of the hockey community. But then as time went on and I began to reflect, I wasn’t surprised at all. Players called not only my son, but me as well. Players I had heard about and cheered on from afar but had not ever met, showed up for the services. But, frankly… all of this is in a word… hockey. I cannot speak for other sports but hockey boys may fight to the finish on the ice or court, but outside of the game, their friendships run deep. The passion they have for their sport flows freely through their lives. As easy as it seems to drop the gloves during a game, when the chips are down for someone or something they care about, the gloves are dropped or the sleeves rolled up without hesitation.

In 2002 PJ made his first appearance as a member of the US Men’s National In Line Hockey team. Every year there was the anticipation of the invitation to “camp”. Camp is lingo for the grueling process of tryouts and team selection. Today the 2010 team was announced. Boys from California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and Michigan will represent the USA at the In Line Worlds in Karlstad Sweden. Our 1st game is on Monday v. Canada. In 2009 the US won the Silver after suffering their first tournament loss to Sweden in the Gold medal game. This year we are in their house and would like nothing better than to participate in a rematch. The Gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday, July 4th.

The boys will be sending me pictures and updates. Updates are also available at www.usahockey.com. Please look for updated blogs here and let’s get some serious support behind this great team.

Boys, lace up the blades, get your game-head on and have a great time. Represent us proudly as we are all so proud of you.

USA! USA! USA!

I welcome your comments! maxmom16@yahoo.com