The past, the present and the future.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Posted by Dr.J

A couple of weeks ago I showed up to the rink for fitness testing for my club in the CJHL. When I arrived it was like finally coming homr, I caught up with all the boys and found out what happened since the end of the season. We shot the shit for a while and talked about the upcoming year. The conversation turned to who was coming back and who was moving on, or rather NOT moving on. A couple guys had signed with teams in the Q and a few were headed for there camps as invites but one story stuck out. One of my buddies was packing it in at the ripe old age of 16. This guy was drafted in (CONTINUED BELOW)

the O, and drafted in the CJ, but was calling it quits in order to focus on his studies, stating that he wanted to make more time for school so he could move away for university in Canada. I was shocked so was the coaching staff and most of the boys on the squad. He didn’t get to play all that much despite, decent talent and a whole lot of heart, because he was 16. But he was being groomed for the future. No amount of coaxing could get him back. He was going to play high school hockey, that’s it, which in Canada is Busch League, I mean house league level. A few days later I was watching the NHL draft and two former players from my club were selected, one in the 1st round and the other in the third. I couldn’t believe it. I never played with either of these guys because they played the year before I arrived and left when I showed up for camp last year. However after talking with the boys I learned that the guy who went in the first round was nothing special when he played. He was an average player who hit the gym hard the next summer and really focused himself during the year and wound up having an awsome rookie year in the Q. The other guy was fast as balls with nice dangles and scored a full scholly to the US. Never the less my point is this; hockey is a game of persistence, hard work and determination. With a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work anything can happen.

My buddy who hung up his blades may regret his decision in a few years and want to return, but it might be too late. I myself was a late draft to the CJ at 18 coming out of Jr. B. But at this point in the game it’s important to realise how close you really are. Going the Major Junior is an amazing opportunity but for those players who need a little more time to develop the School route is also a great option. After reading the article posted about Luke Lawson, who plays for the Rangers, I realised its important to stick with it and enjoy every moment of you’re hockey careers.

Some of you may go on to bigger and better things in life, but for others, this will be the greatest time of your lives. Is it wrong to be nostalgic for a time that you're still living in?

Enjoy it while it lasts boys, I know I will.