Family Ice
Saturday, August 26, 2006

Posted by MAC@GSH

This story is submitted from Mike Waddell, chaplain for the Brandon Wheat Kings WHL hockey club. From the first wobbling steps we take on double bladed bob skates to our first true strides, from our first simple attempts to push a sponge puck to finally “roofing” it; these and so much more are borne on the backyard rinks made by families where water an turn to ice outdoors. As a child I remember my father standing outside with garden hose spraying and steam rising off the snow we had spent the evening packing down with our little boots. In the morning we awoke to a tired father and to the shining beginnings of “this year’s rink” . The backyard rink captures the very DNA of the game we love so much. Practicing one’s shot, lining up those pucks that aren’t yet lost in the snow until spring, and beating Mr. Sieve on the short side are rituals that only those whose family took the time to make the annual backyard rink.

This fall you can recapture that feeling of exhilaration as each month a new backyard rink photo appears on the first annual “Family Ice Calendar”. As a backyard rink builder and as the son of a backyard rink builder I took it upon myself to begin collecting photos of backyard rinks for a calendar. Today you can purchase a copy of this thirteen month calendar for just $10 plus $2.50 shipping and handling. By purchasing this calendar you are supporting the work of an organization called Hockey Ministries International. HMI and their Chaplains serve a growing number of Pro, Jr and Collegiate hockey clubs in North America and Europe. HMI Chaplains serve as a safe spiritual and emotional resource wherever they are needed. To purchase a calendar online visit ebrandon.ca and click on the Brandon e-mall link. or call Mike at 1-204-724-7825. Mike Waddell Hockey Chaplain [url=http://www.ebrandon.ca/emall/default.aspx[/url]