IN PRAISE OF HOCKEY MOMS

Thought all might enjoy this. It was written by Gerald Skoning former player & team captain, Princeton University class of 1964.

IN PRAISE OF HOCKEY MOMS
I have played ice hockey for most of my life. It started with “shinny” pond hockey on the Fox River in Geneva as a young lad and progressed to Division I intercollegiate hockey at Princeton University and semi-pro hockey with the Chicago Cardinals of the Continental Hockey League (the predecessor of the Chicago Wolves).

As a life-long hockey junky, I am delighted to see “hockey moms” get some long overdue recognition that Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin has delivered to these heroes of the hockey world. Soccer moms had their day in the sun in the last election cycle, now it’s time for the dedicated moms of youth hockey players to stand up and take a richly deserved bow..
In my day, hockey moms were a different breed. Dedicated to be sure, and committed to their young warrior’s hockey exploits, but they weren’t on the road 24/7 traveling to tournaments around the Midwest and up into Canada. They didn’t suffer the ordeal of dawn to dusk vigils at frigid hockey rinks watching hundreds of laps of Zamboni ice machines in the course of a season.
The mission of hockey moms back then was to deliver steaming hot chocolate or chicken noodle soup to the kids playing endless games of shinny hockey dawn to dusk in bitter sub-zero wind-chill on the small hockey rinks shoveled clear of snow on the river ice.

An ideal day back then was the early, pre-snowfall, sub-zero freeze which would yield miles and miles of mirror smooth “black ice”… ideal in all skating respects except for the missed pass, or the errant shot on goal which, with no boards to stop it, would slide forever, and take about as long to retrieve. Black ice taught disciplined passing and careful shot selection, all under the watchful eye of a hockey mom from the living room window.

Today, hockey moms are even more remarkable heroes. Making time for jobs, families, and marathon hockey schedules requires the energy and skill of a world class juggler. And, some moms are juggling the schedules of two or three youngsters at once who are participating at different levels of youth hockey--- a Mite, a Pee Wee, a Squirt, and maybe even a Bantam. All different schedules, all different travel arrangements. Juggling indeed.

To many hockey moms, youth hockey is an obsession. They are forced into the ultimate “helicopter parent” roll by virtue of phone trees and car pooling and long road trips. The goal is, of course, to have their kids learn, team work, good sportsmanship, hard work, practice to make perfect, and striving to win. Aspirations of hockey moms and dads often include their youngsters making the coveted traveling team, being selected for the All Star Team, a full-ride scholarship on an NCAA Division I hockey team, or maybe even the ultimate dream of many in youth hockey, “to be drafted by an NHL hockey club and make it to ‘The Bigs’”.

The harsh reality today is that only the very rare high school hockey player graduates directly to play college hockey. College hockey rosters today at all levels are dominated by those who have taken one or two years to play “Junior A” hockey, either in Canada or here in the U.S. So, the mission of hockey moms to develop their youngsters into college or professional levels players is complicated by the fact that college coaches prefer to recruit out of the so-called “Juniors” programs, rather than out of high schools.

Those years in Juniors mean more sacrifices for the hockey moms and dads, as they travel to the remote regions of Alberta, Ontario, or Quebec, to watch their sons play for storied Junior A franchises like the Flin Flon Bombers, Oakville Blades, or the Champlain Cougars.

So, for their steadfast dedication to developing young athletes, tireless efforts chauffeuring their brood to hockey venues hundreds of miles distant, endless hours sipping steaming cups of coffee in frigid hockey rinks, and their endless patience with laundering hockey bags full of stinky equipment, we who play and have played the game salute our hockey moms (and dads) for letting us pursue our dreams.

(As for the description of hockey moms as “pit bulls in lipstick”, I’ll leave that to the political pundits to debate.)

September 14 2008 Gerald D. Skoning

Photo Contest Update

The Photo Contest is complete (as of 1pm on 7/15/08), and the final balloting can be viewed over on the Photo Contest page. Look for Coach Chic's final selections -- for the snapshots he plans to use in his upcoming movie -- about a week hence forth!

New Photo Contest!

My brothers and sisters and I frequently try to help each other in our work. I've offered some coaching related and video stuff at times, and my youngest brother, John, has been kind enough to write and produce several unbelievable songs for me to use as background music in my media work.

John is not an amateur, by the way. No, you can catch him entertaining at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida (under his stage name, John Stevens). And he's pretty famous as a songwriter -- from The Nashville Network to the jingles industry. (Learn more about him over at Coach Chic's Hockey Secrets).

Among the many songs John has done for me, there's one that stands alone. I mean, the first night I listened to it, my eyes just puddled. Actually, I've kept that thing under wraps for better than a year, and I'm not even going to say more here -- other than it's about a little boy growing-up in hockey.

So, why keep this song a secret? Because, when it does get released, I want it to make a huge splash. I mean, I want everyone to hear it, and I want it to become a hockey standard.

That said, over the next few months, I'm going to match some video and some photos to the lyrics. And I'm going to ultimately present the finished product to the hockey world -- on YouTube, at Google Video and like sites. And I'm predicting that this thing is going to burn-up their counters!

As for the contest...

• I'd like proud hockey momz (or dadz) to submit hockey related photos they think worthy of bringing some smiles (or even tears) to the viewers of my planned video.
• Let's skip the typical posed team photos, instead digging for something unique, or something that might depict a youngster's love of the game.
• The song is about a little boy (sorry, girls), and I envision the best photos being of toddlers to about 6-years old.
• Please keep your original, instead scanning it and sending it to me via email at coachchic@aol.com.
• I'll post photos I deem "in the running" (see below), and I've also arranged a way for visitors to vote for their favorites.
• The final decision for inclusion in the video is still mine (mainly because I'm The Coach, I yell loudly, and I carry a stick)!
• As for prizes... Well, braggin' rights is probably Number One, with the chance to share that video with friends and family from around the world being a close second. Then, I'll surely get the winner/s a copy of the video, plus a copy of the song.
• Most certainly, we can work together to protect a child's privacy in all ways.

Sooooooo... Get digging into those old albums, and send along your entry. I'm raring to get into the studio and go to work!

-- Coach Chic

View Photo Entries

Want A New Topic Added?

You know, a major reason I created this hockey moms' blog is the fact that I've seen them -- or you -- as greatly influencing the "personality" of my hockey teams. Yes, the kids play, we coaches coach, and a lot of the hockey dads (at least in the start) know more about the game. But, if you're wondering about the underlying character of any youth team (and maybe even higher level squads), look to the hockey moms. Talk about working in the trenches... They're likely the ones responsible for getting the kids to the rink on time, they care for the team shirts, organize the team parties, they do all the things we dads and coaches wouldn't have a clue about, and then, yes then, there's that personality...

Hockey moms sooner or later have opinions -- or insights -- of their own, and they're quite often right on the mark.

Anyway, with all that said, I began things here by taking a blind stab at the topics hockey moms might like to discuss. So, while Blogger only allows ME to create each main topic -- and while I want to butt-out in most instances, I am wide-open to adding a new area of discussion if you see the need. Just email me at coachchic@aol.com, and consider it done.

Enjoy (and express yourself)! -- Coach Chic

Top 10 Ways to Spot a Hockey Mom

A young lady from North Texas offers her Top 10 Ways to Spot a Hockey Mom. They're cute, and you'll likely all associate with most of the items. So, check 'em out... Top 10 Ways to Spot a Hockey Mom!

Hockey Organizations

Be it ice-time, other scheduling, or coaching selections, almost everyone has an opinion when it comes to their child's hockey organization.

Good Eats At or Near Your Local Rink

For sure, you know about some great places to eat during your hockey travels, be it at or near your local rink. And other surely would like to know about these places!

Roadtrip Accommodations

Do you know of some good places to stay on a particulate hockey roadtrip? Others surely WILL want to know about it!

Favorite & Least Favorite Hockey Tournaments

Had some good (or bad) experiences at tournaments? Let others know!

About The Coach

To start the ball rolling here, perhaps you'd like to share with others something you wish your child's hockey coach WOULD or WOULDN'T do!

Dealing With Hockey Setbacks

Every hockey player feels badly about himself or herself, at one time or another. So, might you have any advice on raising the spirits of a dejected player?

Got A Gripe?

Okay, what's bothering you about hockey?

Hockey Travels

Are you heading somewhere (maybe to a tournament) and need advice about the area?

Hockey & School Work

How do you manage to balance hockey with homework and special school projects?

Recipes?

Got some quick recipes to help work around a busy hockey schedule?

And More Recipes!

Even More Recipes!

Equipment

How do you deal with smelly gear?

Can I Help My Child's Game At Home?

I know that some hockey moms (and dads) hurt inside when they see their youngster struggling. Team coaches seldom have the time or expertise to help individuals with their shortcomings, and even camps and clinics tend to deal primarily with group needs.

So, is it possible for a parent to help his or her youngster's game behind the scenes? Could be. Challenge The Old Coach and see...