I was reminded of this line today as The Boy approached us with a similar request. Watching the news this morning before the first day back to school, he commented on the weather report of a cold snap heading our way. He wanted to know if he could quickly build a small rink area to the right of the driveway so they could skate before school this week. I had to remind him the weather report called for only two days of freezing weather and we have no real time or equipment for a rink.

Despite the fact that we are at some rink at least six days of the week for practice or games for one of the boys, it is apparently not enough.

Despite the fact that he was to have taken two weeks off from hockey, instead he skated several times including two 3-0n-3 mini tournaments at the Lil’ Rink.

And despite the fact that we are only in the early hours of 2012, his travel itinerary for much of the year is already full, including Vancouver and Philly for One Hockey, Buffalo and who knows where else as a member of Selects Hockey, and pending invitations from other spring AAA leagues as well.

The trips to the Lil Rink over the holiday break reminded The Boy just how much he loves the place and, apparently, misses it. So we caved. Tonight, after another request for ‘more ice’, we signed him up for membership at the Lil Rink. Half-way through the standard hockey season.

Unlike Oliver, we won’t be attempting to sell him into servitude. Instead, it feels a bit like that’s what has happened in reverse.

Please, mom, I want some more. And more you shall have.

These past many months – years even – have taught me quite a bit. However, these were not lessons I longed to learn. Rather, I have repeatedly witnessed some unfortunate examples in youth hockey ‘leadership’. Coaches that would manipulate the system to ensure their own son or star player ‘got the shot’. Shortshifting lines merely because of disagreements with parents. Coaches and parents alike exhibiting poor judgement in the manner of late night drinking binges, infractions with hotel security and little or no supervision of children.

I am disappointed at the lackadaisical attitude many take toward respectfully representing our sport, our town(s) and our team(s) names. I have yet to witness that on our own teams …but I have seen frequently nonetheless. 

I recall watching the intro to the NBA finals last spring and thought out loud “What a blatant and unappealing display of disrespect and sickening showmanship”. The lack of respect for team or self is what makes me abhor that sport…at least at the professional levels.

Please, fellow hockey parents, confirm for me that our own dear sport is not sliding down that dangerously slippery slope. Please tell me that we will remain a sport unfettered by doping allegations, clear of criminal convictions, and true to the team aspect that should be the cornerstone of so many sports.

I wonder, am I alone in these experiences and concerns? Am I being too judgmental or is this a cancer that is plaguing our beloved game?

We’ve tried higher end hotels, bargain basement brands and just about everything in between. I remember when we knew we were not a winning team, it was great fun to ensure the hotel had an indoor pool so the boys could swim. Now, there is a no-swimming clause built into every season it seems. I know an included breakfast is important to many (though, for what reason, I’m not really sure, as we often have to depart for the game before the breakfast even opens…and even when it does, the boys tend to grab only a yogurt or banana so they aren’t too ‘stuffed’ for game time).

Hyatt Place

What I’ve come to appreciate recently is the trifecta of location, price and space. My realtor friends would be so proud! Comparing a wide variety of hotels, my new fav is EASILY Hyatt Place. Here’s why:

1) They are located primarily in suburban areas, which generally means they are not far from the local rink.

2) They have really competitive prices, albeit not the cheapest, for what you get.

3) They are hockey-family-friendly. They have an open-all-the-time menu, they have a bar (good for celebrating or drowning your sorrows), included breakfast, indoor pool, spacious rooms that include a “sitting area” that makes for a fantastic knee hockey space, particularly if you are on the first floor. Perhaps best of all, they have a ‘limited’ staff that attends to all of the above, and they seem to be really, ridiculously friendly and hockey-happy.

Given the option, I will seek out a Hyatt Place going forward. My favorite space is first floor, end room, king bed. In Chi-town, we had the end room which provided for no one beneath us, no rooms to the left, no rooms across (only stairs!) and thus, the possibility that we could ‘bother’ only one guest to our right with any loud knee-hockey contests. I spent the weekend with the entire Little Caps team in my room. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

My suggestion: Stay away from pricey hotels that have ‘elegant’ lobbies. The more glass, the less likely they are to accept hockey play, noise, or kids for that matter. They have an ‘atmosphere’ to maintain.

What is your favorite hockey hotel…and more importantly, why!?

One of the craziest things was that we weren’t officially ‘on the road’ for Thanksgiving hockey this year. We enjoyed the bird-day at home, with an actual Turkey, and didn’t have to depart for some far off rink. First time in 6 years. I highly recommend it as a occaisional diversion.

So, thus far I’m thankful that Mitch is loving goalie more than ever. I’m thankful that the Little Caps have found a way to get a few wins and are learning to play as a team instead of a random selection of individuals. I’m thankful that we have great parents on both teams which makes the constant ‘newness’ not so bad.

I’m thankful we had the rare weekend off (even if it was only because we lost Silver Sticks and didn’t get to go to Canada this weekend). I’m thankful that my boys still love this game so much they beg to get more of it. To work harder and skate daily. And I’m thankful that despite all that, they are also amazing students that get great grades and comments from teachers that nearly bring me to tears.

Now, if only my Big Caps could find a way to get back to the passion they played with at the beginning of the season, all would be well in my (hockey) world.

How about you? What are you thankful for right about now?

In particular, he recalled how he got his first: Alexander Ovechkin’s 9th ever goal puck. Ovi scored with a few minutes to go in the second period of the Toronto game. The period finished and Bren went to the glass to watch the Zamboni. When the off-ice official collected the puck at the end of the period, they delivered it to Bren and put him on the Jumbotron to watch his reaction. It was great. The fact that he still remembers it so vividly is priceless.

Forget the fact that we also have a collection of hockey sticks, about 3 gazillion hockey cards, and more hockey jerseys than the entire NHL uses in a season. Plenty to write about in this house.

One of the things I like to collect is quotes. Pithy, smart, inspirational. I collect quotes from historical figures, songwriters, athletes and even Pooh.

One of my favorites is: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”- Gretzky

He has several to choose from, though.

How about you? Any favorite, inspirational quotes, from the hockey realm or elsewhere?

It has been a long, hot summer. So much so that I celebrated the arrival of Labor Day like never before.

As you may recall, I love everything about fall. The structure and order that returns with the start of school and hockey season is a welcome respite from the chaos that is summer. (I don’t know where the phrase “lazy days of summer” originated, or how it could be so, because our days are filled with activities, negotiations and all manner of crazy…yes, that’s it “crazy days of summer’!)

The boys spent much of the summer conquering coasters and every other thrill ride available at King’s Dominion. At only 20 minutes drive, and with a kick-ass waterpark included,  it was the quick and easy solution to boyhood-boredom. And it doesn’t hurt that I’m a bit of a coaster fan myself. The remainder of their time was spent visiting Grammie-at-the-Beach (that’s how she announces herself on calls) and at camp where both boys nearly grew gills and became archery experts.

I loved that they were having fun, and found it so entertaining and typical that they believed the activities would make them better hockey players:

“Mom, do you know how STRONG all that swimming is making my legs?! I’m going be crazy-strong to play goalie for a whole season!” offered my Mitch. Bren, on the other hand, went for the “All that holding my breath swimming made my lungs so strong that I’ll be like Ovi and be able to recover from my shifts in just seconds!”.

And, clearly, target practice counts whether shooting arrows or shooting pucks.

For Bren and his Washington Little Caps, tonight is opening night. I’m quite certain I’m far more anxious than him. My boy got called up to the big leagues and I am so crazy proud and so excited to see him slip on that Rockin’ Red jersey with #80 and Keaton on the back.

Tomorrow night, my Mitch will be in goal as his potential team mates skate out for evaluations. So, a full weekend of hockey for this happy-again hockeymom.

Time to divide and conquer! Here’s to a successful season for all of you, too.

See you at the rink!

T

So, if you are in the mid-Atlantic and looking for a way to beat the heat, join us at 4:30 this afternoon at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex for the 4th Dave Fay Memorial.

Tons of fun hockey, awesome auction items, all in support of fighting cancer – and with pleasing, cool temps too!

We are less than a week away from the Dave Fay Memorial game and auction and we’ve had an insane amount of press, blogging and interest already. So much so that I’m pathetically far behind the pack in my own message.

However, for those of you in the DC region next weekend, you will find that the event at Kettler’s Saturday is everything you love about hockey and then some. Great game, great folks, great cause. Mostly, just a Texas-ton of fun. There are fantastic Caps-alum players, amazing auction items and hockey brethren all anxiously awaiting the start of the regular season. If you are around, please to join us.

And remember to say hi to Hockeymom!

Put Cancer On Ice™ (PCOI) will hold the Dave Fay Memorial Hockey game Saturday July 23, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia. Sponsored in part by www.thebumperboards.com and The Front Page restaurant, the game will pair members of the professional hockey community, Yvon Labre, Gord Lane, Ken Sabourin, Paul Mulvey, Gary Rissling and Alan Hangsleben. They will join players from across Maryland and Virginia as they compete for annual bragging rights and Lord Brown’s Boot in the charity hockey game. The first period will feature an in-goal duel between celebrity guest goalies, The Ice Queen, Miss Virginia Tara Wheeler and Iceman, Steve Kolbe, Capitals radio play announcer.

In conjunction with the game, PCOI will again hold a silent auction for authentic, signed hockey collectibles including a 2011 Team Staal All Star jersey signed by every player of both All Star teams, a signed Alexander Ovechkin Winter Classic jersey, Mike Green Signed All Star puck, as well as a variety of items from the Hershey Bears and teams across the NHL thanks to the support of Hockey Fights Cancer.

“We have received amazing support from the Capitals organization, Hockey Fights Cancer and the entire community,” declared Rob Keaton, PCOI co-chair. ”The players are thrilled to take the ice alongside some of the Caps greats and look forward to hearing their names called by Caps game announcer, Wes Johnson who will be on hand to call the game.”

“What started out a few years ago as a casual, monthly pickup hockey game among Caps fans has developed into a charity that we all are excited to be a part of,” explains PCOI co-chair, Gavin Toner. “We are honored and excited to hold this event in recognition of Dave Fay. His support of our sport and unbiased, reliable reporting of the Washington Capitals made him a favorite of players and fans alike. Dave’s untimely passing from cancer was a loss for so many and we are pleased to again donate all proceeds from this event to Hockey Fights Cancer.”

There is no admission fee to watch the game, but donations are always appreciated.

For a list of auction items and event information, visit their Facebook page at “Dave Fay Memorial”

First, on Father’s Day, we watched Rory McIlroy exhibit extreme mastery of himself and the game as he won the US Open by a modest 8 strokes. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, this young man exhibited what was perhaps the most humble, honest, polished post-play performance I’ve ever witnessed in a champion. I figured, you know you are getting older when you look at someone like Rory and think “I hope my boys are that well-spoken, grateful and genuine when they are grown.”

Not only was Rory’s play amazing, but when I watched the vignettes about his off-course activities, I realized that this was a boy with a family. One that values the traditional meaning of the words: Family, sacrifice, gratitude, perseverance, patience and politeness. I fell in love with him as only the mother of boys might.

I also loved that he sought out his dad

Then, this past weekend, we watched much of the NHL draft. Here, too, I was struck by the gratitude and humble attitudes of these young men. But, more than that, I was struck by the pride of each hockey mom as she listened for her boy’s name and watched him make the long, hard-earned trip to the stage. I can’t even begin to understand that level of pride, though I hope to one day.

But…considering the media’s mania around pampered, privileged athletes, it was truly inspiring to see many young men with solid family support and apparent values like family, humility, persistence, politeness and gratitude. It made me happy to have several opportunities to point to exemplary athletes for my own boys to emulate.

It was even nicer that they came from sports my boys already love.

The end of our Richmond Rage hockey season for both of our boys was fraught with concern and confusion over what would happen next. Several of our Squirt Players were invited to join the newly formed Atlantic Storm team, leaving what was already a small team without enough players to field a full, equally qualified team for a PeeWee season. At the same time, the Mite organization – which was the polar opposite in that there were more than 30 players – was divided over whether to continue with the Rage tournament-style teams or to transition to the Royals and play in the local CBHL league. The politics of youth hockey yet again.

To all that, you add the cross country drama regarding the decision to defer checking to the Bantam level. Here in the Keaton compound we were watching these developments with particular interest given Bren’s decision to play with the Washington Little Caps at the PeeWee level. Ultimately, after careful review of the new regulations and reading commentary from every possible angle, I think the decision is a good one. I’m generally of the mindset that if something isn’t working, it makes sense to at least try a different solution. Assuming the training, coaching and on-ice enforcement actually occurs as designed, this seems like a good thing. But, as with everything in life, we won’t really know until we put it in practice.

Couple that with the pathetic playoff run for the Caps and I have been struggling to follow my mother’s advice: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if we have been taking a hiatus from hockey. Mitch was a developmental goalie for the Washington All Stars team 2003 while Bren played for the All Stars in Boston and Philly and is prepping for the One Hockey tournament in early July. We all dutifully watched the Stanley Cup playoffs… and it is always interesting to watch the changing alliances as someone’s ‘first favorite team’ gets eliminated. I did enjoy watching Tim Thomas and his Gumby-like Goalie displays. And the youthful exuberance and pure speed of Brad Marchand was inspiring. Apparently, no one told him he was supposed to be nervous.

We’ve been following other sports a bit as well, watching the UVA Baseball team’s run in the College World Series and catching some of the final day of the US Open.

So, hockey families, are your fall team arrangements all decided? Where do you stand on the delayed checking decision? What else have you been up to? Help me out here and give me something good as I try to escape my hockey-funk…!