It was a long but rewarding day today. As I write this I am struggling to keep my eyes open. After a winter storm that brought snow and freezing rain last night, we woke early this morning to be sure we could make the one hour drive to Saint John. We were heading to Saint John for the Tim Horton's Timbit Hockey Jamboree at Harbour Station. In case you didn't know...simply playing at Harbour Station is a big deal for kids 5-6 years old.
We arrived at the rink around 9:40am for the first of four games my son would play today. He was only supposed to play 2 but due to other players being sick and unable to make it, he was going to fill in for a team that was short. For a 6 year old that means a lot of hockey and a long day. I was a bit concerned that maybe it was going to be to much. I was also a bit concerned because his first two games were against the younger age class. I had a chat with him and asked him to take it easy though and surprisingly he listened well.
His first game was a relaxed pace and he didn't get to engaged. His team won quite handly with minimal input from him. Of course at this event the score doesn't really matter. The next game there was no holding Seth back and he was fully engaged and scored a hat trick leading his team to another victory. After the game he asked his Mom "Did you see my hat trick Mom?" She enthusiastically responded with a "Yeah! You were great!" As he moved out of ear shot she turns to me and asks "Whats a hat trick?" She is learning so much already...I am so proud of both of them and love them both so much.
After game two Seth was thirsty and hungry. He stated he didn't want to play four games today. After some food and a juice box though he was ready to go again. It might have had more to do with all the chocolate glazed timbits he ate too. The third game was with the team he was scheduled to play with and with his age class. He competed hard and though he didn't score he was continually in the play and moving the puck forward. At this age that is very positive. Game four was very similar and the kids won both and as much as the adults want to believe the score doesn't matter...you can't tell competetive six year olds that. They all came of the ice smiling and laughing, Seth maybe a little less so as he was a bit more tired than most.
The best thing about this format is that it really gives the kids a taste of what true hockey is really about. For many it is the first "tournament" they play. The kids that were there last year remembered almost every goal from the year before. They anticipate playing at Harbour Station again. For a parent it is a bit chaotic and rushed but the kids move through it seamlessly with the young minds unaware of the rapid pace.
Just one thumbs down and that was the fact that one of our players ended up losing his boots. Either accidently or through theft, but if the latter I give a big thumbs down to the thoughtless and selfish person who felt it would be okay to send a kid home from the rink in his sock feet.
I tip my hat to Tim Horton's for hosting such a great event.
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