This season’s journey has been an eventful one, a rewarding one, and for many, a first glance at AAA hockey. This team has had the courage to start, the endurance to continue, and the resolve to finish thanks to their efforts on and off the ice.
Every 9AAA Husky was chosen at tryouts for their potential
as individuals as well as teammates. We all joined this team last April
committed together as families to providing a positive and memorable experience
for our boys, to watching them have fun, develop, and be competitive. How
would our boys do? What would it mean to be a Husky? Nobody
knew. We took a chance, a leap of faith, and embarked on a journey that
at season’s end, one can catch a quick glance in the rear-view mirror, or lend
an ear to the backseat conversations on those long journeys, to understand that
the boys’ enjoyment of the game and of each other was never in doubt.
We have all arrived at the wrong arena, forgotten a piece
of equipment, and shuffled family schedules more than once. We have
witnessed nail-biting games, outstanding plays, first goals, shutouts, wins,
losses, and the whole shebang. Most rewarding though, is that each time
and without fail, our boys persevered, equipped from head to toe without
limitations, and one by one each became Hamilton Husky at heart.
Hockey at its core is a spirited
and passionate game. This season’s 9AAAs were surrounded by a coaching
staff that cared for their wellbeing, their success, their progress, and who
put in a tremendous number of volunteer hours. But none of this would be
possible without the time commitment, emotional support and financial
investment of our unique group of families. All together, we joined
forces on an almost daily basis in the arena of hockey, the arena of sportsmanship,
and the arena of team play to build memories to last a lifetime. It is
here where the efforts of some talented young hockey players have produced an
exceptional Hamilton Huskies team, where the purest feeling of success can be
defined by 9-year olds who, balanced with great friendships and collaborative
competitiveness, gather together in cheer regardless of the outcome of a game,
proving that in each of them resides a winning attitude.
Winning: [win-ing] adjective - Definition: successful
or victorious.
Winning is a mindset, not a result. It is not purely
measured by goals scored, assists made, or triumphs over your opposition. A
victory is the ability to say you’ve tried your hardest; that you’ve done so
with dignity, pride and humility; that you’ve enjoyed doing it; and that you
would do it all over again in a heartbeat no matter the challenges or
circumstances.
Our greatest victory comes as we say our farewells with
assurance that we will meet again, whether as friends, line mates, fans or
competitive adversaries.
Until then, Go Huskies, Go!! But in the meantime, THANK
YOU to our coaches – Dave, Shawn, Kyle and Dave; THANK YOU to Marc and Josh for
helping out during practices; THANK YOU to Deanna for running dry land; THANK
YOU to Trish for her help and AAA experience; THANK YOU to the organization for
its support – scheduling, ice times, officials, and support for the team; THANK
YOU to all our generous sponsors and fundraisers, including the Charity of
Hope; THANK YOU to all our parents for the countless hours spent in rinks and
in vehicles driving across the Alliance miles; THANK YOU to the many volunteers
at our host tournament, and to the penalty box gang, especially the young
recruits; THANK YOU to the refreshments provided after games, especially the
Powerade from Dan; THANK YOU for all the help tying skates, car-pooling, and
on-the-go meals... There is so much to be THANKFUL for, and yet much is
easily forgotten, but most of all THANK YOU for this great opportunity to be
part of the 9AAA HUSKIES family on and off the ice – for we are champions in
the making!
See you all at the party tomorrow, and thank you all for
your support this past season!
Sincerely,
Tina
Play
With Passion