I've heard that hockey is a good metaphor for life; I'm 18 now; I've seen good, bad and ugly; blood, sweat and beauty; the sweetness of victory and the agony of defeat in both and am starting to understand and appreciate the metaphor. I've come to believe we're not exposed to hockey as much as hockey exposes who we are and gives us the opportunity to make ourselves better for others and ultimately ourselves.
When I step out on the ice I have one goal, win a hockey game. The most valuable player on a team is the one that can make everyone else around them better; I intend to be the most valuable player on any team I'm on. Win or lose, the most important thing though is I'll have made friends and memories for the rest of my life.
I've chosen not to play during Covid, during that time I've lost the fire in my belly for hockey; I'll do some training this summer and see what happens. Despite how I feel, hockey is the greatest game out there, being a goalie the most challenging position and being on a team is rewarding at any level.
Cheers,
Orlando (O Dog) Keillor