A Much-Needed Break

Canada is celebrating Labour Day today, and I think it's the perfect time to take a break from everything that's going on in the hockey world whether it be locally, nationally, or internationally. I can honestly say that I need a break from life for a while after completing the renovations that spanned longer than I initially planned and combined with a busy work schedule and a month of umpiring that will finally end another softball season. Using the day for what amounts to a mental health day is good for the soul, so don't expect any hockey chatter today from this writer.

School resumes for most of the nation on Monday which means university teams will begin to take shape as players return to class. That has to be exciting for fans of Canadian university hockey, but grades count when it comes to university hockey as the term "student-athlete" puts the most important part first. If you're a student or the parent of a student heading to class tomorrow, hockey might be the reason why players are attending class at a specific university, but the future for the vast majority of players is through their degrees. Keep your nose in the books and get that degree!

Hockey registrations will be starting soon as well for players looking to strap the skates on this winter, but I want to stress that you, as members of each hockey organization, have the right to question where your money is going and for it's being used. With the whole Hockey Canada mess still deeply entrenched in Canadian society, I encourage you to ask questions about how your money is being spent so that you can get the most out of your hockey organizational body this season. Hockey still needs your hard-earned dollars to run, so make sure you're getting value out of the money you spend.

For parents looking to outfit your kids with the latest high-tech sticks and equipment, save your money. Unless your child is heading off to a professional team this season, there is no reason why you should be footing the bill for sticks that cost more than $100. Even at that price point, that seems outrageous to me when you see ten and eleven year-old kids carrying them. There are a pile of reasonably-priced options for equipment and gear that offer the same quality as the big-named manufacturers that may not be in the hockey big-box stores, so seek them out. Talent trumps the latest brand-name equipment all day, every day, and twice on Sundays.

Finally, let's just take a moment to remind ourselves that hockey is a game played for sixty minutes. Be supportive, cheer loudly, high-five other parents who are proud of their kids, and be one of those parents of which coaches wish they had more. Yes, players will make mistakes. Yes, goals will be scored. Yes, losses will happen. The one thing not to be lost in all this is there's still a good kid figuring out what he or she wants to be when they get older. Being a sour fan may sour them on the hockey experience, so let's work to keep everyone in the game and at the game by being the person with whom everyone wants to sit at games. Attitude matters!

As for me, I'm gonna use the day to cut the lawn, do a little gardening thanks to the tomatoes that are ripening on the vine, and enjoy time away from the screen. There will be enough time to watch and talk about hockey all winter, so I'm taking this time to enjoy a beautiful September day. Enjoy your Labour Day, folks, and we'll see you tomorrow!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!