I was recently rereading the Navigating Junior Hockey series of blogs that can be found on-line in order to refresh my memory of some of the important facts that I read several years ago when I was researching junior hockey options for my own children.
I know I have mentioned this series in my past musings because of the stark realities that it suggests for junior aged hockey players that are contemplating playing junior hockey this coming year. And none of this implies that playing junior hockey is not a productive use of one's time. Quite the contrary. I see it as a particular rite of cultural passage for many young men as they journey into manhood. It may be labeled by some as being frivolous, a waste of resources and time, even a delay with getting on with one's life. |
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But everyone wants to belong. We join clubs and churches, groups on-line and off, teams and tribes of every variety and stripe...we are social animals that like interaction with others. So why would it be unusual for a young man to gravitate towards joining a hockey team where comfort levels have been established by years of being part of a team.
And here is where a lot of growing up can take place. The young man living away from home for the first time. Living in a billet home, where the structure, routines and ways of doing things are not the same as they were at home in many ways. They are expected to take care of themselves in ways that they were not obligated or expected to in their own home environment. And some flourish in their first encounter away from home, undertaking responsibilities and embracing the freedom that comes with it.
In an age where more and more young people are delaying important choices, it comes as little surprise to me that our age of true emancipation has been climbing upward. Where a generation or two ago, many young people took a walk down the matrimonial aisle, a significant number are holding off. Many similar decisions are also put on hold as young people discover more about themselves and are comfortable in the exploration of life. And that is alright.
Which brings us back to junior hockey and the uniqueness that it plays in our kids lives. As I have been telling my players for the last couple of seasons, there are possibilities that exist today in the hockey world that just did not exist even twenty years ago. It is possible for today's player to play junior hockey, follow up with college or even playing for pay in many places around the globe. The opportunities and the awareness of such opportunities is at an all-time high.
My advice to any player that isn't quite sure what they have in mind, what college to go to, what classes to take is just this: Enjoy your time. See as much of the world that is possible, touch and experience all that you can, live in the moment while developing plans for the future. Everything will be there for you when you finish your exploration and you will have a much better view of where you fit into the scheme of things.
Time has a way of going quickly. Don't allow yourself to be placed in a position where others define you and who you are. Discover your uniqueness, explore your talents, listen to your heart, mind and soul. And when it comes to hockey, don't forget that you MUST do your research. Find out how many positions are open on any team you may be trying out for. How about at your position? Are you ready to switch if asked? What is the coaching staff like? What are their expectations? What are their priorities? What is their background? How about references or testimonials from former players? What about billeting housing? What about the city and neighborhood you will be living in? What about educational opportunities? Ask questions so you can enjoy your new experience to the fullest! See you on the pond! |
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