Just call him "The Cros"

You know, its a special kind of hell that us hockey parents live in. On one hand, you are proud that your child is part of an honored Canuck tradition, that he's learning about teamwork and commitment, that he's getting regular exercise, that he is doing something that may influence his future (NHL, here he comes!). On the other hand... we spend hours in cold, run-down arenas, there's the endless traveling, early mornings, parent meetings, mandatory volunteering, cramped fingers from lace-tying, $$$$$, and of course the obscene stench of wet hockey gear. *shudder*

So this weekend it was all about the AA tryouts. Last year, we went through the process but unfortunately, Gunnar didn't make it past the first cut. This year, it was quite a different story. The Atom Director left me a message with the Saturday tryout times, 11am and 2pm. Since you have to be there a 1/2 hour early to get dressed, we showed up around 10:15. You know, so Gunnar could have a chance to mingle with all his hockey buddies, get his pinney, etc, before change time. I wondered why the parking lot was so empty. Turns out the tryout was at 11:30 and the Director must have thought he was being helpful by saying 11. Grrrrrrr. So we spent half an hour driving around to kill time (on the plus side, Tim Hortons coffee, mmmmmm).

The players get three guaranteed ice-times (this must be to pacify the parents who shelled out the $80), the last of which is where they do the first cut. The first two tryouts were all about running drills, doing laps, stretching, showing their passing and shooting skills, you know, grunt work. Gunnar came through with flying colors, of course, though I did explain to him its not just skill and ability they're looking for, but consistency. The third tryout was all about the scrimmage. He played extremely well, but there was still something missing. By the end of it, he was utterly exhausted, his leg was hurting, and he looked like a little sweat-hog. He opened the envelope and there it was - an invitation to attend the next AA tryout, he made the cut!! We talked about the next tryout, how the coaches now know how skilled and experienced he is, but are now looking for aggression and initiative. Not knocking kids around and checking, but the total willingness to get in there and take that puck away from everyone.

You guys, he was AWESOME. When there was a pile of kids fighting for the puck, he cut through them all, grabbed that puck, and raced for the net. Wherever that puck went, he was there. He was playing offence and defence. He showed teamwork, working together with his best bud Tucker, passing back and forth. He showed skill and ability, handling that puck like a pro, keeping it away from everyone while he took shots at net. Where the other kids were showing definite signs of exhaustion, he powered on, taking huge lunging strides as he whipped back and forth. You could not tell that he was hurting and utterly exhausted.

I sat there in the arena and struggled not to cry, that's how proud I was. He was like a shining star and I had NO DOUBT that he would make this cut. Which, of course, he did!! As we sat in the vehicle and celebrated, I told Gunnar how proud of him I was, but that most of all, he should be proud of himself. I think that ever since he started playing hockey, he's struggled with feeling like he is equally skilled and able as the other players. I've watched him play his hardest and steadily improve over the years, but for some reason, that certain spark of true dedication always seemed to be missing. If the players fought for the puck, he'd stand back and watch. It was like he was afraid of getting in there and looking foolish if he didn't get the puck, or tripped, or knocked someone over. Yesterday, watching him take that leap of faith and get right in there, not just that but actually taking that puck from everyone, it was like the transformation was complete. Finally, he felt confident in himself and his strength and ability. After that, there was nothing stopping him.

So even if tonight's tryout doesn't turn out like we expect, its fine because this experience has finally taught him that YES HE CAN. And for once in all my years of being a hockey parent, I can say, "I can't WAIT for hockey to start!!"