I would personally like to thank my son, Matt, for providing me with my fill for hockey during the 2004-2005 season. Amid all of the whining and arguing between National Hockey League team management and a players union, his desire to play a game that he loves has made me forget about the so-called professionals who get paid large sums of money to play a game that is revered by many children and adults.
My son’s endless hours on the ice and his desire to play hard, yet have fun, have provided me with more enjoyment than was ever provided by the Chicago Blackhawks or any other professional hockey team.
In the off-season, the players and management should learn a simple lesson that I learned from my 9-year-old, who just wanted to be on the ice. And that lesson is the following:
It started out as just a game on ponds in little towns and big cities, played by young and old simply because they loved the game.
It evolved into a sport in which athletes made careers of their play and were paid handsomely for their desire to play a kid’s game.
It further advanced into a game of greed and big business, in which players never earned enough money and management jeopardized the sport with rising ticket prices, thus preventing the average family from enjoying a night out at a reasonable cost.
In 2004, it ended with no play, the loss of jobs for those who supported the sport for many years and an uncertain future if hockey will ever be the same.
How quickly they forgot that it’s only a game that can be enjoyed by many, like Matt, who just want the thrill and excitement of playing the game of hockey.
