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APRIL/MAY 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 7 H I S S T O R Y I S NOT A STORY OF GREAT HOCKEY S U C C E S S . O f a gifted athlete that soared to the heights of competitive hockey and enjoyed the glory of the sport. This isn't a David and Goliath story of a player who conquered the hockey world. This is the story of a little boy who dreamed of being a hockey player and loved the game so much that he never let anything or anyone stop him from playing. My son recently completed his last year of youth hockey at age 15. He will never be accused of being a star athlete. He's not a Wayne Gretzky in training, nor a Hanson brother (though he trends towards t h a t m o d e l o f p l ay e r ) . W h a t h e lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in grit and determination. He has dealt with large and small motor skill delays his whole life. The right side of his body does not coordinate well with the left side. Skating and playing hockey are not a great fit for a kid more suited to be an offensive or defensive line- man in football. So in many ways, his hockey career was set up to be a challenge before it began. But here is what I can tell you about my son. He didn't care. He played every year, every season, every game knowing that many t i m e s o t h e r k i d s o n h i s t e a m would make fun of him and his h o c k e y a b i l i t y. He t o o k t h e i c e not knowing that other parents would grumble about his skills or lack thereof and comment about his speed and lack of agility. Yet, h e w a s k e e n l y a w a r e h e w a s n 't advancing as fast as other peers. For Love of the Game by Erica Allenburg Never, ever underestimate your child and his value as a contribu- tor to a team. Continue to foster his love for the game. When your son sees himself in those skates a n d d r e a m s o f b e i n g a h o c k e y player, encourage him to dream big. Don't let your anxieties and worries determine your support of his passion. If you are the parent of another player on the team with some- one who might not be the best, encourag e them to be kind. Be kind yourself. Encourage team- work. Highlight strengths. You never know what battles a fellow athlete is facing—or even if they are facing nothing at all. They all deserve encouragement regardless of their athletic ability. T h e l ove b et w e e n a n a t h l et e and a sport is a beautiful thing. It inspires passion, teamwork, commitment, grit, leadership and responsibility. It builds an entire set of skills that go way beyond innate athletic ability. Skills that will fuel a person for life. S o n o, m a y b e m y s o n w o n ' t be the next Wayne Gretzky. He might have been a better Mike Singletary or Dick Butkus. T h e a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s o f h i s hockey career won't even register in most people's eyes. But he is proud of himself. He has accom- plished his goal. And I could not be prouder of him or ask him to give any more than he did. P (Editor's Note: Erica Allenburg is a hockey mom from Edina, Minn. Her son Paul recently completed his last year with the Edina Youth Hockey Association.) T h e c h a l l e n g e s h e f a c e d a n d subsequent emotional toll from the treatment from other players wore on my husband and me year after year. About three years into his hock- ey "career" we started asking him each season if he really wanted to play and would encourage him to pick up a different sport or activi- ty. "Something more suited to you and your skill set," I would say. And year after year he would reply, "But I love hockey and want to be a hockey player." Hockey provided many oppor- tunities and learning lessons for him and his teammates beyond athletics. Hockey provided many learning lessons for me as well. T YOUTH The love between an athlete and a sport is a beautiful thing. It inspires passion, teamwork, commitment, grit, leadership and responsibility. PHOTO BY Erica Allenburg