Actually, after having coached for so long and having had the opportunity to be influenced by some individuals at the highest level of this sport who i can honestly say that I am a better person for having met, has given me some perspective. My best teams, the best kids, and the one that I am still associated and involved with even now that they are in college or graduated after having coached them as mites at 6-8 years old, are exactly the kind of kids that I see here. Its the kind of long term program and consistency that I see being built, and the kind of closeness and comeraderie that most never experience. they are the kind of kids that you die to have on your team, regardless of outcome, and the kind that everyone wants to be associated with because they are winners. We may have some losses in hockey and who knows what next year will bring, but I'm praying that my oldest son gets admitted and my youngest develops the type of attitude and personality that would be desired in this group. Like I have said, this program is inches away from being scary for a long long time. If people get lost in a 2 overtime loss to Colgate or the bit of slide the last few weeks, then shame on them. I am still proud of these kids and this program and in calling myself associated with it, than upset over how things have apparently ended for them this season. You know, I have always told kids when I coached, generally with their parents in the locker room listening, that they as hockey players are different. They work harder than others, complain less than others, are committed to being their personal best and yet doing it all for a team because teams succeed. I would also tell them that their parents would never understand because they have never palyed the game and dont really know what it takes. Playing this sport is a microcosm (sp?) of life in that you can work harder and do all the right things and not succeed - and its not about wins, its about how you come back and the determination to be the best that you can and committed to being better than you can be. I see that here with this program. We have incredibly positive people and influences here. Im sticking with this program and the people involved in it. They are great people and as I have said people I want my kids involved with and that I am a better person for having met. Others arent happy - thats ok, and honestly to be expected. Thats why they are not part of the program. Its unfortunate that people focus on a lost series or not making some tournament this year for what is really going on and happening with this program. I for one am ok that we still fly under the radar a bit - helps me understand who's really part of the team and who's just along for the ride. Hope to meet all the true fans in due course.
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