Entry FeedSon One is playing in the Ronald McDonald tournament this weekend in Toronto. Yes, I know, hockey in June is just wrong, but I guess if the NHL can do it, so can these tournament organizers.
Game one was a team from Montreal. The first period was close (ending 2-all) but the final score was 9-2. The kids didn't really care, and we took them to Boston Pizza to fuel up.
Second game was 10-0. Our guys fought hard the first two periods and then just gave up. The kids, who enjoyed the first game, said that second game just wasn't much fun.
Early in the season, our kids were on fire! They often won games like the 10-0 one, but we, the parents, felt terrible for the other team, and the coaches did, too. Our coaches actually made decisions like not having all of the strong players come out against some weaker teams, just to try to make it more even.
This team seems to have a different philosophy. At the end of the official season, they went and poached the best players from at least three other teams to add to their roster. In effect, they have eliminated the competition because they weaken their opponents as well as strengthening themselves. Doesn't really seem like playing fair to me.
Look - I am not complaining because our kids lost; really I couldn't care less, and I know that the kids aren't really bothered by losing; I notice that by the time we are home all is forgotten. Plus, I think that losing helps develop character and teach them about sportsmanship. All season long I remember secretly wishing that our kids would lose a few games, just to know how it feels. But the difference is that we have a team of kids from one area, many of them attend school together, and it is our community rink that we represent. This isn't the GTHL yet, so isn't it just supposed to be a selection of the local house league, thus the term select?
I know that other leagues outside of Toronto have pretty hard boundaries dictating where kids play. I think at the very least, since there are so many different leagues and programs in the GTA, they should consider a radius rule - like you home rink has to be within 5 km or something. Just a thought.
Tomorrow the kids are playing a team from Illinois. The good news is that because of today's blowouts, I am pretty sure that we won't have a hockey conflict with our family plans on Sunday. The bad news is that it is an 8 am game.
In Ottawa "spring hockey" is called AAA (even thought it's the only level going on???) and it is all select teams with no boundries or sanctions. My son played for one year and this year opted for competitive soccer and house league baseball. No room for travelling around to spring hockey tournaments. When he played last year in minor novice, I couldn't believe how good the hockey was and that teams would travel to Ottawa from Toronto, Montreal, Boston and Connecticut.
When he said no to 2 teams this year people seemed shocked and horrified that we would let him opt out of spring hockey and thereby ruining his NHL career hopes forever...