Hockey is over. It is done. Over and done with. Not only for this season, but for Michael, it is over with for good.
This has been a bittersweet week of hockey for us. After six years of hockey, most of those years playing year round, Michael played his final game tonight. From his early beginnings as a 4th grader who had not once before stepped foot on the ice, to the smart, quick, tough, invaluable player that he is today....we have watched on with awe and excitement at his perseverance and accomplishment. Because really, in order to make it long in this sport, you've got to love it, and really , really, work hard at it. And for 6 action packed years, that, has Michael done. 
Michael has ended his career on a fantastically positive note: he has been on the best team this year,
with the best group of kids, the best coaches,
and the best group of parents that anyone could ever hope for with which to spend 6 long winter months. I feel like a broken record, saying this over and over, during the last few months, but oh-my-goodness this has been such an incredible year!!! 
3 tournament championships, 2 tournament consolation championships, and now, tonight ending 5th in our district....for Waconia hockey teams which are unfortunately usually accustomed to losing, this has been simply amazing!
So, for Michael's last game ever (because there actually IS life beyond just hockey, but high school level next year will not allow anything else), we met them all as they entered the ice, cheered our hearts out as those boys played their best games,
and looked on with pride as we revelled in all our son has learned over the last six years. Our blood pressure rose and fell, like a roller coaster, as it does every 60 minute game. 
And when that final buzzer sounded, our voices only about that of raspy whispers, we choked back a few tears, 
wondering what we would do without hockey in our lives....well at least for the next 18 months, until Crispy gets to the competitive game playing level.
Great job, Michael!
You have played hockey with strength and integrity.
We are so proud of you, son!
This has been a bittersweet week of hockey for us. After six years of hockey, most of those years playing year round, Michael played his final game tonight. From his early beginnings as a 4th grader who had not once before stepped foot on the ice, to the smart, quick, tough, invaluable player that he is today....we have watched on with awe and excitement at his perseverance and accomplishment. Because really, in order to make it long in this sport, you've got to love it, and really , really, work hard at it. And for 6 action packed years, that, has Michael done. As fans, we have begotten a love for the game that we never expected to harbor. It has been a joy to watch our son, and all of the other players with him, as they have matured and developed their skills over time. I feel so proud of so many of them, cheering them all on as if they were our own kids. Happy over all they accomplish, disappointed by their disappointment, but oh so very proud of how this whole team of boys has held their character up over the years through some very political and ugly things in the hockey association world.
Michael has ended his career on a fantastically positive note: he has been on the best team this year, with the best group of kids, the best coaches, and the best group of parents that anyone could ever hope for with which to spend 6 long winter months. I feel like a broken record, saying this over and over, during the last few months, but oh-my-goodness this has been such an incredible year!!! 3 tournament championships, 2 tournament consolation championships, and now, tonight ending 5th in our district....for Waconia hockey teams which are unfortunately usually accustomed to losing, this has been simply amazing!So, for Michael's last game ever (because there actually IS life beyond just hockey, but high school level next year will not allow anything else), we met them all as they entered the ice, cheered our hearts out as those boys played their best games, and looked on with pride as we revelled in all our son has learned over the last six years. Our blood pressure rose and fell, like a roller coaster, as it does every 60 minute game. And when that final buzzer sounded, our voices only about that of raspy whispers, we choked back a few tears, wondering what we would do without hockey in our lives....well at least for the next 18 months, until Crispy gets to the competitive game playing level.Great job, Michael! You have played hockey with strength and integrity. We are so proud of you, son! 
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