So all you needed was a pair of skates, couple of sticks and a not so clean sheet of ice. Get a few kids and throw a puck out there, poof— we’ve got a team! Wasn’t it that simple? Cold afternoons, ruddy faces, lots of laughs and being with your buddies. Ice hockey. The greatest game on earth. You’d play till you dropped. There was no tryouts, no first or second line, heck, there wasn’t even formal defense. You just played. And oh what fun it was. Those were the days— big smiles warm hearts. Shinny! I’m convinced when God created “Man” (and “Woman”) he did so with a pair of skates on.

Today’s a bit different. Organized everything, Tier One, Bantam A, Elite, Major Juniors, Junior A, pre-season, post-season, summer, clinics— this league, that league, we’re better, you’re better. And don’t forget, everyone gets a trophy!

What has it all become? What have we become? How does one choose a team, make a team and for that matter, how does a
 team choose us?

What do you look for? How do you know what’s right and what’s not? Is it all about the
 hockey? Winning? Advancing? High School? College? Olympics? Pros? What are you in it for? Why do you
 play?

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the stats of the game. Did you score? Get a shutout? How many points?
 Does anyone ask about assists anymore?

If you asked me (and I know no one is), the most fundamental and basic question to ask is, “are you having
 fun?” Isn’t that the reason we laced em up in the first place? Isn’t that really why we play? But what about the bi-products of hockey? The compete? The teammates? The Camaraderie?

What about the intrinsic values of honesty and respect? Work ethic, sportsmanship. Unselfishness. Commitment. Determination. Grit.

These intangibles, these tiny pieces of thread are the fabric woven into us from the role models that teach us. That guide us. That coach us. The artists who shape and mold our lives, not as hockey players, but as people.

These soldiers, these warriors are in the fox holes. On the front lines to extend a hand, to give a little push, to embrace and encourage. To build up not tear down. To support not to badger. To give that little bit of reinforcement, just at the right time. To teach us love. To teach us how to loose like a champion.

This is how I look for a team.
To see its soul.
To feel its brand.
It has nothing to do with a logo. Nor a cool jersey. Not wins or losses.
It’s the color of their character.
That’s what I look for, first. That’s where I begin.

Next blog— what’s next.