Hockey season has started again!

Yesterday we also went to the first hockey practice of the season. This will be Alex's 3rd year to play for The Grizzlies Special Needs team (formerly called The Renegades) He was on the injured-reserved list last year and had to sit the year out, or he'd be a 4 year veteran. You would never know he hadn't skated in a few years, though. He did fantastic!! A little nervous and hesitant, but a true hockey player. I am so proud of how well he does on those thin, little blades. Especially with all the poundage he wears in the way of padding - as well as the poundage he's packed on since his surgery!

Those kneeling down are the players (the one in the dark jersey standing on the far right is also a player) and all the men standing are coaches. (Alex is next to the boy in white on the far left. The little, tiny guy) There are a few men who have been with the team from the very beginning and they love this team and the team loves them! Coach Don, Coach Rich, Coach / President(?) Mike work hard to teach the kids hockey skills, how to play as a team and have fun doing it! There are a lot of junior coaches - who happen to be players from high school teams - that are taking their valuable, very busy time to be with our kids and give them a little competition if that's what skill level they are on, or help them learn to stand up when they fall down if that's the level they are. Alex's skills are kind of middle ground for the team. He can skate fairly well, knows how to stand up by himself if he falls (which isn't too often), and his speed is getting better and better, but he's still learning how to play the game and utilize the whole team. He thinks he's their Center, and everyone goes along with it. But as soon as the puck is in play, he books it to their net and waits for someone else to bring it down the ice so he can score. Yup! He's a cherry picker! Because of this we've had plenty of 'hat tricks' (3 or more scores so the parents throw their hat on the ice. This year one of us better remember to wear a hat!)

They will play a game every other week, with practices on the off weeks. They play against high school and league hockey teams. Go Grizzlies!!

And, yes, his name is spelled wrong on his jersey! Oh, well. It's not the first time, it won't be the last!