A Season For The Ages!!!, News, Atom Tri-County Black, 2014-2015 (Mooretown Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2014-2015 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 30, 2015 | atomtcblack | 1703 views
A Season For The Ages!!!
Have you ever been a part of something so special in the making that you didn't want it to end? A season almost perfect? Or how about a team with a losing record; have you been a part of that too? 

I Have!!... and they were the same season!!

Let me tell you about 16 boys and some hard working staff members.  It was September 2014, my son was cut at the Rep and AE tryouts.  I had heard that Tom Foster was going to be one of the two coaches for the Atom Tri-County League, so I fired off an email...'I want to help' was the message.  Having known Tom from previous years and sports, I knew he was a good coach and a good man that always put team first.  When he accepted my offer, it was on!

Job #1-  Pick a Team!
Job #2- Make it Fun!

At the sort skate​ we were handed a list of boys that "had" to play together. Ok 'No problem' we said; they all ended up on the other team.  So we looked out on the ice... me at the bench, Tom leaning ​on the boards, the other coaches skating around and​ confidently ​chose a team with young talent, willful determination and 3 crafty 2nd year boys that made up most of our leadership.  Our goalie had never played a full season between the pipes. And it was the best draft ever made!

At the start we united 16 hockey players and in the end they were 16 ​brothers. 16 boys that did everything that their coach and others asked them to do.  LOL, they were a fine looking bunch at the first exhibition game. We hadn't had a practice yet but they fared pretty well.  A 2-0 loss in Petrolia.

I had the privilege of being on the bench for just about every game...our boys never sat down.. always cheered each other on and were never left out.  It didn't matter what the score was or how much time was left, the coach rolled the lines.  An approach at this level that should be taken by all but is lost ​amongst those with little conviction.  

The fellas got the first win two games into the season.  A 3-1 spirited contest in West Lorne.  We didn't see another win until the Mooretown Tournament at the end of November. Ha, I still think it was the bowling party a week before that brought that tourney together. That was some good times and the tournament was a success... sure we ​we didn`t win, but the boys played amazing! Small victories. And capped off with a great time at ​Bad​Dog that night to watch the Santa Claus Parade.

It took another 3 games before we would win again. 

But as much as ​any team needs to win, every team needs to have fun.  We did a lot of things together this year. 4 tournaments, 3 of them out of town. All fun events, all bringing the team closer.  To watch the boys stick up for each other on the ice,  to see them walk together with pride in the arenas, to listen to them pump each other up in the locker room that's why we do what we do.  That`s why we as coaches, helpers, parents show up for every game, practice and team activity.

We truly had the most dedicated staff a team could hope for.  Tom, Derek, Doug, Mark, Shannon, Kim (and ​Beth I know you were there if needed) and​ its a little self serving but everyone would yell at me if ​I didn't include myself.  So let me start by thanking you.  Thank you for your hours, your guidance and your devotion to my son`s team. Thank you for strengthening friendships and furthering development.

Next We thank the parents.  ​I know I can say ​WE because the staff and fellas feel the same way I do.  You were...​Are...amazing!  ​It was ​your cheers, your efforts and your dedication to a group..a team...that made us a family.  A `dramaless` season...has to be a record...has to be!

And finally we thank the Players...You fellas made our year... What an amazing season to be at the bench with such a classy bunch of young men. Thank you for helping us grow as ​Coaches...thank you for helping us grow as parents. 

A final farewell and hope you all have a fun and safe summer....we say goodbye to many friends...some will move up to ​Peewee...Other`s will play Rep or AE... the rest will dominate the Tri-​County League.  But all will wait in anticipation to see which brothers will be joining them.

Great Job Mooretown Black!