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A NEW SEASON

Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall. What is your favorite Season? For many of those in my circle there are only two seasons. HOCKEY and OFF-SEASON!
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This was once the look of a person that smiled and laughed a lot this time of the year more than any other. Even more-so while on the ice during practices. It was the start of Hockey Season. A Season that should adorn every calendar. Heck, lets just admit the start of Hockey Season should be a world-wide holiday! Merry Hockey Season? Hockey Season Greetings? Hockey Season Day? Happy Hockey Season! Yeah, that's the one. Longest Season of the Year and rightly so......
That was me most of my life barring a few pitstops with military, law enforcement, education, you know, things other people use that four letter word with....W O R K. Pardon my language, please. These days I can only do my best to remember when my next doctor appointment is. Luckily, some of the lads stay in touch and many of the fantastic people I refer to as my hockey family. They span the world and come from every race, color, religion and political background. Once the Hockey Season starts any outside influences or potential discord are nullified. 
Cue, the most over played but most accurate song played at the opening of every Hockey Season, "The Boys Are Back In Town." Yep, not a hockey fan in the world has not heard that song at the start of a Hockey Season. From Mites on Ice to NHL the new lineups are hitting the ice, usually new uniforms or some variation are presented and the teams are in full regalia. Fresh ice that cracks and crunches with each stride and the sounds of sticks smacking pucks fills the air. As players circle around in warmup the cool wind coming off the ice begins to fill the building. Ahh, we bask in it as pucks hit the glass, never once asking yourself how they miss the net so much in warmups. Then hoping that one of those errant pucks will land at your feet or near enough to you that Usain Bolt could not retrieve it faster than you. Brocken sticks are like hitting the mother load for many fans. A trophy worthy of everyone wanting to touch it and hold it. Nah, it is like the Crown Jewels and you are now the Protector of the Stick. 
In the hallways, parking lots, warming areas, concession stands, booster club tables, and next to the glass, you catch up with your Hockey Season friends. Hoping to remember their names but knowing it is unimportant as you have high five'd, fist pumped, cheered and even jeered with them in previous seasons. Some you know well enough to ask about their favorite player being traded or retiring. Hoping, one day your favorite player will never be traded or leave the team as you wear a jersey showing the world who that player is. If your favorite player is one of your own kids this is a bitter sweet time of the year. Some road trip partners are no longer there for whatever reason. For your player this is the start of an NHL career, at least in your eyes. You can say that you just want to make sure they get an education and a good job. We are still keenly aware that you want to walk in that same rink one day and have your own kids name in the rafters as one of the few that play or played in the NHL. It's okay to wish that and far be it for anyone to discourage them. 
I know plenty of players that have played in the NHL and were never drafted. I do suggest that the majority of the time players should look at all options. I will recommend the player go to college and get an education while playing hockey. Trading a skill for an education is a smart move. Again, this is hockey and each player's their own direction and choices to make. Not every player is a good student and not every student is a good player.
If you have a dream then follow it. Realize that for each decision you choose a path and having someone advise you that wants the best for you is paramount. Many times it is NOT the parent, as you will be going into uncharted water/ice with your options. Talk to advisors that will be honest with you and will do all they can with their connections and experience to make certain you have the best options.
Since moving to Florida and retiring from the game itself, I still find myself anxious as I go online to get tidbits of hockey news. I relish the occasional call from a former player or hockey pal wanting to say hello and check on me or just to talk hockey for a bit. Do I miss the preseason, scouting, training camps, exhibition games, new talent? Darn straight!!
Now, as far as Hockey Season, I am relegated to the few games not blacked out on my NHL Online Package. I no longer have the Major Junior games, USA Junior games, College Games or even the European games at the ready to watch. I have no doubt I will watch the odd game from the UK and KHL but they are not as frequent. I am however rewarded by being home with my family and spoiled by the Florida weather!While typing this I received an email from a player looking to play junior hockey this season after being cut from his previous season travel team. Not always a great start to the Hockey Season but it is part of the game and always will be. My advice to him him and his parents is free. The only thing at this point he will get for free from the game. Any Junior team he could possibly go to is more than likely a pay to play league. For some teams/programs it is a money making business first and a sport second. Call them as they are. Some great coaches and some great organizations are truly helping the players while they are covering the overhead with player fees. Bottom line is that he does have options and he and his parents can choose to move forward or not.
Some very good people are in the game and some real sickos as well. Ask around at the higher levels and avoid the people or online sites that are filled with rumor and negativity.
You are investing in yourself as the player and expect teams to invest in you so protect the investment. Do your homework and seek the opinions of those that have actually been at the higher levels as they know what it takes to get there. The ones that actually made or make a living by sitting in the cold, wet rinks watching game after game and taking notes on every player on the ice and the coaches.
Maybe, one day you will look back at this time in your life and find it was the the toughest time but the best time in your life.......... Anything can happen in Hockey Season!