HONOURED

Playing hockey, I learned about honour firsthand - the type of honour that sitting in church could never teach. That said, I have much appreciation for Christ and the early Christians. I say this as an athlete who has faced hardship. But there's no explanation I should have to provide in order to play hockey - I should just be allowed to play.

As a hockey player, you play hard. The game is intense and requires being fully alert and aware of details. The nature of the game is fast and it requires great skill. I often feel a lot of lingering energy after playing a game - even if it's a late game. I can see why drinking beer after a game is welcome by many players, if it can help you to unwind. Not being careful, however, could lead to alcohol being a source of trouble and vice. A player letting his guard down too much can possibly lead to further trouble - unfortunately, like the news of Jarret Stoll's situation this month. I can understand how both fear and vice can cloud better judgment. Substance abuse can be the undoing of many, but unhealthy fears may hold people down just as much as vice. Those who have no trouble abstaining from vice may have trouble with fears and confidence. Those who have a lot of confidence and no fear might struggle with alcohol excess and substance abuse. Double the affect and some might struggle with both fears and vice. Ideally, sustainable living involves no negative fears or vice. I see the correlations now of such harms, from fears and influencing negatives in society. We must face realities of life, even if they are unsettling. As for me, I did not have my first beer until I was twenty-seven. I've never smoked or done drugs or have had the desire to try them. I have no trouble avoiding vice, but I would like to improve more on my confidence. My plan to accomplish this is to do all-out practice and training so that my skills become second nature.

NUMBER ONE

One thing I like about hockey is that you can inspire your teammates simply by how you play the game. One simple action can be game changing, in a split second. A stretch, a stride, a reach. One act of pushback can put your opponents on their heels, empowering your teammates' passion... having a unifying, momentous, effect. One hit. One turnover. One pass. One face off. One blocked shot. One deke. One save. One goal. One forecheck. One backcheck. One decision. An act of selflessness. A chosen skate to the bench. A shortened shift. The look of strength, the demonstration of courage, the heart of desire, the resolve of confidence, the smoothness of form, the alertness of speed, the motion of agility, the serenity of belief, the quietness of security, the intent of purpose, the proof of fearlessness, can intimidate those who have no place as champs. The exposing of opponents, the reminder of their unfitness, the deflation of egos, is affirmation of due respect and true greatness. Sweeping your opponents, in an otherwise potential five game series final, to be named as competitive hockey champions, is no hand-out, no "walk in the park," so to speak... no gimme. The Drillers (name is from well-water drilling) of Parksville, British Columbia, are a team of players who know how to win. I must say that I'm proud of my teammates and happy they allowed me to play a small part of a dominant performance.