A Salute to the Nation

There is something in the air tonight, across all of Canada. This strange and familiar old smell is taking our nation by storm, children are smiling and the people are standing in anticipation.

Today in Warner Alberta, I was able to step onto the ice of a minor hockey arena and play a pick-up game, and it was beautiful. The ice glimmered under the fluorescent lights, the chilly air entered my body and I knew I was home again. The noise of pucks hitting the posts and boards was soft like the angels singing, while the cuts of freshly sharpened blades across the smooth surface cut straight to my heart, hockey is back.

Rinks across the country are being flooded and frozen, our rink managers are being worked to the bone day in and day out, straight through the weekend. Only for the pure and simple satisfaction of another hockey season showing its head.  

It is now that I want to propose a toast, a show of good faith and appreciation for each and every rink attendant in this great nation, a thank you in advance for the hard work they have done, and the lives they will touch this season. Make sure you take time this season to say thank you, for while these individuals could be spending time with family or making their own hockey memories, they are working night and day to ensure each and every kid under their roof has memories made of their own.

Today in the warner ice hockey arena, my younger brother got to try on his new goalie skates and chest protector. In the excitement of making sure he had all of his new gear in the vehicle, he had forgotten his own jersey.  I took him to see the rink attendant and to ask if he had a spare jersey in his equipment room we could borrow for the game. He apologized and told us he didn’t have any hanging around, but took us with him to his office. There was when I saw an act of pure generosity from this man, as he pulled one of his own hoody’s out and told my brother to try it on, it fit.  He did not have to do that, he could have simply said no and went on his way. It is moments like that kids will remember, he gave my goalie kid brother a chance to play hockey today, and we were all thankful.

Have any of your own stories of how your rink attendants have helped you or someone you know? Share your thoughts through comment below or our Facebook page!

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Mitch Courtney