While sipping a last one…

Hi everyone!

I had a funny feeling when I showed up at the arena Saturday, knowing it was the last time I played with my original team with who I experienced ups and downs since the beginning of the season. Although we had lost more than we should have and/or wanted, we knew we could do better, but we will never have gotten the chance to show it , especially having lost our last game 3-0 against the Czeckers, who had «the wind in their sails» to say the least ! But the dice were already thrown and an inevitable wind of change, (which was not necessarily desired by all) would shake things up for the best interests of the league…In any case that was the intention ...

With the arrival of 4 new permanent players and potential trades , I found the atmosphere reminiscent of the time where we threw the sticks the middle of the ice and the ref. separated them to make the teams... Obviously I knew it would not be a total re-make and it would not be left to chance, but a feeling of curiosity mixed with apprehension still came over me the closer we got to this historic event !

I must admit that I was curious to see and re-live the experience of making the teams with the other coaches , since at the beginning of the season, it had been a most memorable and enjoyable evening, each guy with his personality and different approach to the thing and with the league commissioner in the middle trying to get his ideas through as best he could ...

Once again it was very entertaining to say the least ... Personally, I would have been satisfied to re-balance things only with the newcomers , but given the needs of some teams and different considerations in respect to the available players, I knew there would be more changes . Being of a «conciliatory nature» and being open to change if others see or feel the need for it, I was not too worried with that ...

In addition, I get along well with everyone , at least until "proven otherwise" and I "don’t take it too personal" when guys say things or act a certain way. (as long at it doesn’t involve physical violence) I’m well aware that guys have different personalities or tempers , although I find there are some who take things a bit too seriously ... and whether it’s internally, relative to the ref. or against an opponent , I always thought it was better to answer  by my actions, like  «giving my 110%»  and  within the rules of the game (not by retaliating instantly) than  by wasting my energy and breath by yelling and screaming, just by focusing on remaining positive rather than the opposite ...I know, it's not allways easy !!!

I learned the uselessness of arguing at a very young age, looking at my father who was a great guy but had the shortest " fuse" I've ever seen. He would get all worked up for the smallest things. I realized that it did not solve anything, it was just amplifying problems that were not so serious to  start off , what worried me even more was that it put him in such a state, becoming all red-faced and all, sometimes I feared he’d would «croake» right there on the spot. (incidentally this was never directed against me… I knew better, even though he would have never hit me or anything ...) Bottom line: It's still a game and we are supposed to have fun ... 

Just to say that I do not like being pumped with negative energy or adrenaline and I find it diffficult to imagine that others may enjoy it ... I am far from perfect ( on or off the ice ) and hockey being what it is , I know that sooner or later someone will get «unhappy» , but we must help each other calm down, "so that the game remains a game"... That's all I have to say on the subject (which is quite a bit I guess.. . )

I guess some guys who are changing teams are having mixed emotions, after playing several months with a team, it’s not necessarily obvious to leave . But it was agreed at the outset that nothing was to be  «set in stone». ( if you read the league’s rules and regulations it’s all in there) One thing is for sure : the guys will be welcomed with open arms by their new teamates as prescribed by none other than the «spirit of the HockeyBrotherhood» .. (Yes, him again ! He will never let go !)

Hopefully , like the Phoenix rises from his ashes to come back even stronger , it will be the same for the new and improved LFA!!!  Again, keep in mind it was all done with the best intentions ! !

Good week and good luck ! Long live the LFA !

LARRY