Our Rosemount Mites started the season in early November and I took the opportunity to become head coach of my son's team. I've never been a head coach for any sport before so it's a little different in having to develop practice plans, working with our Team Manager (i.e. God-send) and keeping all of the players and parents happy.
We haven't played any scrimmages as of yet and the kids are all nibbling at the bit to play someone else. It's a good group of kids, well motivated, and well mannered. Hell, I have yet to break up a major fight (but it's still early in the season). Along with chasing the kids on the ice I've also signed up to play in a men's league in Eagan and we play Thursday and Sundays nights (either/or) so that's been fun as well. We're the Rosemount Hockey Dad's which tells you of our vintage. In other words we may not be as fast anymore but we've got all that wily knowledge under the helmets.
This morning was particularly rough on me. My son's team practiced outdoors from 6 - 7pm, we came home and watched Marion Gaborik hang 5 goals on the NY Rangers, and then from 10:15 - 11:15pm I had my men's league game (which we won BTW). I managed to tweak my left arm and left knee but it wasn't anything that a cold beer couldn't help fix when I got home.
As you can tell, I love hockey. My wife jokes (well, half-jokes) that she's becoming a hockey widow. Maybe she's right. Maybe I'm addicted to it, but I'd much rather do this than sit on my ass all night long in front of the TV watching bad network re-runs.
I know for a fact that I'm a better coach than I am a player. Hell, I think my son is a better player now than I ever was growing up. I'm glad that I can share that with him. I'll keep you updated on how each of our perspective seasons are going.
Before I go I want to comment on something: Kyle Okposo left the Gophers this week for the New York Islanders. Nice job bailing on your TEAM in the middle of the season. If he had wanted to leave before the year fine. If he wanted to leave after the season, fine. Right in the middle? Quitter.
Oh sure, he's getting a lot of $$$....it's not about that, it's about finishing something; about being a team player. I've told my son that if he sign's up to participate in something you better finish it to the best of your ability. Too bad Kyle, you were a hell of a Gopher. Now you're a hell of a goat.
