Happy Thanksgiving!
Today, we wanted to take a step back from the tactics of hockey to talk about the human side of the sport. Namely, the car ride to and home from hockey.
What does it mean to you as a parent or as a player?
A Word From Jeff Daniels
Jeff Daniels is a world-renowned actor. He also made the choice to live with his family in Michigan as a normal hockey dad over living out in Hollywood. Now Daniels tours with his children playing musical shows.
The car rides to and from hockey are times that Daniels held sacred with his children. He credits the conversations he and his kids had during those drives as to why he and his children continue to have close relationships into their adulthood.
"The time you spend in the car driving two hours to the rink for that 8 a.m. game, and the time you spend driving back — that's why you do it.
And you talk to them about anything other than hockey. If they want to talk about the game, OK, but it was never about, 'You got to get that slapshot working because if you want to be at a D1 school, and I know you're only 10, but you gotta start getting to work.'
We were never that, and I think that our time spent with the kids in those car rides not talking about hockey paved the way for the closeness we have as a family in their 20s and 30s. That was more important than any career success I might have had.
That’s a constant. That I can keep control of and continue to work on and can make as good as possible.”
What Dan Remembers
My parents didn’t know the first thing about hockey when I first picked up a stick. Throughout my childhood, I would sometimes be frustrated by their lack of insights. When I needed on-ice guidance, they really weren’t prepared to offer advice (“well, what does your coach say?”.
Looking back, I think that was probably optimum. I remember our drives to and from the rink, and it’s true that we rarely talked about the nuances of the games/practices. Instead, we would talk about… well, anything else.
I think that lack of pressure fostered my passion for the sport. It really always was just a game.
What Greg Remembers
My father was my coach through youth hockey. I am thankful for those experiences and how he was supportive beyond just hockey.
I remember picking up glazed donuts, listening to new music, traveling with teammates, and having fun in the minivan. Thank you, Mom & Dad.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.