Case of the Nutty Blond

I just got back from my first set of games in the Wyoming Amature Hockey League (heretofor known as WAHL) and am pleased to say that we have two full lines of forwards and three defense this year, rather than our seven total skaters of the past two years. True, the new girls have a lot to learn but they gave a lot of effort and learned a ton and kept good attitudes throughout it all. As their captain, I am so very proud of them. I am also proud of the returning girls for passing to and working with the new girls. We won 2, beating Gillette and Cheyenne, but lost to our arch rival Casper (for the last time, we hope). Our next games will be in Cheyenne, and I will let you know how that turns out!

Hockey is a big thing in my life. To fully give you a taste as to how infectious this game is, I am going to let you hear it from someone who loves it: Emily, my sister who is hoping to go play Division 1 girl's hockey in Minnesota or North Dakota. (This is an email she sent out to some friends a couple of years ago.)

Dear Friends,

Hello Everyone! I am writing a hockey letter to you. I am sorry for you who will have no idea what I am talking about [...] bear with me. For those of you who play hockey with me [...] you will know exactly what I am talking about. My dear friends who get to enjoy this sport, but not with me at this time [...] I hope my love for you and this game will reach you wherever you are. I just had to tell someone about my love, so I decided to tell everyone!

Have you ever felt the rush of flying? Now, some of you that know me are thinking; "Wait! Emily hates heights!". I am not talking about the type of flying like on an airplane, but to actually fly. To feel your feet lift of the ground while the wind is blowing in your face and you're cutting through time and space. THAT kind of flying is what I'm talking about.

Have you ever looked at a hockey player? Really studied them with there gear on? We are warriors! We look like soldiers getting ready to march into a battle to defend our homes and families. Or, we look like Gladiators walking into the arena to fight until our death with fear and fire in our eyes.

Picture this: You have passed from your own mortal body into one that feels like it could go on forever doing what it is doing. Your lungs seem to have stopped, for even though you must be breathing, you aren't. Your heart; it seams to be beating a million times a minute, but at the same time, it is not beating at all.

My life, well, every ones life, is filled with problems. Can you imagine going for a whole hour and not thinking about your problems even once. I can! I have experienced it in its fullest and greatest glory.

Your body goes "crunch". Your mind goes fuzzy. As you come to your senses the pain surges through your body. The coach pulls you into the bench as he is asking you how many fingers he has. You tell him that you are fine and want back on the ice. You're back in the game. As you go for the puck you lay a shoulder into the other player. On down the ice you go. Sweat is dripping down your back as you cross the blue line. The defense-man stops dead in his tracks trying to figure out how you got by him. As you rip your shot, sweat is running down your face, and just to late, the other defense-man shoves an elbow into your ear. You open your eyes and see that the puck is dead center in the net, and the crowd is going crazy. This is one of those times when your heart does a flip-flop in your chest as your team mates dog pile you.

If you have not guessed by now, I LOVE hockey! If it was all I could do for the rest of my life, I would play hockey. Everything about this game I love. I bear the pain with a smile, knowing that pain is temporary but glory is forever.

I am sorry for those of you who were completely and totally bored by this. [...] God has blessed me with this wonderful sport, the talent to play it, and the friends to cheer me on!

Emily Elder