The Season has Officially Begun
The Jr. Eagles are off and running with all our teams selected and practicing with many of our competitive teams already participating in games.
Competitive teams are entering into their fourth week of practice with only a couple more weeks until the CCYHL regular season begins. I have had the chance to attend a few practices for every team and from all accounts we are heading in the right direction. Coaches are doing a fantastic job developing their teams individual skills as well as their team skills. Players are bonding with one another on and off the ice which is going to be essential to the success of our teams. A sense of brotherhood (in the girls team's case sisterhood) has to develop so that every player on every single Jr. Eagle team knows that the guy/girl sitting next to them is going to have his or her back when the going gets tough.
This week is the second week of DNHL practices. So far everything is on schedule and going according to plan. Lars Labere's and my presence will become more noticeable at rec practices as we are starting to settle in to the season. There were many of you that requested that your son or daughter play on a particular team or day. Lars and myself did the best we could to accommodate all of the requests but their is simply no way to satisfy all of the requests. One thing that I was sort of surprised by was the requests to change teams because a player did not know anyone on their team, is that not what sport is all about? Meeting new people and developing new friendships? We are still receiving requests for player movement but seeing as we are beginning our second week of practice the chance of player movement is slim to none. We need to get our teams set so they can begin developing team chemistry.
Mini Mite and Mites have also started and teams have been selected. The big concern for many of you is when are you going to get your team jerseys. I promise you as soon as they arrive from the screen printer you will receive them. If they are not here in time for the first scheduled game we will practice during that ice session. I apologize for the delay of getting you your jerseys. I dropped the ball and there is no one else to blame so once again I apologize and we will make up the games you miss. We may end up playing back to back games but we will make it up and you will all play the same amount of games vs practices.
I am excited to be underway with the season and it was apparent in the turnout at the first 6:30 AM. We had roughly 40-50 players show up and I just want to send a thanks to all of your mom and dads for bringing you. With that kind of support and commitment the Jr. Eagles are heading in the right direction. I am going to be keeping the squirts and pee wee's together until the regular season starts and if the numbers continue to be as awesome as they were on Saturday I will separate the squirts and pee wee's into their own groups.
Once again I am excited for the season and I hope you are as well.