Its funny how some things don't change, they just get bigger!
1996 was definitely a big hockey year for JJ and our family. JJ started playing hockey, we watched the Utah Grizzlies win the Turner Cup and we went to Phoenix to watch Wayne Gretzky play hockey.
Christmas 1996, JJ got two very special gifts. Although he had been playing hockey for 6 months, he only had skates, a helmet, gloves and a stick of his own. On Christmas Eve that changed. JJ's dad brought over a full set of gear - pants, shoulder pads and elbow pads. JJ immediately put all of the gear on and started up a game of kitchen hockey (very common occurence when JJ was little).
That same year, JJ got his first replica NHL jersey. This was a gift from me. His very own 5 year old sized Wayne Gretzky New York Rangers jersey. This pint sized jersey was a huge hit.
Christmas 2008 had a similar gifting theme.
Brigitte helped fund a new pair of Reebok 9k skates. Skates for a 17 year old travel team hockey player cost a whole lot more than skates for a 5 year old beginner! This was a great and much needed gift.
In addition to getting new skates, JJ also got a very special gift from his good friend Henry. JJ's favorite team is still the Rangers. With Gretzky and Messier retiring several years ago, JJ had to find a new Ranger hero. Last year, JJ took note of Ranger winger Nigel Dawes. Far from a superstar, but Nigel Dawes is scrappy and fun to watch. Much to JJ's surprise, and delight, Henry's Christmas gift to him was a Rangers replica jersey with #10 and DAWES on the back. Much bigger than the Gretzky jersey from 12 years ago, Dawes hangs proudly in the corner of JJ's room.
A few days after Chrismas, JJ, Henry and I watched on TV as the New York Rangers took on the New York Islanders. Of course JJ put on his Dawes jersey! Nigel did not dissappoint. Not only did the Rangers win, Dawes was in a fight and he scored the game winning goal.
As the years go by, hockey continues to be a gift in our lives. Lucky us!
No comments:
Post a Comment