- 2021 Highlights
Personal Statement
Hockey means so much to me because it helps me create social groups and development close friends. It’s given me gifts of strength and health. Mentally I’ve overcome setbacks and understand how to push through challenges alone or with a team. I understand that I have to learn to appreciate the moments of good and not let the negativity of others bug me on or off the arena. Playing and watching hockey brings lots joy into my life, and I appreciate how others enjoy it with me.
To prepare for the 2021-22 school hockey year I worked harder than ever to be ready for tryouts, and I reached my goal to be on the Grand Rapids Hockey JV Team. I’m a realist, and I’m giving my body the time needed to grow and mature at its own rate. I’ve just started to grow and put on weigh which is exciting.
This year provided a major shift in my hockey experiences and attitude for 2 reasons:
1. Although I made JV, I chose to Not play with the JV Grand Rapids team.
I moved to the Junior Gold Grand Rapid High School traveling Team because the JV team got a new coach who I knew within a week of playing under him that I would not thrive with his coaching style.
I play hockey to experience purpose, passion and Joy. I understand hard work is an integral part of it all. My heart sank when I was skating under the new coach’s guidance. So I moved to work with a different coach and team immediately. This was a difficult decision that at first made me sad. But I knew it was right.
2. I chose to practice and play with a Grand Rapids Junior Gold traveling team. The coaches make the experience 100% more awesome. This year I learned that I miss being on a winning team, and yet the most satisfying part of playing was when I chose to play a new position for the greater good of the team. The fun part of the game is working together to see and experience the growth and improvement together. I never played defense and chose to play because they needed me to fill that position.
Honestly I’m not sure if it’s worth posting videos of my game Clips, but I will. I normally play wing, but instead I played defense. I wasn’t sure how to write this essay, but I wrotr it anyway.
At this point, I have to balance hockey with life. This is my truth. I am doing the best I can with what life has to offer. My plan is to continue to weight lift, play Lacross, Hockey and work full time this summer in an internship through Delta. Then play on Junior Gold in the Fall.
