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Siren 1363 ~ Great Intentions Bad Execution
Blog — By A-Snow on May 14, 2012 2:28 PM
St.Louis @ Sharks Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012 Game 4
There is something that happens towards the end of every Hockey season that absolutely grinds my gears. I bite my tongue and try not to say anything about it as seasons come to unfortunate early ends and playoff runs are brought to a close, but for some reason this year I am more bothered than normal. I think by now, those of you who are regular readers of my blog know that I am a huge supporter of all you crazy Gongers out there, and I will cheer until I am blue in the face for the teams I support and the guys (and girls) I call friends. I am not alone in being supportive of area teams and players and am always excited when season is rolling around because it is inevitable some familiar faces and good friends will be arriving with it…even when I don’t want them to. Before you get confused, yes, I really did just say that I don’t want to see good friends returning with the season. (For the sake of this post, I am only referring to leagues other than the NHL. If you are a friend in the NHL, then OK, yes I will be stoked to see your return to your local team, since you are in the show, and really, that’s kind of the goal isn’t it?)
New Sweater Purchase...Burns and a Gongshow T! Perfection!
Regardless, back on topic. As I make friends with players throughout the many leagues of North American Hockey and as I move around and travel, I hear the same thing time and time again “I want to play in the Show,” or “I’m hoping to move up next season,” or “Man this league is rough, hopefully I can move on soon.” Honestly, I don’t blame them, I’d want to move all the way up until I was making bank in the NHL…and in some cases the AHL, so I always leave my friends wishing them well and hoping I don’t see them with their current clubs (again, NHL excluded), regardless of my own selfishness. I realize that to be friends with Gongers, you have to accept that you may have to go some time without seeing them. Much like seeing your favorite NHL star being traded, you have to accept that if you want to see them play, you’ll be tuning in to Game Center Live instead of heading to the arena. Every now and then I throw down the seven bucks or whatever it is to see some old friends playing in leagues across the US I don’t have access to since I am now in Northern California, but I’m always a little saddened that I don’t get to see them in my own local arenas.
St. Louis @ San Jose Game 4 Face Off
Putting aside my own feelings on missing the Gongers who perpetually make my winters just a tiny bit more interesting, I get back to what bothers the daylights out of me! Facebook messages on all of these players’ walls from fans saying “Hope to see you back next season!” Now, if this is written on the wall of a player who A-Doesn’t want to move up, or B-Is towards the end of their playing days and the fan simply isn’t ready for them to hang up their skates just yet, then OK, it’s a fair and nice statement and I won’t be bothered by it. But for the love of all things sacred in Hockey, why on earth would you tell a great player you hope to see him back when what you should be saying is “Get out of here, play in a harder league and be as successful as possible!”?! I surely do not hope to see them back regardless of my personal relationships with them. I hope they move up, showcase their talents in other systems that can continue to develop them and ultimately realize their dreams and pull that NHL sweater over their heads. Obviously, not every player will reach the heights of the NHL, but I will always encourage them to keep climbing as long as they have the will and the drive to lace em up game after game.
I find it heart wrenching when players have the drive and the desire to succeed but fall short in talent and execution to move higher. This line from 24/7 sums it up well, “This is why it hurts so much when skill falls short of what the will desires. This is why it’s so unforgettable when absolute passion yields ultimate reward. And that’s all still just the start of what the game can do to you.” I can honestly say that it leaves me saddened when the men who play, fail to achieve their dreams. In the same breath however, I am equally as thrilled and uplifted for those who battle and beat the odds and win victories, however small some may be, in their own personal Hockey journey.
Cool Pic I Took At The Shark Tank
When I talk about these people, would be well-wishers who leave seemingly supportive comments on Facebook walls and twitter feeds for Gongers who have yet to leave their lasting cuts in NHL ice, I am not doing so to criticize them. I think they really do have great intentions when they write these messages, just poor execution on delivery. Much like I encourage all of the beauties who haunt the blogs of Gongshow Gear to maintain positivity at all costs and to be true supporters of one another and to occasionally change the way they view the world around them; I ask fans to do the same. Before we open our mouths to congratulate Gongers on seasons well played, or show support in heart breaker endings, first we must formulate a well thought-out, true statement of support. Yes, it is appropriate to let players know they were appreciated on the team and that you are saddened to see the season end, but wish them the best and let them move forward without feeling bad about it.
Gongers, go forth and conquer the Hockey world and don’t let anyone ever make you feel obligated to play somewhere. Play where the system will develop you as a player, W.S.P. and go get your glory!
~A-Snow
Follow Me On Twitter Beauts! @AmySnow17
I’m really not trying to rip on fans, just wanted to make myself clear on that. I am after all, just a fan myself.
66 Comments
good read
good read
Ive had alot of friends that were highly skilled and got pushed so hard by their parents that they lost interest in the game, even though they were lighting shit up. They loved the game as much as any of us, but got forced to keep moving up leagues when they were lighting up and just leveled out skillwise.
Play for the love of the game boys and good things will happen
the sad thing is, is that happens more than not. Kids with unreal talent end up being pressured to the point where they’re under so much stress that the game is no longer fun, its a shame really.
I’ve seen some players decide they are happy where they are and don’t want to go higher, and I think that’s great as long as they feel comfortable where they are. To each their own
Agreed. It’s all about the love of the game.
what they all said
i’ve seen this a few times too; such a downer to see guys with the skill, but lose the passion due to other people
Great read Snow! I growing up and watching ECHL Hockey was well to accustomed of players coming and going, and also wish people would be grateful that they saw a great player but moved on. It’s the cycle of hockey.
It is always a nice surprise to see that one guy you had been hoping for move up a league and be noticed. 100% agree here.
if he works/ed hard enough he will get noticed by where he wants to go.. its all who you know
.
good read
Thats why hockey is the greatest game, the heart, desire, and passion are unmatched by any other sport. There’s just no other athletes like hockey players
We may be all of that but boys football players are hard as fuck… although they have cheerleaders, we get them
great read, why hockey is the most competitive and challenging sport that causes players to give everything and show passion, heart, and teamwork non equatable to any other sport
rocket!
good stuff
Whenever talking to some junior players. I usually leave out the team they play for and just wish them luck next season. Pretty generic, but oh well
Sometimes being generic is the best response. Wishing them luck no matter where they go, or stay, and leaving it vague seems appropriate to me.
never thought about it from that perspective. good blog.
Thanks everyone!
Good Blog Snow!!!
Nicely done!
wow this really gives a great perspective and makes me appreciate how great my parents were!
nice!
Good stuff. Just always remember your old teammates that you leave behind.
haha niceeee
Well said!
great read
Nice Blog Amy, a strong read indeed…
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Snow. Being around Junior hockey for a lot of my life, you almost never want to see your players back again the next season, because you want them to be moving on and playing at a higher, more competitive level. When I heard one of my players would be leaving next season to play NCAA Division 1 next fall, I was sad that he wouldn’t be back, but at the same time, so proud! Last year I saw someone I knew when they were a midget-age nobody in Winnipeg get drafted to the NHL. There is nothing better than seeing someone you know and care about succeed at what they do. It’s really a blessing.
cuz its the cup
that was really interresting!
nice article
Great Read
great read my man!
awesome story, keep it up
great read, always play for the love of the game and be happy wher eyou are!
great read
you just keep on pumping out great reading material, and for that I thank you
You are very welcome! I love writing for you guys!
Unreal!
well said unreal read
nice
real good read
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Unreal
too sick
sickk
solid
wonderful story
this
is
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c
good stuff !!!!
nice stuff!
great one!
cool
cool
Well said
solid read