The Meaning of Hockey
To me hockey is not just a game, but rather a solid foundation of life, reiterating core values set forth by my parents. Communication, discipline, trust, work ethic; all four of these are principles which add to the makeup of my character, and it is of no coincidence that I share these with my teammates on and off the ice. Along with my parents, hockey is what has shaped me as a person, giving me the self-esteem and sociability to interact with people, whether it be teammates, parents, or coaches. It has helped build valuable friendships and developed the concept of trust in myself and for those I work with. The discipline to fulfill my role every night, to sacrifice the “partying” and the fun off the ice for the game I love is something acted upon every day, every week of my life. In Midget 15-year-old season, I broke my collarbone twice and had on-ice discipline issues, causing me to play just 10 games all season. The Major Junior team I had been drafted with released me, as missing practically an entire year stalled my development. I could have easily given up, but instead I learned from these mistakes. I continually worked on controlling my intensity levels on the ice, ensuring that another blowup would not occur. During the summer I focused all my attention to building strength to make sure I would not endure another injury-plagued season. I treated that year like a loss, knowing that I learned a valuable lesson and was now prepared to make the necessary adjustments in order to succeed. Winning a championship last year gave me pride in myself as I completed my “comeback” by succeeding in changing my game for the better.
All of these are life lessons, ones my mom and dad would talk about everyday. But when one acts upon them night-in and night-out, it gives him the insight that everyday life may not provide. I feel as though hockey has sped up my maturity as a person, in teaching me life lessons that I can practice everyday.
Hockey is the key to my future, opening the doors in which my life will lead. As of now I am juggling math and science as the base for my possible profession, and see myself down the road as an engineer, or maybe even a doctor. Acting as my catalyst, hockey can potentially assist me in getting to these destinations more efficiently. This wonderful sport gives me the opportunity to try and reach my dreams, to go to a prominent school. It gives me the chance to prove myself, and possibly obtain a scholarship to pay for schooling that otherwise may not be available to me. The idea that playing this game could lead to the molding of my future occupation is unbelievable to me, that I can so easily associate fun and work.
Hockey is a chance to demonstrate my leadership skills and be a role model. I have always been a leader, one in the dressing room and on the bench during the games. But this season I found a new sense of leadership, one that goes beyond just the team. Playing at the highest possible level of minor hockey I notice it, the younger kids watching my every move; like studying my team’s pre-game warm-up routine, or even standing by the gate after the period to pat me and my teammate’s gloves. It is Midget AAA, and without even knowing it one stands out to people as being a community role model, being that guy for the kids to look up to. That ‘guy’, is one role in which I want to continue to be for as long as I possibly can. Junior ‘A’, NCAA, whatever it may be, I want to be a guy who can pass that torch, a guy who can set the examples for people to look up to and respect. This influence, to me, is a huge part of the game that largely goes unnoticed to most players, but is a duty that I am proud to undertake.
The wins, the goals, the celebrations, the blocked shots, the battles in the corner are all aspects I love…but when it comes down to it, these seem like penny-change to how this game has really affected me. Hockey is my passion, and I cherish every moment of it. As a springboard to my future, it is not just my life now, but also where my life will lead.
Rylan Wiest,
Lethbridge Y’s Mens Titans
Each year Mac’s Tournament Scholarship awards five scholarships of $1500 for post-secondary education. The selection was done by an independent selection committee, and involved writing a one-page essay about “What hockey means to me”. As part of the selection process candidates are placed in front of a panel of 4 people.
Congratulations Rylan on a job well done!
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