Nov 12, 2012 | dskinner | 1380 views
The Chain (Waste Management Minor Bantams).
A chain is a tool that has been in use for hundreds of years. The iron/steel links pieced together one at a time to create a length of strength reserved for the toughest and most demanding roles, only to be undone when one of the links fails through weakness or corrosion. Unfortunately, that one link can compromise the integrity of the whole chain. One player from our team will be presented with a 17 link (one for each player) chain at the end of every game for their contributions to our team success.
The use of the chain as a symbol for team sports provides us with a great overview of what we are striving for with each years experience. It describes exactly what is needed as a group goes into competition as one. Each player must perform his role to the best of his ability with clear focus to an game plan. Personal gains may take a backseat in order to maintain the strength of the chain and team success. Throughout the season the ups and downs, ebb and flow of success and failure serve to strengthen and weaken the chain. Corrosive elements like conflict, slumps, selfish play, injury can serve to compromise the strength of the chain. But by committing to the team players can gain a feeling of accomplishment regardless of the record or results. In fact, overcoming challenges can vastly improve the strength of that chain over the long run.
The concept of the chain goes beyond the player, it speaks to the very heart of the support network that each player is dependent upon. Parents, grandparents, siblings, parent volunteers, sponsors, and on and on and on, serve to provide the constant maintenance that each player needs to focus their attention on avoiding the corrosive elements that could weaken their link in the chain.
Another way of looking at it is to understand that by linking the ends of the chain we create a circle and this circle best represents the dynamics of the team. It has been said that "the truth of any team is in the room", the inner circle of players to which no one else, not even coaches belong. This circle holds the essence of the experience for the players. They decide on their commitment to this circle and it is within this circle where, not only performance and focus are born, but a mutual respect and friendship that goes beyond the game. Every player yearns for the comraderie of that inner circle when their time is done. Teams that have achieved something special hold a special bond for the remainder of their lives. These bonds are the unbreakable links in the chain long after the competitions are over.
Beyond wins and losses we want our kids to learn all the values that go into the circle of the chain. The respect, teamwork, friendship, perseverance and so much more that will help those players succeed in life and will give them the strength to overcome the challenges they will face.
The chain symbolizes all that is good and all we are striving for in this game. Our team has 17 strong links in our chained circle. We depend on the efforts and focus of each of our links and we are learning to trust the bonds of our inner circle. Already we have overcome serious attempts to compromise our strength and we have emerged stronger than ever! In the end, the bonds that forge and maintain the chain are everything we look for in our participation in this game.
This weekend we took another step in the building curve by earning a birth in the semi-finals of the Kitchener Blueline tournament. Our first test was the rough and tumble Upper Canada Cyclones but the Highlanders arrived at our early morning game with one of their strongest team efforts of the year. Behind the shutout goaltending of Ryan Winter the team was able to take the wind out of the Cyclones by a 3-0 result. Jakob Lee scored twice with assists to Dalton Black, Danny Skinner, and Matthew Epoch. Will Rickerby scored the other assisted by Taylor and Jakob Lee. Brady Coburn wore the chain out of the dressing room, well earned for his selfless attitude and team first approach.
Our second effort of the day improved on our first. After overcoming the challenge of 7 straight minor penalties we woke up in a big way. Down 1-0 and held in by great penalty killing and the exceptional goaltending of Tate Millsap, the Highlanders dominated the rest of the game for a 5-1 win over the Markham Majors. Shale Blakey opened the scoring with assists from Danny Skinner and Jake Lee after a great play by Dalton Black. Noah Johnson scored from Will Rickerby and Matt Epoch. Danny Skinner scored from Jordan Taylor and Will Rickerby. Will Rickerby scored with assists from Noah Johnson and Jordan Taylor and Jakob Lee finished the scoring assisted by Shale Blakey and Quinton Maddock. The chain went to Danny Skinner.
Saturday saw an even earlier start to the day and a somewhat disappointing 2-2 draw with the host Kitchener Rangers despite carrying the play for much of the game. After falling behind 2-0 the Highlanders rallied on goals by Jordan Taylor and Shale Blakey with assists going to Noah Johnson, Will Rickerby, and Dalton Black. Will received the chain for his dominant and hardworking performance.
The Highlanders were in the drivers seat with an undefeated round robin to this point when they faced a top ranked Mississauga Rep squad. The Highlanders held tough but fell 4-0.
This set up the semi-final against the undefeated Don Mills Flyers. The early mornings finally caught up to the Highlanders as they were totally caught flat footed to start the game. The Flyers quickly got off to a 2-0 lead before Dalton Black scored a big goal off a great set up from Shale Blakey and Mike Fieghen. The Flyers pulled away again with a power play goal but the Highlanders would not go quietly as Jakob Lee answered with assists to Will Rickerby and Danny Skinner. Once again the Flyers moved ahead before Noah Johnson potted a goal from Jakob Lee and Will Rickerby. This was to prove to be the end of the comeback as the Highlanders, forced to abandon defensive play in favour of offense gave up 4 late goals to go down to the eventual tournament champions. Josh Urbschott earned the honour of wearing the chain.
Overall, it was a great effort from the boys who learned a lot about who they are and what makes them successful. They also learned what it will take to take it to the next level. Mostly they learned about how good it feels to be a part of a room where the players are playing for each other and the strength and success comes from every link in the chain.
Coach Rob