Thank You Hockey

As hockey season comes to an end I just wanted to say thank-you to the sport of Hockey . . .

Hockey was just another sporting event I would go to until Jed went to his first NHL game. There was no denying the excitement and love Jed had for hockey. And now I can't imagine being anywhere else than sitting in the stands with Jed, watching him watch Hockey.

    

                            "Look Mom Hockey!!"                                A smile of pure joy.

Every game feels like Jedediah's first. The lights, music, dance cams, videos, silly pranks from Howler (the mascot), pizza, and of course hockey! Now 2nd season in, all of these things are as cool and funny as they were the first time Jed experienced them. But now that he is a little older, hockey is starting to help him in more ways than just having a good time. Jed does a lot of sign language to help me understand what he is saying; his speech is a little slurred so we work on saying words over and over again. He has started to remember things the PA announcer says. He gets SO EXCITED when a Power Play happens and tries to say in a deep voice "It is now time for the Sun West Federal Union Power Play! HOOWWWWLLL!" I am a little bias but he is getting really good at it! He also loves it when the goal horn goes off; he will sit up straight, sometimes on the edge of his seat, and patiently wait to hear the PA announcer say "Coyotes GOOAALLL!!" He'll copy him afterward and then laugh with so much pride that he said it too.

    

Now it can be challenging taking a 3-year old and a baby to a hockey game by yourself. To all you hockey Momma's out there, (fist bump) it is serious work! Sometimes it's like wading in a pool for three hours; consistently unable to just sit and enjoy yourself. At times Jed can feel extremely overwhelmed by loud places with lots of commotion and lots of people. We’ve had a handful of meltdowns the past 2 years, (security lines make Jed anxious for some reason) but the reward of seeing his face when we finally get to our seats is the best. His fears seem to fade away simply because he sees the ice rink, which means it’s almost time for hockey.

    

Special event nights are some of Jed's favorites. We go early and Jed gets to play, dance, and check out the new things in the arena (which to him is already incredible because hockey is played there). His favorite night this past season was Star Wars Night; all of those light sabers and people in costumes is basically Disneyland in Arizona.

      

Howler’s Birthday Party is also a guaranteed blast - Jed loves seeing and meeting all of the mascot friends Howler brings. And of course, as Jed put’s it "bay ball" night (D-backs night) - it combines Jed’s 2 favorite sports.

     

Jed considers Howler his BFF

Another awesome perk of going to a hockey game is getting to shoot a puck on the ice!! Once a month they hold Post-Game Slapshot nights Jed gets to go on the ice and shoot the puck into the net! The last slapshot night we went to he went he told me "I do it" He wouldn't even let me go on the ice with him. He proudly walked on the red carpet got his stick and made his shot. Definitely one of my favorite moments watching his confidence just bursting from his little body.

     

Playing Hockey

Jedediah has recently began to play ball hockey (outdoor hockey using a round ball instead of a puck). This has helped him with so many aspects of his physical and emotional development including muscle tone, coordination, balance, strength, endurance, and confidence.

· Muscle Tone: Jed has always had very low muscle tone which make building muscles and endurance a bit of a struggle. Many of the physical skill required in just ball hockey have helped him exercise those muscles that wouldn’t normal be used in simple outside play.

· Coordination: Jed has drastically improved his hand-eye coordination though tracking the ball from the edge of his stick to where he wants it to go. Also his sense of timing with ball movement has improved. His ability to catch the ball with his stick has quickly gone from almost never happening, to almost always happening. Being able to shoot and pass the ball to another person is his strongest hockey skill; his aim is on point.

· Balance: Jed has not started ice-skating yet but when he does his balance and core with improve immensely. For now, the tuck rotations he does when hitting the ball with the hockey stick works his core and has been improving his overall balance.

· Strength and Endurance: Jed’s physical endurance was built over time running after the ball over and over again; this has made him build tolerance so much so that he can now go on long walks without complaining that he is tired. It definitely is helpful in more ways that just one.

· Confidence: Both activities of watching and playing hockey have shown Jed just how fun a sporting activity can be. Because of this he is more confident to engage with kid’s at his school and play along with the sports games happening.

       

Hockey fandom as a sort-of family feeling to it. Cheering for a team whether you win or lose brings people together and creates long-lasting positive memories. I am so grateful that our sweet little Jed has felt this impact in his life, and cannot wait to see what his hockey-related future will bring. Thank You, Hockey.