Sunday, January 31, 2010

Battle of the Bantams







I don't think you could have played any more hockey than these boys did this weekend, or asked any more from them. They fought hard every game, never giving up and never giving in, despite their exhausting schedule. They played their regular "Q" game on Saturday, with the added challenge of an intense tournament. Six games in three days. Whew! Congrats to the Lysander Bantam boys for their second place win in the Skaneateles Battle of the Bantams tournament. Congrats also to Rome, the first place trophy winners. "You can DOOO it Grizzlies!" And they did.









Saturday, January 23, 2010

Angela Ruggiero shows off her moves at the Nike Summit

dailySpark editor Stepfanie Romine was lucky enough to watch US Olympic hockey player Angela Ruggiero shows off her moves at the Nike Summit!

Angela Ruggiero

Get closer to Angela Ruggiero, defenseman on the USA Women's Hockey Team, as she trains for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Simi Valley, CA. Learn more at visa.com/goworld.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

MOVIN' ON UP

Here's more solid advice from veteran hockey mom Tammie Vivlamore on getting your mite (and yourself) ready for the next level of play. Thanks Tammie! Let me know if you have some hockey thoughts you would like to share. Remember, like they sing in High School Musical...We're all in this together.....

Mite Parents, Are You Ready for Squirts?
by Tammie Vivlamore
So, you have been freezing in the rink for the past couple of years, watching your mighty little mite practice and go at it in games. This is when it's fun, pure and simple. Remember those
trips over the blue line during the breakaways? Or those times denying that's your kid when the puck gets whacked in on their own goalie?




How about all those time you had to cover your eyes when you knew your kid didn't quite have the knack for stopping yet and splat! They end up using the boards. Great times!




Well, now your mite is turning nine. He/she will be a squirt next season. Worried about vast differences? Don't be. There are a few noticeable differences between Mites and Squirts. First, will your child being playing travel (Central Section) or House (Snowbelt)? Do you even have a clue what those are? How do you decide?
House Teams
House teams play in the Snowbelt League. This league is designed to develop team and individual skills. This is not supposed to be a truly competitive league but competition does thrive there. These teams generally play in and around Central NY, as well as in Binghamton and Watertown. Snowbelt’s season ends in February with a “Snowbelt Jam”; a tournament played between Snowbelt teams at a “host” rink. A host rink is the rink that wins the bid for the tournament. There are several Jams at different rinks.

Travel Teams
Travel teams play in the Central Section League. This is a more competitive league. For the most part, Central Section plays in the same rinks as Snowbelt. The Central Section teams are more skilled and faster. They play for a chance to be in a State Tournament at the end of the season.
Outside games and Tournaments
Teams from both leagues are given time to choose games to play outside of their league. These are known as non league or pick up games. These are usually scheduled by the coaches and are used to help develop the teams. Teams are also given time to go to tournaments of their choice. Coaches will usually choose tournaments they would like to take their team to and then ask the parents to go. Tournaments are a good way to unite a team. The team spends a whole weekend together in a hotel “hanging out”. This is loads of fun!

How Do You Decide?
If your hockey player enjoys watching the scoreboard or checking out the crowd over chasing the puck and scoring goals, he might be a little overwhelmed playing Travel. A house team is probably a good fit for him.

If your son/daughter has to be the first one to the puck, uses their body like a wrecking ball, shoots pucks at your garage 15 hours a day, or just likes to be challenged, you may want to consider letting him try out for a travel team.
TRYOUTS??
That’s right. Try out dates are usually either posted at the rink or on your home association’s website. There is usually a fee for travel tryouts. This fee is used to cover expenses such as ice time. The try outs usually last for a couple of days sometimes longer. At these try outs, the players are put through a series of skating and hockey related drills. This is so evaluators and coaches can see the skill level of each player. Most of the time, the coaches will put the players in game like situations or scrimmage games. The players are evaluated and the travel teams are chosen. The results are usually posted on the association’s website sometime after evaluations. Sometimes the travel coach will call his new players to get to know them. The children that do not make the travel team will be placed in Snowbelt.

Games in General
Mite games are unpredictable. The age range is usually between six and eight years old. Some years, an association may have a mite team full of eight year olds. These teams usually dominate other teams that have a bigger mixture of ages. Sometimes a Mite team will have mostly six year olds. These teams usually GET dominated. Mite teams have a hard time trying to find other mite teams they are competitive with because of the large age group.
Squirts are only nine and ten years old. Because of the smaller age groups involved in squirts, teams are usually quite competitive. This makes games move a lot faster. If your youth hockey player is not ready, it can seem overwhelming to him at first. Don’t fret! A good coach and teammates can help Johnny adjust and get used to the level of play.
Squirts is still a lot of fun to watch. Johnny will still trip over the blue line, let the other team get the puck and possibly put the puck in his own net. Your child will also learn a lot about hockey and so will you.



Final Lesson
Squirts will need to learn how to dress themselves. Usually by the middle of the season, your squirt will only need your help when his/her skates need tying and the jersey gets stuck in the pads. So, the final most important lesson is….
The more your kids do for themselves, the less time spent in a smelly locker room. Now it is up to you to figure out what you will do with your new found free time. Yippee!
Can you say coffee run?

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Our Miracle on Ice

You can't help but feel pure joy when you watch young Chris Speelman take to the ice. Now that's he is healthy and that terrifying scare is behind him and his parents, it's a little easier for them to talk about how Chris beat some very long odds. It's a story that will be shared with audiences nationwide on the Animal Planet show called :Monsters Inside Me. The monster inside Chris was a parasite (Acanthamoeba) that caused him to lapse into a coma for 17 days. The Animal Planet crew was at the rink this week, videotaping Chris during hockey practice and their next day shoot took them to University Hospital for interviews and a reenactment of his battle for survival.
It was an anxious time for our tight-knit hockey community and our prayers were with Chris and his family the entire time. His mom and dad hope the story will help raise awareness for other parents. We are so grateful for the happy ending. NewsChannel 9's Jeff Kulikowsky caught up with the Animal Planet crew during part of their taping. Check out Jeff's story here!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Hockey Speak

Hockey has a language all its own, and oh how I wish someone had brought me up to speed on hockey lingo before my son started playing. It would have helped me to avoid a few embarrassing moments. Well, maybe more than a few. Like the time I took great offense when a mom said my son was ragging. The time I raised my eyebrows when one of our players was called a cherry picker. Cherry picker? What the heck is that? And why in the world would my kid want to shoot a puck upstairs? I've got windows to protect! To help other new moms avoid those red faced moments, I offer a crash course glossary so you can sharpen your hockey language skills, show off those chicklets and tell your kid it was sweet when they put the biscuit in the basket!

Attacking zone When you are on the attack, your attacking zone is between your opponent's blue line and goal line.
Back check Forwards in their offensive zone skate back quickly to their own defensive zone to protect their goal and keep the opponent from shooting.
Basket - the net
Biscuit - the puck
Blocker For the goalie, the glove that goes on the hand that holds the stick.
Blue line Two lines running across the width of the rink, one on either side of the red line. The area between the blue lines is called the neutral zone.
Boarding Violently checking an opponent into the boards from behind. Boarding is illegal and merits a penalty.
Body check A body check is where you use your body against an opponent who has possession of the puck. Legal body checking must be done only with the hips or shoulders and must be above the opponent's knees and below the neck. Unnecessarily rough body checking is penalized.
Box A defensive alignment (similar to the diamond) often used by a team defending against a power play.
Breakaway A player in control of the puck has a breakaway when the only opponent between him and the opposition's goal is the goalie (and a reasonable scoring opportunity exists).
Breakout The play used by the attacking team to move the puck out of its own zone and up the ice toward the opponent's goal.
Butt ending Using the shaft of the stick to jab or attempt to jab an opposing player. Known in Quebec as "donner six pouces" (to give six inches).
Catcher For the goalie, this is a glove (which looks like a fancy first-baseman's mitt) that goes on the non-stick hand.
Center In a traditional alignment with three forwards, the center plays between the left and right wings.
Changing on the fly When players from the bench substitute for players on the ice, while the clock is running.
Charging Taking more than three strides before deliberately checking an opponent.
Chicklets Teeth.
Clearing the puck When the puck is passed, knocked, or shot away from the front of the goal net or other area.
Crease The semi-circular area in front of each goal is called the crease. If any offensive player is in the goal crease when a goal is scored, the goal is not allowed. The crease is painted blue. The goal crease is designed to protect the goalies from interference by attacking players. The area marked on the ice in front of the penalty timekeeper's seat is for the use of the referee.
Cross checking Hitting an opponent with the shaft of the stick while both hands are on the stick and no part of the stick is on the ice.
Defensive zone When the other team is on the attack, the defensive zone is the area between your goal line and your blue line.
Deke A deke is a fake by a player in possession of the puck in order to get around an opponent or to make a goalie move out of position. To deke, you move the puck or a part of your body to one side and then in the opposite direction. ("Deke" is taken from "decoy.")
Delay of game This is called when a player purposely delays the game. Delay of game is commonly called when a goalie shoots the puck into the stands without the puck deflecting off a skater or the glass. Delay of game also occurs when a player intentionally knocks a goalpost out of its stand (usually in an attempt to prevent a goal from being scored).
Delayed off-side In this situation, an attacking player has preceded the puck into the offensive zone (normally a case for off-side), but the defending team has gained possession of the puck and can bring it out of their defensive zone without any delay or contact with an opposing player.
Diamond A defensive alignment (similar to the box) often used by a team defending against a power play.
Dig An attempt to gain possession of the puck in the corners of the rink.
Directing the puck Changing the course of the puck in a desired direction by using the body, skate, or stick.
Dive When a player exaggerates being hooked or tripped in an attempt to draw a penalty.
Double Shifting When an elite player stays on the ice for double duty to give his team an added lift. This is common when a team is down a goal late in the game.
Dump and Chase: A style of hockey where a team shoots the puck into one of the corners of the offensive zone and then pursues it. This is opposed to carrying the puck into the zone.

Elbowing Using the elbow to impede or disrupt the opponent.
Empty net goal A goal scored against an opponent that has pulled the goalie.
Enforcer Typically the player on the team with the most penalty minutes is called upon to protect his teammates when they are pushed around.
Face Wash To rub one’s gloves in the face of another player. Most players don’t appreciate this
Five-hole The area in the opening between a goalie's leg pads.
Flat pass A pass where the puck remains on the surface of the ice.
Flex Hockey sticks come in different degrees of flex - medium, stiff, and extra stiff. A stronger player, who hits more powerful shots, usually wants a stiffer stick.
Flip pass A pass where the puck is lifted so that it goes over an opponent or his stick.
Forecheck Forwards forecheck by hurrying into the opponent's defensive zone to either keep the puck there or take it away.
Forward The center and the wings are traditionally considered to be the forwards.
Freezing the puck A player freezes the puck by holding it against the boards with the stick or skates. A goalie freezes the puck (when the opposition is threatening to score) by either holding the puck in the glove or trapping it on the ice. Note: A delay-of-game penalty can be called if the goalie freezes the puck when the opposition is not threatening.

Garbage Goal A goal that takes little talent to score. Most such goals are scored from right in front of the net, often when the goaltender is out of position
Gordie Howe Hat Trick: When a player scores a goal, gets an assist and gets into a fight all in the same game.
Grinder: A tough, hard-nosed player who does what it takes to get the job done. To be referred to as a grinder would be considered a compliment.GP An abbreviation for "games played."
Hat trick A player who scores three goals in one game achieves a "hat trick."
Head butting Using the head while delivering a body check (head first) in the chest, head, neck, or back area; or using the head to strike an opponent.
Headmanning When a player passes the puck ahead to a teammate.
Heel of the stick The point where the shaft of the stick and the bottom of the blade meet.
High sticking Carrying the stick above the shoulder to use against the opponent.
Holding Using your hands on an opponent or the opponent's equipment to impede your opponent's progress.
Hooking Applying the blade of the stick to any part of an opponent's body or stick and pulling or tugging with the stick in order to disrupt that opponent.
Icing An infraction called when a player shoots the puck from his side of the red line across the opponent's goal line. Play is stopped when an opponent (other than the goalie) touches the puck. The face-off is held in the offending team's end of the ice. A team that is shorthanded can ice the puck without being penalized.
Interference Making body contact with an opponent who does not have possession of the puck. Interference is also called when a player is standing in the crease or otherwise makes contact with the goaltender.
Kneeing Using the knee in an effort to impede or foul an opponent.
Linesman Two linesmen are used to call offside, offside passes, icing, and handle all face-offs not occurring at center ice. Although they don't call penalties, they can recommend to the referee that a penalty be called.
Lumber Hockey Stick
Man Advantage A team with one or more players on the ice than the opposing team due to a penalty. The team is also on a powerplay.
Man On: When a player is chasing a loose puck and has his back to the rest of the ice his coaches and team mates will yell "Man On" if an opposing player is in close pursuit.
Mustard: Mustard is when a player puts all his effort into a shot.
Natural Hat Trick: Scoring 3 goals in a row or 3 in the same period. A very rare occurrence in the NHL.
Neutral zone trap: The neutral zone trap is a defensive ice hockey strategy used by a team to prevent an opposing team from proceeding through the neutral zone (the area between both blue lines) by forcing turnovers in that area.
Neutral zone The central ice area between the two blue lines (neither the defending nor the attacking zone).
Odd-Man Rush Usually either a two-on-one, or three-on-two into the offensive zone which more often than not leads to a scoring opportunity.
"The Original Six": Term for the NHL’s six senior franchises; The New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadians, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Offside A team is offside when a player crosses the attacking blue line before the puck does. A face-off then takes place just outside that blue line (in the offending player's defensive zone). The determining factor in most offside situations is the position of the skates: Both skates must be completely over the blue line ahead of the puck for the play to be offside.
Offside pass An offside pass (also known as a "two-line" pass) occurs when a member of the attacking team passes the puck from behind his own defending blue line to a teammate across the center red line. If the puck precedes the player across the red line, the pass is legal. Also, an attacking player may pass the puck over the center red line and the attacking blue line to a teammate if the puck precedes that teammate across the blue line. The face-off after an offside pass takes place at the spot where the pass originated.
One-timer Shooting the puck immediately upon receiving it without stopping it first. A one-timer is an effective way to beat the goalie before he can slide from one side of the crease to another.
Penalty A penalty is the result of an infraction of the rules by a player or team official. A penalty usually results in the removal of the offending player (or team official) for a specified period of time. In some cases, the penalty may be the awarding of a penalty shot on goal or the actual awarding of a goal.
Penalty killing When a team is shorthanded and attempts to prevent the opposition from scoring, this activity is known as "penalty killing."
Penalty-killing unit The group of players brought in by a shorthanded team in order to defend against a power play.
Penalty shot A penalty shot is awarded to an offensive player who - on a breakaway - is illegally checked or impeded. The puck is placed at the center face-off spot, and the player has a free try at the opposing goal with no other defenders on the ice besides the goalie.
PIM An abbreviation for "penalties in minutes" (penalty minutes accumulated).
Pinch Defensemen usually hang out at their team's blue line, but A "pinching" defensemen will leave his post and push further into the offensive zone in order to support the forwards and keep the puck in the zone.
Playoff beard:A playoff beard is the superstitious practice of a National Hockey League (NHL) player not shaving his beard during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Poke check Trying to knock the puck away from an opponent by stabbing at it with the blade of the stick.
Pipe The pipe is the goalpost, and if you hit a puck "between the pipes" you score a goal!
Point The point is the area just inside the opposition's blue line close to the boards on either side of the rink. A defenseman usually occupies this area when his team is in control of the puck in the opposition's defensive zone.
Poke check Trying to knock the puck away from an opponent by stabbing at it with the blade of the stick.
Possession of the puck The last player or goalie to make contact with the puck is the one who has possession. This definition includes a puck that is deflected off a player or any part of his equipment.
Power play When a team has more players on the ice than the opposition due to one or more penalties against the opposing team.
Pulling of the goalie A team that is losing will sometimes take their own goalie off the ice and use another forward. This situation occurs most frequently near the end of the game when a team is behind and needs some emergency offense.
Ragging Maintaining control of the puck in order to kill time, usually while one's team is shorthanded or, on rare occasions, when a team is up by a goal late in a game.
Red line The line that divides the rink into two equal parts. This area is center ice.
Referee The referee supervises the game, calls the penalties, determines if goals are scored, and handles face-offs at center ice at the start of each period and after goals. The referee has the final decision over all other officials.
Roughing Engaging in fisticuffs (fighting) or shoving.
Save A shot blocked by the goalie - a shot that otherwise would have gone into the net!
Shadow When a player covers an opponent one-on-one everywhere on the ice in order to limit the effectiveness of this opponent.
Shoot-out Some minor and international leagues refine the overtime situation by having their teams play a five-minute sudden death period, and if no one scores, the game is decided by a shoot-out. Each team picks five players, and each one of them takes a penalty shot on the other team's goalie, skating in by themselves with the puck from center ice and trying to score. Whichever team scores more wins.
Shorthanded A shorthanded team is below the numerical strength of its opponents on the ice. When a goal is scored against a shorthanded team, the penalty that caused the team scored against to be shorthanded is terminated, and both teams are again at equal strength.
Sieve Slang term for a goalie that gives up a lot of goals and appears to have a lot of holes. Think spaghetti strainer.
Sin Bin Where a player goes after he is called for a penalty. Also simply known as the penalty box.
Slot: The prime scoring area up the middle of the ice, between the face-off circles in the attack zone. This is where you will find “snipers” like Brendan Shanahan.
Sniper A player who is a pure goal scorer that is always able to find open space to get his shot off.
Slashing When a player swings the stick at an opponent. Slashing merits a penalty, whether contact is made or not. Tapping an opponent's stick not slashing.

Smothering the puck When a goalie or other players fall on the puck. Smothering is legal when done by the goalie or accidentally by another player.
Spearing Poking or attempting to poke an opponent with the tip of the blade of the stick while holding the stick with one or both hands.
Spin 'o' Rama: Phrase to describe a player completing a tight circle with the puck fully under control in an effort to get by a defender.
Splitting the defense: When a player in possession of the puck goes between two opposing defenders while attacking.
Stack the pads: A save wherein the goaltender drops to one side and makes the save with his leg pads stacked on top of one another.Standing on his head: When a goaltender is playing great, stopping everything sent his way and making outstanding saves, he is said to be “standing on his head”.
Stay at home defenseman: This type of player never misses a defensive assignment. You will never find him stuck out of position in the offensive zone. The true definition of a “Defensive Defenseman”.
Stoned: A great save by the goalie will have the announcer say, “He stoned him from point blank range.”

Sweater The term used to designate a hockey jersey.
Sweep check Using the entire length of the stick with a sweeping motion along the surface off the ice in order to dislodge the puck from an opponent. A team that is shorthanded on a power play often employs a sweep check.

Tape-To-Tape: Adjective describing a perfect pass. The centers of the blades of hockey sticks are usually wrapped in black tape.
Tic-Tac-Toe: Three tape-to-tape passes that lead to a goal. Tic-tac-toe goals are usually scored on odd-man rushes or power plays, because opponents don't have enough defenders to break up passes.

Toe drag: Dragging the puck along the ice with the end (toe) of the stick blade on the ice as opposed to the bottom

Trap Traps are defensive formations designed to minimize the opposition's scoring opportunities and keep its offense from functioning. The idea is to trap the puck in the neutral zone, halting the opponents and regaining control of the puck.
Tripping Using a stick, arm, or leg to cause an opponent to trip or fall.
Turnover Just as in basketball or in football, you can make a turnover in hockey by losing control of the puck to the opposing team.
Two-line pass An offside pass (that actually crosses two lines).
Two-Way Center A center that has equal value in his offensive and defensive zone. Mark Messier was the ultimate “two-way center”.
Upstairs The upper portion of the net. Also known as the "top shelf"
Wings The left wing and the right wing (also known as forwards) move up and down the sides of the rink. Offensively, they skate on each side of the center, exchanging passes with him, while trying themselves for a shot on goal and/or a rebound of a shot from the point. Defensively, they watch the opponent's wings.
Wraparound A player skates behind the opposing goal and attempts to wrap the puck around the goal post and into the net.
Wrist shot A wrist shot is used to shoot the puck off the blade of the stick with a flicking motion of the wrist.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Oh Canada!


As we headed out early Saturday morning to our 2nd hockey game of the tournament in Brockville, Canada, I thought "for sure" my 8 year old mite would be moody and miserable. But to my surprise, her late night of hotel romping and knee hockey with her teammates did not take a terrible toll. Just the opposite. Halfway to the rink, she so eagerly announced in the backseat of our SUV, " This place makes me so happy." The air temperature was zero and the windchill made if feel like 15 below, but at that moment, hearing those words, just made me melt. I said to myself, yes, this is why we do it. Her first Canadian hockey tournament, her first border crossing and she was in complete awe, absorbing and loving every minute of her weekend experience. She tallied lots of great memories on and off the ice.

THUNDER ALLEY? LYSANDER LIGHTNING STRIKES THE LANES!


It's so much easier to score with a stick!



GONE ARE THE DAYS OF KEEPING KIDS BUSY AT THE RESTAURANT WITH CRAYONS AND COLORING BOOKS!









Waitress at Nan's fascinated by the hockey team Nintendo DSI convention at the diner.

How Did They Do?
They played their little hearts out for that championship trophy and that final game was one of the most exciting ones they've played and we've watched to date. They way out shot the other team but unfortunately, just couldn't get a shot past the other team's brick wall. 2ND place, in a Canadian tournament, in my opinion is awesome! The kids just didn't see it that way and you couldn't feel even an ounce of excitement in the locker room after that last game. Long faces, tears and my daughter was no exception. I thought she played a really good game. One of her best yet. I was expecting at least half a smile from my little girl for being named MVP. Nope. Big tears. She had her eye on the big prize and she wanted to share a total victory with her team.
MVP or MVU (most visibly upset?)
I told her how I couldn't have been any prouder of her and every player on her team. The way they played, passed, looked out for each other, were there for each other and never gave up. The silence in the locker room spoke volumes. On our trip home, as we got talking and we looked back at the fun we had over the weekend, her solemn mood quickly changed. She took her second place plaque out of its box and gripped it tightly in her small hands, realizing they won so much more than some first place hardware this weekend. She'll be holding on to those memories for a very long time.






Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Faster than a speeding puck it's... Hockey Mom!

For weeks, I've been encouraging...okay..nagging... other hockey moms to contribute to the blog and share thoughts, feelings and experiences. Hooray, someone took me seriously and I'm excited to post the first contribution. Read, enjoy and
relate!


The Power of Hockey Moms
by Tammie Vivlamore

Look around any rink and chances are the moms who are cheering in the stands are saving some of those cheers for their other children who aren't battling it out on the ice. It's a delicate balancing act for many hockey moms, who have to juggle their time and schedules around more than one child. If the other children do play hockey, Murphy's law would have it they are not on the same team, let alone in the same age division. Who could be so lucky? It’s a pretty safe bet too, that your other children have other activities that no doubt collide like a body check and conflict with scheduled hockey practice and games.

SUPER HERO WANNABES

While we are no doubt a resourceful bunch, I bet there are times when you wish could strap on a long, bright red cape with SHM (Super Hockey Mom) emblazoned on the back. While we're at it, how about if we could accrue a few superpowers? Just imagine how much easier our lives would be with X-ray vision to find that piece of equipment you know is buried somewhere in the bag, under the bed or living room couch. Aren't there times when you yearn for a dose of super strength to carry the overstuffed bag and half asleep child into the rink for that early morning practice or game? But most importantly, the most sought after power would be the ability to multiply! To do 50 things at once and be in three places at the same time, would keep us at least half sane... I think. Oh, let's face it, snap out of it! Only a really good comic book author or illustrator can make that happen.

SUPER FRIENDS
What hockey moms already have that even the most organized and dedicated could not do without are other hockey moms. No one but a hockey mom understands the value of another good hockey mom. Lysander, as I'm sure is the case with other youth hockey organizations, is blessed to have so many.
We all live hectic lives and try hard to balance hockey with other commitments like work, school, scouts and concerts. Sometimes those other things conflict and limit the ability to get your child to practice or games. Sometimes you have to leave early to get another child to their destination. Sometimes the other children just don’t want to be at the ice rink and they're not shy about letting everyone at the rink know how they feel.
THE ASSIST
When these things happen, another hockey mom can be a savior. Another hockey mom will step in and help get things done. We hockey moms need each other. Hockey moms have a greater value than moms from any other sport. They spend so much time together, their families intertwine. They really get to know each other and each others kids. Of course, how many other sports last six months and send even their youngest players to stay in hotels and play in rinks throughout the US and Canada?
HOCKEY MOM DEFINED

Hockey moms cheer together when the kids do well. Hockey moms yell together when yelling is in order. Hockey moms sit together to try to warm up in a freezing cold rink. Hockey moms stand together when one of their own is down on the ice hurt.
Hockey moms are not pit bulls. Hockey moms are a band of sisters. They are strong, smart, dedicated, beautiful and deserve to be represented that way.
The next time you are in a bind and think you could really use X-Ray vision or super human strength, look around and think about how lucky you are to already have the super power of your team’s hockey moms on and at your side.