A couple of weekends ago, West Nipissing hosted their yearly West Nipissing Stinger’s Cup Hockey Tournament. We played hard and faced many powerful teams. We’ve experienced a phenomenal series of events, and we were reminded of why we play and love hockey, and why hockey is such a big part of our Canadian history.
Our team, from a northern community, faced a 16-0 loss against the U13 Valley East Market Oilers. Each game our players shake hands at the beginning of the game. These two teams faced each other, played hard, and persevered through each period. While our team lost, the opposite team approached all our players at the end of the game and congratulated each other for their hard work, their plays, and cheered them as a team and as individuals. This was a very heartfelt moment, as this came directly from these young people to take it upon themselves and approach our players who were feeling down from this great loss. This helped our players gain some confidence as a team to face their next opponents.
As if this wasn’t enough, the next day, our team embarked on the ice to face another great team. The Valley East Market Oilers were in the bleachers, cheering, screaming, banging endlessly on the glass walls of the rink, overpowering the whole arena, cheering on our team, the U13 Porcupine Eagles. A group of kids who’ve never met before! From two different communities, hours from each other. Wow! This was a sight to see! Us parents who sat and watched this unfold in front of us, there were chills crawling on our backs, tears flowing on our cheeks, the moment where we felt it deep in our hearts why we truly love hockey!
The parents, coaches and community these kids belong to deserve to be applauded and feel so proud for raising true hockey players and teaching them these great values of life, that hockey isn’t just a competition nor is it just a sport. Hockey is a way of life, an identity. Hockey represents great fundamental values of teamwork, determination, perseverance, connecting with our communities, and building friendships, just to name a few. It is an integral part of the Canadian culture and our identity. A sport played by millions of people of all ages and skill levels from coast to coast. It’s a symbol of unity, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and regions.
All the teams who took part in this tournament played hard and well! But the Valley East Market Oilers will forever be one of our team's favourite memories of this great tournament.
Until we meet again Market Oilers!
Love,
The Porcupine Eagles
