MHM 2018 Oct-digital

HOCKEY MOM UNPLUGGED
HOCKEY MOM UNPLUGGED:
JOURNEY THRU JRS
By Vineeta Sawkar-Branby
So many hugs.
Everywhere I looked
outside of the Super Rink in
Blaine, I saw people bracing for hugs and
giving hugs. The North American Hockey League
(NAHL) Showcase was in town and it was the first
time many families were seeing their boys after
they sent them off to different cities around the
country to pursue a hockey dream.
I was there with a friend whose son had just
played. It was great to see his smiling face and get
a picture of him hugging her. All the young men
were coming outside with their “just showered”
hair and dressed nicely in crisp suits. They each
scanned the crowd looking for groups of family
members beaming with pride. Each young man was
slinging a hockey bag over his shoulders.
Made me a little teary.
I miss my boy. His dream has taken him out of the
country. Jack is a goaltender for the Winnipeg Blues
in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. I still can’t
believe it. We knew he wanted to pursue junior
hockey but we put down a deposit for college just
in case. As the summer progressed, we had to make
a decision. It was a dinner with our son that finally
sealed it. We had a heart to heart talk and then he
said the words that set us on this path, “I will regret
it if I don’t give it a shot.” I guess that’s all we had
to hear.
So, we made the trek over the border in early
September and after several weeks, he was
handed the jersey with “Branby” on the back. He
is a part of the Winnipeg Blues organization. He
is experiencing his favorite sport in a nation that
treasures it. Now he begins his journey through
juniors.
I am thankful for many things as we watch him
chase this dream. Billet families are incredible. We
have one of the best. Sweet Alice and her family
welcomed Jack with open arms and a wonderful
kitchen. When we said goodbye to him on her lawn,
I was sad but so happy that he found a place with
a family who will support him and be there for him
Photo by Laurie Anderson
when his parents can only offer advice through a
crackly cell phone call.
It’s fun to hear about his life in Canada. They use
different words. They approach things in their own
way. It’s all a part of the education of playing junior
hockey.
Hockey TV is such a gift. It is so nice to see all of
the team’s games. It’s still hard for us to not be there
in the stands but we watch online even if he is on
the bench.
This junior hockey experience is about growth.
Growing in your game and growing as a person.
This isn’t an easy journey for these guys. It is
humbling, challenging and motivating at the same
time. When he put on those goaltender pads for the
first time as mite, we knew he was hooked.
That love of hockey and of goaltending has
directed him to this path. I am excited and nervous
for him. In the end, I am so glad he is “giving it a
shot.” No regrets. That is the best way to live your
life.
Editor’s note: Vineeta has started a Facebook
group for other families who have boys in junior
hockey. It is called Journey Through Juniors. She
invites others to join the group and support each
other as our boys go through this incredible
experience. 6
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