Behind the Glass: Laker Hockey

My position at the glass hasn’t changed much in four years. I’ve moved forward and closer but I’ve never once backed away. I’ve seen them all come and go; the players, the fans, the hopes, and the dreams.

 Every single second is an experience that can never be taken back. The memories I have standing behind the glass are some of the best ones I have made here at Lake State. All of the laughter and the excitement has seeped into my life and made it better. Many of my fellow students standing there supporting this team have become pillars in my life. People I feel like are there to cheer me on in my game of life. My Lake State family.

The players have become inspiration. The few chosen ones that I’ve been lucky enough to know beyond the number are the type of people that make your life richer. Richer because you’ve been able to meet people like them and their beautiful families. The boys that are a gift to the sport of hockey not just because of their talent but because of their dedication. Some of them destined to become household names, others just blessed with the Lake State Legacy they leave behind. But, each of them so talented, strong, and easy to believe in.

Every year I’ve had to say a goodbye. You get four years at best with most people, others even less, depending on your connection in the timeline of college. There’s the kid in the stands you can’t imagine being there without. There’s the player on the ice that you’ve watched every game and you can’t imagine the team without. There’s always that senior night that you cry over the lost opportunity of creating more memories. The night that’s full of bitter sweet tears overflowing with memories of victory, defeat, and every second in between. We all ride along for one last skate around the rink, one last step down from the stands, and one last song to say it all.

However, for some of us, it’s never over. We wait not so patiently for the start of the new season. We check rosters and learn new names. Sometimes we take a minute to miss the names missing, the ones moved on, but then we move on. We go to the games and we cheer for these new freshmen and are thrilled when they prove their skill and their worth of that oh so strong anchor. We create new memories like, “Do you remember the night Jean got that hat trick?!” and  “How packed was that place when we played MSU?!”

Every beginning to a new season is a chance. A chance for this team that we all love so much to go out on the ice and play the game we know they are capable of playing. It doesn’t matter the history of the team or the player, it’s a fresh start. We can revel in that moment that a player steps up and plays like pro. We can rejoice in the victory and create a new moment for Laker Hockey. I can turn around and see new faces behind the glass and just hope they stick around. We can glance at the score board and hold our breath together until the bell is rung.

My position at the glass hasn’t change in four years. However, this year, this new start feels different. The victories have been stronger, sweeter, and more frequent than I’ve ever seen. The players seem focused and the fans seemed inspired. However, I am so disappointed that things hadn’t gone this way last year. I loved that group of 7 players and would have loved to see them be a part of a season like this. But, as I said, they move on and so does the program. I’m not sure how this season will end but, I’m excited about every second. Hockey is truly a game of up and down, nothing is ever certain until the very end. But, I’ve stood there behind the glass and seen what this team can do. I’ve heard how loud the fans can be. I truly believe that this season will be one to remember…but then again, in my world they’ve all been season’s to remember.

Laker Love.