Things I learned at the hockey rink

One Saturday, when I was working on our taxes, I tried to figure out what hockey has cost us over the past 12 years that he has played. Bad idea, could have bought a second home, gone on some awesome vacations or just put money aside for college. But then I started thinking of at the education my son got for that $25,000 plus change:

• Life and hockey aren't always fair but you need to make the best of what you get
• It doesn't pay to argue with the ref or your parents. It never changes their mind and the penalty is often increased.
• Going all out in skating and life is great, as long as you know how to stop
• The early bird gets the worm ( or the best seat in the locker room)
• Practice may not make perfect, but you can perfect your slapshot if you practice enough
• Doing your best doesn't always mean you will win, but it makes you feel better just the same
• Don't leave your hockey gear in the car overnight when the temp is below 0
• You can always count on Mom to cheer you on, no matter how bad or good a game you had.

All in all, not a bad education for the money. I got so much more out of it, the chance to watch my son grow and mature not only as a hockey player but as a young man, ready to go out on his own.