“I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of hockey throughout my life, and I’m grateful for it.  What saddens me are those that will never experience a live game.” 

My best friend, Mini, said this to me the other day.  I was shocked to hear this from her.  She’s a die-hard Notre Dame Football fan, and overall sports enthusiast.  Hell, she even enjoys lame baseball (I really don’t like baseball).  

I was surprised.  Not because I didn’t think she liked hockey, but I didn’t know she liked it that much.  Upon telling her that I found her statement to be “profound” she said,  

“I might not show you how much I enjoy this game, but I really do.  Hockey is a great game.”

On Wednesday night, eight of my co-workers joined me to watch the Ducks beat the Red Wings 3-1.  For many of them it was their first or second hockey game, it was also their first time witnessing ME at a hockey game.  At one point a co-worker said to me, “I think it’s great that you love this game so much.  I can see why now.”  She saw right through me. To put it mildly, hockey is a HUGE part of my life.  It’s listed along side, eating, sleeping, breathing, and working.  Sure, I like to read, watch movies, play board games, spend time with my friends…but undoubtedly, during some point of the conversation, hockey will find a way in. 

“Did you see that goal?”

“Did you hear about the trade?”

“When is the next game?”

“What are you going to do over the summer without hockey?!”

I’m 100% positive that if someone were to describe me, the first thing they’d say is that I’m a hockey fanatic.  No question. In fact, I don’t know what they would say next. 

In addition to my co-workers, the game was John T Meyer’s first ever hockey game since becoming a Ducks fan. As a pre-game ritual, we enjoy watching warm-ups down by the glass.  I looked over at John as the players were taking the ice.  Judging by the smile on his face, he was experiencing the same feeling that every hockey fan gets before they fall in love with the sport.  It’s thrilling, it’s exciting, it’s fast, and it’s incredible. 

The Ducks did not disappoint.  They must have known they had some new fans in the audience looking to discover the magic of hockey. 

It takes time to appreciate all that hockey has to offer.  It takes time to develop “puck eyes”, to know the intricacies of the plays, to understand the penalties, the set ups, the movement.  I still ask questions, I’m still searching for answers.  

But I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t take much to fall in love with the game. 

At one point I told John that I could talk about hockey for hours.  I love telling people about the game, how it moves, flows, ebbs throughout the course of three periods.  I enjoy pointing out the little things, the things that not everyone notices.  More importantly, I love watching someone fall in love with the sport. 

Over the course of the past few months my dad has started attending games with me regularly.  He’s a big sports fan to begin with, but never cared much about hockey.  To say that he’s “into the game” would be an understatement.  He yells about missed calls, he jumps from his seats when the Ducks score, he calls me after shootouts and yells into the phone repeatedly, “WISNIEWSKI! WISNIEWSKI!”

I watched one of my co-workers get excited and frustrated all at the same time.  “I can’t find the puck!  I lost the puck!”  She was intrigued about the rules, the plays, and methodology.  Losing the puck just meant she missed something important to learning more about the game.  I was impressed. 

“…experience a live game.”  Sometimes, it’s as simple as that.

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