The deadline is almost here and I'm still waiting for a decision from my older, hockey-playing son about whether or not he wants to return to the ice to play juvenile.
The on-again, off-again minor hockey program for 18-year-olds who don't have the time or talent to play Junior Development or Jr. C or B is on the upswing in London after collapsing in a bog of disinterest and dishonour a few years ago.
Back then, kids who wanted to play juvenile were subject to a city-wide draft which put on-ice foes from different neighbourhoods together on the same teams, disrupted friendships and eliminated the joy of representing the association some kids had played for since tyke.
The new system sees teams fielded representing neighbourhood associations and, usually, tries to accommodate friendships, although I hope not at the expense of competitiveness.
Other communities, Collingwood for example, have rebooted their juvenile programs to keep kids in hockey. That and the fact that more registration money is needed to keep programs viable as numbers fall in younger age groups.
In London, playing juvenile means playing by house league, not competitive, rules. Therein lies the rub for my son, along with the fact he'll be starting university classes at Western. His joy, his biggest contribution as a West London Hawks defenceman was a spirited willingness to play the body. That won't be the best skill in house league rules juvenile.
Whatever he decides will be fine, although if he doesn't play I'll miss the minor hockey experience greatly. I'm thinking his ultimate decision rests will whatever his friends and past teammates decide.
The on-again, off-again minor hockey program for 18-year-olds who don't have the time or talent to play Junior Development or Jr. C or B is on the upswing in London after collapsing in a bog of disinterest and dishonour a few years ago.
Back then, kids who wanted to play juvenile were subject to a city-wide draft which put on-ice foes from different neighbourhoods together on the same teams, disrupted friendships and eliminated the joy of representing the association some kids had played for since tyke.
The new system sees teams fielded representing neighbourhood associations and, usually, tries to accommodate friendships, although I hope not at the expense of competitiveness.
Other communities, Collingwood for example, have rebooted their juvenile programs to keep kids in hockey. That and the fact that more registration money is needed to keep programs viable as numbers fall in younger age groups.
In London, playing juvenile means playing by house league, not competitive, rules. Therein lies the rub for my son, along with the fact he'll be starting university classes at Western. His joy, his biggest contribution as a West London Hawks defenceman was a spirited willingness to play the body. That won't be the best skill in house league rules juvenile.
Whatever he decides will be fine, although if he doesn't play I'll miss the minor hockey experience greatly. I'm thinking his ultimate decision rests will whatever his friends and past teammates decide.
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