This past weekend, my younger son and his hockey team participated in a tournament and I couldn’t be more proud of how they performed. Despite no official score being kept, the young team worked together and won all of their games.

One of the highlights of the tournament was the team lunch, where all of the players sat at the same table and laughed and horsed around. It was so refreshing to see the kids enjoying each other’s company and not being glued to their phones or tablets.

During the games, it was clear that all of the kids valued each other’s contributions, even though there were some obvious skill gaps on our team. One player may have been a strong scorer, while another played excellent defence. But everyone played their part and contributed to the team’s success.

My son, in particular, played an important role on the team as a defenceman. Even though he didn’t score any goals, he understood that his contribution to the team was just as valuable. He worked hard on the ice and played excellent defence, helping to shut down the other team’s scoring opportunities.

Overall, it was a successful and enjoyable weekend for the team. The kids all worked together and had a lot of fun, which is what youth sports should be all about. It was great to see the kids supporting each other and valuing each other’s contributions, rather than just focusing on personal accolades.

I was so proud of my son and the rest of the team for their hard work and teamwork. It’s moments like these that make all the early morning practices and long weekends worth it. It’s amazing to see the kids growing and developing as players and as people, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for them.

As a parent, it’s always a special feeling to watch your child succeed and have fun doing something they love. And seeing my son and his team work together and have a successful tournament was a truly memorable experience. I’m grateful to be a part of their journey and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.