General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsVideo of young hockey players -- TOO CUTE FOR WORDS!!!
Last edited Tue Mar 26, 2013, 11:24 AM - Edit history (2)
THIS is the kind of thing I'd post in the new GOOD NEWS group (I'll check with Skinner to see if we're approved or not), but if you need a lift today, watch this. Absolutely friggin adorable. There are many examples of young kids doing things like this. If you need reminders in order to have hope in Humanity, there are plenty of examples out there to outweigh the worst among us.
EDIT #1: See more info about this video below (under the actual video)
EDIT #2: A GOOD NEWS GROUP was approved!!!!! I'll post when I know more. I've never hosted/moderated a group, so if anyone wants to help, please PM me.
Thanks to Tripper11, here's more info:
http://www.shikitchener2013.ca/aboutshi.html
Desire. Desire to play. Desire to succeed. Desire even to make it to the NHL.
That's where Special Hockey comes in. There are no age groups. There are no tryouts. They don't even need to be able to skate. All they need is what they already have desire. They will learn how to skate, how to hold a stick, how to handle a puck, how to make a pass, how to take a shot, how to make a save. Some may learn by the end of their first season, others may take years. What they will all do immediately is participate at every practice and at every game. That's because they don't have to meet anyone else's expectations, only their own. Special Hockey allows the developmentally challenged to achieve their own goals on their own schedule.
They will learn about teamwork. They will gain self-confidence and self esteem. They will learn from their coaches, but more importantly they will learn from their peers. They will see and imitate the better players. A seven-year-old may play on the same line as a seventeen-year-old or even 27-year-old. They will be matched by ability but the coach may also include a better player as a positive role model. And these more experienced players look forward to be being mentors for the rookies. This may mean laying back a bit to let a rookie skate with the puck without being checked. Or it may mean a goalie may "not try too hard" to stop a shot. And they love doing this, because they too were rookies once and they too like seeing the smiles as much as we all do.
The rules of the game are also modified. There is no icing, no offside and definitely no body checking. Male and female, young and old all play together. Coaches are allowed on the ice during games to assist players that need it. If one teams line has a player with very low skills then they will be allowed to add an extra player to compensate. But they all still participate.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)LOL! Love the little victory dance at the end. Cool video and am looking forward to the new group.
BarbaRosa
(2,684 posts)cool vid.
madokie
(51,076 posts)Sundays here are grand daughter day, shes 5 i'm almost 65 and I get wore out pretty easy now a days so sunday I went to lay down and here in a bit comes grand daughter with a glass of water for me, put in on the night stand and said heres some water for you papa. I didn't let her see the tears but they were rolling.
Yes if you observe our children/grandies you can see that there is hope for mankind cause there is so much love and compassion in their hearts.
Thanks for posting this, it made my morning.
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)Now you made ME tear up!!!
for you and your granddaughter, madokie.
now I'm teared up all over again
I love the world I live in enough to try to make it better and though our children do we accomplish that
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)k&r
Tripper11
(4,338 posts)http://www.shikitchener2013.ca/aboutshi.html
Desire. Desire to play. Desire to succeed. Desire even to make it to the NHL.
That's where Special Hockey comes in. There are no age groups. There are no tryouts. They don't even need to be able to skate. All they need is what they already have desire. They will learn how to skate, how to hold a stick, how to handle a puck, how to make a pass, how to take a shot, how to make a save. Some may learn by the end of their first season, others may take years. What they will all do immediately is participate at every practice and at every game. That's because they don't have to meet anyone else's expectations, only their own. Special Hockey allows the developmentally challenged to achieve their own goals on their own schedule.
They will learn about teamwork. They will gain self-confidence and self esteem. They will learn from their coaches, but more importantly they will learn from their peers. They will see and imitate the better players. A seven-year-old may play on the same line as a seventeen-year-old or even 27-year-old. They will be matched by ability but the coach may also include a better player as a positive role model. And these more experienced players look forward to be being mentors for the rookies. This may mean laying back a bit to let a rookie skate with the puck without being checked. Or it may mean a goalie may "not try too hard" to stop a shot. And they love doing this, because they too were rookies once and they too like seeing the smiles as much as we all do.
The rules of the game are also modified. There is no icing, no offside and definitely no body checking. Male and female, young and old all play together. Coaches are allowed on the ice during games to assist players that need it. If one teams line has a player with very low skills then they will be allowed to add an extra player to compensate. But they all still participate.
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)Very, very cool.
hack89
(39,171 posts)the reek of hockey gear and locker rooms has to be smelled to believed. My son plays high school hockey - when the locker room door opens the players are preceded by an unbelievable odor.
xtraxritical
(3,576 posts)It's way too "organized" for kids to have any real fun.
Baitball Blogger
(46,700 posts)Most of us had siblings who would have kicked us across the ice if we made the mistake of falling.
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)malaise
(268,930 posts)Thanks
jaxind
(1,074 posts)The tears are streaming down my face right now! Love this!!!
calikid
(584 posts)Thank you for posting, AND ALL that YOU DO OGR.
proReality
(1,628 posts)nolabear
(41,959 posts)Let us all take a lesson.
WinstonSmith4740
(3,056 posts)I work with special needs kids in high school Physical Education, and these kids are a joy to work with, even with the associated issues. I wish just half of my "fully abled" students had their attitude, although I do have to admit...they treat these kids with respect and protect them like they're their own siblings. And these are some tough kids. It's a very interesting dynamic to watch. Thanks for posting this.
OneGrassRoot
(22,920 posts)Thank YOU for sharing that insight.