Letter to the Editor: Parents and hockey!

When I phoned to subscribe, you told me you were from Glidden. I told you my late wife Lynda (Kellington) Hunter was from Glidden.

I was going through some of Lynda’s clippings and found a couple. Being it’s hockey season, looks like you may need a little clipping.

Yours,

Stewart Hunter, Eston

Parents and hockey!

DEAR MOM AND DAD -

I hope you won’t get mad at me from writing this letter, but you always told me never to keep anything back that ought to be brought out into the open.

So, here goes. Remember the other day, when our team was playing and both of you were sitting and watching??? Well, Mom and Dad, I hope you won’t get mad at me, but, you kind of embarrassed me.

Remember when I went after the puck in front of the net trying to score, and fell? Well, Mom, I could hear you yelling at the goalie for getting in my way and tripping me. Shucks, it wasn’t his fault, that’s what he is suppose to do.

Then, do you remember yelling at me to get on the other side of the blue line? Well, I didn’t know where to go then, because the coach had told me to cover my man, and I couldn’t if I listened to you. So, while I tried to decide, the other team scored against us. Then you yelled at me for being in the wrong place.

Then remember when you offered me $1.00 for a goal, and 50¢ for an assist? Well, I thought at first it was swell, but now I have given it some thought, and since that day, I can’t seem to get any goals or assists. I guess it is TOO MUCH PRESSURE, and I hog the puck. The Coach explained that one player does not make a hockey team, it takes team work by everyone. I also found out that an assist is just as important as a goal.

But, what really got me, Mom and Dad, is what happened after the game. You should not have jumped at the Coach for pulling me off the ice. He’s pretty good hockey coach and a real swell guy, and he knows what he is doing. He just wants to help us kids and teach us good sportsmanship.

And then neither of you spoke to me on the way home. I guess you were both pretty sore at me for not scoring a goal. I tried awfully hard, but I guess, I’m just a lousy hockey player. But I love to play hockey. It is a lot of fun being with other kids and learning to compete in a real good sport.

But gosh, Mom and Dad, how can I learn, if you don’t show me a good example - And anyhow, I thought I was playing for fun, to have a good time, and to learn good sportsmanship.

I didn’t know you were going to be upset so much because I couldn’t become a “star”.

With Love,

Your Son