Category Archives: Sports

The Dork

(Hockey Player Magazine, December 2016) Every team has one.  Whether its baseball, basketball or badminton, there’s always that one guy who doesn’t quite enmesh locker room society.  Maybe it’s his or her lousy jokes, bad breath, or that they wear … Continue reading

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Playoffs Are All That Matter

Hockey Player Magazine, May 2016 It’s only an eight game schedule but my body thinks otherwise—the season feels like 80 games.  My legs burn with each stride while my lungs gasp for more air than a carburetor.  But we’re in … Continue reading

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Hockey Mom Earns Frequent Flyer Miles

Hockey Player Magazine, Feb 2016 (Note: Names below were changed.) We boarded the jet two hours late, me and 350 others.  No explanation was given other than lousy weather in Europe.  My original seat selection was along the back row … Continue reading

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December is the Season for Puck Drops

(Hockey Player Magazine, December 2015) December is the season for leaf fall, snow fall, and puck drops. My hockey buddies grin when frosty windshields mask the morning commute, especially the guys from Minnesota or Canada where vegetables come in casseroles … Continue reading

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Hockey Tape and Old Trophies Bring Out Sentiments

(This article originally appeared in Hockey Player Magazine, May 2015) The line between frugality and nostalgia is not much wider than a skate blade. Consider hockey tape, the adhesive that binds equipment, body parts, and adult recreation teams.  Players hoarding rolls … Continue reading

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Track Meet Timer Duty was a Challenging Time

We stood on the bleachers, eight of us squinting.  I was one of the eight, a volunteer  ”timer” for Maggie’s track meet.  I was more stressed out than the athletes. The officials assigned us stopwatches.  I got timer #7 thinking … Continue reading

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Hockey Dad’s Love-Handle Saves the Game

(Hockey Player Magazine, January 2015) We lumbered inside the locker-room and grimaced as hockey bags slid down our shoulders.  I hadn’t seen my Blazer teammates for over a month.  Inside the guys slouched like dough-boys, suffering from extended tryptophan hangovers.  … Continue reading

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Hockey Mom Gives Best Excuse to Miss Games

(Hockey Player Magazine, October 2014) The five of us frowned as we tied our skates. We were down two players and knew the next 45 minutes would test our lungs and legs. “Where’s Blaze?” Swifty asked. “At a Raider game,” … Continue reading

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Hockey Bag Violates Air Space

(Hockey Player Magazine, May 2014) Humans are among the smelliest creatures in the animal kingdom.  We share the “Smelly Top Five” list with the wolverine, Tasmanian devil, polecat, and skunk.  Hockey players are a unique subgroup.  Though we are extremely … Continue reading

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Even Hockey Coaches Have Hearts

Published in the Chico Enterprise-Record, Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph & Hockey Player Magazine (2012) “I thought this may interest you,” the email said.  In the subject heading was a name, Wayne Marshall, my high school hockey coach.  I expected the … Continue reading

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