HASBROUKE HEIGHTS, NJ – This is an essay on my life in hockey. It is not political and is not a smash piece on what is taking place at this time with the NHL. It more about what the game has done for me on numerous levels in my life.
When I first saw the game of hockey I was three years old. I was at a rink near my home after a skating lesson. My mom signed me up to skate to use up my energy. I loved it. It was so much fun to fly around the rink on my skates.
When I started to play hockey it was such a fun time. My first coach was Camille Henry who played for the New York Rangers. I had no idea of who he was but my dad did and so did the other fathers at the rink.
When Camille retired from coaching he moved on to radio broadcasting back in his hometown of Montreal. Two people entered my life and really changed my passion for the game. Barbara and Frank Horan became my coaches. Barb was amazing speed skater and Frank pitched in the minor leagues in baseball for the Braves but had a deep passion for hockey in the off-season. They both taught me what it means to play with passion and work really hard to get better.
In the summers, I went to Providence College to hockey camp with Lou Lamoriello who is now the President and General Manager of the New Jersey Devils. I learned a great deal from the camp and the coaches. Hard work and focus was taught to us. We also, learned life skills, which I still use today.
It is a lifestyle for me. The game of hockey has brought me so many different things and so many great people into my life. I have and always will have a deep passion for the game. It also has been a savior for me in my life as well. School was tough for my because of my Dyslexia and when things got tough in the classroom, hockey was my release. Very few will ever know what it did for me at times in my life.
Today I still enjoy the fact that I work in the game in television production. I work with great people when I work on the production of games. Everyone pulls together to bring the games into the homes of hockey fans.
I hope someone from the NHL and the NHLPA realize that for me and others it is more than a game and more than the dollars it generates, it is a lifestyle. It something that most will never understand but those who do it is a big part of our lives.
I and others hope the NHL realizes right now numerous people are starting to get hurt and need the game to comeback now. Get your act together NHL and find common ground. The game of hockey is going to die and right now you’re killing it.
Comment@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on Twitter @prohockeynews
Chris Riley is the creator of the Asphalt Avengers cartoon series. He is an adjunct faculty at New Jersey Institute of Technology and has produced hockey for several national sports broadcasting outlets.
You must be logged in to post a comment.