Hockey is (his) Life

I wanted to share our journey involving Hayden playing hockey this year in Marquette. Shortly after last season in Munising he made the decision that he wanted to play at a higher level and try and make a travel team in Marquette. He spent the summer working out and skating at various hockey camps. He also skated with the Marquette Redman hockey team. He was clearly among some of the elite players in the area and even though he was one of just two fourteen year olds, he didn't show any fear and as the weeks went by, proved that he did belong.

Tryouts for the Bantam AA (13 & 14 year olds) were slated for the beginning of August. After trying really hard, he was overlooked. Next up were tryouts for the Bantam A Developmental Team. He made the team, but the formation had to be approved by the MJHC Board, so he also tried out for the Marquette Sentinels U16 A Team just in case. After much consideration, the hockey board decided to have true A team, which didn't include second year Bantams. Hayden found himself without a team, again. He started practice with the U16 Team and spent the past two months proving that he belonged among players who were 15 and 16 years old. We had games in DePere, Houghton and Green Bay. And although he is still learning "their" system of play, his outright speed and determination payed off. This past week, after the Marquette Senior High School team was announced, tryouts for U16 opened again. Finally, after months of not really knowing where he would play, Hayden is part of the U16 Team (which will become a U18 team because of the age of the goalie). What a long journey of uncertainly for Hayden, but so worth all his efforts.

We are proud and happy, even if it means getting a second job to pay for the cost, lol.

You can look forward to many more hockey layouts and recaps of the games as the season begins at full stride.