5 Accidental Lessons

When I started playing hockey we always had early practices. My parents would always get me to the rink on time, but when I started driving that wasnt the case. I didnt really pay attention to what time to leave and when to be there etc, usually the people I carpool with would figure that out for me. We had a game up in St. Cloud and my Dad told me I would be driving there alone. I figured I'd be fine leaving about a half hour early to get there. That was not correct. It takes approximently and hour and 15 minutes to get to St. Cloud. I ended up hitting traffic and missing the whole game. Feeling so stupid, I now always leave on time and calculate the time I will need and add in the fact of traffic. During the season we do a clinic with the younger youth girls hockey teams and skate around with them. I met a girl their who also has type 1 diabetes. She told me since I have diabetes she always looks up to me when watching the Varsity play. It reminds me to always be on my best behavior during games because you never know who is watching. The State tournament is always something every kid dreams about participating in. As a sophomore playing in the State tournament, it was almost overwhelming. The first night I was really nervous for our game the next day I could hardly sleep. I was really tired for the game and played horrible the first game against Cloquet. Later that night we all went "adventuring" around the hotel. We, of course, caused as much trouble we could without getting kicked out and I had a great time. I learned to have fun no matter what situation you're in because it most likely will ease the tension. The next year we made it back to the State tournament and made it all the way to the Championship game verse or rivals Roseville. We ended up losing 0-4 and that game haunts all of us. I always think of how I could have done things better and how I wished I had. I was taught that no matter how tired you are, always give it 110% because you will regret it later. Lastly, after the season was over we had the banquet the next day after the State tournament. The only place I saw the team was at school. I felt almost depressed we werent together all the time and for next season I will savor every moment because the year goes by so quick and its worth every second.