Many of the early posts on this blog detailed the Prince's journey in hockey. The foundation he had that was built on years of training translated into becoming a 3 sport, Varsity athlete outside of the arena, before rejoining the hockey world in college. Several back surgeries and a family later, his hockey journey ended.
But the King's is just beginning! He had always wanted to try hockey - but his commitment to soccer didn't allow him (or us) to commit to another sport that was so intensive in terms of time. Last year, he stepped up his ice skating prowess and connected with many of his High School hockey players. Over the summer - during restricted everything - several of the hockey players worked with him - suiting him up on roller blades as a goalie. See, their goalie graduated last year - and there was no incoming replacement. Except the King - who wanted to do it in a big.way. So while in the throes of soccer (both Varsity at School and then ECNL Club) he trained. And trained. And trained harder. And in early November, he was named the Varsity Goalie for his High School Team. Then Covid numbers rose - and sports were paused until mid-January. (So he skated and skated and skated some more!)
Fast forward to the start of the season this past weekend. Covid had stalled the season - with the first games scheduled for the 16th, 17th and 18th of January.
He took the ice for his first game on Friday. Super nervous. Gave up 2 goals within the first five minutes. But also made some stellar saves - from breakaways, from scrums around the net, etc. With fans in the stands (His grandfather and grandmother, his great aunt and uncle, his aunt and uncle who also have a player on the team, and family friends) he crushed his very first outing and his team won 16-7.
The bonus was - his team was on the local sports network for the game.....so I was able to snipe a little footage! For your viewing pleasure...a fun little save made by the King!
Saturday morning dawned early for the King and his teammates. An 8:00 am game (unusual, but it was a Covid reschedule so you take what you get!). Their opponents? Mr. Oz's old High School. A program that the King's team had beaten over the past few years - but a team that had become significantly stronger and definitely a force to be reckoned with this year given the new Goalie in our net and our smaller team - size wise. (I don't think we have 1 player who is at the 6 ft. mark - okay, maybe one winger...but he just learned how to skate...and has little background in the sport)
To say Mr. Oz and I were nervous is an understatement. Three minutes into the game, the King had already faced 6 quality shots. Three minutes into the game, the King had made 6 quality saves. We looked at each other in shock. There was an honest to goodness netminder in the net.
At the end of the first period, he had given up 2 goals off blistering shots. Into the second, another 3. At the same time, our offense poured it on and played catch-up. The second period ended at 5-4 with us down by one.
The third period dawned...and the King was locked in. Shot after shot came at him. Shot after shot was turned away. Then his team popped in the tying goal. I couldn't wait for the time to expire! And then it did. And I learned there would be an 8 minute sudden death overtime.
With 1:00 left on the clock - the opposing team finally got one past him. He faced 44 shots - the only one he wants back is the last one. But he was amazing. Seriously.
Sunday he was back on the ice. 45 minutes later - the King recorded his first shut out. Yes. His. First. Shut. Out. His team - like many - has a tradition of awarding an MVP Belt to the player of the game for wins. It is given by the last player to win the belt - which had been a Senior (the first ever belt recipient) for an amazing hat trick and wicked defense on Friday. The player (with the cheering push from his teammates) awarded....the King,,,,,the belt for the Sunday game. He was blown away by the acknowledgement - and was tickled pink orange and brown.
All in all a great first weekend of hockey. (I just have to say...the team is amazing from a team perspective. I am blown away by their camaraderie and their willingness to come together and get it done)
But lest you think he is suddenly going to change his sport of choice....not true. In fact, next up is a soccer showcase in the sunshine state - where he hopes to impress a coach or two with some stellar Football moves on the Pitch. Go get 'em Wookie King. You will never cease to amaze - no matter what goal you keep or net you mind.
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