As someone who has never played hockey, I have an intense affinity for the sport.
Last week, I attended the Detroit Red Wings’ home opener. The drive from Big Rapids to Detroit was close to three hours, one way.
It was during the long, quiet drive back from Detroit that I thought about what I had witnessed (outside of the 6-3 Red Wings loss to my Pittsburgh Penguins). It’s within those thoughts that I realized what the sport means to me and what it’s given me.
When I was in high school, I randomly picked up sports. I can’t remember why, but I did. Before then, I was rather apathetic to anything outside of Michigan football. Even with that, I wasn’t incredibly into it.
One of the first real memories I have of watching hockey is the 2019 NHL playoffs. Although I’m not a fan of the St. Louis Blues, watching a team win their first championship was awesome. From there, my love for the sport grew. Attending games in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Arizona and Las Vegas have been stamped in my book of personal hockey achievements.
When I started at the Torch, all I wanted to do was cover hockey. Lucky for me, I was able to consistently cover Bulldog hockey for two years. Even when I stepped away, I had the opportunity to intern with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.
Hockey has been the most consistent thing in my life for the past four years. Things change and people come and go. But hockey was always there. It was my thing. Even at what I consider my emotional worst, watching the Vegas Golden Knights, the team I consider to be my secondary team to the Penguins, win the Stanley Cup gave me something to feel good about amidst a time of uncertainty.
With Bulldog Hockey back, I was able to return to the press box for the first time in a few months. Filled with anxiety from a back-and-forth game, I remarked to our sports editor how much I hated this feeling, but also missed it.
This mass reflection reminded me of how crucial the sport of hockey has been for me. I’m proud of the work I’ve done and have always been chomping at the bit to do more. I’m incredibly grateful for what I have and what I will have.
This domino effect of simply getting into sports to falling in love with the sport of hockey is astonishing. That one decision or fate of liking sports has led me to an incredible outcome. Without that decision I don’t think I would’ve made the friends I’ve made, met the people I’ve met or perhaps I wouldn’t even be writing this now.
I believe everyone needs to find their version of my hockey. I’d suggest trying to get into the sport, but not everyone’s bread and butter is people with sticks chasing galvanized rubber around on ice skates. But, everyone needs that thing they can hold on to through good times and bad times.
I’ll recommend finding something less bipolar than sports. The devastation of a loss only is healed by the triumph of victory. Find the thing that will make you tick.
I’m stupidly fortunate to have lucked into the passion of hockey alongside the potential future career in the sports world. I’m aware not everything is realistically translatable to a career. However, if you’re as lucky as I am to have your passion as your career, I seriously believe in the old adage “Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
I seriously hope that everyone finds their hockey. I think life is much easier when you have something like it to hold on to.