Change of Plans - What I couldn't say yesterday...I mentioned how I would be giving a blow by blow – game by game progression and evaluation of our run during the Provincials in 2008.
Suffice to say, our run to the medals ended early.
I am going to use this platform to try and express to two players what they have meant to me over the past four seasons.
This cannot be approached without also making the point known that the families of these two young women have been equally important to me in that same span.
I don't want to take away from anything this year's team has come to mean to me but, I found it very difficult to keep my post game speech on Saturday on track and on the team entirely.
Every time I looked at Sam and Lindsay, I had to quickly turn away and I felt my resolve slipping away. My voice broke at least four times during what must have been the most puzzling and anti-climatic speech this season.
We were not exactly out of the running but were hanging on by a very slight and thin thread, so I didn't want to say goodbye to the season and the players. What do you say in that instance?
I especially did not want to say goodbye to the two players pictured above.
Words could never had done justice to what these people have meant to me, my family and the teams I have coached over the last four years. I tried to avoid saying goodbye but I am certain that my eyes mirrored our feelings and I found myself just hugging the girls and thanking them so I wouldn't start bawling in public.
These families had been there through the passing of my parents and this season we drew together once again with the passing of Samantha's Grandfather. You don't forget things like that, or dismiss the emotional strength they give you.
You forge a special relationship through tragedy and although there are many that will offer condolences and say they are sorry, you know who the people are that are feeling what you are feeling. Even more importantly, feeling for you and giving you strength through support.
I am not going to go into the specifics of our relationship and how we have managed to stick together for four seasons, or probably more fitting and realistic, how they managed to endure my mood swings and ego-centric behavior. I am passionate about coaching and even more territorial and protective of my team, I suppose that is where the changes in weather come from.
In the beginning however, Samantha didn't want to join the team because of the poor season the year previous - a team without a goalie I might add - I just didn't mention it to her. Lindsay on the other hand intercepted an answering machine message and then I spent a solid hour on the phone with Lorne, her father TRYING not to sound desperate and to convince them to come out for JUST ONE skate. No pressure (yeah right - I had Samantha make sure the team made Boss feel comfortable but NOT threatened).
That was the beginning.
In Samantha and Lindsay, I have had the pleasure of watching these two - girls when we met - grow into confident and each in their own distinct way, exceptional young women.
In certain players, they can stop believing in what you are teaching and even more distressing, stop listening to what you are saying. In Sam and Boss, I had two people I could tell almost anything to, ask almost anything of and it was never too much.
It is going to take me a couple of weeks to get my head around not having them around next season. I have relied on each in different ways but equally for support and feedback. I have no clue at this time what the future holds for the team.
I do know I will never have a relationship, trust gained and respect earned with two young women like I have with them.
I am the biggest fan of these women and I have no doubt they will excel in any area they choose.
Teams and seasons come and go, certain things fade into the background and get coloured differently over the years. This will not happen with Lindz and Sam. Too much has happened, too many trials have been faced together, too many hurdles overcome - too many inside jokes shared.
These girls and their families have been part of my family for the last four years, a huge part of my family and the way I do things. I cannot imagine how I would have survived some of the things that have happened to me without them.
At least I have this forum to say what I think and how I feel and no one can censor or interrupt me.
I dedicate this posting to two fantastic families along with the anticipation of continued contact and to get together - BBQ's and re-telling of many stories and the odd beverage.
To the Mincone's - Giancarlo - Diane and Samantha (Alexander and Li'l GC) – to the Bossin's Lorne, Pam and Lindsay (Brian) – words, even thought out and written cannot express my undying gratitude for being there and putting up with me.
I will carry the memories with me my entire life. I am the lucky one for having met you and truly have been enriched by spending time together.
I can say no more than thanks, I am a far better person for the experience.
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