A MIRACLE. ON ICE

Yes, I decided a few days ago to start playing hockey again. On ice. Wearing skates. Against other people. I haven't actually done it yet, but I want to. Also, I haven't played in a little while - since the late 90's to be exact, so I'm more than a bit nervous. And out of shape. Way back then I still knew how to skate, was quite a bit lighter and more agile, had never smoked a cigarette, or done a jager bomb, Phil (I mean Philip, as he was known then) Wilson was the goalie on my team and Matt Staples was slow and pudgy but also a great teammate (now he's in great shape, loves life and has an awesome beard). Now, some decade plus later, I find myself equally anxious and apprehensive about my sudden return to the rink. And in possession of a shiny new pair of $180 Bauer Select II Vapor hockey skates that I bought from a small and friendly sports store down the street from my apartment. But why, may you ask, did I need to purchase new skates when I used to play and my old equipment should have been more than appropriate and comfortable for a one day per week, non-competitive, no committal nor contact beer league? Well, then I will tell you. I suppose that during or in between, after or before my various movings and upheavals over the years (to and from Kingsville and Windsor's many different neighbourhoods then back down to the county and still back up again to the city) - I must have misplaced my hockey bag. The same bag that housed, not only my stinky pants, stinkier cup, ripped socks, moldy helmet and torn & crusty gloves - but my magnificent & awesome Bauer Supreme 3000 skates. I loved those skates, but now they're gone (because of my own immature ignorance) and I have to deal with it - because now I'm slightly more mature and a little less ignorant. However, thanks to my Dad (who, with no other reasons than to get me playing and having fun graciously and happily outfitted me with his old equipment) - I didn't have to buy a whole new set of stuff and could therefore afford (barely) to purchase the aforementioned Vapors. He would have easily given me his skates as well and one of his five composite sticks - but his feet are a little wider and his hand a little lefter. So, inside Nantais Source for Sports I tried on the blades and they fit great. The fiftiesh and unassuming salesman (possibly Nantais himself?) was very helpful without being pushy or annoying. I don't know if it was his pleasant demeanor, soft voice, or what, but he seemed so sincere and not at all worried about making the sale, that it seemed like he had to be giving me a great deal. Whatever it was I bought 'em. For forty bucks cheaper than the listed price and with a shammy and some guards thrown in. I tried to trade the shammy and skate guards for a cheap wooden stick and he would have done it - had he had any cheap wooden right handed sticks. Damn handedness got me again! Hopefully this first triumphant step of my comeback campaign translates into success on the ice and not just on the showroom floor. Actually, I hope I can remember how to stop on skates, take a wrist shot and any shift anything longer than 15 seconds will be considered a miracle. On ice.