Hello ValpoLife readers! I hope you are all ready for your holiday break as much as I am. I know many of us thought school would never end. I just wish some snow would fall and the water would freeze for some good old pond hockey. I’m here to share not only a recap of our last few games, but a short story of us helping out the community we call home.
A few weeks back, one of our players, goaltender Cory Heinz, brought forward the idea of doing a gift drive for a local shelter. This past week, some of the boys from the team headed over to deliver the load to Housing Opportunities in Valpo. When the idea was presented to the captains, it was a no-brainer to help out, and the rest of the team was eager to help. It was awesome to see what the guys bought, and each one threw in a bottle of laundry detergent, an item that the shelter is always in need of. The feeling of helping someone out is a great one, that’s for sure.
Since my last writing, We have had another good string of games. We had a rare weekend off, and it was a good time to recover and relax for a while. Following that, we finished out our games for the year with a record of 2-2-2. We participated in the South Bend Crossover Tournament, where teams from around the state come to do battle and prepare for the second half of the season. We also had a hard fought game with Penn, where we ended up tying them, 4-4. It was an exceptional end to the calendar year for hockey.
The only game we have left for this year is the annual Valpo Hockey Club Alumni Game. The current roster is pitted against the players of past years, ranging from last year’s graduated seniors to those of the first team in this edition of Valpo Hockey, from 2002-2003 (props to Tim “Crusher” Crowley for representing the Valpo team of the late 1970s last year). The players-some who have not skated since the last alumni game- recollect on memories of yesteryear, and share the common bond of the hockey brotherhood for a few hours. Having been around the club for most of that time, it’s great to see players of the past and catch up with them. This year, though, the alumni game will be held at the brand new Compton Family Ice Arena, home to the University Of Notre Dame’s ice hockey team.
In closing, I’d like to thank everyone who read the first post for Valpo Hockey. I was overwhelmed and still in shock of the positive reception that it received. Most of us will not go on to play college hockey. We are simply kids who love the game and everything it has to offer. The fact that so many people care about a sport that is sometimes overlooked in the shadows of football, baseball and basketball is absolutely amazing. I can’t thank you enough. I hope you continue to enjoy the writings on the journey of the Valpo Hockey Club for the rest of this season. We’ll be sure to make it worthwhile. May you all have a safe, joyful and blessed holiday season. If there’s any ice over break, stop by a pond, or even Tower Park. You’ll be sure to find us there.
Until next time,
Charlie Crowley