As parents, grandparents, coaches, family members, how do we encourage our young hockey players?

Hockey can teach kids a lot more than how to skate, shoot and pass. It can help them grow in their faith, build character and learn how to be part of a team. Here are ten simple ways we can encourage them along the way.

1. Notice their effort

Goals and wins are great, but they aren't everything. Colossians 3:23 reminds us to give our best in whatever we do. Let young players know you noticed when they worked hard, kept trying or improved something they've been practising.

2. Use words that build them up

First Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage one another. A simple "Great effort," "I'm proud of you" or "Keep going" can mean more to a young player than we sometimes realize.

3. Don't make a big deal out of mistakes

Every player misses passes, loses the puck and has tough games. Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that when we fall, we can get back up. Help kids learn from mistakes, shake them off and try again.

4. Encourage them to be good teammates

Philippians 2:3 teaches us to think about others, not only ourselves. In hockey, that might mean passing the puck, encouraging someone on the bench or supporting a teammate after a rough shift.

5. Show them what respect looks like

Kids pay attention to how adults behave at the rink. Ephesians 4:32 calls us to be kind and compassionate. We can model that by treating coaches, officials, opponents and other parents with respect-even when we disagree with a call.

6. Celebrate other players too

Romans 12:15 tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice. Encourage kids to be happy when a teammate scores, makes a great save or earns an opportunity. Someone else's success doesn't take away from their own.

7. Remind them that hockey doesn't define them

A player's value isn't based on goals, ice time or whether the team wins. Psalm 139:14 reminds us that every person is wonderfully made and deeply loved by God.

8. Encourage courage, not perfection

Some young players become so afraid of making a mistake that they stop taking chances. Joshua 1:9 reminds us to be strong and courageous because God is with us. Encourage them to play confidently and not worry about being perfect.

9. Keep it fun

Hockey should be something young players look forward to. There will be hard practices and disappointing games, but Philippians 4:4 reminds us to choose joy. Help them remember why they started playing in the first place.

10. Pray with them and for them

Pray for their safety, friendships and growth. Ask God to help them play with courage, humility and gratitude and to use hockey to shape who they're becoming.

Years from now, young players probably won't remember every score or statistic. They will remember the lessons learned, people who supported them, believed in them and reminded them that their value goes far beyond the game.

By Kyle Marino:

I remember attending a Hockey Ministries International camp as a 17-year-old instructor. I was encouraged by my parents to go and volunteer. The people I met there showed me what it means to be a believer in Christ. Their example inspired me to strive to become the kind of person God wanted me to be. That week, I fully accepted Jesus into my heart, inviting Him to take control of my life and its direction. Looking back, my faith has pushed me to become a better person-guiding my decisions and convicting me to be firmly rooted in Christ and to strive to be the best I can be for the glory of God.

As a professional hockey player, it's easy to get caught in the chase for success. But as I've grown older, I've learned to treat each day as a blessing and not to take anything for granted. In this business, nothing is guaranteed. I might be chasing a new contract, stressing over playing time, or worrying about my stats. I've learned to set those concerns aside as best I can, leaning on my faith in Christ and, above all else, trusting in the plan God has for me.

Isaiah 43:2 [ESV] says:"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

During my freshman year of college hockey in Alaska, I was suspended and couldn't travel with my team. I spent a lot of that time alone, uncertain about my future in the sport and in life. I questioned God and grew frustrated, unable to see the path ahead. But now, I can look back and see the plans He had for me. It was during that time that I met Jennifer, who would later become my wife. She supported and encouraged me, helping me deepen my relationship with Jesus and find peace in Him.

Like many Canadian boys watching Hockey Night in Canada, I was mesmerized by this exciting game, beloved in our country. I dreamed of being an NHL player. I started playing at age seven with a once-a-week clinic, doing drills and skating.

Then I joined house league and began the climb through minor hockey in Toronto. As a 17-year-old, I was deemed too small and not good enough and was bypassed by the Ontario Hockey League in the junior draft. Fortunately, I was invited to camp with the Niagara Falls Flyers as an extra, sure to be cut. However, that summer I followed the off-season training program to a "T" and, to the surprise of many, made the team. The famous junior coach, Bert Templeton, had recognized my work ethic and commitment.

My dream became more of a reality when I was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1980. I eventually made the NHL and went on to play over 1,000 games in 16 seasons. I was thrilled to eventually wear the Toronto Maple Leafs blue and white - the team I idolized as a kid while attending games at Maple Leaf Gardens with my dad.

While I had to work hard physically and mentally to make it and earn my place in the game, my inner spiritual development was different. As a teenager, I realized that having a relationship with God was not something to be earned but a gift to be received. When I was 14, I received the free gift of salvation by inviting Jesus to come into my heart and forgive my sins.

A Bible passage that has helped me along the way says:"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

While I played, I was encouraged and strengthened in my relationship with the Lord by Hockey Ministries International staff and chapel leaders.

The New Year is more than a fresh calendar, it's another reminder of the deeper truth of our faith, in Christ, we are made new! 

As the New Year begins, we're invited to step forward with renewed hearts, renewed purpose, and renewed trust in God. On the ice and in everyday life, these five Bible verses point us toward the new life we have in Him:

1. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

The New Year reflects what God has already done through Christ. Our past mistakes, disappointments, or failures do not define us. In Jesus, the old is gone and the new has come. 

2. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." - Isaiah 43:18

Every season includes both victories and challenges. God calls us not to live looking backward, but to trust Him with what lies ahead. The New Year is an invitation to release what was and embrace what God is doing now.

3. "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."- Lamentations 3:22-23

Each day is a fresh gift of grace. Just as every practice and game offers another chance to grow, God meets us daily with mercy that never runs out. His faithfulness carries us through every high and low.

4. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10

New life in Christ begins on the inside. As this year starts, we ask God to renew our hearts, attitudes, and desires. When He shapes us from within, our actions begin to reflect His love and character.

5. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." - Proverbs 16:3

As we enter a new year, we place our goals, seasons, and plans into God's hands. When we commit everything to Him, He gives direction and purpose.

Every hockey player knows the value of training. Hours of practice, discipline, and repetition build strength and skill that shows up on the ice. But the Bible reminds us that training isn't just about physical conditioning, it's about shaping our character, strengthening our faith, and pressing on toward God's calling.

Here are five powerful verses that connect the discipline needed for sports with the training for a Christian life:

1. 1 Timothy 4:7-8  

"Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Just as athletes train their bodies for strength and endurance, we're called to train our hearts and minds for godliness. Physical conditioning is good, but spiritual discipline has eternal impact.

2. 1 Corinthians 9:25 

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 

Training in sports requires discipline, sacrifice, and focus. Paul reminds us that the ultimate reward isn't a trophy or medal, but the eternal crown that comes from following Christ.

3. Philippians 4:9 

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Success doesn't just come from hearing instructions...it comes from practicing them. In faith, as in hockey, consistency and application bring growth and peace.

4. Hebrews 12:11 

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Training and discipline aren't always easy...whether it's in practice, workouts, or in resisting temptation. But over time, discipline produces strength, peace, and lasting character.

5. Philippians 3:13-14 

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Training means keeping your eyes forward, not backward. Like an athlete pushing through fatigue to reach the finish line, Paul urges us to press on toward the eternal prize in Christ!

Every hockey team has leaders... Some wear the "C" or "A", some lead by example. But real leadership isn't about what letter you have on your jersey, it's about how you live, how you serve, and how you treat others.

As followers of Jesus, we're called to lead differently. Here are six Bible Verses to help guide you for leading others in the game and in life!

1. Lead by Serving

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:26-28

Jesus taught that leadership starts with putting others first. In hockey, that might look like helping a teammate, standing up for a teammate, staying humble when things go well, or doing the little things like blocking shots.

2. Set the Example

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12

How do you react to tough calls by the ref or when things don't go your way? Do you use language you shouldn't or do you respect the refs, your teammates, coaches and opponents. Let your actions reflect your faith.

3. Have Courage

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

Sometimes leadership means standing firm when it's not easy. Whether that's calling out negativity or living differently than the crowd, courage means trusting God and doing what's right, even when it's hard.

4. Build Others Up

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

A good leader makes others better. Be the voice that brings calm, encouragement, and perspective, especially when the team is frustrated. A kind word or quiet prayer can make a huge difference.

5. Stay Humble

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Philippians 2:3-4

Christ-like leadership isn't about chasing the spotlight, it's about lifting others up and pointing everything back to God.

6. Let Your Light Shine!

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

You don't always have to preach to share your faith. People notice how you treat others, how you handle pressure, and how you lead with grace. Let your life speak. Be the light, even on the ice.

Hockey is a fast, physical, and demanding sport. Whether you're grinding through early morning practices, chasing a championship, or just trying to make the team, it's easy to get caught up in the pressure and competition. But as followers of Christ, we know there's more to the game than just wins and losses. God can use hockey to shape our character, build our faith, and give us opportunities to shine His light.

Here are 7 Bible verses every hockey player should keep in mind, both on and off the ice!

1. Colossians 3:23

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."

This is a great reminder that our effort isn't just for coaches, scouts, or fans. It's for God. Whether you're in a big game or doing drills at practice, you can give your best for God, in a way giving our best is a way to show our gratefulness for the incredible opportunity to play a game that we love!

2. Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

The road in hockey isn't always easy. Injuries, losses or bad stretches of play can shake our confidence. This verse encourages you to lean on God, even when things don't make sense.

3. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training."

Paul uses sports to make a deeper point. Discipline matters, just like you train your body for hockey, you're also called to train your heart and mind to live for Christ.

4. Philippians 4:13

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

When you're tired, nervous, or under pressure, this verse reminds you where your real strength comes from. It's not just about pushing through, it's about trusting that God is with you in every moment.

5. James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Hockey isn't always fun. There are tough games, bad calls, and tough seasons. This verse encourages us to see those moments as opportunities to grow in faith and endurance whether it's stuggles at or away from the rink..

6. Romans 12:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

In the hockey world, it can be tempting to follow the crowd. But God calls us to live differently. To be humble. To have integrity. To let our faith guide how we act in the locker room, on the bench, and during the game.

7. Micah 6:8

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

This verse is a simple and powerful guide for life. As a teammate, as a competitor, and as a person, God calls us to be fair, kind, and humble. These qualities matter just as much as your stats.

Everyone knows hockey playoff action is some of the best stuff to watch in all the world (no, we are not biased). It's fast. It's exciting. In many ways, it's what hockey should be played like all the time. There is no problem enjoying this time of year for the hockey fan.

HOWEVER

As christians who are called to be "set apart" from the world (1 Peter 2:9), we would do well to remember hockey's place in our life. Below are five verses to keep in mind as the playoffs get started.

Exodus 20:3
"You must not have any other god but me."

This one is somewhat self explanatory....I hope. There is room for only one God in the seat of your heart. Playoff hockey is often times a good test to where you put your priority, your trust, and your worship. Be careful to not let the wrong god take over your devotion.

Colossians 3:8
"But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language."

Nobody likes losing. The players surely don't like it, nor do the fans. When we see our team who we thought might make a run get bounced early in the playoffs, it causes a little anger to burn. We get mad at the coach, at a certain player, at our friends who root for a rival. Our anger causes us to do crazy things. The question we must ask ourselves, "Am I getting so angry over a playoff loss that it's impacting how I interact with those around me?" Let's put away all anger, rage, malice, and dirty language over the next few months...and beyond. :-)

Ephesians 5:15-16
"So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."

There are only 24 hours in each day, and 168 in each week. While it's nice to be able to watch the games when we can, it's dangerous when it consumes our time. There are so many good things we can be doing with our time. Don't cash it all in at the altar of CBC or ESPNbecause you "have" to watch a certain game. Ask yourself if you are consistently putting off or rearranging important things in your life to make time for watching games. Then, ask yourself if you're making the most of every opportunity you have as a result of this.

Psalm 147:10-11
"He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse
     or in human might.
No, the Lord's delight is in those who fear him,
     those who put their hope in his unfailing love."

Fill in the blank: "I want to be like ___________." When watching playoff hockey we can so easily be found awestruck at some of the athletes who give their all night in and night out. It's ok to be a fan. To have a favorite player. To watch the game and think.... "I wish I was that guy." But, let's not forget that we are not defined by how many goals we score, how strong we are, how far we make it in hockey. Our true identity is found in and through God Almighty, and He is not always looking for the same characteristics we think He is. Remember that you are valuable, no matter if you raise the cup or not.

1 Peter 1:24-25a
As the Scriptures say,
"People are like grass;
    their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
     But the word of the Lord remains forever."

Finally, let's remind ourselves that at the end of the day, only one thing remains forever. It can be tempting to fall into the trap that your team winning the cup is the end all be all of life. Yet, 100 years from now, we all know deep down what will really matter. The glories of today pale in comparison to the glories that await us in Christ. Keep in mind that the Stanley Cup playoffs this year will eventually be forgotten. Keep in mind that the things that are seen will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Cor. 4:18)

By Karl Friesen

In the fall of 1999, Don Liesemer Sr and Laurie Boschman came to Winnipeg and tasked me with the job of leading a committee of volunteers to bring Hockey Ministries International’s (HMI) Christian hockey camp back to Winnipeg. They gave me a list of potential committee members, and one of the names on that list was Henry Dueck. Even though Henry was my cousin a couple of years older than me, I really didn’t know him well. But that was about to change.

We really got going as a committee in January of 2000, and were planning a camp to be run the second week of August. Henry was part of the promotion team that year, along with helping out wherever he could. In 2001, he agreed to take on the role of team leader, and we knew right away that we had a special person that God would use mightily in the world of hockey. The way he nurtured, mentored, discipled and loved those boys year after year was like looking at the way Jesus would have done it. Henry was a team leader for many years, then moved into the role of head team leader in order to also disciple the young team leaders coming in to help at camp. In the last few years Henry became our on-ice coordinator, being responsible for organizing our on-ice help and helping on ice himself. It gave him great joy to be on the ice with the campers, having fun with them and teaching them new skills. 

In addition to hockey camp, he was also the HMI chaplain for the Winnipeg Blues of the MJHL for the last 13 years. He also served as the chaplain for the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL the brief time they were in Winnipeg, and also for the Manitoba Moose of the AHL when needed. His impact in the lives of these young hockey players over the years has been immense. He would meet with them collectively, one on one, on the bus during road trips, and at home when players would come over to his place for supper just to hang out with him. Many players continued to stay in touch with Henry after they aged out of junior hockey.

In late 2023, Henry discovered a lump in his neck, and in March of 2024 was told the news that he had a very aggressive type of cancer. God ushered him into glory on October 5, 2024. Many of us had the privilege of reading some of the messages Henry received from the players he impacted either at camp or as a chaplain. The outpouring of love, admiration, respect, and encouragement was unbelievable. Players would write that it was because of Henry that they became Christians. They told him how Henry brought them back to faith in God. Some said that they were not living the way they should be at the moment, but remembered what Henry had taught them and how they want to get back on the right path again. He received messages from parents of players who were so thankful to Henry for helping their son back on the path of following Jesus. Countless messages from players who were impacted by Henry’s life came into his phone every day. One player made a point of calling Henry to say that they were expecting a baby boy and that they were going to name him after Henry. I really came to understand the wideness of Henry’s influence when I saw the athletic therapist of the Winnipeg Blues spend her entire week of holidays being by Henry’s bedside every day while he was in emergency. This is the kind of love people had for this man of God.

Henry had a great deal of support these last months. His hospital room was filled with pictures people brought and pictures the grandkids drew. Obviously, the biggest support came from his wife Sandy, and his children and grandchildren. They were ever present, and they never stopped telling the doctors, nurses, aids, and hospital support staff about Jesus. When he was admitted to the palliative care facility where he would spend the last 2 weeks here on earth, I heard Sandy say to Henry, “I guess there are people here that need to hear about Jesus”. They lived the Great Commission!

The mission of HMI was formulated best by former NHLer Chico Resch, "Today a church is not only a dwelling or building, but also something much more fluid. Sometimes the church is a rink, locker room, hotel lobby or an encounter that takes place on the ice." Whether in a rink, a dressing room, or on the bus, Henry was a true ambassador for Christ in the world of hockey. He was a passionate follower of Jesus. He was passionate about telling others about Jesus. He was a passionate husband, father and grandfather. He was a great friend. He was my friend. He will be greatly missed.

A Dallas volunteer wrote to HMI staff member, Stacey Bauman: “This may have been the most positive experience of my entire life. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this.”

The sweetest sounds of the summer are of young hockey players praying to receive Christ. Sometimes just 1 precious soul and other times 2,5,10, 20, 30, 40 or more pray in unison. With the utmost of sincerity and child-like faith they respond to the message of God’s great love for them, repent of their sins, open their heart’s door and receive Christ. Sheer joy! 

Skills Taught: For the 48th year God provided some of the very best of hockey training. Local coaches join HMI lead coaches in providing excellent on-ice instruction. Aspiring athletes develop skills and learn new ways of improving their hockey talent.

After camp, God’s work continues: from PEI: “Two of our campers were baptized last night. God is great!  We saw one of the kids from camp who gave his life to Christ, at church today. Many other campers and counsellors were there as well. The community is really growing from the camp.” - Adam McQuaid

From Columbus: “I received word that a group of kids want to start a hockey Bible study with friends from camp. Join me in asking God to give these young people courage and perseverance to begin taking what they found during a week at camp to their friends and teams during the season.” HMI staff member, Rob Globke

Truth #1 - You Are Loved By God

- Romans 8:38-39 -

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The phrase, “I’m not worth God’s love” should never enter your mind. But, we all know that sometimes it does. One of the times this thought creeps in between the ears is when you get cut or make a mistake. You may start to wonder if you’re “good” enough for God. You question if he even notices you. You doubt he cares about you. When you fail you can occasionally fall for the lie that you are not worthy to be loved by God.

But

Truth #2 - You Were Created For Good Works

- Ephesians 2:10 -

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

You are God’s workmanship!

Truth #3 - You Can’t Go Far Without God

- Psalm 127:1 -

Unless the Lord builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

Truth #4 - You Play For God

- Colossians 3:23 -

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men

The undeniable fact according to Colossians 3:23 is that you are not playing hockey for man’s approval or man’s adoration. You play hockey for the glory of God, or at least you should. So, as hard as it may be, you must realize that the old saying is really true, “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” Of course, winning is fun. It is a gift of God. It brings joy. But in the end, God is not ultimately concerned with how many wins you get. He is not keeping a record of how many teams you make. Oh, he knows all of this information, but it doesn’t hold weight with him. What holds weight with God is how you play during a game or a tryout; specifically where your heart is at while on the ice. Who are you trying to please? Man or the Almighty God? Find joy in the truth that you play for God and go out and just play. You can control that. Don’t obsess about what everybody thinks because you can’t control that. Play as if God is the only one watching because you know he always is.

Truth #5 - Your Pride Is Not Good

- Proverbs 16:18-19 -

Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

The hockey world was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Ron Ellis. The Hockey Ministries team extends its deepest sympathies to his wife, Janis, children, Kitty and R.J. and grandchildren.

Ronnie was a remarkable player and ambassador for the game of hockey. Memorial Cup winner; Stanley Cup Champion; a winner with Team Canada in the historic victory over the Soviet Union in 1972. He was one of the most admired and loved players in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was highly respected by teammates and hockey’s pro alumni everywhere.

We will always remember his fun-loving spirit when participating in Christian Hockey Camps in the early days. Kids enjoyed his on- ice instruction and especially his leading music with his guitar during chapel times. He was a leader amongst Christians in the game and in 1979 courageously initiated a chapel program with the Leafs.

Some Leaf Alumni had this to Say about Maple Leaf #6:   

 "Ron was a dear friend and such a humble man. I always looked forward to seeing him and  listening to his little giggle and mischievous ways. God used Ron in such a profound way in my life when I first came to the Leafs. I saw peace in his life, when I had no peace. And in the midst of his many years of battling depression I saw someone who was always the same no matter what happened on or off the ice. And I'm so grateful he went out of his comfort zone to begin chapels with the Leafs, where I heard for the first time my need for a Saviour." – Laurie Boschman

“I drove to the airport with Ron on occasion and unbeknownst to me, he always parked on the 6th level- I asked him why. He explained that he once lost his car for a couple hours and so chose his sweater number 6, so that it would never happen again. Around 1977-78, I remember working at Teen Ranch hockey school, with Chevy (Ron). I recall he and I driving to the Dairy Queen and having a blast laughing and giggling about anything and everything. What struck me was that I was, a young kid still playing junior and Ronnie, a superstar with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and yet he had so much time for me. He was so grounded and a friend to everyone. He will be welcomed in heaven with open arms and is now with Jesus.” - Mark Kirton

“Ron had a lot to do with my coming to faith in Christ!  When I was traded to Toronto, he was my first look at a Christian player that caught my interest!  A dedicated man who lived out his faith in God, his family and the game, in that order! And for that I will be eternally grateful! Where Ron is now I long to be also!”  -Dave Burrows

“My fond memory and affection for Ron is summed up by things we had in common:  playing for the Leafs; served as presidents of the Leaf alumni; and the common bond of our faith in Christ- the foundation of our lives. He was not shy to stand up for his faith at a time when it wasn’t always embraced!  He was humble, gentle, kind, had an infectious laugh and always there to help and listen. However, his sensitive spirit was not to be misread. He was a fierce competitor known as a great teammate and team first player. I so appreciated his being a leader and one of the first athletes to overcome the stigma of mental health as he shared his own deep struggles. We related so well in this area. I understood the depth of his challenges and could always share those journeys having first-hand experience in our family. Ron will be dearly missed and always remembered.”-Mark Osborne

“Ron was a very gracious and sensitive soul and an outstanding team player. I had the privilege of playing on a line with him on the Maple Leafs and in the ’72 Summit Series and would say that he was possibly the best defensive player ever. The Ellis’ and Henderson’s had a very close and enjoyable relationship over many years. He will be greatly missed. -Paul Henderson

And now, the Ronnie Ellis Story in His Own Words:

“This story is about an old friend, who in his teens, set a goal to become a pro hockey player. The sacrifices of not playing school football, attending school proms or driving the strip on Saturday nights were never regretted. Ultimately, he believed the goal of hockey would make the long practice hours, the heart aches and the bruised body worthwhile. To him, success and happiness could be attained by a lucrative pro contract which would provide a home, cars, travel and popularity.

In junior hockey his team won the Memorial Cup. That same year he was voted to the second team All Star team for his position and selected MVP of his own team. The following year he turned pro and was runner up for the Rookie of the year award and in only his third season as a pro he was a member of a Stanley Cup team. Five years later, in 1972, he represented his country playing for Team Canada against the Russians. As well, by this time he had married a lovely girl, Jan, and together they cared for two terrific children.

You are probably thinking this guy had it made. You’re wrong, he was miserable! He was plagued by periods of depression and insecurity and just didn’t like being with people. He complained about peace of mind and a life without purpose or meaning.

The things he had acquired couldn’t fill the void in his life. Scoring goals and winning games only helped for the short term. It even got to the point where he contemplated quitting hockey because he blamed the game for his unfulfilled life.

How do I know so much about this person? It’s simple, I was this person before I was born again at the age of 30 and experienced a changed life. One day during the 1974 season, the Maple Leaf’s were presented with beautiful inscribed Bibles as a gift from an organization called Teen Ranch. Inside there was a card that suggested if you were new to the Bible to read the book of John. After trying everything to fill the emptiness in my life. I felt I had nothing to lose. In John 10:10 I read of an abundant life Jesus wanted us to have. John 14 spoke of peace of mind and heart that made worry and fear unnecessary. Also, this chapter stated that only if you personally accepted the Son of God, who died for our sins could we have a relationship with God. This sounded like what I was looking for and wanted to know more.

After the season, Jan and I attended a retreat weekend at Teen Ranch for pro athletes. The Bible was discussed and the teachings of Jesus were related to the life of an athlete. The other Christian athletes impressed me with their honesty, humility and genuine concern for Jan and me. The problems and pressures of their careers were very much under control and it was Jesus who was at the helm. It took only a few more days before Jan and I both invited Jesus into our lives to give us His peace, purpose and power.

Since my commitment, I no longer measure my life by goals and assists. It is the tremendous peace I have knowing that Jesus has a plan for my life and purpose of serving Him to the fullest in all I do that makes the difference. I now try to live with these verses in mind.”

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not rely on your own insight. In all ways acknowledge Him. And He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

By Don Liesemer

The Hockey Ministries International team was saddened this week to hear of the passing of David Forbes. We extend our sincerest condolences and heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Lorra Beth his loving wife, their dear children, Matthew, Anna, Emily and Jonathan and precious grandchildren who mourn the loss a caring husband, father, and grandfather.  “Lord, be near to the broken hearted.”

Having personally received Christ’s free gift of salvation made possible by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross and glorious resurrection, David was born again to a living hope. We are assured that he is in the glorious presence of his Saviour in heaven.

David and I first met as teen agers at the church we both attended in Montreal…Westmount Baptist. That’s many years ago. Along with our treasured friendship, I will always be thankful for the major role David played in founding and establishing the ministry of HMI. In July of 1977, David a member of the Boston Bruins joined Doug Jarvis then with the Canadiens, and 4 Alouette football players, Pat Bonnett, Wally Buono, Chuck McMann and Don Sweet and a team of counsellors and staff in launching our first ever Christian Athlete Hockey Camp in Montreal.

In weeks leading up to the camp with enrolment numbers low, David repeatedly and optimistically would say: “No matter how many players we have we will make it the best week of their lives”. And so, it was. Fun, joy, enthusiasm enveloped the camp during training on and off the ice, sharing of Christ in evening chapels and in small Bible studies. On the final day when the last players stepped off the ice and headed home, we all knew that something very special had taken place. God had visited us and yes, no matter what, there will have to be many more camps like this. And there have been for some 47 years across North America and into Europe. 

Despite the great week, my wife, Jeanie and myself anxiously wondered what the Lord had in store for us. In the spring of 1977, I had resigned from my teaching position as we felt called into full time ministry to reach the hockey world. In August of 1977 our friend, Forbie, came alongside and joined us in praying at our house every night for two weeks just prior to his heading back to training camp with the Bruins. It was on the last night of our prayer times that the plan for HMI and Christian Athlete Hockey Camps came into focus. God answered our prayers. We were so thankful.

David served as a member of the HMI board of Directors, participated in camps, organized the first ever pro hockey Chapel service with his team in Cincinnati and in 1979 initiated a meeting with Brian O’Neill, executive Vice-President of the NHL. The meeting attended by Brian, David, Doug Jarvis and myself resulted in the establishment of the Chapel program for NHL teams. As well in these last years served as a committed Christian leader in ministering to former professional players through the HMI Pro Alumni Chapel program.

David was deeply devoted to serving the Lord. He walked closely with Jesus. Loved his wife and family and was a guiding light to all who knew him. To God be the glory. We will miss him greatly.

I was raised by a single mom and mygrandparents. Both my mom and grandpafacilitated my passion for hockey. My momwas the star — driving my sister to volleyballand dance, taking me to hockey and allthe while trying to find time for herself. Appreciation for that kind of commitment deepens as you mature. I have always admiredmy mom and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Her Christian faith inspired meand she exemplified it every day. I knew it was something I wanted in my life. 

My personal faith in Christ was tested while playing for the Penticton Vees. I was closeto our team chaplain who passed away from cancer. He was a huge part of my life and itwas devastating to watch him suffer. I didn’t understand why someone so young shouldbe taken and I was upset and confused. He left behind an amazing family. I got through it by realizing he was at peace in heaven with Jesus. I am grateful for what he taught me and for the close ties I still enjoy with his family.

Every day is a blessing and gift from God — an opportunity to express love, positivity, hap-piness, and kindness. Knowing that Jesus sacrificed His life for me motivates me to be the best version of myself every day. I want to work my hardest at hockey and I desire tobe a good person off the ice. God has blessed me with opportunities and talents. I neverwant to take that for granted.

I keep my spiritual life alive by attending our HMI team chapels with some of my team-mates and by praying daily.

I have three special verses which I often turn to for help and guidance: “Let us notbecome weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do notgive up” (Galatians 6:9); “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength”(Philippians 4:13); and “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your ownunderstanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”(Proverbs 3:5-6).

Few trophies in sports hold as much prestige as the Stanley Cup. The sheer determination, skill, and teamwork needed to win it are awe-inspiring. As Christians, we can certainly appreciate and enjoy the excitement of athletic achievements. Sometimes as players we dream of someday making the NHL and winning the Stanley Cup...or as fans we get so passionate and consumed by the game and team we love...However, it's important to remember that no sports victory can come close to comparing to the eternal significance of our relationship with God. 

Here's why:

1. Earthly Glory vs. Eternal Rewards: The Stanley Cup represents earthly glory and recognition, which are fleeting and perishable. 1 Corinthians 9:25 says, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." As followers of Christ, our ultimate goal is to seek eternal rewards that come from faithfully serving God and living in accordance with His Word.

2. Idolizing Success: It's easy to get caught up in the thrill of a championship victory and idolize sports figures or teams. However, the Bible warns us against idolatry. Exodus 20:3 commands, "You shall have no other gods before me." Don't get us wrong, hockey is the BEST sport in the world and we can enjoy it...but when it becomes an idol, it distracts us from worshiping and prioritizing God in our lives.

3. Living for God's Glory: As Christians, our primary purpose is to glorify God in all that we do, including our pursuits and passions. Colossians 3:17 states, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Whether we're playing sports or in other aspects of life, our actions should align with God's values and bring honor to His name.

4. Pursuing Spiritual Victories: While winning a championship brings earthly glory, pursuing spiritual victories yields eternal rewards. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 beautifully illustrates this, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

As Christians, we can certainly enjoy hockey whether as a fan, player or both, we can even dream of some day winning the Stanley Cup! However, we must remember that our relationship with God surpasses any earthly pursuit in significance and eternal value. Let us strive to keep God at the center of our lives, seeking His glory above all else. Just as we train diligently in hockey or sports, let us also "train" in our faith, growing closer to God, building character through challenges, and pursuing spiritual victories above all else.

"Once I won that Stanley Cup and fulfilling all my dreams that I could ever think of then waking up a week later and realizing that's it...it didn't quite sit right at times...and now I understand that the hole you might search for can only be filled by God." - Jordan Staal

Tryouts and training camp are pivotal moments in a hockey player's journey, filled with anticipation, nerves, and high expectations. Every player dreams of making the team, progressing to the next level, and hopefully some day even making the NHL...but what happens when the outcomes don't align with our hopes? How can we cope with disappointment and learn to trust God's plan in the midst of the uncertainty. Let's have a look at how embracing God's timing can bring comfort, resilience, and a deeper understanding of His purpose for our hockey and life journeys.

1. Surrendering to God's Plan: In the competitive world of tryouts and training camps, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing we have control over the outcomes. However, true peace and contentment come from surrendering our desires to God and trusting that His plan is far greater than our own.

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21)

2. Coping with Disappointment and Finding Hope in the Midst of Setbacks: When the results of tryouts don't go as planned, it can be disheartening. Leaning on our faith can help us find hope, perspective, and the strength to keep moving forward, even in the face of disappointment.

"Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

3. Embracing God's Timing: God's timing is rarely aligned with our own, but it is always perfect. Explore stories from Scripture and the experiences of other athletes who discovered the beauty of God's timing in their hockey journeys. Learn to trust that He knows what is best for us, even when it doesn't match our expectations.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

4. Learning and Growing from Challenges: Tryouts provide opportunities for growth and character development. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, see them as opportunities to learn, improve, and develop resilience. Trust that God is using these challenges to shape you into the person and player He wants you to become.

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

5. The Power of Prayer, Seeking Guidance and Peace: During tryouts/training camp, it's crucial to maintain a consistent prayer life. Through prayer, we can seek God's guidance, find comfort in His presence, and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

6. Encouragement in Community and Surrounding Yourself with Support: In times of disappointment, having a supportive community of fellow teammates, family or friends can help. Spend time with those who will encourage you, pray for you, and remind you of God's faithfulness. 

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

7. Gratitude in the Process: Rather than fixating solely on the end goal, practice gratitude for the opportunities, experiences, and growth that come with the experience. Embrace each moment with a heart of thanksgiving, knowing that God is present and working in every step of your hockey journey.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“Every hockey player has his or her share of adversity. I have had to deal with injuries. At times it was hard not to question my faith and wonder why these things were happening to me…I was reminded to keep my faith in God and that everything happens for a reason. The adversity I have faced has only brought me closer to God and made my success that much better." - Connor Timmins, Toronto Maple Leafs

In the fast and competitive world of hockey, players face numerous challenges that may test their Christian values. The intensity of the game, the pressure to win, and the emotions on the ice can create situations where it's easy to compromise our values. Lets explore how we we can best navigate the hockey rink and sometimes challenging environments while holding true.

1. Flee from Temptation, Pursue Righteousness: In the heat of competition, it's essential to remember the words of 2 Timothy 2:22: "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Upholding Christian values means avoiding actions or attitudes that go against God's principles. Whether it's resisting the urge to retaliate or showing sportsmanship to opponents, our conduct on the ice should align with our faith. That doesn't mean we don't stick up for ourselves or our teammates but we also must understand that just because we're playing a sport, it doesn't mean we can simply forget about our Christian values.

2. Love Your Neighbor, even if they're on the other team! Hockey can be an intense and physical sport, but as Christians, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). This means treating opponents with respect and kindness, even during heated moments. Showing grace and forgiveness on the ice can have a powerful impact, reflecting Christ's love to those around us.

3. Control Your Anger and Emotions: Proverbs 29:11 reminds us, "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." In the heat of the game, it's easy for emotions to run high, but as Christians, we should seek to control our anger and respond with patience and self-control. This not only honors God but also helps us maintain a clear mind to make better decisions on the ice.

4. Language in locker rooms: Just as athletes train their bodies for peak performance, they should also cultivate a mindset that reflects respect and discipline, this extends to avoiding profanity and foul language, which can unfortunately often become prevelant in hockey locker rooms. Ephesians 4:29 advises us to "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Set an example for your teammates by how you conduct yourselves and don't give in to peer pressure if bad habits are forming with others.

5. Seek Opportunities for Witness: Hockey provides a unique platform to share our faith with teammates, opponents, and fans. 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that we have in Christ. By living out our faith, we create opportunities to share the love of God and the transformational power of faith in Christ.

For many players in the fast-paced and high-energy world of hockey, finding moments of spiritual connection can be a challenge. But prayer is essential for hockey players (and of course everyone too), helping them find strength, guidance, and peace both on and off the ice. Sometimes people can wrongly think that Christian athletes treat prayer like a good luck charm or as way to try and get God to choose sides, but that's not what prayer is about...

Let's explore the significant role of prayer in hockey and how it can impact the lives of athletes.

1. Finding Peace Amidst Pressure: Hockey games can be intense, with high stakes and mounting pressure. In times of stress, prayer can provide a profound sense of peace. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Through prayer, hockey players can find calmness and focus, even in the midst of the game's intensity.

2. Surrendering Control to God: In the heat of competition, it's easy to become fixated on winning and lose sight of the bigger picture. Prayer allows us to surrender our desire for control to God, trusting in His plan. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." By seeking God's guidance through prayer, we can place our trust in His divine wisdom in the wins and in the losses.

3. Putting others first:  Philippians 2:3-4 tells us the importance of thinking of and praying for others, even our opponents: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Pray for everyone's safety and health, not only our own and though it's a competitive sport, praying for our opponents will give us a healthy perspective about what's most important.                                                                                                                                              
4. Gratitude and Humility in Victory and Defeat: Whether celebrating victory or facing defeat, prayer fosters an attitude of gratitude and humility. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages us, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." We can use prayer to express thankfulness for our talents, opportunities, and teammates, cultivating a spirit of humility in both triumph and disappointment.

Of course, the most important part of prayer is maintaining and nurturing our relationship with Christ and opening your heart to God each day. If your looking for a place to start incorporating more prayer into your life, try building it into your routine before games or practice and go from there...One thing is for sure, the more you pray and feel God's presence in your life, the better off you'll be in all ways.

Watching your child participate in sports can be an exciting and rewarding experience. As parents, we play such a huge role in impacting our children's development, as an athlete and most importantly as a person. As Christians, we also have the opportunity to approach our children's hockey journeys with a unique perspective, one that emphasizes values rooted in faith.

Here's some important ways you can help your kids both on and off the ice:

1. Teach and Model Sportsmanship: Emphasize the importance of treating others with kindness, respect, and fairness. Teach your child the value of good sportsmanship both on and off the ice. Emphasize the significance of teamwork, integrity, and playing by the rules. Encourage them to be gracious in victory and humble in defeat, reminding them that their behavior is a reflection of their character and their faith. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Philippians 2:3-4
2. Foster a Healthy Perspective: Hockey can be a competitive and demanding sport, often with high expectations and pressures. Help your child maintain a healthy perspective by reminding them that their worth and identity are not solely defined by their performance on the ice. Encourage them to embrace the joy of the game, to appreciate the opportunities it presents, and to grow through both successes and challenges. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4
3. Emphasize Character Development: Beyond athletic skills, prioritize the development of your child's character. Teach them values such as perseverance, discipline, and resilience and help them understand the importance of using their talents and abilities to serve others, glorify God and make a positive impact both within their team and in the broader community. "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." - Proverbs 22:6

4. Instill Faith and Prayer: Encourage them to rely on their faith, to seek strength and wisdom through prayer, and to trust in God's plan for their lives. Remind them that their identity as a child of God is not dependent on their performance or achievements but on their relationship with their Christ. "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith." - Galatians 3:26 

Being a good hockey parent goes beyond wins and losses. With a healthy perspective, you can help shape your child's hockey experience in a way that nurtures their faith and character. Ultimately, your role as a parent is to provide guidance, love, and encouragement, while helping your child develop a strong foundation in faith that will extend far beyond the confines of the rink.

Hockey is a thrilling and demanding sport that captivates the hearts of players and fans alike. Sometimes whether players or as fans we can treat this great sport as an idol, something we devote all our time and energy to. But as Christians, it is essential to navigate the world of hockey with a deep-rooted faith that prioritizes God above all else, even the sport we love.

Here's some thoughts on how we can do this:

1. Seeking God's Will: In the pursuit of a successful hockey career, it is easy to become consumed by the desire for personal achievement. However, as Christian athletes, our ultimate goal should be aligning our aspirations with God's will. Through prayer and seeking His guidance, we can find peace and purpose in our hockey endeavors.

2. Honoring God in Competition: Competing in hockey presents numerous challenges, including intense rivalries, high-pressure situations, and the temptation to compromise values for victory. By committing to honor God in our actions and attitudes on and off the ice, we set ourselves apart as ambassadors of Christ. We can display sportsmanship, respect, and integrity, serving as a light amidst the competitive nature of the game.

3. Finding Identity in Christ: While hockey may be a significant part of our lives, it should never define our identity. Our worth and value come from being children of God. By anchoring our identity in Christ, we can approach the game with a healthy perspective, understanding that our value does not rest solely on our performance but on our relationship with Him.

4. Prioritizing Time with God: Amidst a busy hockey schedule, it is crucial to make intentional time for spiritual nourishment. Just as we dedicate hours to training on the ice, we should prioritize prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. By nurturing our relationship with God, we equip ourselves with the spiritual strength needed to face the challenges of the hockey world.

5. Balancing Commitments: As hockey players, we often juggle multiple commitments, such as school, training, and social activities. It can be overwhelming to find a balance, but with God at the center, we can manage. Seeking His guidance and prioritizing our faith allows us to allocate our energy and resources effectively while maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life.

6. Impacting Others for Christ: Hockey provides a unique platform to make a positive impact on teammates, coaches, opponents, and fans. By displaying Christ-like character, showing love, and serving others, we have the opportunity to share the love and grace of God through our actions. Our faith can shine brightly as we interact with those around us, leaving a lasting impression beyond the final buzzer.

Finding the balance between faith and hockey is an ongoing journey that requires intentional effort and surrendering to God's will. By putting God first in our lives and on the ice, we can navigate the hockey world with integrity, humility, and a deep sense of purpose. Let us strive to glorify God in all aspects of our hockey pursuits, understanding that our greatest victory lies not in winning games but in living a life that honors and magnifies Him.

"Everybody is capable of being a good Christian while also being good teammate that everybody appreciates..." - Casey DeSmith, Pittsburgh Penguins

Being a part of a hockey team is not just about individual talent and skill. It's about coming together as a cohesive unit, supporting and uplifting one another both on and off the ice. As Christian hockey players, we have an incredible resource for guidance and inspiration, the Bible. 

Here's some valuable advice from the Bible that can help us become better teammates, fostering a culture of unity, respect, and encouragement within our teams. 

1. Philippians 2:3-4

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

Selflessness and humility are essential qualities for a hockey teammate. Instead of seeking personal glory, focus on supporting and uplifting your fellow players. Sacrificing personal gain for the benefit of the team fosters an atmosphere of unity and teamwork.

2. Proverbs 27:17 

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

This verse highlights the importance of constructive criticism and feedback within a team. By respectfully challenging and motivating one another, teammates can help each other grow and improve. Embrace feedback and encourage your teammates to do the same, build fellowship and support one another, knowing that it will ultimately lead to individual and team development.

3. Ephesians 4:2

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Hockey can be a fast-paced and intense game, often leading to moments of frustration. However, as a Christian teammate, it is crucial to approach challenges with humility, gentleness, and patience. Treat your teammates with love and understanding, supporting them during difficult times. Cultivating a compassionate and patient attitude will strengthen the bonds within your team.

4. Romans 12:10

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Respect and honor are vital components of a successful hockey team. By acknowledging the strengths and contributions of your teammates, you create an environment of trust and appreciation. Celebrate their accomplishments, encourage their growth, and demonstrate genuine care for each member of your team.

As Christian hockey players, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example on and off the ice. By embodying the principles of love, service, encouragement, unity, humility, grace, and forgiveness, we can become better teammates and contribute to a positive and thriving team environment. Let us strive to apply these biblical teachings and inspire others to do the same. Remember, being a great teammate is not only about winning games but also about building lasting relationships and character that extend beyond the arena.

Thank you to Jesse Florea, Focus on the Family for the Article.

Josh Manson was never a superstar. “Nothing ever came easy for me,” the Colorado Avalanche defenseman says. “I always had to work to get to the next level.” All that work paid off. For the last nine years, Josh has played at the highest level of hockey. And last year his big hits, physical play and timely scoring—including an overtime winner—were key to Colorado winning its first Stanley Cup since 2001. Clubhouse caught up with Josh to talk about growing up with a dad in the NHL, his Stanley Cup highlights and how his faith in Jesus Christ impacts his life.

Question: Your dad, Dave Manson, played 17 years in the NHL. What was it like having a dad who was a professional athlete?

Josh: In my eyes his job was really cool. But I don’t think I really understood that he carried a little bit of celebrity status. I just got to go to the rink with him, watch him play and enjoy him as Dad. 

Did you want to follow in his footsteps?

I always wanted to be an athlete. I played lacrosse. I loved golf. There was even a phase where I was really good at track and field and I thought, I’m gonna try and be an Olympian. With Dad playing hockey, it drew me to the sport. When did you first lace up a pair of skates? I was 3 or 4 when I started skating. But I was probably 5 or 6 when I first started playing hockey.

Did you always play defense? 

I was a defenseman up until I was 10. Then I switched to forward. I played forward all the way to 19. That’s when I had a coach who encouraged me to switch back to defense because he thought I’d have a better chance of being drafted. He was bang on. I’m very thankful for his advice.

You were selected in the sixth round of the NHL draft. Did you expect to go higher?

I didn’t expect to get drafted at all. When I went in the sixth round, I was happy to get selected. It affirmed there was a chance I could make this my career.

You got traded from the Anaheim Ducks to Colorado last year. What were your thoughts of joining the Avs?

I was nervous because it’s such a good team and I wanted to fit in. I knew there was a lot of opportunity here, but that comes with pressure. I hoped to bring some physicality and a bit of steadiness defensively. Because our team is so offensive, I tried to get the puck out of the defensive zone quickly and into the forwards’ hands.

What was the biggest moment you had during the Stanley Cup playoffs?

The overtime winner in Game 1 against St. Louis was the biggest goal I’ve ever scored. But even more so in my mind is a goal I blocked in Game 6. St. Louis was on a power play, and we were down 2-1. Our goalie was down when the Blues took a shot that I skated back to block. We ended up coming back and winning that game 3-2 with 5 seconds left. 

Your Dad never won the Stanley Cup, how did he react after you’d won?

He was at game 6 in Tampa Bay when we won, so were my in-laws, my wife, my sister and my daughter. Right after we won, I saw them waving at me from the stands. That was the best! I’d dreamed of it since I was a kid.

When did you put your faith in Christ?

I wasn’t a Christian when I came into the NHL. Actually, I gave my life to Christ in 2018. Growing up, it’s not that I didn’t believe in God. I just didn’t acknowledge Him. When I met my future wife in California, she said that she was a Christian and that we would need to go to church. She was raised in a family of strong believers. She never pressured me, but I started to go to church and reading books to get a better understanding of Christianity. Eventually, I couldn’t deny the truth and ended up giving my life to Jesus.

Since becoming a Christian, have you experienced any negativity about your faith?

In my work, people are mature enough to understand and respect people’s decisions in life. After I became a Christian, I tried to change my mouth. Swearing is a big thing in hockey. As soon as I went to Colorado, people would say, “You don’t swear. Is it a religious thing or whatever?” And I said, “Yeah, it’s a religious thing. I try not to swear.” So people notice it and have a respect for it.

By Don Liesemer                                                         

On that very dark Friday, the heavens were silent. In becoming sin for us Jesus caused His loving heavenly Father to turn away from Him. There was no rescue.  He was left alone to bear the shame and brutality of the cross. For the first time in all of eternity Father and Son were separated…Jesus cried out: “My God, My God, Why hast Thou Forsaken Me?”  

But, would things be different on Sunday?  Would heaven speak? Would Jesus’ bold promise of crucifixion and then resurrection be fulfilled? "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again" (Mark 8:31; and see also Matthew 17:22; Luke 9:22). Peter who was one of the first to see Jesus after His miraculous resurrection proclaimed with authority and excitement in his first sermon: “You killed the author of life but God raised him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2:23-24

Indeed the Father took action on that first Easter morning. There was a rescue. “His mighty power raised Christ from the dead…” (Ephesians 1:19) Have you wondered what things might have been like in the tomb as the Father looked at His Son encased in the bloody shroud?  Did He touch Him on the shoulder and whisper, “Jesus, I have come to set you free… Death can no longer hold you… Son, it’s time to get up?” Was there rejoicing? Were there tears? Did the Father affirm His Son’s completed work on the cross and proclaim His victory over sin and death? Did He remind Jesus that in a few weeks they would be together again in heaven but for the next 40 days He had to show the world that He truly is the Son of God through His miraculous resurrection from death?

Someday the mystery of what took place behind the sealed stone might be made known to us, but now we do know because of Christ’s resurrection that we can bank on these awesome promises:

• “…God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Romans 4:24)

• “…And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives…” (Roman 6:4)

• “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,” ( ! Peter1:3-4)

• “… God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. 
  (1 Corinthians 6:14).   

Our Christian faith is anchored in Christ’s resurrection. “If Christ has not been raised” claimed the Apostle Paul, “Our preaching is useless and so is our faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14) “But Christ has indeed been raised.”  This is attested by at least 17 appearances Jesus made after His resurrection; the empty tomb; the changed lives of the disciples who were willing to die because of their faith; and the rapid and widespread growth in the number of believers. Jesus is alive forever. Today, He knocks at the door of hearts and lives. This Easter, why not open the door and welcome the Risen Christ into your life? You can do it through a simple prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life. I have sinned and fallen short of your standard. I am sorry. Thank You for dying in my place. You took the punishment I deserved. You made it possible for me to be forgiven and to be reconciled to God. Thank you for forgiving me and for coming into my life. I know because of your being alive forever that I can live a new life and look forward to being with you in heaven when I die. Amen”  

“…if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)                                                  

A tribute by Don Liesemer

June was called home to heaven on December 26. She was welcomed by her Savior and reunited with her loving husband, Dean. Hockey Ministries International, it’s staff and volunteers, mourn her passing and extend deepest condolences to daughters Kelly and Kerry and their families. The Prentices were pioneers in the Christian movement in hockey having received Christ in the early 1970’s. Dean and June joined the HMI staff team in 1988 and faithfully served the Lord many years reaching countless players, their families and fans with the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

The game provided many thrilling moments for the Prentices…but surprisingly-the most memorable and life changing took place off the ice and away from the rink.  At the 1301 game mark of his career, with 363 goals, 422 assists, 456 penalty minutes, an All Star selection, and the thrill of being a Stanley Cup finalist and a Memorial Cup champion to his credit and two years remaining on his contract. And most important… a beautiful wife, June, two lovely daughters, Kelly and Kerry. Dean should have been on top of the world…

But he began to sense a strange and abiding emptiness. Something vital was missing. There was a thirst for living water and while he didn’t know it at the time…a thirst that that only Christ could fill.  June also had been searching and was inspired while hearing the testimonies of 3 Minnesota Viking football players. In Dean’s words: “She realized that they had something that we didn’t. At her insistence I met with the players and I felt like I had been hit with a slap shot. I had always believed that if my good works outweighed my bad deeds that I would be welcomed into heaven. However the players explained that in God’s plan the way into heaven is through believing in and receiving His Son, Jesus Christ. We can never be good enough to earn our way.  The Prentices were hurting and God's loving heart was touched. The Lord reached out to them and they responded. "Both June and I knew what was needed. So we got down on our knees, admitted to God that we were sinners, asked His forgiveness and invited Christ into our lives. The Lord did just as He promised. He came into our lives and we felt great."

"We had found peace. It was like skating around with a piano on my back and having it lifted off. The heavy weight of my sin was gone, and I felt a new sense of freedom. I felt physically younger and stronger as I relied on Christ to give me strength. There was no letdown in my game. I was playing for Christ. I just made Him the center of my life. In looking back over my life, my only regret is that I did not come to know the Lord a long time before I did. For 20 years I was a macho hockey player, but for the last two years of my career I knew I was playing for the honor of the Lord."

Daughters Kelly and Kerry, also received Christ into their hearts. The Prentice family would never be the same. The love of Jesus became the centre of their family and home. Jesus Christ was first. And like the shepherds at the first Christmas, they wanted to tell the story of their Savior wherever they went…

Dean and June were pioneers in the Christian movement in hockey and joined the HMI staff team in 1988. They participated in Christian Hockey Camps, Conferences, Team Chapel programs, and outreach events…They traveled from team to team speaking to players and coaches. What teamwork! June prayed in the stands while Dean spoke to players in their dressing rooms. The Prentices were also highly committed to HMI’s Christian Hockey Camp programs where for many years  they participated together reaching out to young hockey players…And when at home during the off season they dedicated hours of their time to pray by name for the young athletes who attended the Christian Hockey Camps.

One funny story about June. She was a coin collector…a different sort than most…she collected lost coins…that is- -rare coins that had fallen from someone’s pocket and found on sidewalks and roadsides and outside McDonald’s Drive-Thrus. She was a pro…...a penny, a nickel, a dime and even sometimes a quarter…  A few years ago Dean and June and Jeanie and I were on a walk…Dean and I leading the way. As the distance grew a longer between us and knowing that June and Jeanie were scrutinizing every square inch of the sidewalk, we smoothly dropped a Toonie along the pathway…and then slowed our pace and listened. Most of Florida heard the shout for joy and so we stopped to find out what the commotion was all about…As our wives caught up to us…there were cheers of joy as Juneproudly held up the Canadian toonie.For her it was winning a gold medal.

by Jean Pronovost, member of NHL single season 50 Goal Scorers’ Club and Pro, College and Major Junior Coach.

Hockey requires discipline. I left home and family at a very young age in pursuit of a career in the game. To make it you need self-discipline both on and off the ice. You have to give up certain things to reach your goal. Make good choices-like hanging out with positive people who can build into your life; eat good nourishing food and get sufficient sleep.

I learned that making it to the NHL was challenging, but staying there was even more difficult. Sacrifice, sacrifice… I always wanted to be the best that I could be. As a player I had some skills that came easier and others which required hard work. This meant staying on the ice after practice, working hard and staying focused. As a goal scorer I paid close attention to talented shooters, studying their strategies and moves in an effort to learn new and better ways of putting pucks past goalies.

As a coach your goal is to convey to your players the importance of sacrifice and commitment. Getting the message across that team comes first is a priority. If players are willing to sacrifice their selfish desires and invest in their teammates by making them better for the good of the team this will benefit everyone. Scouts know that a successful team is made up of well-disciplined players, the very kind of players that they want on their professional teams.

We know that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in giving His life for us. His example of unselfishness inspired me to help my teammates to become better players. However, along with His example He has given all who receive Him as Saviour His Holy Spirit to help us live for His glory. As well, we have the Bible, which when studied and meditated on, renews our minds and transforms our lives. I would like to close with two verses:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

By Don Liesemer

The HMI family and its Pro Alumni Fellowship extend deepest sympathies to Sandy’s wife Shirley, their children and their families on the passing of their beloved husband, father and grandfather.

Sandy went to be with Jesus on Saturday, February 5, with his loving family at his side. At peace with His Saviour, the angels carried him home to heaven. What a welcome there must have been for this dear man who loved His Lord and his family and lived his life for the glory of God.

As a player, Sandy was a warrior playing 18 years of professional hockey. He was a 6-time Western Hockey League All Star, 4-time Western Hockey League Patrick Cup Champion (twice as a player and twice as a coach) and World Hockey Association Coach of the Year in 1974-75.

 It was my privilege to have played for Sandy for two years in Phoenix. His light shone brightly on our team as he lived an exemplary life as our coach and leader. While on the one hand, he was  demanding and held us to the highest standard in training and game preparation-on the other, hand, he cared for us and we knew it. And it was that combination that won our hearts and drove us on to win back-to-back Patrick Cup Championships.

 He lived a balanced life as a Christian athlete and coach. God was first in his life, second was his family and third, his career. He had a deep desire to reach others for Christ. Coach Hucul was well known in Phoenix and was much in demand as a speaker at various service clubs-men’s groups etc. He always talked about his personal faith in Christ in these meetings. He was proud of his Christian faith and unashamed of the Gospel having experienced its transforming power in his own life. 

On numerous occasions the former all-star defensemen invited his players to attend meetings to hear from special Christian leaders…one of whom was Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl winning coach-Tom Landry who spoke to our team during a pre-game meal in Dallas.

We were honoured to have Sandy participate in our Alumni Chapels. I always enjoyed his wise and timely insights 

Thank you, Sandy for a life lived for the glory of God.

“Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.” (Daniel 12:3)

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 115:1) 

I would like to share a life-changing stories that took place at our Chicago camp, one of the many that occurred across our 30 camps:

Former Chicago camp Director, Bill Toter, wrote the following: “One night after chapel I spoke with a camper who stayed after chapel to pray for Jesus to come into his life. He was truly a lost sheep…he knew about Jesus but had not turned himself over. But when he finally came to camp, he heard the Gospel, and in song he praised the Lord. It was as if Jesus found him, threw him over His shoulder and brought him… to the fold. He suddenly became passionate about being a Christian and wants to attend future camps and become a counsellor.”

We thank God for each young hockey player who joined us this summer. Seeds were planted and we trust the Lord that in His time and His way He will bring seeds to fruition as He continues His work in their lives.

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Eph. 2:8)

And now as we launch into this exciting new 2022-23 season of ministry to pro and amateur hockey players through our chapel programs and other programs and outreach events would you kindly pray: “…that God would open to us a door for the word so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ…” (Col. 4:3) 

We are deeply thankful for your prayers. 

Gratefully,

Don Sr

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."

Ephesians 4:15

A true teammate is one who is honest with those around him. You may think this would be no problem. Super easy. Yet, this is so tough to do! Let’s use an example to try and see what I mean by being honest…

Suppose you have a teammate who keeps doing something that doesn’t line up with how the team should normally operate. Maybe he is picking on others in the dressing room. Maybe he keeps on doing what he wants on the ice regardless of the team system. Maybe he is spreading false rumors behind the team’s back. Whatever it is, he is doing something that isn’t good for the team or himself.

Would it be more loving or less loving to tell this teammate the truth about his actions and their effect on the team? My vote is that it would be less loving if you aren’t HONEST with your teammate. If you think to yourself, “I’m not even going to bother with him...it’s useless,” in a way you are showing that you really don’t care about this person. You are more content to let them continue in ways that are destructive for both them and the team. Further, you may be afraid to confront real issues with your teammates because you don’t want to lose friends or make things awkward. Whether it’s out of apathy, fear, or something else, our natural tendency is to be less than honest. It may be difficult, but honesty demonstrates a heart that sees friends as worth fighting for. The wounds of a friend are faithful as the Proverb states above.

Of course, if you practice this principle of honesty apart from principles such as gentleness, love, and encouragement, it might not be the best way to go about it.

Ephesians 4:15 is a good reminder for us as we close for today, I think this is a good goal for all of us this year! Speak the truth to your team, but do it with love.

The world says: You have to look the part. Hide anything that makes it seem like you don't have it all together. Self-reliance and self-confidence are the keys to getting what you need. Give the impression you are successful through and through and you will succeed.

There is not need of God. You are generally a good person. See all the good things you do. How dare anyone say you are deficient in some aspect. Believe in yourself!

The Bible says: Standing face to face with a Holy God, you are found lacking. You aren't as good as you might think you are. There is a spiritual bankruptcy which you can't fix on your own. If you want to succeed, you don't celebrate yourself ... you deny yourself (Mark 8:34).

You don't seek to be first but last (Matthew 20:16) When trying out for a spot on a top team in a top league, the world says to "stuff the stat sheet". Show the GM how good you are. Send in video and highlights.

When standing before heaven's GM (GOD) as you plead to enter into his team (Kingdom), you soon realize that the very first step is to humbly submit that you are spiritually insufficient to even begin playing. You might try to show him your "stat sheet" of how good you are, but soon realize even the very best stats fall short of the requirement. Instead, there is nothing left but to cry out to him ... "I'm poor in spirit".

It is only then, when we admit we are spiritually empty, that room is created for Christ to enter in.

By Rob Globke

"Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem."

Matthew 2:1

Just the last 3 words in Matthew 2:1 got me thinking...

I was playing in England when Prince William married Kate back in 2011. Talk about obsessed. Media, everyone. It was all anyone thought of or talked about. My wife included! And when I think about a big royal event in human terms ... I suppose this is how it should be. A royal wedding, a coming king, the beginning of a new kingdom would all naturally bring the spotlight, the "bright lights". I probably would do the same!

If America ever got a king and I was in charge, I'm not setting up shop for the inauguration party in Muncie, Indiana. (I'm sorry if you're from Muncie!)The wise men went to where they assumed a king would be...Jerusalem. By human standards, this was the right move. Go to the big city. Go to where all the eyes usually look. That's where he'll be. Yet, he wasn't.

He was in a lowly manger in a small town far from the "bright lights". The humble KING instead was the light who came in the darkness of obscurity. God in the flesh chose what is foolish to shame the wise, what is weak to shame the strong, what is low to bring to nothing the things that are. (1 Cor. 1). He works in ways that make us scratch our heads at times!

So much in our culture, the hockey culture, expects you to seek after the "bright lights". Make it to the show, get the contract that pays big bucks, have a certain following on social media, have a platform, be famous, and the list goes on. The "bright lights" and all that comes with them are not bad, but often the pursuit of these things is what pulls you from the heart of a God who chose to begin his life on earth a different way.

Don’t get so focused on chasing after what the world deems is important that you miss the humble KING waiting in the places often overlooked. His way, while not always flashy or famous, will bring far more life than the “bright lights” the world puts on offer.

by Rob Globke

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas is a time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ; God coming into the world to save us from our sin. Now, this is not usually what the media and the world around us might want us to believe about the reason this time of year is so special. So often, the message we hear about Christmas is all about a time of being with family, with friends, and giving gifts. While these things are not bad, and are actually quite good, they shouldn’t take the primary place in our thoughts over this season.


The thing that should dominate our thoughts over the next few weeks is the astounding fact that God sent His one and only Son to humble himself and put on human flesh. God came to be with us!! This is amazing. Yet, in the midst of the world around us, it’s easy to forget.


This is why it’s important to never let our Bible’s get dusty. Use God’s word because it’s a good reminder of His story...which is so much better than the story the world tries to write for us. Today, we are going to dust off our Bible’s and try to come up with something that will help us as we celebrate Christmas.


Let's read the two verses below before we jump into the lesson....

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Luke 2:8-11
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.


Life is full of broken promises. It may be….

• a coach who promises you that you will play more, but never do
• a friend who guarantees to get you a tryout with the city's best team, but the phone never rings
• a parent who pledges to get you to the rink on time from here on out, but a month later you find yourself sprinting to get dressed before the game starts
• a teammate who promises he will definitely move the puck better next game, only to proceed to put the blinders on and play his own game
• yourself who commits to never do ________ again, but one week (or day even) you find yourself destroying that promise.

And these are just hockey examples!! Think about all the other parts of life. It’s crazy how many things let us down and fail to fulfill the claims they make.


Not so with God. And the birth of Christ is our great reminder of that fact. In the two verses above you have one verse written thousands of years before the other. Yet, they both say the same thing only with different verbs. One says, “I will” the other says, “I have” (in essence).


In Isaiah 7:14, God is making a claim...a promise, just as He did so many times throughout history before Jesus stepped into the world. He is basically saying,

“One day, I will send someone who will make all things right again.”

In Luke 2, we see the fulfillment of this promise. Not “I will”, but “Here HE Is”. This is what we celebrate. We celebrate a God who loves us enough to give His Son. We celebrate a God who provides a way for our salvation. We celebrate a God who KEEPS HIS PROMISES.


SO What?

You may be asking, “So, how does this help me with my life?” And we would argue that if you truly think about the reality of Jesus coming into the world, you will find a million things that will be relevant for your life. But, here is just one to get you started…..TRUST. We can put our trust into many things of this world. Hockey, family, money, fame, possessions, and the list can go on. But, as we have seen and know, these things won’t and can’t follow through on the promises they make. At some point, they will break down.


YET, Christmas reminds us that we can TRUST in someone who will NEVER break a promise. That is pretty cool. That is GREAT news of good JOY!


Questions

• What are you thinking about this Christmas season?
• Where is your trust lately?

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Some lines from the song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”:

- He's making a list and checking it twice...

- Gonna find out who's naughty and nice...

- Santa Claus is comin' to town...

- He sees you when you're sleepin'...

- He knows when you're a wake...

- He knows if you've been bad or good...

-S o be good for goodness sake..

This is the world’s view of how things work. And many times, it’s very much like how most things in hockey work. You know how it goes.

Do good = lots of presents and praise (maybe some pp time and a new contract)

Do bad = lump of coal and skipped over (maybe benched or even cut from the team)

So, life becomes doing good in order to get things. It’s a “I scratch your back, you scratch my back” type of deal. Even in our thinking about Christmas! The problem is … we often take this thinking and attach it to God as well. Maybe we think, “he’s kind of like a Santa, right?!?!” If I’m good he should reward me. He should give me what I want.

Perhaps.

But, this is NOT how God works. This is not even how we work. Read the verse below.

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

This verse is the opposite of how we say Santa operates. How the business world frequently operates. And, how the hockey world definitely operates. It gives us two big truths:

1. We are sinners.

2. God still loves us even though we are sinners.

Romans 5:8 tells us that we are not as ‘good’ as we think we are. God doesn’t need to make a list to know this. He knows this because even more than Santa, he truly knows when we are sleeping or awake. He knows everything about us. And, if we’re honest with ourselves. I think we also know we aren’t as good as God wants us to be. We mess up. We fail. We are bad in times we should be ‘good’. God has every right to put us on his naughty list. Yet, here is where the Christian message is so awesome compared to the song above and the world around us. God knows we are sinners, yet he still came to earth to give his life for you and me! He didn’t give us a lump of coal. He didn’t shake his head and fly over our house saying maybe next year if you behave better. NO! He was born a man in order to save man even though he knew what was in man. Completely different than what we might expect. Completely awesome to think about. God loves you and has given you the great gift of Jesus not because of what you do, but because of who He is … a God of grace, love, and forgiveness.

By Rob Globke

In his book, God's Prayer Book, author Ben Patterson describes a method of prayer which has been very helpful to me over the years. He suggests using 3 R's to pray around what we read in the Bible.

The 3 R's to Pray:

1. Rejoice: What do I find here that gives me cause to rejoice, to give praise and thanks?

2. Repent: What do I read here that brings to light sin in my life?

3. Request: What did I learn about in which I can ask God for help in my life?

Prayer is so simple. It's just having a conversation with God. Yet as any honest person will tell ya, it's far from easy. Hopefully this may help you as you seek to spend time with your heavenly Father. A little example from something I read the other day and my own prayer life. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21

Rejoice: Father God, thank you that you are unlike anything else in this world. You are far greater than Baal. Far better than money, fame, security, family, friends, hockey, and so much more. I rejoice that I can still follow you even though you seem so unreachable at times. I praise you for putting people in my life like Elijah who remind me to not waver in my pursuit of you. People bold enough to speak what is true in the midst of opposition.

Repent: I'm sorry, Father, for the many times this week I've limped between you and other things that aren't you. I'm sorry I've put ______(personal idol) before you in my life lately. Forgive me for not committing fully to you and your ways and for being silent for so long when confronted by your truth.

Request: Dear God, I pray that you'll help me to follow you with all my heart. Open my eyes to see you as better than everything else in my life. Keep me from trying to walk on both sides and give me strength this day and more to not limp, but give myself fully to you. Finally, please make yourself more known to me so that when I'm feeling you are far I know you are still with me. Then, I have no excuse to be silent.

Amen.

The feeling of joy is one of the best emotions. We all want joy in our lives. But always? Is that even possible? It seems like an unreachable target. There are situations in life and hockey which don’t always seem joyful. Like when our team is losing. Or, when we don’t make the team after a summer of dedicated training.

Joy doesn’t come when a loved one gets sick or a friend unexpectedly passes away. These don’t seem like experiences that warrant joy. This is because we confuse joy for its counterfeit called happiness. Happiness depends on our circumstances and comes and goes with them. Happiness is fleeting and can never be fully satisfied by the things of this world. Joy is deeper.

We can only be joyful always if we are not basing our joy on our circumstances, but rather on who God is and on what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Joy based on who God is won’t change because He never changes. The only way to have a joy always, is to be in a relationship with the one who never changes … God.

By Rob Globke

"Dear God, I never know what to expect from you; yet, I always know what to expect from you."" - Eugene Peterson

Think of the games great players throughout history. Howe, Gretzky, Richard, Orr, Lemieux, and more. And even some of the more recent greats. Crosby, Ovechkin, Brodeur, Lidstrom, and more. When you pop on the tele or step into the rink to watch one of these guys play, you know what to expect. When they're on the ice, something good is going to happen. Yet, in some odd way, they still find ways to make you shake your head and say, "Wow! I never saw that coming." (I believe Ovi scored a goal on his back or something and Crosby might have scored an OT winner in the Olympics?)

It's the same way with God leveled up a gajillion notches. God is unchanging. And we can always count on him to be good, loving, kind, patient, powerful, all knowing, merciful, just, and the list goes on. We always know what to expect with him when we get up in the morning. Yet, everyday there is something new we never expected which makes us shake our head and say, "Wow! Thank you God for this incredible gift that I never saw coming."

We may have a hard time always seeing these unexpected gifts from God, but they are there nonetheless. We just have to stop long enough to open our eyes to find them. God is both sure and surprising. I hope you can take a moment this day or week to thank him for all the surprising gifts he's given in your life and trust that he doesn't change ... so you can always expect more!

A message from Jim Davis, Hockey Ministries International Chaplain for the Providence Bruins

It is hard to put into words how one life can have such an impact on us. Today in the already shaken world of Covid-19 the hockey world was rocked even harder by the news of our friend, teammate, and colleague Colby Cave’s sudden death.

With tear filled eyes I think of the privilege I had in knowing Colby when he came to chapel as a member of the Providence Bruins.  Flavia Weedn said “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

Each of our lives have been touched by Colby in a way that we will remember for a life time.  Colby was a man of integrity with a strong work ethic both on and off the ice. He displayed a quiet strength and an attitude of whatever it takes to get it done.

The attribute I will remember most about Colby was his faith in Jesus Christ. Tomorrow Colby will be celebrating his first Easter Sunday in heaven. The Bible says in the Gospel of John, “Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

Then Jesus asked do you believe this. That is a question we all must ask for faith is a personal belief in God’s grace offered to us all.

To Emily and the entire Cave family we wish we had the words to share at this time, but we want you to know that you are not alone and we want to support you all now and in the days to come.   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.

On behalf of myself, Hockey Ministries International, and the Hockey World we offer are heart felt condolence, love, and support.

In some ways- this eerie darkness, caused by a persistent and invasive enemy, pictures another time in history when another enemy was at work, the sun was shut out and darkness prevailed. It was the day Jesus Christ, God’s beloved Son, was crucified- dead- buried and locked in a tomb. Lights out! Game over!  Gripped with fear, teammates and family fled the scene and secretly sequestered in homes of loved ones. All hope was lost. The enemy had put up a huge win. God’s Champion was defeated...or was He?

The Bible records and history attests that the lights came back on...the seal on the tomb was broken, Jesus was raised from the dead and reunited with family and teammates. Hope sprang to life. His teammates met Jesus. He was alive. They believed and were the first to carry the torch of the Christian faith which today has more than 2.4 billion adherents. After His resurrection, Jesus said to the Apostle John: “Don’t be afraid! I am the first and the last. I am the living one. I died but look-I am alive forever and ever.” (Revelation 1: 17-18)  And Peter, the first team captain wrote: “It is by his (God's) great mercy that we have been born again, to a living hope through the resurrection from the dead... To obtain an inheritance reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4)

We all hope that our coronavirus enemy will soon be defeated; that all medical front-liners will breathe sighs of relief as patients are sent home strong and healthy; that workers will be back on their jobs; and that the economy will make a giant comeback. And for hockey enthusiasts, that arenas will be lit up once again; that players and fans will storm back into arenas and pucks, long buried in their buckets, will be unleashed allowing play to resume.

But during the pause we at HMI will resolutely continue through all of our social media platforms, cell phones and written resources to share the message of hope found in knowing the risen Christ of Easter personally.

Have you believed? While Easter 2020 will be uniquely celebrated, its message remains steadfastly the same. Like Christ’s teammates that first Easter, we too can experience living hope and the assurance of eternal life through personally receiving Christ into our lives. Why not invite Christ into your life and join the team?

A letter to the Humboldt Bronco Family…  
by Don Liesemer

As good-byes are said to a son, husband, father, grandson, brother, a teammate, a friend…

Please be assured that the whole hockey world grieves with and prays for you in this hour of deep sadness…  

The confusing twists and mysteries of life and death cannot be explained.

This understanding is reserved for God alone.

The Apostle Paul was mystified: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror…”

Even God's own Son called out, "Why, God? Why?" in his hour of grief and suffering on the cross.

God knows your pain and sadness and understands your bewilderment and doubt, and even your anger and bitterness. Yes, He understands. These brave young Broncos and their coaches were loved by God.

Let us remember that He also lost His Son.  He watched Him die a cruel death on the cross.

He knows your pain. He hurts with you today. His heart aches. He cares.

"There is no one like God.
He rides across the heavens to help you,
across the skies in majestic splendor.

The eternal God is your refuge,
and his everlasting arms are under you"

(Deut. 33:26-27a, NLT).

¨     God could not have loved these players and their coaches more than He did right from the beginning of their lives.

¨     Their lives had great significance.

¨     Created by God—the author and giver of life. They had immense value.

¨     They died while fulfilling the passion of their lives… inspiring others around them…

¨     They were in an intense play-off series and going for it

¨     Let their lives inspire all hockey players everywhere to:

• Be the one in life who goes for it.
• Be the one in life who takes the shot.
• Be the one in life who goes after your dream.

Their grit and determination to win is expressed by the Apostle Paul:

"Remember that in a race everyone runs,
but only one person gets the prize.
You also must run in such a way that you will win"

(1 Corinthians 9:24, NLT).

The greatest love story the world will ever know took place at the cross of Jesus Christ.

His painful death offers hope and makes redemption and forgiveness possible for those who believe.

We all need hope—the hockey community needs hope—

God offers hope in Christ's death and resurrection.

The God we worship is a God of grace and mercy. He loves everyone equally and his love never ends.

The Lord who loved these Bronco players and their coach loves you. He died for them and He died for us as well. And Jesus rose from the dead. He is alive and He's with us today.

God gently calls to you through your sorrow to lift your tear-filled eyes to a loving Savior who says:

"Come to me,

all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest"

(Matthew 11:28, NLT).

I have experienced this love and care as I have walked with hockey friends in pain.

One of the most touching testimonies of God tenderly meeting someone in his hour of pain was expressed by Roger Neilson.

During his long and courageous battle with cancer he would talk with the Lord in the dark lonely hours of the night and ask Him to take him in his loving arms and hold him.

Roger would say that God hugged him every time. You can ask God to put His arms around you and hug you.

HMI mourns the loss of long time staff member and teammate, Dean Prentice. We send condolences to his dear wife June of 65 years, daughters Kerry and Kelly, grandchildren and great grandchildren. “...those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever."

An NHL Legened: The Dean Prentice Story by Don Liesemer, December of 2013.

"Come on Dean, you are not going to let one of your dummy teammates take the penalty shot for you are you?" (Bobby Hull)

It happened in historic Chicago Stadium on December 27, 1964. Boston Bruin winger, Dean Prentice, blocked a Stan Makita shot at the blue line and took off for the Blackhawks' net. While speeding toward the goal Prentice was tripped from behind by Makita and crashed into the end boards. Referee Frank Udvari ruled that Makita tripped the Bruin winger on a clear breakaway and awarded a penalty shot. However, Prentice was sprawled on the ice, unconscious. Through the fog of pain and only slightly revived as a result of his trainer's cracking an ammonia sniffer under his nose, Prentice heard the taunts of his fierce Blackhawk opponent, Bobby Hull: "Come on Dean, you are not going to let one of your dummy teammates take the penalty shot for you are you? "

The piercing words hit a nerve. The wounded Bruin pushed aside the pain, took up the challenge, jumped to his feet, grabbed the puck at centre ice, sped in on the goal, pulled a nifty move and tucked the puck behind Blackhawk goalie, Denis DeJordy.  Back on the bench...the unexpected. As the penalty shot champion tried to answer the call for his next shift he was frozen to the bench; his back and legs wouldn't budge. Dean was carried off on a stretcher and x-rays later revealed that he had a broken back. The tenacious hockey legend had pulled off an unparalleled feat in NHL history in scoring with a broken back. His reward: a goal and a body cast.

 There were many thrilling moments in the legend's illustrious 22 year National Hockey league career with the Rangers, Bruins, Red Wings, Penguins and North Stars... But the most memorable took place off the ice and away from the rink.  At the 1301 game mark, with 363 goals, 422 assists, 456 penalty minutes, an All Star selection, and the thrill of being a Stanley Cup finalist to his credit, a stirring began to occur in Dean's heart. In the early 1970's an article appeared in the Hockey News publication with the heading, "Prentice Joins Bible Group." What would cause a hockey hero to study the Bible? At 40 years of age he had a beautiful wife, two lovely daughters, happiness, prestige and  two years remaining on his NHL contract.

But, Dean began to sense a strange and abiding emptiness even in his productive life in the NHL. Something vital was missing. Would God use the emptiness to draw Dean to Himself? Was the Lord in pursuit of the veteran North Star winger?

In addition to this haunting empty feeling, something else was gnawing away at the macho Minnesota NHL forward; twenty years of life in hockey. The long road trips, swearing, fighting and drinking beer... all began to take their toll. Things came to a head during training camp in 1972. The legend explains: "After returning home from a road trip to Vancouver with one large hangover, I could hardly face my family. For sure I couldn't handle dinner. My wife was very upset. We had a face to face meeting at the kitchen table. The cards were laid out."  

NFL football players to the rescue... June also had been searching for something more in life. While Dean was on his road trip in Vancouver, she was in Minneapolis attending a Christian outreach event and listening to the life stories of 3 Viking Football players, Doug Kingsriter, Jeff Siemon, and Fred Cox. Their stories of personal faith in Christ, touched her life. They had something that the Prentice's didn't have. June shared her feelings with her husband that night during their session at the kitchen table. Dean immediately resolved to meet with the 3 football players. He felt like he had been hit with a slap shot as he listened to the NFL players over lunch. He had always thought that because he had never committed any violent crimes that he wasn't really a sinner and didn't need help. Besides, he did attend church from time to time. Like the vast majority of people, the NHL star had believed that when you meet God face to face if your good works outweigh your bad deeds you will be welcomed into heaven. But as he listened to them explain the Bible, he began to understand, that it doesn’t work that way! God has a completely different plan. He wants to be magnified as a God of Grace. That's why He sent His Son into the world that first Christmas. His way into heaven is through believing in and receiving His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, was buried and rose again. Our personal record of good versus bad isn't part of the equation. The NHL player from Schumacher Ontario, faced reality: "I knew that I was a sinner. I was filled with pride, hated opposing players and had many other shortcomings.  I was convinced that the Lord was the only one who could help me". 

The Prentices were hurting and God's loving heart was touched. He reached out to them and they responded. "Both June and I knew what was needed. So we got down on our knees, admitted to God that we were sinners, asked His forgiveness and invited Christ into our lives. The Bible says in Revelation 3:20, 'Look!, I have been standing at the door and constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with Me.' The Lord did just as He promised. He came into our lives and we felt great."

"While June was excited that we had found peace, for me it was like skating around with a piano on my back and having it lifted off. The heavy weight of my sin was gone, and I felt a new sense of freedom. I felt physically younger and stronger as I relied on Christ to give me strength. There was no letdown in my game. I was playing for Christ. I just made Him the center of my life. In looking back over my life, my only regret is that I did not come to know the Lord a long time before I did. For 20 years I was a macho hockey player, but for the last two years of my career I knew I was playing for the honour of the Lord."

The couple's daughters, Kelly and Kerry, also received Christ into their hearts. The Prentice family would never be the same. The love of Jesus became the centre of their family and home.

After retiring as a player, Dean went on to coach in the AHL and the USHL before becoming the recreation director for the Southwest Ontario community of Ayr. They joined the Hockey Ministries International staff team in the late 1980's.

The Prentices have been ambassadors for Christ and leaders in the Christian movement in hockey. They are highly esteemed and loved amongst their peers and throughout the hockey world. As HMI staff members they carried the message of hope found in knowing Jesus from team to team and arena to arena speaking to players, coaches and fans. It was teamwork. June prayed in the stands while Dean spoke to players in the dressing room.  The Prentices were also highly committed to HMI's Christian Hockey Camp programs where for many years they travelled across North America reaching out to young hockey players.

Dean and June look back in awe at their life-changing encounter with Jesus in the early 1970's and rejoice about the impact that Christ has had not only on their lives, but also on their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Indeed all who have been privileged to know the Prentice family have been touched by the love and peace of God which is so evident in their lives.

"...I have come that you might have life and have it to the full."... Jesus (John 10:10)

By Rob Globke

Every hockey player needs to be a praying hockey player.

Why?

For one…
It is one of the chief means by which we grow closer to the Father. A chance for us to communicate with the one who created us and sent his Son to die for us. That alone should draw us to our knees. We get to talk to the One who spoke the world into being. The One who holds all things together. The One who has the power to raise the dead! Not only do we get to talk to this God. We are loved so much by Him he will always listen. He longs to communicate with us. How cool is that?!?! He is never too busy and you are never too small for him to listen.

For two...
If the above reason doesn’t make you want to spend some time in prayer, then perhaps we should stop to think about the truth that prayer is an act of humility. Humility is something we are commanded to be. (John 13:1-17) Hockey players seem like some of the most humble people around. I once heard someone say that, “Hockey players are the most down to earth athletes of all the sports I know.” Yeah, maybe that’s true. Maybe most of us don’t walk around looking for attention with our chests puffed up. But, that doesn’t mean we are not filled with pride. Sometimes, being proud is thinking we can do it on our own. Sometimes, being proud is failing to acknowledge you don’t have it all figured out. Prayer is a practice which admits we need help. It is an admission that we can’t do it on our own. And in my experience, this is something hockey players don’t often like to admit!

So, we know prayer is important, yet most of us probably could confess that it’s something we really struggle with. We know it’s vital, but we can’t always seem to grasp it. It’s mysterious and unknown… so we stay away. It can feel like wasting time in an activity of inactivity when we could actually be DOING something productive instead… so we don’t make time. It’s an admission we really can’t manage on our own… so we trudge on spinning our wheels. It’s intimidating because we don’t know how to start or where to begin… so we just never even try.

We are good at making excuses. Poor at follow through. We know we should, but don’t. This is not good enough. Every hockey player needs to be a praying hockey player. In light of this, below is a list of 5 little tools to help you start becoming hockey people who pray.



3 R’s of praying Scripture
This was borrowed from the following blog who borrowed it from a man named Ben Patterson. It is a method which helps you take a passage of scripture and work through it in prayer using three words. They are:

• Rejoice - How can I rejoice about how God is and what He has done based on this text?
• Repent - How can I repent of my sin based on what I find out in this text?
• Request - How can I ask God to help me be more like Him and grow closer to Christ in light of this text?

5 P’s of the Lord’s Prayer - 5 P’s
I’m not quite sure that I remember where I picked this up, but you can break the Lord’s Prayer into five different categories all starting with the letter “P”. This gives a pretty good structure as a template for our prayer time.

• Praise - How can I praise my Heavenly Father today?
• Purpose - How can I be a part of what God is doing in the world?
• Provision - How can God help meet my needs today?
• Pardon - How can God forgive me today?
• Protection - How can my Heavenly Father keep me from going astray?

PRAY
Another similar structure to the 5 P’s above is to take the word PRAY and use it as an acronym for the following:

• Praise - What is one or two things I can praise God for right now?
• Repent - Do I need to ask forgiveness of anything?
• Ask - What are some things that are on my mind and bothering me?
• Yield - How can I set aside my own priorities and join into God’s?

ACTS
An absolute classic which many people already know. It’s not opening to the book of Acts in the Bible. Although, that would be good and a nice thing to do from time to time. No, the ACTS method is an acronym which stands for:

• Adoration / Acknowledge - What can I praise or acknowledge God for?
• Confession - What can I ask forgiveness for?
• Thanksgiving - What can I thank Him for?
• Supplication - What can I ask Him to help me with? OR Who can I pray for?

PUSH
When all else fails, just simply PUSH…

• Pray Until Something Happens!!

• Do you get angry when you don’t get credit for the plays you make?
• Do you find yourself worried & anxious about making a team, future, game?
• Do you have frustration when others do better than you do?
• Do you get afraid of what your teammates think of you?

By Rob Globke

Read Romans 12:9-20

There is a full stat sheet of things we can do to be better teammates at the rink. The passage in Romans 12 is like looking at a Sidney Crosby stat line. It’s on the brink of overwhelming. There is so much in there for us to think about as teammates on our hockey teams. So, I’m simply going to pull out three highlights. Just three for now, but you are welcome to pick out more if you would like. In fact, I urge you to find more.


Be Patient
“be patient in tribulation…” - Romans 12:12
“but give thought to do what is honorable...” - Romans 12:17

Hockey players are supposed to be a tough bunch. We are looked up to when we have a fierce spirit, one in which we don’t take anything from anybody. Our first instinct is often to retaliate and get even, to pay back and get revenge. The fans like this, coaches often like this, and even our teammates like this. In many ways, this mentality is built into a hockey player’s blood. While we might be able to justify being cut throat with our enemies, it’s a bit harder to justify this behavior when it spills over into other aspects of our lives, even into the dressing room.

When we face various challenges in life, Romans 12 reminds us to “be patient” and “to give thought” before anything else. Of course, this is not easy. It seems to run against all that we know as hockey people. But, it’s part of being a good teammate. We are to be slow to speak and act even if those around us are getting under our skin. We are reminded to think about what is honorable before we lash out at those around us.

You may be asking yourself, “how can I ever do this?”
My response would be to remind yourself often (perhaps before every time you walk into the rink) of the patience of God in Christ. God does not punish us the instant we sin against Him. He doesn’t look to “get revenge” right away the moment we dishonor Him. Instead, He is patient. He proves His patience through His Son, Jesus Christ. Remind yourself of what God has done and His patience. Then, try to do the same with your teammates.

Questions

• Do you think before you speak or act?
• Are others hesitant of telling you things because of fear in your reaction?
• Why do certain teammates anger you so much?

Be Joyful
“Rejoice in hope…” - Romans 12:12
“Rejoice with those who rejoice…” - Romans 12:15

It is very hard to see others succeed when we are not. When life is not going our way, the last thing we want to do is celebrate with others as things seem to fall into their lap. It stings to watch as your teammates play and play well, while you sit the bench. It is heartbreaking to watch the coach praise that one teammate over and over again in a drill, while every time you practice coach finds something wrong. It’s so frustrating to listen to others in the dressing room talk about their new skates and hockey sticks, while you are using hand me down goods from your older siblings. Even if those around you are close friends or family members, it’s hard to be joyful in these times. The last thing we want to do in moments like this is REJOICE.

And if we’re not careful, we begin to start hoping things don’t go well for those closest to us. If we don’t watch out, we soon find ourselves rejoicing when life turns sour for our teammates. After all, if things aren’t working out for us, why should others get the glory. It just doesn’t seem fair!!

But this is not what a good teammate does. According to Romans 12, a good teammate is one who is willing to rejoice when others are rejoicing. A good teammate is one who mourns when others are mourning. When we do the opposite and rejoice when others mourn and mourn when others rejoice, we make a statement that life should really be about “ME”. This kind of mentality is steeped in selfishness. A selfishness that is not beneficial for the good of our teammates or our own soul. Instead, we should seek to be teammates who model the joy of Christ to others. Not just when things are going our way, but in all things.

Questions

• Are you jealous of your teammates? Why or Why not?
• Would you rather play well and lose or win and play poorly?
• How can you be more joyful of your teammates?

Be Peaceful
“Live in harmony with one another…” - Romans 12:16
“If possible...live peaceably with all…” - Romans 12:18

Have you ever played on or watched a team that was “in sync”? A team that played with unity, everybody doing their job and moving together as one unit. It’s a beautiful thing. So many different parts coming together to form a work of art. We know it when we see it, and we admire the harmony.

On the flip side, have you ever played on or watched a team that was “out of sync”? A team that played disjointed, everyone doing their own thing and moving in opposite directions. It’s a cringe worthy thing to behold. Often times, it’s not just on the ice, but the lack of harmony is evident on the bench and off the ice. Teammates blaming each other, bickering, and at odds with one another. We know it when we see it, and we despise the discord.

Romans 12 makes it clear we are to seek peace with our teammates, “so far as it depends on you.” We are to do everything we can to make sure that our relationships at the rink are in harmony. Whether that be in the locker room, the lobby, the bench, or on the ice. A good teammate doesn’t stir the pot and look to rile up others. A good teammate doesn’t create chaos by blaming his linemates for a bad pass. A good teammate doesn’t always try to prove himself right and others wrong. Instead, a good teammate seeks peace and does whatever he can to live in harmony.

Questions

• Are you always “stirring the pot” in the dressing room or on the bench?
• Is your interaction with teammates mostly arguments?

“Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the All Star of All Time”-Bob Naegele Jr.

The hockey world lost a great friend in early November of this year. Bob Naegele, Jr., the original owner of the Minnesota Wild, passed away on November 7. As an HMI teammate, he had a special interest in our All Star Outreach Breakfasts conducted annually during NHL All Star weekends.  At the Los Angeles Breakfast in 2002 he coined the phrase: “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the All Star of All Time.”  Bob’s message: “Great to have All Star players participating in our event, but there is One far greater in our midst- Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the true All Star. He is the One to be exalted. Hockey stars may shine for a few years but, their light eventually flickers and goes out. The eternal All Star- will shine forever.” The Apostle John wrote: Jesus’ life is “the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:4 and 5)    

The Star of Christmas was foretold by the ancient prophet, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned. “ (Isaiah 9:2) The true light that shines in the darkness arrived that first Christmas over 2000 years ago. Later in His journey to the cross Jesus proclaimed: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)  

God Himself, arranged for a bright star in the sky to guide the magi to His Star, who was born in Bethlehem.  They inquired: ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. “And with great joy they “saw the child with his mother, Mary and they bowed down and worshipped Him.”(Matthew 2:2 and 11) God’s goal is that all who encounter Jesus –God’s Son- will worship Him. During this Christmas season as you reflect on the story, enjoy the lights, and sing the carols take time to worship God’s All Star of All Time and ask Him to “let His light shine in your heart so that you can know the glory of God seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

“To me Christmas means Christ. It is a time to reflect not only upon His miraculous birth, but also upon my spiritual birth...” (Chico Resch, Stanley Cup Winner and current colour analyst New Jersey Devils, NHL.)

The following are quotes from Adam McQuaid from our Christian Hockey Camp in Prince Edward Island.

On Hockey Ministries Chapel Program:“We, (Boston Bruin players who attend chapels) get together once a week to talk about a Bible passage. We get to know more about the Bible as we discuss what it means and how we can apply it to our lives.  We talk about anything that might be bothering us, like maybe we are not playing well or concerned about a possible trade or even being cut from the team... Chapels give us an opportunity to reassure one another and let each other know that we are there to help. We tell each other not to get down...if someone is down we get to pick him up. “

Faith & hockey growing up: "My parents have a very strong faith. At a very young age they taught me who Jesus was...who God was... They told me that any time I had a worry or fear-something I didn’t feel right about-I could pray and that God would take care of me. Some mornings I was super nervous. My mom would pray with me before I went to school. I would leave the house feeling great. I didn’t feel alone. I knew God was with me. We all have things that we go through that make us scared. For me, I pray to God. He has always brought me through.

I was a super shy kid. The only reason I played hockey was because my parents wanted me to make friends and to do something outside the house.

Through all the ups and downs of my career in hockey, my faith is important. I continue to pray every day. Being a hockey player is so much more that what you do on the ice. Hockey does not define me. I want my legacy to be that I was a really good teammate-that I always worked hard-and that I was there for my friends. If you give respect you get respect back and that’s what friends do."

How does your relationship with God compare with winning the Stanley Cup?

"After winning the Cup, I was happy for a couple of weeks but then it was all gone. Life went on. New challenges came but through it all God was still there. Hockey does not define me. Life is more about your day to day interaction with people. How can you help people...reach out and be patient”

On how to treat others: "We read stories in the Bible and learn about characteristics that Jesus has...He was sinless...we as humans have all sinned...He always put others first. He was super humble and He came to serve. Imagine what it would be like if we respected one another and took care of each other more than ourselves! We can make a difference in each other’s lives."

Marlene Geoffrion Testimony as Presented at the HMI All Star Breakfast in Montreal January 24, 2009

I had a famous father, Howie Morenz who was a Montreal Canadien’s star.  I never got to know my dad as on March 8, 1937 he died of complications from a broken leg suffered from an injury in a game with the Canadiens.  I was almost 4 years old.  Mother had to work, so she placed me and my brothers Howie, Jr. and Donald in St. Patrick’s Orphanage.  Two years after Dad died, my brother Donald died from pneumonia.  My mother remarried when I was five. Because my mother and stepfather travelled a lot I was boarded at a convent.  I had no family life. When I was only 8 years old, my Mother died of alcoholism at age 42. I moved out of the convent.  I now had more free time, so I took up ice skating.  I loved it!  When I saw the Ice Follies at the Forum, it became my goal to skate the world on ice!

Boom and I met at the Forum Hockey Carnival when I was seventeen.   I was skating in between periods.  Boom was there to be presented as the future upcoming rookie with the Montreal Canadians. A couple of days later, Boom called and asked me for a date.  First, he took me to a boxing match at the Forum, but we didn’t stay long.  He surprised me by taking me home to meet his parents.  There, I saw him in a different way: tender, loving, and respectful to his parents. This was the first time I had ever seen what a true family life was like.  By the time he took me home I liked those deep blue eyes and dimples! 

Boom slipped an engagement ring on my finger at midnight mass on Christmas Eve 1951.   Our engagement lasted about a week because I still planned to skate from January to May of 1952, and according to Boom that just wasn’t going to happen! I gave him back the ring and off he went on a 10 day trip.  I missed him terribly.   By the time he returned, I had accepted that there would only be one person skating professionally in our family – and that would be Boom.  We married on May 3, 1952, and within a few years, had three children-Linda, Bob, and Danny.  At last I had my very own family!  Boom was a great husband, a good father - and just a lot of fun to be with.    He was a terrific hockey player. 

He was hired to coach a new team, the Atlanta Flames, in Atlanta, Georgia.  Boom became the ambassador of hockey in Atlanta. To my dismay, he went ahead and made arrangements for Bob and Danny to stay in Cornwall, Ontario so they could further their hockey careers.  Linda would be coming to Atlanta with us. My family would be split up, and that didn’t sit well with me. 

In September, 1972 we left for Atlanta.  I was very lonely – and yet I never even thought of asking God for help.  I was so miserable I was thinking divorce for the first time in my life.  Linda was getting married in a few months; what would I do when she was gone???? Somehow I made it through the next few years.

 And in 1979 God intervened.  A young hockey wife named Kathy Carr asked me to take her place at a Bible Study she’d been attending.   Her husband, Gene, had been cut from the team and they were leaving Atlanta. Bible Study was not on my “to do” list.  Church wasn’t even on my list!  I made all kinds of excuses as to why I couldn’t go.  “Call me in the morning, Kathy,” I said as I gently pushed her out the door.  That night I couldn’t sleep.  I pounced on the phone the next morning when it rang.  I told Kathy, “I’ll go anywhere today – even to a Bible Study – I AM SO BORED!”

We drove up to this beautiful mansion that the golfer Bobby Jones used to own. I was surprised that there were other athletes’ wives there – Basketball, Football, and Hockey - and they were so pleasant. We were instructed to open our Bibles to Ecclesiastes 9:9.  I looked around.  How do you spell that, and where do you find it?  Diane Pronovost, who was sitting next to me, must have sensed my embarrassment, because she told me what page in French.  The scripture says:  Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. 

This was my message from God:  Remain with the HUSBAND of your youth.   Why did I have such a strong conviction after reading these words?  On my way home I prayed this simple prayer:  “Lord, come into my heart and make me be what you want me to be – change my life.”  When I got home, I opened my Bible to John 15:7-8:  “If you abide in me and I abide in you, you can ask anything you want.”  My eyes moved to verse 23:  “You did not choose me, I chose you.”  I came to a real understanding of God’s great love for me in January, 1979, confessed my sins and asked Jesus to be my Savior.

I immediately grabbed a pen and notebook and wrote down 12 things I wanted to ask God for.  After all, didn’t God say I could ask for anything? How to change Boom took care of about 10 requests and that left 2 for me.  The Lord does have a good sense of humor.  He turned those requests around and started changing me first!  I began to see my life and circumstances from His point of view.

The Lord was doing something in Boom’s life as well.  One of the players, Ed Kea, carried the Bible with him everywhere.  The other players teased Eddie and called him “the preacher”.   But soon a number of them to know the Lord… Ed suggested that we attend Christian conference for athletes in Phoenix. By the grace of God, we went.  One of the speakers asked a question that caught our attention:  “If you were to die today, where would you go?” Boom couldn’t answer that question, and it bothered him.  He spoke to Ron Pritchard a former NFL player and Ron shared with him.  He prayed with Boom and told him not to put off his desire to become a Christian, as tomorrow may never come.  Let me remind you. We were religious, but we didn’t have a relationship with the Lord.  Boom accepted Jesus into his heart in June, 1979.  We began to attend a weekly Bible Study.

It was so encouraging to see all those young hockey players carrying their Bibles and learning the Scriptures.  The Lord put a new love in our marriage.  We were spiritually re-born!  God gave Boom that peace that surpasses all understanding.  Was our life perfect?  Absolutely not – but with God as the center of our lives, we found the answers. Our children and grandchildren know the meaning of prayer and they know that the Lord is in control of their every step.

My dear husband died from Cancer on March 11, 2006 – the very day he was so looking forward to, as his Canadians jersey, was to be retired at the Centre Bell that night. Boom had made me promise to attend the ceremony even if he couldn’t be there.  This was not easy, I can assure you.   All our children were there.  We were so filled with pride that evening as we watched Jersey #7 – my father’s – come down and meet Jersey #5 – Boom’s.  Together, they made hockey history once again.  I am sure the Lord said to Boom, “Welcome my good and faithful servant.”  Why am I so sure Boom is in heaven?  The Bible says,” For God do loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  (John 3:16)

We believe that Christ died on the cross for our sins and we were set free.  God has a plan for your life, too. He wants to transform your life beyond your wildest imagination.  He is longing to fill you with His peace, wisdom and love. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Thank you for letting me share my life with you.  May God bless every one as He has so wonderfully blessed me.

Editor’s note

Boomer won 6 Stanley Cups, a Calder Trophy, 2 Art Ross trophies, a Hart Trophy, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 and in 2017 was selected to be a member of the prestigious top 100 NHL players of all time. Despite all these successes I was part of a small group gathered in a Phoenix hotel room and heard Boomer pray a brief pray on the night of his conversion to Christ. The prayer went something like this: “Lord I won many Stanley Cups…I have many rings and trophies…I have scored many goals and received many awards…but here tonight I accepted Jesus into my life and I now know that I have eternal life and that is the greatest award of all.”

The last few sentences of the book on his life story read as follow: “Once upon a time I used to believe that hockey was everything. It isn’t. God and family come first. Being happy with the Lord and my family is a lot better than winning 500 Stanley Cups! Wghen you are flat on your back the only place to look is up to God. These words come to  mind: ‘ What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul? My feelings in life can be summed up in the following poem by Walt Huntley:”

      God’s Hall of Fame

Your name may not appear down here,
In this world’s hall of fame,
In fact you may be so unknown,
That no one knows your name!
The Oscars here may pass you by
And neon lights of blue,
But if you love and serve the Lord,
Then I have news for you.

This Hall of Fame is only good
As long as time shall be;
But keep in mind, God’s Hall of Fame
Is for eternity;
To have your name inscribed up there
Is greater more by far
Than all the fame and all the praise
Of ev’ry man-made star.

This crowd on earth they soon forget
When you’re not up at the top,
They’ll cheer like mad until you fall
And then their praise will stop;
Not God, He never does forget,
And in His Hall of Fame,
By just believing on His Son,
Forever – there’s your name.

I tell you, friend, I wouldn’t trade     
My name, however small,
That’s written there beyond the stars
In that celestial Hall,
For all the famous names on earth,
Or glory that they share;
I’d rather be an unknown here,
And have my name up there.

Enough claimed Chuck Luksa. After 4 seasons in the minors, the Canadiens’ promise to trade him or play him at the NHL level was not happening. At the 1978 training camp, the rugged defenseman challenged the Canadien’s G.M. to own up to his commitment. Having won the Calder Cup twice while with the AHL Voyageurs and been selected to the AHL First and Second All Star Teams he was convinced that he had enough minor league experience.  At camp Chuck grew more and more infuriated as the team’s management dragged its feet on their commitment. Upset with the unfair treatment, Luksa challenged the most powerful G.M. in the game. He threw down the gloves and walked out on the Canadiens refusing to go back to the minors. Finished with hockey, he packed his bags and headed home to Toronto.

Meanwhile out in the mid-west city of Cincinnati, Ohio, Floyd Smith coach of the WHA Stingers was searching for a defenseman. Having scrutinized the scouting reports on Luksa and convinced he was the man he needed he managed to successfully entice the 6 foot, 190 pound blue-liner to join his Cincinnati Stingers Club in the WHA.  

Unknown to Chuck, God was about to do something very special. Shortly after his arrival in the Ohio city, he was joined by David Forbes through a trade from Washington. David was a Christian. The brothers, Luksa and Forbes, prayed and became convinced that they should seek permission to initiate a chapel program for their team no matter the consequences. It was a courageous step for players to take in a game entrenched in tradition, protective of its unique culture and dubious of anyone who might introduce change.

Growing up in a Christian home, Chuck gave his heart to the Lord at ten years of age. The prayers and influence of his godly parents continued on through his life. Arriving home after walking out on the Canadiens in September of 1978, he was challenged by his mother to give the Lord full control of his life.  She pointed him to Romans 12:1: “I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him” (NLT).  These words pierced his heart. He stated later: “I got down on my knees that night and offered my life-my body-my all- as a living sacrifice to God. I asked God that if He allowed me to play pro hockey again, to please send me some place where He could use me.” Cincinnati was that place and Luksa answered the call.

The first chapel program in professional hockey began that season (1978-79) in Cincinnati-thanks to the strong commitment of two Stinger players. A movement was launched which has gradually spread across North America and into Europe with some 300 teams in over 40 leagues participating...and its growing.

In the spring of that season (1979) after a team chapel in Quebec City, Chuck had the joy of introducing his teammate, Cincinnati goaltender Michel Dion, to the Lord. Michel recounts their discussion: “Chuck asked, ‘are you a Christian?’ I replied, ‘of course, I had been taken to church every Sunday and had religious training in school and I try to do my best not to hurt anyone.’ But then he asked, ‘Have you ever decided to give yourself to Christ, of your own free will? Well that was something that I never heard of. When I realized I had to make my own decision-give myself personally to Christ and place my faith in Him-that’s what I decided to do. Because of the death and resurrection of Christ I now have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. I am not afraid of dying anymore; I know I am going to heaven. I dedicated my life to Christ. I told Him to do whatever He wanted, and to make me whatever He wants me to be.”

And the story continues...Michel was traded to the Nordiques in Quebec where he introduced the chapel concept to his team during the 1980-81season. In January 1981, during a chapel program he had the pleasure of seeing his teammate, Paul Baxter, ask Christ into his life. And when Nordiques’ teammates, Baxter and Dion, were traded to Pittsburgh they carried on the new tradition by initiating chapels with the Penguins.

Jackie Robinson once said: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”  Chuck’s life is making an inspirational impact on all who know him.

Quebec Nordiques’ Goaltender-Leaves his Net, the Players’ Bench, Team Dressing Room, Home Arena, and Quebec City, While the Game was still being played

Quebec City, December 10, 1980. Quebec Nordiques goaltender could no longer take the sarcastic boos by his own fans blaming him for Boston’s four goals. He hit the wall part way through the second period. Disheartened and seething with anger he blasted out of his net to the player’s bench; threw his gloves, mask and stick over the boards; leaped off the bench and headed to the dressing room; showered; changed; marched out of the building; climbed into his van and drove out of the city to his home town of Montreal...leaving behind his Nordiques’ teammates to battle the mighty Boston Bruins without a backup goalie. For all intents and purposes he left his career behind as well.

Michel Dion had had some great career moments. This wasn’t one of them. In 1977 a first star performance at the end of a four game sweep of the Cincinnati Stingers had the home town Indianapolis signing his name. “That was extreme joy” he later stated. And then there was the night the Nordiques played the Canadiens at the Forum for the first time. While he had idolized many of them he didn’t  let them intimidate him as he turned an outstanding exhibition of scintillating saves. He was selected the game’s number one star despite being on the losing team. That night he began to make his mark in the NHL.

So what happens to a goaltender who breaks all protocol, rules and responsibilities and walks out on his team in the middle of an NHL game? Does he get another chance or is he finished as an NHL goaltender? The Nordiques suspended the disgruntled player and eight days later put him on waivers. He was sold to Winnipeg Jets for a roll of tape and a goalie stick and ended up in Pittsburgh to begin the 1981-82 season. His first year in Pittsburgh was a stellar one for Dion earning him the honour of playing in the NHL All Star game.

It was in the spring of 1979 while a member of the Cincinnati Stingers that Michel attended a team chapel which took place while the team was playing on the road in Quebec City. Inspired by the service he met with fellow teammate Chuck Luksa for coffee. He wrote: “Chuck asked, ‘are you a Christian?’ I replied, ‘of course, I had been taken to church every Sunday and had religious training in school and I try to do my best not to hurt anyone.’ But then he asked, ‘Have you ever decided to give yourself to Christ, of your own free will? Well that was something that I never heard of. When I realized I had to make my own decision-give myself personally to Christ and place my faith in Him-that’s what I decided to do. Because of the death and resurrection of Christ I now have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. I am not afraid of dying anymore; I know I am going to heaven. I dedicated my life to Christ. I told Him to do whatever He wanted, and to make me whatever He wants me to be.”

The following season The Quebec Nordiques landed Michel in the dispersal draft where he played valiantly for the Nordiques. Here Michel introduced the chapel concept to his team during  the 1980-81 season. In January 1981 during a chapel program he had the pleasure of seeing his teammate, Paul Baxter, ask Christ into his life. And when Nordiques’ teammates, Baxter and Dion, were traded to Pittsburgh they carried on the new tradition by presenting the chapel program to Penguin management and initiating chapels with their team.

Michel says that the impact of his personal faith In Christ made him calmer and didn’t give up easily when things went wrong. With Jesus in His life he became a better person and player and was motivated to work harder in practice and in games.  The once professional baseball player with the Montreal Expos farm team in Florida eventually ended his hockey career in Pittsburgh in 1985. Michel and his beautiful wife, Kelsie, live in Bluffton South Carolina where he is a certified golf instructor.

Michel believes that: “When we are willing to give Him our all and leave it up to Him, He never fails to give us what’s best for us.” 

By Don Liesemer

In an article this week by Kevin Woodley on NHL.com several NHL goalies talked about surprise packages they received at Christmas- For Carey Price it was a set of red Vaughn pads; while Pekka Rinne  enjoyed finding  new sticks under the tree year after year  and on one occasion, a white mask; for Juuse Saros, a set of Sherwood hockey gloves was his surprise. Gifts of pads, sticks, gloves, masks all of which ignited a renewed passion for their unique position in the game.

Many of us have fond memories as well of special Christmas gifts. For me it was the arrival of our little baby, Heidi Joy Anne, just minutes before Christmas in 1983. What joy it was to hold in my arms our highly treasured gift from God in the early hours of that Christmas 34 years ago.

During this season our attention is drawn to another child born, a very special gift given that first Christmas-Jesus Christ- God’s gift to the world. Take a few minutes to consider the words of Scripture which explain why God sent His Son:

^“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. ¹⁰ This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:9

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“For you know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was rich, yet for your sake

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14

While all parents want to give the world to their children- God gave His Son to the world. He sent His one and only Son to demonstrate His great love for us and provide a way for us to know Him personally through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. Read the following by former NHLers as you reflect on the significance of Christmas for you.

“Through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, God now offers mankind new hope. This hope is eternal life in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” Paul Baxter former NHL player and coach

“Christmas is a time to reflect on the person of Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift of love to each and every one of us.”  Doug Jarvis, NHL player 1975-88 and current Assistant Coach Vancouver Canucks

“Christmas means Christ. It’s a perfect time to reflect upon my own spiritual birth-a reality he made possible through His birth and subsequent death and resurrection.” Chico Resch, NHL player 1973-87 and current New Jersey broadcaster

“Because the Old Testament prophecies came true on that first Christmas day I now have a real lasting peace. I also have someone who shares my joys and sorrows.” Mark Osborne NHL player 1981-95 and current Los Angeles Kings scout.

You can experience His peace this Christmas by welcoming Him into your life.

By Don Liesemer

Many Great Saves... A hockey writer used the term an explosion in a rubber factory to describe what it feels like for a net minder to get riddled with shots. Teams know that a hot goalie making sizzling saves wins games. In the Pittsburgh Penguins/ Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup final series in 2009 Pittsburgh was leading in game 7 with only seconds remaining. In these dying seconds of the game, Detroit had one last chance. They pressed hard. Penguins’ goalie, Marc Andre Fleury stopped Henrik Zetterberg’s blast from the right faceoff circle.  Nicklas Lidstrom picked up the rebound and fired a quick shot hoping to tie the score. Incredibly, Fleury slid across making a great save with one second remaining to win the cup for Pittsburgh against the powerful Detroit Red Wings.

Another stunning example of great saves was the 1998 Olympic performance by Czech goalie, Dominik Hasek against the always powerful Canadian team. In semi-final shoot-out, Hasek shocked the hockey world by blanking 5 of the top shooters in hockey for the win.  In the gold medal game the all star Czech goalie went on to shut-out the Russians and win the gold medal for the Czech Republic.

Possibly the most remarkable goalie performance ever was by Normie Smith of the Detroit Red Wings. Amazingly, he made 92 saves against the Montreal Maroons on March 24, 1936 in the longest game in NHL history. It went into 6 overtime periods and took 176:30 minutes to play before Mud Brunetau’s goal at 16:30 of the 6^th overtime period. The Maroons had a total of 92 shots at the Detroit net but Normie Smith stopped every one. Summary: 92 shots- 92 saves and the Red Wings win the game!

The Greatest Saviour...Goalies making outstanding saves are sometimes referred to as saviours.   However, the greatest Saviour of all time is Jesus Christ. His mission in coming to earth was to save lives. Jesus said that He came “to seek and to save that which is lost.”1. Prior to His birth an angel of the Lord told Joseph that Mary was with child and went on to tell him that he was to name “the child Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins.”2. On the night of His birth an angel appeared to shepherds and declared: “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.” 3. The Apostle Paul said that Jesus Christ “came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst” 4

 Why a Saviour?-because, we are sinners and need to be saved. We have all messed up and fallen short of God’s glory.5 God demands perfection to get into heaven. Since we don’t measure up to God’s standard He sent His Son to save us from our sins and make it possible for us to go to heaven.

The Greatest Save of All Time...The most penalized goalie in NHL history is Ron Hextall. In each of 3 straight seasons in the 1980’s he amassed over 100 penalty minutes. Despite a career total of 584 penalty minutes, Ron never spent a single minute in the penalty box because of a rule unique to the game of hockey...a mercy rule for goalies. The rule states that when a referee calls an infraction on a net minder a player on the ice at the time has to serve the goalie’s penalty. Game after game an innocent teammate has to pay the price by sitting in the penalty box while the guilty goalie is allowed to continue playing. As our teammate in life, Jesus made the greatest save of all time when He paid the penalty for all of the world’s sins by dying on the cross so that we could be forgiven and be saved. We are guilty-He was innocent. He lived a perfect, sinless life but made the supreme sacrifice once for all time, paying the price for our sins. 6. That first Christmas Jesus came to be our Saviour. We can all experience His salvation by confessing our sins and inviting Him to be our Saviour. Notes: 1. Luke 19:10; 2. Matthew 1:21; 3. Luke 2:11; 4.1 Timothy 1:15; 5. Romans 3;23; 6. 1 Peter3:18

Old time minor-leaguers were a special class of player.  Back in the day these farm hands were forced  to endure thousands of miles on buses; sweat through three- game weekends; tolerate truck stop pre-game meals; stomach the monotonous routine of packing and unpacking smelly hockey bags- dragging them back and forth from bus to locker room and absorb hecklers and mockers in opposing arenas. Pushing back hurt feelings of being snubbed by NHL managers and unrealized dreams these resilient, courageous men refused to give up on the game and tenaciously eked out a living in the rough and tough minor league system of their time. They were an extraordinary class of professionals, proud, hard as nails and willing to make great sacrifices to play the game they loved.   

 The Shepherds of Jesus’ day in some ways were not unlike the lunch bucket squad of hockey farm hands. They too put in long, lonely hours protecting and looking after the needs of their flocks. Surviving on minimal incomes and snubbed by the rest of society this hardened clan of sheep herders were made to feel like second class citizens. Their jobs called for robust men willing to be down and dirty and sweaty and smelly. They were uncultured and poor mannered and were treated as outcasts by the rest of society.

Now consider this, when God broke his long silence by sending His Son to Bethlehem, He chose Shepherds. To them the Creator made the greatest announcement ever made. Remarkable!  Picture this group of back woods shepherds- some sleeping, others standing guard, a few telling stories or discussing the issues of the day, when suddenly out of nowhere an angel shows up. The shock had them frozen with terror. And with beads of cold sweat and wide open mouths they hear the angel: ‘Don’t be afraid ‘1(They must have thought, ‘easy for you to say’).The angel continued; “I bring you great news that will be a great joy to all people. The Saviour-yes the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David.”2 And then “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-armies from heaven-praising God...”3

Still in a state of shock and disbelief they race for the village where they found Joseph and Mary and the baby in the manger. Excited beyond measure they “told everyone what had happened”4. Why did God choose these lowly shepherds? Because He wanted the world to know that they were just as important as societies’ bright lights. He makes no distinctions. He wants everyone to know Him, and to tell others about Him. No matter one’s status or station in life, God has a plan for everyone.

A number of decades ago a player was dispatched to the lowest league in the then known hockey world.  He fought through the disappointment and enjoyed a successful season on ice. But of greater importance during that experience deep in the minors he discovered Jesus’ heart for hockey players. Like the shepherds in the Christmas story he has been proclaiming the Good News of Jesus birth in the hockey world ever since.   

 “...all who heard were astonished-and they went back to their flocks with praise on their lips and in their hearts.”5.
1. Luke 2:10; 2. Luke 2:11; 3. Luke 2.13; 4. Luke 2:17; 5. Luke 2:18.

By Don Liesemer

Each year my son, Don Jr., our friend, Charlie Blyth and I set free a team of hand-crafted images of the characters of Christmas. Surviving a long, 11 month, hibernation these special characters are thrilled to get back into the game and perform the task for which they were created- a silent proclamation on our front lawns of the amazing story of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. There have been some interesting happenings: baby Jesus has several times been stolen; gifts have mysteriously been placed in mangers; the characters have been featured on a neighbour’s Christmas cards and one of the displays was chosen as top prize winner by a community resident. Over the next few weeks we will add words from the Bible reminding you of the significance of these amazing characters who endure cold, wind, snow and rain in their witness to the birth of Christ.

Promise- “I am Going to Score a Goal for You Tonight”- Alex Ovechkin

Prior to an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on November 26, 2017 Washington Capital’s Alexander Ovechkin, promised 13 year-old cancer survivor, Alex Luey, that he would score a goal. Part way through the first period the Superstar picked up the puck at his own blue line, raced across centre, into the Leaf zone and fired a blistering shot past Toronto goaltender, Curtis McElhinney. Ovechkin immediately gestured to the stands where Luey was wildly cheering signalling that the goal was for him. Ovechkin would go on to score 3 that night bringing indescribable joy to the young teen-ager.

Promise- “I will send a Saviour”-God

While Ovechkin promised a goal...God promised a Saviour. Alex’s took 12 minutes and 43 seconds to fulfill, God’s took thousands of years. The Bible tells us that His plan was set before the world was created. In many ways Alex’s blast past the Leaf goalie was routine...he skated and shot. The fulfillment of God’s promise was anything but routine. There were 6 major conditions that had to be fulfilled in the promised Saviour.

1)    He had to be a Jew (Genesis 28:14)

2)    He had to be from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:8-12)   

3)    He had to be a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:11,12,16)

4)    He had to be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)

5)    He had to be Divine (Isaiah 9:6,7)

6)    He had to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

Consider the complexity, and precise timing in play. Impossible- for humanity but not for the Lord of the universe who moved events and peoples down through the centuries in order to bring His Son to our planet. Think about: the long list of people that had to form the Messiah’s lineage; contemplate God influencing the entire Roman Empire so that the census was issued at the exact time to move the expectant virgin from Nazareth to Bethlehem; Ponder the Creator’s movement of the star in the sky to get the Magi to Bethlehem to worship the Saviour. The only reasonable answer is that the eternal God did it all and delivered on His promise of a Saviour:

“...For unto you has been born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

The angels knew: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will to men.” Luke 2:14
The shepherds recognized Jesus as they returned “glorifying God for all the things they had heard and seen...” Luke 2:20
Simeon understood that the long awaited Saviour had come and took Jesus in his arms and said: “For my eyes have seen Thy salvation”. Luke 2:30

Have you recognized and received God’s promised Saviour?

by Rob Globke

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 4:20-24
But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

The usual formula for hockey looks something like this:

Go and do xyz → Become abc


Some examples of this formula might be:

If I score a lot of goals → then I will be a power play player

If I can make big hits & fight → then I am a tough guy

If I can produce  → then I will be a success

If I make things happen → then I will be well liked and popular


I could even throw in some in regards to parents & coaches, but it’s probably best to keep this short.

It’s the way of things at the hockey rink. The game of hockey has a culture of EARNING. You create your outcome based on what you do, how much you do, and how well you do it. The game instills this idea that who you are is directly correlated by what you do.

And while I’m not saying it’s necessarily wrong or bad to work hard and try to be someone who does great things, I am going to argue that it is dangerous to apply this same formula to a life of faith. Yet, this is often our default, and sometimes we don’t even realize we are doing it! To me, this is backwards and I believe it might be a worthwhile endeavor to stop and rethink the formula. Not to change the variables so much as to simply reorder them.

There must be a different way.

I suggest the formula for our doing should look more like this:

Become abc → Go and do xyz


The life of a Christian is first rooted in being before doing. You are before you can do. We are first chosen, created, loved, forgiven, and made a child in God’s family before we actually can do what he wants us to do. Some examples of this new formula might be:

If I am loved by God → then I will want to love others (1 John 4:19)

If I am God’s workmanship → then I will have specific things to do (Ephesians 2:10)

If I am forgiven → then I will forgive (Colossians 1:14)

If I am reconciled → then I can minister reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18.19)

If I already am I child of God → then I must act like a part of the family (John 1:12)

It’s vitally important we don’t mess with the order. We can’t work our way to God’s love. There aren’t enough good things we can do to make God love us. He loves us even when we aren’t too good. We can’t earn our way onto God’s family like we can a hockey team. No matter how many goals we score, soup kitchens we serve at, or times we go to church in a given week, we don’t become a Christian through our own merits. And, we don’t stay a Christian through our own merits.

We do the things we do because of who we are. That’s the formula. Our identity in Christ shapes our actions. The things we do are a result of our acceptance in Christ, not the means to our acceptance in Christ. I need to constantly remind myself of this, and I encourage you to as well.

The big questions become:

• How does this new formula change the way we play hockey?
• How does this new formula change the way we parent hockey players?
• How does this new formula change the way we coach a hockey team?

How do you approach your role as a teammate in the NHL?

First and foremost,I always want to be a good teammate and for that I look to examples from Jesus and the Bible. If guys say to me he’s a great teammate and I want to learn why he does certain things, that becomes an opportunity to talk about Jesus. Not everyone had the opportunity like I did to grow up in a family that talked about Jesus and the Bible. I’ve never felt like anyone looked at me differently, certainly the are times that you have to know how you want to live your life and take a stand for it. But when you take a stand, people do respect that.

How important is hockey for you in relation to your faith?

I’ve played hockey all my life. But I know that when I’m done playing, I’ll have that relationship with Jesus for the rest of my life and the rest of eternity, and it’s something that will continue to grow.

What are some of the things that you do to maintain your relationship with God?

First thing I do when I wake up in the morning is read my daily devotional. For me it sets my day in the right direction and gets my mind in the right place. I also make sure to have prayer as part of my daily routine.

Do you have a favourite Bible verse?

Well, on the back side of my stick I have Jeremiah 29:11 it says “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.” When the National Anthem is being sung, I look at that verse and I say a prayer. And it helps remind me that God’s in control and puts me in the right perspective.

How important was your faith growing up?

As I grew up there three things that were important: church, school and hockey. My parents were always teaching me about Jesus, always an emphasis on saying my prayers before bed and in the morning before going to school. It’s always been a big part of my life, for me with hockey it helps calm my nerves and reminds me that God’s watching over me. Had it not been for my faith, there’s a lot of different paths I could have taken. But I don’t think I would have had the discipline and the focus to make it to NHL without it.

By Dan Hamhuis 

A huge transition in my life, and when my faith really hit home, was when I went to play my first year professional.   I was drafted by Nashville in 2001, and after a couple of unsuccessful training camps, they sent me to the American Hockey League to play a season in Milwaukee.  While Prince George had been comfortably close to home, and I was familiar with the city and close my teammates, that first year in Milwaukee was a tough year for me.  Even though it ended up being a huge turning point in my life and in my faith life, it was one of the worst years I’ve  had in hockey. Coming from such a great junior hockey environment in Prince George to going to Milwaukee, where we played in a 17,000-seat arena with maybe 5,000 people in it, was an adjustment. Living on my own for the first time, being far away from family and friends, and playing with twenty new guys who were all older than me was really intimidating and a tough transition – it was a lonely time for me.  I didn’t play that well, and I had my struggles off the ice as well.

We had a chaplain there named Iggy Cofaro with Hockey Ministries International, and he kind of shook me up a bit.  We had a pretty big group of people going to chapel, and he challenged us, and I think me in particular, that growing up knowing about God is not good enough. He painted a vivid picture of Jesus’ love for us through the sacrifice he made dying on the cross. This motivated and inspired me to live the way Jesus taught about and demonstrated for us.  I think Iggy knew that I needed this at this point in my faith journey – and I was actually kind of mad at him for giving me that message, because I was pretty comfortable where I was at, sort of picking and choosing where I wanted to be a Christian or not.  So that was a real eye-opening experience and turning point in my life and my faith.  That whole year, I had lots of time because I was living on my own, and decided I needed to take a deeper look at my faith. That’s when I really started to grow as a Christian.  I started looking at this for myself, and that’s when it became very important to me.

As I made that transition for myself, that first year of pro, I started learning more and more about God and how to live the right way by reading the bible and some good devotional books and inspirational Christian sports books.  Reading books of other Christian athletes helped me a lot – hearing these other guys’ stories of how they dealt with things.  It was very important to me to try to get some of this reading in every day. In those first few years of pro, I found I was hot and cold with my faith.  I would be really into it – doing a lot of reading, studying, thinking and praying – and then there’d be a few days or even a couple of weeks where I thought, ‘Oh man, I haven’t thought about God at all,’ and I felt guilty about it.  But I’ve developed a discipline now to always have a devotional book or some Christian literature there at my bedside table, and read a few pages here and there at night or in the morning.  I think that has helped me grow in my faith and become aware of temptations, and helped me make good decisions.

2007 was my first year pro, and I had a great training camp.  The coaches were happy and they seemed so impressed, and I really thought I had a good chance of making the team.  I went into training camp expecting to make it, and everything was going great.  Then I got sent down in the last cut, and they told me, ‘Just keep playing like you are, and you’ll be up before you know it,’ and I was so excited – it was awesome! Then I went to the AHL, and it’s just a different league, and a different experience.  You’re living on your own, you have money you never had before, and there are a lot more temptations.  I was one of the last ones sent down, so I ended up not having a roommate because everybody else had pretty much already grabbed their spots. I started, and the first half of the year was really tough – like, of the defensemen, I was one of the worst plus/minuses on the team.  I wasn’t living up to the expectations of the coaches there, and I wasn’t very confident.  Everything was sort of turned upside-down, and hockey wasn’t even fun – it was terrible.  About halfway through the year, I was getting lonely.  I was dating at this point, but my girlfriend and I had decided not to live together, and even though I liked the guys on my team, I just felt distant for some reason.  Some of them had their families and other guys liked to go out and party, and I didn’t want to do those things.  So it was a tough time.  I even took a class just to keep busy with my time.

As the year went on, my games kept getting worse and worse, and I kept getting lonelier and lonelier.  We played a game against Providence, and we lost 6-2.  I was a minus 4, and it was just crushing.  I felt like I had given up on myself in many ways, and I didn’t know what to do – I didn’t understand what was happening to me. I know my dad would say, ‘think positive, think positive’ – he always preached positive thinking – and I believed it, and I knew it was true, but I couldn’t apply it. I went home one night, and I called my dad.  I was pacing in my room, and I was really depressed.  He told me he’d been there, when he was playing pro ball one time – like if someone had handed him a plane ticket home and said, ‘get out of here,’ he’d have grabbed that ticket and flown home and never played the game again. That’s kind of how I felt, but he told me, again, to think positively – and I just couldn’t do it. My hockey was going out the window, I’d lost my college education because I signed an NHL contract, and I was letting lots of different things put pressures on me. I had such an emptiness in my stomach, I actually thought about hurting myself just because I was so empty – like so empty that pain sounded good to me, and it actually made sense to me. And this was not me at all – really not who I am, not who I ever was.  But then, instantly, I got this thought – ‘No, you will not do that – you’re better than that.’ And I thought of my then-girlfriend, now wife’s mother telling me that the bible is alive, and that if I ever needed the Lord, I should ask the Holy Spirit to guide me.

Then I got on my bed, and I was crying, and I said, ‘You know what, Lord – if there was ever a moment in my life when I needed you, it’s now. I need you now.’ Then I opened up the bible, and I happened to open it up to Hebrews 13:5, and it said, ‘…never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ It just pierced me, and I felt, wow, just wow. Then I was weeping like crazy, and I couldn’t believe God just said that to me – ‘I’ll never leave you…’ At that moment, there was such a presence in that room, and I kept thinking, ‘keep reading, keep reading,’ so I began to read Hebrews 13:6, and it says, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ Up to that point, I had been so into my hockey, and I was just trying to please people – like my coaches and my teammates. I was trying to do all this stuff, and it was almost my demise. I was trying to please everybody, but I was killing myself when I couldn’t. And I was giving them so much power over me, because if they were disappointed in me, it would crush me.  From that moment on, it occurred to me that the Lord is in control – He is in control of my career, and I’m to give it to Him, let Him lead it, and that’s all that matters.

 That was such a huge transition in everything for me – even in my hockey.  I went from being the worst plus/minus to almost being out of the minus. My game had changed, my perspective had changed, my life had changed - and it was such a big day for me because I had gone from a point where I was ready to throw it all away, to all of a sudden receiving something from the Lord like that and knowing that this is where He had called me and how He wanted me to handle it.

By David Booth

I am spoiled. I don’t think there has been a greater realization since spending time in Russia. Having the opportunity to live and play throughout Russia has opened my eyes to how much I take for granted in life. I am very thankful for my time here and wouldn’t trade it for anything. And this isn’t because it has been an easy experience. Living in Russia has been very challenging and humbling.

Honestly, I needed to experience this lifestyle after playing the NHL for so many years. Playing in the NHL blessed me with so much, but it also gave me a sense of entitlement. Every NHL player is elevated to idol status with other people taking care of our every need. After 10 years of constantly having anything I needed, it became a way of life for me without even realizing it. I became engulfed in self centeredness, and I could not even see it happening. I was unknowingly living the epitome of what C.S. Lewis calls the safest road to hell.

The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.

My goal was, and still is, to play in the NHL; but I believe God brought me to Russia to teach me some much needed lessons. Each time I felt as though my dreams were shattered, I look back and see God’s perfect plan in my life. I saw that during my concussion recovery, and I see it now as I continue my career in the KHL. 

I was incredibly frustrated when I first came to Russia. The things that got under my skin are such American problems. For instance consider these:  I got irritated that I wasn’t able to find gluten free bread or have a meal without cream and butter! The grocery stores mostly consisted of items months past the expiration date. Russian techno is the one and only playlist in the locker room. That’s been hard for a country music fan. We have a respect for seniority in the NHL, that doesn’t exist in the KHL. KHL workouts are completely different from what I’ve been taught. And finding a good massage therapist to help with recovery is next to impossible. As well, we don’t fly first class on planes or out of private airports. We are required to spend our Home game days in a hotel. No one could understand me because of the language barrier. The sidewalks and roads haven’t been fixed since the foundations were laid so many years ago.

When I looked back on how frustrated I was, it struck me how these things would not even cross a Russian’s mind. They would never consider those things a problem, much less get bent out of shape about them. But for me, I felt like I wasn’t going to make it through the season. It was suffocating. 

Now I understand how to live and enjoy these differences… and just how much I needed them in my life.

I am reminded of how God taught his people valuable lessons through 40 years (not 6 months!) wandering in the wilderness. They needed to be humbled and trust him. No doubt that I needed humbling. I still do. 

““Make certain that you do not forget the LORD your God; do not fail to obey any of his laws that I am giving you today. When you have all you want to eat and have built good houses to live in and when your cattle and sheep, your silver and gold, and all your other possessions have increased, make sure that you do not become proud and forget the LORD your God who rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves. He led you through that vast and terrifying desert where there were poisonous snakes and scorpions. In that dry and waterless land he made water flow out of solid rock for you. In the desert he gave you manna to eat, food that your ancestors had never eaten. He sent hardships on you to test you, so that in the end he could bless you with good things. So then, you must never think that you have made yourselves wealthy by your own power and strength. Remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to become rich. He does this because he is still faithful today to the covenant that he made with your ancestors. Never forget the LORD your God or turn to other gods to worship and serve them. If you do, then I warn you today that you will certainly be destroyed.”

Deuteronomy 8:11-19

It is too easy to point fingers at others’ faults, problems, inadequacies. Russia wasn’t the problem. The way they do things in the KHL wasn’t the problem. I was… and still am… the problem. I have to continually examine myself; and when I compare myself to how I should be living out God’s Word, I see all the areas in which I am broken. 

In the same way, it’s wise and good to read from all parts of the Bible. To not just open up to the books you like to read or the ones that may be “easier” to read. Instead, read “all of Scripture which is useful for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

So, as the hockey season soon closes, my encouragement to you is to work hard not to become a one trick pony on or off the ice.

by Rob Globke

Do you ever wonder if anybody notices you?
Do you doubt whether anyone is even paying attention or cares?
Do you carry the weight of loneliness as you walk through each day?

• Perhaps you wonder if you will ever be seen in a tryout of over 150 skaters. How can the coach possibly watch that many people? You believe deep down you will get lost in the shuffle.
• Perhaps you get discouraged every time you look up in the stands and see mom or dad (or both) fixated on the smart phone and not on your last shift.
• Perhaps feel desserted when dad can’t make a game this year because work is just too busy.
• Perhaps you are scared that you’re on the team, but not part of the team.
• Perhaps you are frustrated you won’t be invited to that tournament where all the scouts will be taking notes and handing out scholarships. How will you ever be noticed?
• Perhaps you are angry because you wish the referee would open his eyes and call some penalties on the guy who has been hacking and whacking you all game.

In all these instances and many more, you may start to wonder, “Does God See Me?”

At various points in our life as hockey players, it proves to be a valid question. After all, we can’t always rely on even those who love us most to really “see” us all the time. There are times in and out of the rink when we wonder, “In a world full of over 6 billion people, how can I feel so alone!” And inevitably, some of life’s most painful emotions come bubbling to the surface. Fear, anger, and sadness come to mind as I write this. Emotions eager to pull us away from the life God has intended us to live. Of course we can’t blame the game of hockey for these feelings. They are a part of being human. Yet, hockey does have a tendency to bring them out. The game doesn’t create these feelings, but it sure does reveal them.

So how do we combat this loneliness? Where can we find hope?

Well, we need to go to something unchangeable, solid, and true. Something that keeps us straight when our emotions try to take us left and right. I firmly believe the place to start in this search is God’s word. The one source we know is reliable and trustworthy to give us hope when we don’t have much else to grasp. A book which reminds all of us of who God is and what He has done for us. A book holding words which tell us that God ALWAYS sees and is ALWAYS present with us.

While there are many passages and verses we can turn to in times of loneliness, there are two I want to highlight today.

Psalm 33:13-15
The Lord looks down from heaven;
   he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out
   on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all
   and observes all their deeds.

Psalm 139:7-10
Where shall I go from your Spirit,
   Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
   If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
   and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
   and your right hand shall hold me.

From these verses we find the God who never sleeps nor slumbers. We find the one True God who can be counted on to watch every single game, shift, and shot. A God who notices us. A God who is with us even when everyone else jumps ship. There is no where we can go from His presence. There is nothing He does not see.

• If your coach never sees you, have no fear because God is always watching.
• If your parents don’t always notice you, don’t worry because God observes all your deeds.
• If you don’t have any friends on the team, do not be discouraged because God is present to hold you.
• If you are overlooked by scouts, don’t be angry because God sees every children of man.

Cling to this. You are seen and you are never alone. Go to the rink with confidence and play well, because you know the KING is always watching. Play for Him and Him alone.

My journey after 2009

 Coming back from the concussion I sustained in 2009 required a tremendous amount of physical training. To get back into competition form is no easy feat. It requires time, focus, discipline, commitment, sacrifice, and perseverance. Growth comes through pain. I guess that is a better way of saying, “No pain, no gain”. 

My goal was simple, to come back in the best shape of my life. I was almost possessed by the idea. There were rumors floating around doubting I would ever be able to play again, if I would be the same player and wondering if I would just get hurt again. There were so many “ifs”. 

 Battling doubt and the “big if” questions are things we constantly have to face in life. Some things are not within our control and it just doesn’t make sense, to spend time worrying about them. I couldn’t change what happened to me, however, I could recognize the opportunity that lay ahead. I was not going to be held back by lack of fitness or training, that I could control. Getting back into the game wasn’t going to be easy. I definitely had a Goliath that stood in front of me; but I wasn’t going to lose focus or give up because of the doubt looming over my return to hockey

.

 I had a goal of competing in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. I had been slotted to be on the team, but since the injury that dream seemed dim, especially with several setbacks during my recovery. Still, I wasn’t going to give up.  I finally was able to play my first game in January, just a week or two before the final selections were made for the Team USA. I probably forced myself back faster than what was recommended in hopes of making the team. I was just so determined to play. 

Not long after, I got a call from Team USA management before the final roster was released. They said I would be left off the final roster, but if anyone got injured they would let me know. Obviously, it was very hard news to take. It seemed like an dream of mine had slipped away because of various circumstances outside of my control.

Surprisingly, the sting didn’t last that long. I truly did everything within my strength to get back to where I needed to be; and the rest was in God’s hands. There is no doubt, He directs our paths when we are living in his purpose. I believe one of the gifts God instilled in me during this trial was a determination to never quit or give up. 

I felt like I was given a second chance to play the game again. This was a gift, and I wanted to work harder than ever before! It would have been easy to sulk in my circumstances and not even attempt to get back into the game. Yet, the commitment to use my God-given talent for His glory was established after this accident. Yes, there are times when I don’t feel like giving it my all and laziness sounded appealing. This is part of our broken nature. However, since the concussion I am a lot better at recognizing when I sink into that attitude. Being able to recognize those faults, is a reminder that I was given a gift to play this sport again and it should not be taken for granted. Yet, while cultivating this new-found gift of discipline, God also revealed a weakness to me.

 I put a lot of hours and dedication into hockey training, but how was my spiritual training? Was I as determined to know God, as I was to play hockey? As much discipline as I require myself to have for hockey, do I require that focus in my prayer life, reading the bible, and witnessing? 

 “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future.” - 1 Timothy 4:8 

 I easily put so much time and commitment into my physical attributes. Sometimes I need a reality check to see if I'm doing the same in my spiritual life. The truth is I should always be doing more! Spiritual training has value in all things, for now and the eternal. My physical body is only going to hold up for a few more years in this league. Our spiritual training must need abundantly more work if it is going to last for eternity! I need a constant reminder of the importance of this. Looking back, I can definitely see that God used a tragedy to reshape my focus for the better.

By David Booth

Making it to the NHL has been one of the greatest blessing and accomplishments of my life. One of the things I am most thankful for is what I have learned through playing at the highest level. If you were to look at my NHL career, you would have to conclude that the most recognizable event was the concussion I sustained in 2009. No one brings up the games we won, the goals I scored, or specifics about the points I received. If anyone asks me about my career today, it will almost certainly be about my concussion. It has been labelled as a defining point in my career, and perhaps has also been a major defining moment in my life.

I think the greatest personal growth happens when we face trials and we struggle. It is often through our struggles that we realize we don't have all the answers to life. It is pain that exposes our superficial source of strength and causes us to start asking deeper questions in life. We learn most during refining processes; although they are inevitable, we never look forward to them.

The career of a professional athlete puts almost anything you could want at your fingertips. It offers endless pursuits and opportunities. But in a moment, during what seemed like a typical game day in Florida, I was hit and left completely unconscious. What followed was a very tough road. 

When you are an active person, halting everything to recover at home for 30 days feels boring and wasteful. Furthermore, I sensed that my life and career would never be the same after this incident. The game that had given me happiness, financial stability and meaning, had been taken away from me. This is why the Bible tells us to find our worth in God and nothing else, because all else is fleeting. At that point in my life, I had to determine where my self-worth actually rested.
 

One passage that helped me then, and still does today, is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me… For when I am weak, then he is strong.” 

Following that injury, I was the weakest I had been since the moment I started skating. We don't take pride in our weakness. We take pride in being better than others. However, I now can boast knowing that God’s perfect plan played out in my life. I had to rely on Him for my emotional and physical strength. He was and is my source of joy. My value is based on His Word, not on the world’s idea of worth. My joy isn't found in my accomplishments, but on what Christ accomplished on the cross.

“I chose to respect the hockey authorities who were making decisions regarding my sons.
I encouraged my boys to do so as well.”

Preamble: I have had two of my boys play Junior “A” hockey. Alex played for 6 teams in a 3.5 year career- in each of our four Western provinces. Meanwhile, Markson has played in the WHL for 4 years with Spokane WA, and most recently in Saskatoon SK.

The Challenges: I understand the challenges of playing junior hockey: insecurities; confidence issues; temptation to participate in the “party life”; developing an egotistical outlook; and uncertainties that come from the ups and downs of life in the game. At times I observed things that were unfair and discouraging. Other times it was hard because of our sons’ lack of maturity and understanding the ropes. My son once said: “I love the city where I am playing, but I hate hockey.”

Hopes: I have always hoped that my boys would come through the game healthy mentally, physically, and spiritually. Playing hockey challenges these three areas significantly.

Joys and Concerns: There were many joys and concerns as I followed Alex and Markson in their junior careers. Alex was severely injured when pushed from behind into the boards on his first shift in junior hockey. He returned to the ice with a vengeance and inspired his team to snap a 15 game losing streak that very first game. In the playoffs that year the opposing coach said he was the best player in the series. In Drumheller he was one of the team’s top scorers when they reached the provincial finals. As he finished his junior career people commented that he was a unique player the kind of which doesn’t appear very often. Of course I will always remember when as a midget player Alex carried a box of Hockey New Testaments into the locker room and had the courage to pass one out to each of his teammates. One of Markson’s chaplains spoke highly of his leadership with the team and mentioned that as many as 6 of his teammates would accompany him to church.  One memory I will always cherish is our family hugs with the boys after games. We love our children. It is always a thrill to watch them compete in sports.

Approaches:

• First of all I wanted my sons to feel the freedom to choose for themselves what they wanted from the sport.  (Our oldest son hung up the competitive skates following a successful bantam championship.  He was being wooed to the mound and I enjoyed watching him pitch).
• I also reminded them that they were much more important to me than the game. My love for them didn’t change regardless of how they played. I wanted them to know I would support them as long as they wanted to play. I was their “greatest” fan and never stopped believing in them. I watched my sons play whenever I could. I drove many miles. If I couldn’t watch them in person I tried to catch the game online or on the radio.
•  I chose to never bemoan their ice time as I felt that was the coach’s prerogative.
• Sometimes I would get a call before an important game, but more often it was after the game.  “What did you think, Dad?” I picked out little things that they were doing well and identified areas where they could have done better.  
• I urged my sons to take advantage of their opportunities in practice by working on their skills wholeheartedly.
• My spiritual support for them revolved around constantly sharing verses, giving books, forwarding devotions, and praying without ceasing. I knew the greatest hope and strength they required would be in God’s Word. I can’t say that they always followed my advice. I was thankful for chaplains from HMI who served my boys. Of the eight junior teams my two sons played for over their junior careers – there was only one team that didn’t have a chaplain. I was also very thankful for the impact that HMI summer hockey camps had on my sons.
• I urged them to make good choices off the ice. This didn’t always take place. This was disappointing for me but I knew they needed to suffer the consequences whatever they might be. Sometimes the consequences were very severe. Despite my disappointment they knew that my love for them didn’t change but I urged them to make better choices in the future.
• Our Junior “A” hockey experience has been characterized by perseverance. Galatians 6:9 summarizes it well: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
• *John and Valerie Bechtold live in Caronport Saskatchewan. They have 4 grown children; Ben, Alex, Markson and  Elizabeth. John is HMI’s Chapel coordinator for the WHL, MHL and SJHL.

HMI Staff Members John Bechtold (left) & Tim Wiebe (right)

BJ Crombeen shares his story...

"My dad was involved with Hockey Ministries International, and I grew up in a Christian family who went to church and had a strong faith.  When I was thirteen or fourteen, we moved to New Market, and I played hockey there for a few years.  Then I was drafted by the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League, and I moved off to Barrie when I was sixteen.  This was the first time I lived by myself, and I definitely had some years where I wandered away from my faith.  I still had the faith background, but I wasn’t living the active faithful life.  When I came to the Colts, I was just a young kid trying to fit in and not step on anyone’s toes.  When you’re still living at home, you’re not faced with as many challenges – but when you move away as a sixteen-year-old and you’re going to a different school, meeting new people, and playing at a totally different level of hockey, you obviously go through a lot of ups and downs.  This is when I started to drift away.

The biggest challenge for me was that I’ve always been a person who likes to be in control – whether it’s in hockey or in life.  Many situations were very trying and frustrating for me to go through – everything from how much ice time I was getting, to who I was playing with, to living away from home and trying to deal with all of the different challenges of being on my own at such a young age.  I think it was in my second year in Barrie when I was going through those ‘downs’ that I started to see how little control I had of things.  I started to realize that something was missing, and I needed faith in my life. 

It was through the Hockey Ministries International chapel program that I got reacquainted with my faith, and the biggest realization for me was that I could either beat myself up over every little thing, or I could trust in the Lord and know He has everything in control – and that I could live and work for Him instead of trying to control everything myself.  Through the chapel program, I had people to talk to about what I was experiencing, and I also met my girlfriend, now wife, during this time.  The chaplain was the pastor of a local church in Barrie, so we started going there.  As I was hearing different things and seeing different things about trusting in Jesus Christ, I started to think more about what all of that meant. 

Even then, though, I wasn’t a hundred percent committed – it was more of a growth thing and it took me a while to come to the realization that I couldn’t do everything myself and I couldn’t control everything and write my own path.  I had to trust in God, work my hardest, and try to do what I could, but just put it in God’s hands.  So, once I realized that with a relationship with Jesus, you can trust that He has everything under control, and all you have to do is go out and put your best foot forward – whether it’s your plan or not – I, and my girlfriend, both of us recommitted our lives to the Lord.  It’s a daily thing I have to remind myself of, even now, but going through challenges by yourself is a lot more difficult than going through them with the Lord and having faith that He has all of those things under control.”

My hockey career was the stuff of every young man’s dreams. I started skating when I was three and played on my first team at the age of five. My midget team won the Wrigley Midget Hockey Championship, and as a teen-ager, I represented Canada in a tournament in Russia. I was drafted in the first round by the Washington Capitals in 1979, and scored 36 goals in my rookie season. I scored 30 or more goals in 17 of the 19 years I played, finishing my career in 1998 with a total of 708 goals, just the fifth player ever to reach the 700 goal plateau. In 2001, I was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. But all of the material benefits that accompany hockey fame and fortune left me without answers to life’s important questions.  

In 1980, I met Jean Pronovost when he joined the Washington Capitals. Jean had played 13 seasons in the NHL and was a 50-goal scorer. His strength of character distinguished him on and off the ice, and as a fellow-right winger, he was willing to share his experience with me. Our friendship developed, and he and his wife, Diane, invited me to attend Bible studies in their home. Although I had attended church in my youth, I never really understood how, in our faith and with the help of the Bible, we can find answers to the important questions of life. As we studied the Bible, I began to realize that there was no middle ground.

Then, on a flight between games, Jean asked me simply, “Mike, if this plane goes down, do you know where you will spend eternity?” He explained to me how I could know and be assured of spending eternity in heaven with Christ. This assurance comes by accepting God’s forgiveness made possible by Jesus’ death on the cross, and by inviting Jesus to be my Saviour. On that same road trip, in the quietness of my hotel room, I got on my knees and said, “Lord if you are real, come into my life now and change me.” I found peace . . . a peace that profoundly impacted the rest of my life. I knew that God was in control of every situation. My faith helped me to handle the highs and the lows of the game - the injuries and trades, the scoring sprees and the slumps – and of life. I knew then that God had a plan for my life.

And, I was more motivated than ever. I played to glorify God, and I played my best. I felt responsible to God to use the talents and abilities He had given me.  My new found faith not only made me a better athlete, it made me a better person.

A hockey coach on his way home for Christmas, boarded a crowded bus in Montreal.  He sat next to a young man, Jack, who was in his late teens. After introducing himself, Coach commented how excited he was to be going home for Christmas. Jack merely grunted.  Sensing that his fellow-traveler was troubled, Coach reached out to him. His questions however, were met with mumbled responses.

A few hours passed. Noticing that his traveling companion was wearing a worn and dirty hockey jacket, Coach asked about his team. This time he heard back but not as anticipated. Jack became very emotional. Between sobs Coach gathered that the teen-aged hockey player felt that he didn’t deserve to go home to celebrate with his family.

Now with tears peeking through the corners of his eyes, Jack told Coach his story. He talked about growing up with an older brother who had been the clear favorite in the family. The two brothers were constantly at each other’s throats as they argued and fought. The troubled hockey player explained how he had become more and more upset with his parents and extremely bitter towards his older brother. He told how finally, he could take it no longer. He had to get out of his house and away from his family. He pleaded with his dad to not only allow him to leave home but to give him all the money that he had sacrificially saved up for his college education. His dad was devastated and broken hearted. He mulled things over in his mind for several weeks but eventually decided he would go along with his younger son’s request. The day his son left home was charged with emotion...the saddest of his father’s life. Having to say good bye to his dear son and send him away with thousands of dollars almost killed the dear man.

On the other hand, Jack was excited as he hit the lively city of Montreal looking for adventure. He had a pile of money. Since hockey had been part of his life, he decided to try-out with a local junior team. He was pumped to make the team. Things went very well for the first few months. Playing on the highest producing line in the league, he scored a bunch of goals, got along well with his teammates and shared an apartment with some of them. He was on top of the world as he partied hard…made many friends and spent lots of money.

Unfortunately, the fast life eventually caught up to him. His hockey began to go downhill. He soon ran out of money and his many friends ran out on him.  And then, the worst news, his coach told him he no longer wanted him on his team because of the negative influence he was having on the other players.

Jack whimpered on: “I had foolishly spent all of the cash; my so-called friends disappeared; teammates kicked me out of the apartment; I had no place to live and couldn’t find a job. Homeless, helpless and hopeless I found myself begging for money and food and sleeping in alleys, on park benches or in metro stations. I had hit rock bottom. Really, I didn’t want to live. I was still too proud and ashamed to call home. I knew my family wouldn’t want me anyway. Things kept getting worse. I had to do something. Finally, out of total desperation, I swallowed my pride and forced myself to write a letter to my parents. I told them how sorry I was and that I wanted to come home. I informed them that I would be on this bus and if they wanted me I would get off at the terminal in our town, if not, I would just keep on going.”

“How will you know?” inquired Coach. “Our house is next to this highway. I asked my dad to turn on a light on our outdoor rink if he wanted me to come home.”

Jack grew increasingly anxious as the bus got closer. He was sobbing uncontrollably and afraid to look. Coach assured him, that he would be his eyes. With the snow coming down hard, Coach strained to see the rink. There was no need to worry. The outdoor arena was lit up like the Bell Centre for a Canadiens’ game. There were hundreds of lights stretched back and forth across the playing surface. Coach and player were overwhelmed with joy. The message was brighter than the noon day sun, Welcome Home Jack.  

All day, Jack’s father had waited at the terminal, carefully scrutinizing every passenger on every bus. With each passing hour he grew more concerned. When his son finally stepped off his bus, his dad ran and threw his arms around him...Tears of love and joy streamed down their faces. They hugged and hugged for it seemed an eternity, each afraid to let go. They arrived home to a large party of family and friends. Jack’s dear mother had prepared his favorite meal.  The celebrations went on for hours. It was so good to be home.

Jesus concluded the story of the prodigal with these words:
 
“And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son and embraced him….we must celebrate with a feast for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he was found.” (Luke 15) 

God’s message this Christmas is one of love and forgiveness. The cross is His sign that our sins can never outdo His great love and compassion for us. Come home to your loving heavenly Father. He is waiting with arms wide open to welcome you.

Don Liesemer                    

by Rob Globke

Genesis 3:15
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Promise. The declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. From the very beginning God laid it on the table and made a declaration; assuring Eve that one day someone would be coming to crush the head of the serpent. Thousands of years and many many days before that night in Bethlehem, God made a promise. And throughout history, he kept reminding his people about this promise.

Through Abraham, through Moses, through David, and through the prophets, this promise was constantly and consistently reiterated. God kept saying…. “Just wait. One day he will come. He will be the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, and Mighty God. Keep your eyes focused on the promise. Remember, and don’t forget.” And, like 99.9% of human beings, time went on and the promise was often forgotten. The people of Israel kept turning away from God and his word. Over the course of thousands of years, I imagine many of God’s people began thinking…. “Can I really trust this guy? Will He really follow through on what he said? Should I still keep waiting?” The hope of the promise slowly fading away with each passing generation.

But then…. it happened.


The angels made the announcement,
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

Hope sprung like a fountain as the shepherds longed to see the King,
“Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:15-16)

The fulfilled promise began to spread as the shepherds couldn’t keep the news to themselves,
“And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.” (Luke 2:17)

A celebration of joy could not be contained,
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:20)

God had kept His promise. This is Christmas for those who believe. We look at Christ and we know that God is faithful. He can be trusted to keep his word. He loves us. He came for us and didn’t leave us in our brokenness.

As I think about the many aspects of Christmas, I find overwhelming peace knowing God is sure and steadfast. Life is full of empty promises. We hear all sorts of things in our time on earth. Things like…

• I will get you that contract next year, no problem
• If you buy these skates, you will be faster
• You will start playing more next game
• This year, our team is focusing on having fun, and not winning at all costs
• I will pass the puck to you more next week
• For sure there will be scouts at this tournament
• If your child plays on this team, I will get them a scholarship

While there will be times when these promises bear fruit, there will be other times when the promises of life will leave us wanting. So, we walk through our days not knowing who to trust or where to turn. There are seeds of doubt planted in our guts, and we put up fences in order to guard our heart from breaking. This is life in a sinful, fickle world. It might be easy to start pointing the finger and blaming those around us, but we soon realize that we are part of the problem. We often can’t even trust ourselves.

Where, then, can we turn?

We can turn to God in Christ. We know we can trust Him. He has proved it in the biggest way imaginable. He has sent his only Son into the world. This is Christmas. I hope and pray you have a few moments (or many moments) amid the chaos to ponder the weight of this truth. And in turn, be filled with hope, peace, and joy.

Luke 2:19
“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Merry Christmas!

By Don Liesemer

Roger Neilson was known for his Christmas Mailing Tradition. Each December the former NHL coach wrote countless personal notes and carefully packaged an endless number of cards and gifts for his ever growing list of friends. He wanted to make each recipient feel special. Year after year, thousands looked forward to receiving a personal note from their favorite coach.

In 1997 I was blessed with a “behind the scenes look” at the postman’s methodology. Roger was an assistant with the St. Louis Blues at the time. On December 10th, while his team was in Montreal, Roger called several times wanting to make sure that I was going to meet him after the Blues’ pre –game practice.  As he stepped off the ice he motioned me down to the coaches’ room. He seemed anxious and in a hurry-up state of mind. He quickly directed my attention to two bulging, goalie bags and three or four over-sized boxes and with a big grin on his face, told me that they were carrying his Christmas mail. Following his orders, I backed my station wagon into the Bell Centre’s garage and packed his treasured cargo into the back. It felt like we were riding Santa’s sleigh as we hustled his sacks to the nearest post office.

 En route, I discovered that Roger had fast talked the team’s equipment personnel into allowing him to transport his goods on the Blues’ plane.  Utilizing the baggage compartment was the frugal coaches’ way of avoiding excessive postage costs for his extensive mailings from the U.S.A into Canada.

 I sensed trouble ahead as we dragged the heavy bags and boxes over snow banks and sidewalks, eventually managing to jam them through the door of a small Montreal Post Office. Words cannot describe the utter amazement on the faces of the overflowing crowd of  Christmas mailers. Santa Claus had arrived! A win seemed impossible for captain video. This was not a friendly crowd. Oblivious to the looks of unbelief, he plowed ahead. The former junior goaltender methodically bumped and grinded his way through the army of mailers and soon found himself face to face with the postmaster.

40 years of duty was insufficient preparation for the unsuspecting Canada Post employee on the other side of the counter. Digging down into the bags, Neilson deposited one package at a time on the counter- each to a different destination and each needing to be weighed. Every stamp was affixed under the glaring eye of the prudent coach. Canada Post was not going to get one penny more than it deserved. 1000 games behind the bench had hardened the coach to the groans and heckling from the impatient throng in back of him. Undaunted, he stayed on task.

Time stood still in that little post office in downtown Montreal. The mob of customers completely unaware that an amazing story was playing out...That small coach with a big heart was personifying the real spirit of Christmas. To him, all that mattered was that his friends were waiting to hear from him and he wasn’t going to let them down.
The mail had to get through…and it did.


"Roger knew the real meaning of Christmas and we were all richer…

It certainly was not the tangible items or cards, but his sincere friendship and guidance we will all miss this holiday season. But let us all rejoice for we know this Christmas he is celebrating with One he worshipped in the highest… 

just as he would want us to do.” -Roy Mlakar, former President of the Ottawa Senators

"...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.” -Jesus

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
-William Shakespeare 

*On June 21, 2003, after a brave battle with cancer, Roger Neilson was welcomed into the arms of Jesus.

By Rob Globke

Thank You
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” - 1 Timothy 2:1

I wrote about this in a previous article about players and coaches, but the same can be said in this instance as well. I believe 1 Timothy 2:1 is a great reminder for all the hockey parents out there.
I especially appreciate the final two words in that verse… “all people”.

What a challenge Paul throws down to his young apprentice Timothy! A challenge that we would do well to heed also. Parents, be thankful for your coaches even when your child may not be getting the ice time you think they should be getting. Parents, be thankful for your coaches even if you don’t think he’s the most wholesome guy. Parents, be thankful for your coaches even if you don’t have a clue as to what kind of system he might be running. Parents, be thankful to your coaches even if he has not always treated you in the best way. Oh, this is so hard. If you truly believe God is the Sovereign Lord who controls all things, you must submit to the truth that he has placed or allowed your coach to be the coach. Some seasons, this is easy and you readily give thanks to God and the coach. In other seasons, this almost seems impossible.

While I’m not advocating you be thankful for evil, I am suggesting you strive to look through a lens of thankfulness when looking at your coach. I truly do believe when you do this, there will be slivers of reason for you to give thanks to the person who takes the time to coach your child. I encourage you to take what might be the harder step and voice those reasons of thanks to this fellow human being. You just may find that over time, slivers turn into cracks, and cracks to chasms as the peace and love of Christ shines through you as a bright light in a dark place.

Questions:

• What steps can you take to be more thankful with the coach?
• How might showing thankfulness to the coach change your heart?
• How might showing thankfulness to the coach be an example to your child and family?

• What can you do to serve the coach and the team?
• Who can you recruit to help you and work alongside you?
• Have you thought about the amazing truth of how Jesus Christ has served you?

Please be Honest
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” - 2 Timothy 4:3-4

While I don’t want to be accused of taking this verse out of context as it is talking about matters that pertain to doctrine of the christian faith, I do believe it has some carry over to life at the rink. Hockey parents can have a tendency to have these itching ears Paul talks about in 2 Timothy. No one wants to hear their child is not cutting it. No one wants to hear their child isn’t good enough to be playing on the power play or at the next level. I certainly don’t look forward to the day when I have to face a certain truth about one of my children. It is not a pleasant experience. So, there is a temptation for hockey parents to accumulate for themselves teachers (coaches?) to suit their own passions. There is a temptation to go to a team with a coach who will just tell you what you want to hear. There is a temptation to only hear what you want to hear from your current coach.

The truth sets things free. Even if it doesn’t always “feel” so freeing. Lies are the opposite. They keep things chained under a heavy yoke even though they feel life giving at the time. While it is not your responsibility to make your coach tell the truth, imagine if you gave him the green light to speak honestly with you. Do you think this might set him free a little bit? Instead of being weighed down by the pressure of what to say in order to make you happy, he might be liberated to give you feedback which will help your child actually grow as a player. Telling your coach to be honest with you takes great courage. It takes a willingness to face what might be some difficult things. Yet, it ultimately is what’s best for everyone involved. The sharp and sour sting from a truth is far better than a sugar coated lie. Set your coach free by asking him to be honest with you.

Questions:

• What messages / signals have your actions and mannerisms been sending the coach?
• Would you rather have the coach be honest or tell you what you want to hear?
• Are you honest with those people in your life? Why or why not?

1)    Go to the right rink...On Saturday I raced to the arena for 2:00 PM puck drop. For several minutes I stood in the entrance alongside the playing surface looking for my grandson. I carefully scanned the ice and scrutinized the bench. No sign of # 9. After a few minutes of serious reflection it dawned on me that neither team resembled my grandson’s team. Conclusion... I was at the wrong rink. Quick exit. Scrambled back to the car and headed for the next option. Fast Facts: Right rink this time; # 9 and his team were playing; First period nearly over. Score 4 to 1; Very late but...at least I was there. ...oh and one other thing it’s one thing for a you to show up late at the wrong rink but if you ever you happen to be honoured to drive your grand child to his game...plan ahead...get clear directions to the right rink...leave real early to avoid your young grandson or granddaughter having a heart attack on the way because you are not only lost but late as well.

2)    Be Supportive...Observe carefully looking for good plays and strong efforts in your grandchild. Sometimes the small moves that impact the game go unnoticed. Speak positively about these plays and give a quiet word of encouragement while buying him/her a post-game refreshment at the snack bar. Be light-hearted and remind your young player that the game is about having fun, making friends and enjoying life.

3)  Say a Quiet Prayer...during the game for safety, good attitudes, team-work and a positive uplifting time for all players.

“It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.” (God’s portrait of an athlete. Psalm 19)

“When you are having fun you put so much more effort into it...if you are happy and having fun you are going to be the most confident you can be.” Nick Holden, New York Rangers

By Adam Wowchuck

When I was 9 years old my mom informed me that she had signed me up for Christian Hockey Camp in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Looking back there is no possible way I could have understood the weight of this decision my parents made on my behalf, it changed the course of my life. As a 9-year-old hockey was my life.  My mind wasn’t concerned about the meaning of life or the existence of God, I just wanted to play hockey. This all began changing at hockey camp.

I’m 25 years old now and in a couple weeks time I will be leading chapel at the camp that changed my life forever. God has a fascinating way of reminding us where we came from and all the pieces that were put in place along the way to get us where we are. My faith journey began at hockey camp in Winnipeg and opened the door for me to play hockey in Caronport, Saskatchewan where God was able to fully grab hold of my heart. I went to Trinity Western University in British Columbia where I studied business and developed a prison ministry which worked in the Canadian Correctional System to be a source of hope for those who have been locked away.

And finally, as I reflect upon my time at hockey camp I smile because I know it is where I first learned to give myself to God which has shaped me in such a way that I was able to confidently step into marriage, the second biggest decision I’ll ever make in my life. I am eternally grateful for HMI and what they do year after year all around the world with their hockey camps. None of the things I have experienced in this life would have been possible were it not for the many counselors, camp staff, and leaders at HMI who made the effort to breathe life into me and help me see Jesus more fully and follow him more faithfully. These individuals wanted to see me become more than just a passionate and skilled hockey player and for that I have the utmost gratitude.

By Rob Globke


Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it?”


I’m sure we have all gone through tremendous swings of emotion over the course of a season. And let’s face it, for all those families with a son, daughter, brother or sister who happens to be a goalie, these emotional swings happen game to game! These feelings are what make us human and it’s a large part of what makes hockey so thrilling. The game is much like life in that way. We live and play with the joy of victory and sadness of defeat sitting side by side within us. In one moment we experience fear seeping into our bones, and ten minutes later a feeling of peace takes its place. These feelings and many more create in us a sensation that we are truly alive and not just robots.
Our emotions and feelings are a gift of God….although sometimes don’t always “feel” like it.

We can all relate to the roller coaster our feelings can take us on. There were many times throughout my career in which I experienced a variety of emotions. I have many stories, some good and some not so good, but I can remember one specific instance when I was on this roller coaster myself. The emotional ride began during a friday night road game. We were playing a tough division rival. We got creamed. They mopped us up and down the ice. They punished us physically, mentally, and on the scoreboard. I remember feeling awful after the game. I felt like I wanted to be done with hockey. The bus ride home was miserable. The next morning I didn’t want to go into the rink for pregame skate. My emotions told me to stay in bed. What was the point of even playing at all!!!

Yet, I went.

After dragging through pregame skate, video and preparation, yet another game was needing to be played. That night we ended up doing the same thing to another team that we experienced the night before. By some miracle, I was able to score two goals and add an assist. I still haven’t opened my eyes yet! Needless to say, I felt much different after that game. Hockey wasn’t so bad after all. In the matter of twenty four hours my feelings about hockey, myself, and everything in between had changed.

I think about that story and watch many like it unfold in the hockey world and think about how this might relate to faith.

The world often tells us to follow our feelings. To do the things in life which make us feel good. To give into what we feel and let our emotions guide us. There is a sliver of truth to this. We should seek good things which bring joy. But, there is also danger. There is a danger we end up pursuing things that feel good, but end up hurting us. There is danger in avoiding that which is best because we don’t feel like chasing after it. Feelings can lead us in wrong directions. Our relationship with God can act in a similar fashion. We either avoid God because we don’t feel close to him or we lose sight of God because other things feel better in the moment.

It’s no wonder then that throughout scripture God is constantly reminding us to keep our focus on him over and above our feelings. He knows we are fickle creatures tossed this way and that by every fleeting emotion we go through in life. God knows how quickly we turn from him when our affection for him just isn’t there. So, he goes to great lengths in all parts of the bible to help us remember the TRUTH. A truth which does not change with our feelings. A TRUTH where God says:

• I am good when you are emotionally high or low. (Psalm 100)
• I am loving based on the work of Christ, not based on how you feel in the moment. (Psalm 100)
• I am faithful because I keep my word, not because you feel close to me or not. (Psalm 100)

Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Stand on Christ, Not Feelings
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. - Edward Mote

You are Valuable

Luke 12:6-7
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

As coaches, it’s often easy to get lost in the minutia and day to day operation of being a coach. You can spend so much time trying to concoct the perfect game plan or system. You can spend all day thinking about the next drill. You may even find yourself up late at night wondering about how to beat that detestable rival. In the midst of this whirlwind, there is a tendency to forget that your players are people. You can quickly fall into the trap of seeing them as a number or a right winger or a shot blocker. You show up at the rink and forget your guys might be facing a difficult time with parents, struggling with school, a bad breakup, or a host of a hundred other things. When you get on the ice all you can think of is to SNAP because someone didn’t do the drill just right. After all, the big game is this weekend, right?!?!

I am not saying it isn’t good to care about winning, losing and well run practices. I’m not saying it’s not good to put in faithful diligent hours in preparation for practices and games. I am saying that coaches should not lose sight of the truth that the players on their team are people. They are not robots designed to carry out your master plan. They are not set pieces in a giant game of hockey chess. Jesus reminds us in Luke (and many other places) that humans are of great value to God the Father. The human race is so valuable God sent his only son to die so that we could have life! That is an incredible price to pay to show just how much God values us.

So, in the midst of your coaching don’t forget to remind your team that they are valuable. They are not valuable because they score goals or win games. They are not worthy because they are the best hockey players. They are valuable because they are created in the image of God.

• Do your players know their worth?
• Are they scared they will be less valuable based on how they play?
• Have you reminded them of how awesome it is that they are on the team?
• When was the last time you told one of your players you valued them and encouraged them for being an integral part of the team?

Good Job

1 Thessalonians 5:14
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."

You have to love the three word phrase in the verse above, “encourage the fainthearted!” If there is a definition for being a coach, this phrase should most definitely be included. A rhetorical question to think about… “How often are the players on your team ENCOURAGED?”

I’m not even talking about a practice or game. I’m talking about in life. Think about that for a second. There are so many things in this world which bring discouragement. So many things that drag your players down. And so often when they step into the rink nothing is different. I’m far too guilty of this myself! I am quick to let someone know what they aren’t doing right. I’m very efficient in telling a young hockey player where they messed up or something they should be doing instead. Many coaches join me in this bad habit much too often. The “fault” is always easy to find.

Paul did not stop his charge to those at Thessalonica with, “admonish the idle.” He followed up the one negative with three positive commands…

1. encourage the fainthearted
2. help the weak
3. be patient with them all

Wow. That’s bold. Those are often hard things when faced with fifteen to twenty players not playing so well and making mistakes. Yet, this is what makes a good coach a great coach. This is what separates the kind of coach that will change a life versus one that will just “make it through the year”. I urge you to be a coach who is willing to say “good job” more than “you need to do better”.


Enjoy the Game

Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."

This last one will be short and sweet...hopefully! :-)

Enjoy the game. I didn’t do this nearly as much as I should have when I played. In fact, I do this much more now than I ever did growing up. For a good portion of my youth, I just showed up at the rink and played, not thinking much about how fun it was to play the game. Of course it was fun, but I didn’t really take the time to dwell on it or cherish it. Soon, colleges came recruiting and the pressure to perform started sponging some of the fun. Years later hockey became a job and other pressures were added to the mix. Playing the game for the sheer joy of being able to play was drowned out by the thought of earning a spot or getting the next contract. If only life had a rewind button!

There are more versions of me out there at rinks than you might think. This is why it is imperative to have coaches who row against this tide. Coaches need to be that constant reminder for their players to ENJOY THE GAME. I think hard work is very important. I believe there should be a seriousness when stepping on the ice. I also admit that some pressure is a good thing when it comes to hockey. However, those can’t come at the expense of joy. Make your practices fun. Smile. Tell your players to smile. Enjoy the opportunity you have to coach and tell the team as much as you can to enjoy the game they get to play.

I will close with a few questions to think about…

• Do your players realize how special it is to be able to play the game of hockey?
• Have your players thought about the goodness of having two arms, legs, hands, eyes, ears and everything else which makes playing possible?
• Do your players know how many countries and cities don’t have ice rinks to play on?
• When was the last time your players thought about the people who provide the funds and resources which allowed them to play (parents or otherwise)?
• What is stopping you from telling your players to ENJOY THE GAME?

1. Nehemiah is just one book among sixty six which forms God’s story. It is first and foremost a book which should be read in light of this grand story. However, it is also a book full of useful principles we can apply to our life, specifically when it comes to leadership. My hope is that we can take hold of some leadership principles without losing sight of the greater work of Nehemiah in the larger context of scripture.
2. The articles in this series will be a collection of general characteristics. As such, not every characteristic can be applied in every situation. All situations and people are different. Some attributes of leadership will be simply unusable for person A, others will be unuseable for person B. Please take what is useful and disregard was is not. What is useful is probably from the Lord, what is not is probably from me.
3. Not everyone who reads this series will be a captain on their team, a boss in their workplace, or the head of one of their peer groups. But, I truly believe we all have the ability, opportunity, and duty to display leadership qualities in all parts of our life, whether society labels us as “leaders” or not.

In light of that last point, the goal in writing this series is to help people learn to lead well. To help hockey players and parents learn to lead the way that God might want them to lead. It is not my intention to give the impression that we must be labeled a leader. Nor, do I think this is God’s intention for our lives (although this might be argued by some). Simply wearing the “C” is not the same thing as leading. There is a difference between a title and a way of life. It is the way of life I am after. This is what I believe God is after as well. Titles come and go, but habits of leadership can always be applied.

So, I hope you join me as we walk with Nehemiah through his trials and triumphs. And hopefully, when we reach our final destination we will have become more like the people God has called us to be.

"There has always been a true elite of God’s leaders. They are the meek who inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). They weep and pray in secret, and defy earth and hell in public. They tremble when faced with danger, but die in their tracks sooner than turn back. They are like a shepherd defending his sheep or a mother protecting her young. They sacrifice without grumbling, give without calculating, suffer without groaning. To those in their charge they say “we live if you do well”. Their price is above rubies. They are the salt of the earth. And Nehemiah was one of them." - John White

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by Rob Globke

Hockey is a team game. Of course, there are times when you probably wish that you didn’t have to be a part of a team. Maybe you had a bad day and all you want to do is take some time to be by yourself. Perhaps you face a roomful of peers who make fun of you and treat you poorly. Possibly you think you would be better off without a few of your comrades you feel are bringing the team down. Whatever it is, there is going to be times and situations where being on a team is difficult. Yet, there is no getting around it. Hockey will always be a game played with others. A game that forces different people from different places to come together as one.

So, my questions for today are…..

How can we be better teammates? As Christians, how can we show the world what a teammate should look like? What are some ways to be a light in what might be a dark place?

There are undoubtedly countless lessons we can learn on being a good teammate, but we are going to look at the book of Proverbs to find four principles we can use to help us be better teammates for the start of next season.



Principle #1 = Gentleness

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer deflects anger,
  but harsh words make tempers flare.

One of the most common attributes associated with hockey players is one of toughness. Stories of being tough permeate hockey history. Players playing on broken legs. Guys returning to action after getting sewn back together. Teammates jumping in to make a statement after a questionable hit. Defensemen diving head first to block a frozen rubber puck. These are all examples of toughness on display in the game of hockey. (Although, some might argue this borders the line which crosses into crazy, but that’s another post!!)

However, over time the definition of toughness has lost it’s way. Slowly we have seen that being tough is defined by being a “winner” vs. being a “loser”. Being tough has turned into picking fights because you want to prove a point. Being tough has morphed from grinding in the corner to trying to put someone in the hospital with a flying elbow.

So, it’s easy to look at Proverbs 15:1 and think, “this is not a very good verse for hockey players. I don’t want to be the ‘soft’ guy on the team. I want my buddies to see how big and bad I really am.” Talk in the dressing room and on the ice soon becomes a way for you to tell the world… “DON’T MESS WITH ME!”

Yet, this is not who you are called to be. You are called to be like Christ. The One who endured the cross (and the mockery, insults, laughter, and everything else) for our good. Christ could have proved how tough he was by stepping off the cross and dusting off his knuckles. But, he showed the world what true toughness looks like by humbling himself in gentleness.

This should be your response as a teammate. Meet hostility and anger with peace and gentleness. You don’t have to prove a point. You don’t have to stir the pot. You don’t have to pick fights verbally or otherwise. You can choose to be gentle….in the best sense of the word….because this kind of gentleness is actually being tough in disguise.



Principle #2 = Love

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times,
 and a brother is born for adversity.

I will keep this section shorter than the first and start by posing a question….

Do you love your teammates?

No, I’m not talking about the guys on the team you get along with. I’m not talking about the guys on the team that treat you well. I’m asking if you love ALL your teammates. Romans 5:8 states, “Christ shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus didn’t stay up in heaven waiting for us to get on his good side. Jesus Christ came to die for us while we were his enemies. This is convicting.

There will be some teammates who we love easily. There will be some teammates who are hard to love. You are to love them the same….as Christ has loved you (John 13:34). This is being a good teammate. So, think of ways you can show love to your teammates in the upcoming season.

• How can you show your team you care for them?
• In what ways can you tangibly show love to those you find it hard?
• How will showing love to others make your team better prepared for adversity?

These are questions worth asking. I hope you take the time to think about them and put them into practice as you seek to love your team this season.


Principle #3 = Encouragement

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
  so a friend sharpens a friend.

How sad is the thought that even though we play a TEAM sport, there are people who feel so very alone. Maybe you have been the one in this spot, surrounded by a dressing room full of people, but never being a part of the group. Maybe you know of a teammate who came to the rink every week that thought nobody cared or noticed. Or maybe, you have to take a moment and imagine you are the one being left out, not included, and pushed to the side. Not a good thought, is it?

So, what is the antidote?

I believe a strong cure for those frustrated by being left out and discouraged is encouragement. As teammates representing Christ, we should be the first ones seeking to sharpen those around us. The book of Ephesians reminds us that we should be building each other up. (4:29) When was the last time you told a teammate they had a great game, an awesome shift, or nice pass? How often do you thank a teammate for being a part of the team? Who do you hope to sit by each time you step in the locker room?

Be someone who encourages your teammates. Build them up. And not just the ones you like to talk to. Take the time throughout the season to say something worth saying to each of your teammates. Make your teammates a part of the team by taking the lead in including them in everything. This is how you sharpen one another.



Principle #4 = Honesty

Proverbs 27:5-6
Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

Lastly for this blog post, a true teammate is one who is honest with those around him. This is probably the toughest one of the bunch! Let’s use an example to try and see what I mean by being honest…

Suppose you have a teammate who keeps doing something that doesn’t line up with how the team should normally operate. Maybe he is picking on others in the dressing room. Maybe he keeps on doing what he wants on the ice regardless of the team system. Maybe he is spreading false rumors behind the team’s back. Whatever it is, he is doing something that is not for the good of the team or himself.

Would it be more loving or less loving to tell this teammate the truth about his actions and their effect on the team?

My vote is that it would be less loving if you are not HONEST with your teammate. If you think to yourself, “I’m not even going to bother with him...it’s useless,” in a way you are showing that you really don’t care about this person. You are more content to let them continue in ways that are destructive for both them and the team. Honesty with your teammates may be difficult, but it demonstrates a heart that see them as worth fighting for. The wounds of a friend are faithful as the Proverb states above.

Of course, if  you practice this principle of honesty apart from the other three principles of gentleness, love, and encouragement it might not be the best way to go about it. Ephesians 4:15 is a good reminder for us as we close for today:

“Speak the truth in love, in order to grow to become fully mature like Christ.” (paraphrase is mine)

I think this is a good goal for all of us this year! Speak the truth to your team, but do it with love.

by Rob Globke

Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

The game of hockey is full of many different characters. Throughout my career I have met many. I have met them in and out of locker rooms. I have met them on the ice and off. I have met one from each position (but let’s be honest….mostly goalies). I have even met some in my own hockey playing family!! But, perhaps the scariest place I have ever met a different sort of character is in the MIRROR.

As I think back to my days playing hockey, I have seen many different characters looking back at me in the mirror. Some of these characters were good, some not so much. Some I still see, some have faded. Whether it was the character of sadness, joy, anger, confusion, anxiousness, gratitude, peace, hope, pride, or anything else, I met many different sides of myself through the ups and downs of a hockey career.

When I read Galatians 5:26, I am reminded of two…..

Conceit & Jealousy

I’m sure we have all met these two characters in our own life. I’m sure we have all wrestled with them at one point or another. Even if we have never played hockey, we know these two things. And like me, I believe we all would hope these two actors would play less of a lead in our lives. But alas, they sometimes do.

Conceit rears it’s ugly head when we start thinking to ourselves….

• I don’t know why I’m playing on this team...I’m so much better than these guys and shouldn’t be here

• I don’t know why I’m on this line....I should be playing with those other guys

• I don’t have time for him...he is just going to get in my way

• It’s ok if I don’t practice too hard today...this team would be nothing without me, so I can get away with it

Jealousy finds its way into our hearts when we hear voices telling us….

• Why should he get all the glory...I am just as good

• I wish I was _________ (fill in the blank)

• I’m never going to be anything special...if I only was more like _________ (best player in the league)

• Look at all the attention he is getting...maybe if I do _________ then people will notice me too

Conceit and jealousy are two sides of the same coin. They both live in the world of SELF ABSORPTION. Of course, most of us know about conceit in this light. This is the classic form of arrogance, vainglory, and self importance. We all can see conceit is about the “me”. But what about jealousy? While conceit says, “Look at all I have and all I have done,” jealousy echoes, “Look at all I don’t have and what I haven’t done.” The emphasis in both cases is on the “I”. So jealousy too is also about the “me”. Maybe not as evident, but when you look deep enough, you realize you are still obsessing about yourself. This is not a good place to be. These are not the type of characters God calls us to be. We are to be humble. We are to be satisfied.

So how do we get there? How do we prevent ourselves from seeing these characters show up in the mirror?

The gospel of course!!!

The gospel reminds us that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Whenever we find conceit creep into our lives we must remember that we are no better than anyone else. We are all capable of missing the mark. We are not quite as good as we might think we are....no matter how many goals we might get. Thinking like this places us on a level playing field with everyone else. We are no better than the man sitting next to us.

The gospel also reminds us that we are deeply loved by our Heavenly Father REGARDLESS of how we stack up to anyone else. We are not measured based on how good we look compared to those around us. We are measured by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is an amazing antidote whenever you find envy or jealousy creeping into the mirror. God loves you because of Christ. Not because you have everything figured out.

So, keep reminding yourself of the gospel. At all times, in all ways. It’s of first importance and it has the power to save you if you believe.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures

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by Rob Globke

1 Peter 5:6-7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”


With the summer approaching and HMI camp season soon to begin, I am reminded of a story from a few years ago which made (and still makes) this verse hit home. It’s one of those memories that you look back on with both fondness and disdain. Something that was both miserable, yet in hindsight, good.


The setting of this story is Newark International Airport. I was coming home after a two week stretch of camps in Europe. On top of that, it was late in the camp season, so the exhaustion of trying to wrangle kids all summer was definitely catching up to me. I was eager to see my family. I was eager to get some sleep. I was eager to be home. But, my flight out of Newark International stood as the last obstacle in my path...and for some reason, it proved to be a formidable one!


I knew my situation before landing in New Jersey, but I didn’t fully comprehend the implications of this situation. You see, I had booked two separate flights from Europe to Chicago. One from Slovakia to New Jersey and one from New Jersey to Chicago. Not a connection, but two different flights. Upon landing, I was mentally preparing for the hoops I would need to jump through for my next flight. As I followed the herd walking like cattle off the plane, I realized I would need to get my luggage and go check in with another airline. I planned ahead when I booked to have plenty of TIME, so this wasn’t too much of a concern for me. However, I soon found out that I didn’t factor in DISTANCE!


So, after getting off the plane, I go collect my bag. This is not a roller bag or a carry on mind you. My bag happens to be a giant hockey bag loaded with clothes, gear, extra supplies from camp, books….you name it and it was probably in that bag. It was one of those bags you had to do a little squat and jump to get it up to your shoulder. After heaving it up, I clear customs and find someone to ask which way was the best to exit the international terminal and get to the domestic terminals.


I spot someone who looks like they know what they are doing soon enough and I ask, “Can you tell me the best way to get to United check in?” “Sure,” he replies and then proceeds to give me these elaborate details on where to go. As I’m walking away he pipes up, “You might want to grab a cart for that bag ya got there.” I say, “Thanks, I just might,” and turn to leave. The first thing I do is scan the area for a luggage cart. This is an international terminal, so there is no problems finding one. Upon arriving at the ‘cart barn’ I notice that there is a fee to use one of these carts. Convenient for the business, but not so much for Mr. Cheapskate (I pride myself on frugality!!). I think to myself, “No way I’m paying for one of these things. It can’t be that far to carry. I’m a young guy and it will be a good workout.” The decision was made.


I squat, I heave, and I settle the bag into the perfect spot on my shoulder preparing for the journey which awaits. And like most journey’s, it starts out brimming with hope and optimism: “I’m almost home. This bag isn’t so heavy. I’m making pretty good progress, etc….” But, as anyone who has ever carried something heavy for a long period of time knows, hope and optimism soon turn into despair and complaining. I don’t know if it was a quarter mile or what, but that heavy hockey bag quickly turned from being ‘not so bad’ to ‘please God make it stop.’. And yet, I was committed. I had made my choice. I wasn’t going to turn back or give up until I saw the United counter.


When I finally did see that glorious finish line it was like reaching a cold clear pool at the end of a scorching stretch of hot sand. It was sweet relief. The burden could be let down. The strain stopped. I had made it...bad decisions and all. I was checking in to the final leg of my flight. But, there was one final hurdle. The lady checking me in says, “Oh, I’m sorry. Your flight is actually being operated by one of our partners. They are located in terminal XYZ. It’s just a short walk that way,” as she points to her left. Of course, this terminal was one I had already passed on my trek to the outer regions of Newark Airport. I guess when it rains, it pours!


So, I squat, I heave, and I hoist my bag for a final leg (I hope). Now at this point, I see another ‘cart barn’ but I know I have to finish this. My frugality has morphed into stubbornness and I walk, step by step, to my final check in counter. I slip the bag gingerly off my shoulder and hand my information defeatedly to the airline agent as beads of sweat drip slowly down my back. I’m inwardly waving a giant white flag of surrender while the airline agent pushes a gazillion keyboard buttons as I ponder the joy in no longer having to deal with this burden. The bag has taken it’s toll on both my body and mind. It brought me to the brink, and in one last ditch effort to defeat me it begs to be weighed. The airline agent matter of factly asks me to put my luggage on the scale. I obediently squat, heave, and throw the bag on the scale. The agent looks at the weight and calmly says, “Would you like to try and take something out of the bag or pay $50 dollars for it being too heavy?” I force a smile and hand him my card. Checkmate.


The reason I fondly look back on this story is that it brought to life 1 Peter 5:7. Every Time I now read this verse, I know what it’s talking about in a real way. I have a tangible experience of what is going on. In life, we all will face moments when we carry a giant heavy hockey bag. These moments will be a burden, heavy load, weight, pressure, encumbrance, strain, problem, worry, concern, anxiety. “It’s no big deal. I can carry these. I can handle this,” we often try to tell ourselves.  And so do I. But over time, we realize something we thought we could handle becomes a tremendous albatross hanging around our heart and soul. Just like I felt the weight of that hockey bag, we all soon feel the weight of life’s burdens and anxieties.


1 Peter 5:7 reminds us we don’t have to carry this baggage. In fact, it points us to the reality that we as humans are not equipped to carry this. It reminds us to not stand in front of the ‘cart barn’ thinking we will be able to manage on our own…because we can’t! God cares for us. He can handle ALL our burdens. Of course this requires us to humble ourselves. It forces us to put aside our pride and let Him carry them.


And in the end…..Life makes much more sense this way.

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by Rob Globke

Galatians 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."


This will be a short one today...hopefully. :-)

Galatians 6:9 is a great verse about backchecking. No, not backchecking on the ice of course, but backchecking in life. I especially am drawn to the words at the end of the verse which state: “DO NOT GIVE UP”

Isn’t this backchecking?

When you get down to the root of it, backchecking is never giving up. It does not take any special skills. It doesn’t take a certain kind of player. It doesn’t require a special position. (Well, maybe goalies are exempt!). Backchecking is really about not giving up. Every single hockey player can do this. Every single hockey player should do this. When you’re on the ice, give everything you have until it’s time for your teammates to pick up where you left off. This can be very hard to do. If you’re anything like me, there will be times when the last thing you want to do is backcheck.

• Maybe you're sucking mountain air through a straw.
• Maybe your legs feel like concrete.
• Maybe you're mad you didn’t make a play on the offensive end.
• Maybe you just don’t care in that particular moment.

Whatever the case may be, there will be times when we convince ourselves that we don’t have to backcheck. Someone else will do it, we say. It’s not going to cost the team if I just don’t go hard this one time, we think.

This is no way to play the game!!!


The same can be said for life. Galatians 6:9 is a great example of the need to address this. There were Christians a long time ago who were getting tired and exhausted for doing the right thing. They were getting picked on for believing in something true and good. They undoubtedly faced times when the last thing they wanted to do was keep going, to keep doing good things. I’m sure they probably thought to themselves, “It’s ok if I take the day off.” Or, perhaps they mentioned to a friend, “I’m just too tired to be kind to my mom, to my wife, to my kids, or my friends….cut me some slack!”

And we can't be let off the hook so easily and say, "Well, that was for a different time and different place. Things are different now." This didn’t just happen thousands of years ago. The same battle is still being fought in our hearts today. We don’t always want to “backcheck” in life. We get frustrated, tired, and weary of always trying to do the good thing, the right thing. We just want someone else to be able to do it for a change. We want a break.

Galatians 6:9 gives us hope! Nobody may notice some of the times we backcheck on the ice, but we can be assured that there is someone who is always watching whether or not we are backchecking in life. Don’t give up doing good. When it’s hard, keep going. When it’s harder still, keep going. Your heavenly Father is watching and He knows the proper time to reap a harvest for the hard work of doing good. Don’t forget that.

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by Rob Globke

James 1:19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

The last part of this passage is something that has been on my mind recently. Well, both verses have been spinning circles in my coconut really, but the phrase, “anger of man” has especially got my brain working on overdrive. Particularly when it comes to the context of hockey.

I have been told many times in my life throughout hockey that it’s good and ok to play with an “edge”. To play a little bit mean. Gritty if you will. You can even feel this sentiment when you listen to people or watch games on TV. There is something people like about a hockey player who plays a little bit angry. Most people see getting a little riled up a thing that will make us better hockey players in many ways (although not all!!). When you receive a big hit, get a little mad and give a big hit. When you are losing, let that anger you so much that you want to take someone’s head off the next game. When you get benched, get so fed up that all you want to do is prove the coaches wrong.

I wonder how much of that anger is the anger of man vs. a righteous anger of God. A righteous anger which seeks to see justice done in the game. An anger that desires to be treated fairly. An anger that would want the game played within the rules. In some ways, this is a good anger…..

BUT

I think if I’m honest with myself, and you are honest with yourself, the anger most often boiling in our hearts is the anger of man. An anger that shouldn’t be. When I think of this kind of anger I think about Matthew 5, the great sermon on the mount. In Matthew 5 we are called to be salt and light. Throughout the whole sermon of Jesus we are called to be DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD. And when I see James 1:19-20 talking about being slow to anger and the anger of man not producing righteousness, I think about how we end up looking a lot like the world. And when we are angry like this, it does not produce the fruit that God wants us to produce.

As Christian hockey players, it would be so cool if our teammates, fans, and other players looked at us and saw something different. I truly believe if we lived a less angry life, it would cause people to stop and stare. We would actually be more salty and brighter lights. It would be a step in the direction of producing the righteousness of God in ourselves and others.

These are just some thoughts about James 1:19-20. I am by no means an expert, but one trying to become the person God created me to be. So please, take this reflection with a grain of salt...and not the Matthew 5 kind. :-)

Questions

• What are your thoughts?
• Is there a place of anger in hockey?
• How does a Christian hockey player play on the edge without going over the edge?

by Rob Globke

James 1:22-25
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.


There are a ton of great sounds in the game of hockey. I mean, a ton. Just think about all the great sounds and the emotions these sounds bring to the heart. The creaking crunch of a tight turn on fresh ice. The ting of hitting the pipe square. The rattle of the glass after a big hit. The click and clack of tape to tape passing. The roar of the crowd after a big goal. These are just some of the sounds that make hockey a great game to watch….and listen to.

Yet, amid all these glorious sounds, there is one that stands out above the rest. One that reserves a special place in my heart and mind. It was the sound of coach calling my line or name for the next shift. Don’t get me wrong, I loved watching the game from the bench, but I think we can all attest….there is nothing like jumping off the bench and into the action. No matter how much we may enjoy watching this great game, being able to play it is even greater. So, whether coach gave the classic 51-11-24 to let us know who was up next, or just said, “Soupy’s line, you’re up,” I loved hearing that sound. The words that meant I got to play!!


In thinking about this, I am reminded of James 1:22-25. These verses are God’s way of telling us to get off the bench. We can spend a lot of time practicing by reading God’s word and praying. We can spend a lot of time watching others live out their faith. We can spend a lot of time reflecting on our own personal faith. But, at some point, we have to get out there and play. We are called to be doers, not just hearers or even watchers.

In other words, God is calling us to remember the old adage, “Don’t just talk the talk, but walk the walk.” Your faith must go beyond reading, listening, and watching. Those things are great, but they must produce in our lives Christlike ACTION.

My challenge to you in light of James 1:22-25:

Get off the bench!

Do the things God has called you to do. Get out there and play. Live as the light of Christ in a dark world. Don’t wait. He has called your number. Get out there and make some plays!

Wow. Wow. Wow. This list can do but one thing....bring us to worship the KING.

Christ is…

• The Rescuer from darkness into light (v. 13)
• The forgiver of our sin (v. 14)
• The picture of the invisible God (v. 15)
• The One who existed before anything was (v. 15)
• The reason for creation (v. 16)
• The power of creation (v. 16)
• Before all things (v. 17)
• The glue which holds the world together (v. 17)
• The leader of our faith (v. 18)
• Supreme (v. 18)
• The fullness of God (v. 19)
• The reconciler of peace (v. 20)
• Our righteous representation (v. 22)

Colossians 1:13-22
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation

God did not say….

• It’s up to you to figure it out on your own
• If you are the best you can be you will find me
• When you fix yourself up, then we can talk
• I have no idea what I’m doing
• I don’t care about you
• We’re pretty cozy up here in heaven
• You are not worth the trouble

What God did say…

• No matter how lost you are, I will save you (Luke 19:10)
• I will give you an abundant life that will never end (John 10:10)
• Even though you didn’t love me first, I love you (1 John 4:10)
• This was part of my plan all along (Isaiah 9:6-7)
• I will become like you in order to make you like me (Philippians 2:8)
• There is no other way accept belief in my Son (John 3:16)

God sent His ONE AND ONLY Son into our mess and brokenness. Jesus Christ humbled himself and put on flesh and dwelt among us. There is no other God like our God. He came to be with us. He didn’t leave us hanging. He didn’t make us earn it. He didn’t put himself first. He didn’t say we were too much work or too costly. He displayed His love for us by coming to give everything He had.


This is Christmas. Let’s remember the GREAT news we celebrate. Christ with us.


Questions

• What are you celebrating this Christmas?
• Are you looking for life in the wrong places?

by Rob Globke

-------------
Matthew 26:31-35
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
  and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
--------------

“I never will”

Even though you have to admire Peter’s zeal in these three words, they are probably a few he would like to have back. Peter is so bold, so full of zeal. Always willing to lay it on the line. Also, so quick to act or speak without thinking. This is the beauty of Peter and also one of his great weaknesses. He just doesn't seem to know when to stop. Even after Jesus (who is God) tells him, “You will disown me three times,” he still decides to double down on his assertion from verse 33 that he will, “Never disown Christ even to the point of death.”


Of course, we know the rest of the story (Matt. 26:63-75). Peter does indeed disown his Lord and Savior. Not once, not twice, but thrice. Peter goes from flying high to crushed….all in a single night. Now, it’s easy for us to think, “Come on Pete, really!?!?! How could you ever do something like that? Did you forget your claims from only a few hours before?” Then, after these thoughts we silently reassure ourselves that we would never, could never, do something so stupid.


YET, if we are honest, we are just like Peter.


Let’s not begin talking about life in the spiritual realm and just look at our lives in the game of hockey...after all, we are hockey players aren’t we?

• We may say I will never turn the puck over at the blue line ever again (Yeah, maybe if we never played hockey again!)
• We may say I will never miss another open net (Never? Every practice, every game, every driveway way shinny game we will bury all our open net opportunities? Ok. good luck with that.)
• We may say I will never take another penalty which will cost my team (Are we forgetting we are a human!!)

We have all been in these “skates” before. Immediately after a bad play or tough loss, the sting and emotion still fresh, we vow never to do XY or Z again. We throw out promise after promise with sheer determination to be mistake free. But, we know this never lasts. The same can be said for our spiritual lives. Again, using hockey as our reference.

• We may claim “I will never gossip about a teammate behind their back”
• Immediately after saying something inappropriate in the dressing room, we think to ourselves, “I’m not doing that again.”
• As we sit in the box ashamed of a selfish and anger filled penalty, we pledge to certainly not make that mistake again.

The list could go on and on, but the reality as we all know is that we are no better or different than Peter. We all break some sort of promise. We may boldly proclaim we will never fall short, but we all do. We all miss the mark at some point or another. We all end up eating our words (or thoughts), just like Peter.


BUT


The great news is that the story doesn’t stop there. Watch what Jesus does in John 21:15-17 as he is handing off the baton to his disciples.

----------
John 21:15-17
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
-------------

Jesus did not leave Peter hanging with guilt. Not once, not twice, but three times He reaffirms Peter. Jesus does not leave us hanging when we miss the mark either. Instead, He chose to hang on a tree so that we might be forgiven and made new again. This is the great lesson we learn from Peter. We all fail, but take heart, we serve the One who never does.


So, are you just going to sit there with your head down, or are you going to get back out there and live in light of your new life? Don’t let your mistakes have the last laugh. Let your light shine!

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by Rob Globke

Shane Doan on his legacy, his style, and hockey playing future
There are hockey players. There are Christians. Shane Doan has been showing us you don't have to be either / or. You can be both.

by Rob Globke


12/28/2005…

That date is one I will remember for some time. On this date the Florida Panthers defeated the Boston Bruins 6-4. On this date, I played in my first ever NHL hockey game. While I did manage to hit the post, I didn’t manage to do much else except dump the puck in and try to chase it. My motto was….the less I have it, the less chance I have of making a mistake! Looking back on it now that I’m a little bit older, that was probably not the best way to play; but, it did get me through the game on that night. :-)


I can remember a lot of things from that night, but I don’t think we have the time (or interest) to relive every aspect of a first NHL experience. So, I will spare you the minutiae and just highlight one fond memory from 12/28/2005. It was created a few minutes before warm up. I was sitting, bottom half on, elbow pads resting on my pads as I watched the “Daktronics” digital clock slowly tick down. As each giant red digital number morphed into the next I remember the film of sweat on my palms and the bouncy balls in my stomach. A mixture of nervous anticipation. I waited a long time for this moment. Yet, in a small way, I was dreading its arrival.


Soon, the big red numbers told me it was time to throw my shoulder pads on and finish getting ready….and so I did. It was the next step that I still get chills from. Standing in front of my stall, I stare at the sweater with a big panthers head glaring back at me. I grabbed the hanger from the hook and slowly slipped the #51 over my head. I remember the smell of freshly washed synthetic and the “crunchyness” of something that had never been worn. But more than that, I remember thinking about the reality that I was really a part of this NHL team. I had put on the jersey. I was now identified as a player on the roster. Rob Globke. #51. Fourth Line. Right Winger. I had been a part of the organization, but never the team….until that day. As I sat there for the last few minutes before warm up began, I soaked in that reality.


Of course if you are still reading to this point, you know I try to tie in my experiences with some kind of truth from the Bible. I don’t claim to do a good job, but I do admit to trying!!


So, what does all this “putting on the sweater” nonsense have to do with anything?


Well, when I think back to being a part of the 2005-06 Florida Panthers (or any other team for that matter) I am reminded of the sweater I wear every day as a part of God’s team. On a warm summer day in 1996 I put on a different type of jersey. It was on that day I became a part of the greatest team ever. Through faith in Christ, I became a player and citizen of God’s team. From that day until this one, I have been a part of this team. What’s even better is the fact that I will never be sent down, be cut, or worry about my spot on this team. Through faith in Christ, I was written down on His roster for eternity. I no longer am just a son, father, husband, hockey player, or man. I am a Christian son, Christian father, Christian husband, Christian hockey player, and Christian man. I am God’s. I play for Him in all ways and always. There is nothing better than that.


The good news is….you can too!

• Are you part of God’s team?
• Are you wearing “His Jersey” well?

Ephesians 2:19
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

How did you get involved with HMI hockey chapel?
After serving in various leadership roles at Deep Water Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia I was approached by a kid named Ryan Francis who I lead in youth group. He was interning as a student with HMI. He and Bruce Smith approached me about the role of hockey chaplain with the Halifax Mooseheads

What is your role?
I volunteer as the Hockey Chaplain for the Halifax Mooseheads. I have been doing it for 1 season now.

What does a typical "Chapel Day" look like?
Chapel usually happens twice a month during the season. I usually show up at the arena an hour before and talk to team management, coaches, trainers. Chapel happens around supper time so the players grab a bite to eat so I’m not preaching to them on an empty stomach. I preach on a particular part of the Bible and apply it to the sports/life experiences of the players

What is your favorite part of doing chapel?
My favorite part of being a chaplain is connecting with the players, coaches and fans. I’m deeply encouraged to see how God is using Hockey Ministries to reach people for Christ. People who may not step foot in a Church or talk to a Pastor are willing to hear messages about Jesus from a hockey chaplain and through hockey ministry

Why is it important to have a chapel for young Junior A hockey players?
Major Junior hockey players are between 17-20 years of age. That is a difficult time for any kid. Take them away from home and thrust them into the spotlight and it’s that much more difficult. These guys need to hear that Jesus loves them and that He has a great plan for their lives

How would you describe today’s hockey player?
I believe there is still an old school attitude in hockey. It’s a world where guys are very respectful but also very guarded. Guys could be going through the worst  crisis in their lives and you’d never know. Vulnerability is seen as weakness. When I think of some of the worse case scenarios that can come from this it scares me as a hockey chaplain.  

What is something you will never forget from your chapel experience?
There was a week where I was preparing for my talk and I realized I had little insight on whether or not what I was saying was relevant to the guys. I decided that instead of me trying figure out what would reach them I would ask them some questions. It was fantastic to hear their stories of why they attended chapel. It was truly encouraging for me and allowed me to open up more to them.

What is the biggest challenge of being a chapel leader?
Like I said earlier I think getting the guys to open up when they have problems is the hardest thing for me. Everytime I hear a story, whether it’s through friends or on the news, about either a tragedy or moral failure that happens in the hockey world I ask myself if that is happening with my guys or the Mooseheads. The Steve Montador story came up this year and I prayed that if one of the players in the Mooshead’s locker room was ever headed down that road that they would reach out to me or someone else.

What verse helps you in chapel or helps you in life that would be good for hockey players? Why?
The first Bible passage I preached on was Matthew 6:19-20. I was a successful middle distance runner in both High School and University and I know I placed a lot of my self worth and purpose in my running abilities. I believe hockey players do the same. Athletic talent and achievement ends at some point. Athletic ability is a treasure that will fade away. One of the main points I try to express to the guys is that the only thing that can bring true meaning to their  life is Jesus.

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Before jumping into a list of the ten commandments, I think it would be good to reflect on verse number two. Verse number two is important, very important. It states…

Exodus 20:2
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

The reason this is so important is because it highlights something very true and glorious about our Heavenly Father. It shows that He is a God of grace before law. This verse reminds us that God first SAVES us and RESCUES us from the slavery of sin before giving us a list of things to do. This ordering is both beautiful and essential. We are to remember that we can never work our way to God by obeying the law He gives us. Instead, we are commanded to obey the law precisely because we have already been drawn to God through Christ.

Verse two is God’s way of saying, “Remember, it’s not about you, but about me and what I have done for you.” Let’s not forget that!





Now, onto some questions which will help us live as God’s rescued people at the rink.


#1 & #2 - You shall have no other gods or image before me.

• Has hockey or the fame of playing hockey taken first place in my heart?
• Have I trusted myself or something else over God?
• Where is the first place you turn for hope, peace, fulfillment? Hockey or God Almighty?

#3 - You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

• How do I talk about God in the locker room or with my teammates?
• What do I say when I make a bad play?
• Have I been lighthearted or joked using God’s name?
• Am I afraid to talk about God with those around me?

#4 - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

• Has sports taken priority of my time during the week?
• Would I be willing to miss a game or practice if I felt I needed to set aside a time for God?
• Am I listening during worship or thinking about my next game, my latest goal, or something else?
• Is the spending a day with God sound boring to spending a day playing hockey?

#5 - Honor your Father and Mother

• Do my actions the same when my parents are present vs. when they are not around?
• Am I willing to trust my parents instruction? Even if it prevents me from doing what I want?
• Have I thanked my mom or dad for the things they do for me so I can play the game I love?
• When do I pray for my parents?
• Do I treat my parents as if they are God’s representatives to me?

#6 - You shall not murder

• When do I get angry with my opponents or teammates?
• Are my words harmful to those at the rink? Even the refs?
• Have I helped my teammate or even my enemy instead of hoped for their destruction?
• What causes me to get really angry?
• Am I holding a grudge against someone? Maybe I am holding a grudge against my coach?

#7 - You shall not commit adultery

• Have I striven to have my actions, thoughts, and words reflect the purity of God?
• What kind of speech am I taking part of in the locker room?

#8 - You shall not steal

• Am I discontent with the things God has given me?
• Have I ever claimed an assist when I knew it wasn’t mine? Would I do that?
• Have I been lazy at the rink, and not being faithful with God’s time?
• Have I “borrowed” someone’s tape or pads without asking or giving it back?

#9 - You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor

• Have I talked poorly about my coach or teammates behind their back?
• Is there times when I want to purposefully harm the reputation of my neighbor?
• Do I take part in gossip while in the room getting ready?
• What do I say about my opponent?
• Do I look for the bad in the players around me or the good?

#10 - You shall not covet

• Do I think constantly about the equipment I don’t have, but others do?
• Am I jealous of the success of my fellow teammates?
• Do I get mad at God because He was not being fair in giving me good talent?
• Have I become bitter because I don’t have the skills someone else has?

Of course, these are definitely not an exhaustive list, but hopefully they help get us thinking about how we can better be God’s people at the rink.

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by Rob Globke

Every hockey player is different, having their own quirks and ways they like things to be. One likes Bauer while the other prefers CCM. One likes their shin pads over the tongue while another prefers to go tongue out. Some like black tape and others like white. The list could go on and on, but the point is clear: all hockey players are unique. We aren’t going to even start talking about goalies here….they are a whole different story and would require a separate post!!


One way in which I was quite different while I played was the way I liked my sticks. I did not, I repeat, did not like new sticks. I was probably (no, definitely) in the minority in this category. In my experience, nine out of ten guys actually like new twigs and save their “fresh” ones for games. Not me. No sirree. I prefered my sticks to be nice and whippy. The more a stick was used the better it was for me. Where most guys would be switching out sticks regularly, I would usually take one stick and use it for everything. Game, practice, warmup, powerplay, penalty kill, up, down, and all around. I used a single stick until it would eventually give out. Then, I would cry for a little and start over again. One year I had a pretty good run and only used five sticks the entire length of a pro season. This could have been because I didn’t go in the corners much, but I’m chalking it up to prayer!!!

The reason I’m thinking about my past stick habits is because I am reminded of the feeling which came over me when it BROKE. A feeling of loss and disappointment and sadness. There were times I could tell when things were close to falling apart and I remember doing everything I could to hold that stick together. I was more careful in my shot selection. I made sure not to slam it in frustration over a poor play or lack of ice time. I tried to stretch those twilight years the best I could. All because I didn’t want to face the reality of being incomplete.


YET, no matter how hard I tried, they would inevitably shatter. Even in my best year, I lost five good pieces of carbon fiber. Far from perfect.

Thinking about this makes me think about life away from the rink. I don’t know of any human being that has not experienced BROKENNESS in some way or another over the course of their life. The dictionary defines the word broken as, “having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece”. And that is what life can do to you, whether through your choices or the way things seem to be in general. We live in a broken world. It could be a relationship, an illness, a persistent sin, our work, or the things around us. We are all broken. And, if for some reason you have never had to experience this brokenness, I’m sure you know the feeling of being on the verge of breaking. The feeling of exhaustion trying to hold all the pieces of life together. Only hanging on by a thread.


And much like any one of my broken hockey sticks, we often think that being broken means that we are no longer valuable. That we no longer have worth. We literally feel like we are incomplete. This is not a good place to be. It’s not a state where God wants us to be either which is why He provided a path to wholeness.

Colossians 2:10a says, “...in Christ you have been brought to fullness…” In other words, in Christ you have been made whole. This is amazing! Through faith in Jesus Christ, God has given us a way to be complete, not missing any pieces or lacking any parts. A way to return to wholeness that doesn’t depend on us trying to hold it all together...because we can’t. Before faith in Christ, we are in a broken relationship with God the Father. It is fractured. No good. But, in Christ we are restored. This return to wholeness not only brings us back into a full relationship with God, but it begins to shape and transform the other broken parts in our lives. Christ will make us completely whole from the inside out, and He doesn’t just stop with your heart. He works on making your entire life full and complete.


So, the closing question I have is not whether or not you are broken because I believe deep down we all know we are. My question is this….

Are you willing and ready to be made whole?


John 5:14
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. (KJV)

Matthew 9:22
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

Luke 8:48
And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (KJV)

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by Rob Globke

2 Cor. 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

This series is about finding out who we are “in Christ”. Thus far, we have looked at being chosen and being forgiven if we are in Christ. Today, we tackle one of my favorite verses which points us to another aspect of who we are “in Christ”.

We are new creations. This verse, as well as a few at the bottom of this post, remind us that if we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ we become new people. Of course I am not talking about an outward change, I’m talking about a radical change which takes place from the inside out. In the words of an old testament prophet, we are given a new heart and spirit. (Ezekiel 36:26)

I like this verse a great deal because it is an excellent reminder that we can change. It’s also a reminder that this change can only be accomplished through the power of God.

One of the great parts of life, and especially this job, is that I get to see this amazing reality of change on a regular basis. Throughout the course of a season, I inevitably run into someone who I have known in previous years. Whether it be a fellow teammate, a hockey ministries connection, a former chapel attender, or anything in between, I seem to always bump into someone from the past. I guess the hockey world is a small world...or, am I thinking of a Disney song of some sort? Probably both!

I will not say it happens all the time, but some of the times I run into these old acquaintances, I get a picture of what 2 Cor. 5:17 talks about. It’s like I’m talking to a different person. I’m talking to a new creation. At some point along the line, these people have been changed by God, and it shows.

Let’s take a look at a few pictures below.

  

Do you notice the changes? I’m guessing we all would say...YES! And for me, these physical changes are a lot like the inner changes I see in many guys. Players who have been transformed into new people by the grace of Christ. I get the same reaction as I do when I see pictures like this. “Wow! Is this really the same person?” I ask myself. My brain is often tempted to say, YES, but then I remember. No, they are not the same. They are new creations. Oh the beauty of the love of God.

A few closing points:

We don’t create new things
It’s impossible. Only God can create new things. We can’t make ourselves a new creation anymore than we can think something into existence. It just doesn’t work. The process of becoming a new creation was started by God before the foundation of the world. It continued when Christ went to the cross and rose again. And it is finished when the Holy Spirit enters our life through faith in Christ. Our newness is a work of God. We can try to change our lives, and it might work for a little, but it will eventually fail. God is the only one who can bring a lasting newness. There is no sense in trying to do it ourselves.

It is possible to change
Many people might think that they are so bad, so far gone, so washed up that they would never be able to become new. This is not the case. There is enough grace in Christ to make billions upon billions of the worst sinners new creations. Don’t wallow in doubt that God can make you new. Let him have His way with you. Then, if I bump into you many years down the road, I can think to myself….

Is this really the same person?

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Remember not the former things,
   nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
   now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
   and rivers in the desert.

Romans 6:4
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Ezekiel 36:26
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

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by Rob Globke

The moment it left my stick, the world just stopped. It was one of those moments you wish you could rewind. A moment you hope to snatch back from time. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. Perhaps, the problem was that I wasn’t thinking! But, no matter how bad I would have liked to redo a hockey moment, there was no going back.

I had just thrown a double cheese, extra large, meat lover’s PIZZA* up the middle of the ice. The result of this just out of the oven pizza was watching my forechecking opponent bury the go ahead goal on an uncontested breakaway. In my defense, however, it was tape to tape and crisp.



It’s crazy how quickly you can go from confident to walking on egg-shells. I mean ten second early I was watching my d-men go “d to d” and opening up for a pass along the boards. Before getting the pass from my defensemen, I even glanced up to see where I could go before the puck was on my stick. There was nothing there (or so I thought). I guess things change fast in the game of hockey because within the 2 seconds from the defensemen passing me the puck and me throwing the puck up the middle a guy from the other team seemed to “magically” show up.

I’m sure many of you might know this feeling, but perhaps not. I do know that it’s happened before (even in the NHL) and it will happen again. On this night though, it was my turn to make the long skate back to the bench. I could actually feel the weight of all the eyeballs on me. I always thought it was impolite to stare, but that rule was thrown out the window really quick. I did my best to sneak into the bench and avoid eye contact with the coach. I know he wasn’t avoiding eye contact with me! The worst part was the sinking feeling in my stomach as I sat there. There was no one else to blame. I had let the team down and I felt it in my gut. Humiliation was followed by guilt which was followed by shame. Of course, I didn’t see another shift the rest of the 3rd period.

The next day I knew I had to prepare myself for seeing this play again during a video session. What I didn’t know was that the coach would rewind and replay this tragic event four times before moving on through the rest of the clips. Each time asking, “What were you thinking here, Globke?” I don’t know if the coach ever forgot that play let alone forgave me. However, I do know that thinking about this play makes me think about my sin and the greatness of God’s forgiveness.

How you ask?

Well, just like in my story above, there are times in life when sin happens. Sometimes in the blink of eye. We are going about our business and the next thing we know we are doing something or saying something we didn’t think was possible. We stop and immediately want to take back what we did, but we can’t. We find ourselves feeling the weight of guilt, shame, and humiliation. All we want to do is be made right again. To be forgiven. To be made whole and free. Yet, we face a God who demands and requires perfection. We ask ourselves, “How can a sinful man like me ever face a Holy, Perfect, and Righteous God?” Deep down we know we can’t.

Of course, we can't. But God can.

The glory of God is that in His great love for us, He provided a way for us to be made whole again, even in our sin. He sent His only Son to die and take our sin, our shame, and make it His sin and shame. So that when we put our faith IN CHRIST, we are forgiven. More than that, our sins are not even remembered.

The world may not always forgive us for the things we do, but we can be sure that through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, God will. This is amazing. This is love.

Have you been forgiven?

*For those that don't know what a "pizza" is in hockey slang...it's a blatant turnover, often up the middle of the ice*

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
   they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
   they shall become like wool.

Colossians 1:13-14
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
    and I will remember their sins no more.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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by Rob Globke

I may be a bit older now, but I can remember (quite vividly actually) the day I was cut in my first AAA tryout. It was the first time in my hockey life that I had ever been not picked, not chosen. The experience was definitely not very fun. It hurt. It made me feel worthless. It even brought a tear or two….or maybe three.


So let’s flash back 20 years ago….It was a final day in a four day tryout. Somehow, I managed to make it past the first three cuts and was starting to feel like I actually had a shot to make the team. I can remember doing everything as hard as I could in that practice. Even at twelve years old, I could feel the intense pressure to prove myself. To work harder than the next guy. To make more plays. To get noticed. It wasn’t long before the final horn sounded to end the practice, and I was left wondering if I had indeed done enough.


The locker room was an interesting place and a strange mixture of boys after that last practice. On one hand you had players who had been on the team the past year or two and were confident & secure in their status...they had already been chosen after all and. They were living freely. They joked and goofed around with no worries. On the flip side, you had the boys who were outsiders. The guys trying to make the team. They were so tied up in knots they couldn’t even crack a smile. As I sat there as one of those tied in knots, no amount of joking could crack a smile. Instead, I awkwardly waited for my future to be decided while I watched others enjoy life without that burden.


The good thing was I didn’t have to wait for too long. Just as at the previous practices, before we were even done undressing the coached poked his head in the door and said, “The list is up on the wall. If you are on it, you made it. If you aren’t, thanks for coming and giving all you had. I hope you have a great season and maybe we will see you next year.” So, it was done. It was time to see if I did or didn’t make the team. Of course, if you are reading this far, you already know that my name was not on that list. Believe me, I scanned it about five times just to make sure. I had been cut.


The story doesn’t end there,** but it does remind me of the incredible feeling of being CHOSEN. It’s funny that we often don’t think about the great privilege of being chosen for something until we aren’t chosen for something. As I think about how good it feels to be chosen by a coach, a boss, a girlfriend, or by anyone else, I am reminded about how much greater it is to be CHOSEN by the creator of the world.


The Bible tells us that God chooses us through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. If you believe in and have faith in Christ, God chooses you. No questions asked, no work required. We can’t earn a right to be chosen. There is no way we can work hard enough, do enough good deeds, or be “better” than the next guy. Jesus Christ has already earned everything for us. And because of that, God chooses us when we put our faith in the work Christ did. More than that, God doesn’t just choose you on a whim. He chooses you before the world was formed.


That is pretty cool and it makes me wonder:

Have you been CHOSEN? I hope you have…..



Eph. 1:4
"even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."

James 2:5
"Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom,which he has promised to those who love him?"

Deut. 7:6
"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."

John 15:16
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you."


**The story ended on a positive note when my father received a call a few days later from the coach. He told my dad one family decided not to play AAA hockey that year and there was one more spot left on the team. Since I had been the final cut (just missed it!), I had the first opportunity to accept the open spot. The rest was history….**

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It’s always really encouraging to see a current professional player take the time out of their busy schedule to come to camp. Drew MacIntyre is one of those guys, coming to camp many summers now even as a busy pro hockey player. This past Christmas, Drew had the amazing opportunity to represent team Canada in a well known tournament called the Spengler Cup. I was able to watch a couple of the games on Sportsnet and it was so cool to see him play on such a big stage. What made it especially cool to watch was seeing a simple cross painted on the chin area of his helmet. It wasn’t hidden amongst other graphics or slapped on the back, but I mean right on the chin where every camera can catch it. As I watched, I couldn’t help but think of others watching as well, being exposed to the cross and perhaps being reminded of what Jesus did on that cross. This simple representation of faith makes me admire Drew so much.


Unfortunately, Canada didn’t win the Spengler Cup this year. They had a really good team but were not able to overcome some major obstacles. And ultimately, this resulted in Canada’s failure in achieving the big prize. How many of us have experienced losses? There are losses in hockey that I still look back and cringe at. They don’t feel good and there is a subtle sense of bitterness. But you can’t do anything about past losses can you?


Beyond hockey, we all have faced losses during our life. Regardless of what those losses look like, they don’t feel good. They come in different magnitudes and they leave us feeling sad, lost, helpless, and hopeless. Maybe there are losses in your life that leave you feeling ashamed, guilty, and worthless. I don’t know each of your losses, but I do know that at some point in our lives we have faced loss or are currently facing loss. If you have managed to escape facing these in life so far, without a doubt they will be coming.

Drew helped at hockey camp when I was a camper and one year he happened to be traded to my favorite hockey team. I excitedly wrote to him exclaiming my joy for the trade and asked him a few questions regarding hockey and life. Drew responded with impacting words. He wrote this to me several years ago and its advice I have carried with me since. In response to how I could become a better hockey player he said, “Try to get as much ice as possible and work as hard as you can to maximize the gifts God has given you. Try to play at as high a level as you can and believe in yourself. You’ve already won by being a child of Christ.” Let me repeat the ending one more time: “You have already won by being a child of Christ.” How does that carry out in our lives? What does that mean? “You’ve already won by being a child of Christ.”


Paul writes in 1 Corinthians about the concept of victory. It reads, “O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of the sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” You see, God created this earth, and us, with a purpose and a plan. God also sent his only son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins. So if we accept that we are sinners, ask for forgiveness to a compassionate, loving God, and allow Jesus into our hearts, only then can we experience true victory. True victory isn’t a Spengler Cup, the Stanley Cup, scoring more goals than everybody else, or even doing everything in life right. True victory was when Jesus, our perfect example, defeated death. He appeared to be beaten and dead but three days later He rose again. You see it’s nothing we did or anything we can control. It was Him who showed us true victory. Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”


This past summer young hockey players across the world have had an opportunity to respond, and many did experience God’s calling on their lives. At camp we hope to show young hockey players what it means to be a child of God, and how that means victory. We do this in times like chapel,in team meatings, but also on the ice, during dryland, and whatever else we do. This is a hockey camp, and no doubt campers come away better hockey players, but HMI exists to see hockey players come away better people too. I pray that God accomplishes these things through us.


No matter what the losses our campers have faced, are facing, and will be facing, with Christ they have already won by being His child. In your own life, you will always have an opportunity to respond to that reality. The reality that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, that you are a sinner in desperate need of a victorious Savior. So wherever you are, invite Him into your life, and let Him change you from the inside out.

Until next time (God willing),

The Intern

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During dryland one day, I had a lot of fun watching the boys do an interval conditioning run. For those that don’t know what this entails, here is a brief run down:

• A group lightly jogs in a single file line
• The last person in line sprints to the front
• When that person gets the front the next person sprints to the front
• So on and so forth

It really is a phenomenal exercise for cardiovascular endurance, and also, communication and teamwork. The line must maintain a pace they can keep up, as well as communicate in order for the person in the back to know when to sprint forward.

On this particular day, there were two lines doing the run. One line took a long time to figure it out. They would be far too spread out, putting more strain on the sprinter to make it to the front. The other team however, figured it out quickly. They maintained an acceptable jogging pace, kept together, and once the sprinter reached the front they would all yell “GO” in unison to let the next person to sprint know when to start. It was really something to watch the leadership of this line, from the first to the last runner.

However, even though they were doing a great job, some of the kids began to struggle towards the five minute mark. Their line began to break down. But what unfolded from this struggle was unbelievable. In one particular instance, a strong runner literally pushed a struggling runner to help him keep up with the line. This went on for a while and it was amazing to not only see the work of the strong runner, but the will and appreciation of the runner who would have been falling behind.

I wonder what would have happened had no one helped the runner who was falling behind? I imagine he would have probably slowly given up, dropped off the pack and quit. Yet, because someone stepped up and helped him, they continued with the exercise and accomplished far more than simply running.

How many times in our lives do we see someone falling behind? They’re struggling and need help, but we simply run right by them. We either get too worried about ourselves, distracted by something else, or assume someone else will help them. What would happen if we were willing to give just a small push. Something to keep them going. Something to help them regain their strength so that they may keep running.

I hope this is what we do at camp. Kids show up with lots of things going on in their lives. Sometimes life is tiring for them, often it is difficult for them. I know because I once was a camper too. When I came to know Christ, camp was one week of the year that I could recharge. Often frustrated, confused, and discouraged, hockey camp provided an environment where I could feel comfortable, ask questions, and learn. Often I went into hockey camp lagging. I was falling behind and about to give up. But throughout camp I was given the shove I needed to keep going and the confidence to stay strong in my faith.

Just like these boys demonstrated, we need to step up and help in the lives of others around us. So I encourage you to keep running. No matter where you are or where you’ve been….keep running. And if you see someone else falling behind, give them a push. If you are the one falling behind, don’t let pride prevent you from getting a push from someone else. Just keep running!

Until next time,
The Intern

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Who Am I?

Last summer I was at hockey camp and we were doing our daily staff devotion. Admittedly, my attention is occasionally numb during these times. At other times, I am too distracted by the next responsibility during a busy camp week. This particular devotional time however, will stand out to me for the rest of my life. As I have said, I have met so many wonderful people in my adventures with HMI. This man sharing the devotion was no exception. Knowing only a small snippet of his life, his words shook me to my core.

He shared about his life and then read the lyrics to a song that I had heard many times, even at a live show. But when read by this man, the meaning of the song came alive. It didn’t take amazing musical talent, or fancy technology for this song to make an impact. It took a man who has seen life and been through it. The lyrics are as follows:

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

It’s nothing we have done. Our identity isn’t tied to what we do. Nor is our destiny in our hands. Our circumstances, hard times, and situations are part of a big plan and God is there through it all. We are His no matter what. Paul writes in his letter to the church of Corinth, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As Christians, our identity should be in nothing but Christ Jesus. We are new in Him. We live in a society where people love titles and positions, job descriptions and lists of accomplishments. In the midst of that, I constantly have to ask myself: who am I? God, I am yours.

Who are you?

Until next time,
The Intern

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“Okay guys, it’s time to settle down.”


How many times have I said that to campers already this camp season? Let’s just say too many! Parents, I’m sure you know more than anyone what I’m talking about. Campers, being young boys, love to have FUN. But, when you put them in the environment we create at hockey camp, they take FUN to a whole new level. Loud noise and laughs are a common sound at camp. Yet, there comes a time when they have to settle down. The campers have to bring it down a notch in order to get something from the activitiy, whether it be chapel, huddle, or bed time. They don’t always appreciate being told to calm down, but it really is for their best interest (and the staff’s interest...um, I mean sanity...as well).


As I think about this idea though, I feel hypocritical. Not that I am bouncing off walls or disrupting speakers and such, but I need to tell myself to settle down more often. I think as a society we all have to. On a personal level, God has opened many doors this summer, things that require a lot of time and energy. I made up my schedule and looking at it I realize it really is a crazy summer full of activities going from camp to camp to camp. When I see this schedule, I become very anxious and think to myself, “Did I really book myself into all of this?” I sometimes feel small and undeserving of all that’s on my plate. I am at times left a little scared if I have enough in the tank to make it through the summer.

The problem with all of this, however, is a focus too much on my own world and own capabilities. As chaos looms, I become frantic and unsure of what to do. The situation seems too big. Does this describe you? How often do you feel overwhelmed in the midst of chaos? We are so quick to fill our lives with busyness convinced it is the right thing to do. Then, in the busyness we begin to feel drained and hopeless.


While I don’t always see busyness as a bad thing, I do think it has taken too much priority in our lives today. I look at my own summer and know that although it isn’t easy, it what God has called me to do. Yet, in the midst of this, I know that I need to settle down; I have to be still. As hustle and bustle people we love to move. We always have something going, and we always need to be doing something. Mostly, we just want to be in control and letting that go is scary. Through it all, we need to learn to be still.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

BE STILL...and know that I am God.

Nothing I have done, nothing you have done was in your doing. Quite frankly when I said I feel small and undeserving, that is to a degree how I should feel! For this is the proper place where I can realize that God is indeed God and I am not. He is the one in control, not us. He is the one that gives us breath and life and skills and abilities so that we may take advantage of the opportunities that He has created for us in order to bring Him glory. So as I run to my next destination, I have to remind myself to be still, and that God is God. In everything I do, acknowledge Him and know He is in control. I pray that in the midst of your busyness you can do the same.


Until next time,

The Intern

I have had the privilege to meet a lot of top notch people in my time serving with Hockey Ministries International. There are many incredible people involved with this ministry, and one of those people that instantly comes to mind is Bill Butters. Mr. Butters has made a powerful impact in the hockey community and beyond working full time with HMI. Over the course of my time with HMI, I have come to greatly appreciate the Bill Butters legendary on-ice bible lesson.


The lesson starts with Bill selecting one camper to help him demonstrate the drill. He asks them to provide an example of a good hockey stance. Knees bent, stick in front of you, sturdy, head up, balanced, and ready for anything. He then proceeds to give the volunteer a hard shove, but because of the solid stance, the player hardly moves. Bill then asks the player what a poor hockey position looks like. Without delay the volunteer relaxes, stands up, and is immediately sent flying through the air as Mr. Butters hits him with another forceful shove. Yard sale is a good way to describe the young player as they lay sprawled on the ice.


The lesson proves a very important hockey point. A proper stance in hockey is a fundamental skill. Power skating is a very important component to the on-ice program at HMI and a large part of this program is teaching kids this foundation in order to be successful hockey players. Without a solid hockey position, you are going to be knocked around. You will also constantly be hearing your coach bark, “Bend your knees!” To be the best player you can be, you must develop the foundational skills and that starts with good body position.

A solid foundation is needed in more than just hockey. It is needed in all parts of our life as well. The bible talks about where we can find a good foundation in Matthew 7:

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”


Without a proper foundation the storms in life will surely send you crashing. So often today we see people turning to God in times of tragedy and confusion. Despite all the things in the world like money, fame, power, success, friends, and even family, there is nothing as solid and sure as Jesus Christ. All the other parts of our life are like sand which will not support us when the real storms hit. In Christ, we find our footing in any kind of storm. When one builds their life on this rock, rather than the sand, they know their foundation and how to react when the storms come.

What we desire to teach at these camps is to always have that solid foundation. And I’m not talking about on the ice. No matter the circumstance, have Christ as your solid foundation. That way, when difficulties arise and unexpected challenges are faced, you won’t lose balance and end up sprawled on the ice. No matter what you face within the rink and out of the rink, your feet on solid ground gives you great safety and purpose in your life. So, bend your knees and get sturdy to face life’s greatest challenges on a solid foundation found in Jesus Christ.

Until next time,
The Intern

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At the final huddle of camp, I have made the habit of simply going around the group and asking what each camper will be taking away with them from their week at hockey camp. You get a wide array of answers, many with substance. This week I had an awesome group who were willing to talk and more than willing to have fun. They all were so uniquely wired it made for an interesting week. Through it all, we had some powerful conversations. Conversations that moved me, taught me, and challenged me. Hopefully, it did the same among the campers. As we went around the group at our final huddle answers varied but the common theme was the parallel around hockey and God. One camper said, “We don’t have all the answers but God does. And we don’t need to know all the answers to have faith in Him.”


In another huddle time, the topic of creation came up. One camper was unsure of whether it was a believable scenario or not. The question of what created God came up and honestly it was a difficult question to answer. I discussed Genesis 1 and the phrase “In the beginning God…” I explained how the presence of God stands out to me. Other campers talked about time, and how God was outside it. All interesting conversation but at the end of the talking, it was clear the camper who asked the questions was still mulling it over. This camper was the same camper who said the statement above in response to what he was going to take away from camp. How powerful! You see, as we walk with Christ, not everything has to be clear. Things do not always make sense. They may never make sense. Yet, having the right perspective and right heart leads you to the bigger picture which is faith in God.


There has been a few times when a coach will vocalize things that I have not understood. Things maybe I originally disagreed with. In reality though, that coach has had years of experience and knows the game better than most. So, when time goes by and trust increases, the things which didn’t make sense slowly or suddenly start making sense. Sometimes it just takes time to see what the coach was meaning.


This is likewise in our faith. As we walk in our faith, things do not always appear sensible. Things to do not always make sense. When I was an unbeliever, the Great Flood was a story I scoffed at. Even when I came to know Jesus, there were things I doubted and did not understand. But the more I sought, the more I put my trust in Christ, the more I leaned on Him, these things became real. And obviously as I continue to walk there are things that I still do not completely understand or know but that is what makes God beautiful.


There is a bigger picture at play here. The creation story is a perfect example of this truth. When God created the earth it was with a purpose. As a part of that, He made us with a purpose. We are a part of History. We dont always have to understand the situations or challenges in our life, but we have to have faith in Him and His purpose for us. Our first reaction might be to doubt or criticiae, or maybe give up, but keep your eyes fixed on your purpose. You’re made in HIs image. As truth seeks you, seek truth so that things may become real to you. Take the time, and have the perspective that will let you have an “aha!” moment with God. Catch His presence and accept His love. Admit you might not have all the answers but don’t let that damage your faith. Remain faithful, because the God who created the world also created you, and He is in control.


Until Next Time,

The Intern

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As I flew to the first camp of the season, my luggage did not. I was lost. And even though it wasn’t lost forever, it was still lost. So here I was, with the clothes on my back and a backpack with a computer and some books...that’s it. No toothbrush or toothpaste. No change of clothes (underwear anyone?!?!). Nothing. I was frustrated, angry, and at my wits in as I talked to the airline (who handled the whole ordeal quite well) when my mind drifted to a piece of scripture where something else was lost. It was a parable of Jesus which can be found in Luke 15:


“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “this man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”


There are many lost people out there. There are many lost people at camp. I know because I was one of them, totally lost in this world even though I never knew it. But, God reached out. He went after me even though I was just one sheep out of many. When He found me, He rejoiced. Now that is a powerful thought.


You see, we are all kind of like lost luggage. We all have things we carry. Some of these things are heavy and a deep burden. Some of them are lighter. Some of our luggage is uncomfortable. Some is bulky. We all like luggage carry these things and get dragged around through life. Before we even realize it, we end up just like my luggage for camp…..lost. This is why the parable of the lost sheep is so awesome. We don’t have to be lost forever. We don’t have to carry around big heavy burdens. Jesus wants to find you and take all of that extra baggage off of you. Regardless of what you are carrying or how lost you are, Jesus loves you. He wants you. He accepts you. Nothing is too big, or too bad, or too lost.


The airline did finally return my luggage, and I now have a greater appreciation for clean clothes. I also was reminded that no matter where we are on our journey of faith: lost, on the way, or found, we can be sure that God is for us. He is for us so much that He didn’t sit back and wait for us to figure things out. Instead, He pursued us by sending His one and only Son so that we wouldn’t have to bear our own luggage anymore. I hope that you will trust Him enough to find you and handle your luggage for you.


I guess it’s now time to change and brush the teeth….it’s only been 2 days after all!!


Until Next Time,

The Intern

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A week into cafeteria food has my mind turning, and thankfully not my stomach. Cafeteria food was a pretty cool concept pre college, but a not so cool concept a few years into college. No complaining here though, especially from my mother who is escaping some grocery bills with me being away at camps all summer! At each camp I watch campers pile into the cafeteria and then proceed to pile their plates. While I watch the mounds of food dwindle, my mind turns to a silly story about the chocolate milk machine.


For me, hockey camp was the first time I spent a large amount of time away from my parents. It was my first breath of freedom as you might say. My parents would probably say their first breath of pure fright. But hey, I lived and they did too. During that first year of hockey camp, there was a lot to explore and discover. One thing that still stands out in my mind is the chocolate milk machine. That thing was incredible! In my innocence, I thought that machine was eternally flowing from a never ending magical source. Through my eyes, it was a wonderful, delicious, and constant stream of chocolate milk. Then I grew a little older and unfortunately reality hit. The continuous flow of chocolate milk was actually a myth. The chocolate does run out, and worse, it’s a person that fills it back up. Talk about a major let down!


But beyond chocolate milk, things run out. It is the way of life. In a society full of expectations and promises, people are quick to realize we fall short. We dive into things that we believe will sustain us, that will bring us happiness. We chase after things that appear good at first glance. Things that bring us enjoyment, at least for the moment. Ultimately, the things of this world do not last. Much like the chocolate milk machine. At first glance, it looks amazing, it looks endless, but in reality it will eventually run out. The user can’t see when it’s about to run out, but when it does, they are left empty. They are left perplexed and wanting more of something but they just don’t know what.


However, there is one thing in life that does satisfy and sustains. Jesus says in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall not thirst” (ESV). In Jesus, and only Him, can one be fully sustained. Nothing in this world, not even chocolate milk, will ever compare to Him. Jesus is the chocolate milk machine that I thought existed, everything else in the world is the chocolate milk machine that actually exists. Through Christ, one can find unrelenting love, boundless grace, and complete forgiveness. When one commits their life to Christ, He will always sustain. When you understand this reality, joy can be found, fear can be conquered, and strength can be discovered.


Sure, chocolate milk is good after a hockey game or hard practice, but Jesus is good always. Jesus is good….ALWAYS. In Him, you can find strength that lasts an eternity. In surrender to Him, you never have to worry about being spiritually hungry or thirsty because he will make you full.


And with that, I gotta go! I can’t let all these growing hungry boys get to the chocolate milk machine before me!


Until next time,

The Intern

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Last month, in the middle of May, I was driving home from Florida to Nova Scotia, and as I neared home I saw snow alongside the highway. Yes, snow, in the middle of May! It was appalling. But it isn’t because of the snow that I say it’s beginning to look like Christmas. I say this because we are only a few short days away from our first camp. It’s hard to believe, but indeed the time has come. I’m not sure about you but for me, “hockey camp eve” nearly mirrors the excitement of Christmas Eve. There is so much to be excited about. Camp truly is the best.

I can confidently compare camp with Christmas because what we offer at camp. Notice, I’m not saying winter holiday, or winter break, but Christmas! Let me explain my comparison. See, at hockey camp we offer the glitz and glamour of winter holiday. We have programs, events, and activities that will give the campers stories to tell their friends for years. At hockey camp, we are not afraid to have fun. For us staff, many times we are having just as much fun as the campers themselves! At hockey camp you play hockey for hours a day, with instruction from some of the best people in the game. At hockey camp you get to play games that not only prepare you for the upcoming season, but provides a lot of laughter. At hockey camp you experience joy that is difficult to explain to those that don’t attend camp.

However, hockey camp doesn’t just stop with fun and excitement. Like Christmas, it offers a chance to explore the deeper issues of the heart. The programs, events, and activities at camp are like the wrapping paper on a present which hides what we are really after. It is fun ripping it off, but the real joy comes when we see what’s inside. It’s great to have the fun and games and excitement, and we certainly have it, but at the end of the day our goal is to show hockey players the power of the cross.

I used to think that hockey camp was so great because it combined my two favorite things, Jesus and hockey. But as I’ve grown, I have come to realize that hockey camp is great because of Jesus, and hockey is an activity that simply brings us common ground and is something we enjoy.

Hockey camp is a place to hear some of the best people in the game of hockey share thier personal story. Hockey camp is a place where you can sit down with your peers and talk about the deepers things in life, and not just hockey. Hockey camp is a place where you can pray, both on and off the ice. Hockey camp is a place where the gospel is shared and showed. It’s this depth that matters in the end. C.S. Lewis wrote in one of his books that, “a stable once held something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.” Isn’t that the truth? When we study the birth of Jesus Christ we the real reason for Christmas and for our lives. It’s okay to enjoy the lights, the trees, the presents, the music, and much of what the holiday season offers, as long as the real Christmas is not lost. This is our intention at hockey camp and this is what truly makes us a unique hockey camp. With this balance, we can work on improving not just as hockey players, but improving as people too.

The camp countdown is on!! I know as tough as it is to get some sleep on Christmas Eve, make sure you get some sleep on “hockey camp eve” .You’re going to need it as we enjoy the 2015 HMI Hockey Camp.

Until next time,

The Intern

As the summer begins, I am left staring in awe of what lays before me. There are so many possibilities, so many opportunities, it can be downright scary. But most of my heart is bursting with excitement. I mean, it’s camp season after all! There seriously is very few things better than hockey camp. For myself, it will be close to eight years of involement with hockey camp. I have had the privilege of wearing many hats in my time at hockey camp, but none better than “camper”. I hope that many of you reading this post have the pleasure of being a camper, or have a child attending as one. You don’t want to waste your years as a camper (or a camp parent). Enjoy these years when you have them because they fly by all too fast! I look back at the friends and memories I have from being a camper and can only shake my head in amazement. I look at where God has led me and can only laugh and thank God for placing that cast of people together many summers ago. So many of us campers have grown up and parted ways, some of us have stayed in touch, but one things is certain: we all share one common memory of the times we spent together during the best days of summer...at hockey camp.

I think it is only appropriate to begin this summer of blogging with a favorite camp story of mine. I was, of course, while I was a camper. One summer I had my head down too long and got hit hard. It was one of those big open ice hits that happens so fast that no one is really sure what actually happened. The hit left me dazed and confused, yet managed to somehow bring contentment to my heart. And thankfully, I had people there for me after the collision. Now moms, stop panicking, it’s okay. We promise hockey camp is contact free. There is not hitting allowed. Your child will be safe in our care

The hit I am talking about happened off the ice. It was a hit that levelled me off my feet and onto my knees. I tried so hard to shake it off but couldn’t. You see, one night an on-ice instructor was speaking in chapel and it was not what he said that shook me up, but the way he delivered it. He was straight up honest about his life and the influence Jesus played in it. It was something that I was unprepared for. I grew up in a church attending home, but as I grew older, church and Jesus became increasingly irrelevant in my life. My focus was on things that I now know have little importance. But that night, Jesus caught me with my head down and gave me a much needed hit to not only my head, but heart. I pretended like it didn’t affect me, I even declined the invitation to stay behind in chapel that night. I went to bed like a tough guy, but sure enough I woke up in the middle of the night, realized the direction my life was headed was unacceptable and that I had to begin my walk with Christ. As it says in Romans 5:8, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV) That night shook me to the core. I finally admitted that I was sinful, and acknowledged that Christ died for my sin. Little did I know the consequence of that provoked decision to surrender my life to Christ would lead me to where I am now. Christ did though and that gives me great comfort as we head into the summer of 2015.

As we begin this summer together, I hope this blog and the camp stories it tells exposes you to the reason hockey camp exists. If you are a camper my hope for you is to join me in the excitement for hockey camp. If you are a parent of a camper, or simply observing from afar, my prayer for this blog is that you join me and the campers on this adventure. An adventure that is intended to go far beyond the ice surface level. This will be collection of stories intended to show you the intracacies and incredible ways that God works thought hockey camp. The activities, the programs, the events are things that you can read on the schedule. The important stuff often goes unsaid! I hope to share a small portion of the “unsaid”. So please grab your hockey stick, smelly gear (and parents - check your child’s skates before sending them to camp. the less blisters the better) and join me as we share the 2015 camp season together.

Until next time,

The Intern