THE OPPORTUNITY THAT ALMOST WAS
OH TO PLAY FOR THE CANADIENS
When I was growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,
side of the imaginary centre ice red line. Every boy
the city operated outdoor rinks at just about every
there, including me, dreamed of being in the NHL.
playground across the city. On cold winter days,
30
from blocks away, you could hear the cracking sound
ONE FROSTY MORNING
of ricocheting pucks echoing off the boards and
I will never forget one sunny frosty Saturday morning
the sharp hiss and schussing of skates cutting into
at the North Street rink. I was the smallest kid on the
the ice during Saturday morning shinny. Shinny is
ice and still unsteady on skates. The big guys put me
generally a very democratic sport. Hockey sticks get
in goal. There was a certain master skater and puck
thrown into a pile at the middle of the rink and back
handler on the other team. This true wizard of puck
then, the smallest kid dealt them like cards to each
control was visiting a cousin and new to our rink. All
SIDEONE FEBRUARY 2021
