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Love of Hockey Creates Lasting Legacy for Rattray Family
Love of Hockey Creates Lasting Legacy for Rattray Family
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
“Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World. In a land so inescapably and inhospitably cold, hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive.
That was one of Canadian author and humourist Stephen Leacock’s famous quotes. While he passed away over 80 years ago, it still holds true today; especially for members of the Rattray family, whose love of the game goes back several generations.
Donovan, (DJ) Rattray grew up on the family farm near Vegreville. He was the youngest of four boys. His brothers: Dave, Darren and Dustin also shared the same love of the game and proved to be great competitors on and off the ice. “We were very competitive amongst each other. Countless hours of playing hockey in the basement of our house. Lots of bloody noses, broken drywall and light bulbs. As the youngest I looked up to my brothers, which helped pushed me to be the best player I could be.”
Parents Dave and Shirley Rattray allowed him and his brothers to play hockey. “They sacrificed lots to get my brothers and I to early morning practices and games. Dad and Mom were always teaching and pushing us to be better on the ice and off. I owe so much to them.”
In fact, “My dad coached all us boys and put countless hours coaching other kids.” His dad also spent a lot of years with Vegreville Minor Hockey before coaching the Vegreville Jr. B Rangers as well as serving as the hockey club’s president.
DJ began playing hockey at the age of four, and played all of his minor hockey in Vegreville. “I played Vegreville Jr. B Rangers in the 1999-2000 season.
The summer of 2000, I signed with the Jr. A Camrose Kodiak’s. But I never played a season with the Kodiaks as I got the opportunity to tryout for The Red Deer Rebels. I made the (Western Hockey League) WHL team for the 2000-2001 season. Later that fall, while playing with the Rebels, I suffered a career altering injury.
Once I was finally able to play hockey again, I returned to Vegreville to play for the Jr. B Rangers. After that I played Men’s Senior hockey for the Two Hills Longhorns. And now, when I can find the time between all four of my kids’ hockey schedules, I enjoy getting out for Beer League Rec Hockey.”
DJ added that some of the highlights playing hockey included: winning league championships and provincials during his minor hockey days and playing in the WHL.
DJ and his wife Breanne spend a lot of time on the road. Their oldest, Peyton plays for The Sherwood Park Fury U18AA female team. “She played hockey for the Vegreville Wranglers from U7 until U13. Once she was at U15 age, she moved into the female hockey program. She played one year in St. Paul, then moved into the AA program in Sherwood Park. She has gained confidence, independence, how to be adaptable and be a team player.”
Their sons all play for The Vegreville Wranglers, Kipton is U15, Maddox is U11 and Braxten is U9.
“They each play very different games, but all love the game. They have developed life skills by playing with many different team mates, playing for different coaches and at different levels of hockey. They are continuing to develop their skills and making life long connections and friendships.”
DJ has coaches since 2015. “I have enjoyed watching my kids and all the other kids on their teams grow and develop into skilled young athletes. My goal with coaching these kids is to be a positive impact on their lives. It’s pretty cool when a kid you coached at some level comes up to you years later just to say hi.”
As for the benefits of playing hockey, DJ said, “There are so many positives that come from joining hockey.
If you go out on the ice with your best effort and attitude, you will learn so many new skills, teamwork, life long friends & make memories to last you a lifetime.
When you hear the term “hockey family” this is one of the best and greatest reasons to join hockey. This hockey family will help you through the good times and the bad times, we cheer on each others kids, help each other get to practices and games, spend countless hours at rinks, hotels and on the road and make memories and friendships for life.
Enjoy it while you’re in the moment. The seasons may seem long, but the years pass by quickly.”
