So there doesn’t appear to be a hockey season but for many families the dream, and the fun, continues through their kids. I know you! Yes, the moms and dads who get up early (how many times each week???) and bundle up the kids to get to the arenas. I applaud your dedication for the love of the game! Everyone knows it’s Canada’s game. And as a girl born and raise here, I can assure you that as a teen, I’ve had many hockey crushes. As a matter of fact, I was with my dental hygenist the other morning and we talked about why we like that “good ol’ Canadian hockey boy” type. Remember Rick Vaive?
Ahem.
Hockey is one of those sports that is loved from the small town to the big city. I spent a morning recently with oh, you know, Andree Gilbert and Brian Toews, the parents of a hockey player JONATHAN TOEWS, of the Chicago Black Hawks. O-M-G. Yes, they are the coolest parents (no pun intended, much) around. And we got to talking about, well, what else?
Andree, mom of the famed hockey player, told me that when Jonathan was 2 years old he was given a pair of skates by a relative and instantly took to skating. “I couldn’t take the skates off him, he would walk in the house with them and he never wanted to take them off!” And from there the passion just grew. “We never pushed them to play we just watched and let the boys take the lead on what they wanted to do, but it was very clear that hockey was their passion.” Jonathan and his brother spent all their spare time playing hockey with friends so much that dad recalls eagerly waiting for the temperatures to drop below -10C back home in Winnipeg so he can build the outdoor rink behind their house. “Our house became the hang out spot for all the kids in the neighbourhood. They all just wanted to play hockey and there was minimal video games back then, the kids didn’t care for them and as a family we just loved it all.”
The Toews were here with Canadian Tire to offer some great tips & tricks for surviving the busy hockey season. For most hockey families, a love of the game means dealing with hectic schedules with equipment that can feel like it takes over homes, garages and cars! Can you relate?
The Toews brought hockey to life with ideas that keeps the spirit of the game alive while keeping the home “in check”. Check out the ideas in below!
Also, there are great DIY home decor ideas found – what to do with all those old hockey sticks? Why make a new head board for your kid’s bed! Brilliant! Does your kids have a favourite hockey team and want to paint the bedroom or dresser in the exact team colour! Canadian Tire can match the official team colours in their custom paint matching service! FUN!
Canadian Tire’s website also offers great videos with hockey tips and advice for kids like setting small goals for each practice with Jonathan Toews. His mom also weighs in on what’s it like to be a hockey mom! Check out The Canadian Tire Hockey School
Game on!
Here are some great ideas from equipment to DIY home ideas to get your hockey lovin’ family ready!
LOVE the pink hockey gear!