The People!

[Titan55]

What does it mean to me to play Inline? The question brings countless thoughts to mind. For me its the pride to be wearing your sponsors logo on my jersey. Hearing the crowd go wild when I embarrass one of the other teams players. Feeling the excitment build up just before you step onto that floor. Shaking your opponants hands after the games. The new friends you meet along the way. Inline hockey is about all of these things and more.

When I look back at my inline hockey career I see all of these things and more. I remember the friendships I have amounted along the way. I see the glory, the defeats, but it didn't matter as long as I had my skates on. But wow, the people. The people are what makes it all worth while. I know that when I'm 30 and I look back, I'm not going to remember the time I ripped one from 50 feet out to win the game, or when I let a guy by me and let him score. What I will remember are my friends, my team mates, my counterparts. Its hard for a 16 year old to fathom what inline has really brought to me, but I have friends in all parts of the globe, from Cali. to England, all the way to good ol'Aussy! The friendships I will remember for my entier lifetime.

Being a part of the IHC team is just an emaculate feeling. Everyone here has a passion for the game the we all feel so deeply for. These people will not soon be forgotten either. Even though I don't know these people personally they feel like old friends. Sharing our views on different subjects, speeking so openly, being able to speak our minds. Its simply amazing!

The people. Just think, the people. When you look back what do you remember, the people. Thats what this game is about, the People!

Phil Christie, Ontario Hyper Titans #24
One love!

[Australia]

You are an excellent writer, I enjoy reading your regular posts.
Keep up the good work!

[hockeybabe2710]

great post! keep up the good work. its people like you and those you are talking about that keep the sport growing!

Peace
*manda*

[Titan55]

Wow, thanks for the positive feedback. There is truth to this post though, just think the people are what stands out in your mind when you think about your experiences!

I just can;t wait untill I get another idea for a post and an chance to let my creative juices flow!

Phil Christie, Ontario Titans #24
One Love!

[showstoppr67]

I couldn't agree with you more, bro. I'm 23 yrs old, and have played inline hockey for about 8 years now. Granted, I have pretty much been just a local rinkrat within a 100 mile radius of my St. Louis hometown. But I've played for a countless number of different teams at different rinks. I've got a massive phone list of hockey players I've played with. I can look at that and think, "Damn, I've played with/against that many people!" Maybe only a handful of guys, I'll hang out with away from the rink, but for that short time before/after/during a game, those are my best friends in the world. I love when people see my name on the back of my jersey, and say, "Hey didn't I play with/against you at......" Another favorite time of mine is the time between games at tournaments. Even if we've lost 3 games and know we're not going to proceed to the medal round, we just laugh and joke about hockey, girls, cars, WHATEVER! I've won some championships, lost some heartbreakers, been injured, lost a lot of sleep (those games that start at 11:45pm when I start work at 5am), but I wouldn't trade my time and money that I spent on hockey for anything in the world.

[KenFas]

The people is the reason for all playing a kids game well past our prime. The people is the reason to want to coach and mold our youth playing hockey. For all that play this wonderful game what are the stories you tell when hanging with your friends? If you are like many of us all of you probably have great stories to tell and many have nothing to do with the games themselves but the journey that took place while driving or staying and experiencing a tournament or weekend of hockey. Many players that I've played with or coached that have moved on are immortalized with every story session we have after a practice or get together. As a coach many of the players I have coached in younger age groups that are now in college often call or write to relive the old times. Often players come back to help the program they helped start. The Competition and other players we meet along the way form long lasting relationships that rekindle with every tournament. And what about the rivals, the teams we love to beat but mutual respect is why we play a kids game. Phil you started a great topic and i hope all realize the game itself wouldn't be enough to sustain a community like ours if not for the people we look forward to seeing each and every tournament we attend. Hell I don't know many of you on this message board but I look forward to reading every post on this site just to stay in the know. With every post I read I think would I like to sit and talk hockey with that person for a couple of hours. Hell I'd even like to have a beer or two with the ever sarcastic GM for some of his insight. How lucky we are in life to meet and hear from so many passionate people who love the sport of hockey and are willing to talk about that passion with all. WE play a great and grand game and its the people who make it great!

[Titan55]

Wow, I'm glad that this post caught on! It really makes you think about all of the wonderful people we have all met along our journey's! I wish one day I can meet you all and add all of you GREAT people to my list of friends I've heald so dearly!

Phil Christie, Ontario Titans #24
One Love!

[Titan55]

AHAHA, thanks man! I think I should get paid for this!!! Just kidding Rich!
Its fun to write this stuff, and I love seeing the replys!

Phil Christie, Ontario Hyper Titans #24
One Love!

[John_S_Osborne]

Can't tell you all the fun times I've had playing hockey in general, not just inline, but street and ice as well. Have 5 roommates now, all fellow inline players, which makes for great games

Always will cherish the ups and downs.. losing big games with Drexel, scoring 4 goals on my 21st birthday..

Moving out of my current apartment with one of my roommates. We're going to have a hockey room! Going to hang up all our jerseys and pictures from over the years.. I'll have to post a picture when it comes to be!

Good post.. my vote for thread of the year thus far!

- John S. Osborne
Secretary, Drexel U. Roller Hockey Club
LAL Director, ECRHA