Was it Just a Dream?

I had a dream last night which when I think about was more than a dream, it was a reminder of days past.

I lived in Manitoba from ages 9 through 14 and my most vivid memories comes from those cold crisp days of winter. Most days we looked forward to getting home from school and loved a new snowfall, all the better to play hockey. As soon as we were home from school we would get the nets out and the shovels so we could clean the snow off the road to play our game. It was not very long before we were picking teams and there was never a lack of players. We would be out on the street no matter what the weather, no matter how cold it got we would play every night until we were dragged in for dinner. Of course after dinner we were back out for more games playing till we were called in for the night. I think if we had a choice we would have stayed out and played hockey all day and night.

Most days we could be found out on the street with the only breaks for meals and an occasional nature break. The conversation was interspersed with calls of “He Shoots He Scores” to the inevitable call of “Car” as we waited for the cars to clear our play area. Many future NHLer’s plied their trade on those streets, well at least in our minds we were future NHL players. With my Boston Bruins shirt I was Bobby Orr rushing up the side to score another spectacular goal.

One day was different from the rest, on Saturdays we would be out early to the rink for a day of games and skating then home. But this day would be different as 6pm rolled around we would hear Canada’s second National Anthem which signaled that our favourite show was about to start. Hockey Night in Canada was and is an institution which brought the family together for many Saturday nights. Some of my fondest memories comes from those cold crisp days playing road hockey and rushing in on a Saturday to be in front of the TV in time to watch my heroes play the great game.