Merry Christmas from Barry the Blogger - Reflections on the Past and Present

 I have written many Christmas morning posts over the years and two themes are always included. One is to talk about all those that don't get to spend time with their family today and the second is to thank the Allen Americans players and coaches for all they have done. 

 

- On this special day of love, compassion and hope, I want to say Merry Christmas to all from Barry the Blogger. My thoughts are with the first responders, health care workers, essential workers, those in the military and others who will be working today or away from their family. Our daughter, Erin, is a RN at Parkland Hospital and had to work a 12 hour shift both yesterday and today. She will be able to bring some Christmas babies into the world today but we sure missed our normal Christmas traditions this year. It will be difficult for some who will have empty chairs at the Christmas dinner having lost loved ones in the past year or are unable to spend time together because of COVID issues. My thoughts are with you this morning. 

-  A special THANK YOU to all players, coaches and staff (and their families) past and present for what you have done for the fans of the Allen Americans both on the ice and in the community. There has been over 350 players in Allen since the franchise started in 2009. It has been quite a ride. 

 

- There wouldn't be a blog without the cooperation and insights provided by coach and general manager, Steve Martinson, who is as passionate and engaged as they day I met him in 2012. His openness, honesty and willingness to take my calls and answer all of the questions day or night, win or lose is what makes the blog special. 

- Here is something I included in my Christmas post in the past I called "Food For Thought" which is maybe more on point this year given the rough start the Americans have had this season. You add together all of the off ice issues with COVID protocols, games being postponed to the losing record and and these thoughts seem as relevant as ever.

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

- I read a story the other day that reinforced something I have been thinking a lot about lately as it relates to players and fans.


- What I am about to talk about is not intended to engender a debate but merely to share my opinion and I am an expert at my own opinion.


- My premise is as much as fans think they know players they really don't have much of a clue. Each player has a unique story that has shaped them as a player and a person but fans don't know that story and don't have a right to know it. Everything from culture to country has a big impact on how everyone develops. Did a player grow up poor where they couldn't afford equipment, were they from a broken family, small town or big city, how many siblings, who were their role models all play a big factor in who they are today. Can you imagine the trials and tribulations of moving away from home, many times far away, at 14, 15, 16 years of age. That has to be difficult for the most well adjusted kid even with great hockey talent. For many the hockey dream ends while they are still teenagers and many drop along the way. A very few make it to the professional ranks and are lucky enough to end up in Allen, Texas.


- Fans don't know the disappointment that all of these players have felt along the way. Rejection has been a way of life as skilled as these guys are and rejection is never easy. Can you imagine what it would be like in your job to get a promotion and then sent back to your old job because you weren't good enough and have that happen over and over again. Can you imagine at your job breaking your hand or suffering a concussion and when you return your boss says sorry, I gave your job to someone else. Can you imagine if your boss could say you are out of a job with no notice and for any reason.


- Fans don't know what struggles players have to deal with from financial responsibilities to substance abuse issues to loneliness from being away from family. Can you imagine what it is like to be one hit or one injury away from losing your livelihood and having a physical problem you will deal with the rest of your life.


- In the seven years (now 10 years) I have been writing the blog I have heard so many heartbreaking stories from players who couldn't be at home when a close friend or relative was dying or passed away, a player who was traded a week after his fiance joined him and the day she found a job, a player who was traded when his wife was six months pregnant and a family that couldn't afford to travel to Allen to watch their son win a championship. Then there were those serious injuries that ended the season and career for key players.


- If you are still reading this I am sure for some of you the thought has crossed your mind of give me a break. These guys are not being forced to play hockey, they are making a living playing a game and have a pretty cushy job. You sometimes hear fans say if I pay my hard earned money to buy tickets that gives me the right to say anything I want about any player.


- I don't question anyone's right to be critical. My opinion is be critical of the penalty kill or defensive play or shots on goal allowed but if you are a fan of the team don't be critical of a player and make it personal. You don't know the impact that criticism has on the player and/or the player's family when they see something negative on social media. Maybe the old adage of if you can't say something nice best to not say anything at all is a better approach.


- If you question why the coach doesn't trade or waive a player you are questioning the judgement of a guy with 10 championships. I learned a long time ago how little I know about hockey and what you see on the ice looks very different if you go thorough a play in slow motion video with coach Martinson, looking at every player on the ice and what they did and didn't do.


- So my plea on this Christmas Day is if you are a fan of the Allen Americans and more generally in life, be careful when you use social media and publicly put a player down, question their ability and wonder why they haven't been traded because you don't know their story. Leave that assessment to the coaching staff who know what they are talking about.


- My point is you never know what each and every member of the Allen Americans has gone through to get to this point in their career and you don't know what they are dealing with today. Love and support is what everyone needs and that is what I think the Allen Americans hockey family should provide for  the players.

- I thought today would be appropriate to post a video you may have already seen since I posted it a while back. I am pretty sure it will bring a tear to your eye whether you have a child that plays hockey, you play hockey now, you played in your youth or are just a hockey fan. Even if you have seen this before take another look as it will lift your spirits when you think about the role your mom played along the way whether it was in hockey, another sport or other activities. It is called "So God Made a Hockey Mom."

 

- You can't have a Christmas post without some photos so I reached into the archives for this group of photos from the championship years. It has been fun to track these families as these kids have grown and the players have moved on to post hockey careers except for the goat (Chad Costello). Most of these families have grown since these photos were taken. It may just be me but there seemed to be a closeness in the championship years when there were lots of young children around.  

 The following is a small sample of Christmas time with players and their families past and present.

The Allen Americans posted this greeting in 2015

This was posted in 2014 by the Allen Americans

Ashley, Chad, Cayne,Camden plus baby #3 on the way Costello - 2015

Costello's with Santa - Bet dad was on a road trip - 2015

The Adams Family - Erik, Jen, Brooklyn & Henrik

London, Whitney, Harper & Bruce Graham - Nottingham, England 2012

The Grahams - 2015 with new addition Beckett

Nicole, Sawyer & Sutter Schaafsma - 2014

 

 

Sawyer & Sutter - 2015

The Pierro-Zabotel family's (Casey, Levi & Lane) first Texas Christmas - 2015

Aaron Gens, girlfriend Kellie, and their dog (Stella) to Kentucky for Christmas -2014

Aaron & Kellie are now engaged - 2015

Jackson Gill's first Christmas with Angie, Riley & dog Guinny -2015

Trevor, Lynden & Holly Ludwig back in Texas for Christmas - 2015

Lynden's first Christmas and skate with dad, Trevor Ludwig - 2014

The most famous dog in Allen history, Pearl (@Pearlilicious11), was Phil Fox's "wing dog"

Sydney Ludwig - Tyler & Taylor's daughter -2014

What a difference a year makes - Sydney with little sis Hayden - 2015

Greger & Andrea Hanson in their PJ's with Bella

Jarret Lukin with his nephew Dryden - Christmas 2015

Mike & Chantal Berube with daughter Ellyauna & Dolce 

 

 

- No better way put a smile on your face than with an Ice Angels Christmas performance. This one is from 2015. Enjoy!

Once again thank you, thank, you, thank you to all players past and present for the sacrifices you have made to follow your dreams and the joy you have brought to the fans in Allen on and off the ice. Your determination on the ice and kindness off the ice is both noticed and appreciated. May this Christmas day be a joyous one for you and yours!

Happy Holidays from Barry the Blogger