hockey, hockey & more hockey

It is now middle of July and with the heat extreme's the Chicago area has been experiencing, I can't wait to go to the ice arena to be cool.  The boys start their 3 on 3 program tonight and are excited!  Next week they both will be doing their first week long hockey camp followed by Coulson will have his first goalie camp the next week.  Both are extremely excited and can't wait.  They can't seem to get enough ice time.  I think this year, I may have to build an ice arena in our backyard providing it won't be a swamp.  I'm actually praying for a cold winter, better be careful for what I wish for.  ???

The boys are now skating at Canlan Ice Arena in Romeoville, IL which is about 25 mins from the house.  They are there at least four times a week.  Coulson has been playing on two teams, one as a goalie and one as a skater.  Logan is on one team but is asked to play for other teams and even playing a level up.  They have both improved their skills so much in a years time.  Its funny to remember when they first started that Coulson could barely stand up and Logan wasn't quite sure if this was his thing to now they can't get enough ice time. 

They both tried a new sport this summer, Lacrosse.  Logan has wanted to play for over a year now and this past spring I signed them up.  New Wave Lacrosse was collaborating with many local park districts to grow the program.  Lacrosse is the fasted growing sport in the Midwest now.  What I've learned its a great cross over for hockey players.  The boys loved it!  Coulson even scored his first goal of the last spring tournament!  He was so excited he was high stepping off the field.  It was awesome!  Logan really liked it too and is disappointed they can't play it during the fall/winter session because its during the same times as hockey.  They chose hockey.

Coulson has all his own goalie equipment and is a completely different kid when he's dressed in it.  He is more confident.  Over the weekend he took the first puck to the mask.  It didn't phase him. 

We've had some very good coaches from day one.  Coach Jon Woodring has been great and the boys do miss him!  Coach Bosse is becoming a great influence on these boys as well.  It will be an exciting upcoming year, that's for sure!

The 2012-12 hockey season is going be somewhat of a loss for the Bain family as last season we had season tickets to the ECHL Chicago affiliate, The Chicago Express.  After thier season was over, the team folded.  Its a shame because it was affordable family fun and some really good hockey.  Attendance was the biggest obstacle but it was growing a lot toward the end of the season.  I wonder what the requirements were for attendance by the ECHL to maintain the affiliation?  None the less, sad not to know that weekend nights will be like this upcoming season.

Hopefully, I'll post some pictures soon.  Have a great day!

Left, Right or Straight?

Coulson, can be such a complicated little kid but at the same time so simple. At this stage, he's eight and can't decide which way he's going to hold his hockey stick. He now has a Lefty, Righty & Straight edge sticks. At what point will he decide which is most comfortable or will this be an advantage for him down the road?

Watching stick handling drills yesterday was crazy. He decided to use his Righty stick but during drills, would take turns and switching to Lefty. He refused to use the Straight edge.

Any suggestions?

Express Sunday Skate

Sunday, Nov. 13 was a home game for the Chicago Express and yet another game where I was taking the boys without Scott because of work. My dear friend Vicki joined us from Rockford and the boys entertained her for the day!

It all started with the boys taking pictures of the players during warm ups and my two boys wanting to be on the ice with them. Buying season tickets has definitely increase their passion for hockey. All they talk about is skating to the point where I'm beginning to consider building a little ice rink in the back yard for them to burn off energy during the winter. Sounds like a good idea, huh?

The game was a hard fought game. The Express lead most of the game but Gwinnett came back to tie which caused OT then a shoot out. Unfortunately, the Express lost.

The game was on Sunday and part of their marketing is to have an open skate with the players after every Sunday home game. As my two boys were so excited, Logan was the first nonplayer to take the ice. Here are some pictures.

Logan as the first skater on the ice.

Below is Kyle Ostrow skating around with Coulson.

Tyler Johnson and Logan...

During the skate it was really cool as player, Pierre-Luc Faubert skated around the entire ice with a kid who could barely stand on the ice. It was awesome the compassion he showed to skate with this kid. These players will even say, "Thanks for coming out." Its an awesome family friendly environment.

Have a great day, time for a conference call.

Bain Boys & Us: Morphsuit Boy at Chicago Express Game 10/19/2011

Morphsuit Boy at Chicago Express Game 10/19/2011

Its Halloween weekend, I'm taking a friend who I haven't seen in ooverfive years to an ECHL Chicago Express game. The Express was giving kids an opportunity to trick or treat with the players after the game. My kids and their friend Mikey took FULL advantage of wearing their costumes.

Scott was on You Tube watching a fight from one of his favorite players, Bobby Robins, when he came across a video talking the The Morphsuit Kid. That Morphsuit kid was Logan. Watch the video, its funny! Look at the next posting and hit the title.