Category Archives: ICE HOCKEY

STORM-DRAIN DIRT

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Kit Troyer

I looked back the other day at something I wrote at the beginning of the pandemic. The piece seems naive, ill informed, and overly optimistic. But the basic thesis remains true — there were silver linings to the Covid lockdown, … Continue reading →

Posted in DUMB SHIT I'VE DONE, ICE HOCKEY, SELF HELP, SPIRIT | 26 Comments

DAVE’S A MESS

Posted on May 16, 2020 by Kit Troyer

There’s a scene in the old hockey movie Slapshot where an opponent talks trash about the Chiefs’ aging player-captain Paul Newman. One of Newman’s teammates, Dave, is outraged. He drops his stick and attacks the opponent. A bloody brawl ensues. … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE, DUMB SHIT I'VE DONE, HEROES, ICE HOCKEY, MOVIES, MY CHILDHOOD | 3 Comments

GODDAMN FIXER

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Kit Troyer

I really don’t have much good to say about Chris Fix. Apart from him cooking meals for my son. And rooting for my son at the ice hockey rink. And letting my son stay at the Fix home in Hermosa … Continue reading →

Posted in CHILD REARING, COURAGE, ICE HOCKEY | 3 Comments

ON TURNING 50

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Kit Troyer

My 15-year-old son asked this morning whether my young self would have been surprised that today’s world is not more technologically advanced? Still no flying cars, for instance. My young self would have been astounded by iPhones. A device which … Continue reading →

Posted in CHILD REARING, DUMB SHIT I'VE DONE, ICE HOCKEY | 4 Comments

7-STEP GUIDE FOR EXTREME HOCKEY GRIEVING

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Kit Troyer

With only two teams left in the NHL playoffs, a growing number of friends and relatives are dealing with the heartbreak of their favorite teams being eliminated. Myself, I watch from greater emotional distance this year, since my own favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in ICE HOCKEY | Leave a comment

BOLSHY, DOUGHTY SWEDES

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Kit Troyer

The grandparents were in town last weekend. They always inject some unpredictability into proceedings. For instance, I wasn’t prepared for the intensity of my 79-year-old mother’s attention to the NFL Draft Combine. For those unfamiliar with the Combine, it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in CHILD REARING, ICE HOCKEY, SAYINGS | 4 Comments

LULU’S VEGAS INSTRUCTIONS

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Kit Troyer

Dear Lulu: Whenever Mom worries aloud about the amount of time you and your brother spend playing ice hockey, I always tell her the sport is valuable for more than just exercise.  It teaches discipline, hard work, and getting up off your … Continue reading →

Posted in CHILD REARING, ICE HOCKEY | 4 Comments

ALEEN MARRIED A FLINCHER, or How I Learned to Break Rocks and Love Kenya

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Kit Troyer

Our family recently returned from southeast Kenya, where we helped work on a new dormitory for a rural, all-girls high school. Because I have no skills in construction, I was worried I would be useless. But our hosts found a job for me — … Continue reading →

Posted in CHILD REARING, DUMB SHIT I'VE DONE, ICE HOCKEY | 10 Comments

VISUALIZING FAILURE

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Kit Troyer

Sometimes I wonder if my kids are aiming high enough. Last week I was helping Jesse tie his skates before an ice hockey game against his sister’s team. I noticed his eyes were closed. “What are you doing?” I asked. … Continue reading →

Posted in CHILD REARING, ICE HOCKEY | 5 Comments

THIS LYING-AROUND SHIT

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Kit Troyer

What’s the recipe for a good pep talk? To me, it’s Anger plus Encouragement plus a Little Bit of Crazy. A widely acknowledged classic was given by coach Herb Brooks to the US hockey team before their upset victory against the … Continue reading →

Posted in COURAGE, ICE HOCKEY, SAYINGS | Leave a comment