LAKELAND - Thousands of youth hit the ice every year across the nation, playing a sport that has become synonymous with Canadian living. As players move through the ranks, families often have questions about how hockey fits into their lives.
While following his own son through minor hockey and eventually watching him play the sport professionally overseas, Stan Walchuk has gathered plenty of knowledge - and he's hoping to share it through his book "Hockey is Life."
The book took five years of hard work to put together. Walchuk describes the final product as a resource that includes everything young hockey players, coaches and parents need to know.
Because of his experience navigating the hockey world alongside his son, Walchuk says he would often field questions from other hockey parents and "they were always asking the same questions."
"Should I buy used or new skates? How much is it really going to cost to play hockey? Do I really have a chance at playing pro? Why doesn’t my kid ever get a chance on the power play? Why is that coach such an idiot? Is summer hockey camp worth it? Are hockey academies worth it? It’s so competitive, how can I get an edge? What food should I be eating? What supplements and when? Is dryland training really that important? How important is it that I get drafted in the CHL draft? Should I go Jr. A and the NCAA scholarship route, or through the CHL? Exactly what is a hockey agent, and should I sign with one?" writes Walchuk, in the preface of the book.
Walchuk explains his own experience as a hockey parent was not necessarily typical.
"We've gone through so much," he says, describing his son, Dylan, as a small kid from a small town. There was lots of travelling involved in getting his son "out there" and allowing him to have a chance to play at a higher level.
His son faced disappointment and was sometimes turned away, but he fought back and in the end had an amazing career, according to his dad. Dylan ended up with a NCAA scholarship, played in the WHL, and played professionally in Denmark and Russia.
The book is a compilation of the knowledge Walchuk gained over the years. Several interviews and some good research also contributed to the creation of the book.
He believes the book can be a valuable resource for many different people. For some parents, their kids are playing a sport they never played themselves. And for others, they are not just new to hockey - but to the country itself - and it can be easy to feel alone.
When asked what the main message he would like to get across is, Walchuk says he is actually a little tired of the old adage that the focus should simply be about having fun. Sometimes, playing hockey involves long drives and weekends taken up by tournaments - and it's not all fun.
There also needs to be commitment and desire.
Referring to the title of the book, Walchuk explains that while hockey is life, life isn't all about hockey. But, so much happens in the hockey world that can be used in other parts of life. Learning how to be a team player, focusing on getting the job done, developing a strong work ethic, refining time management skills - a lot of the habits developed translate to other aspects of life.
One of the last portions of the book is an important piece that many families need to consider - and that is "Life after hockey." It can be tough for some hockey players who have to scramble in their late 20s when they realize they don't have a hockey career anymore, acknowledges Walchuk.
In the end, Walchuk says he would like parents and players to remember that it really is about the "journey."
"Kids and parents look too far into the future," says Walchuk. He encourages parents to have fun with their kids, and enjoy the time spent together.
"Spending time with your kid - that's the greatest gift there is."
While the knowledge contained inside the book is something Walchuk believes everyone should take advantage of, the author has also decided to offer his book to minor hockey organizations in hopes of raising funds to support the local non-profits.
In St. Paul, there are hard copies of the books available through minor hockey association president Bryce Balmer, who is helping promote it locally.
Included on the book's website is a review by Balmer.
"As a hockey dad and a seven-year president of minor hockey, you can imagine that I have seen most of what life in hockey is all about. I thought this book might be just more hockey talk, propaganda, or a coffee table showpiece. It was a pleasant surprise to see how very useful it is," said Balmer. "This book follows the new landscape of hockey. It's not just about drills and skills and winning but about creating a well-rounded athlete, not just a hockey player."
In the end, the book is not necessarily a personal story "but everyone's inside story," writes Walchuk.
Hockey is Life is about "what life is like in the trenches as a hockey player and a hockey parent. It has answers to questions, advice for those who want it, and detailed information on how to improve your game. It is a guide to ease the bumpy journey and some help for the constant decisions."
