In praise of the hockey mom
Posted on October 9th, 2008 – 2:35 PMBy Michael Rand
We’ll reserve judgment on the motivation of Foxsports.com doing a piece on hockey moms right now (and mentioning a certain VP candidate plenty high up) and note that this is, all around, a pretty fun piece. Full story right here; excerpt below:
The hockey mom drives her son to the rink for practice at an ungodly hour, makes the meals and cleans the foul-smelling equipment. She knows how to lace up skates and make ice in the backyard. She gives up sleep and weekends for tournaments at far-away places. She sacrifices careers in favor of moves that will help her son’s budding career.
She is coach, trainer, therapist, nutritionist, spiritual advisor and shoulder to lean upon — and that is just for starters.
She can establish the athletic lineage, as Tatiana Ovechkin did for son Alex, the high-scoring forward of the Washington Capitals.
Tatiana played for the USSR’s women’s basketball team that won gold medals at the 1976 and ‘80 Summer Olympics.
The genetic link is strong. In shootouts, Ovechkin always kicks his left leg before making his move. Tatiana had a similar habit before looking to score, Ovechkin said.
“My mother is a great sportsman,” Ovechkin said. “She taught me so much. How to play. How to play hard. How to win.”
The hockey mom can impart a mind-set. Mike Milbury was a hard-nosed defenseman for 11 seasons before moving into coaching and front-office work. The combative Milbury said he “loved my mom dearly,” but she helped toughen him for what was ahead.
“All I ever heard from her was ‘You have to hustle more, work more,’” Milbury said. “That drove me nuts. What I got from her, besides genetics, was aggravation.“
7 Responses to "In praise of the hockey mom"
What I got from her, besides genetics, was aggravation.
This quote should be pulled out again around the holidays.
“The hockey dad, on the other hand, berates referees, abuses coaches, and drinks in the parking lot during intermissions. He knows where the officials’ exit is from every arena, as well as the slander laws in six states and four provinces. He is willing to berate his child to the point of tears, and to use motivational techniques he learned from old ‘NFL Films’ episodes involving Vince Lombardi. He sacrifices dignity and common sense, all in the name of living out his own failed athletic dreams through his child.
“He is enforcer, agent, bodyguard, sycophant, and budding coach - and that is just for starters.
“He is also facing three to five upstate.”
While I’ve no love for Fox and think Sarah Palin is a graceless moron, I’m pretty sure Foxsports.com is just running this article because it’s hoc-key season.
He knows where the officials’ exit is from every arena, as well as the slander laws in six states and four provinces.
Genius. +1
Jon:
“What I got from him, besides genetics, was sociopathic rage,” Simon said.
MSNBC is already running a story about hockey moms spreading the Bird Flu with cooperation from the Taliban.
Rand, I applaud your restraint from posting photos from the companion piece titled: Moms I’d like to forecheck.
