Goalie Feature: Ian Huggard, Bedford Blue

 One of the most enjoyable things I can receive from hockey is meeting and talking to all kinds of goalies of different ages and different stages and their parents/biggest fans.  And while we all want to read about success stories that take a young goalie from novice development to the cover of The Hockey News, there are many great and inspiring stories out there amongst our local young heroes.  These are stories of development, perserverance and passion; and these are all stories from which we can all learn and draw inspiration.

 I have been corresponding with Ian Huggard and his parents over the past year.  Although I have never been on the ice with Ian yet, in talking with his parents, I know it is a future opportunity that I'm going relish.  He is a kid that has taken every chance to challenge himself with new adventures, all the while staying positive through the ups-and-downs of minor hockey.  He has kept the most important dream alive offered by minor sports, and that is NOT about a professional contract, but creating a depthless love of the game he plays.  The internal rewards from that passion are as deep and lasting as any pro contract and never let anyone tell you differently.

 Enough blather by me.  I will let Ian's mother tell his story.

Please find attached a picture of Ian playing in Boston in the 2012 Chowder Cup this past July (and an old one from his PeeWee days!). If you had told me when Ian was 10 he would play in the Chowder Cup when he was 17, I would have told you NEVER! Now that is the beauty of hockey, you never know where it’s going to take you and you don’t have to be a AAA player all your life to enjoy the sport and the opportunities it brings along.

 Ian as a Pee Wee backstopper

Ian began playing goalie as soon as the coaches would let him. At a young age they felt that all the kids should learn how to skate and play all positions (not a bad idea in my books), but he always wanted to play goalie so by the time he got to Atom he was permitted to be a goalie on his team and off we went in search of second hand gear! Children are exposed to the notion of “tryouts” at an early age and after moving into a new area, he decided to “try out” like many of his friends from school. Many were accepted onto the competitive teams but he was not skilled enough and was happy to head back to Rec league where his father was a coach many years. He just loved the game and continued to want to play and make new friends.

 

By the time he reached PeeWee we saw that hockey even at “Rec League” level was very competitive and went searching for some goalie training. He continued to attend the “tryouts” each year, never breaking through, but his “Rec” teams always won numerous Championships and he continued to love the game. As his skill improved, so did his love of the game and the challenge it presented each and every time he stepped on the ice and he was always willing to help out a team who needed to “borrow” a goalie as often happens. One year he got the nickname “rent a goalie” because he filled in for so many teams when they needed a goalie. What a great way to meet other players...  That year because he had filled in successfully for his older brother’s team as well, they invited him to attend Midget C Provincials as their “backup”. He got to participate in the “Shoot Out” skills event and the older boys made him feel welcomed and appreciated.

 

One summer a few years ago he got an opportunity to replace a goalie who had to drop out at the last moment from a summer camp/tournament in the US and what a hockey life changing experience that was. He roomed with several other boys for a week while they trained and then played other teams from the US in a tournament. They learned to get their own meals, get themselves to the rink on time, be responsible for their own gear and made everlasting friendships! It was also very challenging hockey and he discovered he could play at a higher level when the opportunity was there to do so. He even came home with a silver medal!

 

Ian locking it down at the Chowder Cup in BostonHe finally broke into Competitive winter season minor hockey here at home in Midget two years ago and last year helped backstop his team to a berth in the Provincials where he had the only “shutout” of the tournament. His Midget years were over and I thought hockey was over, but no, wait a minute – there’s “Spring hockey”!! Although he didn’t register in time to get a full time berth on a team, the organizer saw his desire and invited him out regularly to practice with the different teams. He also invited him to attend their goalie training sessions. He participated in a showcase game where he received the invitation from a US team to attend the 2012 Chowder Cup in Boston with them. Although his team was a bit outmatched in that tournament, he gave it all he had and played as hard as he could and came home with a renewed desire to get even better. He has been on the ice all summer with a local hockey expert and he now has set his sights on playing High School or Junior hockey this fall. We hope his hard work pays off and a coach somewhere sees the potential in him to be a real team player at High School or Junior this fall. He may not be as flamboyant as some, but the endless spirit and dependability he brings to the game every time he hits the ice will be a valuable asset to any team.

 

The moral of this story is that just because your child doesn’t make the highest level team, it’s okay. It is a “game” after all and the lessons learned from playing a team sport, especially one as intense as hockey, can be challenging and sometimes life changing. When we look at the opportunities to travel and meet new people that our son has had because of hockey, we realize once again what a valuable experience it has been! I believe he will play this game forever and may even be a coach some day and encourage others to enjoy the game the same way his Dad has done for him.

 

A grateful mom.