I'm a person with a short attention span, I seemingly can't focus on one thing for a long period of time. I've never been able too. Whether it was school, or work or whatever, I could never keep my mind on just those things for a long period of time. However, there was one thing I could always keep my mind on. That thing is hockey. Even more specifically, the Detroit Red Wings. It all started at a really young age, probably around the age of 4 or 5. My love for hockey began when I was taken to first hockey game. Just a minor hockey game from my hometown (the team actually no longer exists). From the moment the puck dropped I was hooked (no pun intended). The speed of the game, the roar of the crowd when there was a big hit, or a nice play, or a goal just drew me to the game. Next thing you know, I'm 7 years old and the only thing I ever wanted to do was play hockey or watch hockey. At school my mind would constantly drift away from school to hockey. I then discovered the Detroit Red Wings. The first game I remeber watching was Game 4 of the 1998 Stanley Cup Final. Little did I know what a special moment I had just witnessed. Seeing Vladdy on the ice, in his wheelchair, holding the cup is one of the greatest moments in Red Wings, and sports history.
The success this franchise has had in the last 25 years is something extremely special. The legends that have played for this team (the 2002 team alone is special) Yzerman, Fedorov, Lidstrom, Howe, Lindsay, Hasek (the list could go on and on) is incredible. Since I started watching in 1998, I have been blessed with seeing 3 Stanley Cups, and countless legends play for the team I love. There is no better experience than going to Joe Louis Arena and watching a game. The fans of this city are the greatest fans. I mean, we are called Hockeytown for a reason right? Just looking up and seeing all the banners from there 11 Stanley Cups, all the retired numbers, the presidents trophies, the division titles, is a special sight. Easily one of the greatest buildings in the NHL. The day the Red Wings no longer call that home is going to be such a sad day. The memories that have made in that building are things that will last a lifetime.
For a good amount of my life, I have had an anxiety issue. Every single day it's a battle. Every person who has anxiety knows the feeling. That feeling when you discover something that helps you cope with anxiety. For some, it's music, or maybe a TV show, for me, it's hockey. It's given me an escape. It helps me get my mind off of things. It's the time of the day where I can relax and calm myself. Honestly, it's even been an inspiration to me. Former Red Wings coach (man, that still hurts to say) and now current Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock has actually helped me a ton with my anxiety. The things he says inspire me. During his last interview as the coach of the Wings, he talked a lot about how he made the decision to leave to invigorate himself. He's still chasing a dream. He admits he's a little scared but that it's a good thing. Every big decision that changes your life should scare you, but in a good way. To help yourself realize you are chasing your dream, to do things for your own happiness. I wish I could tell him what an inspiration he's really been to me. Hockey has always been there for me. Even during the most difficult times in my life. It's made me extremely happy, and also extremely upset. It's taken me on emotional roller coasters more than anything else. Maybe that's why I love it so much, it makes me feel more than anything in the world.
