Thank goodness for Brent Seabrook. Without him, we may never see the Stanley Cup. I've been a Canucks fan since they started in 1970. I don't know how much damage I have done to myself jumping on and off the bandwagon, but I'm always optimistic that, one day, we'll win the Cup. But for now, we have Brent.
This is the third time he's brought the Holy Grail of hockey to Tsawwassen. Fans lined 56th Street Aug. 16 to see him carry the Cup to the South Delta Rec Centre, and get up close to the trophy that most Canadian kids dream of all their lives. And for most, this will be as close as they ever get. With any luck, and a lot of hard work, some may reach Brent's level. Perhaps that day with the Cup will be the start.
Whenever athletes are interviewed, they are always asked what their inspiration was. Olympians talk about watching the Games or meeting an athlete and seeing their medal. Soccer players might point to the Women's World Cup as a motivator to excel. But I have to wonder how many kids saw the Cup close up, stood by it and had a picture taken and said to themselves, "Someday..."
I had the very good fortune to step on the ice earlier in August to help out with a goalie camp run by a local goalie coach, Pasco Valana. Not only has Valana worked with some very high level goalies (Andrew Hammond of the Ottawa Senators is one of his students), but he also had Alex Auld, former Canucks backstop and 12 year veteran of the NHL, on the ice as well. I heard Eddie Lack showed up for a training session with Auld - what a thrill for those kids! Goalies of all ages, male and female, gave it their all for four days of skating, saving and sweating.
Some had already achieved great success, but all of them have higher goals (more than just making it through the week!) It was what Valana shared off the ice that was just as important as on the ice. He spoke about integrity, teamwork, attitude and desire.
As much as you want to reach a goal, there are hundreds of others reaching for the same achievement. Not everyone will reach it. You have to want it more, work harder than the other person, and never give an inch.
Reaching great success in sports starts with good grades. The road to the pros involves school, be it something like the Hockey Academy at SDSS or a scholarship to a university or college. Without good grades, you might not even be considered for some opportunities.
As the season begins (for all sports, it seems), kids will be going through rep team tryouts, reaching for their goals. Maybe there is another Seabrook or Brendan Gallagher in our midst. Maybe, in a few years' time, we'll have another visit with the Cup, brought by someone who stood by it on a warm August morning and said, "Someday..."
I just hope he, or she, is wearing a Canucks uniform. Thanks, Brent, for being such an inspiration for our community.
Brad Sherwin, MBA has over 25 years experience in marketing, public relations and business strategy. He is currently the Director of Marketing for a national non-profit organization.
