This time of year causes the great itch. There are a few out there that know what I am talking about. The itch that causes you to think, why not? Makes you believe you could have one more run in you. Makes you pull out the old equipment and just stare at it. Makes you remember past glory. This itch consumes your thoughts. This itch to play hockey again.



For me it started by pulling the net out of the garage and teaching my boys the basics. As they soaked it all up like little sponges and wanted more, I began to feel the fire inside again. Watching my one son put on the goalie equipment and loving every minute of it, stoaked the flames. I realized the fire was out of control when I caught myself, during my daily workout, doing my goalie stretches and side to side drills. I have caught myself riding down the road rocking out to songs, thinking only about the games I have played.



I try to rationalize this. I try to work it out in my head. I haven't played in 3 years. My knees are beat to death from past seasons. The game has changed in the time I have been out. I would be fooling myself to think I could play again at the level I was at. But...There is always a but. I have been out for a couple of seasons before and returned to win. I am in the best shape of my life. There is no reason why I can't work myself into game shape. Again, fooling myself. I try to escape the flames that burn at me. I can't. All the boys want to do is play and watch hockey. My youngest runs around with a hockey stick in his hand like a mini Dale Hunter. The boys demand the NHL channel or any hockey movie around the clock.

I can't escape. I don't want to escape. The smell of the rink. The sound and feel of my blades on the ice. The feel of the puck slamming against my pads. I do miss it. The fire burning out of control. I am fooling myself.