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Description
Just a little bit of hero worship going on. This is a photo I've wanted to get for a long while, and I finally got the opportunity to do it with a charity that has very strong ties to the local minor league hockey team.

A lot of people ask me if the NHL is the goal. I've actually worked with NHL players before, it is amazing and it would be an incredible privilege to do it again, but I think my heart will always be in the minors. I see lots of videos about kids getting to live their dream by sitting on the bench with the Bruins or the Habs or the Sharks and it's made out to be this big deal (and I know for them it is), but the boys in the minors are out in the community every single day. There are kids in the stands who are on a first name basis with the players because these guys spend a lot of weekdays off at the rec centers helping kids learn to play the game or showing up at their elementary school to play some floor hockey. A lot of this goes on with little fanfare. It isn't splashed over youtube and what news it does make is within the local hockey community itself. This isn't to say the NHL doesn't get involved, they actually donate huge sums on a regular basis and hold outreach events, it's just that the minors don't have that financial clout or influence so instead they do what they can, which is usually as simple as showing up to a kids practice. That everyday regular-joe community heart, that outreach is why I'm so in love with the minors.

I love my job, and I'm very fond of the athletes I work with. All images are ©copyright 1pen and my sports media company.You may NOT use, replicate, manipulate, or modify this image without my permission. All Rights Reserved.

Description
Just a little bit of hero worship going on. This is a photo I've wanted to get for a long while, and I finally got the opportunity to do it with a charity that has very strong ties to the local minor league hockey team.

A lot of people ask me if the NHL is the goal. I've actually worked with NHL players before, it is amazing and it would be an incredible privilege to do it again, but I think my heart will always be in the minors. I see lots of videos about kids getting to live their dream by sitting on the bench with the Bruins or the Habs or the Sharks and it's made out to be this big deal (and I know for them it is), but the boys in the minors are out in the community every single day. There are kids in the stands who are on a first name basis with the players because these guys spend a lot of weekdays off at the rec centers helping kids learn to play the game or showing up at their elementary school to play some floor hockey. A lot of this goes on with little fanfare. It isn't splashed over youtube and what news it does make is within the local hockey community itself. This isn't to say the NHL doesn't get involved, they actually donate huge sums on a regular basis and hold outreach events, it's just that the minors don't have that financial clout or influence so instead they do what they can, which is usually as simple as showing up to a kids practice. That everyday regular-joe community heart, that outreach is why I'm so in love with the minors.

I love my job, and I'm very fond of the athletes I work with. All images are ©copyright 1pen and my sports media company.You may NOT use, replicate, manipulate, or modify this image without my permission. All Rights Reserved.