Hockey is always a good reason to get out of the house on a blustery Minnesota winter afternoon, and on December 14th the community had the opportunity to not only watch the North Shore Storm boys hockey team on the ice but also take to the ice with the team.
Saturday’s Skate with the Storm invited fans to, as the event flyer encouraged, “Come for the varsity game and stay for the after party.” Fans were urged to wear a jersey or Storm gear and “come have some fun with the big kids!”
It was endearingly obvious that the littler kids (and some not so little) were excited. They gathered at the end of the rink, and when the gates opened, they poured onto the ice, ready to join their hockey heroes.
Every skill level was represented, from seasoned skaters gracefully gliding forward and backward with ease to beginners bravely finding their footing. One little girl fell hard on her first few steps onto the ice, but didn’t hesitate for a second to get back up. Off she went, showing remarkable resilience and undeniable determination.
Members of both the boys’ and girls’ teams weaved in and out, mingling with fans. Two of the youngest skaters darted around in a spirited game of tag—or some version of it. They fell often, sometimes seemingly on purpose, but they covered a lot of the rink!
It was an encouraging sight—a community coming together to share a love for not only hockey, but one of being out on the ice.
