Coach,

My family sat down to write our New Year resolutions for 2015 this past weekend, and all I could think about was hockey. I think I came up with some good ones and want to tell you. First, I have to come clean on a few things.

I know our team is pretty good but this year I’ve realized I’m just not having as much fun as I used to.

It all started when I didn’t make the same team as my best friend, Joey. We were on the same team for three years in a row so it really stunk when he made the A team, and I didn’t. I felt like a loser. Seeing him in school after rosters came out was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done.

Things got better for a little while. Joey and I still hung out at school and talking about hockey together actually got better because we had twice as many stories to share. As practice started, I noticed that some of my new teammates were pretty cool too, and that team pizza party after our first game was so much fun!

Over the last few weeks though, things haven’t been the same. Joey hasn’t stopped talking about his team, and I can’t remember the last time he asked about me or my team. And the worst part is I feel like I’ve been getting picked on by my teammates. Everyone keeps yelling at me about how I don’t pass enough and take too long of shifts. And it’s dumb because, it’s not like I’m the only one doing it and most of the time it’s because I’m so close to scoring.

Plus, I thought this was what I was supposed to do as one of the older and better players. My dad told me this was my chance to be a leader, and I needed to look at this year as an opportunity. Doesn’t that mean I’m supposed to play more often and score more goals?

I just don’t get it. Or I didn’t until watching the Wild game the other night.

The announcers were talking about the difference Zach Parise makes. They kept saying how just having a guy like him in the locker room takes the team to another level. I kept waiting for them to mention how many goals he has. I mean he missed five games and is still leading the team in points!  But it never came.

That’s when it hit me. It isn’t about scoring goals or having the most ice time or being the best player on the team. Leadership is about something more.

I want to be a guy my teammates can count on, just like Zach, so I’m going to make some changes for the rest of the season. Here are my New Year resolutions:

• I’m going to listen to what you tell me, even if it’s different from what I’ve been told in the past.
• I will be a better teammate, starting with passing more. Instead of trying to score a goal every game, my new goals will be having someone on my line score every game and not letting the other team score while we’re on the ice.
• I’m also going to try to control my emotions better. I get so excited during games that sometimes I yell at my line mates or forget how long I’ve been on the ice. Now that they have been doing it to me, I know it hurts so I’m going to do my best to stop. If I’m a better teammate, maybe they will be nice to me too.
• I will work extra hard during practice the rest of the year and spend 15 minutes every night stick handling or shooting pucks at home. If I want to score more goals or be on Joey’s team next year, it’s up to me to get better and I want to start today. 
• The biggest change is going to be my attitude.  I love hockey and I don’t want that to change. Like grandpa always tells me, happy is a state of mind so it is up to me to have fun.  To start, I’m going to invite our team and Joey’s team to our outdoor rink before we go back to school.  That way we can all have fun together and cheer each other on the rest of the year.

I know this won’t be easy and I’m not always going to follow through on my plan so I’ve asked my mom and dad to help.  Instead of talking about how I play after games and practices, they are going to quiz me on these five things.

Can’t wait to hit the ice at our tourney this weekend and get started!

Timmy