The Shakopee Dahlbergs: Hockey Time!!!

They start 'em young in Minnesota! At age 4, Ronnie is eligible to play hockey! We are fortunate enough to live in a state where most kids are born with a hockey stick in their hands. In Shakopee, the hockey league has a "team" for 4-8 year olds who want to try hockey out before forcing their parents to buy all of the "stuff". With minimal gear (purchased at a second-hand sporting goods store or borrowed from friends whose kids are older hockey players), all you need to do is show up every Sunday for the 45 minute lesson - and let the kids find out for themselves if they really want to commit their life to the sport. While I haven't gone out and bought my "Hockey Mom" sweatshirt yet, it is only a matter of time - as Ronnie is obsessed with playing! We've had 3 practices thus far, and the improvement from the 1st to the 3rd is unbelievable! You can't tell in the photos - so I will try to do a play-by-play.

PRACTICE #1

Ronnie is ready to go!

First time out on the ice at a skating rink. We took him on the ice once last year at Papa's cabin - but he could only stay up if Doug or Lauri held on to him.

He's definitely got the HOCKEY HAIR! (love it!)

Ronnie trying to stand up.

He's close....

He made it!!!! It only took him about 20 minutes to figure it out!

They played a game called "find the puck" where the kids had to move from cone to cone to see if there was a puck underneath it. Ronnie spent most of the time scooting on his knees rather than standing up and "skating" (which looked more like walking on ice skates).

After 35 minutes, Ronnie was DONE! He laid down on the ice and began making snow angels.

PRACTICE #2

Ronnie spent most of the 2nd practice on his knees/butt/stomach on the ice. You could hear him occassionally saying "excuse me, excuse me - could someone please help me" as the coaches skated by him. He was so polite! But, the coaches kept telling him he could do it himself without help. He seemed to do better in the 1st practice, but still had fun.

Wearing his pond hockey jersey and sporting his new hockey gloves, Ronnie was excited to head to the ice arena for his 2nd practice!

Sitting on the bench - they teach the kids how to step off the ice and on to the bench. Ronnie is on the end - notice the girl sitting next to him. The girls on the team picked up on things REALLY fast (mainly because unlike the boys, they paid attention to the coaches).

Doing drills - "inside skate - outside skate" - teaching them how to apply pressure to the inside and outside of their skates. Ronnie is the second kid in the line (on the right, next to the wall).

In find the puck, he actually "skated" (walked) to the cone and found one!

They asked him to play goalie and told him to "stand here". They forgot to tell him that when the kids came up to the net with the "puck", he needed to keep it from going in to the net. It was hilarious when they all skated up to Ronnie - and around him - and in to the net. He stood firm in his spot!

Ronnie gets a turn to hit the "puck" (a huge, inflatable ball).

SCORE! Ronnie and the coach's daughter hit the "puck" in to the net. He was so excited!

PRACTICE #3

It is unbelievable how much better Ronnie was at his 3rd practice! Instead of laying on the ice - he was actually moving/skating with the other kids!!! He made it through the entire practice without giving up or getting frustrated - until they said practice was over. He didn't want to go! So, we headed to Lion's Park where they have an outdoor ice rink and practiced more (in the dark). He did an amazing job!

Skating with the group. Ronnie is to the left of the kid with the royal blue jacket on (wearing his red pond hockey jersey and black sweatpants with white stripes).