Tracy Britnell is an energetic mother of three, award winning sports television producer, and highly coordinated athlete from Toronto, Canada.
On my 49th birthday, it was a beautiful day. I am a patio gal, so I reached out to two friends, Kim and Helen, who I knew would be available for lunch.
This is where the story begins . . .
Kim has been playing hockey with a group of women for years. Helen
is a recently retired – lucky lady – super active, former school principal, up for adventure always. On a glorious patio day, Kim started talking about hockey again!
For years already, she had been trying to convince me to play, but I couldn't understand how that could work given my limited skating skills. Helen, however, was all in. Maybe the afternoon beverage convinced me I could do it, but I finally agreed to give it a shot.
We agreed to start with a skills class, and, honestly, I wouldn't have even made it to that if not for Helen picking up my gear the day before! Bless you, Helen! To say I remember every detail of my first time on the ice would be a lie. Still, I do remember I surprised myself when I discovered I could at least get around without falling.
Ethan, the brave man leading this group of women, steered us through pylons, passing drills, and supposedly taught us crossovers - a skill I have yet to master!
It was love at first glide! I was energized and out of breath, and afterward, all I could think was, "Hockey, where have you been all my life?"
I am an active person, but I never thought I could pick up a skill sport at my age. However, skills turned into scrimmage and then turned into league play. I still remember my first goal - a penalty shot - I celebrated as if I had just won the Stanley Cup.
I was definitely the weak link on those early teams. Offside was not a term I understood going in, and many a time, my team likely grimaced as I skated over the blue line before the puck.
They're a competitive bunch – there's a reason we have all chosen to do this – and that aspect of our personalities has to factor in. Although Kim swears, she is just there for the fun of it! I call bullshit! But it truly is super fun, win or lose.
I am now a few years into it. In our 8-team league, my team has played for the championship trophy just once, ending up runner-up. I've gone from weakest link to somewhere in the middle and even play in my husband's scrimmage sometimes! Playing with the men can be scary – not sure why I step in front of slapshots on occasion – it's definitely a learning curve!
I have learned there is a community in hockey from this experience. These men, who are outstanding players, cheer me on and give me tips on the bench. They feed me pucks in front of the net, and I mostly fail, but I feel they want me to succeed!
I can't get enough of it. I'd play every day if I could find a game. Aside from new friendships, the highlight by far was being invited to play in a tournament. Kim has traveled as far as Iceland with tournament play!
My tournament was local, a fundraiser called "Hockey Helps the Homeless." It was one of the most incredible events I have ever been a part of. While raising money for a fantastic cause, each team had a past or present female player join in. Sorry for the offside Megan Bozek! I don't remember how many games we won vs. lost but, I remember a couple of locker room moments that will stay with me forever.
One was having a representative tell us how the funds we raised would help homeless youth, and the other was earning a "player of the game" puck. I didn't get a single point but was recognized purely for my passion. Getting out there every shift and giving it all I had! Full circle moment as this year's league championship game will be played on my birthday!
I can't think of a better way to celebrate!
Tracy plays hockey with Skate Sister, organized by Liz O'Brian. Skate Sister Hockey is Toronto's only women's daytime recreational hockey league and offers beginner and intermediate level hockey classes and scrimmages in central Toronto for women 35+.
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