Parents Tried After Registering Child For Just 3 Private Skates Per Week

Sudbury Ont.

With hockey season fast approaching, kids across the nation are hitting the ice. As they attempt to move up the competitive ranks and dream of making it to the show, more and more is required both of themselves and their parents.

Long gone is the notion of blissful summer days spent with friends, idling away the sunlit hours until next season. There are no days off. At least that’s what one league convener would like to imagine.

Jack Miller has helmed the Sudbury Wolverines league for five seaons and in that time has sent several players on to major junior or tier 2 programs. His philosphy is as simple as his wardrobe, "Stress equals success." With so many now taking on extra coaching whether it be in skills development, skating or nutrition, just showing up to play and practice has gone the way of the maskless goalie. “You want to be the best, you gotta put the work in. How else are they supposed to realize my dream?”

This less than laid back approach wasn't something anticipated by Mark and Emma Kilger when signing their son Jake up. "I mean we heard he was intense, but it's just a minor hockey program. We wanted Jake to have fun, get some exercise, make a few friends, which hopefully improves his confidence." Mark continued, "All these extras really don't seem like something he needs at this level. So when we got Jack's letter, sufficed to say it was a bit of a surprise."

The letter was a notice informing them Jake would be removed from the roster if he wasn't signed up for more session outside the offical team schedule. "I mean with three games and a practice alloted each week as is, he's getting plenty of ice time."

This however, was not how Jack saw things. "Far as I'm concerned failure to go above and beyond only shows you're not committed in the first place.", which is certainly a term that comes to mind when listening to Jack. Marie Sheldon, mother of the team's star center shared his sentiment. "It's the least they could do. I mean, the poor kid. Imagine having to suffer that indignity."

When asked if they felt this presure was taking away from their childhood experience, Jack grunted, remarking, “There’s plenty of time to be a kid when they’re older.”