Rekindling my Love for the Game

My first memory of being a hockey fan came when I was six years old. It was my first year of playing hockey, and it only seemed appropriate that I should start watching the game that I was learning how to play. It was the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Detroit Red Wings were set to sweep against the physical juggernaut that was the Philadelphia Flyers. I don't remember a thing about the game, but what I do remember was seeing Steve Yzerman lift the Stanley Cup above his head, and from that moment being hooked on the National Hockey League.

As I got older and learned how to play the game myself, my passion for the NHL continued to grow, and what I've realized is that there has always been a direct correlation between my interest in the NHL, and my personal hockey career.

As a kid you have the pipe dream of being an NHL player one day. With every bit of free time you try to learn everything there is to know about the NHL, because the only way you're going to get there is by studying the people who have already made it.

Of course as the years went by it became clear to me that I wasn't going to make it to the big show, but there were still plenty of reasons to be obsessed with the NHL. Whether it was the dressing room conversations about last night's big game, the necessity of knowing everyone's name while watching Hockey Night in Canada or playing the latest EA Sports video game with your pals, or just having that inspiration every time you step on the ice for a big game, a love for the NHL was always very important to my well being growing up. But things have certainly changed.

Now, every time I see a sick dangle on Sportscentre, I can't go to practice the next day to try it out on my goalie. Now, when I watch my old hockey DVD's or watch highlights on YouTube, it's not to get psyched up for tonights game, it's to procrastinate from my homework. It's different. And now every time I turn on a game it brings back a feeling of sadness that life moves on, and the things you love in life will change whether you like it or not.

So I've been distancing myself which has been relatively easy considering there hasn't been a whole lot of hockey to keep track of. But now the games back, and along with it, the nostalgia. Part of me wanted But that's not going to happen, and now every time I turn on a TV or open up a newspaper, I'm going to see the game that just feels so different to me now.

But today I'm making a choice to try and get back to my love of the NHL. My rationale for loving the game has changed as I have gotten older, and maybe now is just the time for it to change again. Don't get me wrong, I still love the game, and I still love the NHL, but it's time for me to find a different reason to love it again instead of loving it simply because I play hockey. I know there's a lot to love about it, but sometimes it's just hard to move past old memories, even though you know you'll make new ones down the road.

What Am I Currently Listening To?

Pianos Become the Teeth – Keep You

I’ve never listened to anything from this band before this release so I was thinking it’d be a heavier album but boy was I mistaken. This album had me at the first track “Ripple Water Shine” and kept me until the curtain closer 7 minute track “Say Nothing”. The emotion in this album could really be felt from every note sung, every riff and every drum fill. I loved the sound of this album and each riff and note had a beautiful sound to it and just the entire atmosphere of this album was unbelievable to me. Keep You is a solid release and is filled 10 tracks of passion that can be felt from the first song to the last.

Tame Impala – Lonerism

It’s almost time to close the books on 2014 and I’m just discovering Tame Impala? Yes it’s true, but Tame Impala has been on solid rotation since I discovered this band close to a few weeks ago. I’m most notably been listening to “Lonerism” which is a 2012 release. This band packs some grade A (psychedelic) rock songs with a hint of pop to them. This album is sounds like a nice balance between classic rock and the rock of today. I know if you jam “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” you’ll be singing along in no time.

Choir Vandals – Darker Things

Choir Vandals is a band that I’d classify as a indie band with a touch of emo, if that makes sense. This seems such a sad album but with the help of catchy choruses this album really packs a nice punch to it. If you really want to feel the ‘feels’ than this is the album that you need to get into your playlist. I've had the 2^nd track “The House in the Corner” stuck in my head for probably a few weeks, give it a listen and you’ll probably have the same thoughts. I believe this is Choir Vandals first release so all in all it’s a very solid album from a band that seems have a ton of potential.

Knuckle Puck – While I Stay Secluded

A band called Knuckle Puck…how can I not love this? If you know me than you’d know my obsession with the Disney trilogy The Mighty Ducks. This album is just as catchy as the name of the band and this should be appreciated.  This has been one of the few pop-punk albums that has been able to not only hold my attention but that I’ve found to be a solid release from front to back. This entire album will have you singing alo ng, jumping around and just wanting to have a good time in general. This EP is a must listen too, especially if you a pop-punk listener.

Tokyo Police Club – Forcefield 

 
Forecefield is the newest installment from Canadian indie rock band Tokyo Police Club. This album is such a solid indie pop album. You know an album is good if you can ease past the first track which is nearly 9 minutes long. The album just keeps getting better and better from there. Other personal favorites from this release is the album single “Hot Tonight” and “Toy Guns”. I was lucky enough to see Tokyo Police Club perform about a month ago and the live show was just as good as the album which for me is a MUST. The force is indeed strong with album.