View from the Gondola

Welcome Caleb

A wonderful part of being “voice” of the Mavericks is seeing my son Michael, his wife Susan and daughters Chloe and Lydia at most home games.  They sit by my wife Abbie and 11-year old son Luke.  My daughter, Pattie, attends when she is in town.

A new family member will make his debut at the Independence Events Center in the near future.  My grandson Caleb was born November 12, 2012.

Playing drop in and pick up hockey with Michael, Luke and Mike’s nephew Ben at Centerpoint Community Ice and Line Creek Ice Arena is one of my favorite activities.  Caleb has given me new incentives to improve my health so I can step on the frozen pond the first time he laces up the blades.

Each season I meet families who play hockey together.  Knowing the Mavericks and city of Independence have given them this opportunity gives me a good feeling.

I am thankful Caleb will get the opportunity to play hockey that I was not able to give his father.  With no ice in Jackson County I taught Michael how to play street hockey on a tennis court.  He enjoyed playing goalie even after I fired a shot off his face when he was 11-years old.  While the doctor was stitching him up we decided to invest in a mask.

No matter what the score of the Mavericks game I know all is right when I glance at my granddaughters from the gondola and get a wave.

Chloe may break down doors kicked in by Manon Rheaume and Angela Ruggiero.  When I asked what she would like to be when she grows up Chloe said “a mystery solver, a mom and a hockey player.”  She responded to my question regarding playing for the United States Women’s Olympic team by telling me she would like to play for the Mavericks.

Watching Caleb sit with his family in the IEC seats will be fun.  Watching him on the ice, perhaps with a sister or two, would be even greater.