Your first tournament of the Granite State League 2015-2016 season was held in late February in Concord, NH. After winning the first two games, your team moved into the leader bracket.

The semi-final game was a tough match-up.  You played your heart out but ultimately lost 3-1.

While you scored your team’s only goal, it wasn’t a consolation.  For you, hockey isn’t just a game,  it’s something more meaningful, something that feeds your soul and returns a favor for all your hard work. You took the loss hard, not only as your team’s proven leader but at a personal level.

Grammy and I will always remember you sitting outside the entrance door of the Everett Arena on the sidewalk after the game, looking down, eyes tearing up, not able to say a word. That’s how much hockey means to you.

You learned a valuable lesson that day.  Sometimes, even when you give it your all, you don’t win.  What determines your character and ultimate success as a human being is your ability to put it behind you, welcome a new day, try even harder and never, ever give up.