It’s Time To Say Goodbye

Parents and players have been waiting for this moment since the QMJHL Draft, perhaps they have been waiting for this for their entire lives.

It started with a dream and an opportunity to go and play, to reach the highest levels, to see how far they could go to try to make it all the way.

It’s time to say goodbye, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

It’s time for parents of QMJHL players to let go, it’s time for them all to say goodbye and head out on the road.

Everything for hockey parents seems to be out of their control right now, decisions have to be made.

It’s time for their son to live out their dream of playing in the Q. Nevertheless, that dream is commonly shared.

All of the sacrifices made throughout the journey seem like they have all come down to this.

With the much anticipated vote finally going through today, parents from all over Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, United States and Europe can finally prepare to say a proper goodbye which will be extra special this time around.

For Québec based teams, hockey mom’s and dad’s won’t see their son’s first game or first goal live, they have to stay go.

From every waking moment, from all the drives to the rink, to watching their games and cheering them on, that’s all gone away.

The 2020-2021 will undoubtedly be the hardest goodbye of for many players and their families for many different reasons.

Whether it’s their last season or their first, players all across the QMJHL will ultimately feel the pressure to perform and fit in.

One would assume the feelings of anxiousness are common place, but this year will be different, there’s no guarantees.

Obviously with all the uncertainty parents have to be feeling massive amounts of anxiety sending their child away knowing it’s all on the line now and hoping they will find their way.

Every parent can take a deep breath because the league and every single organization will treat their son’s like gold.

Tears have been shed and will be shed, as the dream is about to begin or come to an end.

The next few hours or days will be extremely difficult for all hockey mom’s and dad’s.

It’s time to say goodbye, it’s time to meet their new family.

Decisions regarding eligibility and alternative options have been discussed time and time again.

It’s time to say goodbye, but it’s time to trust the process.

It’s time for all the players to live up to their full potential, play to their identities and make an impact and get better everyday.

It’s time for the billet families to take over, and embrace the vital role they all play.

It’s time to say goodbye, but it’s time to live out the dream, it’s time to leave it all on the ice, it’s time to go work, it’s time to go play.