On the Verge

It’s ironic, but the longer you’re around the game of hockey, the more you realize just how many people are on the verge of leaving the game.

They’re reluctantly and perpetually caught in between wanting to make the game and the experiences better for those that they either coach, represent, scout or officiate, but they’re on the edge of wanting to leave it all behind. Everyone has their own unique reasons for being on the verge.

It’s clear that personal experiences within the game past and present drastically impact the thoughts many have and envision the game should be, but all that goes away mired in the constant turmoil and quagmire that game of hockey seemingly perpetuates.

From the minor hockey world to the cultural aspects of the sport, to the highest level, deep down everyone has their own initiatives, thoughts, philosophies and ideologies on what the game should be and what those experiences should be moving forward.

You see that’s where things get murky or particularly clouded with bullshit. Everyone believes their own personal experiences were either the best or worst thing that happened to them and they try to continue or change those aspects of the game for the betterment of it and the players.

The constant push and pull of differing theories, philosophies, cultural, political amongst a plethora of other unexpected aspects of the game takes a massive toll on those that feel they have a vested interest in the game.

A vested interest or an “invested” interest, the financial aspect of the game is another massive issue and stressor for the vast majority of hockey families.

That vested interest leaves people constantly on the verge of leaving or trying to passionately navigate everything the game offers up.

The “invested” aspect of the sport somewhat entitles everyone to have a voice or platform for everything they deem important personally and on other aspects that effect the game.

As I wrote last year, “The Really Good Ones Are Leaving” https://firstdownsportspodcast.com/2024/01/23/the-really-good-ones-are-leaving/

The “really good” ones are leaving and a matter of fact they have probably been on the verge of that for a long time. The game is at a crossroads right now on so many different fronts.

One could suggest there’s countless things in the world of sports and our society that are at a crossroads or on the verge of collapse.

There’s something to be said about leaving on your own terms, but there’s so many people that are wanting to stay on in some capacity and that are still trying to make a difference and have a positive impact on the game.

Many of us were always “told to leave the game in a better place than where we found it” so many people have tried in their own way to leave their mark and a lasting impression on the game.

The game of hockey now more than ever needs good people to continue to make a difference on the verge.