MY HOCKEY STORY & MEMORIES
My hockey story started at the age of 2 when I played mini hockey in the living room with Tupperware dishes as skates! It was very very good for my parents' hardwood floors. Then I started my ice hockey career in Initiation at the age of 4, I was really looking forward to playing for real!!! I started my minor hockey career in Quebec and played there until the end of my first Novice season. Before moving to Alberta, I played two seasons of Novice AAA during the spring hockey season in Quebec, they were both great seasons where I was able to make new friends which I am still in contact with. In 2010, my family and I moved to Wainwright AB and I continued my minor hockey career with the Wainwright Minor Hockey Association and I also made new friends. As part of the Wainwright Minor Hockey Association I had the privilege to represent my home town to 3 Alberta Hockey Provincial Championship tournaments in Atome A (2) and in Bantam C which were great experiences to live.
I’ve had the privilege of playing Bantam AA and Midget AA for the Polar Kings Athletic Club, this was a great accomplishment for me to be part of this family. When I played Bantam AA I was selected to participate and represent the Wainwright Polar Kings in the Northern Alberta Hockey League Bantam ALL STARS GAME as part of the Rural team to which was an amazing hockey experience, I was delighted to play with the best hockey players from our league. During my Midget AA season, I had the privilege of joining the Wainwright Junior B team, which helped me gain confidence both in hockey and personal levels. With that being said all of what I learned by playing at a higher level I was able as a leader to transpose back all these experiences to my teammates in a positive way.
For me, playing for the Polar Kings was one of the goals I set for myself when I arrived here in Wainwright, I have had the privilege of being able to be part of the Polar Kings program for two years as an active player and four years as an affiliated player. I was very proud with myself of being able to achieve this goal as it was a constant battle for me to make the teams due to my small size but my size has never stopped me of accomplishing what I set out to do. By being part of the Polar King program I learned to demonstrate a good work ethic and perseverance. The program also made me a humble person, gave me the chance to help others that are in need and also be a role model for the younger players from the Wainwright Minor Hockey program that they could look up to. With all of what I learned as being part of the Polar King Program this will help me in my future endeavors as much from the point of view of sports and in my everyday life.
For the moment, COVID 19 has been wreaking havoc !!! Like everyone else, my hockey career has been put on hold. I had been invited to two Junior A camps, Sherwood Park and Whitecourt in April. I was also invited to Junior B camps from the KJHL in BC, I don't know yet if I will be able to go at a later date when everything permits us back on the ice to pursue our dreams. Presently hockey is on hold and I need to adapt myself to this new reality of what COVID 19 has given us for the moment being.
My future school plans are also on hiatus, because we don't know yet if the Colleges will re-open in September due to COVID 19. I have been accepted in the Criminal Justice - Policing Program at the Lethbridge College and my goal later is to become a detective within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Polar Kings will have helped me with this new reality which is life at the time of COVID 19 is to be patient and persevering because all in good time will somehow realize itself at one point to whom knows how to be patient.
I am very proud to say that I have been part of the Polar King Program and what it has given to me. I would not hesitate to recommend this program to any future hockey players wishing to be part of this great program if asked.
A POLAR KING FOREVER
#4 Francis Parent