The end of Mite Hockey for Luke and Liam

Aiden's first day as a Mite Two Badger (2016-17)

Luke in goal for the final game (2016-17)

Goalie clinic this season with Luke and Aiden

First day of practice as Blackhawks for the 2016-17 season

First day of practice in their first year of hockey as Mite Two Gophers (2014-15)

Hockey in the basement (Winter 2014)

SuperMite Blackhawks (2016-17) 

Last Saturday practice as a Mite player

Moving on to Squirts (holding a bottle of Squirt)

Luke and Liam with their coaches for this season

Aiden's team party

Aiden as Mite One Tiger (2015-16)

Last SuperMite Two game

SuperMite One Penguins (2015-16)

Penguins (2015-16)

Luke's first time in goal (2014)

Last game as a SuperMite

Gritty Grinder awards (2014)

Aiden and his Badger Buddies (2016-17)

Luke as goalie this year with his biggest fan, Finn

We were late to the game of hockey (by Minnesota standards), but I am not sure what winter would look like now without hockey.  The boys have grown to love the sport and most of our weekends revolve around games, practices, and skating on John's backyard rink, etc...Its not an easy sport manage, but I know we wouldn't change anything.  We have met some amazing friends and families and we have grown to love our time at the rink with everyone.  The boys are always sad to see the season end.

Over the weekend, Luke and Liam finished up their final season of MITE hockey.  They started in first grade as Mite 2 Gophers then became SuperMite Penguins and finally SuperMite Two Blackhawks.  That's would have been a bunch of foreign terms to me a few years ago, but now I know the progression in Mite hockey is amazing.  They have grown and learned so much in three years.  

Next year will come with an entirely new set of challenges for Luke and Liam as they must try out to make a team.  They will be graded and placed on a team with kids who have similar talents and abilities.  Considering they have strengths in totally different areas, we have no guarantee they will be on the same team or even at the same level.  

This was also the final year that John will play a crucial role in their development in hockey as an assistant coach.  Of course, he will always coach them from the stands and at home in the backyard or in the basement hitting pucks, but he will no longer be an assistant coach for them.  Considering John learned to skate with the boys, he is not quite cut out to coach in Minnesota where almost everyone played hockey at some level (high school, college, and even some professional).  He has learned a tremendous amount in three years and is well known for his enthusiasm and encouraging words to the kids.  

We are more than excited for Luke and Liam as they open a new chapter next year for hockey...Squirt level!  

Aiden will continue in the MITE level hockey next year.  He moves up to a SuperMite, but things will be much the same and John will continue to be an assistant coach for him.  He had an awesome season this year as a Badger and last year as a Tiger.  He began his hockey career in kindergarten (a year earlier than his brothers).  He is known for being tough, hard working, aggressive, and always up for a celebration after he scores a goal.  Always.....

The pictures are a few from this season and previous seasons.  They are not in order so follow along in the captions!