Timely Package

I have a renewed sense of faith in our nation's postal system based on the following account. In late November, students began suggesting an ice hockey game should be organized where staff could play students. After several requests from students, I decided not only to coordinate the game but play as well. The last time I was fully equipped and on the ice was about 22 years ago. I only played a few years of house league hockey. That said, I thought it would be fun and a way to do some relationship building since most players are my students. During the first week of December, I decided to contact the hockey guru of the family so I called Wayne. Not Wayne Gretzky but my brother in Moncton who has a passion for the game and whose favorite NHL team is Pittsburg. He's also been playing for many years and I appreciated any advice he could provide. He graciously volunteered to do some shopping and to send everything except a hockey stick! Most equipment was purchased at used sport stores with the exception of a few items. The game was scheduled for December 16th and the parcel entered this great country's postal system on the morning of December 7th. The mild-mannered Canada Post employee warned the package would most likely reach it's destination at the earliest on December 19th via regular mail.

Despite this cautionary remark, Wayne diligently followed specific instructions to send it by the most frugal option available. As Game day approached, students were asking daily if the "box" had arrived. As a result, I began checking the mail daily with anticipation but by Wednesday December 15th it had not arrived and disappointment was a real possibility. On the 16th, the principal was kind enough to release me from my regular duties to help the school's Christmas concert. My key responsibility was to ensure the lights worked properly. This new flexibility in my day allowed me to check the mail one more time during the day. I called in advance to confirm the mail's arrival time at 10:30 am. The package was there! I carried the lighter than expected parcel directly to school on my shoulder. One student greeted me at the door and said, "Is that your equipment?". I barley said "yes", when I realized he was already carrying the box down the hallway. When I caught up to him, he had already opened the box and was surprised by the jersey. The crest on the front depicted a whiskey bottle with the title "Gibson Whiskey". I never heard of Gibson Whiskey and neither did he but that would soon change. There were many wise cracks before, during and after the hockey match. The hired referee even joked that I would be paying him with bottles of Gibson Whiskey instead of cash.

The photos below are pictures of the outside and inside of the arena. The Zamboni is parked in a little white garage beside the building. The ice is created by simply opening a couple garage sized doors to let the freezing air in; this process leaves a much smaller carbon footprint when compare to traditional southern arenas. The building does have heaters for those attending the game. The player with the name "Cote" on the back is not a student, but an RCMP officer who played on the staff side.