So, the annual summer vacation has come and gone.  It was good.  It was a "stay-cation" this year due to COVID-19. 

I did take a trip, though...a trip down memory lane. 

I was making some room in the garage and part of that was cleaning up and storing some old sports equipment, including my hockey bag.   

It still contained the gear I used when I played my one and only game with the Moose Jaw Warriors.  It's true.  I played a game...a charity game out at the Red Knight Arena where the 15 Wing Slo Birds took on the Warriors.  Some of the boys thought it would be fun to have me suit up and they were right. 

My lack of speed and skill generated some good natured ridicule but my linemates took their jobs seriously that night.  Coach Al Tuer had me at centre with wingers Milt Mastad and Mike Krooshoop - that's right, two stay-at-home defencemen in real life. 

Milt told me not to worry about backchecking - "Just go to the front of the net and we'll feed you pucks all night," he said. 

And they did.  I was able to bang not one but two pucks into the Slo Birds' nets.  I was so happy and so was Milt.  In fact, he retrieved the puck after I scored the first one and gave it to trainer Mark Hoffman.  He labelled it for me the next day - "1st Goal as a Warrior" it read.  

I still have that puck and those memories and, a story to share with you.