The Good With The Bad

After getting asked back four times Devin was told yesterday that he would not make the Belle Tire team, though the coach was extremely impressed with him. Told Devin that he did not want to burn bridges with him, wanted to keep up on where he is playing and watch him in game situations, but was afraid he did not have enough experience at the AAA level and that he did not have time to develope him. He even told him to continue to come to their practises and work with the team whenever he wanted. He recommended that Devin try out for Compuware (also AAA), where he would get alot of shots on him and would continue to develope his skills and prepare him for the speed of AAA. His assistant coach (who played in the NHL for seven years) wanted him on the team and told the coach that even at the age of 12 he was the best he has seen, but obviously that wasnt enough for the head coach. The coach also told us that if Devin did not make a AAA team he should play up at the 94 level, because to stay in his age group would hinder his progress. And of course Devin was extremely disapointed, he had his heart set on this team; however, he now knows what he needs to do to get there. So last night we took him to a Compuware conditioning skate precluding their tryouts. He will go to the next few conditioning skates and then a decision will be made whether he will try out for Compuware or tryout for Victory Honda.

LC Championship, Mar. 15, 2008

Well the championship game was played and once again the Blizzard team won for the second straight year. It was a tough game, 0-0 after two periods before the boys stepped it up a notch and scored three goals. Devin got a shutout, stopping 24 shots to win the game. And though goalies are not usually the captain of the team, Devin wore the "C" again as he did in last years championship game. It was a great ending for him, should he advance to AAA, which is the next step in his evolution to realize his dream. This past week Devin attended a practise with the Belle Tire AAA team and he did very well, holding his own at that level without difficulty. Following the practise, the coach pulled him aside and told him he really liked what he saw, thought Devin had alot of potential and asked him to come back to their practises the rest of the month to see how he looks. Though this isnt a shoo in, Devin felt the coach was very excited about him. And though we have questioned Devin about making this move, driving to Detroit several times a week, leaving his pals on the Blizzard and going up to a more intense level, he claims he is ready. He states that he needs to make this move if he wants to reach his Junior Olympics goal.