Thank You! (To My SCVHA Family)

From 1997 to 2000, I was a member of the Santa Clara Valley Hockey Association. Like most people, the ages between 16 and 18 are incredibly formative and impressionable.

Lucky for me, I had my hockey family.

It was through these short (yet so long) three years that I developed a lot as a human.

Through hockey, I learned camaraderie, leadership, and eventually selflessness. Outside of hockey, I learned about love, honor, and humility.

These years, no matter the difficulties faced, were some of the most important years of my life. They meant so much that I had my jersey number and jersey stripes permanently etched into my skin, a constant reminder of who I was and who I became.

Hockey is also not an affordable sport. When my family ran into financial troubles, it was my Santa Clara Valley Hockey Association family that came to my rescue.

As such, this is the thank-you letter I penned to them in our end-of-year team newsletter.

Hockey is a sport which takes hard work, determination, skill, and effort from the players. And when you look at it, the players are just playing the game they love. At the younger ages, it’s the parents who get them to practices and games. And at most ages, it’s the parents who pay for the players to play. The parents are the backbone of their child. They show up to every game to cheer us on, they arrange team meetings, dinners, and tournaments.

I know some players get embarrassed when they hear their parents, and others shouting out, “GO BLACKHAWKS!!!” Even though they sound like they don’t appreciate it, I know they really do. When I hear parents shout “DEVO! DEVO! DEVO!” I get all fired up!!! I know the parents realize that they have someone on the ice that they can trust to help ensure victory. And that’s who I play for.

I’ve known John McNulty for two years now, and I know he trusts me. He knows my style, and he knows I can get the job done. He trusts me, and I trust him. Even my players on the ice—I trust everyone will perform their duties with razor-sharp precision, which makes my job easier. Especially my second-year players: Neil Caeton, Thomas Urban, Rick Johanson, Darcy Bennett, and Pat Collins. We played an entire season with each other last year, and have improved since then. We all know that we will not let each other down. So what I’m basically trying to say is that I will play for whoever believes in me, trusts me, and wants me to play for them.

Unfortunately, my father and I ran into some tight financial situations. Our money was diverted to areas that could not be ignored. And unfortunately, that meant my hockey would have to wait. Plus, a nasty call from the assistant treasurer didn’t help either. I had come to the realization that my youth hockey career was over.

But fortunately, I wasn’t alone. I had support. One of the team parents, whom I’ve known since last year and has become like a second mother to me, made the parents aware of my situation. And they banded together to lengthen my stay with the Blackhawks. When I heard that some parents got together to help pay for the rest of my season, I was so happy. I felt bad that they had to pay for me, but I began to realize that these parents really wanted me to play for them.

Our season ended with great success. And now came the playoffs. I felt that this is what the parents paid for. Unfortunately, I had to leave the first game with a knee injury, but I then came back to play the game of my life against Oakland. I did what I could to get my coaches, my team, and the parents closer to a NORCAL championship. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it past Santa Rosa. My counterpart Peter Vargo played an incredible game, and he kept us in it for the longest time.

Now it’s time for states. I have never been this far before. I know that we are going to have tremendous support, which I know I will feed off of. And I’m going to do everything within my power to re-create the Oakland game. When you watch me play on Friday, Saturday, and hopefully Sunday, I will be playing for my coaches: John, Bruce, and Jack. My players, and all of you out there in the stands. Even though you are not out there with us on the ice, you are out there with us in our hearts.

When we hear you cheer, we play that much harder for you. You bring us the thrill and the excitement, and I can’t wait for the celebration Sunday afternoon!!!

I would like to thank all the families from the Midget B1 team… You all helped me to be here with you for the remainder of the season!

And most importantly, Dianne Urban (Thanks “mom”!!!). Without her, without all of you, I would not be here to bring you a state championship. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart, and I wish there was a way to repay all of you. But it looks like all I can do is bring you a state championship.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone, because it isn’t every day a kid can be so lucky to know great people like yourselves, and there is no way you could understand how much I truly do appreciate your contributions. I will see everyone Wednesday at dinner.

Goodbye, and thank you all.

Love,

Devo