Infinite possibilities

It’s about the speed. At a high level, the exhibition of skill and athleticism that hockey presents is thrilling beyond the capacity of most sport—indeed most of life’s pursuits. Then, short, sharp bursts of violence tighten the focus—deepen the intensity. It separates those who want to play the game from those who want to win. Yet it is the sheer speed of the game that captures our attention, grips our imagination and won’t let go.

Every time five players skate toward the offensive zone, the defence has seen it before. A move left, a curl back. A chip in to the corner, and a race for the loose puck. Two strides in and a drop pass. There are only so many moves. Yet when you put five creative individuals together at high speed, the possibilities seem infinite. It is an expression of human capacity at its most pure. Most fundamental. Most essential.

It is why, across this country parents and their kids pull themselves out of bed before dawn and head out upon squeaking cold snow to be at the rink. To share that moment. It is why the national news is pushed off of our television screens when the NHL playoffs get underway. It is why the minimum requirement of any self-respecting community is that it has a school, a church, a gas station and a hockey rink.

Wellington comes up just a bit short in this respect, in that its only gas station is for boats rather than cars. The village, however, boasts a great school, a handful of noble churches and a fine rink.

It is here that the focus of a large part of the hockey world will fall on next week. Wellington is hosting the Dudley Hewitt Cup—a tournament to decide which team, from four Ontario leagues, will move on to compete for the national championship in British Columbia next month.

Calling them Ontario leagues isn’t entirely accurate, given that the Superior International loop features a team from Wisconsin and another from Minnesota, along with teams from Dryden, EnglishRiver, Thunder Bay and FortFrances. On Monday, FortFrances defeated Minnesota in overtime to force a game seven. That game will be played tonight. The winner will travel to Wellington.

The Northern Ontario league features a hardnosed battle between the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners and the Soo Thunderbirds. The Gold Miners held a narrow lead in the series, three games to two, after the Sault Ste. Marie team bounced back with 5-1 win in game five. Game six was played on Tuesday. Game seven is set for Thursday, if needed.

Toronto Lakeshore Patriots have already won the right to play in Wellington next week. And of course, the Dukes. Wellington was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs last month— but they will be ready. No team is coming into this tournament underestimating one of the most storied teams in junior hockey.

The Wellington Dukes own a long track record of success, winning 30 or more games in each of the last 13 seasons—a winning streak unsurpassed by any other junior hockey team in the country. The Dukes have also won the Dudley Hewitt Cup twice—in 2003 and 2011.

It is Wellington’s first occasion to host the Dudley Hewitt Cup. The village and the County will do it well.

Next week’s celebration, however, is not just about hockey. The folks at the County’s arenas are leveraging the week of high calibre athletics with an interactive program of education, inspiration and fun for students across the region. An Olympic rower, a pro football play and a world champion tap dancer will be in Wellington next week to tell their story to schoolchildren. Later, the kids will take in a tournament game. The initiative is coordinated by the municipality and sponsored by the Wellington Rotary Club.

The story, however, inevitably turns back to hockey—for it is on the ice that the dreams of a few dozen young men will be played out next week. Along with their friends, families and fans watching. There will be triumph. Redemption. Heartache and crushing disappointment. All happening at breakneck speed.

Hockey has the rare ability to connect Canadians. It defines a common passion. Luckily for us, one of the finest spectacles of the sport will unfold right here in Wellington next week. You don’t want to miss it.

rick@wellingtontimes.ca