More Than A Sport

The hiss of razor-sharp blades chopping up the ice, the sweat running down my face, teammates impatiently waiting to receive the puck, the fans cheering for their favorite team, and the biting chill that spread the coaches’ voice throughout the rink. All of those unique feelings and many more unforgettable experiences are hiding under the simple term “Ice Hockey”.

In my childhood, when I had uncontrollable bursts of energy and legs that never got tired, I understood that I wanted to play a sport so I could relieve my constant urge to move. I did not know what to choose because of thousands of different possibilities. Then one night, as I was staring into the empty winter streets of Sofia, I noticed the many different snowflakes that were carefully taking their place on top of each other on the ground. I went out to the balcony and started running with my mouth open, trying to catch as many snowflakes as I could. I was barefoot, so even though I was doing my best not to slide, the friction between my small feet and the hard tiles was not enough, and this resulted in my first experience with the concept of skating.

A few weeks later, I was watching the lightning quick and unpredictable violent dance performed by the bodies of the players. When I first saw the fast-paced game, I understood that it was for me; however, I noticed something else that made me think twice about my wish to tell my father that I wanted to start training. Everyone who played was so big, and my imagination of a seven-year-old kid could not place myself on the rink, next to the other players who seemed as big as mountains. I started doubting whether I really wanted to try playing hockey, but then I saw a group of children who were about my age, running around with their small sticks, that looked like toys compared to the ones the men on the ice were using. I realized that if other kids had the bravery to do it, then I had it too. I told my father to sign me up, and I noticed his worried smile, but he wanted to make me happy, so he called the coach.  I was given the opportunity of a lifetime, I found something that I loved. And so I began, practicing ice hockey with other children, who I saw as an obstacle between me and my goal to become the best.

Years later, it was the third period, and the game was extremely close. The score was tied up, with each team having scored three goals. My hockey club, “CSKA” was facing down the toughest team in our league, shorthanded and hours from home. Three minutes were left, but we did not even have time to look at the time because of the fast-paced decisions our coach was making. We did not have a lot of players, so he was forced to constantly change up, trying to give everyone a couple of minutes to breathe, before putting them back on.

I got the call to go back with one minute and thirty seconds left. We won the faceoff and I received a pass from one of my teammates. I took control of the puck and then looked up in order to see where the opposite’s team defense was. To my surprise, a badly placed defender left the path to the net unopposed. I forced my feet to skate as fast as possible, while I was stickhandling towards the goalie. I aimed to the best of my ability and I shot. It was probably one of my best shots ever. It went in the right top corner and as the net was absorbing the energy from the shot, I was already skating towards my team’s bench in order to celebrate with them. I was on top of the world. I could not be any hyped. At that moment, I realized that years ago, I had found something that makes me feel most alive, the experience that is ice hockey.