Never forget the people who believed in you before anyone else did.
This past weekend we celebrated Father's Day.
Now that I have kids of my own, Father's Day hits a little differently. It always makes me think about my own dad...and both of my parents...and everything they sacrificed to give me the opportunity to chase my hockey dream.
Every season there was somehow a new pair of skates waiting for me. Early on they were usually hand-me-downs, but they got the job done.
They drove me all over the great state of Wisconsin for early morning practices and weekend tournaments.
They celebrated the big wins.
They picked me up after the tough losses.
One of my favorite memories is Saturday mornings before a big weekend of hockey. My dad would already be awake, buzzing around the kitchen after way too many cups of coffee, flipping perfect stacks of pancakes onto my plate so I could "carbo load" before the games. Looking back, I'm not sure the pancakes made me a better hockey player...but knowing my dad believed in me definitely did.
Now I have kids of my own.
Whether they choose hockey, baseball, music, or something I've never even thought of, I want to be that same kind of dad. I want to be the one driving them to practices. I want to be in the stands cheering. I want to encourage them after the losses and celebrate the victories.
Right now it looks like baseball has captured their hearts...and I'm perfectly okay with that.
I'll happily become the world's best baseball chauffeur and private chef if it helps them chase their dream.
So today I want to say thank you.
To every hockey mom and hockey dad reading this—thank you for the early mornings, the long drives, the hotel weekends, the equipment bills, the sacrifices, and the unconditional support. Your hockey player may not fully understand everything you're doing today...
...but one day they will.
And to every player reading this...
Take a moment this week to thank your parents. Not because they expect it, but because they deserve it.
One simple "thank you" goes a long way.
Have a great week.
Knuckles up,
Bobby Robins, savage motivator, NHL Alum, writer for Wraparound
P.S. My parents always made sure I had the equipment I needed to improve my game. You don't need fancy gadgets to become a better player, but you do need tools that let you get quality reps whenever you can.
The Wraparound was built for exactly that. Whether you're shooting or stickhandling in the driveway, the basement, or the garage, it lets you train more often without tearing up your stick.
More reps today become more confidence next season.