Hockey Player Magazine

Tag: eric miller freelance writer

  • Hockey Mom Earns Frequent Flyer Miles

    By Eric Miller (Note: Names below were changed.) We boarded the jet two hours late, me and 350 others.  No explanation was given other than lousy weather in Europe.  My original seat selection was along the back row aisle near the lavatory.  I’m one who plans ahead— the ten hour flight from Oakland to Stockholm…

  • Hockey Tape and Old Trophies Bring Out Sentiments

    by Eric Miller The line between frugality and nostalgia is not much wider than a skate blade. Consider hockey tape, the adhesive that binds equipment, body parts, and adult recreation teams.  Players hoarding rolls of UHaul® tape to strap on shin guards are frugal.  They’re too cheap to buy real sports tape.  Thriftiness is admirable…

  • Hockey Dad’s Love-Handle Saves the Game

    by Eric Miller We lumbered inside the locker-room and grimaced as hockey bags slid down our shoulders.  I hadn’t seen my Blazer teammates for over a month.  Inside, the guys slouched like dough-boys, suffering from extended tryptophan hangovers.  None admitted to exercising over the holiday break.  Crazy Eddie maintained his same pear shape.  He’s a…

  • Hockey Mom’s Excuse Scores Hat Trick

    Hockey Mom’s Excuse Scores Hat Trick

    by Eric Miller The five of us frowned as we tied our skates. We were down two players and knew the next 45 minutes would test our lungs and legs. “Where’s Blaze?” Swifty asked. “At a Raider game,” I answered. “Good excuse. Better than when Chuck got lost hunting or when Lefty had his vasectomy.…

  • Hockey Bag Violates Air Space

    by Eric Miller Humans are among the smelliest creatures in the animal kingdom.  We share the “Smelly Top Five” list with the wolverine, Tasmanian devil, polecat, and skunk.  Hockey players are a unique subgroup.  Though we are extremely agile, intelligent and handsome, we suffer a critical flaw.  Like whales and birds, we have a poor…

  • Losing Sucks, No Matter How Old You Are

    By Eric Miller Seven percent isn’t bad.  It depends on your point of view. Consider weight loss.  If I was seven percent lighter I’d weigh a svelte 162 pounds, not bad for a guy fending off love handles and sagging breasts.  Seven percent is a strong return on stocks given today’s, last year’s, or last…

  • Hockey Dad Plays Field Hockey Daughter in Annual Parent Game

    To understand a sport you need to play it, even if it’s against your own kid. I watch her play, rain or shine.  I want to know how good she and her teammates are, and I’m curious as to how I match up.  Kate is unaware that I secretly practice.  The annual parent—daughter field hockey…