Minor Bantam A, 2018-2019 (Hespeler Minor Hockey Association)

I am happy to report that Abu has received his jersey.  Glenn and his team from One4Another made the long journey to Abu's home in eastern Uganda and made the special delivery of his jersey and care package.  While he was there, Glenn asked Abu's parents how best we could help them with the extra funds the boys raised for Abu.  Glenn's team put together the following list of supplies we purchased for Abu's family: Read More

Abu's recovery continues and he has received our team picture of the boys holding his jersey!  Glenn, from One4another, reports that Abu loves looking down at his straight feet!  In a couple weeks, he will graduate to braces and begin walking. Read More

Abu is feeling better and on the road to recovery after his surgery.  Our team could not be more proud of him for hanging in there and that smile has not left his face.  He is our inspiration!  Boys, I hope you feel the pride in your accomplishment with Abu.  Next picture may be him in his jersey....stay tuned!  Well done Shamrocks.

Thanks to the players of the Minor Bantam Shamrocks passion and dedication to this project, Abu's journey toward a normal childhood began on Sept 6 2018.  The treatment plan for him, he will start with a series of castings to stretch his feet ligaments over the course of about 6 weeks, so 1 new cast per week for six weeks, not unlike having braces tightened every few weeks or so.  Glen termed it "not a comfortable experience the first couple hours" after the casting has been applied. After 6 weeks a surgery will occur to realign feet and ankle bones. 
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I am super excited to introduce our 18th man for the upcoming hockey season.  His name is Abu and he is 12 years old.  He suffers from neglected bilateral clubfeet.  He is eager to get help and the Minor Bantam Shamrocks are here for him.  His treatment is being planned and will share with everyone shortly. 

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After I was given the responsibility of being the head coach of this team, I started to think about what I really wanted to teach the boys this season.  I struggled with many different ideas, philosophies about hockey and what it means to be a hockey player.  While thinking about this, I watched in awe for over a month, how the hockey community rallied around the families of the Humbolt Broncos bus tragedy victims. It became clear to me that the best thing I can teach the boys about hockey is what it means to be part of the hockey player community and about being a great teammate.  As part of the Humbolt news coverage, I came across a picture of an African boy wearing an Oakville Rangers jersey holding a sign in support of the Humbolt Broncos.  The picture gained so much popularity that the CBC did a story on the child in the picture.


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