Jimmy Welch Peewee Champs (2008)

Here's what we accomplished:

4 for 4.

Solid team play.

We never backed down.

We never gave up more than 2 goals in a game.

And everyone played and played hard.

Great work.

There were a lot of folks who doubted that this team could get the job done. Some said we were too small. And other said we were too young. But, we silenced our critics and played 4 beautiful games of hockey.

I encourage you all to remember why we worked so hard and why we pushed ourselves. It's not about being the champions or about the trophy or even about having bragging rights around the rink. We worked hard because team work and discipline and composure and dignity matter. Learning to get up when you're knocked down matters. And learning to be part of something bigger than yourself and learning to contribute matters. That's why the coaches pushed so hard and that's why the players worked so hard.

And, having come through four tough games and a long weekend of hockey, everyone is entitled to feel a sense of pride in what we managed to accomplish.

Savor this victory because victories fade fast. But remember that this was possible because we came together as a team, because we worked hard as a team, and because we won as a team.