"I feel different, like I'm in a different country..."

Luke has moved on.  He has played dek hockey for 3 years.  He has made great friends.  (See post here.)  After he played his last game as a 9 year old (in the 7-9 year old division), he decided not to play dek hockey anymore. He has only played roller hockey for a year, but he has decided he is JUST a roller guy now.  No looking back :)

He's been playing in an in-house league, with kids from our local area who occassionally get mixed up on different teams, so they all get to know each other. 

Recently, we decided to let him try out for a traveling roller hockey team.  Not sure what we're getting ourselves into, but....  he made it.  He was thrilled.  Most of the tournaments will be local (within a 1 1/2 hours drive time or so) but we will be going to Buffalo, NY as well. 

At practice last night, they got their jerseys.  He wore one at practice last night and wore the other one to school today.  He cannot believe that it has his last name on it!  The joy.  Pure joy on this boy's face.  According to his logic, he is now a real hockey player since he has a hockey jersey with his OWN name on it.  No point in wearing NHL guys on his back anymore.  ha ha.

He said to me, "I think this league is really serious, mom!"

After he put the jersey on this morning, he said, "I feel like...  different.  Like I'm still skating."  (He drug his feet around the house like there were skates on his feet.)  "I feel different...  like I'm in another country."  To which I said, "Huh??!!"  He said, "Like I'm in Germany.  Like Johnny."

My cousin's son, Johnny, was in the NHL for a little bit, now he is in Germany, playing hockey there. 

Now Luke is just like Johnny.  He has a jersey with his name on the back of it. Seriously. Too. Cute.

Welcome to the big leagues, my boy!  :)