In 2003, we started hockey players for a junior team in Texarkana, TX. Our first player was Patrick Galivan, who moved in with us as a shy 17-year-old senior in high school. I'm still not sure how we ended up with two players, but shortly after Pat moved in, Steve LaFrenier joined us. This started a long-term relationship we still maintain with several families in Chicago. In fact, when Pat moved from junior hockey to Division 1 hockey, we continued to follow him at Western Michigan. That first season in Texarkana was an eye-opener for us, as we were introduced to the world of junior hockey and some really fun hockey players and parents. We learned about the heartbreak of trades and being scratched, injuries, and the highs of being on a winning team. We quickly fell in love with the quality of play, as well as the quality of the young men involved in the team.
In 2004, Patrick returned to the team for a second season. There was no way we would allow him to live with anyone else, so he moved back in. The coach called us a couple weeks later to ask if a player from Detroit could move in with us, which was when we met Steve Bandurski. Steve quickly became a heartthrob among the local hockey fans and was a great asset to the team. Then the coach called again to ask if we could house another player for a short while "until we can find a permanent place for him." I had an extra bed in the room where Steve was staying so John Kearns moved in. John was delightful! After he moved in, there was no way he was going to live anywhere else. I think the coach knew how much we would like John. He made his bed every morning! Amazing! Then there was Jason. Jason Price spent several nights at our house because he and Steve had become good friends. Jason came to me (with the other guys in the background) and asked if he could also move in. The coach wasn't thrilled, but because Jason had been staying with us anyway, he permanently moved in. I learned that Jason became the spokesman for the group. What a year that was!! We had so much fun. Unfortunately, Bill was living in Michigan and missed most of it. While I had decided this was my last year to billet players, Bill hadn't come to that conclusion.
Last year the Muskegon Lumberjacks became a junior team and Bill wanted very much to house a player. Again, we ended up with multiple players. The first two players to move in were Chris Lochner and Brent Bain. Chris is from Atlanta, but was born in New York. Brent is from Toledo. Unfortunately, Brent didn't stay long but went on to have a great season with an NAHL team. Then Ryan Misiak from Detroit moved in. Chris's season was cut short by an injury, just as his season was taking off, but he ended up with a scholarship to Niagara University. Ryan had a great season and will attend Mercyhurst College on a scholarship in the fall.
We have thoroughly enjoyed following all these young men as they move on the the next part of their lives. Patrick Galivan went on to Western Michigan University and was the top scorer in the CCHA his senior year. He signed with the Chicago Wolves and has played with the Wolves and the Gwinnett Gladiators. Steve LaFrenier played for Robert Morris in Chicago until he graduated a couple years ago. Steve Bandurski played for Robert Morris University and Kettering until he graduated. John Kearns played for Army and the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire until he graduated this year and Jason Price has played for several teams and is currently playing with the Augusta Riverhawks. We were fortunate to see him play with the Muskegon Lumberjacks pro team last year and were happy to attend the wedding of Jason to his beautiful wife, Michole.
We thank both teams for introducing us to these extended members of our family. We also thank their families for sharing their boys with us. I wish them much luck and hope they remain in touch with us. It's been a great experience!
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