The $15 Sher-Wood to $399 Hockey Stick: A Puzzled Dad's Journey
Alright, gather around, everyone. It's story time with your favorite puzzled dad. You see, one day, I woke up, rubbed my eyes, and glanced over at the hockey gear scattered around the living room like a sporting goods store had a wild party and forgot to clean up. My eye caught sight of my son's hockey stick – a sleek, futuristic piece of equipment that looked like it could launch a rocket, not just a puck.
"What's that?" I muttered, still half asleep.
My son, with the air of someone explaining quantum physics to a caveman, replied, "Dad, it's my new stick. It's a CCM Ribcor Trigger 6 Pro."
"And how much did this… Ribcor Trigger Pro cost?" I asked, fearing the worst.
"$399," he said nonchalantly.
I felt my heart skip a beat. $399?! For a stick?! I had flashbacks to his youth when I handed him a $15 Sher-Wood stick, and I felt like I had just had given him Excalibur. It was a simpler time. A time when sticks were made of wood, not some space-age material NASA probably wants back.
Was It All a Dream?
In my daze, I started to wonder if this was all a dream. Maybe I’d wake up, and my son would be practicing his slap shots with a good old-fashioned wooden stick. But alas, no. This was my reality. A reality where a hockey stick costs more than my first car.
Are 12Us That Good Now?
I started to ponder, are 12-year-olds really that good now? Do they truly need these high-tech sticks? Are they using them to perform slap shots or to communicate with alien life forms? Back in my day, the only technology he needed was a roll of hockey tape and a solid pair of skates. And he was pretty darn good, or at least that’s what I tell myself to feel better.
Do They Notice the Difference?
I had to know – do these kids even notice the difference? Is my son really better with a $399 stick, or is it all just clever marketing? Are the sticks infused with some sort of magical power that transforms them into mini Gretzkys? Or are we parents just gullible enough to believe that throwing money at a sport will automatically produce a superstar?
Do They Come Autographed?
For that price, I half expected the stick to come autographed by Connor McDavid himself. Maybe even with a small plaque and a certificate of authenticity. Heck, at this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the stick had a tiny butler who served you Gatorade during the game.
Do Minor Hockey Players Have Full-Time Jobs?
Then it hit me – how are these kids affording this gear? Do minor hockey players now have full-time jobs? Are they moonlighting as stockbrokers or perhaps running tech startups on the side? If so, I have to hand it to them – that's some impressive time management.
Coping with the Sticker Shock
So, how does a puzzled dad cope with this shocking revelation? First, I laugh. Because, honestly, what else can you do? I laugh at the absurdity of it all and at the thought of my mom's reaction if she were here to see this. Then, I embrace it. I become the dad who knows his Ribcor from his JetSpeed, who can discuss flex and kick point like a pro. I dive into the world of youth hockey with both feet, wallet open, and try to enjoy the ride.
Because at the end of the day, it's not about the price tag on the stick. It's about the memories we make, the lessons we learn, and the laughter we share. And who knows, maybe one day, my son will look back and laugh about how his old man freaked out over a hockey stick. And maybe, just maybe, he'll hand his own kid a $15 Sher-Wood and tell him stories of simpler times.
Until then, I'll be the puzzled dad on the sidelines, trying to figure out how to operate this new-fangled equipment and cheering louder than anyone else. Because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that being a hockey dad – no matter how much it costs – is priceless.
BTW, you can still get a Sher-Wood for $39
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