09/14/2026
’Twas the Night Before First Hockey Practice
’Twas the night before hockey, and all through the house,
Not a hockey bag stirred—not even a mouse.
The jerseys were hanging, the skates by the door,
While Mom yelled, “Who left their shin guards on the floor?!”
The sticks had been checked, and the tape had been found,
The helmets were sitting in a neat little mound.
But then came the question that filled us with fright:
“Who packed up their hockey bag last spring tonight?”
Dad opened the bag, and he nearly fell back—
A terrible odor escaped from the sack.
It smelled like old socks, with a hint of dead feet,
And something resembling a locker-room treat.
“Oh no,” Dad exclaimed, “What is living in there?”
He cautiously poked it while holding his nose in the air.
A glove came flying, a sock followed too,
And somehow a banana appeared from the blue.
The equipment was smelly, the pads were all gross,
The gloves had a fragrance that nobody knows.
The hockey bag itself seemed ready to flee,
As if it had plans to escape on its own, you see.
Then came the bottles—oh, what a surprise!
Three ancient water bottles met everyone's eyes.
One had some water from who-knows-when,
And another had something that smelled like a pen.
“Just rinse them out!” someone confidently said.
But Dad took one sniff and shook his head.
“Nope. Those are haunted. I’m calling it now.
Those bottles belong in the garbage somehow.”
At last, all the gear was cleaned up with care,
Fresh socks were packed, and new tape was there.
The skates were sharpened, the jerseys looked bright,
And everyone finally settled in for the night.
Then out on the porch there arose such a clatter,
Everyone jumped up to see what was the matter.
They raced to the window and looked outside—
A hockey stick had fallen and started a slide!
But all was prepared for the morning ahead,
So everyone climbed into cozy warm beds.
With dreams full of breakaways, slap shots, and goals,
And visions of hockey sticks flying like trolls.
And Mom said, “Tomorrow, you’d better be ready!”
Dad shouted, “And PLEASE keep those water bottles steady!”
Then they heard one last voice from the hockey bag’s fright:
“Please… wash me again…”
Happy first hockey practice night! 🏒🥅
Can’t wait to see everyone for our first practice!!!
7-8 NCRC
Please stop into the conference room for rules pages that must be signed by parents and players. Money can also be submitted at that time. If you have a varsity player that needs a New Jersey, we can take measurements to get those ordered.
Get a good nights rest and see you on the ice. 🧊
The September Board meeting will be held at the same time. See Crystal Burkhart in the party room prior to practice for paperwork and to make payment. Checks made payable to CV HOCKEY.
Conemaugh Valley Sports & Activities
Ferndale Area Junior/Senior High School
