I was born in 1964 and the time of course when we played outside and not video games. We were allowed out until the street lights came on and the biggest past time was road hockey. Anyway I wanted to touch base about growing up in Canada in a family where Hockey was so important. My father sat me down when I was five and told me that I had to give up the little boy skates with thick blades and extra stoppers. Growing up in my house was special. My father as he stated paid a fortune for one of the first color RCA Television. We had the following rules
Even as teenagers the rule was if we lived under my parents roof we had to watch Hockey Night in Canada as a family. Even my Mom watched and we all together enjoyed it as a family. Now the reason is my family is a hockey family. My uncles and father played big time in the NHL. My father played in the stanley cup final as a goaltender for Boston. MY uncles led scoring in the ECHL. My cousin today runs the QMJHL as the President
Back to when I was five and my Dad said I could play hockey and if I gave a commitment he would too. Now as time went along I figured that what he meant was that I had to be up every morning at 430 am for the drive to arena for practice every day Monday to Saturday from 5:00am until 6:00am. we continued that until at 15 my parents were called and told I had been invited to play a higher level where most kids were already 17 and 18. I had to leave my home and be bordered in another city with people who offered the local team players room and board. I found out many years later that it cost my parents thousands even back then. I was blown away that no matter where I played or at what time my parents would travel to the games. I finally figured out that my Dad meant his commitment was that he would support me by never missing a game. Now I was born a frenchman from a french family. Now as get to the years and age of my parents were back then I realize that they gave it 100 percent because I did, I did them proud by making it to the show. I also realize the time to build the rinks. early morning Tim Hortons and never forgetting to open doors for woman. My father was a very strict man is his way and actually not strict in discipline but his teachings.
They are gone now and I can feel that my love for them will and forever be in my heart and soul. The respect growing up still guides me today with my own step sons.
I wrote this as a reminder that I am a STEP-DAD and I so proud
TO BE A STEP DAD ISN'T EASY BUT TO THINK THE GOOD WILL OUT WEIGH THE BAD
I WAS NOT THERE TO HOLD THEM AS A BABY BUT I CAN TRY AND BE THERE TODAY WHEN THEY ARE SAD
I MISSED THERE FIRST STEPS AND WAS NOT THERE TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL OR SEE THEM THE FIRST TIME THEY FELT THE SUN
I NEVER SAW THERE FIRST CANDLES BLOWN OUT OR EVEN THE FIRST THIRTEEN
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THERE FIRST WORD WAS OR EVEN THERE FIRST FOOD THE TASTED
I WISH I COULD TURN BACK TIME AND WITNESS ALL THOSE MISSED YEARS AND BE WITH YOU FOR THEM ALL
THEY MAY NOT BE MY BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN BUT I TRY AND LOOK AT THEM AS MY OWN AND TRY AND SHOW IT AS BEST I CAN
I HAVE MISSED THE FIRST TIME AT XMAS WHEN THEIR EYES LIT UP SO BRIGHT FOR THAT CHRISTMAS FUN
BUT INSTEAD OF LOOKING BACK I WILL LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND THANK MY DESTINY FOR THE BEST PRE MADE FAMILY A MAN COULD HAVE
I WILL TRY AND REMEMBER THAT ANYONE CAN BE A FATHER BUT IT TAKES A MAN TO BE A STEP DAD
My family and old pics
Maurice Courteau
ACTUAL HOCKEY CARD AVAILABLE ON EBAY
My uncles stats
Regular Season Playoffs
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM +/- GP G A Pts PIM
1939-40 Washington Eagles EHL -- 35 33 68 0
1940-41 Washington Eagles EHL -- 29 38 67 0
1941-42 Washington Eagles EHL -- 34 42 76 115
1942-43 Montreal Senior Canadiens QSHL -- 4 9 13 0
1944-45 Providence Reds AHL 45 32 40 72 45 -- -- -- -- --
1945-46 Providence-N.H. AHL 58 11 57 68 49 -- -- -- -- --
1946-47 Springfield Indians AHL 63 19 30 49 62 2 0 3 3 0
1947-48 Springfield Indians AHL 68 28 64 92 36 -- -- -- -- --
1948-49 Springfield Indians AHL 68 12 36 48 28 3 0 5 5 4
1949-50 Vancouver-Oakland PCHL 35 3 20 23 9 -- -- -- -- --
1949-50 Louisville Blades USHL 40 8 36 44 8 -- -- -- -- --
1950-51 Valleyfield Braves QSHL 51 9 20 29 16 13 0 1 1 26
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