In the next few hours we will close out the books on 2017 and enter 2018.  During the past couple of weeks, we have all had some time off to spend with family and friends during the Christmas break.  In less than 24 hours, several players will be joined together on New Years Eve in Grand Rapids to ring in the New Year in a very festive way.  It is this time of the year that many reflect on their selves, their friends, their family and set goals for the upcoming year.    For myself, I too reflect on the previous year and focus on goals for the next.  It is still hard for me to believe that a goalie that never played a single game of ice hockey until 2011, was able to shift from inline to ice and continue his drive and passion for competitive hockey.  I know this would not be possible without the great support the Phantoms have displayed and demonstrated since 2011.   Additionally, it is still amazing that a recreational adult team that started back in 2001, is still going strong today.  Again, without the support and dedication of all of the Phantom players 744 games overall would not be possible.  So while many have spent the past couple of weeks with brothers, cousins, sisters, grandparents and family, we have also spent the joyest time of the year with our forwards, defensemen, goalie and fans. 

A team is family.  We as the Phantoms have been blessed with a very talented cast of individuals over the years, each bringing something different to benefit the team.  Whether we are on the ice together, in a bar together or at another location that brings us together, we have each others back and we support each other to the end.  It is easy to print or type words to express this, but for the 15 years that this team has been aroundwe have lived it, we have showed it and we have proved it. 

As we sit here in the final hours of 2017, we all have played such an important role in allowing the Phantoms to reside tied in first place entering 2018.  As the third highest scoring team in the league, the best defensive team in the league and a very disciplined ninth overall in penalty minutes, we have climbed from a rocky start to 7-2-2 record, with four straight wins in the process.  However, statistics are just numbers to measure how we stack up against other teams.  I think the friendships, support, dedication and history that we have grown with together are the fundamentals that separate us from other teams and make us stand out from the rest. 

Whether it is supporting teammates when they get married or purchase a house, showing support and talking when teammates needs encouragement or help, or dealing with all other actions that the game of life delivers, we as a Phantom team show our support to each other on more than just the ice.  From all of the great events and gatherings we enjoyed together in 2017.to all of those upcoming and future events and gatherings in 2018Cheers!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to the greatest friends and teammates that make up Phantom Hockey!