On behalf of the coaches, Merry Christmas to the boys and their families.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the rink,
Just one creature was stirring, the arena guy I think.
Jerseys were hung in the dressing room with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were home, all snug in their beds
While visions of hockey pucks danced in their heads.
And Lisa in her kerchief and Doug in his cap
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Doug sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below.
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But 11 kids all dressed in their gear.
With one little goalie, so lively and bright,
He knew in a moment it was Hayden White.
More rapid than eagles his players they came,
So Doug yelled out and called them by name.
Now Emmitt! Now Adam! Now Parker and Ethan,
On Alex! On Aaron! On Jacob and Keagan!
To the arena we’ll go, I know what we’ll do,
Let’s go everyone, follow Steve Georgiou!
As dry leaves that before the hurricane fly,
The team headed out beneath winter’s sky.
And down to the rink the Verspeeten boys flew,
To play some hockey for an hour or two.
And then in an instant the boys were there
Skating and laughing amidst the cool rink air.
And as I gazed out upon this wonderful sight,
He shoots, he scores! It’s Cameron White!
The boys were dressed in Express red, white, and black,
Team colours for sure, Verspeeten’s on their back.
And as they played, one and all smiled ear to ear,
Forgetting tomorrow soon would be here.
Just then the buzzer blew to end the great game,
A familiar guest arrived, they all knew his name.
He was dressed to the nines his voice so merry,
Cam Holland screamed, “Hey, it’s Don Cherry!”
Christmas could wait for the boys it was clear,
St. Nicholas forgotten, a new idol was here.
He called them to centre ice so the boys gathered round
And they circled him like a wreath without making a sound.
He was playful and fun, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Let the boys know they had nothing to dread.
He spoke to the boys, telling stories for an hour,
He talked about equipment, Nike and Bauer.
He spoke of hockey across this great land,
“Best in the World!” he’d say raising his hand.
When it came time to go, to the Zamboni he sprang,
Cheers from the boys all chanting his name.
But we heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!