PILLINGS - GBMH HOCKEY FAMILY

Photo: Front row L-R: front Rory, Anna Mae, Catherine and Lachlan. Back row L-R: Jody, Isabelle and Valerie. 

This year when our Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association held their call for players to register for the 2015-16 season, one family that gave a boost to our total was the “Pilling Family”. Minor hockey registration numbers have been declining for most associations over the past decade, so it’s refreshing to see a family of five children like the Pillings to be actively involved in sport of hockey.  

The Pilling’s dad Jody, grew up in Glace Bay playing hockey in the GBMH system and then went on to play for the Glace Bay Panther’s High School team. Meantime, Valerie (MacNeil) their mom played her favorite sport of basketball growing up and even got to try floor hockey which may have contributed to her current interest in hockey.  The Pilling couple is now raising five children, three girls and two boys. With four of the children in minor hockey, their family routine and life is one that is filled busy schedules, extended family cooperation and cherished memories.

The youngest of the children is Catherine who is 4 years old, along with her sister Anna Mae age 6, both play in our TOT’s Division where they attend two weekly hockey practices. In addition to hockey, Anna Mae also attends dance classes on Thursdays. Both girls have been on their skates for a couple of years and are remarkable skaters for their age. Next in the family is Rory, who at the age of 8 is a shifty and smooth skating centreman with his NOVICE Advanced team. His team practices twice per week and has Saturday set aside as his game-day. In addition to his GBMH ice-times, Rory also attends Extreme Edge Power Skating Clinic each Thursday evening. Finally, there is Lachlan who at the age of 10 has developed early hockey skills. The youngster is a defenseman who plays the right side, for our Glace Bay Atom “AA” hockey team. His head coach Brian O’Neill describes Lachlan as, “he is an extremely hard worker and is emerging into one of the league’s top defensemen”. Their team practices each Tuesday, Wednesday, plays their home games on Fridays and returns to one of the local rinks to play a road game in the Cape Breton Atom AA League circuit. Lachlan also attends the same power-skating clinic as Rory each Thursday, and when he can, does dry-land training on Monday’s. Lastly, is the Pilling’s oldest daughter Isabel, who is also very athletic. She started out playing hockey in the Novice and Atom divisions but later opted to switch to dancing where she has done well. Her dedication to competitive Highland and Step Dancing has allowed her to perform at shows and competition across Nova Scoita. Although Isabel is involved in her own activities, she is also her younger sister’s and brothers biggest fan, attending many hockey games to enjoy the family experience.

Although we are describing the Pilling family as a hockey family, both have made it clear to their children that hockey is a recreational activity that they try to live a balanced lifestyle. First and foremost for their family, is the importance of their children’s education. Mom comments “school work is always a priority. They are excellent students and enjoy school. They have learned that it's important to manage their time well to excel in both school and hockey”.  Lachlan and Rory also play for St Anne’s Elementary School hockey team as well as their school basketball squad. Finally, Lachlan and his sister, Isabelle play in school bands, Lachlan who plays the saxophone in the St Anne’s School Band and Isabelle who excels in playing the trumpet for OVEC Junior High School.

Hockey mom Valerie is quick to point out that with just their hockey schedules alone, they need to rely on their extended family to help out. She states “in total we have 6 practices, 2 power skating sessions, dry-land training and a minimum of 3 hockey games per week.  When you add in their other activities, we are grateful that we have very supportive grandparents who help us get everyone where they need to go. We couldn’t do it without them!”.

Saturday evenings at the Pillings tends to be a fun atmosphere especially when Hockey Night In Canada features a Montreal Canadiens versus the Toronto Maple Leafs rivalry. Jody shares “when we see a big game going to be on TV, we usually make a big deal and event out of it, as the children usually bring out their entire Habs/Leafs  collection of jerseys, blankets and hats to cheer on their favorite teams”. With the recent good news of Glace Bay’s own Logan Shaw now playing for the NHL Panthers the family now enjoys watching Logan and the Florida Panther’s games. Dad says “I agree with the extra TV hockey time to catch some Panther’s games. Logan Shaw as a great role-model for our GBMH children “we try and catch any games we can, to watch him!”.

The family also enjoys some rare spare time during the winter months skiing & snowboarding at Ben E’ion and Ski Cape Smokey. However once the GBMH season is over the Pillings don’t yet retreat from the rinks, as both Rory and Laughlin played for the Atlantic Hockey Group (Cape Breton FREEZE), with Rory playing for the Novice’s Nova Scotia hockey team.

During the summers they spend some well-deserved vacation time in Ingonish enjoying healthy outdoor activities such as hiking, running, golfing and biking. Rory and Lachlan also play baseball. Over and above this both parents emphasize that they want their children learn about some Cape Breton cultural activities such as the Gaelic Heritage language, song, dance and bagpipes”. AS the summer weeks begin to wind down Jody and Valerie start noticing the kids hinting that it’s time to return and allow them to start back into their hockey routines with hockey clinics and tryouts.

Hockey Canada’s mission statement is “to Lead, Develop and Promote Hockey Experiences”. Our Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association appreciates the commitment and dedication that the Pillings are making to allow their children to participate and enjoy our hockey programs. In return, both Jody, Valerie state that “their children have learned to love the great sport of hockey including being able to both work with others and listen to their great coaches for which they are forever grateful”.

In closing did you know that GBMH registered 560 children into their hockey program, including 437 males and 123 females. Due to our successful weekly 50/50 draw that 58% of our registered players have their full registration costs covered in full. 

(article/photo: Charlie Campbell)