(Our family posed at the Knoxville Ice Bears game. Annabelle proudly wore her new ball cap.)
This blog entry is meant to serve as a continuation from the previous narrative that speaks to how the Knoxville Ice Bears’ have become a family tradition. Prior to reading this text, I would encourage you to read the previous blog entry, titled Hockey Nights and Family Lights: How the Ice Bears Bring Us Together, One Game at a Time.
Scripture Focus:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who fails and has no one to help them up."
—Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV)
At a Knoxville Ice Bears game, something special always unfolds—but sometimes the lessons we take home are more than just about hockey.
One evening in the Kid’s Zone at the ice rink, my two-year-old son Jace picked up a rubber hockey puck with wide eyes and a determined little grin. Surrounded by older kids, many of whom had to take multiple tries, Jace stepped up and—with a surprising burst of strength and coordination—hit the puck cleanly into the goal. Not once, but again and again, like a tiny professional. The older children stopped to watch in awe, cheering him on, amazed at what such a small child could do.
It was a proud dad moment, no doubt—but it was also a reminder of something deeper. God equips us at every age and stage, and sometimes He uses the smallest ones to show us the biggest truths.
As I watched Jace, I thought about the Ice Bears' season—a true underdog story. They barely made the playoffs, but once they were in, something changed. They fought for each other. They encouraged each other. And when someone on the opposing team made a dirty play, one of our players would rise to defend his teammate, even if it meant sitting in the penalty box for doing so. That kind of loyalty costs something—but it also speaks volumes.
They may not have been the most skilled team in the league, however, they became the most unified. They stood up, not just for the puck, but for each other.
This is how the Church is meant to function. The Apostle Paul writes about the body of Christ having many parts, each playing a role, working together (1 Corinthians 12). No one part is greater than another, but all are necessary. And sometimes, standing up for one another means taking hits, enduring penalties, or sacrificing personal gain to protect someone else.
When I saw my toddler hitting those pucks, unphased by who was watching, I was reminded that encouragement matters. The awe of the older children? That mattered. Their smiles? That mattered. Jace felt seen. He felt celebrated. And in that moment, I realized just how powerful it is when people come together to lift someone up.
That kind of support echoes what we saw on the ice this past season. The Knoxville Ice Bears did not make their championship run on talent alone—they made it because they played as one. They had each other’s backs. They cheered one another on. They stood together in adversity, even defending each other when things got rough—sometimes taking penalties to protect a teammate from a cheap shot. Their unity created momentum. Their teamwork sparked belief.
In the same way, when the Church builds each other up, we all become more courageous, more faithful, more full of joy. Like the Ice Bears, we face battles. But we are stronger when we move as one. We play better—together. And in the Kingdom of God, that kind of togetherness is what leads to real victory.
Reflection Questions:
- Who in your life might need you to “get in the box” for them—to defend, protect, or advocate even if it costs you?
- Are there people you could encourage today, whether they’re hitting small goals or just trying their best?
- How are you functioning as a teammate in the body of Christ?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the gift of community and the strength that comes when we stand together. Help me to be an encourager. Help me to protect and lift up those around me, even when it requires sacrifice. Teach me to celebrate others, to support the body of Christ like a true teammate, and to always remember that victory in Your Kingdom looks like unity, not individual achievement. Amen.
(This was one of the first Star Wars theme nights that Lisa, Annabelle, and I attended at an Ice Bears’ game. This picture was taken before Jace was born.)
(Annabelle posed next to her favorite sports mascot, Chilly Bear.)
(Lisa, my wife, is a serious Star Wars Mandalorian fan! She insisted on getting this picture.)
(Lisa and I posed with Chill Bear after a hockey game.)
(Deadpool attends every Ice Bears’ game dressed up as the character. This is the Star Wars version of Deadpool, hence the Jedi robe and the lightsaber. The kids wanted to get a picture.)
(I posed with the Knox County mayor, Glen Jacobs. Prior to his community involvement, Jacobs was a professional wrestler named Kane. He was the star guest for the Ice Bears' Wrestling Night.)
(The kids love to take selfies with Daddy at the hockey games. I must admit these family selfies can be a lot of fun!)
(Jace wore this youth jersey to the Ice Bears’ hockey games. As you can tell, it is a little big on him.)
#Family #Cartees #FamilyTraditions #HockeyMemories #HockeyWithKids #KnoxvilleIceBears #IceBearsHockey #SPHLHockey #PresidentCupFinals #HockeyInKnoxville #IceBearsNation
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