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“Don’t let your fear of failure take over your desire to succeed.” Driven by the words of his grandfather, 17-year-old Devin Kirk McElroy takes pride in whom he is and what he stands for. These words have kept him strong-willed and determined to never give up. I look into his hazel eyes, note his strong jaw line, and I see a bright smile. Then I notice his defined physique and get a sense that he’s a really active guy, who takes what he does very seriously. New to the Oakville Blades this season, Devin is playing in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, just below the OHL, considered a very high level of hockey. In fact, Devin was drafted in 2001, but chose to turn down his offer so he could try and get a scholarship instead. His room, bound by a hockey border and blue walls, is filled with hockey and soccer trophies, certificates of achievements, and posters of Wayne Gretzky and Curtis Joseph (a.k.a. Cujo). Devin hesitantly tells me of his favourite team, “I guess it’s the Toronto Maple Leafs,” and then with excitement talks of his favourite player Joe Sakic, who plays for the Colorado Avalanche. I ask Devin about his inner passion for hockey. In his Clarkson hockey sweat suit, sitting comfortably with his feet up on his dark-blue leather armchair, he replies with strong emotion forehead lifting, “I can’t really imagine my life without it. Every time I get on the ice, all my problems go away.” Hockey, from the time he was only four years old playing in the Pre-Tykes division, has always been in his blood. “It felt natural,” Devin says as a matter-of-fact. He also grew up playing soccer, but before long, destiny led him to the frozen ice-sport. When he entered the minors, Devin’s feelings toward hockey weren’t as passionate. A grin on his face, he reflects back to his earlier, not so serious years, “I was just in it to have fun and to have something to do on Friday nights.” Many years later, Devin has become a very strong player with both ability and character and has proven himself to be an asset to his team. As both an impact player and a role player, Devin’s talent is to create a lot of energy so that his team mates can build off of it, and then use that as motivation. Creativity and leadership has earned this 175 lb., 5'11 hockey player a draft to the Owen Sound Attacks, recognized as an eligible player for the 2003-2004 season. However, this talented and disciplined hockey player decided to go after a scholarship. “His goal is to get his education. Whether he gets one or not, he’s going to be successful in whatever he does. And I believe hockey has helped him along the way,” says Devin’s dad, Mr.McElroy, with a smile of admiration for his devoted son.
Approximate Word count = 1930
Approximate Pages = 7.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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