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KenitohMenara · 12-23-2020, 05:28 PM

**1180 words**

The Players Tribune is excited to welcome Alexis Saint-Michel, a prospect forward for the upcoming Season 58 SMJHL entry draft.

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Do you remember the first ever time you went on a trip without your parents when you were a kid? Whether it was a school trip, scout camping expedition, holiday to a new country, whatever it may be. I like to think that we all had those same feelings. The excitement of new adventurers without the restraints of your parents which eventually gives way to worry about what if something goes wrong on the trip, the constant checking and rechecking of your bag to make sure you have your phone and other important items. Then during your trip you start missing the sound of your parents voice so you start calling them every so often and when you get back, you give them the biggest hug possible.

Yeah, I’ve been going through similar feelings recently. I am heading off to Vancouver to play with the Whalers to end the SMJHL season via the DFA ruling. Now obviously I am so excited to get my first taste of SMJHL hockey before the draft and after a few offers from teams, Vancouver’s offer of a semi-regular role with real minutes was too tempting to not take up. This is also going to be the first time I’m going to be away from my family for an extended period of time and… not gonna lie, I am rather nervous.

You see, my family is very tight knit. I grew up in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec with my parents, Henri and Karine Saint-Michel and my two older sisters, Rosalie and Olivia. Fans of the Winter Olympics may remember my Mum as Karine Marayev, Two time Olympic Gold medalist in figure skating and 4 time world champion.

Anyway, my family has a saying:

“La famille n'est pas quelque chose d'important. C'est tout ce dont on a besoin.”

“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”

We value our family more than anything else, so we do everything together. It was my big sister Olivia who brought me onto an ice rink for the first time during a family trip to Montreal, Rosalie showed me how to glide on the ice, Mum showed me how to turn and spin… and it was Dad who first put a hockey stick in hands. No matter what I chose to do with my time, my family was always there to support me, as long as I gave my all to it. This applied to everything in life.

Trois-Rivieres, being a stone's throw away from both Montreal and Quebec City, is a hotbed of culture. My parents made sure that my siblings and I were immersed in all of it. We each learned 3 languages, English, French and Russian, learned a musical instrument (my sisters play violin and piano respectively while I play the harp) and experienced the beautiful european inspired architecture of Quebec. We also all took dance lessons at mother’s insistence, in particular ballet.

I still remember those first few lessons with mother. I really sucked at it to begin with while my sisters were near flawless and copying mothers graceful movements. It was hard not to be jealous of them but no matter how hard I fell down or how many times it required me to get the movements correct, my family never gave up on me and stayed by my side. Even after practice, my sisters would help me out to make sure that I wouldn’t make the same mistakes again. My father would also always be nearby if I just wanted to talk man to man about stuff that was bothering me or helping me with strength training or exercises. Having this constant support network around me helped me not only overcome the early ballet difficulties but also made me realize something important. If my family were going this far for me because they believed I could be great, then nothing would be more insulting to their work than giving up on myself. From that night on, I made a pledge that no matter what, I would give 100% effort to everything I do and refuse to give up on anything set before me.

It wasn’t long after that before I joined up with the local junior hockey leagues. Being in Quebec, there was no shortage of junior teams to join up with and train with. I joined the Trois-Rivieres Pegase (Three Rivers Pegasus when translated) and it was here when all my family's training started to pay off. All the ballet lessons and strength training helped me immensely but it was my family’s support network that pushed me to new heights every practice session and game. My family was always there, no matter the day or time, they would always show up to games to cheer me on.

One particular game stands out to me when I think about my family and hockey. I was playing another team and my mother was taking my sisters to a ballet recital. I had been having a horrible game and the team was down 2 goals heading into the third period. As I headed onto the ice for the period, I saw my mum and sisters burst into the arena and they started waving at me. I thought they wouldn’t make it… but just seeing them was enough to get my wind back. I would charge out onto the ice and gave every ounce of energy I had to make them proud. I would score a natural hat-trick to win the game for the team. That’s how much my family means to me.

No matter what it was, from game nights, to movie nights, to going out to restaurants or holidays and everything in between, we did together as a family. So now, this brings me back to the feelings I started this article with. I am going to be without my family for quite a while, at least until the regular season and playoffs end so I have been going through those emotions again, even though I am excited as all heck to join Vancouver. As I headed through the airport after my family saw me off, I found myself checking and rechecking my bag before I heard my gate being called out… then in the back pocket of my bag, I found a card from my family and a packet of my favourite sweet, Maple Fudge. I almost cried at that… oh who am I kidding, of course I cried at that.

It was then when I realized something. I may be gone from my family for a while but after all we’ve been through together, they are always with me. They were there for me during my first practice, they were there for me during my first game and they are there for me now! Now that I am on the cusp of making it the professional ranks, it's my turn to make them proud.

Watch out SMJHL, Alexis Saint-Michel is coming at you full speed!

Wearingabear · 12-23-2020, 05:41 PM

Great article!

DeletedAtUserRequest · 12-24-2020, 01:25 AM

+1

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